C5 Golfer Posted February 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2007 I'm just wondering...but what did you do before you retired? You definitley have retired guy syndrome-house paid, kids out of the house, car paid, etc; now what to spend money on. Seriously lol. I respect the fact that you were able to stay away from it until now and were able to keep patching that hole it must have burnt in your pocket. But in all honesty, what did you do? I am still drawing a paycheck because I love working for the part. I am an Engineer, Mechanical type with mechanism and material handling design my specialty. I am slowly phasing out of working full time with the goal in 1 yr to work ½ time. I probably won’t take Social Sec until I am 66. ( Better deal if you wait and hope you do not die early) If you look at my sig I just went back to work in 2004 after about a 2 yr off to play. I found that two season passes and golf 5 days a week plus fishing was emptying my savings too fast plus supporting my car habit. The stock market has treated me well and hopefully that continues as it has lately well into 2008 when I will probably go more conservative. All my $$ is hard earned mine, no inheritance or lottery dollars in my account. While I currently work in the casino/gaming business, I do not gamble or bet ( except on the golf course). My two kids - 32 and 38 do not like to hear it when I say I am spending their inheritance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powell1.8 Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Spend it, you made it. They can make theirs. If I could, I would have a stable of my own. I can only think of a couple of things better to spend money on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronG Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Toyota's, I mean Lexus's, have far more reliable electronics, Wouldn't the plural of Lexuses be Lexi?? YOu don't say there are alot of cactuses here?? You say cacti. all the above is just for thought, not beatin anyone's brow. We did some work last week for a large medical group, one of the docs pulls up in his new 'vette which was nice. The car the I kept staring at was the BMW 335 that pulled up next to the 'vette. Two door coupe with a silky smooth inline six and the sweet feel of twin turbo boost, 300 hp. I realize that the M3 will have the V8 but until then the 335 is the dream car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Guys: BMW doesn't make 'em like they used to. After the e36 was retired ('98), BMW went into luxo mode. Bigger and heavier and full of electronics is not always a good thing. The new BMWs are fragile and demanding whereas the old ones were bulletproof and invincible. The old e30s, for instance, are like cockroaches. You can't kill them. This is the BMW I covet. A pocket rocket built for the track, not the country club. Someday, she will be mine. Oh yes, some day, she will be mine. <IMG src=http://news.caradisiac.com/IMG/jpg/MK-E30-1.jpg> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronG Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 It seems the best cars get produced when the manufacturer wants to go racing. Homologation, ya gotta love it!! You wanna race this car?? You build x amount of cars and make these available to the general public, in a slightly detuned state and then you can race. What does the general public gain? Cars like the 1st gen M3, Audi Quatro Sport, Mercedes 190E 2.3/16. Volvo S60R and many others that I can't recall off the top of my head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maciek Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 I took my X5 in for service this morning - first one - and wow what a change from the Lexus I used to own, who were pricks. BMW - Great attitude and service. Asked in depth questions of any issues or problems. I said "No, other than the usual service and I need new wiper blades and more washer fluid" Later that day they called and said it was ready to pick up anytime. Best Part -- everything was "No Charge". BMWs service is up to 50,000 miles or 4 years is no cost to the owner except for tires, everything else including wipers, light bulbs, etc is no cost. I know you pay up front or it is hidden in the cost but what the hell - it is only money. Not all of services in the country are as good. However, I can recommend the one I visit. That one is so different from all others I used (Japaneese cars and American cars) that it is like heaven and hell. BMW includes free oil changes (or any fluids) and labor is free under warranty for all scheduled service or repairs in the USA. You should know about it. Of course there is ownership and lease and lease does not give all provileges of ownership. I own my beemer. You pay for this service in price of the car. I went to race track event (performance school on infield of Pocono International Raceway) and I fried my brakes from hard braking (when I say hard braking I mean racing braking not an average Joe who locks brakes at entrance into intersection). The calipers turned white and some rubber particles were dripping on fire on wheels. That left traces that nobody would have doubt what I was doing. I took it to dealship and they changed pads and front discs (BMW passenger cars require change of front discs together with pads - that is new European standard at least for BMW). No questions asked and I did not hide how I did it. Actually they are aware that I autocross and do performance driving schools on race track. I ask them for extra maintenance (oil, brake fluid e.t.c.) which I pay for even though car is under warranty... but those are things out of regular maintenance schedule. If something qualifies for warranty I will get that for free without asking. And most of pleasant thing is that they pay attention