Someone knock some sense into me!

[petrolhead]

We're currently running an 03 Nissan X-Trail sport diesel as a cheap beater while we work on the old dave ramsey baby step 6, and its been fantastic,in 20k miles its had a window switch, a door handle and a pair of track rod ends. It drives like a new car, it does 33mpg city and i've seen 40mpg streching its legs sitting at 70 travelling to manchester with its 6 speed manual.
So why do I find myself still yearning for the endless wallet emptying soul destroying world of hurt that is big bmw ownership? I've had an e30, an e36, an e23, 2 e32s, 2 e38s, an e39 and an e60 and other than the 3 series car each one was an ever increasing moneypit that caused hours of swearing and skint knuckles and trips to the parts shop or breakers yard so why do I still want to chop the old faithful nissan in for an e53?
Tell me I should do my family a favour and get this nonsense out my head and run this old girl til the wheels come off then get a diesel pathfinder or something.
Please? Everytime I see an e53 I want one bad, in black on black, 3.0d sport with the heated seats and decat and remap.

[SlickGT1]

I was there. I went from Lexus to a BMW thinking the same, I must be nuts.

So i really can't help you. Unless you want an X. The looks and performance is something my soul needed, even though I read enough to know it's going to be a slight pain. And longest it will be out of commission for me is for when I need to wait for parts. So far I've been proactive, and it has not disappointed me. Just sometimes scary reading all the help me posts. You'll be fine either way. You had BMW before, so your tool collection should be decent already. See what I'm getting at?

Really not as scary as some make it out to be. I am happy with my choice after about 10 months.

[Bulk]

I'd like to knock some sense into you but I think it's the opposite sense than what you are after. Why do women spend hours in the bathroom in the morning and painful trips to the waxing salon? Beautiful things are high maintenance.............

[civdiv99]

Well....... You've got oodles of history with the brand, so either you've got an incurable malady, or yer fixin' to pull the trigger anyway and ya want folks to commiserate with ya. I'm cool with that, so here ya go:

"Dude.............."

Originally Posted by petrolhead

We're currently running an 03 Nissan X-Trail sport diesel as a cheap beater while we work on the old dave ramsey baby step 6, and its been fantastic,in 20k miles its had a window switch, a door handle and a pair of track rod ends. It drives like a new car, it does 33mpg city and i've seen 40mpg streching its legs sitting at 70 travelling to manchester with its 6 speed manual.
So why do I find myself still yearning for the endless wallet emptying soul destroying world of hurt that is big bmw ownership? I've had an e30, an e36, an e23, 2 e32s, 2 e38s, an e39 and an e60 and other than the 3 series car each one was an ever increasing moneypit that caused hours of swearing and skint knuckles and trips to the parts shop or breakers yard so why do I still want to chop the old faithful nissan in for an e53?
Tell me I should do my family a favour and get this nonsense out my head and run this old girl til the wheels come off then get a diesel pathfinder or something.
Please? Everytime I see an e53 I want one bad, in black on black, 3.0d sport with the heated seats and decat and remap.

[BMWvoid]

Congratulations on achieving Step 6. I, too, am on Step 6. I bought my e53 three years ago this month. Trying to stay on my financial plan, I paid cash. It was a CPO from a local dealer. It had 20k miles. I now have 69k. I have put a lot of miles. I have followed all the old school maintenance, including the transmission service. I am reluctant to post my positive experience on this board. My superstitious nature fears I will jinx it. I haven't experienced the nightmare stories I have read about on this board.

[mike_dmt]

The fact that you said skint knuckles indicate you are a sadist, and in fact should buy an E53.

You are obviously not alone. Just tell yourself over and over " I love how it looks, I love how it drives, and I really love how its not a Range Rover or a Merc" ... we are all in the same support group.

ENJOY!!!!!!!

[JDM-20L]

Have a 3.0d Sport myself! Awesome car with good performance and fuel mileage ...

Get a low mileage one if you can and preferably 04+ (because they get ZF 6 speed), be pro active about maintenance and it'll give you little to no trouble.

I can tell you another X5 will be taking its place when this one goes!

[tmv]

You only live once.

[GOFAST GUY]

Choose your BMWs wisely because although there are many to choose from, there are few that are worth choosing to own long term. My 98M3 coupe has been an awesome car for me as has been my 4.6is even though only now am I having to do major surgery on my transmission, but I keep saying, if you have another vehicle to break up the amount of miles/kms you're putting on your BMW, it will last much longer and you will always cherish it; and that's what it's all about.

[Phr3d]

it's already a done deal..

now take a deep breath and go to your trusted stealer and buy the nice saleman lunch as you describe precisely the 3.0D, 6sp (M/T?) black-all-over sport that you n.e.e.d., bribe as necessary, and wait for them to call..

welcome to the program, there is no cure..
I have beat up several cars that put my e12 to shame in Every department, and none could hope to put the smile on my face that a simple run to the ice cream shop in the fiver brought. 'nuff sed