Quote from: makenzie71 on February 25, 2007, 08:59:04 PM

Quote from: Susuki_Jah on February 25, 2007, 08:54:52 PM
its the emissions BS the cars have to go through.  once I took all that crap off my 91 Sentra SER and put a nice JDM motor in. MPG went up!

You're smoking/drinking, right?  You do know that a vehicle that passes Euro emmissions standards will be deamed fit for human consumption in Cali, right?

The biggest difference in the economies between the two continents is that there's a difference in the actual volume per gallon.  Outside of that, the economy between vehicles there and here is roughly the same.  It's 100% in the person driving and maintaining the car.

I honestly know nothing of Euro Emissions.  what exactly do you mean by the second sentence?
I have never really bought any engines from Europe directly. I only delt with JDM engines which do not have the Emissions systems on them or atleast the older cars did not.

school me

The United States is far far more lenient on emmissions restrictions than either Japan or Europe.

Quote from: makenzie71 on February 25, 2007, 09:15:47 PM
The United States is far far more lenient on emmissions restrictions than either Japan or Europe.

you can purchase a japanies engine from Japan that has no emissions on it. and this isnt somthing where they took them off. this is where they built the engines like that. the sr20de and DET is a good example of this in Japan. like I said I have no Idea about the rest of the countries.  this must have been somthing that japan has done recently. I was buying engines that were produced in the early 90's without these restrictions.   now I have no idea about their exhuast requirements or if they make up for this with the exhuast system.

Oh well I always see higher numbers in my cars than most people but then again I like to keep the RPM;s low

The biggest restrictions came about with the advent of OBDII.  I used to buy 13B's and 1JZ-GTE's and only have to pull EGR valves.  Some of the later model engines, though, you have to run full USDM intakes and wirings etc.  It gets progressively more complicated the further on in years you go.

Quote from: makenzie71 on February 25, 2007, 09:56:57 PM
The biggest restrictions came about with the advent of OBDII.  I used to buy 13B's and 1JZ-GTE's and only have to pull EGR valves.  Some of the later model engines, though, you have to run full USDM intakes and wirings etc.  It gets progressively more complicated the further on in years you go.

that would make since, considering the b13 sentra was a OBDI and then the B14 which was introduced in 95 was OBDII .. they also changed the motor from a hi-port to low port I beleive it was. basically different camshafts which caused the vehicle to perform worse.

ehh i still prefer rwd vehicles, mainly because if your wheels spin on an fwd car you lose steering. on an awd car you lose everything pretty much, awd is nice dont get me wrong, ( ive had a few) (cars with awd that is) i still have had better luck with rwd than anything else, or a vehicle where i can switch the front drive unit off and be rwd only

QuoteIt doesn't matter whether or not they know anything about the cars themselves, their opinions on the car can reflect something about its nature.

not quite true in my opinion. I was a lot manager for a BMW dealership, i dealt with customers all day. Something entirely inconsiquential will send them into a tizzy, they make gross generalizations and assume that one fault with the car (generally CAUSED BY THEM, in my experience) means the whole car is complete crap. Then they go and rant about their frustrations on a website and give the car a bad name. If you've any mechanical knowledge, you'd understand, theres going to be bugs with any car, ESPECIALLY newer models.

Also, you're not wasting money by selling when the extended warranty expires. With a competent and high-ranking salesman (someone with tenure that has better negotiating power with the powers that be) you can end up with very little added expense by trading an older car in for a newer one. We had people come in just before their warranty was going to expire, leave the car in the service drive, walk onto the new lot point, and after a couple hours, be the owner of the new car with the same payments.

And anyone that tells you BMW's aren't reliable either A) never owned one and knows jack-s--t about them or B) didn't follow the maintenance schedule and trashed the car. We had an e30 (89 325) with 700k on it at the dealership, original motor and tranny, NO REBUILD, and still drove like new. If you take car of the car, it lasts forever. But if you take care of any decent car, it will last forever, it's not brand-based. Plus, theres always going to be that monday or friday car that just didn't get built with the same care as all the others...

The e39's are amazing cars, as mak said. Drive like a sports car, great economy, PLENTY of room, reliable. I drive an e28 right now (85 528e) and the thing has plenty of power. Everyone that i let drive in it or take for a "ride" in it is amazed at the balls the car has, i consider it slower because i know what the 535 can do, but even with 25+ mpg (with my foot light, 20+ living in high revs) the car flat out hauls.

