Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

Ha. I will say after my experience today an M2 is likely in my future. But not surprisingly when I got back into my Supra it was easy to appreciate what it offers.

So maybe I try to do what I generally don’t do, and appreciate what I have for an extended amount of time...at least until the M2 Comps get more affordable. 😀

I’d agree with your advice for your son - the Supra could be a bit challenging as your only car. Could be done, but a 4 series would be a great primary car.

roadburner

breld said:

Had lunch with @jpp75 this afternoon and then he joined me to go look at an M2:

https://www.automotive-imports.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-bmw-m2--denver-co-id-39321276

Cool dealership - it comes up often based on my searches but I’ve never actually visited it. Very car enthusiast-oriented. The owner came by to chat about their M2 but also was interested in looking at the Supra.

The M2 is a DCT - I probably would have been a bit more excited about a manual, but as it was I was really impressed with the trannie and of course the car overall. I wouldn’t rule out the DCT.

Having recently owned the 228i, I was shocked at how distinct the M2 looks in comparison. I had looked at a couple M240i’s yesterday and they’ve always turned my head, but the look of the M2 blew me away. The body “kit” and wider wheel arches make a significant impact.

It needs the flares because it uses the M4 rear suspension.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

a few more ideas for QB "while he is in there".

Man, I need one of those C classes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Nw3uHGA1k

Oh, I don’t think I’d push the AMG 6.2 beyond what the engineers did. I’m not confident the tranny could handle more than it already does in a 500hp AWD arrangement.

Ordered up parts for the Benz this evening for about $800. Ouch. I tried to anticipate a few things, so that total includes a couple of tools, the head bolts, all gaskets, as well as all new lifters, and some other little bits. Oh, and a case of LiquiMoly lifter additive, which I will try in the Charger, too.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

a few more ideas for QB "while he is in there".

Man, I need one of those C classes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Nw3uHGA1k

Oh, I don’t think I’d push the AMG 6.2 beyond what the engineers did. I’m not confident the tranny could handle more than it already does in a 500hp AWD arrangement.

Ordered up parts for the Benz this evening for about $800. Ouch. I tried to anticipate a few things, so that total includes a couple of tools, the head bolts, all gaskets, as well as all new lifters, and some other little bits. Oh, and a case of LiquiMoly lifter additive, which I will try in the Charger, too.

Good luck!

I get a headache when I watch "watchJRGo"' do serious engine work.

But, if you're successful, how much would you have saved over taking it to a shop?

xwesx

qbrozen said:

I’m still facing down the demon in my head who says, “you aren’t driving anyway, so what does it matter what is in the driveway?”

Funny enough, the wife has been eyeing convertibles. Lol.

Definitely the right time of year for that! Well, to BUY one, anyway....

xwesx

qbrozen said:

On to the $64k question: does it have the original headbolts? ....drumroll ....

Yes, of course it does. Because that is my luck.

Something to keep you busy through the winter months.

mjfloyd1

roadburner said:

breld said:

Had lunch with @jpp75 this afternoon and then he joined me to go look at an M2:

https://www.automotive-imports.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-bmw-m2--denver-co-id-39321276

Cool dealership - it comes up often based on my searches but I’ve never actually visited it. Very car enthusiast-oriented. The owner came by to chat about their M2 but also was interested in looking at the Supra.

The M2 is a DCT - I probably would have been a bit more excited about a manual, but as it was I was really impressed with the trannie and of course the car overall. I wouldn’t rule out the DCT.

Having recently owned the 228i, I was shocked at how distinct the M2 looks in comparison. I had looked at a couple M240i’s yesterday and they’ve always turned my head, but the look of the M2 blew me away. The body “kit” and wider wheel arches make a significant impact.

It needs the flares because it uses the M4 rear suspension.

Was there a bump in power in the 2018 or 2019 M2?

roadburner

mjfloyd1 said:

roadburner said:

breld said:

Had lunch with @jpp75 this afternoon and then he joined me to go look at an M2:

https://www.automotive-imports.com/vehicle-details/used-2017-bmw-m2--denver-co-id-39321276

Cool dealership - it comes up often based on my searches but I’ve never actually visited it. Very car enthusiast-oriented. The owner came by to chat about their M2 but also was interested in looking at the Supra.

