What's the matter with Donald Trump.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Maruzo

Thanks BC! I couldn’t find much service history on it except it has visited the same dealership 4 times between 2011 to 2016 @ ParkShore BMW in Vancouver. I assume it’s at least had factory service while in warranty.

PPI on Monday should give me more detailed condition on the truck. I’ve been looking for a long time as well. I’ll probably store the E53 and just insure and drive the new to me truck so the wife doesn’t complain too much about the costs.

2015 - 2018 model is probably the best X5M they’ll ever make IMHO. I love the bang olufsen sound option and the carbon fiber interior trim pieces. The engine is simply a beast with no equal.

But it also cost a pretty penny too. Hopefully a cheaper low mileage sample will show up in 5 years.

One thing to consider is that there was a facelift in 2015 which means they should look like current styling longer than years prior. All are fast but new models have increased HP/TQ. Tune I added bumped HP by 64 and torque up 78 so you can get to current HP/TQ specs with E70 models.

[Maruzo]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

One thing to consider is that there was a facelift in 2015 which means they should look like current styling longer than years prior. All are fast but new models have increased HP/TQ. Tune I added bumped HP by 64 and torque up 78 so you can get to current HP/TQ specs with E70 models.

What was your tune? That's outstanding output considering the factory X5M already puts out 555 horsepower.

I've never driven anything with so much power. My dad has a 2006 S65 that puts out 600HP from a v12. But the power delivery is smooth and understated because the car is so heavy and quiet. The only thing that gave it away was the v12 growl from the exhaust.

The v8 twin turbo from a 2014 550i has 445HP, which is 100 less than the E70 X5M. I love the power on that 5 series.

This gives me a good gauge on the E70's capabilities.

I'm salivating just thinking about what a 600HP E70 can do.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Maruzo

What was your tune? That's outstanding output considering the factory X5M already puts out 555 horsepower.

I've never driven anything with so much power. My dad has a 2006 S65 that puts out 600HP from a v12. But the power delivery is smooth and understated because the car is so heavy and quiet. The only thing that gave it away was the v12 growl from the exhaust.

The v8 twin turbo from a 2014 550i has 445HP, which is 100 less than the E70 X5M. I love the power on that 5 series.

This gives me a good gauge on the E70's capabilities.

I'm salivating just thinking about what a 600HP E70 can do.

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...uning-package/

[Maruzo]

"we haven't heard from the president in over 2 weeks...the president hasn't attended a task force meeting in over 5 months...even though they had one held, just last week..we're told by sources... he's much more consumed by the state of this election and contesting the results than he is with the pandemic that is surging across the country."

Quotes from CNN white house correspondent as of 11/18.

Almost everyone of his tweets lately has been slapped with a warning label citing "disputed claims" or "multiple sources called this election differently".

Friday's death tally is 1600. Up from 1,000 a few weeks ago.

Third cause of death this year now.

And he's clearly more worried about staying in power illegally than helping the American public in this time of need.

[crystalworks]

Maruzo, you must have better things to do. Focus on vetting that beauty of an X5M you were contemplating. Those things are awesome. The wife wants one but I can't justify the maintenance costs on it (right now).

The president can throw whatever hissy fit he wants. The less he's paying attention to running the country the less he can screw things up. Besides, talking about and paying attention to this garbage is what is giving Trump his power. The higher the ratings when talking about him, the more he gets talked about. CNN, MSNBC, etc are literally giving him the green light (and clout) to start his own news channel, or take over/buy OANN.

Covid isn't the #1 cause of death yet? The year is almost over, it will be crazy if it doesn't hit the top spot with how much money and worry has been thrown at this. My views have shifted (now having family catch it and recover and knowing many others though not all did well), but I am still taking my vit D, wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, and will continue exercising. Just upped my rep counts.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

X5M Those things are awesome. The wife wants one but I can't justify the maintenance costs on it (right now).

Very high maintenance. Only reason I never pulled the trigger.

[Maruzo]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Maruzo, you must have better things to do. Focus on vetting that beauty of an X5M you were contemplating. Those things are awesome. The wife wants one but I can't justify the maintenance costs on it (right now).

The president can throw whatever hissy fit he wants. The less he's paying attention to running the country the less he can screw things up. Besides, talking about and paying attention to this garbage is what is giving Trump his power. The higher the ratings when talking about him, the more he gets talked about. CNN, MSNBC, etc are literally giving him the green light (and clout) to start his own news channel, or take over/buy OANN.

Covid isn't the #1 cause of death yet? The year is almost over, it will be crazy if it doesn't hit the top spot with how much money and worry has been thrown at this. My views have shifted (now having family catch it and recover and knowing many others though not all did well), but I am still taking my vit D, wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, and will continue exercising. Just upped my rep counts.

The drive shaft and auxiliary coolant pump have recalls on them so free repairs and 2 less things to worry about. The engine itself seems relatively trouble free for the first 100,000 miles.

[AVB-AMG]

Maruzo:

While I would very much like for the two Democrats to win their respective run-off elections in GA in January, giving the Democrats effective control of the U.S. Senate, I don't think it will happen. So if the Republicans retain control of the Senate then it will be very difficult for anything of any significance in the Democrats platform to be passed, (especially as long as Mitch McConnel remains as the majority leader!)

While thankfully, Donald Trump lost his re-election bid as POTUS, since a majority of voters agreed that it was important to remove this man from public office, who is a unique menace to the foundations of this country, his legacy will continue in the form of “Trumpism”.

