Post a recent picture of your vehicle(s)

[SCA]

Originally Posted by clyde

The Z3 looks good!

Thank you Clyde!

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Hey great to see the Z! (And hear from you). I don’t think I remember the 540.

Our 2001 Z3 was 2.5, Topaz, but with beige top and seats. Such a beautiful car, no matter what the spec. Definitely a keeper. Alas, we let ours go.

Thanks! To date I am alive and kicking. I hope you are doing well.

I acquired the “money pit” last May (BAT car). One owner, all books and records with 60,000 miles. #563 of the 1,265 manuals imported. Mechanically it is now a perfect car. I am waiting until this spring to install the correct factory wheels which are NIB style 37s ~ 18” M Parallels. Edit: Hindsight, but I should have just purchased a E39 M5.

My Topaz Z3 has the beige interior. I originally thought about replacing the top when I acquired it with a OE beige top, but the black top grew on me. I never plan to sell it as it took me 2 or 3 years to locate this one with the options I desired. Plus I enjoy staring at it like a piece of art on occasion.

I still have the ‘17 F15 X5 xDrive35i M Sport that I did Performance Center Delivery on. I had the M Performance software installed in 2019. It provided a subtle performance gain. The exhaust sound definitely improved when in sport mode along with the trans in sport. The warranty expires at the end of May and I am currently on the fence what do. I am considering purchasing the BMW platinum extended warranty or selling it and waiting to order a 2022 LCI X3 M40i next fall. While I love the X5 it is larger than I need.

[kognito]

Originally Posted by SCA

The ‘01 Z3 3.0i (manual) at the first of November and the ‘03 540i M Sport (manual) on Christmas morning.

The Z3 turned twenty in September. In five more years I can apply for the antique tag and no longer have to renewal annually. A plus given that it is not driven often.

Looking great! My wife and I were in your neck of the woods for summer vacation. Pigeon Forge, Smoky mountains, etc. We were both moved by the memorial set up where the World's Fair was, the Tennessee Veterans Memorial, I think it was called.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by SCA

Thank you Clyde!




Thanks! To date I am alive and kicking. I hope you are doing well.

I acquired the “money pit” last May (BAT car). One owner, all books and records with 60,000 miles. #563 of the 1,265 manuals imported. Mechanically it is now a perfect car. I am waiting until this spring to install the correct factory wheels which are NIB style 37s ~ 18” M Parallels. Edit: Hindsight, but I should have just purchased a E39 M5.

My Topaz Z3 has the beige interior. I originally thought about replacing the top when I acquired it with a OE beige top, but the black top grew on me. I never plan to sell it as it took me 2 or 3 years to locate this one with the options I desired. Plus I enjoy staring at it like a piece of art on occasion.

I still have the ‘17 F15 X5 xDrive35i M Sport that I did Performance Center Delivery on. I had the M Performance software installed in 2019. It provided a subtle performance gain. The exhaust sound definitely improved when in sport mode along with the trans in sport. The warranty expires at the end of May and I am currently on the fence what do. I am considering purchasing the BMW platinum extended warranty or selling it and waiting to order a 2022 LCI X3 M40i next fall. While I love the X5 it is larger than I need.

A perfect fleet (except for the missed M5!)

I really wrestled with buying an X3 to balance out the fun car (my M240i convertible—Estoril, because Topaz was not available ) I think the X3 is the perfect size, if you just need some utility but don’t need to haul around a big family’s worth of things/pets on vacation. (I ended up going the budget route with a Mazda CX-5.)

That said, if you already have the F15 in a late model with a decent engine, I can’t really seen swapping it for the X3. One thing you’ll notice is that the X5 is way more luxurious and tank-like than the X3.

Additionally, I see a lot of build quality complaints for the pandemic-era X models. Since you already have a very decent SUV, I’d sit tight and wait for year two of the LCI.

(BTW, I attended the Knoxville World’s Fair in my youth.)