The M2 is a DCT - I probably would have been a bit more excited about a manual, but as it was I was really impressed with the trannie and of course the car overall. I wouldn’t rule out the DCT.

Having recently owned the 228i, I was shocked at how distinct the M2 looks in comparison. I had looked at a couple M240i’s yesterday and they’ve always turned my head, but the look of the M2 blew me away. The body “kit” and wider wheel arches make a significant impact.

It needs the flares because it uses the M4 rear suspension.

Was there a bump in power in the 2018 or 2019 M2?

It was in 2019 when the M2 Competition replaced the M2. The M2C got the twin turbo S55 from the M3/M4, which replaced the tweaked N55 in the garden variety M2. There are several other significant changes that make the M2C preferable- to me in any case.

mjfloyd1

Looks like that M2C at the Jag dealer in northern IN is no longer on their website. I think it was a consignment vehicle by the stock number

qbrozen

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

On to the $64k question: does it have the original headbolts? ....drumroll ....

Yes, of course it does. Because that is my luck.

Something to keep you busy through the winter months.

I’ll have it done next week.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

a few more ideas for QB "while he is in there".

Man, I need one of those C classes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Nw3uHGA1k

Oh, I don’t think I’d push the AMG 6.2 beyond what the engineers did. I’m not confident the tranny could handle more than it already does in a 500hp AWD arrangement.

Ordered up parts for the Benz this evening for about $800. Ouch. I tried to anticipate a few things, so that total includes a couple of tools, the head bolts, all gaskets, as well as all new lifters, and some other little bits. Oh, and a case of LiquiMoly lifter additive, which I will try in the Charger, too.

Good luck!

I get a headache when I watch "watchJRGo"' do serious engine work.

But, if you're successful, how much would you have saved over taking it to a shop?

Since a shop would want to replace the head gaskets, I believe I read it is 9 hrs book time per head. I have yet to visit an indy MB specialist, but I’d be surprised if anybody is less than $125/hr. So $2250? Oh, and of course they’d upcharge the parts. Gotta be a $4k-$4500 or so job overall, netting me over $3k savings.

sda

I remember changing the head gaskets on my 70 DeVille convertible because I had to have some exhaust manifold bolts drilled out. That was a straightforward job. Those heads were heavy. It wasn’t anything close to complicated as your ML.

mjfloyd1

@roadburner

2019 M2C CPO handshaker with no hole in roof, in Youngstown OH (-ish)

https://www.prestonbmw.com/used-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&page=1&search=BMW+m2+competition+&type[]=New&type[]=Used&type[]=Certified+Used

roadburner

mjfloyd1 said:

@roadburner

2019 M2C CPO handshaker with no hole in roof, in Youngstown OH (-ish)

https://www.prestonbmw.com/used-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&page=1&search=BMW+m2+competition+&type[]=New&type[]=Used&type[]=Certified+Used

Nice. I love the “with navigation” blurb; navigation is fitted to EVERY M2.

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

graphicguy said:

corvette said:

kyfdx said:

He is buying the car. $8K or less is his budget. He has the cash.

Clean looking Cav

2007 MKZ

2007 Frontier 2wd

2007 Sienna

That Cavalier is at what I thought was a BHPH place....unless they’ve changed their business model.

The others are at Rallye Motors....been around a long time and carry quality used cars. I like that MKZ as a run around car.

Rallye is a pretty good place. I don't know if John or Ralph are still there, though.

I don’t know, either. It’s been a while since I’ve been over there.

kyfdx

breld said:

Ha. I will say after my experience today an M2 is likely in my future. But not surprisingly when I got back into my Supra it was easy to appreciate what it offers.

So maybe I try to do what I generally don’t do, and appreciate what I have for an extended amount of time...at least until the M2 Comps get more affordable. 😀

I’d agree with your advice for your son - the Supra could be a bit challenging as your only car. Could be done, but a 4 series would be a great primary car.

