Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stickguy

RB, your kid saw a good game. I hope you are going to step up and front him a trip to Phoenix next weekend for the final 4!

28firefighter

Wife picked up a nail in her right rear run flat. Punctured the sidewall. It is a Pirelli RFT so I may have a 1 year road hazard warranty, but I need to check with the dealer. 

In the interim they're plugging it which will make it a very slow leak and let wife drive it this week. 

Worst case it is $225 for a new tire. 

imidazol97

imidazol97 said:

I happened to talk to a guy who stops for coffee each morning with a CTS that I thought was about the same age as GG's. He loves it. It's actually a '14 with the 3.6 L. Great car and drives great.

His previous car was an Audi. A TTS. Solid black and beautiful. I remember it!

More of the story on the Audi is that he wanted a hole in the roof and that couldn't be done aftermarket is what I understood him to say. He had bought the car from South Carolina sight unseen but I don't know if from a private seller or a store.. He sold it to a new happy owner in Reno. TTS's get around, LOL.

roadburner

Hang in there Mike, my prayers are with you!

roadburner

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

Took you a long time to show up today JM, especially since they were talking about your favorite topic.

I thought dinner did you in........and you should have listened to me

I showed up late because I was watching that old PBS oldies DVD I mentioned in an earlier post.

Dinner was pretty good and so was the sight I saw on my way to the restaurant. You gotta stick around for this:

I'm sitting in the left turn lane waiting for the left turn arrow to turn green. My lane gets the green arrow as soon as the traffic perpendicular to it from the right has their turn making their left turn. A guy driving a 3 wheeled motor cycle, with a built in from the factory cart, on the rear, has a big German Shepherd sitting on this cart with it's front paws over the riders shoulders. I am looking in disbelief as he is coming towards me in his lane to my left. The dog seems to be enjoying itself and doesn't seem to have any problems holding onto the driver but I doubt that this is legal. Mrs. j sees this too and is almost laughing hysterically. I've never seen anything like this before.

I do question the rider but that dog was big and beautiful. Had the same coloring as the old Rin Tin Tin Shepherd I remember from back in the day (black/tan with black saddle and tan paws). That is my favorite coloring for a German Shepherd. Sure would have been nice to get a pic of that. Did I say that dog was beautiful?

Now you can go find something like this on the internet but I doubt you'll find a more beautiful German Shepherd than that one.

jmonroe

I love GSDs.

roadburner

fintail said:

It'd be cool if tech would advance to the point where there was a quality durable rechargeable orbital buffer. Not everyone has access to plug ins - I would have run a hilariously long cord to my garage space to use one.

I think Griot's is selling one. Don't know how well it performs.

roadburner

stickguy said:

RB, your kid saw a good game. I hope you are going to step up and front him a trip to Phoenix next weekend for the final 4!

I probably will- and I might even join him.
Talk about a once in a lifetime experience...

tjc78

@qbrozen
I thought it may have been a video game, but then thought why that car.....

Re:buffers
I have one new in the box, bought it from Sears years ago and was always afraid of it.  

stickguy

T, I feel the same way about my chainsaw. I have some scrap trees to clear, and doing by hand is a bear, but I am still afraid to pull out my chainsaw (had it for years now) and do it the easy way!

jmonroe

tjc78 said:

@qbrozen
I thought it may have been a video game, but then thought why that car.....

Re:buffers
I have one new in the box, bought it from Sears years ago and was always afraid of it.  

If you are afraid of it, why not try it on your least valuable car. Try it on the very bottom of a rear quarter panel.

If it is anything like mine there is nothing to be afraid of. You'd have to be using pro level rubbing compound to hurt your paint with my buffer and even then I don't know if it's possible.

My days of rubbing wax on and off by hand are gone, long gone.

jmonroe

driver100

28firefighter said:

Wife picked up a nail in her right rear run flat. Punctured the sidewall. It is a Pirelli RFT so I may have a 1 year road hazard warranty, but I need to check with the dealer. 

In the interim they're plugging it which will make it a very slow leak and let wife drive it this week. 

Worst case it is $225 for a new tire. 

Good luck...hope the RFT is covered. I hear different things like RFTs should not be repaired, but should be replaced. Some say 2 opposite tires should be replaced if one goes, some would like you to replace 4 tires.