I'm telling you, once you own a BMW, you'll never get anything else

I would have to agree with ledfingers, on the fact that reliability isnt brand based. If you look after a car and follow the proper maintencance shedule and generally take care of it then it is going to be fine. The problems arise from the people who buy their cars, drive the bejuzuz out of them doings thousands and thousands of miles and don't stop to take care of them. Yes i know this is because alot of people think its a new car it should be able to cope with it itself and yes alot of the time they will but they will last alot better if they don't  My dad's merc clk230 was just one of those monday to friday cars, it was absolutly amazing to drive, very sporty with plenty of power and gripped the road tight. However it just was doomed from day one, nothing could have predicted it, the alarm would go off, it would constantly be warning you of faults with it which it never had. They sent over a new computer from germany and installed it, it still had problems. In the end they just said, its one of those cars, took it away and delivered a new one which never had a single problem. Look after your cars and they will last, its very rare that cars these days are "unreliable." Plus if your worried about it, get a Kia - 5 year warrenty on all models at the moment, at least in the UK i imagine something similar in the US. By the car you like and treat it good and take the reviews of a few proper car choosing mags and get the general idea of what the experts think, rather than the opinions passed on by friends or over web forums. Just remeber very few people will post how good something is, they will only post when something goes wrong. So your getting a minortiy of people all with bad reviews for a vehicle, when actually the othe hundred odd thousand people with the same car are doing ok.

Onto another point, AWD is a fantastic thing in the snow, and so i FWD. RWD is far better handling wise and for a fun sport car. I agree if you want AWD and have a choice go for a car where you can turn AWD off and run on just RWD. This will be a huge advantage, although im not sure of many cars which have this feature, i can only really think of proper 4x4's mitsubishis and landy's and a few nissans.

Well if you decide to venture off the AWD, I would definitely recommend the car I currently own. I have an 05 Maxima SE 6 SPD. I have been very happy with the car. It's got a ton of legroom in the back seat, huge trunk, and I really love the looks. The performance is just amazing to me- it really hugs the road (SE is sport package with stiffer suspension and wider low-profile tires, SL is softer suspension and more comfortable tires), and the thing has gobs of power. As far as snow- I've driven it on snow and ice a bunch of times, and I've been extremely satisfied.
I got it from the dealership pretty much with no options at a good deal (Just shy of $28K). I don't really like leather, and everything else is what I wanted- down the middle "Mohawk" glass roof, 6 Speed Manual, Bose Sound System. I'm sure if you're into it, you can probably land a nice low-mileage used one for just under $20K.

Quote from: ledfingers on February 26, 2007, 12:17:37 AM
not quite true in my opinion. I was a lot manager for a BMW dealership, i dealt with customers all day. Something entirely inconsiquential will send them into a tizzy, they make gross generalizations and assume that one fault with the car (generally CAUSED BY THEM, in my experience) means the whole car is complete crap. Then they go and rant about their frustrations on a website and give the car a bad name. If you've any mechanical knowledge, you'd understand, theres going to be bugs with any car, ESPECIALLY newer models.

If power windows and power locks notoriously fail, if there are faulty temperature sensors, if the air conditioner goes out, if the car develops a water leak, but is still driveable beause the engine and
tranny are still great, this does NOT make for a reliable vehicle.

Quote from: ledfingers on February 26, 2007, 12:17:37 AM
Also, you're not wasting money by selling when the extended warranty expires. With a competent and high-ranking salesman (someone with tenure that has better negotiating power with the powers that be) you can end up with very little added expense by trading an older car in for a newer one. We had people come in just before their warranty was going to expire, leave the car in the service drive, walk onto the new lot point, and after a couple hours, be the owner of the new car with the same payments.

And personally, I think it's stupid and foolish and a waste of money to keep trading in vehicles. When I buy a car, I intend to keep it.

Quote from: ledfingers on February 26, 2007, 12:17:37 AM
And anyone that tells you BMW's aren't reliable either A) never owned one and knows jack-s--t about them or B) didn't follow the maintenance schedule and trashed the car. We had an e30 (89 325) with 700k on it at the dealership, original motor and tranny, NO REBUILD, and still drove like new. If you take car of the car, it lasts forever. But if you take care of any decent car, it will last forever, it's not brand-based. Plus, theres always going to be that monday or friday car that just didn't get built with the same care as all the others...

Engine and tranny; I keep hearing that, but y'all don't seem to get that just because the engine and transmission are reliable doesn't make the vehicle as a whole reliable. And saying that reliability isn't brand based is a load of crap. We had a Ford F-150 bought brand new that we took meticulous care of. After replacing the power window motors on both doors twice, a complete engine rebuild, a transmission failure, and two a/c failures, we sold the thing. We had a Crown Victoria that was also very well maintained. It had issues with the a/c, suspension, trunk release, power locks, and a few other little things. After getting nailed by an SUV we sold it for scrap. Same thing with the Oldsmobile Cutless we used to own as well. My father bought a Toyota Tacoma to replace his F-150 and has yet to have a single problem. I have a Honda Civic that I abuse (I haven't changed the oil in 7,000+ miles) and it still runs great.

Quote from: CasiUSA on February 26, 2007, 08:00:40 AM
Well if you decide to venture off the AWD, I would definitely recommend the car I currently own. I have an 05 Maxima SE 6 SPD.

Ewwwww, FWD!

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on February 26, 2007, 09:10:26 AM
Ewwwww, FWD!