We drove M2 competition coupes in the Autocross at the BMW event. They give you a real retro feel. Sort of like my ZHP. Still has a real hand brake. Of course, those were DCT transmissions, but they were a hoot. I felt right at home, immediately. I'd take one in a minute, if the stock market has 20 more weeks, just like the last two.

fintail

Heck, there's a dealer locally who advertises in one of those free used car rags you can pick up at supermarkets etc who specifies "fuel injected" on everything - no matter virtually every car sold in this market over the past ~30 years has FI.

roadburner said:

mjfloyd1 said:

@roadburner

2019 M2C CPO handshaker with no hole in roof, in Youngstown OH (-ish)

https://www.prestonbmw.com/used-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&page=1&search=BMW+m2+competition+&type[]=New&type[]=Used&type[]=Certified+Used

Nice. I love the “with navigation” blurb; navigation is fitted to EVERY M2.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

a few more ideas for QB "while he is in there".

Man, I need one of those C classes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Nw3uHGA1k

Oh, I don’t think I’d push the AMG 6.2 beyond what the engineers did. I’m not confident the tranny could handle more than it already does in a 500hp AWD arrangement.

Ordered up parts for the Benz this evening for about $800. Ouch. I tried to anticipate a few things, so that total includes a couple of tools, the head bolts, all gaskets, as well as all new lifters, and some other little bits. Oh, and a case of LiquiMoly lifter additive, which I will try in the Charger, too.

Good luck!

I get a headache when I watch "watchJRGo"' do serious engine work.

But, if you're successful, how much would you have saved over taking it to a shop?

Since a shop would want to replace the head gaskets, I believe I read it is 9 hrs book time per head. I have yet to visit an indy MB specialist, but I’d be surprised if anybody is less than $125/hr. So $2250? Oh, and of course they’d upcharge the parts. Gotta be a $4k-$4500 or so job overall, netting me over $3k savings.

Wouldn’t it cost about the same to fix the lifters and I assume, a new cam in your Charger? Between those two jobs you’ll save $8-9k. That’s enough for a down payment on your next car.

After watching JR give up on the head bolts of his 944 I realized that those kinds of jobs would be nothing but grief to try under the shade tree without a million worth of special tools.

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

Heck, there's a dealer locally who advertises in one of those free used car rags you can pick up at supermarkets etc who specifies "fuel injected" on everything - no matter virtually every car sold in this market over the past ~30 years has FI.

roadburner said:

mjfloyd1 said:

@roadburner

2019 M2C CPO handshaker with no hole in roof, in Youngstown OH (-ish)

https://www.prestonbmw.com/used-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&page=1&search=BMW+m2+competition+&type[]=New&type[]=Used&type[]=Certified+Used

Nice. I love the “with navigation” blurb; navigation is fitted to EVERY M2.

Doesn’t BMW still include the “i” in all their model designations to denote fuel injection? Or does that mean something else these days?

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

fintail said:

Heck, there's a dealer locally who advertises in one of those free used car rags you can pick up at supermarkets etc who specifies "fuel injected" on everything - no matter virtually every car sold in this market over the past ~30 years has FI.

roadburner said:

mjfloyd1 said:

@roadburner

2019 M2C CPO handshaker with no hole in roof, in Youngstown OH (-ish)

https://www.prestonbmw.com/used-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&page=1&search=BMW+m2+competition+&type[]=New&type[]=Used&type[]=Certified+Used

Nice. I love the “with navigation” blurb; navigation is fitted to EVERY M2.

Doesn’t BMW still include the “i” in all their model designations to denote fuel injection? Or does that mean something else these days?

Originally, that was the case. It means nothing now.

fintail

Means as much as the numeric designations (same for MB).

That reminds me, when I was out in the old car yesterday, got behind a white 4er GC waiting to pull out into traffic on a busy arterial. The car was debadged, but had a plate reading "440I", because of course. He sat forever, then floored it into traffic, which resulted in more black smoke than I'd have imagined coming from the exhaust. Way to meet those stereotypes

xwesx

qbrozen said:

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

On to the $64k question: does it have the original headbolts? ....drumroll ....

Yes, of course it does. Because that is my luck.

Something to keep you busy through the winter months.

I’ll have it done next week.

Overachiever. At least you still have the Dodge (Coronet, not the Charger).

qbrozen

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

On to the $64k question: does it have the original headbolts? ....drumroll ....

Yes, of course it does. Because that is my luck.

