I think we need another car...

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by robg

Wondering if any used German car really qualifies for cheap,, reliable beater service? Thinking your answer might lie with some Toyota or Mazda product? Become a cliche here, but a used CX5? Used Mazda6 wagon?

The short answer is that free labor, many parts “free,” and a general understanding of how things work make an old BMW much more reliable for *me* than for other folks.

[clyde]

Enjoy!

[Terri Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The short answer is that free labor, many parts “free,” and a general understanding of how things work make an old BMW much more reliable for *me* than for other folks.

I was going to say E46 wagon (but then, I'm biased).

The problem is that they are going to fall into 4 categories:

• Undesirable / unacceptable spec
• Beat to hell with no service history
• Nice configs with service history, but way too expensive
• Nice configs with no / incomplete service history (potential ticking time bombs)

[robg]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

The short answer is that free labor, many parts “free,” and a general understanding of how things work make an old BMW much more reliable for *me* than for other folks.

In that case, party on!


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[Biggins]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I agree that on merit, I should consider the X3, but I just can't get over how it looks.

Anyway, looks like we have a deal on that X5. If we end up not liking it, it'll be easy enough to sell. The 6MTs are rare as hell and sell for pretty dumb money in the right places.

Wow, that was quick!

With our second kid here now, my wife's CR-V is seeming a lot smaller than it should feel. My suggestions were going to be a Buick Tourx or the new version of the Kia Sorento... that's what we seem to be considering... or we'll try to get by with a roof rack for a while?

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by Biggins

Wow, that was quick!

With our second kid here now, my wife's CR-V is seeming a lot smaller than it should feel. My suggestions were going to be a Buick Tourx or the new version of the Kia Sorento... that's what we seem to be considering... or we'll try to get by with a roof rack for a while?

A roof rack buys a lot of time. And if you have dogs, is a necessity no matter how big your cargo area is…

[John V]

I'm way late to this party but as I expected you didn't put the Cayenne on the list. One of my buddies owned one (stick, of course) and yeah, it was terrible from a reliability standpoint.

That X5 looks really nice, though I can only imagine what a dog it must be with the M54. That's one of the most soulless, underwhelming piles BMW engineering ever crapped out. Gutless down low and out of breath past 5,200 RPM.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by John V

I'm way late to this party but as I expected you didn't put the Cayenne on the list. One of my buddies owned one (stick, of course) and yeah, it was terrible from a reliability standpoint.

That X5 looks really nice, though I can only imagine what a dog it must be with the M54. That's one of the most soulless, underwhelming piles BMW engineering ever crapped out. Gutless down low and out of breath past 5,200 RPM.

I don't have that much of an issue with the M54.

The automatic X5 3.0 that Mike had and K gave to the in-laws is adequate. It's got more grunt off the line than you'd expect because they gave it a really loose torque converter, but even once it's locked up, it's fine.

One of the advantages of keeping slow cars in the fleet (like an E30 325iX that puts down around 120 at the wheels) is that it keeps the butt dyno calibrated.

[Nick M3]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I don't have that much of an issue with the M54.

The automatic X5 3.0 that Mike had and K gave to the in-laws is adequate. It's got more grunt off the line than you'd expect because they gave it a really loose torque converter, but even once it's locked up, it's fine.

One of the advantages of keeping slow cars in the fleet (like an E30 325iX that puts down around 120 at the wheels) is that it keeps the butt dyno calibrated.

Also, that 325iX has 4.10s on it. lol.

[John V]

Originally Posted by Nick M3

I don't have that much of an issue with the M54.

The automatic X5 3.0 that Mike had and K gave to the in-laws is adequate. It's got more grunt off the line than you'd expect because they gave it a really loose torque converter, but even once it's locked up, it's fine.

One of the advantages of keeping slow cars in the fleet (like an E30 325iX that puts down around 120 at the wheels) is that it keeps the butt dyno calibrated.

I've never experienced it in an X5 but given the mass of those things it seems like it'd be pretty underwhelming. I guess you are calibrated to slow vehicles, though, and given DC traffic it probably doesn't matter. It's got enough niggling reliability/maintenance issues (DISA, AOS, OFHG, VANOS) to make it not something I'd want in my fleet anymore.