Ferrari Mailing List: Re: German Cars

[Jim Conforti (lndshrk]

Michael James wrote:
> I was hoping of getting-into a German car in the next month or two - I 
> actually like the MB C280 4Matic or a 5-speed manual 3-Series BMW.  I think 
> either car would be practical and a good 'snow-car' with Blizzacks on the 
> rims.  I'm not looking to 'make statements' per se, or drive a land-yaht (I 
> don't know any fat people who need seat-space defined in cubic yards) - I 
> just want a 4-door car that is well-built, great in the snow, some Cache', 
> some modern/modest luxury, and can run for 100K miles trouble-free.  I'm 
> finding LOTS of C280s and 3-Series BMWs with sub-30K miles for around $20K, 
> cars that would appear to be leased vehicles that were gently-used.  
>  

  OK, now IIRC you're in New England - Mass?

  First - being a MA/RI'er myself from days past - get yourself a good set
  of Nokian Hukka's and don't look back (Hakkapellitas are the stuff!)

  Preferably STUD the damn things.  Yes, it's noisy and a rough ride, but when
  the idiots around you on Blizzaks and "No-Season" Radials are spinning into
  the concrete barriers - you'll just be moving along safely.

  (Like yesterday here in Utah!)

  As to a BMW as a "Winter Car".

  Well, I don't know you're driving style... if you are comfortable with a
  rear-drive car in the winter - sure.  Or you can go for a 4wd BMW sedan.

  An "IX" or "XI" in BMW-speak.

  Don't kid yourself though - BMW's are hellishly expensive to own out of
  warranty *IF* you actually do the needed maintenance.  M cars are rather
  close to the expense of a Ferrari.  (Subtracting a bit of the dealer "rape"
  that some F owners seem to get).

  The reason most people don't think they are expensive is that most owners
  and most dealers don't perform (or bill) ALL of the maintenance needed.

  If you go back to the boxy old E30 (88-91) M3 - you'll find that nearly all
  of those cars never had their valves adjusted - because most dealers had
  neither the tools, nor the collection of valve shim pucks in stock to do so.

  The E46 M3 (01-06) is similar - in that it has an involved valve adjustment
  and to do it "in one visit" requires that either you or the dealer have a
  proper stock of the shims - I've not found one yet who has "all" the needed
  shims in stock.

  Lower-end BMW's still have Uncle Ken's described "veggie plastic radiator"
  from BEHR.  Note that BEHR is a four letter word ;)

  Jim

  PS: In my opinion - considering insurance costs in New England/etc - no BMW
      makes a good winter car.  Me, I drive a Jeep Wrangler w/ studded snows.