Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

I seem to recall the early Volvo XC90s (circa 2005) had a high failure rate in the driveshaft at higher mileage and the more cost effective and efficient solution was simply to remove it and make the car FWD. 

@qbrozen - didn't that happen to you?

They didn't even need higher mileage. Seemed to happen most often right after the powertrain warranty expired, conveniently. Mine started leaking and then I sold it to a volvo dealer before having to deal with it.

One of the things to do on any used AWD volvo is to check that the AWD still actually works.

Mr_Shiftright

imidazol97 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I'd like an original Chrysler 300 coupe. You don't have to hand it to me on a silver platter, though. Just leave it anywhere....

This...

That's the one. Clean, understated, good performer, well-built. What's not to like?

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:

The thing is, as I understand it, the control modules for the DSC and ABS also receive data from the transfer case; now that data is wrong with respect to the F/R torque split at a minimum.

Could be, although I don't know why BMW would want to design it that way rather than using the same sensors and programming from their 2wd model, but I certainly wouldn't put it past a manufacturer to make something more complicated than it needs to be.

You shouldn't put it past the Germans, that's for sure. Why build a directional switch with 5 parts when it could have 33? (Answer : "The tactile sensation of solidness gives the driver not only a sense of quality but a direct digital contact between himself and the machine".

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:

The thing is, as I understand it, the control modules for the DSC and ABS also receive data from the transfer case; now that data is wrong with respect to the F/R torque split at a minimum.

Could be, although I don't know why BMW would want to design it that way rather than using the same sensors and programming from their 2wd model, but I certainly wouldn't put it past a manufacturer to make something more complicated than it needs to be.

You shouldn't put it past the Germans, that's for sure. Why build a directional switch with 5 parts when it could have 33? (Answer : "The tactile sensation of solidness gives the driver not only a sense of quality but a direct digital contact between himself and the machine".

It is clever....this way BMW can charge $8000 for a repair the hack mechanic can do for a few $100s.

ab348

The '55 and '56 Chryslers like that one were built like tanks too, unlike the generation that followed.

Mr_Shiftright

Indeed. By 1958, Chrysler fit and finish was having problems. Not sure why, but probably just trying to do too much too fast. They were certainly at the forefront of styling vitality by then, whether you liked fins or not--their cars were avoiding the wretched excesses of GM.

driver100

My favorite 50s - 60s type car would be a 64 T-Bird....and I think the landau roof actually suits the car.

but, another one that can look real perdy is a 60 T-Bird;

Mr_Shiftright

Those are pretty cars, and very smooth and comfy but I never liked to drive them because the handling was so atrocious, and they sucked gas like a whale eating krill. But, to be fair, I think the clientele who bought them when they were new didn't care about either of those things.

The "roadster" tonneau was interesting--I think those were '62-'63, not '60. They called them, optimistically, "sports roadsters".

abacomike

Well, it looks like I am going to have to have another go-round with Sirius Satellite Radio. I just received an email from them informing me that as of November 1st, their subscription rates for All Access Subscriptions will be going up $1.00 per month, but that I can avoid that increase if I decide to subscribe NOW instead of waiting for my trail subscription to end on December 15th. Further, that when my Free Trial ends on December 15th, I am set up to renew automatically at the "then going rate" of $19.95 a month plus tax and fees. That's when my blood pressure started to rise.

I never gave them a credit card number nor did I authorize an automatic subscription for another year after my free trial expires. So, I called them. It would appear that the individual I spoke with on December 15th, 2016 (the day I bought the BMW 740i) did not merely cancel my subscription on the Mercedes CLS 400, but rather "transferred" the info over to the new account. The nerve of them! So that is how they got my American Express Credit Card Number. I told this guy to take my credit card number off my account since I no longer use that credit card (which is true since I had to change the card a few months ago) and that I do not want an automatic subscription on December 15th. He told me that if I decide later to subscribe, there would be a fee for restarting Sirius in the BMW. I already knew they would wave that fee, so I said OK. He then took my credit card information off the account. Remember, I still have almost 2 months left on the free trial.

I put a note on my iPhone's calendar to call Sirius on the 8th of December to find out what kind of deals they have prior to my free trial expiring. I want to be the one who determines whether or not I continue the subscription. I rarely listen to Satellite Radio because my local FM HD stations provide me with more than enough music that I like at a much higher quality of sound reproduction. I also have lots of music on the hard drive of my car and lots on my phone.