[Alan]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

Additionally, I see a lot of build quality complaints for the pandemic-era X models. Since you already have a very decent SUV, I’d sit tight and wait for year two of the LCI.

I know you have mentioned this before, what are the complaints you are reading ?

The M550 is literally taking forever to get built during this pandemic, it has been in 'Quality check' status for over 1 1/2 weeks. I officially ordered the car 2 months ago, received the production number within a few days and according to a BMW rep I won't see the car until the end of January/beginning of February.

We might be ordering another BMW for one of my kids but I am really interested in what complaints you are reading about because with these delays I am getting a bit concerned.

[wdc330i]

Originally Posted by Alan

I know you have mentioned this before, what are the complaints you are reading ?

The M550 is literally taking forever to get built during this pandemic, it has been in 'Quality check' status for over 1 1/2 weeks. I officially ordered the car 2 months ago, received the production number within a few days and according to a BMW rep I won't see the car until the end of January/beginning of February.

We might be ordering another BMW for one of my kids but I am really interested in what complaints you are reading about because with these delays I am getting a bit concerned.

Bimmerpost. Seems mostly the Spartanburg factory....regular production with the added bonus of the huge hybrid snafu (which was a supplier issue).

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/index.php
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=666

[SARAFIL]

Originally Posted by SCA

Thank you Clyde!




Thanks! To date I am alive and kicking. I hope you are doing well.

I acquired the “money pit” last May (BAT car). One owner, all books and records with 60,000 miles. #563 of the 1,265 manuals imported. Mechanically it is now a perfect car. I am waiting until this spring to install the correct factory wheels which are NIB style 37s ~ 18” M Parallels. Edit: Hindsight, but I should have just purchased a E39 M5.

My Topaz Z3 has the beige interior. I originally thought about replacing the top when I acquired it with a OE beige top, but the black top grew on me. I never plan to sell it as it took me 2 or 3 years to locate this one with the options I desired. Plus I enjoy staring at it like a piece of art on occasion.

I still have the ‘17 F15 X5 xDrive35i M Sport that I did Performance Center Delivery on. I had the M Performance software installed in 2019. It provided a subtle performance gain. The exhaust sound definitely improved when in sport mode along with the trans in sport. The warranty expires at the end of May and I am currently on the fence what do. I am considering purchasing the BMW platinum extended warranty or selling it and waiting to order a 2022 LCI X3 M40i next fall. While I love the X5 it is larger than I need.

Nice to see you around!

Do you still have the E30 M3? Yours was the white one at the Performance Center, right?

[SCA]

Originally Posted by kognito

Looking great! My wife and I were in your neck of the woods for summer vacation. Pigeon Forge, Smoky mountains, etc. We were both moved by the memorial set up where the World's Fair was, the Tennessee Veterans Memorial, I think it was called.

Thanks!

Outstanding... I hope you enjoyed your visit. We generally avoid those areas (Sevier County) as residents of Knox County and solely because of the large amount of tourism there (pre-Covid and current Covid). Yes, the smallish Veterans Memorial is located on one of the backsides of the former 1982 World’s Fair site, close to the historic L&N train station (now a STEM school).

Those that mentioned the World’s Fair might enjoy this (see pic). Closing Day ~ October 31, 1982. One of the two times I ever attended. Age, 11.

Originally Posted by wdc330i

A perfect fleet (except for the missed M5!)

I really wrestled with buying an X3 to balance out the fun car (my M240i convertible—Estoril, because Topaz was not available ) I think the X3 is the perfect size, if you just need some utility but don’t need to haul around a big family’s worth of things/pets on vacation. (I ended up going the budget route with a Mazda CX-5.)

That said, if you already have the F15 in a late model with a decent engine, I can’t really seen swapping it for the X3. One thing you’ll notice is that the X5 is way more luxurious and tank-like than the X3.

Additionally, I see a lot of build quality complaints for the pandemic-era X models. Since you already have a very decent SUV, I’d sit tight and wait for year two of the LCI.

