Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

@qbrozen said:
This one on Ebay ain't bad.
Other than the missing bunwarmers, and I'm not sure it has a moonroof (although not my personal preference, but I know y'all like that sort of thing). Price needs to come down $500-$1k, but not an offensive starting point.

Q, pretty sure that one was posted the last time (a week ago?) ZHPs were the topic du jour (thanks to Breld). If that is the one I am thinking of, check the feedback on that dealer.

qbrozen

Oh Was it? That's just a lowly 325 though.

au1994

@qbrozen said:
And the water pump, fan and fan clutch, and thermostat. Yes. You don't just replace one thing on a BMW cooling system. It is ALL done by 80k miles. And the BMW coolant ain't cheap, so there is just no point in taking a shortcut or cheaping out.

Agreed! I am about to do the same thing on my recently aquired ZHP. They were so problematic on the E46's they sell complete rebuild kits. I haven't checked to see if its cheaper to buy by the piece or just go the kit route though. I'm right at 78k miles and can't tell/don't know if the PO did it so for peace of mind, I'll go ahead and bite the bullet.

kyfdx

A friend of mine did his '03 325i, last year... Bought the whole kit from either ECS or oembimmerparts, I forget... Of course, he waited until his fan exploded.. fortunately, got the car shut down before overheating.. I think he was around 120K miles.

My ZHP has 81K... So far, I've just done the thermostat and radiator cap, as they were needed. Spent my maintenance money on new struts/shocks, summer tires and CABs, this past year... that was a lot... The rest of the cooling system might happen this summer.

au1994

Sounds like your friend got lucky! I am a minor wrench turner at best so I'll just buy the parts and farm this work out to a local indy shop. While there I'm probably going to have a full fluid change etc. I might do a few other fun things to it as well (iPod connector, windscreen). Every year my tax return and bonus hit about the same time so I allow myself a bit of fun money out of that and bank the rest. Looks like this year most of the fun money is going into the 'vert for maintenance but thats ok, it pays back on sunny, spring days!

kyfdx

He was lucky.... he had the local garage do the work, as well. Normally, you would think they wouldn't want to use your parts, but they told him that having that whole kit, and not having to run back to the dealer three times for all the hoses, O-rings, etc, etc. was a big help.

The same garage replace my CCV and associated hoses, etc... a couple of months ago. I bought that kit from oembimmerparts.

On another note, my friend's '03 325i used to belong to my wife! lol

au1994

Oh yeah...CCV...will probably do that one at the same time. Basicallly anything that needs to be on a rack and deep into the engine bay will probably get done at the same time.

kyfdx

@au1994 said:
Oh yeah...CCV...will probably do that one at the same time. Basicallly anything that needs to be on a rack and deep into the engine bay will probably get done at the same time.

Mine was bad.... full of water, and would freeze.. It was pushing oil... That problem disappeared, once it was replaced. With the sub-zero temperatures we've had, it probably would have blown out on me.. Also, a new alternator and rear brakes, last year..

Almost $5K of work, last year, including the new set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports...

stickguy

Saved some money today. Dropped my son off our policy since he has his own. Same cars but without him we save $250/year. I'll take it. Plus he has to get his own ez pass now. Savings add up!

stickguy

Dropped him from aaa too. Little bits here and there

isellhondas

A lot of shops take a dim view of customers who bring heir own parts in and a lot of places simply won't work on those people's cars or to make up for the lost profit on the parts they will simply charge more labor.

And, should that water pump fail in a short time they will probably charge again for the labor.

There used to be shops that had a cartoon type sign on the wall showing a man walking into
a restaurant with a couple of eggs and a slab of bacon asking the cook to make him breakfast.

The caption said something like " You wouldn't do this in a restaurant, why do it here"?