More to come when we reach December....

imidazol97

driver100 said:

My favorite 50s - 60s type car would be a 64 T-Bird....and I think the landau roof actually suits the car.

but, another one that can look real perdy is a 60 T-Bird;

Errrrr, you meant to say, "...look real perdy is a 60 T-Bird."

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Those are pretty cars, and very smooth and comfy but I never liked to drive them because the handling was so atrocious, and they sucked gas like a whale eating krill. But, to be fair, I think the clientele who bought them when they were new didn't care about either of those things.

The "roadster" tonneau was interesting--I think those were '62-'63, not '60. They called them, optimistically, "sports roadsters".

You are right again Mr S, that's why you got the job and I didn't........the white one is a 62 and it is worth about $32k. I agree, it wouldn't handle or steer too well, but, that car sure does look good!

fintail

By then, the T-Birds were all about style, with just a slight garnish of sport pretense - but not trying too hard. The interior are also stylish. Well-played by Ford.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

My favorite 50s - 60s type car would be a 64 T-Bird....and I think the landau roof actually suits the car.

but, another one that can look real perdy is a 60 T-Bird;

Errrrr, you meant to say, "...look real perdy is a 60 T-Bird."

I like that one too, but, the 62 gets 2nd place for me, with the 64 #1. 60 may be 3rd, but, the 57 may be tied. Did GM or Chrysler have a car that competed directly with the T-Bird? Maybe Monte Carlo. I guess the Toronodo and Buick Riviera were competition, but the T-Bird seems to be in a category of it's own.

0patience

@abacomike
Good luck with XM.
I've been trying to cancel them for over a year now.
I even changed my debit card thinking that if they didn't have the card number, they would cancel. Nope.
Somehow they are now charging it directly to my bank account.

Hope you have better luck with them.

Mr_Shiftright

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Those are pretty cars, and very smooth and comfy but I never liked to drive them because the handling was so atrocious, and they sucked gas like a whale eating krill. But, to be fair, I think the clientele who bought them when they were new didn't care about either of those things.

The "roadster" tonneau was interesting--I think those were '62-'63, not '60. They called them, optimistically, "sports roadsters".

You are right again Mr S, that's why you got the job and I didn't........the white one is a 62 and it is worth about $32k. I agree, it wouldn't handle or steer too well, but, that car sure does look good!

Sports Roadsters are easily faked, so one must be careful!

imidazol97

0patience said:

@abacomike
Good luck with XM.
I've been trying to cancel them for over a year now.
I even changed my debit card thinking that if they didn't have the card number, they would cancel. Nope.
Somehow they are now charging it directly to my bank account.

Hope you have better luck with them.

Did you send them a check at one time? Is that how they found a bank account? I'd be squealing loudly for a refund from my bank for unauthorized access, unless you gave XM permission.

roadburner

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:

The thing is, as I understand it, the control modules for the DSC and ABS also receive data from the transfer case; now that data is wrong with respect to the F/R torque split at a minimum.

Could be, although I don't know why BMW would want to design it that way rather than using the same sensors and programming from their 2wd model, but I certainly wouldn't put it past a manufacturer to make something more complicated than it needs to be.

You shouldn't put it past the Germans, that's for sure. Why build a directional switch with 5 parts when it could have 33? (Answer : "The tactile sensation of solidness gives the driver not only a sense of quality but a direct digital contact between himself and the machine".

It is clever....this way BMW can charge $8000 for a repair the hack mechanic can do for a few $100s.

Except that...
1. A reputable BMW dealer could do the repair for $4,000,and a good BMW indie tech could probably repair it for under $3,000
2. The hack didn't repair it- he only cobbled up a half *ss workaround.

SIL should only be allowed to drive cr*ppy bottom-feeder appliances; butchering them is no big deal.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:

I don't have to; the transfer case might grenade, the DSC(stability control) is designed to work with a functional AWD system, and so is the ABS. Any one of those factors would be enough to discourage me.

Face it; SIL allowed an incompetent hack to damage her car in order to save money. That's the long and the short of it.

Just to play devil's advocate, because I believe I have a split personality, I'll argue the other side.

Let's say, assuming it is a RWD-based setup, which I believe it is, the front output shaft is removed. The computers don't know you did that.