Torque Steer= Delicious

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on February 26, 2007, 09:10:26 AM
Engine and tranny; I keep hearing that, but y'all don't seem to get that just because the engine and transmission are reliable doesn't make the vehicle as a whole reliable.

I get that.  I fully understand what you're saying.  Here's a list of addressed problems with my car in 190,000 miles, plus costs and sources of the ones I've fixed:

1996 BMW 328i
Onboard Computer (OBC) reads brake light failure due to poor bulb contact.  Light works, but the poor signal trips the warning.
OBC reads ambient air temperature at either -35*c or +50*c (or the farunheit equivelant) due to faulty ambient air temperature sensor.
OBC reads "coolant level low" due to poor signal from coolant level sensor. $25, ebay
Passenger side window regulator eurethane bushings broke.  $11, ebay
HVAC fan motor failed.  $130, ebay
Stock Alpine headunit CD player broke.  $154, best buy, for a real headunit.
Glove box door sags 1/4".
Stock BMW-issued LED glovebox rechargeable flashlight battery died after 12 years of faithful service.  $11, wal-mart, to carry a MagLite in the car.

And the previous car:

1994 325iS
Waterpump failed (OBDI cars were composite).  $145, bavarian auto, to replace with all-metal pump.
Radiator fan failed (another OBDI problem).  $34, ebay, for a Ford SVT Contour fan.
OBC + tailight thing.  $4 for contact grease.
Driver's side door panel loose.  $8 for new clips from BMW.
Stock alpine speakers deteriorated in 2003.  $254 for Harmon Kardon components from BMW.
Guibo disc failed (bushings that sepearate the driveshaft from the dif/tranny).  $54, ebay
AC needed recharged and converted to R134.  Roughly $115 at any shop...never did it.

BMW's do not just have reliable motors and transmissions.  The car, as a whole, is reliable.  The common problems are almost entirely isolated to seemingly random electrical grimlins that have no effect on performance.  The only substantial common problems that I'm aware of are the faulty fans and waterpumps in OBDI cars (1992~1995) and the fact that the 1995 M3 has no rev limiter (makes bent valves more the user's fault for reving the engine to 12,000rpm, though).

And for kicks...

1994 Ford F150 XLT, 154,000 miles
Windshield wiper motor failed.  Free replacement from junkyard.
Waterpump failed because previous owner insisted on using tap water ONLY.  $132, Napa
Airbag light started blinking but no one knows why. $0 haha

obviously you want a japanese car, so get one. in 3 years when the interior is complete crap, you have no warranty, you hate the car and wish it would die permanantly, don't say we didn't warn you. BTW, i'm not talking about keeping BMWs a year and selling them. I'm talking about keeping them until the 100k warranty is up. If you go through 100k miles in a year, reliability is the least of your worries...

A friend of mine has a 1999 Eclipse GSX with 164,00 miles.  Interior is nice and solid.  He's been through a couple engines but you can only throw so much boost at them before the crank walks.  New Mitsubishis also come with 10yr warranties.  And I've yet to come across a 3-series that doesn't have a sagging glove box door.

I had a 99 integra that lasted through 120K without anything more than an oil change, brake pad change and a radiator leak. I confess, I beat the hell out of that car, but the thing was bulletproof- (GSR) 8K Redline, and 5 spd manual. It was not, however, theft-proof
When it was stolen, however, the interior was still awesome- not a single crack in the dash, or seat leather. I was happy overall, and I kind of wish I still had it. 

A few questions for you, Brian...

1.  Are you going to track the car?

2.  Are you going to be driving on unplowed roads during winter snow/ice?

3.  Are you planning on staying around Austin?

4.  How long do you want to keep it?

5.  How important is sporty handling vs. straight-line speed vs. gas mileage vs. practicality/cost?   

By that last option, for example, would you spring for a sport package 328i, with wider, staggered tires?  The trade-off is better handling vs more expensive tires that you have to replace more often...

Hey Mak,

What's your take on the E90 328i?  I'm a little wary of it because of the run-flat tires (especially the lack of all-season RFTs in the 255/40R-17 size on the sport package), and the plethora of "technology", like the lack of a dipstick....

It drives like a dream though.  Way heavier than my dad's old E30, but still fun as hell.

No dipstick?  Gotta be a way to check the oil, though.

The "look" is growing on me, but I certainly wouldn't consider it a good car yet.  They'll have to be on the road for five years without major recalls and complaints before I would consider owning one.  The only reason I'm tempted to them now is the 6spd available in almost all models.

They use a sensor to warn you via the dashboard that the oil is low.  So if the sensor fails...

There are several things like that, such as the push-button start, the run-flat tires, etc.  Frankly, there are some things I'd rather not fail, even at the expense of day-to-day convenience. 

But oh, that drivetrain and chassis...  I completely understand why people rave about them.

I don't mind push-button starting and runflats are too heavy so I'd change them anyway.  That dipstick thing bugs me, though.