BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-07-2008, 10:51 AM   #1
Garris
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: 2001 330I, Topaz Blue
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Providence, RI, USA

iTrader: (0)

Winter Beater Recs...

Hi everyone,

I'm putting this post in the "Maintenance" section since I'm absolutely convinced that our harsh New England Winters and even harsher pot-holed New England roads have taken the biggest mechanical tolls on my soon to be traded-in '01 330I.

When looking to get a 135, I'm seriously wondering if I should buy a winter beater to keep the little coupe in tip-top shape.

Any super cheap, reliable recs for the following?

- 4 doors
- Preferably wagon or small vanlet, something with utility
- High quality, low repair costs
- FWD manditory, AWD desirable but not essential. Should be good in snow with all seasons and certainly Winter tires...

Something like a Suzuki SX4 would be perfect, but it's too new and expensive. A Suzuki Aerio Wagon would also do the trick (I'm thinking Suzuki due to poor depreciation and long warranties). Maybe an old AWD Mazda MPV?

Other suggestions?
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 11:07 AM   #2
Tom K.
Major General
Tom K.'s Avatar
United_States
124
Rep
5,627
Posts

Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

Unless you are getting a very good trade-in price for your 330i, have you considered keeping it as a second car? I've been lucky enough to have a '99 328i to use as a daily driver (winter tires mounted Dec. thru March) so my fun car (Z3, then Z4 now a 128i 'vert) stays in the garage in bad weather.

I would guess that the 330i would only bring $9~10k as a trade and on the principle of "better the devil I know", might work out better for you than spending $5k on a beater.

Tom K.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 11:11 AM   #3
Garris
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: 2001 330I, Topaz Blue
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Providence, RI, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom K. View Post
I would guess that the 330i would only bring $9~10k as a trade and on the principle of "better the devil I know", might work out better for you than spending $5k on a beater.
That's actually kind of the issue here... My 330I has been a bit of a lemon (I don't blame the entire brand, as I know people with near identical models who haven't had a hiccup).

Keeping the 330I was my initial plan but the repair hits on the car have been too frequent of late (Q3mo) and too costly (multiple $K's) despite obsessive care.

I have to go in a different direction for my wallet...
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 11:29 AM   #4
PA135i
Brigadier General
PA135i's Avatar
United_States
967
Rep
3,323
Posts

Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9916

Try this car on for size. It has me considering a purchase.

I have always been of the mind that it does not pay to:

1. Maintain two cars
2. pay insurance for two cars
3. pay registation for two cars
4. get two cars inspected
5. Why buy a great car and not drive it all the time?

But, the Buick they discuss in the above post has me thinking twice.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 12:25 PM   #5
Spook
Bring Bail Money
12
Rep
492
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Jan 2008

iTrader: (0)

If you run actual numbers on the cost to keep 2 cars versus how much you'll save by not running up miles on your 1 series, what you find is you need to run the beater and sell the 1 series. (but wait.. damn)

Actually, I bought the cold weather package and I'm certainly going to get some use out of it.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 12:48 PM   #6
Brandon26pdx
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
28
Rep
1,938
Posts

Drives: 2011 135i
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (1)

Check out an old Toyota Camry All-trac. Those were great.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 01:06 PM   #7
nordique14
Major
No_Country
53
Rep
1,477
Posts

Drives: SGM 135i 'vert
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sharks Territory

iTrader: (5)

any old Subaru wagon would fit the bill perfectly. Any late 90s Impreza should sell for pretty cheap. If you want a newer model look at the 2005-06 Saab 9-2x. It is the same thing in a nicer package and cheaper price.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 03:27 PM   #8
canlefty
Private First Class
Canada
19
Rep
134
Posts

Drives: 2015 F82 M4 MW/SO
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Calgary

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kja325ci View Post
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9916

Try this car on for size. It has me considering a purchase.

I have always been of the mind that it does not pay to:

1. Maintain two cars
-----Lower Usage = Lower Maitenance
2. pay insurance for two cars
-----Vehicle not in use gets deactivated = low insurance
3. pay registation for two cars
-----I think I can spare the extra $78 / yr
4. get two cars inspected
-----No inspections here
5. Why buy a great car and not drive it all the time?
-----Why buy a great car and drive it in snow that is deeper than the lip?? I'm keeping my jeep for the deep stuff, probably get winters on the 135i for more reasonable winter days...