If there is slippage from the rear wheels, it will transfer power toward the front wheels, only the power is now spinning nothing. I don't see a big deal there. You'd actually be losing power to those rear wheels which then may slow them down enough to regain traction. Or you are stuck.

As for ABS, that only matters when braking and slippage is detected. It then pulses the brake on the slipping corner. Has nothing to do with the AWD and no longer having AWD won't make a difference on how the ABS operates.

DSC will matter depending on how it works. Some DSC systems apply power to particular wheels to straighten you out. Many (most?) use brakes on individual wheels to straighten out the car. If that is the case, which it was with my 1-series anyway, then the missing driveshaft again won't make a difference.

The thing is, as I understand it, the control modules for the DSC and ABS also receive data from the transfer case; now that data is wrong with respect to the F/R torque split at a minimum.

Another factor that hasn't been discussed is what happens when SIL eventually wants to sell the car. I can't imagine anyone would want it after she says, "Well, it used to be AWD but it cost too much to fix- so I took it ti Bubba's Expert Auto Care, and he removed some parts and binned them- so now it is only RWD."

From driver100's previous posts my impression is that the next owner will be the crusher.

tjc78

So what say the experts....
Three weeks ago or so I got pulled into my boss (and her bosse’s office) and was given first pass at a new position. 

It’s a move up from a Manger with three direct reports to a new position with 6 direct reports and “Senior Manager” title.   It’s a completely different job but I was chosen because my knowledge from my position now is essential.  

Today I was formally offered the position with an offer letter.  I explained I was basically on board but they offered about a 6% bump.  I countered with a 10% bump. 

I am waiting to hear but was curious about some opinions.  In taking an increase now I wouldn’t be eligible for a merit increase until mid 2019 so that was part of my thinking. 

stickguy

Do you want the job? Not much of an increase really moving up a level.

If you don't want the job, I'll take it. I want a new one anyway!

tjc78

Yes, I’m due for a change.  I already have correspondence with all the people I’ll manage and feel it will all be a good fit. 

When they first talked to me about it I had 10% in my head and that is why I countered. 

I just was worried it made me look “greedy” but if you don’t ask you don’t get I suppose.  

imidazol97

0patience said:

@abacomike
Good luck with XM.
I've been trying to cancel them for over a year now.
I even changed my debit card thinking that if they didn't have the card number, they would cancel. Nope.
Somehow they are now charging it directly to my bank account.

Hope you have better luck with them.

Did you send them a check at one time? Is that how they found a bank account? I'd be squealing loudly for a refund from my bank for unauthorized access, unless you gave XM permission.

explorerx4

I think I know what Ford used for the template when sizing the cup holders in an F150.

stickguy

Just did the XM dance myself on the Jetta. Guy had all kinds of phone issues, but eventually someone agreed to renew it at the same $99/year promotional rate, which was good enough for me. Princess will now have radio to listen to until she graduates.

28firefighter

@tjc78 I think your ask is more than reasonable given the title bump, change in responsibilities, and resetting the merit increase clock. If the job is what you want, you should go for it!

jmonroe

fintail said:

All of the HTs were flat tops, right? Even as a leftover, that would have been a cool car. You don't see many flat tops today:



Probably a fun time to be a young person, too, with the generally optimistic feeling of the day, and funny youth culture of the time.

jmonroe said:

My Father traded in his very troublesome '58 Plymouth Sport Suburban wagon in the Fall of '59 (60's introduction time) for a left-over '59 Olds Super 88, 4 door HT, 2 tone Golden Brown and White. That was a barge alright but it moved way better than the Plymouth dog and it had plenty of room for my Senior Prom date with her big skirt thing and for my buddy and his date in the back seat with her large skirt thing too.

FWIW, the car did not have skirts.

jmonroe

That's the car I remember, color and all.

Just for fun I'd like to drive that boat again even though it would not compare to the handling of cars today. I seem to remember back in the good old days you could turn the wheel almost 45 degrees with no car movement.

jmonroe

driver100

roadburner said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

qbrozen said:

roadburner said:

The thing is, as I understand it, the control modules for the DSC and ABS also receive data from the transfer case; now that data is wrong with respect to the F/R torque split at a minimum.

Could be, although I don't know why BMW would want to design it that way rather than using the same sensors and programming from their 2wd model, but I certainly wouldn't put it past a manufacturer to make something more complicated than it needs to be.

