The Best ///M/Barge/General Rant/Look at this/O/T (Vol XVII)

[E24man]

Patrick Bateman said:

E24man said:

Just the E39; I have owned E24, E34, E38 for ages and only the E39 demands constant attention; just take small solace in the fact that your cooling system hasn't decided to play a long game of find-the-next-leak...... yet.

I thought the e38 may have been similar. True, although M5 cooling systems are known to be quite a bit sturdier for the most part. I'm still on the original radiator, expansion tank and hoses so that should narrow things down should it decide to through a wobbly.

The E38 had a leaky old rad when I bought it but save for keeping an eye on the battery when its had a week or so's rest (it is a pre-facelift single battery set-up) it has been nothing but trouble free motoring.

[Gruber]

Krikkit said:

Easy solution - >1 car. Plenty of fun alternatives if you can stomach twice the paperwork.

The paperwork does become a bit of a PIA sometimes... across our current fleet (3 cars and the Honda put-put) this month sees two tax renewals and one new car to tax, MOTs for two of them, and insurance to sort out on the new one. It's going to be an expensive month.

[Patrick Bateman]

I find keeping tax and insurance monthly helps spread the cost, even if it means paying it on a 0% credit card in one go so you're not actually paying more in the long run. (Post Office 0% for 27 months FTW!)

Edited by Patrick Bateman on Monday 29th February 17:39

[rejn]

I'm just moving to a "fleet" insurance policy - the MINI takes me up to 5 cars in total. I'm not sure the cost will be massively cheaper, but it will mean it's only 1 policy to worry about...

[Krikkit]

Patrick Bateman said:

I find keeping tax and insurance monthly helps spread the cost, even if it means paying it on a 0% credit card in one go so you're not actually paying more in the long run.

One of my favourites as well. I've also started paying tax monthly as well which helps spread things out.

[Leins]

E24man said:

Patrick Bateman said:

The M5 really is relentless. You think you can catch a breather then a brake bulb goes. Sorted. A week later a parking sensor goes.

Don't think I've ever gone longer than 3 months without something wanting attention. Are all old BMW's like this or do e39's just have a knack?

Just the E39; I have owned E24, E34, E38 for ages and only the E39 demands constant attention; just take small solace in the fact that your cooling system hasn't decided to play a long game of find-the-next-leak...... yet.

Edit: On reflection the E39 has been even more needy than the TVR Griffith 500 we owned.

Edited by E24man on Monday 29th February 17:19

I found the E34 3.8 a pain for small (and not so small) things going in it. I think partly that may have been my own fault though due to lack of continuous usage, but the CSL never seemed as fragile (VANOS aside)

[ferrisbueller]

Patrick Bateman said:

ferrisbueller said:

Are they going up in price?!

To pay that sort of price I'd be wanting the cooling system to have been refreshed for sure.

And the suspension.

[ferrisbueller]

Cheburator mk2 said:

I find this talk of comparing bona-fide ///M cars to the 2nd best in the line up mildly depressing... particularly on this thread...

Cheburator mk2 said:

barchetta_boy said:

This from the man who talked me out of a C63 wagon not 3 months ago... saying 99% of the time you will wish you are in a 350 diesel

That's because I know you and your circumstances well enough

By the way, I have reconsidered my opinion on cars since we had that conversation with you - I have come to realize that life is to short to drive st cars or drink cheap wine while I can still afford to drive/drink something reasonably good. So, if I can afford to run an M5, I will run an M5... Now, if only Panameras could tow more than 2tons

In a space of two posts, you answered your own question there.

Not everyone is in the luxurious position to run ///M cars as dailies, though most on this thread have done such a thing at some point. Times change, responsibilities change, requirements change, fleets change and as much as we'd all love to be carefree sometimes pragmatism wins out.

In such an instance, IMO, an E90 330i is >75% of an M3 at <50% costs.