Can't find much, but did find this:
If you are on run-flat tires, most manufacturers recommend replacement when they have been driven in a severely underinflated or zero pressure condition. This is because the integrity of their internal structure cannot be confirmed.

MORE INFO

28firefighter

driver100 said:

Wife picked up a nail in her right rear run flat. Punctured the sidewall. It is a Pirelli RFT so I may have a 1 year road hazard warranty, but I need to check with the dealer. 

In the interim they're plugging it which will make it a very slow leak and let wife drive it this week. 

Worst case it is $225 for a new tire. 

Good luck...hope the RFT is covered. I hear different things like RFTs should not be repaired, but should be replaced. Some say 2 opposite tires should be replaced if one goes, some would like you to replace 4 tires. Can't find much, but did find this: If you are on run-flat tires, most manufacturers recommend replacement when they have been driven in a severely underinflated or zero pressure condition. This is because the integrity of their internal structure cannot be confirmed. MORE INFO

Yup. I read similar. 

My plan is to replace the tire regardless. Question is whether it will be full pop. The repair is just temporary so wife can drive while I figure it out. The tires are new enough (less than 6500 miles) that we can get away just replacing one. 

tjc78

jmonroe said:

@qbrozen
I thought it may have been a video game, but then thought why that car.....

Re:buffers
I have one new in the box, bought it from Sears years ago and was always afraid of it.  

If you are afraid of it, why not try it on your least valuable car. Try it on the very bottom of a rear quarter panel. If it is anything like mine there is nothing to be afraid of. You'd have to be using pro level rubbing compound to hurt your paint with my buffer and even then I don't know if it's possible. My days of rubbing wax on and off by hand are gone, long gone. jmonroe

Mayve one day I will.  The Enclave goes back at the end of the year, so it's certainly not getting any wax since I just did it a month or so ago 

I should try it when I do the Elantra for the first time. 

laurasdada

Been offline for a bit, visiting Portland, OR. Best to abacomike, GG, BWIA and all those experiencing any kind of physical, emotional or financial pain. Hopefully, not all 3 at once...

Like GG (I believe), I was a Zaino-holic. But, as I lost the ability to hand wash my car, I've been using Black Magic, which I"m not sure they even make any more. Long lasting shine, I may go back to a Zaino all in one product, use after a touchless car wash.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

OK guys since we are at the start of the car waxing season, to save your arms try this http://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-random-orbital-polisher-61898.html or an equivalent. I have the Sears version that I bought back in the 70's that is pretty much like this one but since Sears is gone now you can't get one like I have.

I bought one of these a few years ago for each of my sons. Not because I'm a great father but kinda like self defense because I was tired of them borrowing mine and I was afraid it would burn up from too much use. Both of them said it worked just as well and since both of them had used mine many times they should know. Get several terry cloth or micro fiber bonnets and your good for many happy wax jobs. Just change them often when they load up with the rubbed off wax. I also use it to apply the wax. It's a slow speed random obit unit so there is no chance of burning the paint with the wet wax or even mild cleaners prior to waxing.

While you are at it, get the pneumatic adjustable roller seat shown in the lower box (far right) of the link page. I've said this before, I wouldn't even think of doing a wax job anymore without this roller seat. It saves the back when doing the sides, clear down to the rocker panels. Even makes waxing fun. Just be careful, as you scoot around, not to run into the extension cord. Quick stops, just like while driving your car, can be harmful.

Just thought I'd pass along a fun tip for the upcoming waxing season and just in time for most of you guys except @stickguy who jumped the gun and couldn't wait to show off his handy work to Mrs. Stick.

jmonroe

I now know how you guys keep your cars so beautiful and gleaming from grille to tailpipes.  Me?  I drive to the Macy's parking garage at Boca Town Center Mall where I hand the key to my car to Jesus along with $50.00 and 2 hours later and a "voila" or two, my 740Li is beautiful and gleaming, just like your cars.  He uses Maguair's products.

The car is first hand washed, dried and then he applies the wax.  All of the applications are done by hand - no machines or buffers.

$50.00 for full interior/exterior wash and then hand waxed, tires cleaned and gleamed.  I usually give him a $7.50 tip.  For just a wash, it's $20.00.  

