Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

roadburner · October 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

breld said:
Alright, so we arrived at the BMW dealership at 4:30 for our appointment, and my wife’s 330i was sitting out front all ready for us…

Looked beautiful, as expected, so we proceeded into the showroom to meet our salesperson.

Sitting in the showroom was the M340i, same color combo and same options, other than missing the extended shadowline package (more black trim) and adding Harmon Kardon.

My wife’s reaction to it was palpable. It quickly became clear that she really did want the upper model, but had struggled to justify the extra cost to herself. When I pointed out that it was about the same price as the A4 Allroad Prestige that she had on order, she immediately came around to the idea of springing for the M340i.

So that was settled…except there were some potential buyers walking around the M340i with a salesperson, which made us nervous. And in fact, once we told our salesperson we wanted to switch it up, there was a lot of talking “behind the glass” in the manager’s area.

Apparently, another salesperson had taken a deposit over the phone on the M340i, but hadn’t put a sold tag on it and perhaps didn’t complete some other administrative details, so the managers decided it was ours since we were there.

Phew!

They provided the same level of discounts on the M340i as they had on the 330i - not much, but $1,500 dealer discount, plus another $1,500 in rebates ($1,000 BMW and $500 loyalty). And of course the same $60k on the Tesla. So we were thrilled.

You have nerves of steel. I’d never be able to make a snap decision like that and ever sleep a wink again wondering if I made the right decision.

Horsepower is analogous to the screen size of a TV; nobody EVER says, I wish I had bought a smaller TV." and likewise I have yet to hear someone say, "I wish I'd bought a car with less horsepower."

tjc78 · October 2021

@roadburner said:
Horsepower is analogous to the screen size of a TV; nobody EVER says, I wish I had bought a smaller TV." and likewise I have yet to hear someone say, "I wish I'd bought a car with less horsepower."

This +1

rayainsw · October 2021

breld -
Beautiful M340i!
Congratulations.
Excellent choice!
What equipment & options?
- Ray
Somewhat biased - by over 20,000 miles driving an M340i...

mjfloyd1 · October 2021

@breld - congratulations on the M340. I had no doubt that’s what you would end up with. It just happened 30 days faster than I figured it would.

I bet you will swap out the front pieces for shadow line in no time I must admit that I like the contrast of the darker grey with the chrome though

jmonroe1 · October 2021

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

breld said:
Alright, so we arrived at the BMW dealership at 4:30 for our appointment, and my wife’s 330i was sitting out front all ready for us…

Looked beautiful, as expected, so we proceeded into the showroom to meet our salesperson.

Sitting in the showroom was the M340i, same color combo and same options, other than missing the extended shadowline package (more black trim) and adding Harmon Kardon.

My wife’s reaction to it was palpable. It quickly became clear that she really did want the upper model, but had struggled to justify the extra cost to herself. When I pointed out that it was about the same price as the A4 Allroad Prestige that she had on order, she immediately came around to the idea of springing for the M340i.

So that was settled…except there were some potential buyers walking around the M340i with a salesperson, which made us nervous. And in fact, once we told our salesperson we wanted to switch it up, there was a lot of talking “behind the glass” in the manager’s area.

Apparently, another salesperson had taken a deposit over the phone on the M340i, but hadn’t put a sold tag on it and perhaps didn’t complete some other administrative details, so the managers decided it was ours since we were there.

Phew!

They provided the same level of discounts on the M340i as they had on the 330i - not much, but $1,500 dealer discount, plus another $1,500 in rebates ($1,000 BMW and $500 loyalty). And of course the same $60k on the Tesla. So we were thrilled.

You have nerves of steel. I’d never be able to make a snap decision like that and ever sleep a wink again wondering if I made the right decision.
Horsepower is analogous to the screen size of a TV; nobody EVER says, I wish I had bought a smaller TV." and likewise I have yet to hear someone say, "I wish I'd bought a car with less horsepower."

Which is why (since I got out of the Navy in ‘63) I have ALWAYS gotten the largest engine available for the model of car I was buying, whether it was bought used or new. As you said, I’ve never been sorry I did that.