What is Trumpism? It is an extremist and anti-democratic belief in an aggressive charismatic and authoritarian leadership that advocates a chauvinistic nationalism, along with the general promise of material gain for its believers. Trumpism includes a strong sentiment of aggrieved masculinity that results in active bullying and attempted domination of others. It has expanded from the older white, working class males to include a growing number of black men and Hispanics. Its adherents demonstrate a narrow-minded prejudice, selfishness and generally crude behavior towards those who do not share their beliefs. They are also motivated by fear of an exaggerated apocalyptic vision, defined in stark binary black and white absolutes of good vs. evil, of what would happen if Democrats gain political power. Trumpism is not a brief interlude that occurred during the Trump presidency, but will be a lasting element in American politics for the foreseeable future.

[AVB-AMG]

In spite of Trumpism, I still believe that the vast majority of the American public is completely exhausted with the tribal polarization and bitter political commentary of the past 4-5 years and truly wants to embrace and support someone who wants to heal these partisan wounds and help our citizens listen to their better angels, to find ways on uniting for the greater good of everyone. So there is still at least one more chapter in the story of Donald Trump.

As much as many of us would like for him to do, he is not going away... We have not seen the last of Donald Trump. While Trump will no longer be POTUS, he is not going to disappear from the political scene. One caveat is that much will depend on how the legal investigations evolve in New York State and if they result in any criminal charges pertaining to financial improprieties or tax fraud by Trump, his family members and/or the Trump Organization that could possibly result in big fines and even jail time, if he/they are found guilty.

I believe that Donald Trump will be a continued thorn in the side of the new Democrat president and his administration by continuing his angry and false statements on Twitter. I think in his continued delusional state, he will envision himself as some form of king in exile, encouraging and provoking his die-hard fanatical supporters to do his bidding while he waits for the 2024 presidential election. He probably has a fantasy of running again in that election, but I think that will be highly unlikely, even though his teaser/threat to do so will sideline most Republicans who envision a run for POTUS.

While I believe that most of his supporters may continue to embrace Trumpism, many others will want to identify a different, less toxic and bombastic, and more electable individual, as their candidate in 2024, (possibly Nikki Haley...?). Those potential candidates will be walking a fine line of showing how they may appeal to a broader spectrum of voters than Trump, while still courting, but not offending his die-hard supporters.

Donald Trump may even attempt to continue holding his mob-like political rallies with his fanatical loyalists to boost his fragile ego and fuel his malignant narcissism and to prolong his fantasies of regaining power, but will probably charge an admission fee per person, (and his cult followers will pay it...!). I would not be surprised to learn that he is provided a TV show on Fox or joins one of the fledging relatively new far-right conservative TV networks such as OANN or Newsmax, where he is the provocateur pundit where he will continue to spew his inflammatory commentary. But either of those options would require him to expend more effort and work than he has been use to when he was POTUS.

Ideally, I hope that the main stream media just ignores Trump once he is out of office so we can move on from all of the damage he has caused...

AVB-AMG

[bcredliner]

Expanding on won't go away---With a 50 percent supporting Trump and the realization Trump will likely start his own network or be in the news as much as possible some other way, I don't expect many of the 50 percent to stop supporting Trump. They will still blindly follow his lead.

I think Trump's 'disruption' of Biden's presidency will begin at the inauguration. He won't be there and he will certainly do something to try to take the limelight. He will invite his followers to protest and will 'endorse' violence. It won't be long before we see if those that that condone violence are grandstanders, will become violent or are just bullies.

Just around the corner are the conspiracy theories surrounding how the vaccine is distributed and the order of who gets immunized. Trumpers will be enraged when Biden starts reversing Trump's lack of action concerning COVID 19. As an example, when Biden enacts more restrictive COVID 19 restrictions that will kick start their rebellion. His followers are going to display their support of Trump by continuing to resist the guidelines, especially the wearing of masks as that is a visible statement of their support. With the current infection rate spiking and around 40 percent of Americans not following the guidelines it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. The vaccine will help but not that much until late 2021 or even into 2022. Trump will blame Biden.

I agree the press will try to minimize Trump exposure as time goes on but that is dependent on what happens with their ratings by doing so.

The House and Senate are dis-functional and I think will stay that way until there are term limits and the electoral college is eliminated. If the Senate becomes controlled by the Democrats that will force the Republican to alter their strategy but not much will happen unless they see erosion in the number of Republican seats in the midterm elections.

It sounds like doom and gloom but I think it is close to our reality for a long time to come. Using COVID 19 as an example. In spite of an appalling number of deaths only 60 percent of the nation believes masks are necessary to get the virus under control. At one point we could rationalize citizens were not informed, then it could be said they were misinformed, then it could be said they were ignorant, just didn't understand. All that's is left is stupid and "you can't fix stupid".

I don't know of any process that can stay as is for 200 years. I think that applies to a democracy and our constitution. As is said, change is inevitable and humans resist change. As long we don't embrace the needed changes in our process and procedures we have a fault underlining our national progress. At some point there will be an earthquake it is only a question of the magnitude.

Sounds like the sky is falling and I believe it could be. The good news is that, in spite of the background noise that will occur, the next 4 years will be a calmer, utilizing more common sense and logic, strategic thinking, an empathetic and safer time. And with the jibber jabber continuing it might keep us from going from a huge relief his is not longer the president to complacency the work that needs to be done is not critical for the future of what we stand for.