OT: Advice needed on how to get rid of a BMW

[paramount]

@flu: When I bought my 328 it had about 2 days of factory warranty left. I did have the full history, it was a lease return. I remember that the heads had been replaced, which was a known issue with the 328.

The code was something like: engine (or coolant) did not reach operating temp.

[paramount]

It’s really hard to argue that a 328 is a better car than an accord or Camry.

[Coronita]

[quote=paramount]@flu: When I bought my 328 it had about 2 days of factory warranty left. I did have the full history, it was a lease return. I remember that the heads had been replaced, which was a known issue with the 328.

The code was something like: engine (or coolant) did not reach operating temp.[/quote]

So it wasn’t CPO… Ok… Well, go back to the stealership service center and have them print out the entire car history for you.. You’re going to need it.

[zk]

Bummer about the Bimmer.

Sometimes you have to cut your losses and move on.

A Camry might be more reliable than a BMW, but other than that…

I’d say if you can afford (and your priority is to spend money on) a nice car, get yourself a Lexus. I think Lexuses are great. Smooth, powerful, reliable, comfortable, quiet. They have some models that compare with a BMW 3 series. A friend has a Lexus IS, and he loves it. flu says he’s not a fan of the Lexus IS. So, being a fellow (maybe former) BMW fan, you might not be either. But then again, you might. And if you decide you like it, you’ll have a car you like, and it will most likely be somewhat more reliable than your BMW (and less expensive to repair).

Good luck.

[spdrun]

Or just get the Scion FR-S if you don’t need four doors. RWD, available real transmission (not autotragic), and fun as hell to drive if not super fast.

[Coronita]

[quote=zk]Bummer about the Bimmer.

Sometimes you have to cut your losses and move on.

A Camry might be more reliable than a BMW, but other than that…

I’d say if you can afford (and your priority is to spend money on) a nice car, get yourself a Lexus. I think Lexuses are great. Smooth, powerful, reliable, comfortable, quiet. They have some models that compare with a BMW 3 series. A friend has a Lexus IS, and he loves it. flu says he’s not a fan of the Lexus IS. So, being a fellow (maybe former) BMW fan, you might not be either. But then again, you might. And if you decide you like it, you’ll have a car you like, and it will most likely be somewhat more reliable than your BMW (and less expensive to repair).

Good luck.[/quote]

the IS-F isn’t bad, minus the look of the quad stacked tailpipe.. 🙂 But I don’t think he’s looking at that…

[FlyerInHi]

I think flu said, you gotta pay to play.

You buy an expensive car not for function, but for looks, prestige, drive feel, … All intangibles. Then you want to recover a big portion of purchase price upon sale?

And you expect maintenance to be cheap? Why would the manufacturer charge less when they can charge more simply because of the demographics? That’s capitalism at work, man.

[all]

That’s what happens when you take a beemer out of its natural habitat and put it in Temecula – it turns into a beater.

[Coronita]

Here you go paramount. Here’s a few words of mouth…

1. http://www.midnightoilmotors.com/

Give these guys a call. They are in miramar… Pretty reputable. I didn’t go there myself (yet). But some folks at the track says they are good.

2. I have dealt with these folks,

http://purems.com/

but it was awhile ago with my audi….

3. If you need a parts guy in a hurry, give this guy a call in Rancho Bernardo. Steve is a great guy and can probably save you a bundle on OEM parts.. usually same day turnaround for parts if you call before 10am.

http://europarts-sd.com/

4. The cheapest parts I found OEM are on Amazon.com if you happen to know the part number and if you aren’t in a hurry.

5. Lastly, if you are really desperate you can also try

http://www.rmeuropean.com/
http://www.ecstuning.com/

6. If you REALLY need dealership parts

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/

Also, sign up for BMW CCA membership, and most dealers will give you 15-20% off parts/accessory…

You repairs, don’t sound like it’s out of the ordinary (brakes go, tires go…any performance/sports package will cost roughly the same).. Your battery is expensive, but a comparable equip Lexus these days probably will be able the same price since you haven’t seen how big the battery is… (It’s in the trunk BTW)…

The only thing that is out of the ordinary is the cooling system.

[The-Shoveler]

[quote=all]That’s what happens when you take a beemer out of its natural habitat and put it in Temecula – it turns into a beater.[/quote]

The funny part is there is a new BMW dealership in Murrieta, and I have seen quite a few new ferrari and maserati’s running around TV.

But yea trucks and SUV’s do much better in TV in general.

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=The-Shoveler][quote=all]That’s what happens when you take a beemer out of its natural habitat and put it in Temecula – it turns into a beater.[/quote]

The funny part is there is a new BMW dealership in Murrieta, and I have seen quite a few new ferrari and maserati’s running around TV.

But yea trucks and SUV’s do much better in TV in general.[/quote]

My wife’s 1998 Camry is quickly becoming like my 1989 civic was. Leaks a quart of oil a month. Weird noises. Lots of body damage. I wish she’d swap it with me for my new accord but she says it’s hard to see over the hood.

[spdrun]

Yep, new cars have way too fucking tall beltlines. Makes you feel like you’re driving a tank, not to mention making it uncomfy to hang your left arm out the driver’s window.

I miss the big greenhouses of the 80s and 90s.

[evolusd]

On the topic of cars, what do you guys think of the trend of more diesels in USA? Seems like you get the gas mileage benefit of a hybrid, but don’t sacrifice the driving pleasure as they tend to have tons of low end torque.

Audi A3 TDI sedan looks pretty cool.

[FormerOwner]

I suspect BMW (and many other European car manufacturers) made a business decision quite some time ago (early 1990’s or so, I would say) based on calculations that they’d end up making higher profits by designing in parts that break after the warranty expires. That way, you’re either going to pay them top dollar for the parts or pay them for a new or CPO car – they’re going to get more sales out of you one way or the other as long as you really like the cars. I think the Germans used to manufacture for reliability in the 1980’s and early 1990’s but things appear to have changed after that. This is based on anecdotal evidence based on friends’ experiences over the years.

[an]

[quote=flu][quote=zk]Bummer about the Bimmer.

Sometimes you have to cut your losses and move on.

A Camry might be more reliable than a BMW, but other than that…

I’d say if you can afford (and your priority is to spend money on) a nice car, get yourself a Lexus. I think Lexuses are great. Smooth, powerful, reliable, comfortable, quiet. They have some models that compare with a BMW 3 series. A friend has a Lexus IS, and he loves it. flu says he’s not a fan of the Lexus IS. So, being a fellow (maybe former) BMW fan, you might not be either. But then again, you might. And if you decide you like it, you’ll have a car you like, and it will most likely be somewhat more reliable than your BMW (and less expensive to repair).

Good luck.[/quote]

the IS-F isn’t bad, minus the look of the quad stacked tailpipe.. 🙂 But I don’t think he’s looking at that…[/quote]The new IS actually beat out the new 3 series in the comparo. The review actually say the new IS handles better, although it is slower. I’m also waiting on the new W205 C-class as well. It supposed to be substantially lighter (~3000 lb for the lightest one). Which is absurdly light for this class of vehicle.

[Author]

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