The reason for this is that when I was in the Navy, I bought 2 Chevy’s (‘56 and ‘62) from an uncle, due to his failing health, that had 6 cylinder engines. I swore up and down after the second time NEVER AGAIN.

jmonroe

benjaminh · October 2021

tjc78 said:

@roadburner said:

Horsepower is analogous to the screen size of a TV; nobody EVER says, I wish I had bought a smaller TV." and likewise I have yet to hear someone say, "I wish I'd bought a car with less horsepower."

This +1

Well, stickguy wishes he ordered the Maverick hybrid with less horsepower (And now he's ordered one!). And I'm actually glad I have the 2.4 in my 2018 TLX rather than the 3.5 V-6. The acceleration is fast enough for me with the 4-cylinder, and on my last highway trip of 420 miles at c.70-75 mph I got 38 mpg. But we are the exceptions that prove the rule.

roadburner · October 2021

There would have to be over a 25 mpg difference in fuel economy to make me take the model with less hp- and even then I wouldn’t be happy about it.

dad23 · October 2021

Congrats @breld, another beauty, enjoy!

stickguy · October 2021

well, I don't blanketly agree about HP or TV. Both should be appropriate for the application.

in a smaller room, a screen can be too big to view comfortably. and for HP, if you aren't racing, having too much power for the chassis and tires can be counter productive. the TL 2.4 was plenty quick enough, and better balanced handling having a lot less weight over the front end than the V6 model.

stickguy · October 2021

just signed the hybrid buyers order too. So now I feel like Breld, just with orders instead of actual purchases. This one probably doesn't get built until May at this point so who knows what will be going on by then.

from reviews that actually got results, if it is primarily going to be used around town, actual MPG is going to be close to double. And the powertrain seems to be more suited to FWD. I think resale is going to be better too on that model, but we shall see.

kyfdx · October 2021

breld said:

@nyccarguy said:
@breld

are those 2 cars the same color?

Yes, they are - Mineral Grey. The lighting makes a big difference in the appearance.

The wheels are 19” and surprisingly, not staggered.

Because of xDrive. If it were RWD, pretty sure they would be staggered.

Michaell · October 2021

I met @breld, Mrs. @breld and @jpp75 for lunch today. I was given the opportunity to drive the new M340 to the new @breld casa.

All I can say is ... wow! Even though I was on suburban roads and wasn't really able to let the car show me what it's really all about, you can certainly feel the HP wanting to be let loose. Ride and handling are as expected for a mid-high end BMW, though my extra pandemic poundage found the sport seats a bit confining.

Nonetheless, a fantastic car. Even though it's blasphemous to say, I could probably be very content with a 330i.

The house - well, the house was to be expected, but the garage is something else. Plenty large enough for them to expand the fleet, add lifts, convert some of it to a man cave, etc. One of the features I really liked was that the garage door openers were off to the side of the door, not in the middle of the ceiling, between the tracks.

Was too open jawed to get any pictures.

stickguy · October 2021

I would like a picture of the door openers!

Michaell · October 2021

stickguy said:
I would like a picture of the door openers!

I do know they were Liftmasters; I'm sure @breld can provide a pix next time he's at the house.

stickguy · October 2021

given the choice, I would end up with the 330i too, especially with the price differential. I have driven one and had no problem with the amount of power. it is still certainly a quick car.

benjaminh · October 2021

stickguy said:
just signed the hybrid buyers order too. So now I feel like Breld, just with orders instead of actual purchases. This one probably doesn't get built until May at this point so who knows what will be going on by then.

from reviews that actually got results, if it is primarily going to be used around town, actual MPG is going to be close to double. And the powertrain seems to be more suited to FWD. I think resale is going to be better too on that model, but we shall see.