to customers knowledge on cars and mechanics. In other dealeships, folks play secret wizards, but asking them sometimes simple questions may make them fools to customer. Then they try to start playing games... so once I had to teach them lesson with manufacturer directly. That shut them up and they became quiet when I was giving my car to service... until I sold it. I do not want to deal with some places like that (I have found more curtiuous and knowledgable Strauss Auto in my neigborhood and they do literally everything what dealers service do only not free at all). We know what we pay for when we buy BMW. I love my special version of 325i (special beacuse suspension and transmission is rare in the entire USA as I had to put special order to have Formula 1 detuned SMG that makes this car drive like a large GoKart). Anyway, I have comparison with my wife's Acura when she goes to dealer. She changed service already. They simply suck. They have beaten record of slopiness when they left some tools in her car. The worst part is when you have to say serviceman what they have to do and they still do not do that.They will do that after argument and the car is prepared finally. Sometimes they are so professional (apparently not everything wa written in the technicians book and without computer codes they cannot think). I do not have time or tools to repair car. That does not mean I do not know anything about it. Things change as I bought a special car for autocrossing and now I play with some tuneup and modifications (I have some tools and technical support now). I am not doing other cars as they are under warranty , but those who will not help as they should at dealership will feel hell from me again. Not BMW Prestige in New Jersey though. When I go there I am relaxed like I was in spa. I am so confident and have this good relationship with them. I understand what I paid for whnw I got this car. Someone said that I f you getr BMW once you will never want to drive anything else. Well this might be true... except that would try Porsche ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powell1.8 Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 I would agree 100% that the cars coming off the race tracks are the best cars for performance driving. That goes for any company, even dosmetic. BMW is cream of the crop when you weigh in the performace factor along with luxury. The level of performance built into the cars to me is incredible for the price. The thing I find the best about BMW is they understand that some people want more from their cars, and they provide it. The numerous BMW approved performance parts is amazing. My thoughts on dealerships. As I deal with dealerships weekly 1)There are good and bad dealerships. 2)Most are going to screw you in the end, just business 3)The more money you spend at a dealership the nicer they are. 4)Most are going to screw you in the end, just business 5)The BMW dealership across the street from my work place is the most crooked dealership in a five mile radius, which is about 20 dealers. I love most cars and love talking about them just as much, it's what I do. My opinions are formed from work experiences, a hands on approach. Happy driving, great enthusiasm over nice cars, I don't see that enough at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maciek Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 For my experience, BMW is not suited to hot climates at all; it is assumed in THailand that buying a BMW or Benz will require multiple servicing at the rate of 2 or 3 times the rate of a Japanese car. People still buy them, but for me, having to get servicing every 2 months and paying more than what i pay now in 3 years for a Toyota pick up, leaves the BMW miles behind.Aircon problems, wiring problems, transmission problems; the list was never ending. Every single person with a BMW here will have similar stories in the rainy season where they are prone to leak and stop running. However... beautiful ride if you are willing to put up with the maintenance issue. As for the Lexus vs. Toyota; you are paying for a high spec car from a company that already has pretty much delivered some of the top rating cars (Camrys and so on) in a ton of tests. I could care less about the badge on it; for sure with a Lexus, at least here, you are buying something that runs well, feels nice inside and for Thailand at least has no maintenance issues. Seems good enough for me; the thought of driving something from Germany has no more appeal than something from Japan, despite the war mongering past of both countries. When the first Tongan car comes out, I'll be lining up for that one :-) Not quite true. It is precautious step. The fact is that any BMW stands up to more exertion than any Japaneese car. Take Toyota, or Honda as icons. Those cars under my feet would breake in first year due to my extremely spirited style of driving that gives extreme heat to all parts of the car. In Mazda I boiled torque converter even when I did not drive like that. BMW may be cautious as they want to keep track of car interaction with climat in Asia. European companies do not have much expertise and to my knowledge, they are going to open Indian or Chineese assmebly plants. BMW has better excellent cooling as it has bigger supply of coolant and twice as much high grade oil than most of Japaneese cars. On top of that it requires change only once a year or three times milage of average Japanneese or American car. Those are facts and if you do not believ then take Srevice manual rather than listening to popular opinions. They do not stop running more freqently than Japaneese cars. Leaks happen and this might be reason why extra inspections are needed in Asia especially in rainy regions. Also what is not the best in BMW is electronics that