15 years of BMWs
Discussion
1602Mark said:
Have you driven an i8 Richard?
Very, very briefly. Quite nice, but so impractical with the microscopic boot. I think it would have been better to have been a 2 seater with half decent luggage space. The M1, despite a sizeable in line 6 and spare wheel, has plenty of room in the boot.
The i8 could have had a similar arrangement Not a lot of point in being able to take 4 people but not enough luggage for 1.
I wasn't a fan myself, but I loved how easy it was to drive and how (as a stock car) well it handled. As you say though, the power unit isn't what one would want from a supercar (kind of). 
I'd like to see one with an S54 fitted.
As someone who likes pre 1990 BMW's the most though, the M1 remains the pinnacle for me. I love the E30 M3 and the 02 but really there are very few 70's and 80's BMW I wouldn't love to own. I really can't wait to be back behind the wheel of a proper hybrid though. My 1602 with modern 16v power.
I'd like to see one with an S54 fitted.
As someone who likes pre 1990 BMW's the most though, the M1 remains the pinnacle for me. I love the E30 M3 and the 02 but really there are very few 70's and 80's BMW I wouldn't love to own. I really can't wait to be back behind the wheel of a proper hybrid though. My 1602 with modern 16v power.
cerb4.5lee said:
1602Mark said:
Have you driven an i8 Richard?
I think he prefers his Bmw's with a decent engine under the bonnet from looking at his current fleet! 
I do like the way the i8 looks though for sure...just not how it is powered.
The R8 was massive for Audi as a halo model in terms of their PR/brand. The i8 never managed that level of recognition.
g3org3y said:
cerb4.5lee said:
1602Mark said:
Have you driven an i8 Richard?
I think he prefers his Bmw's with a decent engine under the bonnet from looking at his current fleet! I do like the way the i8 looks though for sure...just not how it is powered.
The R8 was massive for Audi as a halo model in terms of their PR/brand. The i8 never managed that level of recognition.
cerb4.5lee said:
Agree completely and It was a missed opportunity from BMW for me. It could have been an excellent halo model for sure.
Definitely - an S65 from the E9* M cars or better still the V10 from the E60 M5 would have been fantastic in the i8 shell. I really wouldn't have wanted to own an i8 and have to confess it had a 1,500cc 3 cylinder engine regardless of the Turbo and hybrid assistance.
The two mates of mine who own i8's bought one because it's not an Audi R8. It's an amazing bit of kit that stands alone and isn't a noisy 'look at me' w@nker supercar.
The original M1wasn't a Ferrari - it was a far more subtle and considered product and probably the best all round supercar of its era. Alas, many didn't 'get it' because it wasn't Italian. Now, however, you need a few 308GTB's to buy one.
The original M1wasn't a Ferrari - it was a far more subtle and considered product and probably the best all round supercar of its era. Alas, many didn't 'get it' because it wasn't Italian. Now, however, you need a few 308GTB's to buy one.
Have only owned 2 BMWs, my first was a simple 1996 E39 523i that i bought back in 2008. It was a decent car, the only issue I had was with a collapsed catalytic converter on the M40. I then learnt soon after all about the ‘nicasil’ issue.. which thankfully never affected my car.
This is my current daily an E63 630i Sport purchased in 2018. All good so far.. though I recently took out 12 months BMW Insured Driveline Warranty.. just in case.
This is my current daily an E63 630i Sport purchased in 2018. All good so far.. though I recently took out 12 months BMW Insured Driveline Warranty.. just in case.
Edited by Waynester on Tuesday 31st March 20:56
Unfortunately I do not have pictures of all my cars but over the years
2003 A new 320d ES Touring as a company car that was bright red. At the time everyone in the company I worked was ordering black or silver company cars. The lease company actually asked me to change the colour, apparently bright red estates at that time had low residuals.
I left that company in 2005 and the had a string of boring cars
Citroen C5 - comfy ride that’s it!
Saab 9-3 - new egr valve every 40k
Volvo V50 edrive - well built but slow and not as economical as published figures.
Jeep Patriot - great car but I always felt it was one step away from falling apart.