You shouldn't put it past the Germans, that's for sure. Why build a directional switch with 5 parts when it could have 33? (Answer : "The tactile sensation of solidness gives the driver not only a sense of quality but a direct digital contact between himself and the machine".

It is clever....this way BMW can charge $8000 for a repair the hack mechanic can do for a few $100s.

Except that...
1. A reputable BMW dealer could do the repair for $4,000,and a good BMW indie tech could probably repair it for under $3,000
2. The hack didn't repair it- he only cobbled up a half *ss workaround.

SIL should only be allowed to drive cr*ppy bottom-feeder appliances; butchering them is no big deal.

Agreed!
SIL knows nothing about cars....just buys something that will fit his family and hockey gear. Currently a 2008 Lexus RX and before that a 2004 Suburban which I had to drive once and hated every moment of it. Felt like an ice wagon with no feel of the road, and a thin steering wheel. (he gets his cars through the company that he is president of but which I am positive his father owns - I should have been so lucky!)

I doubt if he has any idea whether this quick fix is questionable.....as long as it runs!

houdini1

driver100 said:

berri said:

You know what really amazes me, the 59 Ford was considered the conservative design compared to the 59 Chevy. But really, Plymouth was probably the low key one that year!

The 59 Plymouth may be the most outrageous....with those fins. I had a 59 Plymouth and I loved the fins...made me think I was a fighter pilot.

I was about 16 when that 59 Plymouth came out. Loved it, but I could only dream.

houdini1

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

berri said:

You know what really amazes me, the 59 Ford was considered the conservative design compared to the 59 Chevy. But really, Plymouth was probably the low key one that year!

The 59 Plymouth may be the most outrageous....with those fins. I had a 59 Plymouth and I loved the fins...made me think I was a fighter pilot.

Except that Plymouth is a 1958. Something about it's stance doesn't look right? Front end seems too high or something?

On all those old cars the wheels look too small for the cars. You could probably shorten that car by 4 feet and still have the same room inside.

berri

That 59 Olds flat top; flip the two tone and that was what my old high school buddy drove.

You guys can give me crap about my cd player, but I don't have to deal with the hassles of satellite radio business practices and I get to pick the specific music and songs I want to listen to

jmonroe

tjc78 said:

Yes, I’m due for a change.  I already have correspondence with all the people I’ll manage and feel it will all be a good fit. 

When they first talked to me about it I had 10% in my head and that is why I countered. 

I just was worried it made me look “greedy” but if you don’t ask you don’t get I suppose.  

If it were me I'd have done the same thing because when I first went into management they came to me not the other way around. I was lucky I guess because I got my number (reasonable bump, just like what you are asking) and years later I heard upper management pretty much knew I would ask for more.

You are correct, "if you don't ask, you don't get"; just like in car buying.

If by chance they hold this against you, then you might be working for the wrong company.

One last thing, if you get fired, don't come crying in here that it's all because of @jmonroe. :@

Good luck.

jmonroe

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

I think I know what Ford used for the template when sizing the cup holders in an F150.

Is the fill plug under there too?

jmonroe

andres3

berri said:

I think mattresses are more poorly made today. Maybe it is quality of materials. Plus you can't flip them so have to replace them more frequently.

We bought an expensive mattress in 2004 and are still using it. Truth be told, it is still in great shape, and replacing it would just be a CMBA thing.

I predict it'll give 20 years of solid service if we don't get antsy. Sometimes, you get what you pay for, but Mattresses are priced like Sirius XM radio, never pay anywhere near retail!

Interesting, the mattress brand we bought still exists, though their website isn't displaying pictures on my computer for some reason:

http://www.chattamandwells.us/

Expensive, but good quality. I would expect around 50% off, not sure if that's feasible.

andres3

ab348 said:

First bump in the road with the new ATS has nothing to do with the car itself.

You might recall that back in June I had a go-round with this car when the dealer proposed a convoluted lease-to-purchase deal that I wasn't comfortable with and after my heart diagnosis I cancelled the whole thing. They somehow had managed to report this as a sale to GM without me having signed anything, and I began getting congratulatory emails from Cadillac and SiriusXM.

