I must be insane!!!!

[StephenVA]

Originally Posted by Pierce330

StephenVA, I assume that you work for a BMW dealership? You must have seen some funny things...I can just imagine...

In a previous life, I worked in the Automotive world for 20 years.
Diagnostic equipment, Champion Spark Plugs, the last years with a $14 billion automotive parts manufacturer. We built OE and aftermarket parts, including engine management, clutches, Fuel system, emissions. I worked at a dealer for 3 year before all that. Now I just go and visit friends who own shops and enjoy the stuff that limps in with the expectations of a “cheap fix” for the total lack of up keep. The average car comes in for one thing at a repair shop, after an inspection, 5- 10 items need to be addressed under safety and maintenance. Maintenance Deferred is the normal American practice.
I was totally shocked when I first got into the automotive business after college, as I grew up in a large family who did everything on cars. No trash left behind, washed when dirty, detailed monthly, and that was with 7 kids! The car was an investment and part of the family.

In the repair world you hear every day "It's only a car".

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

In the repair world you hear every day "It's only a lease/tax writeoff".

I HATE THAT PHRASE! However I corrected it for you to reflect the actual American meaning of the phrase when they say "its just a car".

In my household and how I was raised your vehicles were things you OWNED, were your second biggest investment after your house, and was the single biggest reason you get from point A to point B safely, and not only that, the way your car is seen is an expression of yourself!

I used to yell at my girlfriend at the time (now wife) that she needed to take better care of her car, regular cleanings, stop leaving trash in it, not eat in it (its not a friggin drive through) and although it took a few months, when she saw how well I cared for my vehicles she "got it", so to speak. Now she enjoys having her car clean and takes pride in it, since it is something she pays for monthly (2011 Rav4 she financed it for 60 months).

Now my mother in law on the other hand? Buys a brand new 2013 Toyota and runs it through the auto car wash once every 6 months, dog hair, blankets, garbage, snow brushes, etc, all in the car, its a friggin pig sty.

I told my mother in law that as the Vice President of an insurance brokerage you'd think she'd have a little more pride in the presentation of her vehicle, she told me "I don't have time for it Jay its just a car".

Some people you just can't change. However, in MY household, my wife was heavily pushed in my direction but I'm happy to say she did it almost on her own, just took a little bit of eye opening but she no longer uses that phrase, thank God.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I used to yell at my girlfriend at the time (now wife) that she needed to take better care of her car, regular cleanings, stop leaving trash in it, not eat in it (its not a friggin drive through) and although it took a few months, when she saw how well I cared for my vehicles she "got it", so to speak. Now she enjoys having her car clean and takes pride in it, since it is something she pays for monthly (2011 Rav4 she financed it for 60 months).

I've been there brother! I gave my wife my 2001 e46 330ci Sport (I think its what you guys have as the ZHP in the States but without the ZHP gear box) in 2007 when I bought an M3. She loved it for a while but when the novelty wore off, she stopped looking after it. After a few years (the value of them had dropped considerably by this point), it was in a bad way and needed alot of work. I had given her countless lectures on looking after it but they fell on deaf ears. I had done some of he maintenance work needed at first but I realised that she was not learning the valuable lesson like this. I backed off...

Eventually she had to sell it for alot less than it could have been worth if looked after and ended up in a 1999 Lexus IS200. Having to drive the Lexus everyday made her realise what a fool she was in neglecting what was once a great car. I told her I'm not giving her another car but if she saves, I will match her savings to get her a better car. Eventually she saved enough that with my contribution she could get an e60 5 series.

She now looks after it extremely well, cleaning it inside and out almost more often than I do mine. If I tell her it needs this that or the other in terms of maintenance she will stump up the cash for it. Because of this I will usually just pay for it myself most of the time. I just want to make sure she is willing!