Other shops probably don't mind but I can tell you a lot do!

stever

Never done it myself, but I know guys who take fish in and have the joint cook it. One friend caught a nice salmon and cleaned it but didn't filet it, figuring the cook would know best how to prep it from that point. Came back as hash.

au1994

Good point @isell. I will ask if the shop I chose has a problem with this. I know there are some of these cooling system parts I don't want replaced with stock but with an upgraded part.

xwesx

@stickguy said:
Dropped him from aaa too. Little bits here and there

Sounds like you are going to need to drop him from the tax filing for 2014, too. You might take a hit, but I'm sure it will be a boon for him!

breld

Thanks nyccarguy - I thought you might have posted that listing already. I may take you up on having a set of eyes on it. I have a broker I've worked with checking into it right now.

We are pulling up to the pier in ft lauderdale right now. Bon voyage!

jayrider

Read latest Motor Trend and saw some interesting oil change info. 15k service costs -- Audi Allroad - $380 Kia Optima - $205 - Range Rover - $485 Altima $205 for the first 2

GM cars like my Buick cost about $50 oil and rotation. Includes a multipoint inspection. The Motor Trend guys must just tell them to do whatever they want according to the dealers recommended service.

au1994

$485 for an oil change?? In 1995 I rented a 3br house for 495/mo!

xwesx

@au1994 said:
$485 for an oil change?? In 1995 I rented a 3br house for 495/mo!

To be fair, I think the Range Rover is due for its first major overhaul at 15K, so that cost is not just an oil change.

qbrozen

d'oh!
Found out that Nissan still holds the original leasee liable in the event of a lease transfer. I now took down my ad (didn't get any action anyway).
Oh well. Guess we've got 10 more months of hibernation.

nyccarguy

I know some of you guys are in tune with Subarus. What's the deal reliability & maintenance wise with the Legacy & Outback 2.5 XT?

I saw this 2005 at a local Toyota Dealership

corvette

I can't speak to the others, but the Altima only calls for an oil change, tire rotation, and inspection at 7,500 miles, so $205 seems high. I think the 15k should include a pollen filter. Again, $205 seems high for that, as well. It's not rocket science and I'm sure an independent mechanic could take care of it for less money.

roadburner

You want a Spec B, Bradd. Trust me.

stickguy

A turbo wagon. Must be rare. From my understanding, the weak link on those (I assume it applies to the turbo also) is the head gaskets. something about the cooling passages going through the block and head, and that being a chronic failure point. so check that carefully. I don't think there is a fix for it, just keep an eye on it and be prepared to replace them proactively.

the newer subes changed the engine design so the block and head have separate cooling passages, so no more weak point. OBs and Legacies got that engine for 2013.

stickguy

@roadburner said:
You want a Spec B, Bradd. Trust me.

I know the roads he has to drive on. Trust me, he wants as much ride compliance and sidewall height as possible! Something like that legacy with the extra turbo grunt could be a perfect solution for him.

roadburner

My Jeep dealer took in a 2007 S4 with just 43k miles; it's on their lot for $23,200. Shame about it being a slushbox- plus, I'm less than confident about the quality of my local Audi dealer's service department...

corvette

Well, my Battery Tender Plus bit the dust while I had it tending the battery on my new lawn mower the other night. I got the thing in 2011 when I had two cars, and already had it replaced once under its 10 year warranty in September of 2013. When I went out to the garage, I smelled burnt electronics. Apparently, a capacitor had burst. Thankfully, nothing caught fire. My garage still smells bad. The Battery Tender has a metal case which makes it look really robust, but appearances can be deceiving.

corvette

@roadburner said:
My Jeep dealer took in a 2007 S4 with just 43k miles; it's on their lot for $23,200. Shame about it being a slushbox- plus, I'm less than confident about the quality of my local Audi dealer's service department...

It has to be out of warranty by now, so the dealer service department shouldn't be an impediment, especially if you have a good indy. Aftermarket support and availability of tech info on the enthusiast boards may not be as good as BMW.

Mr_Shiftright

I know a very good Audi indy shop in the San Francisco Area if anyone needs one (and you will).

iluvmysephia1

Weird - for some reason you using the term "slushbox" caused me to have to stop and think while online for a sec. Slushbox? The term doesn't seem to be used as often as it was say, 4 or 5 years ago, even. Anyone agree? Or am I just not automotive net surfing near as much as I did 5-10 years ago?

nyccarguy

@stickguy

Is that on the 6cyls too? Or just the 4 bangers?