is inferior to Japaneese, but absolutely not mechanics. You have some sources of information that are not precise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maciek Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 I think the Lexus ES330 is the same as the Camry and the RX350 (Great car for the money but a little noisy for a Lexus) is the same as the Highlander, the LX470 is the same as the LandCruiser. I think the GS300 sedan with 4 wheel drive is about the best one. But I don't think I will ever own a Lexus again based on my BMW experience. Domestic cars suck - except for the Corvette -- too bad Chevy/GM can not do to the other cars what they did for the Corvette. Wonderful service and maintence schedule and reliability. Get this, my first service that actually will do anything or replace anything is at 100,000 miles in the Corvette, and it is an American car. The Corvette is a 1998 C5 model and has never had a problem, it goes to the dealer for an oil change every 8k or so miles. Mercedes used to be a great car - I think they have lost what they had. The Pre- mid 90's cars were great, now they are a high priced Chrysler. My 1980 280 SL is and continues to be a great car. Still the original clutch, exhaust, shocks and the engine has never been touched in 27 years of hard driving and I push it to 5-6000 rpm most of the time. sign me car nut Some say that deal for Daimler Chrysler was that Chrysler offered great marketing and sales while Daimler offered quality... but things went not quite as expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Not quite true. It is precautious step. The fact is that any BMW stands up to more exertion than any Japaneese car. Take Toyota, or Honda as icons. Those cars under my feet would breake in first year due to my extremely spirited style of driving that gives extreme heat to all parts of the car. In Mazda I boiled torque converter even when I did not drive like that. I would agree with that. A few years ago, I was invited to a track/skid pad event that compared the BMW 328 with a number of other cars. Amoung them, Audi A4, Volvo S70, Lexus ES300. We were invited to abuse the cars. Only the BMW was up to the task. The ES300 power steering could not keep up with the quick direction changes in the slalom. A brakes on the Audi and Volvo started to fade after a few hours. The BMW seemed to enjoy the abuse. But, for day-to-day driving for normal humans, Toyota and Honda is going to hold up just fine. The quality and reliability surveys back me up on this. BMW, Audi and even Mercedes don't match Toyota, Honda and even Hyundai. BTW, remind me not to buy a used car from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipstar Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Not quite true. It is precautious step. The fact is that any BMW stands up to more exertion than any Japaneese car. Take Toyota, or Honda as icons. Those cars under my feet would breake in first year due to my extremely spirited style of driving that gives extreme heat to all parts of the car. In Mazda I boiled torque converter even when I did not drive like that.BMW may be cautious as they want to keep track of car interaction with climat in Asia. European companies do not have much expertise and to my knowledge, they are going to open Indian or Chineese assmebly plants. BMW has better excellent cooling as it has bigger supply of coolant and twice as much high grade oil than most of Japaneese cars. On top of that it requires change only once a year or three times milage of average Japanneese or American car. Those are facts and if you do not believ then take Srevice manual rather than listening to popular opinions. They do not stop running more freqently than Japaneese cars. Leaks happen and this might be reason why extra inspections are needed in Asia especially in rainy regions. Also what is not the best in BMW is electronics that is inferior to Japaneese, but absolutely not mechanics. You have some sources of information that are not precise. Well, I owned one, my family owns a benz as well; my girlfriend owned a BMW, my bosses own BMW, my friend is a senior manager for BMW and has said a few things off the record - all same message from personal experience - if you own a BMW or Benz, you will get problems with the electronics and aircon for sure, and also with water problems in the rainy season (where the water is above the level of the front bumber); if there are cars that stop working and blocking all the traffic, at least 90% of them are european cars, every time. Overheating is not from performance driving, it is from the car being unable to keep running in these temperatures with water issues as well; I have no doubt that BMWs can tolerate a good thrashing on the track, just cannot tolerate the normal weather here in bangkok! I woudl still own another one, just probably not here. Drive very very well :-) I think for here, good Japanese cars like a WRX or Evo should be fine anyway :-) And more suited to the conditions we get upcountry with super slippery roads and driving in foot deep or more water....For non performance my pick up is the way to go; good towing power :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maciek Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Guys:BMW doesn't make 'em like they used to. After the e36 was retired ('98), BMW went into luxo mode. Bigger and heavier and full of electronics is not always a good thing. The new BMWs are fragile and demanding whereas the old ones were bulletproof and invincible. The old e30s, for instance, are like cockroaches. You can't kill them. Partially true, but so every company. Also that is true to Formula 1 cars and many racing formats (electronic management). They are not luxury if you do not want. Many people take luxurious equipment with BMW, I