Then in 2014 I bought a 2011 318d Edition Touring which I did 70k miles in and really enjoyed it.
2017 A 2012 330d Luxury Touring was advertised at my local BMW dealers with only 444 miles on it. What also caught my eye was it had every single option available. It turns out it was a show car for BMW and as I was to be the first owner I even got a 3 year BMW warranty. At the time it was like buying a new car but with a 30k discount??
March 2020 1 week before lockdown I bought a 2017 640d GC which is now sat on the drive doing very little.
2003 A new 320d ES Touring as a company car that was bright red. At the time everyone in the company I worked was ordering black or silver company cars. The lease company actually asked me to change the colour, apparently bright red estates at that time had low residuals.
I left that company in 2005 and the had a string of boring cars
Citroen C5 - comfy ride that’s it!
Saab 9-3 - new egr valve every 40k
Volvo V50 edrive - well built but slow and not as economical as published figures.
Jeep Patriot - great car but I always felt it was one step away from falling apart.
Then in 2014 I bought a 2011 318d Edition Touring which I did 70k miles in and really enjoyed it.
2017 A 2012 330d Luxury Touring was advertised at my local BMW dealers with only 444 miles on it. What also caught my eye was it had every single option available. It turns out it was a show car for BMW and as I was to be the first owner I even got a 3 year BMW warranty. At the time it was like buying a new car but with a 30k discount??
March 2020 1 week before lockdown I bought a 2017 640d GC which is now sat on the drive doing very little.
Edited by curvature on Wednesday 1st April 07:59
Edited by curvature on Wednesday 1st April 08:01
Touring442 said:
The original M1... many didn't 'get it' because it wasn't Italian.
It was almost a Lamborghini (but they pulled out of the deal).Italian body designer
Italian chassis designer
Chassis made in Italy
Body made in Italy
Marriage of body to chassis in Italy
Fairly Italian, but the marketing (and engine / final assembly) was very German!
BigBear9 said:
I found it interesting. I’ve been doing a chronicle of my cars myself, it’s satisfying and terrifying in equal measure to look at the back catalogue. You have a few less howlers on your list than I do!
Best of luck selling the blue Z4 if you haven’t already.
Thanks. Best of luck selling the blue Z4 if you haven’t already.
My howlers all happened many years ago, and much as I would love to do a complete car history I don't have photos of the dogs I owned in my youth!
The blue Z4 went in early February - I thought I had sold it a bit too cheap, but in March I was just relieved I had sold it.
16 years of ownership here.
First an impulse buy, E36 328i coupe.
In artic silver, it had 160k when I bought it. It was a ex demonstrator so well equipped and I ran it for five years.
It was pretty reliable and I fitted an M3 exhaust for noise. I loved this little car but rust got it, above the windscreen the aperture was rotten so it had to go.
Second buy, E46 330ci sport.
Sapphire black with lemon seats
I bought this on the strength of the last one, it was really reliable for eight years then everything went wrong, a classic case of kept it to long.
Owned it ten years in all.
After all that I needed something more reliable and cheaper to run, I looked at 130i ‘s and 530d’s because the one and five series were the only bangle cars I liked.
I bought an E60 550i Msport.
Got it last years and replaced the brake pipes ( all of them ) and had a new battery fitted. It’s been dealer serviced up to now, but owing to the virus I have just replace the back brakes, micro filters and air filter, dealers are shut.
So that’s where I am now.
First an impulse buy, E36 328i coupe.
In artic silver, it had 160k when I bought it. It was a ex demonstrator so well equipped and I ran it for five years.
It was pretty reliable and I fitted an M3 exhaust for noise. I loved this little car but rust got it, above the windscreen the aperture was rotten so it had to go.
Second buy, E46 330ci sport.
Sapphire black with lemon seats
I bought this on the strength of the last one, it was really reliable for eight years then everything went wrong, a classic case of kept it to long.
Owned it ten years in all.
After all that I needed something more reliable and cheaper to run, I looked at 130i ‘s and 530d’s because the one and five series were the only bangle cars I liked.
I bought an E60 550i Msport.