You should do very well with the resale values of both of your Mavericks. As you read, Ford significantly improved the Maverick hybrid engine compared to what they have on the Escape, and so it sounds like it's good power and excellent mpg.

roadburner · October 2021

@breld, if that G20 was RWD I'd buy it from you- I wouldn't even mind waiting 10-12 weeks from now to pick it up.

cdnpinhead · October 2021

Do any of you actually drive these cars anywhere besides to the store and back? How do they suit you in bad or different weather as the calendar unfolds? Do you ever take them across several states, or even one?

mjfloyd1 · October 2021

@stickguy said:
an option I never would have thought of. Miles don't bother me that much on one of these.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/c0f1a106-a001-4074-abd6-12df902b44e0/

Or Infiniti's version.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9ea95624-c697-4ac6-8afa-0ed3bc9cff9f/

if you are feeling more adventurous. I was sure this was a mis-classification. Never knew this option existed.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/83de7ced-50d3-4543-a79d-20e96ee2f88e/

A Jaguar convertible with 96377 miles. What could go wrong?

jmonroe1 · October 2021

mjfloyd1 said:

@stickguy said:

an option I never would have thought of. Miles don't bother me that much on one of these.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/c0f1a106-a001-4074-abd6-12df902b44e0/

Or Infiniti's version.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9ea95624-c697-4ac6-8afa-0ed3bc9cff9f/

if you are feeling more adventurous. I was sure this was a mis-classification. Never knew this option existed.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/83de7ced-50d3-4543-a79d-20e96ee2f88e/

A Jaguar convertible with 96377 miles. What could go wrong?

Nothing that hasn't gone wrong before.

jmonroe

benjaminh · October 2021

cdnpinhead said:
Do any of you actually drive these cars anywhere besides to the store and back? How do they suit you in bad or different weather as the calendar unfolds? Do you ever take them across several states, or even one?

Just yesterday I drove from Louisville to Columbus and back to get our daughter who is in college, but doesn't yet drive (although she does have a learner's permit). 420 miles round trip, most of it in the rain, which made me grateful for my new Michelin tires. I've done a few of these trips in the last few months, and before that I took a work trip to Dallas. It's been three years and not quite four months since I got my TLX and it already has 49,800 miles on it. I've toyed with the idea of driving to Seattle to visit relatives at some point, seeing some National Parks along the way, but who knows if I'll ever actually do something like that (although my wife, to my surprise, sounded interested in the idea.) I'd also like to take some drives in my old home state of California, as well as maybe even drive somewhere in Canada again.

jmonroe1 · October 2021

cdnpinhead said:
Do any of you actually drive these cars anywhere besides to the store and back? How do they suit you in bad or different weather as the calendar unfolds? Do you ever take them across several states, or even one?

Have you forgotten that you've dialed into the Edmunds CCBA site. Please stop asking silly questions.

jmonroe

breld · October 2021

@rayainsw said:
breld -
Beautiful M340i!
Congratulations.
Excellent choice!
What equipment & options?

Ray
Somewhat biased - by over 20,000 miles driving an M340i...

Thanks @rayainsw - it has the premium and driver assistance packages. Power tailgate, Harman Kardon.

I’m really impressed with the new sensatec. Compared to the very plain look on my 2018 X3, the new models are perforated and have contrast white stitching. Looks much more upscale, and I actually prefer the feel of it over the leather.

au1994 · October 2021

mjfloyd1 said:

@stickguy said:

an option I never would have thought of. Miles don't bother me that much on one of these.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/c0f1a106-a001-4074-abd6-12df902b44e0/

Or Infiniti's version.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9ea95624-c697-4ac6-8afa-0ed3bc9cff9f/

if you are feeling more adventurous. I was sure this was a mis-classification. Never knew this option existed.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/83de7ced-50d3-4543-a79d-20e96ee2f88e/

A Jaguar convertible with 96377 miles. What could go wrong?

Just think how good you would look driving it back from the repair shop.

au1994 · October 2021

cdnpinhead said:
Do any of you actually drive these cars anywhere besides to the store and back? How do they suit you in bad or different weather as the calendar unfolds? Do you ever take them across several states, or even one?