I usually get a bit sweated up reaching for my wallet and handing him the money and thinking about how hard I worked to get the car washed and/or waxed, but I love my car and am willing to do whatever it takes to keep it "up to snuff" so to speak.  But it's worth every drop of sweat I excrete on behalf of my secret lover!  



So what you are saying is that for 50 bucks Jesus works miracles on your car?

fintail

I'll probably keep doing it all by hand as long as I can. I don't mind the work, just removing the natural wax from the old car can be a chore. But if I switch to Klasse, maybe a moot point.

I have noticed the brushless/touchless washes here use a strong detergent, enough to remove the wax, too. I try to keep away from those.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

28firefighter said:

Wife picked up a nail in her right rear run flat. Punctured the sidewall. It is a Pirelli RFT so I may have a 1 year road hazard warranty, but I need to check with the dealer. 

In the interim they're plugging it which will make it a very slow leak and let wife drive it this week. 

Worst case it is $225 for a new tire. 

Good luck...hope the RFT is covered. I hear different things like RFTs should not be repaired, but should be replaced. Some say 2 opposite tires should be replaced if one goes, some would like you to replace 4 tires.

Can't find much, but did find this:
If you are on run-flat tires, most manufacturers recommend replacement when they have been driven in a severely underinflated or zero pressure condition. This is because the integrity of their internal structure cannot be confirmed.

MORE INFO

I think for AWD they say to replace all 4 if there will be more than a slight difference in tread depth. Something about screwing up the gears. That's one reason I shy away from AWD even in the snow.

dino001

driver100 said:

Good luck...hope the RFT is covered. I hear different things like RFTs should not be repaired, but should be replaced. Some say 2 opposite tires should be replaced if one goes, some would like you to replace 4 tires.

Can't find much, but did find this:
If you are on run-flat tires, most manufacturers recommend replacement when they have been driven in a severely underinflated or zero pressure condition. This is because the integrity of their internal structure cannot be confirmed.

MORE INFO

I agree, common sense says you should not repair RFT when they were driven below pressure those stiffened sidewalls are needed, as it is one time benefit (they limit travel to 50 miles for a reason. However, if you have a small leak in the treaded part that was quickly detected and the wheel was never really low, it is fine to fix it.

I was once told that changing two, or four tires in case of AWD, is needed when the diameter (treadwear) difference between the replacement and remaining tire of same axlee (all wheels for AWD) is more than 1/16"-3/32". Some extend that to 1/8".

driver100

One of the tires in my past E400 (AWD) had a slit sidewall and I had to replace the tire. I asked if the pair should be replaced, but the service adviser said they could replace just one, since the tread difference wasn't too great.

That was pretty good because they could easily have got me to buy two tires.

*I know, now there will be someone who will say "What, a Mercedes got a flat tire......see, they have flaws too!"

abacomike

sandman_6472 said:

Was at Sears at the Coral Square Mall, Mike will know exactly where this is, and bought some cargo shorts on sale. Store was pretty empty and was hard to find a cashier. Finally did and waited behind two other folks. Guy in front of me decides to open a credit card to save 30% on his order, so guess Sears is still in business for awhile. Did try that detailer guy in Boca where Mike takes his vehicle on a Sunday a few years back. Think it was when I had the Tucson and they did an o k job, nothing spectacular. The guy who comes to my house does and outstanding job as he usually does 3 or 4 of the fleet if the girls are around. The Audi is definitely due as is the Versa so will need to schedule him in a few weeks. Of course will have mine done as even though it is garage kept, the birds around my office love the blue color and always stop by to say "hello"! The Sandman

Sandy, I have yet to find an auto paint color that birds here in South Florida try to avoid "bombarding".  There are paint colors the birds prefer over other colors - those colors happen to be those that came from the factory on whichever car I happen to be driving or that I owned at the time of the "bombing run"!  