@roadburner

That Spec B looks like a blast! Bilsteins at all 4 corners plus a slick shifting 6 speed stick. @stickguy is right, I could use the extra ground clearance, longer suspension travel, and bigger side walls. The roads around here are awful on a good day.

nyccarguy

Some Outback XTs within a 300 mile radius of my zip code:

Silver H6 Sedan w/ Tan Guts

nyccarguy

Silver with Tan guts H6 Outback

nyccarguy

Red with Tan Guts XT

roadburner

@corvette said:
It has to be out of warranty by now, so the dealer service department shouldn't be an impediment, especially if you have a good indy. Aftermarket support and availability of tech info on the enthusiast boards may not be as good as BMW.

The indie shop I use for my Bimmers won't work on Audis, and anyway, I'd probably get bored with the AWD sooner than later.

stickguy

I don't think the H6 has the same issue, but I am not an expert! It is a lot quicker and smoother than the base 4, that is for sure. Might not be quicker than the turbo but probably more relaxed.

roadburner

Any opinions on the value of this sled?

2004 ZHP coupe, 33k miles, imolarot2/alcantara; H-K audio is the sole option. One OCD owner(I know him. He is.) It is literally immaculate.

nyccarguy

@roadburner

Probably way more than a 10 year old BMW should be worth. As we've seen, the low mileage, showroom condition ZHPs seem to be bringing stupid money. The lack of options is a plus for you, but might be a negative on the open market. I wouldn't be surprised if he was asking $18K. If he asked you "make him an offer," see if he'll give you the title for $16K. Doesn't hurt to ask. Just my humble opinion:)

stickguy

drove the Jetta for the first time yesterday (I never even drove on any of the test drives). Pretty nice. really like the engine. AT likes to upshift, but that is typical these days, and it does have a sport mode if you don't want to use the tiptronic.

nice handling, solid ride. Strong pull from the 1.8t. Nice car overall. and very roomy. So far, son is quite happy with it.

roadburner

@nyccarguy

Yeah, just kind of thinking out loud. I really don't know what I want, but I'm still leaning towards something older that I can maintain AND won't depreciate.

roadburner

Speaking of stupid money:

http://sanfranciscosportscars.com/1976-bmw-2002/

stever

Looks like the nephew is trying to pay off his student loan.

Mr_Shiftright

@roadburner said:
Speaking of stupid money:

http://sanfranciscosportscars.com/1976-bmw-2002/

think of it as him exercising his First Amendment Rights. Not only the "last" 2002, but the worst 2002. Such a deal.

stever

The weekend is winding down. No new punches?

isellhondas

Something tells me it's going to sit another 30 years!

Those can bring big money but that is NUTS!!

stickguy

well, at least it is a stick not an AT. But 75K? Unless the BMW museum just forgot to keep one, who would want one that bad?

at least if you need a restoration standard you got one.

jayrider

@isellhondas said:
Something tells me it's going to sit another 30 years!

Those can bring big money but that is NUTS!!

People bet 75K on a hand of blackjack. Seller is just fishing for a buyer that might have an emotional connection to that car and has so much money that the buy price is pocket change. I would think that the odds are heavily against finding someone like that but you never know.

roadburner

@stickguy said:
well, at least it is a stick not an AT. But 75K? Unless the BMW museum just forgot to keep one, who would want one that bad?

at least if you need a restoration standard you got one.

The museum not only has one, it built an almost all-new one in 2005:
http://www.autointell-news.com/News-2005/July-2005/July-2005-4/J-27-05-p4.htm

roadburner

And speaking of unintended consequences, BMW ran a spot called "Torch" during the Olympics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCR6rw1NZGs
I'm on several '02 forums and pages, and there are reports that more than a few dealers(as well as BMW NA) have been peppered with questions asking how to get an '02...

oldfarmer50

@roadburner said:
Speaking of stupid money:

http://sanfranciscosportscars.com/1976-bmw-2002/

Ha ha and I thought I paid a lot for my old cars.

stickguy

I like the 2002 more in a lot of ways. Just needs to be resto modded a bit.