Sometimes I’ll drive the Jeep to Taco Bell.

oldfarmer50 · October 2021

mjfloyd1 said:

@stickguy said:

an option I never would have thought of. Miles don't bother me that much on one of these.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/c0f1a106-a001-4074-abd6-12df902b44e0/

Or Infiniti's version.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9ea95624-c697-4ac6-8afa-0ed3bc9cff9f/

if you are feeling more adventurous. I was sure this was a mis-classification. Never knew this option existed.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/83de7ced-50d3-4543-a79d-20e96ee2f88e/

A Jaguar convertible with 96377 miles. What could go wrong?

On most domestic models I’d run from that mileage but for those Japanese cars I’d take them but wouldn’t pay that much. The Jag would be fun to drive….right to the mechanic.

breld · October 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
@breld - congratulations on the M340. I had no doubt that’s what you would end up with. It just happened 30 days faster than I figured it would.

I bet you will swap out the front pieces for shadow line in no time I must admit that I like the contrast of the darker grey with the chrome though

Yup - you called it. But you should be impressed that we skipped the middle step!

And yes, you also know my habits…have already looked up the black trim pieces. 😀

28firefighter · October 2021

@au1994 said:
Sometimes I’ll drive the Jeep to Taco Bell.

I definitely drive to preschool. And work. On a crazy weekend, even the zoo.

oldfarmer50 · October 2021

benjaminh said:

cdnpinhead said:
Do any of you actually drive these cars anywhere besides to the store and back? How do they suit you in bad or different weather as the calendar unfolds? Do you ever take them across several states, or even one?
Just yesterday I drove from Louisville to Columbus and back to get our daughter who is in college, but doesn't yet drive (although she does have a learner's permit). 420 miles round trip, most of it in the rain, which made me grateful for my new Michelin tires. I've done a few of these trips in the last few months, and before that I took a work trip to Dallas. It's been three years and not quite four months since I got my TLX and it already has 49,800 miles on it. I've toyed with the idea of driving to Seattle to visit relatives at some point, seeing some National Parks along the way, but who knows if I'll ever actually do something like that (although my wife, to my surprise, sounded interested in the idea.) I'd also like to take some drives in my old home state of California, as well as maybe even drive somewhere in Canada again.

I’d go for it. You have the tires and more importantly, you got your wife’s ok.

au1994 · October 2021

28firefighter said:

@au1994 said:

Sometimes I’ll drive the Jeep to Taco Bell.

I definitely drive to preschool. And work. On a crazy weekend, even the zoo.

Rebel…

nyccarguy · October 2021

Do one of you guys have a set of Michelin Cross Climate 2s? I had a set put on my Mom’s 2020 RX350. Her OEM tires (Bridgestone Ecopia?) lasted about 27K miles. She took it in for a tire rotation & NY State inspection the other day. The guy told her the tires barely passed safety inspection & advised she get new tires before the winter.

nyccarguy · October 2021

I’ve been starting up my Prelude and letting it run almost every day. I sprinkled some baking soda on the carpet to help soak up any moisture. Vacuumed it up and sprinkled some more down. The musty smell seems to be dissipating. I do see some rust on the bolts of the seat tracks.

roadburner · October 2021

cdnpinhead said:
Do any of you actually drive these cars anywhere besides to the store and back? How do they suit you in bad or different weather as the calendar unfolds? Do you ever take them across several states, or even one?

I'm taking the Club Sport to Hilton Head for the BMW CCA Oktoberfest.

xwesx · October 2021

I set up the Q7 for surgery last night before bed. I assumed it would be colder this morning, so I wanted to be able to get right to work. However, at 0830 when I finally dug into it, it was about 25 degrees, which really isn’t uncomfortable when you’re working.

Above is a shot of the bottom bushings in situ. And, below, showing the damage after removal.

It was very fast to get them out, compress the springs, and reassembled.

However, after installing the top brackets onto the car, lining up the bottom bushing with the wheel assembly was unbelievably difficult!