Thus, car washes are a good business to get into here in the the Sunshine State.  

abacomike

dino001 said:

Good luck...hope the RFT is covered. I hear different things like RFTs should not be repaired, but should be replaced. Some say 2 opposite tires should be replaced if one goes, some would like you to replace 4 tires. Can't find much, but did find this: If you are on run-flat tires, most manufacturers recommend replacement when they have been driven in a severely underinflated or zero pressure condition. This is because the integrity of their internal structure cannot be confirmed. MORE INFO

I agree, common sense says you should not repair RFT when they were driven below pressure those stiffened sidewalls are needed, as it is one time benefit (they limit travel to 50 miles for a reason. However, if you have a small leak in the treaded part that was quickly detected and the wheel was never really low, it is fine to fix it. I was once told that changing two, or four tires in case of AWD, is needed when the diameter (treadwear) difference between the replacement and remaining tire of same axlee (all wheels for AWD) is more than 1/16"-3/32". Some extend that to 1/8".

I have RFT's on my 740Li - the first run flat tires I have ever had on a car that I owned.  The Genius folks told me that RFT's are not to be rotated - I asked them why and was told, "...I don't know why - but I just know they do not need to be rotated!"

Anyone know why?  

abacomike

I am expecting a slew of doctors to visit me this morning.  I should know something more by this afternoon.

Thanks for all the well-wishes - my sincerest appreciation to all who have me in their thoughts and prayers.  

venture

abacomike said:

I am expecting a slew of doctors to visit me this morning.  I should know something more by this afternoon.

Thanks for all the well-wishes - my sincerest appreciation to all who have me in their thoughts and prayers.  

If you still have your gall bladder, make sure they check that. It took my local ER two tries to discover my gall bladder needed removed. The pain was quite similar to what you described.

houdini1

jmonroe said:

imidazol97 said:

Lil Darling, then and now. Same retired teacher sent my wife this great twin video page. The Diamonds from 1957 and 2004. If you don't remember 1957, this may not impress you, but the group still has "It."

Many of the groups brought back on public TV for fundraisers have to have the octave changed for certain parts, this group still sounds much the same.

Tom Hanks' father is the lead singer on the left.

Hope this will brighten up Abaco's morning along with the morning for many others of my generation here.

Twin video:
http://www.flixxy.com/the-diamonds-little-darlin-1957-2004.htm


Separate video links:
https://youtu.be/VCrpUsLd5kE

https://youtu.be/hmT1-jEmK74

This is waaay too coincidental. Just this morning I was watching a PBS DVD disk I recorded from a few years ago that had the Diamonds performing Little Darling among other performers doing their oldies.

I never knew the lead singer was Tom Hanks father. I did know, from watching another PBS oldies show, that he was a backup singer for the Four Preps (26 Miles (Santa Catalina) fame).

This was smack dap in the middle of my youth. Thanks for the link.

jmonroe

"I never knew the lead singer was Tom Hanks father". Alas, another good story, but this one also is not true.

cdnpinhead

venture said:

If you still have your gall bladder, make sure they check that.

I was thinking the same thing.

Either way, here's wishing Mike good results today.

Michaell

abacomike said:

sandman_6472 said:

Was at Sears at the Coral Square Mall, Mike will know exactly where this is, and bought some cargo shorts on sale. Store was pretty empty and was hard to find a cashier. Finally did and waited behind two other folks. Guy in front of me decides to open a credit card to save 30% on his order, so guess Sears is still in business for awhile.
Did try that detailer guy in Boca where Mike takes his vehicle on a Sunday a few years back. Think it was when I had the Tucson and they did an o k job, nothing spectacular. The guy who comes to my house does and outstanding job as he usually does 3 or 4 of the fleet if the girls are around. The Audi is definitely due as is the Versa so will need to schedule him in a few weeks. Of course will have mine done as even though it is garage kept, the birds around my office love the blue color and always stop by to say "hello"!

The Sandman

Sandy, I have yet to find an auto paint color that birds here in South Florida try to avoid "bombarding".  There are paint colors the birds prefer over other colors - those colors happen to be those that came from the factory on whichever car I happen to be driving or that I owned at the time of the "bombing run"!  

Thus, car washes are a good business to get into here in the the Sunshine State.  

I've been watching "Planet Earth II" on BBC America. Each episode focused on a different habitat - islands, grasslands, forests, deserts, etc. The episode last week focused on cities. One of the stories they told was about the 1,000,000 starlings that invade Rome each night, as the city is warmer than the surrounding countryside. There were a number of pictures of objects - including cars - that were covered with droppings.

roadburner

abacomike said:

I have RFT's on my 740Li - the first run flat tires I have ever had on a car that I owned.  The Genius folks told me that RFT's are not to be rotated - I asked them why and was told, "...I don't know why - but I just know they do not need to be rotated!"

