Gee, I certainly never thought I would be enterataining the idea of getting rid of my bimmer...but that's exactly what I am planning.
This year has been a very frustrating one that has seen my car in the shop for one thing after another, despite being pampered and watched like a hawk (maintenance-wise) since it was bought in Germany in '88. I have totalled this years repairs to be well over $2500 on the bimmer alone, coming off a high year last year over 3K. That's not including my other car (92 LS400) which we earlier this year scrapped the collapsed air suspension for a conventinal Lexus-spec setup, then replacing the AC compressor and converting to current AC specs. Don't get me started on damn tires for that car either. The bill for both has been thousands upon thousands this year (yet to total it all up). And regarding my bimmer, I wouldn't care about the expense if I could see some light at the end of the tunnel, like my other car. But as soon as I complete one job, another one surfaces a month later. Now I have a mysterious "clunk" noise while shifting from 1st to 2nd. That gives way to a rattling in 3rd, though shifting and performance are not hindered at all. Oh, I almost forgot the loud droning and harsh vibrations on the expressway caused by my subframe mounts that just crapped last month. It's all not only annoying, it's embarassing too. One of the cars has to go.
I'm tired, guys. This recent process of events has warped my enthusiasm greatly for my car. All my plans to do some modifications (suspension, S50 motor, new seats & carpet, sound system) have long since been scrapped. I understand this comes with the turf of having a 16 year old car with 230K+ miles. Even if all the issues fade away, I still am no longer comfortable spending any money modifying this car. I'm not even motivated to change my own oil anymore, but would rather take it somewhere, pay 50-80 bucks and let it be over with. That used to be a highlight for me, to do my own oil and inspections every few months. And although I still enjoy driving my 325is at times, it wears me out more now than ever as I feel exhausted after driving it just to and from work. (faulty subframe mounts partly to blame).
I spent yesterday evening tossing around the '05 Acura RSX type S and loved it! It's no BMW, but that's not the point. It's a very entertaining package nonetheless with a very well balanced sound system, awesome ergonomics, stiff but supple suspension, quick acceleration, great gas mileage and a warranty,lol! And it's so bleeding easy to drive it! I am looking at a few others, but I am about sold on the type-S. Granted I'm not wild about adding a car payment after being free from one for many years. But I'd gladly pay a monthly cost to have a worry-free car to drive, especially as much as I like to drive long distances. Plus a recent promotion at work will make the cost of the new car rather minimal.
I'm not trying to sway anyone from leaving the Bavaria-world. I'm actually sad that things didn't work out with my car. My goal was to keep it forever, a promise once made to the previous owners who were up in years back in 2000. But even after catching up with them earlier this year, even she was shocked I still had it! Hmmm. All I can say is keep on doing what you are doing, as I admire what a lot of you have done to your cars. For me, I plan on getting one of my mechanics to detail it, and another to fix that damn clunking noise, along with the subframe mounts and other things. After that, I'll sell it. Maybe at some point down the road I'll pick up another E30 and start anew. But knowing me, that'll be a while. I hope many of you have better luck that I had with your bimmers.
This year has been a very frustrating one that has seen my car in the shop for one thing after another, despite being pampered and watched like a hawk (maintenance-wise) since it was bought in Germany in '88. I have totalled this years repairs to be well over $2500 on the bimmer alone, coming off a high year last year over 3K. That's not including my other car (92 LS400) which we earlier this year scrapped the collapsed air suspension for a conventinal Lexus-spec setup, then replacing the AC compressor and converting to current AC specs. Don't get me started on damn tires for that car either. The bill for both has been thousands upon thousands this year (yet to total it all up). And regarding my bimmer, I wouldn't care about the expense if I could see some light at the end of the tunnel, like my other car. But as soon as I complete one job, another one surfaces a month later. Now I have a mysterious "clunk" noise while shifting from 1st to 2nd. That gives way to a rattling in 3rd, though shifting and performance are not hindered at all. Oh, I almost forgot the loud droning and harsh vibrations on the expressway caused by my subframe mounts that just crapped last month. It's all not only annoying, it's embarassing too. One of the cars has to go.
I'm tired, guys. This recent process of events has warped my enthusiasm greatly for my car. All my plans to do some modifications (suspension, S50 motor, new seats & carpet, sound system) have long since been scrapped. I understand this comes with the turf of having a 16 year old car with 230K+ miles. Even if all the issues fade away, I still am no longer comfortable spending any money modifying this car. I'm not even motivated to change my own oil anymore, but would rather take it somewhere, pay 50-80 bucks and let it be over with. That used to be a highlight for me, to do my own oil and inspections every few months. And although I still enjoy driving my 325is at times, it wears me out more now than ever as I feel exhausted after driving it just to and from work. (faulty subframe mounts partly to blame).
I spent yesterday evening tossing around the '05 Acura RSX type S and loved it! It's no BMW, but that's not the point. It's a very entertaining package nonetheless with a very well balanced sound system, awesome ergonomics, stiff but supple suspension, quick acceleration, great gas mileage and a warranty,lol! And it's so bleeding easy to drive it! I am looking at a few others, but I am about sold on the type-S. Granted I'm not wild about adding a car payment after being free from one for many years. But I'd gladly pay a monthly cost to have a worry-free car to drive, especially as much as I like to drive long distances. Plus a recent promotion at work will make the cost of the new car rather minimal.
I'm not trying to sway anyone from leaving the Bavaria-world. I'm actually sad that things didn't work out with my car. My goal was to keep it forever, a promise once made to the previous owners who were up in years back in 2000. But even after catching up with them earlier this year, even she was shocked I still had it! Hmmm. All I can say is keep on doing what you are doing, as I admire what a lot of you have done to your cars. For me, I plan on getting one of my mechanics to detail it, and another to fix that damn clunking noise, along with the subframe mounts and other things. After that, I'll sell it. Maybe at some point down the road I'll pick up another E30 and start anew. But knowing me, that'll be a while. I hope many of you have better luck that I had with your bimmers.
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