Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Ferrari Digest, Vol 1, Issue 8

[LtWacko (LtWacko]

Like many others on the list, I am also a BMW CCA member.  Funny how  
everyone still praises the E38.  Even though I currently drive one, several  of 
us 
that have tracked our cars find it the worst feeling in handling car  that BMW 
has ever made.  Although very capable and still better than the  competition, 
the E38 just doesn't do it for us.  One of the guy went so far  with full 
suspension changes from camber, caster, springs, shocks, bushings,  alignment 
specs, etc, and he still couldn't find the sweet spot.  I am  still trying to 
dial 
tire pressures!  The E32 was a way better  car to track (then you have to ask 
what set of idiots track  7-series...).
 
That being said, a few of the guys picked up some American Iron.   Charger 
SRT-8, 300C SRT-8 and a CTS-V.  There is nothing like brute  horsepower then 
you 
add a capable chassis.  Please note, the lessor hemi  5.7 disappointed above 
80 MPH.  The E38 will walk them all day long and I  think the E38 V-8 is 
already slow (I came from an E-32 V-12 and regret the  V-8).  The SRT's are 
fast 
off the line, then when you get into the  cam...  BLAST OFF!!!  Only if someone 
would make some brake pads  already to handle extended track duty!!!!  The 
CTS-V is almost as awesome  but definitely more impressive than any E-38.  All 
three are superior  overall to the BMW.  Maintain all three like your BMW and 
you will have no  more problems than it.
 
You mention gas mileage as a concern.  If it is truly a concern, turn  
completely away and get something that gets 30 MPG or better.  If you only  get 
5 
MPG better by choosing something with less HP, you will kick yourself  from 
here 
to kingdom come.  Your commute is only 50 miles roundtrip.   Is saving $2 a 
day worth the lack of pleasure on a DAILY grind?  When I  finally had to get 
rid of the E32 750, I thought the E38, extra gear in the  trans, more modern 
technology (double vanos), 4 less cylinders and better gas  MPG would still be 
comparable.  WRONG.  I got only 3 MPG better.   Mostly due to the fact I had to 
push the car harder to get the same satisfaction  level of the V-12.  I drive 
about 100 miles a day
 
I looked at other European marks.  Their repair histories are worse  than BMW 
in the same category (large sedans).  Too many horror stories from  the local 
Audi chapter of $10K plus driveline repairs.  Believe it or not,  the 7 was a 
"budget" choice for me.
 
Take a look at the Bangle 745 second year on again.  Looks great from  the 
inside out...  LOL.  With the active steering, you will be chewing  up 
Miatas... 
okay, maybe.
 
You could always bring your car to the local tech school body shop and get  a 
quality repair on the cheap and drive it until it dies.  The SRT's  should be 
more available on the used market by then.
 
Rodney
 
In a message dated 8/24/2006 11:36:33 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
ferrari-request [at] ferrarilist.com writes:

So...  Sigh.  Need some input from the boys (and girls) on  this one.

My "daily driver" for the last, oh, 6 years or so has been an  E38 BMW 740iL,
1995.  I've gotten it up to 163k miles, mostly  reliable.  The usual E38
problems, all addressed.  Runs great,  but its time is drawing near,
especially as someone (not moi) managed to  rear end a truck yesterday with
it.  Cosmetic damage, but probably  $1500 worth.  Dang, too bad, as I
loooooooove(d) this car.  So,  what do I do?

1.  Fix it and keep driving it until it blows  up.

2.  Dump it for whatever it'll fetch (any ideas?), and buy one  of the
following.  For a "daily driver", I would like a "biggish"  sedan, as I'd
much prefer to go on trips in it with my two young daughters  and all their
stuff in a sedan (or wagon) than the big SUV or the  minivan.



2A.  1999-2001 E38 BMW 740i SPORT.  Asking  prices seem to range between
$10k-$24k, with mileage between 75k-133k  miles.  Upside - I love the 740i
sport.  I'd make sure that all  of the known problem areas are addressed, or
else take a reserve for  it.  Downside is that these are getting a bit old,
and miles are  getting higher.

2B.  E39 M5.  Between $23k-$40k, mileage all  over.  Upside - hey, it's an
M5!  Downside - wow, potential  maintenance and repair costs are scary.  I've
already spent way too  much on those friggin' Eyetaliano beasts, so really
not interested in  adding another delicate beast to the fleet.

2C.  Brand new Dodge  Magnum R/T.  $28k-ish.  Upside - hey, 340 hp Hemi!
Possibly the  Charger instead, but why not get the added utility of a wagon
too?   (no, not the 350 hp Charger Daytona package, a little too garish for
my  taste, methinks).  Decent fuel economy.  Fair bit of interior room  (not
quite 740iL, but close to 740i I think), lots of room in the back,  great
performance, new car warranty.  Downside - not much, aside from  the cost
and, well, it's a Dodge.  How dependable is it?   Depreciation is gonna hurt?

2D.  Brand new Dodge Magnum  SRT-8.  $35k-ish.  Upside - hey, 425 hp Hemi!
REAL  performance.  Warranty, room, looks pretty cool too.  Downside -  fairly
horrendous fuel economy (no variable displacement in SRT version, so  big
mileage hit, grrr).  And what will probably be a deal killer for  me:  the
$2100 gas guzzler tax.   YOWWWWWWWWWWWZA!!!!!!!

2E.  Brand new Toyota Avalon.   $27k-ish.  Upside - relatively fast, fairly
luxurious, and will run  200k miles with nothing but oil changes.  Bullet
proof.  Downside  - FWD, and, well, it's a Toyota sedan.  If only they (or
Honda) made a  RWD equivalent, like a competitor to the Charger/300C/Magnum,
and I'd be  the first in line.



3.  Get rid of the Bimmer, and just use  the wife's 996 as a daily driver.
No room for kids, but way cool  ride.  Could put snow tires on the spare set
of rims (currently  running slicks for track outings), and take out PFC-97
race pads and  install OEM pads.  Kinda shame to put the mileage on it (only
43k  miles right now), but the thing has been BULLETPROOF to date, and also  a
shame to just let it sit in the garage.  Upside - no money outta  pocket,
baby!



4.  Anyone have another good  suggestion?  I've never been attracted to
Mercedes-Benz.  The  Bangle-ized 745/750 is wwwwaaayyy ugly.  Blech.  The
Audi A8 is  pretty sweet, but I like RWD, and it's too pricey for my needs.
The  Infiniti M45 sounds about right, but too expensive for my purposes  right
now too (why oh why doesn't Nissan have a version of the M45?   Or make the
Maxima in RWD??).  Had an E39 BMW 528iT wagon, and  loooooved it, but just
too small for this purpose (hence another strike  against the M5, and why the
Infiniti G35 isn't on the list).  The  older I get, the less I care about
"prestige", and the more I like "no  hassle".  Though I still like to drive
vehicles I enjoy (hence, no  Lexus LS on the list).

Anyway, that's where I stand.  Any thoughts  would be appreciated!