(BTW, I attended the Knoxville World’s Fair in my youth.)

I am certain the M240 vert is a great car. I have driven several M2 Comps (on track) and while it is an incredible car I would not enjoy having one as a daily driver as the ride is to stiff for this old man. I am confident that the M240 is far better suited for daily use and the B58 is an exceptional engine, superior to the N55. My younger brother has a M240 vert as well as a ‘21 X7 M50i. I have not been in either.

I have some local friends that have a CX-5, the last year of the NA engine. They love it, but they are Mazda people so they would probably like it no matter what.

I have had two G01 2020 X3s (30i) via Enterprise for a week. This first one was brand new with 150 miles in the Fall of 2019 and the second one was purchased at the same time as the first one I had, but a year later it had 30,000 plus miles. Unfortunately number two was t-boned at speed while we were in Hilton Head Island, SC this past Oct. No one was injured, the X3 did it’s job and sacrificed itself for us. Damage was $10k and the frame was bent. Anyways... I like the size of the X3 as well as all the new tech that the F15 lacks. While the G05 X5 has all the new tech goodies as well, I simply cannot warm up to the exterior design. I have spent a considerable about of time driving a loaded 2020 X5 M50i, my nearly eighty year old mother’s which I took delivery for her at the Performance Center at the end of Oct 2019. I love everything about that vehicle other than the exterior execution as it makes my F15 M sport with 20” wheels look absolutely amazing.

I hope that the Plant Spartanburg issues have been resolved. I have a close local friend whose brother works at the plant. I will have to ask him what’s going on? Hopefully it does not affect another one of our local friends whom ordered a 2021 X3 M40i (rolled of the line 12.16.20) and is doing PCD in less than two weeks.

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

Nice to see you around!

Do you still have the E30 M3? Yours was the white one at the Performance Center, right?

You too, I hope you are well.

Yes, I still own the ‘88 E30 M3 and BMW still has it. It is currently on display in the Zentrum, it’s third time, the second under my ownership. It has been on display since the reopening of the Zentrum after extensive renovation. At the time of the reopening Elvis’s 507 was on display, fortunately for me my car was near it so I have many photos of the two.

[Alan]

Please post what you find out about the Spartanburg plant and if possible if you find any info out on the Germany plants (No idea if there is more then one or what part of Germany they are in) please post, I am really curious to what is going on.

That is really interesting your car is on display ... can you share some of the details of this. My OCD would drive me crazy knowing people were near my car, shit I don’t even like people going in my garage to look at my cars with the fear they might rub up against one and scratch it.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Alan

Please post what you find out about the Spartanburg plant and if possible if you find any info out on the Germany plants (No idea if there is more then one or what part of Germany they are in) please post, I am really curious to what is going on.

That is really interesting your car is on display ... can you share some of the details of this. My OCD would drive me crazy knowing people were near my car, shit I don’t even like people going in my garage to look at my cars with the fear they might rub up against one and scratch it.

Alan, I am doubtful that I will acquire any insight and in the event I did I probably will be informed to not disclose it. FYI, my mother’s 2020 X5 M50i sat in QC for nearly two weeks in Oct 2019 whereas my friends yet to be delivered 2021 X3 M40i rolled right thru QC. It was deliver to the PC days later. Your car could be in ‘re-work’ which is more than likely what happened to my mother’s X5.

The general public is unable to physically access the vehicle as it is set up on a stage with other vehicles and has a glass partition. There are plenty of security cameras on site as well as a security guard. I am sure if anyone was to be caught where they should not be would result in immediately being escorted off the property. Furthermore, BMW is liable for the car and covers the the vehicle insurance, therefore if anything happens to it then it would fall upon them.

[Alan]

How did bmw even find out about your M3 ... that is pretty amazing they are showing it .. any links to it, i’d love to see it.



Alao thanks for the info but what is ‘re work’ ? I am pretty sure the 5 series is built in Germany but my youngest daughter wants either a X2 or X3 ... I think those are built in NC which is why I am curious.