do not. You can get decent sport car without luxury stuff (except that I do not like idea of BMW to have leather sits in M3 as standard - leatherette in BMW is more durable than leather in any car). I agree they are heavy an now even heavier. That makes car behave like a truck in bends . However, the car has incredible reinforcements that makes it so safe. They make lighter lids and sometimes roof (M3 actually has fiber roof in comp package if I remember correctly). I was disappointed with weight of new BMW 335i, the car is insane with that turbo (I test drove one) and has insane braking that puts your guts into dashboard, but it is heavy animal so it will not be as agile as lighter cars. I hope you do not want that turbocharged version of that beemer :D Anyway, you mentioned the weakest point of BMW in my opinion: weight. Electronics is not a big problem as long as it does not break. We will see how it is improved by BMW, but I do not like that iDrive thing (I do not have one in my car though). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadx Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 I second that 330xi - I think it is a 328Xi this year-- Yep, they haven't release a 335xi yet (if they will). But since the 328 (with it's 3.0liter engine) is running competative horse to the old 330, it's a none issue. Actually, all the engines on the current 3 series are the same size. They are all 3.0 liter. They just have different horsepower ratings. Don't let the 328 and 335 fool you. Yes, BMW has traditionally tried to have the engines liter size in the name, but not always. The 2000 323 actually had 2.5liters, but they didn't want to name it 325 because the 'big' 6 was currently a 2.8 liter in the 328 and they thought customers would think the size too close. As soon as they pumped the big six up to a 3.0liter and rebadged it the 330, then they magically renamed the 323 the 325, but it was a 2.5 liter all along. They've played that name game several times in the past and the new 3 series is no different. All are 3.0 liter, just running different horespower. Not unlike the way outboard two-stroke boat motors used to do it. The only difference between a 90, 110, and 130 horse Mercury was a different set of carbs. Everything else was identical. Fun with names by the slippery marketing people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maciek Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Well, I owned one, my family owns a benz as well; my girlfriend owned a BMW, my bosses own BMW, my friend is a senior manager for BMW and has said a few things off the record - all same message from personal experience - if you own a BMW or Benz, you will get problems with the electronics and aircon for sure, and also with water problems in the rainy season (where the water is above the level of the front bumber); if there are cars that stop working and blocking all the traffic, at least 90% of them are european cars, every time.Overheating is not from performance driving, it is from the car being unable to keep running in these temperatures with water issues as well; I have no doubt that BMWs can tolerate a good thrashing on the track, just cannot tolerate the normal weather here in bangkok! I woudl still own another one, just probably not here. Drive very very well :-) I think for here, good Japanese cars like a WRX or Evo should be fine anyway :-) And more suited to the conditions we get upcountry with super slippery roads and driving in foot deep or more water....For non performance my pick up is the way to go; good towing power :-) You mean Japaneese cars are amphibious? You have to consider that water to bumper is not what passenger car is designed for. That proves my point that car is good, but it is not designed for for your area. Hence, BMW wants to improve and monitors by frequent services. Breaking by water and humid is normal in any car especially if you run car exceeding conditions it was not designed for. I bet that the same type of Japaneese car from American market would have the same problems with your weather. In humid/rain you have always problem with sealing car as well as with electronics. That's normal and requires special design. I tell you what: do not buy cars that are not for the region. I would not buy passenger car if I lived in Kenya. Cursing the brand does not mean anything if it does not help to redesign car, but I see now why you and your friends are frustrated with their cars. As you said it drives very well ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maciek Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Yep, they haven't release a 335xi yet (if they will). But since the 328 (with it's 3.0liter engine) is running competative horse to the old 330, it's a none issue. Actually, all the engines on the current 3 series are the same size. They are all 3.0 liter. They just have different horsepower ratings. Don't let the 328 and 335 fool you. Yes, BMW has traditionally tried to have the engines liter size in the name, but not always. The 2000 323 actually had 2.5liters, but they didn't want to name it 325 because the 'big' 6 was currently a 2.8 liter in the 328 and they thought customers would think the size too close. As soon as they pumped the big six up to a 3.0liter and rebadged it the 330, then they magically renamed the 323 the 325, but it was a 2.5 liter all along. They've played that name game several times in the past and the new 3 series is no different. All are 3.0 liter, just running different horespower. Not unlike the way outboard two-stroke boat motors used to do it. The only difference between a 90, 110, and 130 horse Mercury was a different set of carbs. Everything else was identical. Fun with names by the slippery marketing people! It does not matter the horse in those cars really. You