Something to keep you busy through the winter months.

I’ll have it done next week.

Overachiever. At least you still have the Dodge (Coronet, not the Charger).

That’s why I have to bang one out. Haha. I have 3 disabled cars at the moment.

I actually have a mechanic coming by this afternoon. My wife posted on our town’s fbook community page asking for mechanic reccos and this guy replied. Claims to be a FT mechanic and mobile mechanic on the weekends. I’ll be interviewing him by letting him diagnose the Charger.

28firefighter

We’re going under a new stay at home order effective tomorrow. Seems like a good time for me to go car shopping, right?

qbrozen

2 young guys showed up. Seem very nice. One works at a towing company and the other works at a bus depot. Anyway, of course, as they are checking out the Charger, the noise goes away. LOL. So maybe a temporarily stuck lifter. I throw in some of that liqui-moly stuff and just keep an ear on it.

I figured we could then discuss the Coronet. I offered that, since it is impossible to price a half-finished project, I'd pay them hourly for whatever they can spare on the weekends. So I'll have to clean up out there during the week and at least organize the parts.

stickguy

that isn't a bad idea. You control the spend, and if they get some of the heavy lifting out of the way, makes it easier for you to do stuff in between.

You need one of these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RhO8LF5e88

roadburner

In addition to a "real" ///M motor, what I like about the M2C in particular are the M sport seats, the different wheels, and the carbon fiber chassis brace under the hood. The regular M2 just seems too similar to my M235i.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

that isn't a bad idea. You control the spend, and if they get some of the heavy lifting out of the way, makes it easier for you to do stuff in between.

You need one of these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RhO8LF5e88

Unless they put it together backwards. Do these guys have any credentials other than Facebook?

corvette

@stickguy I'm impressed with the Quick Jacks that JRGo bought, but, at $1700-ish, they seem overpriced but probably a good compromise for those of use without a tall enough ceiling to install a lift. By comparison, I think you can get a Bend-Pak lift like the Wizard uses in the $3k range, which seems like a much better value considering that you're getting a lot more clearance underneath the vehicle.

stickguy

I priced those quick jacks, thinking for a few hundred $ I could treat myself, and almost had a heart attack when I saw how much they were. I think the post lift I linked above costs less than they do! Don't really need that much clearance for one of these lifts, usually the door opener is the limiting factor, so if you put a front mount spiral unit in, can get away with it. I got lots of headroom to the ceiling.

explorerx4

You have to make sure the floor can support Bend-Pak type lifts.

stickguy

yes, and install reinforcement if not.

qbrozen

wow, this is CLEAN! About 16 secs 0-60, though.
https://www.japaneseclassics.com/vehicle/1995-mitsubishi-pajero-2-8td/

Sandman6472

SDA, my folks had a '70 Cadillac DeVille drop top when I was in high school. We had moved to Ft. Lauderdale back in 1969 and my dad had a new Olds Toronado and mom had a '68 Eldorado, a big sucker of an automobile! Well, after living there a few months, dad and a few of his golfing buddies got a great deal from an Orlando Caddy dealer on brand new 1970 DeVille convertibles. As I recall, they had four of them driven down and my mom got first color choice. She took the light blue with a white top model though I really liked the white over white. But gorgeous vehicles all the same.
Learned how to drive on that car and it was used in the homecoming parade and a few Friday night football games as needed. The principal of the high school would call the folks and see if I could or my brother could be the lead car in the parade at both events. It was quite fun participating in those events and I always took my best friend with me so she could sit in the front passenger seat.
But those Caddy drop tops were sure fun vehicles and I know I put the top down whenever I could. Was a sad day when she was traded on a '72 Lincoln Continental coupe!

tifighter

The Sentra SER sold for a little over $12K...

stickguy

Yowzers. I should have bought the cool celica that sold last month for $6200. The high revving model.

tjc78

So I never told the full Broker story from the XC90.

As you all know I had been looking at several near-lux three row SUVs. I'm not sure whether it was inventory issues or what but the quotes were pretty dreadful. So, I turned to that leasing site we all know of to see what was possible. In seeing some of the broker deals I figured an XC90 loaner would get me to the payment where I was comfortable.

