[Automaton]

Good ones are hard to come by, unlike used E240s. The 5 is going to join the rust in pieces section soon. I have stopped chasing a losing proposition, no need to get desperate I guess. But still looking.

[FlyingSpur]

Originally Posted by Automaton

Good ones are hard to come by, unlike used E240s. The 5 is going to join the rust in pieces section soon. I have stopped chasing a losing proposition, no need to get desperate I guess. But still looking.

For a guy like you, the rust in pieces section should be the best hunting ground.

Meanwhile, owing to some groaning sound that turns up every monsoon, some component in the front suspension has been changed under BSI for about INR 30k. Still have to have a look at exactly what was changed. Noise seems to be gone though.

[Turbo car]

Japanese cars are still the best around when it comes to reliability and low cost of maintenance.

Take our Lancer for example. Even 10 yr old diesel lancers that has clocked more than a lakh km are still in demand in the second hand market and its resale value is not that dented as in comparison to other cars in the same segment or in the premium segment.

A 10 yr old ford fetches 10-20% of the original invoice price paid by the hapless buyer initially and the same goes for the other leading brands in the same segment.

Even a look at the classifieds here in Team-BHP will tell you the same story.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by Turbo car

Take our Lancer for example. Even 10 yr old diesel lancers that has clocked more than a lakh km are still in demand in the second hand market and its resale value is not that dented as in comparison to other cars in the same segment or in the premium segment.

A 10 yr old ford fetches 10-20% of the original invoice price paid by the hapless buyer initially and the same goes for the other leading brands in the same segment.

OT: No question about Japanese cars reliability. But it’s not always about resale value right? For many, a car carries much more value than FE or resale value. That hapless buyer might have had 10 years of what can be termed as ‘expression of joy’. You can see many such owners in this forum itself

[issigonis]

Originally Posted by vb-san

OT: No question about Japanese cars reliability. But it’s not always about resale value right? For many, a car carries much more value than FE or resale value. That hapless buyer might have had 10 years of what can be termed as ‘expression of joy’. You can see many such owners in this forum itself

>>>

Couldn't agree with you more on both points. Let me share what I read somewhere else not too long ago : the member said and I quote ( hopefully correctly!),
" if all of us were concerned only about reliability, fuel efficiency and other value for money factors all of us in the world would be driving Camrys".

This was on a site celebrating the Bimmers, I think.

Regards
issigonis

[Automaton]

Originally Posted by issigonis

>>>

Couldn't agree with you more on both points. Let me share what I read somewhere else not too long ago : the member said and I quote ( hopefully correctly!),
" if all of us were concerned only about reliability, fuel efficiency and other value for money factors all of us in the world would be driving Camrys".

This was on a site celebrating the Bimmers, I think.

Regards
issigonis

I'm going to put my neck out and say this anyway, almost every other post on this forum will have people advising you to go and buy a well-cared for example of Mercedes W 124 citing parts and maintenance free drives, but where is the 'joy' in that?

I would rather have a Bimmer for 1 year than a W124 for 5 years.

The 3 series I owned for a few years has given me enough of a rush to last me a lifetime. Underpowered yes, but more than made up in the handling department. The ticks-all-boxes boring Corolla that I have currently is hopefully only a temporary ride till another joyful experience comes along. (Is there a BHPian willing to part with an older example?)

Then again, to each his own.

[Turbo car]

Originally Posted by vb-san

OT: No question about Japanese cars reliability. But it’s not always about resale value right? For many, a car carries much more value than FE or resale value. That hapless buyer might have had 10 years of what can be termed as ‘expression of joy’. You can see many such owners in this forum itself

Vb-san, you cant compare a Beemer with a mitsubishi lancer as they do belong to two different segments and the aspirations and the value perception of the buyers in those two segments are poles apart.

I have seen lancer users who does have premium cars still keep a liking for lancer as the car does not need constant pampering to keep itself in shape. BMW's can prove to costly to maintain after the initial years and then the "Joy" wont be too much there when you see the garage bills....

The looks of the owners will be more in these lines

[FlyingSpur]

Tyres were making things quite entertaining through this monsoon. They've eaten through quite some tread in the last 2.5 years over about 45,000 kms. Given that we are planning to keep this one for no more than five years, now was a good time for a mid-life change of shoes.

Happy with the grip, road noise and comfort levels of the CPC2 currently in use. Drove someone's 320d running 225/50 PS3 (PP2) and found the ride negatively affected (genuis, aren't I). So most probably will go for another set of the Conti's at 205/55 although I know this car should ideally be running 225/50. That should slow things down a bit, no?

[rajeshchand]

Originally Posted by FlyingSpur

Presenting my elegant solution for the space saver.

Nice solution of fixing up a spare tyre.

From where did you source the tyre, as i searched for it in all the forums related to Beemer and i could find the only option of getting it imported which would be a costly affair, do the BMW dealers in India store space saver tyres for all the models, i have an X1. Got fed up of the run-flats and shifted to Yoko S Drive and in need of a spare tyre.

[FlyingSpur]

Originally Posted by rajeshchand

Nice solution of fixing up a spare tyre.

Thank you

From where did you source the tyre...

Ask your friendly neighbourhood BMW dealer. They stock.

Got fed up of the run-flats...

Tell me something new

[drmohitg]

Originally Posted by FlyingSpur

Another thing, I keep this thread as up to date as possible, and try to report everything that happens, because I think it will help someone and provide a clear picture behind the pearly gates. We have seen some 3-series threads fizzle out since they aren't updated regularly, which is not of much use to potential car buyers. Maybe in my quest to create something useful, I am reporting every speck of dust that sits on the car.

I have always loved to read your thread, specially the opening post. It always lightens up your mood whenever you are feeling low. So the last update was almost a year back. Don't you think its time for an update? How is the car doing now. Any more problems that cropped up with it getting older and covering more kms?
BTW were you finally able to source all the service related documents from them?
Do you have to really argue with them over covering faults, however minor, under warranty? Or are they more than ready to do it themselves?

[mariner]

Originally Posted by FlyingSpur

Presenting my elegant solution for the space saver.

Things needed : Nothing really. Just a plastic bag and the stepney cover for a rear-mounted spare of any MUV / SUV (cost : Rs.100/-)

Hey Flyingspur,

Could you please let me know the cost for the space saver? Did it come with the entire tool kit as well? Has it ever put to use so far?

[Ani0404]

Hello Flyingspur, it's been more than 04 years that you have updated your thread. Would love to hear from you. I just found your thread and read it in one go. I am also a huge fan of BMW and always dream of owning one.
Is the bimmer still serving you?

[KMT]

Originally Posted by mariner

Hey Flyingspur,

Could you please let me know the cost for the space saver? Did it come with the entire tool kit as well? Has it ever put to use so far?

I paid about ₹ 30-₹35k for a space saver. But the boot has become really small now. Tools are Jack, wheelspanner, gloves and mat.