got to know how to use transmission/gears and perhaps the most importantly in BMW is how to use suspension that makes this car so much different from others. I can prove the point in autocross events ;) Most recently I drove automatic loaner 328xi and I was not impressed with its perfomance. I would smoke it anywhere in my 325i. And 323 was not exactly just renamed to 325, but you could tune 323 a bit electronically to make it almost same as 325... so you can make 325 to 500hp with turbo. Anyway numbers with BMW do not mean engine size. It is mere model number. Pretty soon they will start slapping horspower as model number and at the end they should slap driver skill level :D The horsepower gaps are for those talking showoffs who want to impress neighbor next door or friends at party. Always works... until another comes and says that he/she has 5 hp more and place to stick kleenex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadx Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 And 323 was not exactly just renamed to 325, but you could tune 323 a bit electronically to make it almost same as 325... so you can make 325 to 500hp with turbo. Uh, actually the 323 was renamed the 325 the year they upgraded the 328 to a 330. My wifes 2000 323 has a 2.5liter. They just rebadged it (aside from the usual yearly improvements) with a 325 label a couple years later. Same 2.5liter engine with same horsepower rating. Not sure what you mean by "but you could tune 323 a bit electronically to make it almost same as 325". As mentioned, the 2000 323 had a 2.5liter. Anyway numbers with BMW do not mean engine size. It is mere model number. Yes, that was the point of my fist post. Well, kind of. The complete thought being most BMW models ARE based on the engines liter size. But there were a few exceptions (including the current model 3 series). That was the point of my first post. I totally agree with you about the horespower ratings being more for the "bench racers" than true drivers. There is so much more to getting around a race track, driving on the street, or even straight-line acceleration, than horsepower. The driver, of course, being the main difference, but all other aspects of the car as well. I always got a kick out of the quarter mile times in magazines. First, very VERY few of us could ever match those numbers because we don't have the skill and/or are unwilling to beat our cars that bad (think smoked tires and burnt clutches) while trying for the 'best time'. Also, engine horsepower can be offset by the efficiency (or ineffeciency) of the rest of the drivetrain. I always liked how Car and Driver and Road and Track were so tickled that a 3 series with x horsepower could run quicker than other cars with more horsepower and the same curb weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maciek Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Uh, actually the 323 was renamed the 325 the year they upgraded the 328 to a 330. My wifes 2000 323 has a 2.5liter. They just rebadged it (aside from the usual yearly improvements) with a 325 label a couple years later. Same 2.5liter engine with same horsepower rating. Not sure what you mean by "but you could tune 323 a bit electronically to make it almost same as 325". As mentioned, the 2000 323 had a 2.5liter. Yes, that was the point of my fist post. Well, kind of. The complete thought being most BMW models ARE based on the engines liter size. But there were a few exceptions (including the current model 3 series). That was the point of my first post. I totally agree with you about the horespower ratings being more for the "bench racers" than drives. There is so much more to getting around a race track, driving on the street, or even straight-line acceleration. Driver, of course, being the main difference, but all other aspects of the car as well. I always got a kick out of the quarter mile times in magazines. First, very VERY few of us could ever match those numbers because we don't have the skill and/or are unwilling to beat our cars that bad (think smoked tires and burnt clutches) while trying for the 'best time'. Also, engine horsepower can be offset by the efficiency of the rest of the drivetrain. I always liked how Car and Driver and Road and Track were so tickled that a 3 series with x horsepower could run quicker than other cars with more horsepower and the same curb weight. Nope. 323 is not 325. It has slightly different construction (or electronics) even though size of the engine is the same. Old 323 is 170hp while 325 is over 180 (well in Europe it was 190hp). Tuning electronically means that many people remapped the chip and achieved what 325 had. There are articles on the subject on Internet. They were based on engine size for some time. Before that they were not and now they are not again if you look into history of BMW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C5 Golfer Posted February 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 . I own my beemer. You pay for this service in price of the car. ;) Yes, I own my X5 4.4 Hot Rod of an SAV too..( tested the X5 3.0 -- couldn't wait to get out of it - terrible drive) never have leased , never will. Always pay cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C5 Golfer Posted February 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Yep, they haven't release a 335xi yet (if they will). But since the 328 (with it's 3.0liter engine) is running competative horse to the old 330, it's a none issue. I would be suprised if they do a 335XI but if they did, it would be one helluva a car. Also -- imagine if you will -- a M3xi. On a more serious note: I am more a traditionalist - so not a big fan of turbos (yet????) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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