So, I looked at all the NJ and PA dealers looking for one that met the specs. None to be found either all T5's, black interiors or full boat Inscriptions with 70K MSRPs.

As luck would have it a broker on the site who I wasn't familiar with listed the "light/light" NEW 2020 T6 at a really good discount. He mentioned dealing out of PA/MD/VA. I figured what the hell and reached out. He responded quickly and confirm the true payment with my terms (just 1st DAS and no MSD's). I asked for the what colors were and luckily it was Ice white over Blond. At that point I eventually found the car on the dealer's website, however, I decided to just pony up the $349 and go through him.

I sent him the fee through Paypal and then he sent me the link to the car (which I turned out to be right about) and a link to the dealership's Volvo credit portal. This was all Sunday night. I received a call on Monday morning confirming my submission, and then they asked who I was working with. I told him the broker's name and he huffed a bit and said OK, I'll speak with him.

This is where is got a little bit of a PITA. The broker sent the deal over, but only the GM got it and didn't forward to the assistant manager I was dealing. After a bit of back and forth it was all settled but the payment went up nearly $10 / month. The ASM said I had to go back to the broker. At that point I said I'm your customer, let's fix it. The quote was a few bucks off in DMV fees which increased the monthly. We ended up settling it and then from there it was perfectly smooth. The broker apologized up and down.

So all in all was it worth the $350? In my case yes, since it was the exact same configuration I wanted at a price that would have been extremely hard to get. I beat the broker deal by only a few bucks a month (amortizing his fee) on the S60, but that was a sedan in much different times.

28firefighter

Even at at $10 a month you're talking $360 difference over 36 months - not world ending by any stretch.

Glad it worked out and you ended up with a vehicle you like! Did you end up driving down to MD?

tjc78

No, it's not but it was principal.

Yes, we picked it up Sat morning. We left a little before 9 and were back before 3.

xwesx

tjc78 said:

No, it's not but it was principal.

Yes, we picked it up Sat morning. We left a little before 9 and were back before 3.

Okay, so two follow-on questions:

1. Did your wife end up driving the XC90 back?
2. If so, did she have a huge grin on her face when you arrived home?

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

Do these guys have any credentials other than Facebook?

Nope. I'll be trusting complete strangers. Just as if I drove it to any shop. At least here I'm allowed to hang over their shoulders.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Do these guys have any credentials other than Facebook?

Nope. I'll be trusting complete strangers. Just as if I drove it to any shop. At least here I'm allowed to hang over their shoulders.

Most repair people I know charge more if you watch....even more if you help.

mjfloyd1

@andres3 - did you get your S4?

mjfloyd1

That didn’t work well for me when I took my old 335 for water pump and oil filter housing gasket replacement. I ended up at a dealership to have both re-done. Small claims court came through for me - only because the local shop was moving and they had to get the claim in my favor settled before they could sign the new mortgage.

Timing is everything

mjfloyd1

@roadburner

I assume you have seen the M2 CS with increased horsepower and suspension changes and more carbon fiber.

Looks like Dinan offers even higher HP via tunes but not the adjustable suspension from the M3/4

nyccarguy

mjfloyd1 said:

@andres3 - did you get your S4?

Timing is everything. @andres3 could have bought Doug’s Stinger GT2 AWD on Cars & Bids. If you watched Doug’s last video, you’ll know it comes with 3 keys.

mjfloyd1

That stinger is still going. Not sure what to think about the “small tear in passenger front tire”. That has the makings of a blowout

breld

No doubt there’s a sizable premium on this, but all in all it’s a nice vehicle for not a ton of money.

https://glenshelly.com/sales/2001-bmw-325xi-touring

stickguy

bummer that it doesn't have the missing link piece (manual trans) but this is a nice car. Wonder what it is going to sell for?

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9Wn2zNOR/2003-bmw-325i-touring

and this, I loved these back in the days. Would not mind having one now, but might have trouble adjusting to how tiny it is! 1 owner and reasonable miles are bonuses, as is unmodified. But definitely needs some serious TLC.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/36L1DQRx/1986-honda-crx-si

breld

I was just looking at that 325iT on C&B. The lack of manual may keep it in some realm of reasonable pricing, and would still be a fun car to own and drive.