Got it last years and replaced the brake pipes ( all of them ) and had a new battery fitted. It’s been dealer serviced up to now, but owing to the virus I have just replace the back brakes, micro filters and air filter, dealers are shut.
So that’s where I am now.
d_a_n1979 said:
'd love a Z4M, unfortunately I don't fit in them
How tall are you? I'm over 6'4" but I fit ok in my E85 Z4M. I had to sit leaning back a lot more to get low enough to see the gauges through the wheel etc. But in the 18 months I've had it, my height has never been an issue for me and with a number of spinal problems, the cars proven to be really good at supporting my back correctly.Thinking back with my previous BMW's, I got my first BMW in 2002 and have had....
E30 318i 2 door in white
E30 320i 2 door in white
E30 325i Cab in white
E30 Alpina C2 2.5 in silver (had over 200k on the clock)
E85 Z4M in carbon black (current car)
StuntmanMike said:
16 years of ownership here.
First an impulse buy, E36 328i coupe.
In artic silver, it had 160k when I bought it. It was a ex demonstrator so well equipped and I ran it for five years.
It was pretty reliable and I fitted an M3 exhaust for noise. I loved this little car but rust got it, above the windscreen the aperture was rotten so it had to go.
Second buy, E46 330ci sport.
Sapphire black with lemon seats
I bought this on the strength of the last one, it was really reliable for eight years then everything went wrong, a classic case of kept it to long.
Owned it ten years in all.
After all that I needed something more reliable and cheaper to run, I looked at 130i ‘s and 530d’s because the one and five series were the only bangle cars I liked.
I bought an E60 550i Msport.
550 cheaper to run than a 330 ci?!
Got it last years and replaced the brake pipes ( all of them ) and had a new battery fitted. It’s been dealer serviced up to now, but owing to the virus I have just replace the back brakes, micro filters and air filter, dealers are shut.
So that’s where I am now.
First an impulse buy, E36 328i coupe.
In artic silver, it had 160k when I bought it. It was a ex demonstrator so well equipped and I ran it for five years.
It was pretty reliable and I fitted an M3 exhaust for noise. I loved this little car but rust got it, above the windscreen the aperture was rotten so it had to go.
Second buy, E46 330ci sport.
Sapphire black with lemon seats
I bought this on the strength of the last one, it was really reliable for eight years then everything went wrong, a classic case of kept it to long.
Owned it ten years in all.
After all that I needed something more reliable and cheaper to run, I looked at 130i ‘s and 530d’s because the one and five series were the only bangle cars I liked.
I bought an E60 550i Msport.
550 cheaper to run than a 330 ci?!
Got it last years and replaced the brake pipes ( all of them ) and had a new battery fitted. It’s been dealer serviced up to now, but owing to the virus I have just replace the back brakes, micro filters and air filter, dealers are shut.
So that’s where I am now.
Kettmark.
No the 550 isn’t as cheap to run I was being a bit cheeky there.
MPG. 330 25 mpg all in. Motorway runs about 31.
550 23 mpg all in. Motorway runs about 30.
Tax same as the 550 is a 55 reg.
Insurance went up, from 200 a year fully complies to 300 a year.
So it’s not a lot dearer but, and this is a big one.
Servicing is more expensive and if you do a lot of diy work then it’s still dearer.
330 are two a penny, eBay is full of cheap bits for them, 550s aren’t common at all, and while you can get E60 parts you have to remember that 545s and 550s are pretty unique mechanically.
I would sum it up as the 550 day to day is marginally dearer to run but the bork factor is huge on them.
No the 550 isn’t as cheap to run I was being a bit cheeky there.
MPG. 330 25 mpg all in. Motorway runs about 31.
550 23 mpg all in. Motorway runs about 30.
Tax same as the 550 is a 55 reg.
Insurance went up, from 200 a year fully complies to 300 a year.
So it’s not a lot dearer but, and this is a big one.
Servicing is more expensive and if you do a lot of diy work then it’s still dearer.
330 are two a penny, eBay is full of cheap bits for them, 550s aren’t common at all, and while you can get E60 parts you have to remember that 545s and 550s are pretty unique mechanically.
I would sum it up as the 550 day to day is marginally dearer to run but the bork factor is huge on them.
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