I'd argue Drew's smurf and Gruber's E46 CS are potential trend buckers due to their resistance to depreciation.

[CB 987]

ferrisbueller said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

olly22n said:

Manuals are very rare in petrol form.

Correct. I looked for three months. One came up the week after I bought an E90!

They are out there. You've got to be quick.

I've not long done this and replaced my M135i with a manual E91 330i SE touring, it has the Birds B3 suspension kit and now some new Eagle F1 Asymmetric's, I wanted Mich PSS, but the rears aren't available. I must say its now a very complete package and when the time comes I know I will struggle to replace it!

[Output Flange]

I agree in principle, but I can't sit in an E46 without getting the feeling that it's made out of old Coke cans.

[ferrisbueller]

CB 987 said:

ferrisbueller said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

olly22n said:

Manuals are very rare in petrol form.

Correct. I looked for three months. One came up the week after I bought an E90!

They are out there. You've got to be quick.

I've not long done this and replaced my M135i with a manual E91 330i SE touring, it has the Birds B3 suspension kit and now some new Eagle F1 Asymmetric's, I wanted Mich PSS, but the rears aren't available. I must say its now a very complete package and when the time comes I know I will struggle to replace it!

17, 18 or 19? I ditched the run flats for PS3s (18s) last year and it's better in every way.

[Patrick Bateman]

The worst thing about the older M cars, well, older BMW's really (e46/e39 and before) is the rust.

Repairs are one thing, at least you know they're fixed, but to have extortionate repairs and then constant niggles of rust, checking jacking points each year etc. is just a ballache. At least it's practically unheard of on the e90/e60.

[Cheburator mk2]

ferrisbueller said:

In a space of two posts, you answered your own question there.

Not everyone is in the luxurious position to run ///M cars as dailies, though most on this thread have done such a thing at some point. Times change, responsibilities change, requirements change, fleets change and as much as we'd all love to be carefree sometimes pragmatism wins out.

In such an instance, IMO, an E90 330i is >75% of an M3 at <50% costs.

I'd argue Drew's smurf and Gruber's E46 CS are potential trend buckers due to their resistance to depreciation.

My whole post was semi-tongue in cheek. And yes, I am aware that people have different priorities and circumstances. Last thing I want to do is berate them - the Internet is not very good at conveying mischief But at the same I could not help but to have a dig... In the interest of a discussion, which continued...

[L100NYY]

Pennyroyal Tea said:

For me at least, out here in the sandpit, these things are 19,000 of your earth Pounds, and rather depressingly, look like a last hurrah for the opportunity to walk into a dealer and order a new car with three pedals (Volkswagen salesmen will try to stifle a snigger when you ask for a car named Manuel). To put that into context, that's cheaper than the damp streak of piss MKIV Golf GTI was but ten or so years back and, there's the not inconsiderable question of 250bhp to play with this time. Value? It's a frikkin' steal! Then of course there are several friendly chaps who'll plug in some extra horses (bringing the tally up to 300 or so) and all of a sudden, you've got quite a weapon on your hands.

I'll grant you, it's the automotive equivalent of a McDonalds meal (when obviously we all dine at the Raffles, darling), but much like our friend Ronald, it gets the job done, with no worries about bits falling off for several years.

I already pulled out of the deal once, but I'm tempted to get back in there again before we're all forced to drive automatics.

Not having the opportunity to drive does strange things to a man's mind, I tell thee. Sheesh!

Now ya see, all this talk of petrol vs diesel and old ///M cars that like to rust and/or throw big bills at their ever diligent owners than something like a a thrice pedalled modern hatch like the ST has it's draws.

I have just spent 4 days in a nicely run in Focus ST (albeit the diesel) and as an all round/hassle free/quick/quality item it is hard to argue against.

