OhioRacer

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Crabby Guy
[B]Before you buy that 325, check out the new Road & Track that talks about a $190 oil change on a 3-series convertible.

vroom

This BMW stuff is rubbish. I've had an e36 M3 for 6 years (99,000 miles), it's first 3 years were extremely trouble free, and that's with track use and over 40 autocrosses plus hard daily driving in the Beirut like streets of NYC -also, oil changes are free for the first 3 years (but it's really bogus as the oil change interval is ridiculously long). Oil change is usually just $35-45 and they usually send you vouchers for cheap changes anyway. In any case - the oil is easier to change in a 3 series than in the S, heck the oil filter is up top. You never even need to jack the car.

At about the 70K mark one starts to encounter issues, but with a quality independent (no Bimmer enthusiast uses the $tealer after warranty) you'd be surprised that the car is not nearly as expensive as one is led to believe. The car is also very easy to work on yourself, if your so inclined.

BMW's are not good first year release purchases though - will grant you that.

tim935

Guess what, folks? My springs do still have rubber spacers between the coils. Great prep job, guys...

I missed the chance to get to my dealer before their service dept. closed today (and a local tire shop wanted $20 for the two minutes it would take to lift the car and remove the spacers), so I will have to live with the un-necessary stiffness a bit longer.

But to the idiot in Illinois who suggested I need a pillow and Lincoln - BITE ME! The synthetically rough ride didn't stop me from buying the car now, did it? Sippy cup, you say? At this point, I guess I should refrain from talking about your mother's lovely mammary glands.

lucid

On thing you may want to do is change your tires to something more comfortable when they wear out - 10k-12k miles. Saves some $ and give a softer ride if you're driving a lot.

tim935

Yeah, 205/55-16 and 225/50-16 seem to be pretty common tire sizes, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find a good blend of performance and (reasonable) comfort/quietness for less money than top-spec Potenzas. And with having to buy new tires so often on these cars, I'll probably get to sample every brand of tire!

Thanks for writing, Lucid. I'm looking to upgrade my stereo in the coming months and it definitely SOUNDs like you're the man to talk to about that. Will call or email soon.

OhioRacer

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tim935
[B]Guess what, folks?

tim935

Indeed, my friend. One beer for every lump of rubber that is pulled from NEW bessie's precious coils! Double that if you can score some Molson Dry from across Lake Erie and send it south. Send me the bill, of course!

OhioRacer

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tim935
[B]Indeed, my friend.

tim935

I probably shouldn't tell you that we didn't see a single flake in the ATL this past winter and it's now close to 70 here! I generally dislike living in GA, but I will admit the weather here is just about perfect. Short winters, warm springs and autumns that last forever, and the summer isn't as hot as most people believe. Beauty.

Do you drive your S much in winter, OhioR?

OhioRacer

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tim935
[B]I probably shouldn't tell you that we didn't see a single flake in the ATL this past winter and it's now close to 70 here!