But, the Buick they discuss in the above post has me thinking twice.
.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 04:49 PM   #9
Artmasterx
Captain
Artmasterx's Avatar
46
Rep
884
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW 335i
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: MA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2006 Volvo V70R  [10.00]
2007 BMW 335i  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by nordique14 View Post
any old Subaru wagon would fit the bill perfectly. Any late 90s Impreza should sell for pretty cheap. If you want a newer model look at the 2005-06 Saab 9-2x. It is the same thing in a nicer package and cheaper price.
That's what I was thinking. As long as you don't go with a turbo'ed version, the little 4-cylinder engines should be quite reliable (I think).
__________________
Current: 2007 335i sedan
Alpine White | Sports | Premium | Cold | Comfort Access

FORMERLY: 128i coupe
Alpine White | Sports Package | Black Leather
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 06:07 PM   #10
PA135i
Brigadier General
PA135i's Avatar
United_States
967
Rep
3,323
Posts

Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

1. Maintain two cars
-----Lower Usage = Lower Maitenance
>>>> this maybe a wash.
2. pay insurance for two cars
-----Vehicle not in use gets deactivated = low insurance
>>>>> No deactivation in the USA
3. pay registation for two cars
-----I think I can spare the extra $78 / yr
>>>>> I'm glad you can pay the $78, I was just adding to the list.
4. get two cars inspected
-----No inspections here
>>>>> We have inspections here
5. Why buy a great car and not drive it all the time?
-----Why buy a great car and drive it in snow that is deeper than the lip?? I'm keeping my jeep for the deep stuff, probably get winters on the 135i for more reasonable winter days...
>>>>> I live near Philadelphia. Not more the a weeks worth of problem driving for the entire Winter season. If I;m spending $40K for a car why not drive it everyday. With the proper tires it will go through most Winter conditions. And if its too deep, nobody is on the road anyway.

You make some valid points but most are country specific.
Appreciate 0
      07-07-2008, 06:50 PM   #11
1Ronnie
Ronnie
1Ronnie's Avatar
Canada
15
Rep
556
Posts

Drives: '08 Sedona 128i
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC

iTrader: (0)

Not that I would ever be allowed to own two cars :wink: but I would be asking about how many months you're going to have to use the Beater. If it's two or three months, and the beater is comfortable and safe enough, go for it, much longer then I would be missing my 1er too much.
__________________
"Lucy"
128i / Sedona Red / Coral Red / Premium Package / Premium Sound
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2008, 11:06 AM   #12
Kokanator135
Second Lieutenant
Kokanator135's Avatar
United_States
21
Rep
208
Posts

Drives: seeking m240i
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Edgewater, MD

iTrader: (0)

I have some of the same questions about whether the beater is worth doing, with the added bonus of a lease excess mileage calculation. I'm allowed 12,000mi/yr, but I've only had the car for about 6 and a half weeks, with 2600mi on the odo already. (don't want to hear the lectures on buying vs. leasing - wasn't anticipating putting this many miles on the car, guess I'm just excited to drive).

Would getting the beater vs. just setting up the one for the winter (snow tires and set of winter rims) make sense. Another thing to throw into the mix - I might consider buying out my lease at the end of 3 yrs. Better to go ahead and put on the miles and save $$ on excess mileage and also buying the car out, but being at close to the warranty end, with the anticipated rise in maintainence costs, or to get the beater, and buy out a low mileage one with less mileage on a turbo? (BTW - the reliability issue for the turbos is the reason I leased in the 1st place)
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2008, 11:30 AM   #13
PA135i
Brigadier General
PA135i's Avatar
United_States
967
Rep
3,323
Posts

Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Pennsylvania

iTrader: (0)

I made this decision 6 years ago when I took delivery of my new 325 coupe. I bought a set of Winter rims, tires, Winter mats and BMW wheel covers. Total cost was $1100 delivered. 6 years later and I could still get another Winter out of my snows on those rims and my car still looks great.
Appreciate 0
      07-09-2008, 12:15 PM   #14
EmeraldRx
Private First Class
10
Rep
165
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: May 2008

iTrader: (0)

I bought a 1989 Full Size Bronco Eddie Bauer for $900 5 years ago, costs me 500/yr insurance, is GREAT for working on the house, and goes thru ANYTHING. I know its a gas sucker, but I never drive it only in bad weather and doing dirty jobs. No more than a couple of repairs not much to talk about and starts everytime I need her. Every year I say I'm getting a plow for her, but I never do, but could make $$ with it if I was more aggresive.
__________________
135 Convertible 6MT Cashmere Silver/Terra Interior/Black Top/All Options(except Active Steering and HD radio)[/COLOR][/FONT]

1987 Corvette Convertible-29k mi
1989 Bronco Eddie Bauer
2008 Nissan Armada (wifes)
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:40 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST