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paramount
Participantflu: Do you happen to know if the brakes on BMW’s are realistically do-it-yourself-able? I always do my own brake jobs, but that’s only been on Ford’s and Toyota’s for the most part.
Participant[quote=temeculaguy]
Do you guys ever feel slightly immature because we are probably all in our 40’s and devoting time and energy to splitting hairs about horsepower and subwoofers. I feel it on occasion, but I’m positive my issues come from spending some of my formitive and poorer years without a stereo at all and a 2 digit horsepower engine (or close to it). No wonder women think we are nuts, we are.[/quote]Personally, I think it’s a coping mechanism (the car talk).
Now, back to car talk…
TG: Did you know there’s an app for Bimmerfest?
ParticipantPersonally I don’t get it (the whole facebook thing), but what if facebook shoots up like google?
Who cares if it doesn’t make sense or it’s irrational, if one can make money.
So what if facebook pays over 200 million for someone to spray paint graffiti in their offices…
Participant[quote=AN] I haven’t seen any stock system that can do that, BMW include. I haven’t tried the latest one, so maybe they’ve improved, but somehow, I doubt it.[/quote]
I’ll try that Eagles test, specs on a 328i HiFi:
6 channels
10 loudspeakers
• 2 treble loudspeakers, front 26 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, front 100 mm
• 2 bass loudspeakers, 217 mm
• 2 mid-range loudspeakers, rear, 100 mm
• 2 treble loudspeakers, rear 26 mm
Bandwidth: 40 Hz to 20.000 Hz
Max. acoustic pressure: 104 dB
Amplifier power:
2 x 40 W (2 Ω) Bass
4 x 25 W (2 Ω)Participant[quote=AN]
WRT stock speakers. I totally agree with you, I haven’t heard and stock stereo that’s as good as aftermarket ones. All the stock systems I know runs on 2 Ohms, not 4 Ohms like most aftermarket ones. So, although the sound at average decibel is decent, when you start to crank it up, you’ll see its limitation. Not to mention subwoofers. 8″ can’t produce the kind of low notes that a 10″ or a 12″ can do. Size does matter with subwoofers. They also need space, so under the seat is not really ideal for subwoofers. All stock systems I’ve heard so far do lack power. It’s not a BMW thing. It’s cheaper for them to put the weakest amp they can that can be sufficient for your average buyers. But for audiophiles, they’re totally unacceptable.[/quote]
I wouldn’t consider a car an ideal medium for audiophiles at all.
At any rate, the BMW HiFi system sounds great, even at high db levels.
The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) sounds absolutely awesome.
Sonic quality is exceptional in my 328i, which in a high end car one would expect.
Participant[quote=AN]
I used to live on O-side and work in Scripps. Most of the drive is OK, but the 78 to Via Rancho Parkway drives up my blood pressure like crazy. Has the 15 expansion eliminate that traffic bottleneck?[/quote]The expansion has completely 100% solved the problem.
I’m literally getting 20 extra minutes of sleep b/c of those Express lanes.
I have the HiFi system in my 328i – (2) 8″ subs under the front seats with an amp in the trunk.
Participant[quote=AN]
I used to have to commute 35-40 minutes and I was miserable. I guess everyone have different tolerance. Now I’m loving my 5-10 minutes commute, depending on how many lights I hit.[/quote]
If I were stuck in traffic I might be miserable, but it’s a pretty drive up until Escondido and the traffic moves right along.
With plenty of in-car entertainment available, I even find my commute enjoyable.
ParticipantI’ve been timing my commute from central Temecula to RB (door to door really): Somewhere between 35-40 minutes.
Wow. That qualifies as an easy commute IMO.
I’m so glad I didn’t move to SEH last year.
And of course the 12 standard speakers and 2 subs in my 328i really help pass the brief time I spend in my car.
ParticipantYou may want to reconsider leaving Boston would be my advice, even though that’s not what you asked.
It will be expensive to move here among other reasons, and it does get cold at night.
ParticipantI like this plan a lot.
I played by the rules, unlike many others.
And now I’m stuck holding the bag? I don’t think so.
I want relief in the form of principal reduction, and I want it now!!
Otherwise, here’s your house back!
Participant[quote=temeculaguy]Went with a 2010 528i, with ridiculously high miles (over 90k) for 19k incl tax and lic (didn’t buy from a dealer, fairly unconventional method but not a salvage, clean title, no collisions either). It’s freaking gorgeous. [/quote]
Wow, awesome. Congratulations. Welcome to Club BMW.
Your situation sounds a lot like mine, including age – I think there may be something to that.
I’ve been driving an old Saturn to work for years – no heat or AC for a long time – so a 328i was a huge step up.
Sounds like you got a great deal – I paid 20k for my vintage 328i (2007) with 36k miles.
As mentioned I went to buy a 5 series that had 96k on the odometer, but based on my in depth research BMW’s are very well built and there’s no reason a 528 shouldn’t go 300k and maybe more cost effectively.
I wasn’t worried about the mileage at all, even at 96k.
I really have to watch my speed on the 15, that incredible I6 just wants to go go go.
ParticipantAN:
The only person that believes your 8 year old car is better than a new 328i is you.
At any rate, I’m not a realtor and thus not part of the 1%, so my idea of fun more or less applies to the 99%ers.
A 328i is realistic for many, a M3/5 and a lot of other car you mention is not.
A BMW M Series borders on the exotic.
BTW AN, I tore up a G37 today in the carpool lanes. Once the powerband kicks in on my 328i the only thing you’ll be seeing is my dorsal fin (that little fin thingy on my roof).
Participant[quote=AN] A 328i is not what I’d call a fun car to drive. Sure, it’s more fun than a Camry/Accord, but it’s far down on the fun totem pole for me. So, while you’d suggest a used 7 series, I’d suggest a used M5. See where we differ in the definition of fun? I would never consider a 7 series to be a fun car to drive. Sure, it’s more fun than a S-class and A8, but it’s not nearly as fun as a M5, RS6, E63 AMG. To dial up the fun even more and dial back the practical, I’d rather have GT-R/ZR1/911 Turbo. This is not TG’s daily driver. It’s his weekend car.[/quote]
AN: Naturally this is a subjective matter as to what is fun to drive, but your argument regarding a 328 or BMW in general is the same as saying the New England Patriots, while better than the Chargers, are just an OK football team.
A person is free to say that, but no one agrees with you.
I do like that Camaro, but if I were going GM I’d lean towards the CTS-V.
Participant[quote=AN]tg, you should get this: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/24/2012-chevrolet-camaro-zl1-first-drive-review/#continued
forget the Porsche. This is what I would call a Secretariat.. This car makes all BMWs seem like mules. It plays with the big boys in the Nurburgring. Also, Ferrari license this suspension from GM. Not to mention, it’s American :-)[/quote]
AN, AN, AN…a recent commentary from Edmunds:
“The BMW 3 Series is the company’s top seller in the United States and a favorite in the marketplace for good reason: It’s a well-built, premium compact vehicle endowed with world-class fit and finish, ample power, and a comfortable ride and handling trade-off that is unmatched by most cars at any price. No matter what model you choose, our editors generally agree that you’ll be able to go about your weekday routine without feeling that you’ve sacrificed ride comfort for the sake of weekend thrills.”
And…
What Edmunds Says
Even entering its fifth year of production, the BMW 3 Series remains the best entry-level luxury sedan you can buy.Pros
Unmatched ride/handling balance, smooth and powerful engines, upscale cabin, four body styles, 335d’s amazing torque and fuel economy.Wow…
TG and Company: For just over 30k, consider a late model 7 Series. An overbuilt, over-engineered supreme vehicle, just check Carmax.
Think about it: a late model, low mileage BMW 7 Series for around (and sometimes less) than 30k. These are 100k cars new!
A fricken Accord or Camry can run 30k.
Edmunds on the 7 Series:
Since its introduction for the 1978 model year, the BMW 7 Series luxury sedan has remained true to its original character. It’s the BMW flagship, and this full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan has always represented the pinnacle of technology and luxury accoutrements in the German automaker’s lineup. As such, it’s an obvious choice for wealthy car buyers seeking a spacious and elegant sedan with a high level of curbside prestige.
There’s a fair amount of competition even in this elite vehicle class, but the 7 Series sedan’s athletic handling dynamics have long set it apart, starting with the early 733s and carrying through to the five present-day 7 Series models. While other manufacturers have been content to build high-end sedans with soft, serene rides, BMW engineers its 7s to engage their drivers on an emotional level. There are a few recent contenders that have gone after this emotional engagement, but the BMW 7 Series remains a prime luxury sedan for people who like to drive.
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