I ended up having to contort my body while hanging from a 6’ steel rod like a monkey to get the leverage I needed while also inserting the bolt into the passage of the mount and bushing. I’m sure it looked as ridiculous as it felt, but it got the job done! All told, I needed about 200# of leverage 3’ out from the lever point on the top of the wheel assembly.

It is done now, though, and I saved about $800 in the process. Now I just need to get the alignment completed.

xwesx · October 2021

Oops. I worked on it from 0930 (not 0830) to 1230. Not bad. It probably would have gone faster if I didn’t take nearly an hour trying different things got get the lower mounts joined. Once I finished the first side with the bar, the second one took perhaps two minutes to settle.

The temperature was above freezing by the end, which felt pleasant, but the ground started getting a little soggy due to the dusting of snow melting upon contact.

ronsteve · October 2021

On the VW/Audi thread, the wife’s 13 Jetta, which we bought new, has only given us minor/annoying electrical issues. One just ended up being a fuse, but the other two persist. First, the front passenger window is a bit of a dance to close. Seems like it thinks it’s hitting something and goes back down unless you just nudge it through a critical point about 2/3 closed. The other is the TPMS which seems to have failed when the original battery died last year. I can only complain so much about a VW. My brother has had a few VWs and Audis and said the 16 A4 sedan he had was the best car he has owned. Not sure how many others he doesn’t talk about.

stickguy · October 2021

mjfloyd1 said:

@stickguy said:

an option I never would have thought of. Miles don't bother me that much on one of these.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/c0f1a106-a001-4074-abd6-12df902b44e0/

Or Infiniti's version.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/9ea95624-c697-4ac6-8afa-0ed3bc9cff9f/

if you are feeling more adventurous. I was sure this was a mis-classification. Never knew this option existed.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/83de7ced-50d3-4543-a79d-20e96ee2f88e/

A Jaguar convertible with 96377 miles. What could go wrong?

in this case, not the automatic transmission!

stickguy · October 2021

cdnpinhead said:
Do any of you actually drive these cars anywhere besides to the store and back? How do they suit you in bad or different weather as the calendar unfolds? Do you ever take them across several states, or even one?

Don't ask me. I don't even have a car of my own! I just borrow my wifes.

jmonroe1 · October 2021

nyccarguy said:
I’ve been starting up my Prelude and letting it run almost every day. I sprinkled some baking soda on the carpet to help soak up any moisture. Vacuumed it up and sprinkled some more down. The musty smell seems to be dissipating. I do see some rust on the bolts of the seat tracks.

That’s what happens when you don’t wax the whole car.

jmonroe

ronsteve · October 2021

So after just over 3 years with the RDX I can now say I wouldn’t have gotten out of a situation without AWD. Didn’t arrive in time to park in the gravel lot at the Kentucky Castle so we were directed to the large grassy area. Which was quite wet, and more than a little muddy in spots. As we were departing, the wife noticed some guys one row over, trying to push a Fusion that was stuck in one of those muddy spots. I tried to go up our own row, but where the upgrade got a little tricky and more muddy, the two rows were parked very close together. I didn’t want to risk a wiggle ending badly, and got a little bogged down. I decided to back up to a gap that would get me to the next row, which was just as muddy but at least there was enough room that I could saw plus or minus a good 45 degrees as I powered my way up the hill.

Would have been easier with a better AWD or traditional 4wd but I’m not sure how it would have gone with 2wd.

stickguy · October 2021

for driving, it seems like we mostly just take the RDX on trips. in 19 months, it has gone from Philly area to around Albany NY at least 6 times (maybe more), an extended trip to Burlington VT., and a trip to Boston. Plus various other shorter (100 miles?) trips to N. Jersey, NYC, or places in PA.

and even with that, we only have 10,600 miles on it. Just don't do much local stuff I guess.

tjc78 · October 2021

@ronsteve said:
So after just over 3 years with the RDX I can now say I wouldn’t have gotten out of a situation without AWD. Didn’t arrive in time to park in the gravel lot at the Kentucky Castle so we were directed to the large grassy area. Which was quite wet, and more than a little muddy in spots. As we were departing, the wife noticed some guys one row over, trying to push a Fusion that was stuck in one of those muddy spots. I tried to go up our own row, but where the upgrade got a little tricky and more muddy, the two rows were parked very close together. I didn’t want to risk a wiggle ending badly, and got a little bogged down. I decided to back up to a gap that would get me to the next row, which was just as muddy but at least there was enough room that I could saw plus or minus a good 45 degrees as I powered my way up the hill.