Anyone know why?  

BMW has advised against rotating tires since before the introduction of RFTs. That said, I still rotate them on my BMWs where it is possible. The only reason you couldn't rotate the tires would be because the rear tires are a different size or the rear wheels have a different offset from the front(See: Camaro SS 1LE and Mustang GT Performance Package).

Here's a more detailed explanation from my friend Mike Miller, the Technical Editor of Roundel magazine:

Tire Rotation Examined
By Mike Miller

Initially, if your BMW has staggered tire and wheel sizing, meaning the rear tires are bigger than the front tires, click the little box in the upper right hand corner of your screen. You can't rotate your tires anyway.

BMW presently recommends against rotating tires. Here's why: In the US, it's normal to bend wheels occasionally, to one extent or another. And not all tires anywhere in the world are perfectly round. When a technician mounts and balances new tires, during the balancing process he will typically note which tire and wheel assembly is the "roundest", i.e., which has the least runout and requires the least weight to achieve 000 on the balancer. These two "roundest" assemblies he will mount at the front owing to BMW's incredible sensitivity to wheel balancing issues.

Then, down the road, the owner or another well-meaning tech rotates the tires front-to-rear. Next thing you know Old Jed's a millionaire -- you've got a vibration in the steering wheel. The reason is that one of the tire and wheel assemblies formerly at the rear and now at the front are not entirely round. If a technician rotated the tires, the customer then brings the car back to the shop complaining of a vibration, requiring a road test, dismounting, balancing, more road testing, etc. Often the customer will balk at paying for the additional work.

Moreover, at BMW dealerships, the customer satisfaction index (CSI) is hugely important in dealer relations with BMW of North America. When NA does a random CSI call on a service customer, scenarios like the foregoing result in comments like, "Well, I had my car at Big Mega Dealer and now I have a front-end vibration! So, I guess I can't give them a high score now can I?" The system is not set up for further explanation, and without that further explanation, the customer input impacts negatively on the dealer's CSI score. Eventually dealers complained to BMW of North America, and the end result is the no-rotation policy.

The thinking is, when you have a BMW that doesn't shake, leave it alone.

Now, armed with this knowledge, if you want to rotate your tires front-to-rear, there's no doubt that you'll get longer tire life. Just be aware of the possible balancing ramifications.

The presumption that the customer is incapable of understanding, or unwilling to understand, these issues is, unfortunately, often correct. However, Roundel Tech Talk takes the approach that it is better to at least attempt to educate people rather than throw out the baby with the bath water.

© 2002 Mike Miller

jmonroe

houdini1 said:

jmonroe said:

imidazol97 said:

Lil Darling, then and now. Same retired teacher sent my wife this great twin video page. The Diamonds from 1957 and 2004. If you don't remember 1957, this may not impress you, but the group still has "It."

Many of the groups brought back on public TV for fundraisers have to have the octave changed for certain parts, this group still sounds much the same.

Tom Hanks' father is the lead singer on the left.

Hope this will brighten up Abaco's morning along with the morning for many others of my generation here.

Twin video:
http://www.flixxy.com/the-diamonds-little-darlin-1957-2004.htm


Separate video links:
https://youtu.be/VCrpUsLd5kE

https://youtu.be/hmT1-jEmK74

This is waaay too coincidental. Just this morning I was watching a PBS DVD disk I recorded from a few years ago that had the Diamonds performing Little Darling among other performers doing their oldies.

I never knew the lead singer was Tom Hanks father. I did know, from watching another PBS oldies show, that he was a backup singer for the Four Preps (26 Miles (Santa Catalina) fame).

This was smack dap in the middle of my youth. Thanks for the link.

jmonroe

"I never knew the lead singer was Tom Hanks father". Alas, another good story, but this one also is not true.

Hey, I didn't start that rumor. I just repeated my ignorance of not knowing it. Go talk to our GM rep in here. :@

I should have known I wasn't a dope.

jmonroe

driver100

houdini1 said:

jmonroe said:

imidazol97 said:

Lil Darling, then and now. Same retired teacher sent my wife this great twin video page. The Diamonds from 1957 and 2004. If you don't remember 1957, this may not impress you, but the group still has "It."

