Ferrari Mailing List: Re: German Cars

[TheMightyToe (themightytoe]

No idea bout the Hukka's and Hakka's Jim is talking about (I think he 
may have watched the muppets one too many times)...

I ran Blizzak's on my M3 for two Chicago winters and would not trade 
them for anything, fantastic on a BMW in the snow and a set of 
wheels/tires is likely less costly than getting the XI option on a BMW.  
Which would also ruin the drive of a BMW, they are supposed to be RWD 
sedans.  Want a decent AWD get an Audi or a Subaru.

I got rid of the M3 and went for a VW GTI, which I consider a far more 
disposable car, its a great car, don't get me wrong, but if some bozo 
from Houston runs through an intersection because of snow or a phone 
call and tags me, I won't cry over the car too much.  Wonder how it 
would do with some Hekka's?

Mike


Jim Conforti wrote:
> 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.
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