Would have been easier with a better AWD or traditional 4wd but I’m not sure how it would have gone with 2wd.

I got our FWD Enclave stuck in that very same situation

jmonroe1 · October 2021

xwesx said:

I set up the Q7 for surgery last night before bed. I assumed it would be colder this morning, so I wanted to be able to get right to work. However, at 0830 when I finally dug into it, it was about 25 degrees, which really isn’t uncomfortable when you’re working.

Above is a shot of the bottom bushings in situ. And, below, showing the damage after removal.

It was very fast to get them out, compress the springs, and reassembled.

However, after installing the top brackets onto the car, lining up the bottom bushing with the wheel assembly was unbelievably difficult!

I ended up having to contort my body while hanging from a 6’ steel rod like a monkey to get the leverage I needed while also inserting the bolt into the passage of the mount and bushing. I’m sure it looked as ridiculous as it felt, but it got the job done! All told, I needed about 200# of leverage 3’ out from the lever point on the top of the wheel assembly.

It is done now, though, and I saved about $800 in the process. Now I just need to get the alignment completed.

WOW, I’d never think about doing that outside in that weather. You should have sent Mrs. @xwesx out there to do that job.

Saving 800 bucks is nice but you’re going to spend 900 bucks running the heating pad before you thaw out.

jmonroe

stickguy · October 2021

or more after the 200#s of leverage knocks the car off the jack stands and it falls on you.

some jobs, just way easier with a lift. and of course safer.

sda · October 2021

I have a car but can’t drive. I am now in an ‘air cast’ for another 4 weeks. Hopefully physical therapy begins next week. I miss driving and the general activity in keeping our cars clean and maintained. My wife drives the Passat every week to exercise it.

jmonroe1 · October 2021

sda said:
I have a car but can’t drive. I am now in an ‘air cast’ for another 4 weeks. Hopefully physical therapy begins next week. I miss driving and the general activity in keeping our cars clean and maintained. My wife drives the Passat every week to exercise it.

It’s good to hear that you’re progressing well. I’m sure not being confined to your bed has to be a big relief.

We wish you continued progress and hope you’re behind the wheel again in no time.

jmonroe

mjfloyd1 · October 2021

@nyccarguy said:
Do one of you guys have a set of Michelin Cross Climate 2s? I had a set put on my Mom’s 2020 RX350. Her OEM tires (Bridgestone Ecopia?) lasted about 27K miles. She took it in for a tire rotation & NY State inspection the other day. The guy told her the tires barely passed safety inspection & advised she get new tires before the winter.

Have the tire shop call Michelin- they were great in offering money towards replacement tires when the Premier LTX tires were bald after 14k miles (60k mile warranty)

mjfloyd1 · October 2021

@breld said:
Yup - you called it. But you should be impressed that we skipped the middle step!

And yes, you also know my habits…have already looked up the black trim pieces. 😀

Strong work skipping the middle step although who knows, right now you may have been money ahead with the middle step?

Are you changing out the front and rear chrome pieces and exhaust outlets and badges? I’d be tempted to plasti dip them given your buying habits…

ab348 · October 2021

nyccarguy said:
Do one of you guys have a set of Michelin Cross Climate 2s? I had a set put on my Mom’s 2020 RX350. Her OEM tires (Bridgestone Ecopia?) lasted about 27K miles. She took it in for a tire rotation & NY State inspection the other day. The guy told her the tires barely passed safety inspection & advised she get new tires before the winter.

I believe those are the tires @benjaminh bought for his Acura.

benjaminh · October 2021

Yes @nyccarguy I do have the Michelin CC2 tires and like them a lot.

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