Many of the groups brought back on public TV for fundraisers have to have the octave changed for certain parts, this group still sounds much the same.

Tom Hanks' father is the lead singer on the left.

Hope this will brighten up Abaco's morning along with the morning for many others of my generation here.

Twin video:
http://www.flixxy.com/the-diamonds-little-darlin-1957-2004.htm


Separate video links:
https://youtu.be/VCrpUsLd5kE

https://youtu.be/hmT1-jEmK74

This is waaay too coincidental. Just this morning I was watching a PBS DVD disk I recorded from a few years ago that had the Diamonds performing Little Darling among other performers doing their oldies.

I never knew the lead singer was Tom Hanks father. I did know, from watching another PBS oldies show, that he was a backup singer for the Four Preps (26 Miles (Santa Catalina) fame).

This was smack dap in the middle of my youth. Thanks for the link.

jmonroe

"I never knew the lead singer was Tom Hanks father". Alas, another good story, but this one also is not true.

You're right houdini, I checked it on snopes. I had heard that rumor before too....wonder how something like that even gets started. The lead singer was a Canadian actually Dave Somerville who left the group in 61 but rejoined in 1980.

driver100

RR The thinking is, when you have a BMW that doesn't shake, leave it alone.

In the 80s I took two cars in for tire rotations....both times the tires wore out very soon afterwards.

I have not had tires rotated ever since. I would rather let the front ones wear out, replace them, and buy two new tires at a time instead of rotating them. I think the tires get used to wear they are, and they start to wear at a faster rate when they are rotated. But, that's just this layman's opinion.

stickguy

I don't rotate that often usually (though my current cars get it done every oil change it seems). But I also won't replace 2 tires at a time. When they go, they all go.

stickguy

driver, nice theory, but I really doubt it. Tires are not that emotional!

What does happen is that in each corner, a tire will wear slightly more in one spot. So by rotating, you spread that wear out, so it should make them wear out more evenly. Plus of course, fronts normally go quicker than rears in general, so better odds of getting them bald at the same time.

oldfarmer50

Question for the sales dudes (although anyone is welcome to chime in)

In your dealings with customers did you ever have someone balk because you met their price without a fight?

A woman at work was all excited about looking at a 2012 Hyundai Elantra with 32000 miles, $12995. She said she would buy at $10,000. Went to the dealer and he met her price. Suddenly, she's not sure and goes to leave. Salesman asks what she thinks would be fair (indicating more wiggle room). She walks out and now says she's not sure she wants it.

I don't get it.

berri

My guess, she never really intended on buying and was surprised when what she thought was a ridiculous offer was accepted.

stickguy

people are strange, is all you need to know.

but yes, quite often they are also insecure about what they are doing, and are expecting a fight, or at least resistance. So when an offer gets accepted like that, natural assumption is to assume you came in high. Plus why sales people usually do the dance, even on what is a slam dunk from their end. Not just cars. Same deal if you make an offer on a house.

she is taking it a bit far. could have used the opening to lower her offer. or just decide it was a great deal, and grab it. Not knowing the particular car in question, it sounds at least like a really good price, and possibly a great deal, if the car checks out. And if so, by the time she realizes she was handed a gift, someone else will have bought it.

I know Craig has told stories like this in the past, one in particular about when they mis-tagged a sales price, but offered to honor the deal to the person that found it, but only if they did it right then. But, customer couldn't bring themselves to not shop, so they left, looked around, realized it was the deal of the century, and came back to find the car had now been correctly priced, just like they told them would happen if they walked off the lot.

Mr_Shiftright

tire-kicker in disguise, IMO.

28firefighter

berri said:

My guess, she never really intended on buying and was surprised when what she thought was a ridiculous offer was accepted.

+1

Which is also why when I shop, I'm ready to buy - I'm not talking turkey with a dealer and giving him my offer until I know I can say yes.