Anyway, I took delivery of the car 15 days ago. Yesterday I was driving around and realized that my SiriusXM had stopped working. It didn't take me long to conclude that XM had started the 3-month free trial back in June and that was 3 months ago. I called and the lady on the other end confirmed that is what had happened. I explained to her that I just bought the car 2 weeks ago and that the free trial should have begun then. After a lot of her putting me on hold and talking to people there she agreed to restart the trial. I'm sure this isn't the first car that had been reported sold and then not sold so I would guess they have ways to deal with this.

Today I go out in the car and it still isn't working. I call again, get a different person, go over the same thing again. This time the guy on the other end wasn't as helpful. At first he tells me he can set me up with a 3 month plan but that he needs billing info. I say, there's no bill, this is your free trial. He goes away, comes back, says we'll cover it, but we need a credit card. I say I don't want to give you a credit card. He says, but you can cancel your renewal bill after the 3 months by calling us before we renew automatically. I say, I don't think so. He says too bad, that's the best I can do. I say, goodbye.

What a miserable company. My chances of renewing are exactly zero but I am annoyed at not getting my free trial. I may call the dealer on Monday and see what they say.

Seems they have to pay for a 3-month free trial then, otherwise they haven't delivered what you've paid for.

dino001

abacomike said:

Well, it looks like I am going to have to have another go-round with Sirius Satellite Radio. I just received an email from them informing me that as of November 1st, their subscription rates for All Access Subscriptions will be going up $1.00 per month, but that I can avoid that increase if I decide to subscribe NOW instead of waiting for my trail subscription to end on December 15th. Further, that when my Free Trial ends on December 15th, I am set up to renew automatically at the "then going rate" of $19.95 a month plus tax and fees. That's when my blood pressure started to rise.

I never gave them a credit card number nor did I authorize an automatic subscription for another year after my free trial expires. So, I called them. It would appear that the individual I spoke with on December 15th, 2016 (the day I bought the BMW 740i) did not merely cancel my subscription on the Mercedes CLS 400, but rather "transferred" the info over to the new account. The nerve of them! So that is how they got my American Express Credit Card Number. I told this guy to take my credit card number off my account since I no longer use that credit card (which is true since I had to change the card a few months ago) and that I do not want an automatic subscription on December 15th. He told me that if I decide later to subscribe, there would be a fee for restarting Sirius in the BMW. I already knew they would wave that fee, so I said OK. He then took my credit card information off the account. Remember, I still have almost 2 months left on the free trial.

I put a note on my iPhone's calendar to call Sirius on the 8th of December to find out what kind of deals they have prior to my free trial expiring. I want to be the one who determines whether or not I continue the subscription. I rarely listen to Satellite Radio because my local FM HD stations provide me with more than enough music that I like at a much higher quality of sound reproduction. I also have lots of music on the hard drive of my car and lots on my phone.

More to come when we reach December....

I have a year of XM/Sirius on my new 430 and after one month after delivery in the US (remember I had it delivered in Munich in June, when both warranty and trial start, but can't really be used) I know I won't renew it. I listen to favorite podcasts on my way to and from work. There was only one time I used it, i.e. when I traveled from Atlanta back to Tampa Bay couple of days after Irma. I ran out of my podcasts, music and NPR broadcast (there are some dead zones there), so I turned to Sirius for entertainment for a few hours. I listened to a few business and news channels. That was it. I can't see it changing any time soon. So this id a non factor to me. They won't make a dime. They can make it free for another five years and I won't really care.

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

Yes, I’m due for a change.  I already have correspondence with all the people I’ll manage and feel it will all be a good fit. 

When they first talked to me about it I had 10% in my head and that is why I countered. 

I just was worried it made me look “greedy” but if you don’t ask you don’t get I suppose.  

Asking for more projects confidence. As long as you really know what you're doing and can produce results (I assume this is a private company) that additional 4% will be just a blip.

I was once offered a promotion by a character who I didn't really respect. Turns out it was a suicide position that would have destroyed anyone who took it. Was glad I turned it down. Didn't know I was being set up at the time.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

I think I know what Ford used for the template when sizing the cup holders in an F150.

Cool coffee mug but I think you drink from the other end.

andres3

jmonroe said:

ab348 said:

jmonroe said:

I'm sure this comes as no surprise to you guys. After all, I own a wannabe, right?

jmonroe

Should we assume it is a "Seeley" brand or is it a "Beautifulrest", both made in the far east no doubt?