I actually think that this latest version with the improved dash is really not far off its German rivals for interior quality and it really was a lovely place to spend time and I think they look pretty great and are a lot more grown up than hot hatches that I've run in the past plus that 180bhp diesel is really very grunty which tbh is what I want in a daily.....plus over the course of 4 days with a mixture of driving (and a lot of the time loaded to the gunnels) it returned an average of 57.5mpg!

Astonishing really, admittedly I didn't thrash it as such but there were some bursts and b road driving, but even so that is pretty ruddy good imo.

I can imagine a tweaked petrol one to be a hoot

I have to say that this diesel version has to be one of the best all rounders I've driven in a long time.

ETA

As regards the McDonalds vs Raffles notion;

I almost think it has gone the other way now.....seems to be a lot of youngsters driving around in Essss Line init D'Audis nowadays.

(Unbiased: yes I still have my trusty ol' A4)

Edited by L100NYY on Monday 29th February 19:10

[CB 987]

ferrisbueller said:

CB 987 said:

ferrisbueller said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

olly22n said:

Manuals are very rare in petrol form.

Correct. I looked for three months. One came up the week after I bought an E90!

They are out there. You've got to be quick.

I've not long done this and replaced my M135i with a manual E91 330i SE touring, it has the Birds B3 suspension kit and now some new Eagle F1 Asymmetric's, I wanted Mich PSS, but the rears aren't available. I must say its now a very complete package and when the time comes I know I will struggle to replace it!

17, 18 or 19? I ditched the run flats for PS3s (18s) last year and it's better in every way.

18's with 225/40/18 & 255/35/18. I see they have just released the PS4, but I've not seen any reviews yet.

I did contemplate swapping to 17's, but I've never really loved any of designs. I am very happy with it now, I tried an E91 M Sport on Bridgestone Runflats and it was not a nice experience!

[jeremyc]

Krikkit said:

Easy solution - >1 car.

In fact, get a different car for every possible driving scenario ...

[MattOz]

olly22n said:

It also gives the option of a (boosted) power figure around 400bhp in dog-carrier config.

I think MattOz has one.

If he were selling his in say, Feb next year, I would find that a hard option to resist.

You mean this old snotter?



I'm wondering what to replace it with. Either E90 M3 or current Alpina D3. I do like the touring though, so D3 might be the option. However, with only 19 E91 LCI 335i manuals ever made in RHD, my car is quite a rare one. Decisions, decisions

Edited by MattOz on Monday 29th February 19:48

[ferrisbueller]

CB 987 said:

18's with 225/40/18 & 255/35/18. I see they have just released the PS4, but I've not seen any reviews yet.

I did contemplate swapping to 17's, but I've never really loved any of designs. I am very happy with it now, I tried an E91 M Sport on Bridgestone Runflats and it was not a nice experience!

Those are the PS3 sizes I bought to replace the runflats. They may be using up the old stock I guess.

Agree, much better on a conventional tyre; More grip, less tramlining, better ride, less noise etc.

[CB 987]

MattOz said:

You mean this old snotter?



I'm wondering what to replace it with. Either E90 M3 or current Alpina D3. I do like the touring though, so D3 might be the option. However, with only 19 E91 335i manuals ever made in RHD, my car is quite a rare one. Decisions, decisions

I would think long and hard before parting with it, but I will join the queue if you do! I really wanted a manual E91 LCI 335i, but I gave up when I confirmed the numbers produced. I ended up with a pre LCI manual 330i and some cash in the bank. I still keep an eye out just in case one does pop up, currently it is the only (realistic) car I would swap mine for.

I briefly looked at a manual E90 M3 and whilst on paper it is a very competent and practical alternative, I think I might get bored of the running costs using it everyday, when compared with a 330/5i.

Have you considered a B3 Touring or the new 340i, sadly both auto only?

[MattOz]

I've had 3 people PM me on the E90 forum about selling my 335i within the last 3 months. I've always said that everything is for sale at the right price. So far, none of them has ponied up the cash, but there's always time.......