I made a ridiculous offer on the X1, fully expecting to be thrown out, and they took it. Good thing I was ready to sign!

stickguy

I look a lot when I am not quite ready to buy, but when I do, I never make an offer. That just seems silly to me. But if I did make a crazy low ball, and for some reason they took it, I would take it anyway and figure out how to make the logistics work later.

stickguy

28, was discussing your X1 deal with my wife yesterday, just chatting about what I would do at year end. That came up in terms of if I lease, how nice do I go? And the answer was, if I could stumble upon a deal like yours, we would be getting a new main fancy car, relegating hers to 2nd car status.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

28, was discussing your X1 deal with my wife yesterday, just chatting about what I would do at year end. That came up in terms of if I lease, how nice do I go? And the answer was, if I could stumble upon a deal like yours, we would be getting a new main fancy car, relegating hers to 2nd car status.

I think it will be trickier with how BMW calculates the residuals now, but definitely still doable. The only thing that would change it is if BMW changes things like incentives, interest rates etc that are applicable to the car.

Initially I thought that was very likely, but given that BMW is now back in the race to be #1 over MB and Audi, they may be willing to do anything (within reason) to get their cars moved.

Mr_Shiftright

Motorcycle project is coming along---we're getting close to lift off! Seat's being redone, still hunting for the correct horn, tail light bracket is being painted. Also the clutch is too stiff---may need to take that apart and replace the springs.

From boxes of parts to nice driver in about 5 months of part-time work:

thebean

@Mr_Shiftright, that's very cool.  I've never ridden a Triumph, but I hear they are great.  

Mr_Shiftright

Vintage Triumphs are great to ride---unlike the Harleys, they are feather-light and you can steer them with just the slightest body motion; and unlike the superbikes, they are built for moderate speeds on twisty roads, not long distance, high-speed cruising.

Every bike is built to a purpose. My friend's BSA Gold Star is a brute in comparison.

I remember sharing a similar opinion with Jay Leno, who loves these old British bikes. He said: "I like a motorcycle I can see through to the other side".

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

Motorcycle project is coming along---we're getting close to lift off! Seat's being redone, still hunting for the correct horn, tail light bracket is being painted. Also the clutch is too stiff---may need to take that apart and replace the springs.

From boxes of parts to nice driver in about 5 months of part-time work:

OOOOOOOOHHHHH! Me likey....A LOT! Keep posting the pics as it continues to progress.

graphicguy

So.....a day early.....and we have an Arbitration decision.

Not going to keep you in suspense as I had to sift through about 5 pages of verbiage to get to it.

Cadillac has to buy back the CTS. No fees for mileage, nor wear and tear (per the arbitrators inspection). Cadillac has 14 days after I sign the decision (which I'll do today and overnight it back to them) to send me a check. All taxes, licensing fees, purchase price, and amounts for time spent traveling back and forth to dealership and for the day I had to take off for the hearing will be reimbursed in full.

In essence, the arbitrator followed my line of thinking....the wiring was bad from the factory and delivered to me faulty from the very first day I drove it off the dealer's lot. It was a safety issue and as such, returning it only partially fixed was a pretty big faux pas in the arbitrator's mind. And finally, being out of commission for nearly 3 months, the lemon law was invoked.

Lots of paperwork attached to the decision. I'll look it all over carefully, but I just gave you the high points.

Sincerely, thanks to you all for hanging with me and offering support.

28firefighter

Way to go @graphicguy! This is a big win for you and I'm glad it worked out in your favor. You can finally put this whole experience to bed.

suydam

How awesome is that @graphicguy! Great news. You really hung in there. I'm happy to hear that at least in this case arbitration isn't biased in the corporate direction.

Mr_Shiftright

YES! Bravo GG. Let us hope this is the end of car woes for a long, long time.

qbrozen

Yes!!! Justice!

I was genuinely excited to read that. I guess I worked up some emotional investment into this story.

dino001

abacomike said:

I have RFT's on my 740Li - the first run flat tires I have ever had on a car that I owned.  The Genius folks told me that RFT's are not to be rotated - I asked them why and was told, "...I don't know why - but I just know they do not need to be rotated!"

Anyone know why?  

It's not because they are RFT, it's because BMW's unique recommendation. They recommended against rotating tires before even switching to RFTs. They use electronic alignment (their equipment simulates vehicle going at certain speed). Rotating tires may change some of those settings. I think that's why. Also, some of their cars (like my 328, probably not you 740) have staggered size unidirectional tires. Those you wouldn't be able to rotate, even if wanted to.

Get well soon.