I got it at Mattress Warehouse and it is their brand. The salesman said it was probably made my Serta but if I wanted the mattress with the Serta name on it, that one would cost another 100 bucks. As you know I'm not into badges so that's why I got the store brand.

The store brand felt good to both of us and I could tell anybody that asked, it's a Serta since the sheet hides the badge..

jmonroe

But then you'd have to live with the guilt of telling a lie

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50,
It's kind like a thermos. You grip it along the ridges to unscrew it.
Filter was $3.40 plus tax from the dealer.
I also special ordered wiper blades for my truck, $13.48 each.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
It's kind like a thermos. You grip it along the ridges to unscrew it.
Filter was $3.40 plus tax from the dealer.
I also special ordered wiper blades for my truck, $13.48 each.

Do you change your own oil? I use to do it myself until I got the Ford. It has a skid plate that requires a lot of unbolting before you can get in there. Tough on a car that sits so low. I considered some sort of lift but that canceled out any DIY savings.

I liked my old F-150. So much room under that hood.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uHu9uF3GPlY

abacomike

dino001 said:

Well, it looks like I am going to have to have another go-round with Sirius Satellite Radio. I just received an email from them informing me that as of November 1st, their subscription rates for All Access Subscriptions will be going up $1.00 per month, but that I can avoid that increase if I decide to subscribe NOW instead of waiting for my trail subscription to end on December 15th. Further, that when my Free Trial ends on December 15th, I am set up to renew automatically at the "then going rate" of $19.95 a month plus tax and fees. That's when my blood pressure started to rise. I never gave them a credit card number nor did I authorize an automatic subscription for another year after my free trial expires. So, I called them. It would appear that the individual I spoke with on December 15th, 2016 (the day I bought the BMW 740i) did not merely cancel my subscription on the Mercedes CLS 400, but rather "transferred" the info over to the new account. The nerve of them! So that is how they got my American Express Credit Card Number. I told this guy to take my credit card number off my account since I no longer use that credit card (which is true since I had to change the card a few months ago) and that I do not want an automatic subscription on December 15th. He told me that if I decide later to subscribe, there would be a fee for restarting Sirius in the BMW. I already knew they would wave that fee, so I said OK. He then took my credit card information off the account. Remember, I still have almost 2 months left on the free trial. I put a note on my iPhone's calendar to call Sirius on the 8th of December to find out what kind of deals they have prior to my free trial expiring. I want to be the one who determines whether or not I continue the subscription. I rarely listen to Satellite Radio because my local FM HD stations provide me with more than enough music that I like at a much higher quality of sound reproduction. I also have lots of music on the hard drive of my car and lots on my phone. More to come when we reach December....

I have a year of XM/Sirius on my new 430 and after one month after delivery in the US (remember I had it delivered in Munich in June, when both warranty and trial start, but can't really be used) I know I won't renew it. I listen to favorite podcasts on my way to and from work. There was only one time I used it, i.e. when I traveled from Atlanta back to Tampa Bay couple of days after Irma. I ran out of my podcasts, music and NPR broadcast (there are some dead zones there), so I turned to Sirius for entertainment for a few hours. I listened to a few business and news channels. That was it. I can't see it changing any time soon. So this id a non factor to me. They won't make a dime. They can make it free for another five years and I won't really care.

I just got an email from Sirius thanking me for purchasing a subscription for one year at $19,95 per month for their “expanded” satellite service.  My blood pressure must have hit a new high.

ab348

andres3 said:

Seems they have to pay for a 3-month free trial then, otherwise they haven't delivered what you've paid for.

I emailed my sales guy and his sales manager on Sunday with all the gory details. He responded within the hour saying he would talk to his SXM rep on Monday. Still no service as of today so I need to start yelling at them I guess.

I'm sorry to hear the tales of others here who are dealing with this miserable company and their shady business practices. I don't know why the manufacturers who offer their service don't make them shape up. It damages their own brands.

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

Do you change your own oil? I use to do it myself until I got the Ford. It has a skid plate that requires a lot of unbolting before you can get in there. Tough on a car that sits so low. I considered some sort of lift but that canceled out any DIY savings.

I liked my old F-150. So much room under that hood.

