2mAns Daily Driver Thread - who knows what it is today...

[2mAn]

Does the 911 bring you joy? If it does, then it's not a stupid decision to prioritize your happiness.

Inflation was/is brutal right now. The real costs of food and other necessities of life far exceed the quoted 3-4% inflation in my area. Have seen some estimates as high as 10%.
Even if you're lucky enough to see a 3% cost of living increase from your employer, you still have 7% less buying power.

Thankfully we are blessed to be able to thin expenses, but my heart goes out to those who can't cut costs further and are struggling to live.

Yup, I'm fortunate that the hardest thing I have to do is sell one of my 2 cars. A lot dont have it so easy.

The 911 definitely brings me joy and does my daily duties when I need it to. If it becomes a long-term DD I will likely need to replace the clutch as its a 'sport' clutch that bites too hard and constantly results in stalling. The dumb side of my brain says to add a LTW flywheel if/ when I swap the clutch.

[Panici]

That said there's a good chance this car is going away soon as Inflation in all of my expenses VS an employer who decided I wasn't worth any more in 2024 than they paid me in 2023 means I have to find places to trim costs, and eliminating a monthly payment and the associated extra Insurance it brings is likely the easiest solution... I could sell the 911 and keep this but I'm a car guy. I make stupid decisions...

Does the 911 bring you joy? If it does, then it's not a stupid decision to prioritize your happiness.

Inflation was/is brutal right now. The real costs of food and other necessities of life far exceed the quoted 3-4% inflation in my area. Have seen some estimates as high as 10%.
Even if you're lucky enough to see a 3% cost of living increase from your employer, you still have 7% less buying power.

Thankfully we are blessed to be able to thin expenses, but my heart goes out to those who can't cut costs further and are struggling to live.

[2mAn]

Life is annoying that way, but I assumed the P car would be the one to go. GLWS.

that’s the logical decision, but I’m not always a logical man...

[roguetoaster]

Life is annoying that way, but I assumed the P car would be the one to go. GLWS.

[moatilliatta]

Bummer, upsizing or downsizing?

[2mAn]

Well... it was fun while it lasted. Let’s see what happens and what’s next. This one sucks to sell, but life forced this decision, not anything on the car itself.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2017-bmw-i3-rex/

[moatilliatta]

I3's are on the Used EV list tax credit if anyone is looking.

I've actually been torn between I3 and Prius. The new BMW arn't doing it for me so I lost some love for the I3. Cheaper daily < MORE E30

[roguetoaster]

VS an employer who decided I wasn't worth any more in 2024 than they paid me in 2023 means I have to find places to trim costs.

I think that means that your value doesn't align with their five plus year projections, and we shouldn't really be spending as if we expect to always have more money, but rather, to the income we have now.

That said, as your automotive investment advisors, you should sell your "E30" and buy an E30.

[prisonerofdoom83]

Does the Rex require a “smog” I have about 9 months wirh mine only about 3k miles though . So far so good

[2mAn]

Well, another year passes and I'm officially at 2 years with this car. The CEL has been on for quite some time and the scan has always stated a minor leak so I've ignored it. Knowing the extended CA - Emissions warranty was ending soon I figured it was a good time to let the dealer touch it... hesitantly.

A trip to Santa Monica BMW started with a ~$777 estimate based on $250 to "Inspect" it, another $250 to diagnose the CEL (shouldn't that be part of the inspection?) and then a little more than $250 to do the scheduled brake fluid flush. Within a day the estimate doubled as they say they needed more time to diagnose the CEL, and also requested another $1500 to change my brakes because they were "too low." I declined the brake service knowing BS when I can smell it and then began the battle about the rest. That initial $14xx for additional diagnosis resulted in 2 parts that needed to be replacing costing me ~$650 and then about $2500 in parts. I challenged the Service Advisor to back up all the BS with them backing down from the ~$3200 to address the CEL all the way to a final bill of $14xx which covered the brake fluid flush and replacing all the parts. BMW USA had to step in and cover the cost of the $500 valve and all the labor. In the end Im both happy and sad. So frustrating to deal with a dealer, but happy that the CEL is off and service is up to date.

That said there's a good chance this car is going away soon as Inflation in all of my expenses VS an employer who decided I wasn't worth any more in 2024 than they paid me in 2023 means I have to find places to trim costs, and eliminating a monthly payment and the associated extra Insurance it brings is likely the easiest solution... I could sell the 911 and keep this but I'm a car guy. I make stupid decisions...

All of this could be avoided if my YouTube Career would take off, but it hasn't so its time to go through another shuffle...

[twright]

If you have trouble getting that plug out with a torx, try using a hammer and chisel.

Put the chisel on the outer edge of the drain plug and orient it tangentially, and then hammer it out. I've done that on diff drains before. It works pretty well.

[MrBurgundy]

I can tell from the pic of the plug the socket was not sitting in all the way. hehehe Always tap your allens in until you hear it smack the end. It's a 21 ft lb torque spec fyi.

Also, something may have been torqued to 18 ft lbs, but that doesn't mean it takes equal force to remove it a year or so later.

[2mAn]

You probably should have hammered a torx socket in and called it a day, leaving the next oil change to the next guy.

Thats how its coming out, and though it only needs ~18ftlbs I dont want to roll the dice and make it even worse trying to put that much torque on it when Im tightening it...

New Drain plug should arrive today. I might be the next guy changing the oil soooo dont want to screw future-2mAn by lazy 2mAn antics

[roguetoaster]

You probably should have hammered a torx socket in and called it a day, leaving the next oil change to the next guy.

[2mAn]

Service schedule came up but looks like it was just for an oil change and I’ve done that once or twice in my life so I thought I’d tackle it myself. Bought a factory change kit from bluntech and set about getting to work...



Things seemed to be smooth flowing, until I went to drain the oil. At ~34k and 5 years old I’m guessing this has had 1, maybe 2 changes. Whoever the last person was who changed the oil must not understand what a torque spec is because I put at least 50lbs of force through the ratchet before the 8mm Allen took a spin, but not the drain plug itself...


Today I ordered a new drain plug and also a few of the trashed ‘neoprene nuts’ for the engine lid... I’ll get this oil change done...eventually lol