Quote:
Originally Posted by gdoan
Not to belabor the issue or to put too fine a point on my previous post, as I feel like I got most of my point across but, after rereading it and reading Cheappc's reply, I feel like I forgot to mention just how much enjoyment I get out of my sometimes problematic cars.
My cr@ppy, previous little 318is converted me to the marque - and I grew up driving Detroit Big Iron. It had many limitations but it still drove like a dream, even with its slush box . . .
My e38 I've only owned for about a year and a half and I've dealt with nearly one gremlin after the other but, it rides beautifully. It has a near-limo tint and staggered M Parallels. Nice power. Nice torque. It oozes class, even for an old girl. I found her in beautiful condition with less than 50K on her in 2008. I love it.
The ///M5? It's like crack on wheels... Enough said. (I don't like the newer 5 series styling and lack of torque, so I'm sticking with her for now.)
Yes, I'd love to replace my "which one of these doesn't belong" Pathfinder with an X5 for when the weather outside is frightful (like the 100 year snow we received this year in DC) but, I've lived with the PF for 5 years and I'm not going to jump in (too) foolishly. I *want* an X5. I don't need an X5.
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Well said.
I just put a new alternator in my e36 325i a few weeks ago and there is something to be said about turning a wrench and bringing life back to an old friend with over 310,000 miles on the clock.
I am a fanboy for sure, but it has been a long time in the making. My Dad's e30 325e was the car that started it all back in 1990 when I was about 12 years old. I was a Porsche nut and when he said we were going to test drive a 944 and a 325 I was on top of the world. One ride in each and I was hooked on BMW from there on. The 944 was not on the same level, imo or my Dad's. More room for four, silky smooth engine, more luxury and similar performance.
Between my wife and I, my sister and my parents, we currently have an e30 325e (the original), e32 750il, e31 850i, e36 325i, e53 X5 4.4i, e39 530i and an e60 525i. We have also retired three other e30's and one e36 ti. We are the type of family that like to get our hands dirty with the repairs as well when we can. My dad (a mechanical engineer) even pulled the engine in his 750il and completely tore down and rebuilt the V-12 himself. There were literally parts covering the entire garage.
Some people are badge-whores who have to have the latest and greatest model for status or whatever, but that isn't me. Not saying I would turn down a new model, but I just happen to like BMW's for the way they drive and how current their design stays even as they age. To tell you the truth, I don't get car envy one bit when I see someone driving a new Lexus, Infiniti or whatever when I am driving my old e36. They can have greater reliability. They also have greater odds of being bored by their dependable appliances everyday.
I would gladly drive a pre-owned BMW before I ever bought pretty much anything else new. Even if that means having to get my hands dirty more often.
I know that they are not always the most reliable (especially the newer models with more electronics), but for me personally, BMW's just happen to be the best combination of performance, timeless looks, quality, comfort, luxury features, everyday practicality and so on.