I still do an annual oil change on the Cutlass. It's pretty easy on that car.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50,
That filter is a classic FL-1A for my old 91 Mustang. Getting ready to take it off the road until next spring.
Like ab348, I change the oil once a year.
I use Valvoline high mileage oil. The car has a small rear seal leak and it seems to help.

0patience

abacomike said:

I just got an email from Sirius thanking me for purchasing a subscription for one year at $19,95 per month for their “expanded” satellite service.  My blood pressure must have hit a new high.

Yup. They are like a black hole that sucks your money and when you try and get out of the subscription, they have a hundred excuses why it wasn't cancelled and then when you call the next month to make sure it was cancelled, they have more excuses.

If I can ever get it cancelled, I will never deal with them again.
I thought, when I started the subscription, I'd just have it during the summer, when we go on long weekends and stuff and cancel it during the winter, when I have long hours and don't have much time in my personal vehicle.
I was..............mistaken. LOL!

roadburner

I change the oil on the ti and I will probably tackle the Clubman as well.

stickguy

I haven't gone under a car to change the oil in at least 25 years. And doubt I ever will again.

at this point, I think I am down to wiper blades, air filter, and cabin filter. And some light bulbs.

0patience

stickguy said:

I haven't gone under a car to change the oil in at least 25 years. And doubt I ever will again.

at this point, I think I am down to wiper blades, air filter, and cabin filter. And some light bulbs.

If it makes you feel any better, even being a mechanic, I don't change the oil in my SS, nor momma's car.
When I figured out my time, disposing of the waste oil and the cost of the oil and filter, it costs me an extra $5 to have the local oil change place do it.

So for the cost of $5, I have someone else do it and handle the clean up and I get to sit and play free old school video games and drink free coffee or soda.

driver100

abacomike said:

dino001 said:

abacomike said:

Well, it looks like I am going to have to have another go-round with Sirius Satellite Radio. I just received an email from them informing me that as of November 1st, their subscription rates for All Access Subscriptions will be going up $1.00 per month, but that I can avoid that increase if I decide to subscribe NOW instead of waiting for my trail subscription to end on December 15th. Further, that when my Free Trial ends on December 15th, I am set up to renew automatically at the "then going rate" of $19.95 a month plus tax and fees. That's when my blood pressure started to rise.

I never gave them a credit card number nor did I authorize an automatic subscription for another year after my free trial expires. So, I called them. It would appear that the individual I spoke with on December 15th, 2016 (the day I bought the BMW 740i) did not merely cancel my subscription on the Mercedes CLS 400, but rather "transferred" the info over to the new account. The nerve of them! So that is how they got my American Express Credit Card Number. I told this guy to take my credit card number off my account since I no longer use that credit card (which is true since I had to change the card a few months ago) and that I do not want an automatic subscription on December 15th. He told me that if I decide later to subscribe, there would be a fee for restarting Sirius in the BMW. I already knew they would wave that fee, so I said OK. He then took my credit card information off the account. Remember, I still have almost 2 months left on the free trial.

I put a note on my iPhone's calendar to call Sirius on the 8th of December to find out what kind of deals they have prior to my free trial expiring. I want to be the one who determines whether or not I continue the subscription. I rarely listen to Satellite Radio because my local FM HD stations provide me with more than enough music that I like at a much higher quality of sound reproduction. I also have lots of music on the hard drive of my car and lots on my phone.

More to come when we reach December....

I have a year of XM/Sirius on my new 430 and after one month after delivery in the US (remember I had it delivered in Munich in June, when both warranty and trial start, but can't really be used) I know I won't renew it. I listen to favorite podcasts on my way to and from work. There was only one time I used it, i.e. when I traveled from Atlanta back to Tampa Bay couple of days after Irma. I ran out of my podcasts, music and NPR broadcast (there are some dead zones there), so I turned to Sirius for entertainment for a few hours. I listened to a few business and news channels. That was it. I can't see it changing any time soon. So this id a non factor to me. They won't make a dime. They can make it free for another five years and I won't really care.

I just got an email from Sirius thanking me for purchasing a subscription for one year at $19,95 per month for their “expanded” satellite service.  My blood pressure must have hit a new high.



Maybe you could ask BMW or your sales consultant to find out what is going on. BMW would pull some weight with those horse thieves and they are partly responsible for this whole fiasco.

I think Sirius is desperate. There are so many alternatives to satellite radio and although it is a nice feature, it isn't worth any more than $10 a month.