Not really a 911 question, but....

[SiberianDVM]

since I spend most of my Pelican time in this forum, I'll start here.

My 2008 BMW 335xi Coupe has pissed me off for the 10th and last time (needs a new battery, which only the dealer can install, to the tune of $400), so I am thinking seriously of trading it. In the last 2 years, I have spent almost $10k in repairs to this car, and I'm starting to not like it anymore.

This is my backup car and really needs to be AWD, so I am looking at used Cayennes (2006 and newer) and used Carrera 4S (2005 and newer). The Cayenne S can be had for $29k to $35k and the Carreras are around $40K.

The gas milage on the Cayennes sucks as can be expected, but they are supposed to drive like a big sports car, and used they are cheaper than many new cars. The bad thing is, we have NO Porsche dealer here in Augusta, so even though I would do most routine stuff myself, for some things I would have to go to Greenville or Columbia or Charleston or Hilton Head, unless the local VW place could do it.

Am I thinking poorly, just because I'm irritated? Am I trading one headache for another?

[Nickshu]

Audi Q7 is what I am currently lusting after to replace the Subaru (aka "the Japanese Audi").

The 3.0 TDI engine on the Q7 is rated at 19/28MPG, which for such a big car is pretty good.

I like the Q5 too, a little smaller (closer in size to your BMW and Acura), but not available w/ a TDI engine so gas mileage probably closer to the Cayenne. I think they now have a hybrid version on the Q5.

I guess I just kind of "resist" an SUV made by Porsche, the idea has never really sat well with me.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

Am I thinking poorly, just because I'm irritated?

The two usually go hand in hand. :-)

Don't do it. Economic suicide. Also, convince us you need AWD in Georgia.

$10k of repairs at the dealer is $6k of repairs at an independent shop and $3k for the DIY guy. However, that is for the old 911's not the new smart cars that send a lot of us old wrenches to the fossil heap.

Just blowing some unjustified numbers out there but did you ask the dealer why they have to (install battery)? Although, I did some quick google searches and the cars computers can sniff out why the battery died so maybe they need to do some software thing to get the battery into the info pipeline

Also, this is you backup car - it can sit for long periods killing the battery quicker that if used daily.

Suck it up and get a battery tender.

[ToddM]

Audi A4 Quattro 2.0 Turbo 6 speed manual with titanium package... fun car, SD slot in the dash, most comfortable hold you in seats I've experiences. Stay off the turbo and get 36MPG on the freeway. Get on the quick to spin turbo for some fun. I'll never own a BWM ever again after my M3 grenaded and my wife's 330 window fell in the door.

[ToddM]

Picture of one, mine is white.

[Hnichols]

I think it's naive to think that a Porsche will be less expensive to maintain than a BMW. And a Porsche SUV is an abomination ...

If you want a reliable 4WD vehicle, I'd get something Japanese (Subaru or Toyota) or a Jeep.

[hcoles]

As an owner of BMW's semi recent and much past, I feel I'm qualified to pile on. Suggestion, rent a crane and get the car 100ft in the air, invite news media and drop it. Then explain on camera regarding the mechanical time bomb attributes of your car, how you are treated at the dealer and the total cost of ownership. This is not likely to change BMW's design philosophy or the way they do business but will make you feel better. My feeling is the auto industry has moved past the idea that you can buy and own for a reasonable length of time (15-20 years minimum) with an ongoing repair cost that makes sense. The DIY'ers are slowly getting pushed out. We have one remaining BMW in the family, of course the cooling system has been completely replaced, window regulators replaced, Vanos is on the fritz, and on pins and needles waiting for the rear sub-frame to rip out of the sheet metal. Many years ago I bought a new 2002, probably one of the best cars I've owned (200k+ miles) but still it had weak spots that should not have been. If people continue to buy techno barges (that can only be tolerated while under warranty), they will keep designing and selling them. I guess there is a conclusion in here some where, in any case I feel better and will continue to drive my 89 3.2.

[coldstart]

How reliable has you 2006 RSX been? I have had one since July 2001 and it has been a fantastic car-- fun, sporty, economical and extremely reliable. Mine has 175K miles and is still running strong. The only issue was rust and I recently had that taken care of for at least a few years.

I am considering replacing the RSX with a BMW 335xi as I need FWD or AWD in Canada. If you decide on replacing the 335xi, I would be interested in buying it.

[SiberianDVM]

Originally Posted by coldstart

How reliable has you 2006 RSX been? I have had one since July 2001 and it has been a fantastic car-- fun, sporty, economical and extremely reliable. Mine has 175K miles and is still running strong. The only issue was rust and I recently had that taken care of for at least a few years.

I am considering replacing the RSX with a BMW 335xi as I need FWD or AWD in Canada. If you decide on replacing the 335xi, I would be interested in buying it.

The RSX has been a champ: 105k miles and the only thing other than tires and oil, is 2 headlamps.

Seriously, the BMW is for sale or trade, but I'm a long way from Canada. PM if you want more info.

[SiberianDVM]

So I'm not the only one with bad BMW experiences, interesting. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions, even the slightly insulting ones, keep them coming, please.

First off: snow in GA. It's rare but it does happen. Two years ago, we had 3 snowfalls that winter, one was almost 6" deep. My job does not take "I can't get there." as an excuse. So I drove my 2001 Montero Sport X/S (wish I still had it) to work and back that day, 50 miles each way. I had to stop over 20 times to clean the ice off the wiper blades so I could see the road, but I never lost traction. I don't think the RSX could have gone through that mess and stayed on the road. Maybe. So I would realy like a AWD back-up car.

When I bought the BMW, I was playing a lot of tournament golf on the weekends. I needed something big enough to hold a couple of golf bags, a couple of people, fast, fun to drive, and function as my AWD back-up. Now that I have discovered the joy of DEs in my 911, tournament golf has probably gone bye-bye.

GF has a nice V6 Accord we can use for vacations; she also has a nice GMC Sierra that functions as a trailer hauler.

Any car I buy at my advanced age has to make me smile when I get in it and crank it up. The BMW did this until it started pissing me off with mostly electronic failures.

A Cayenne could function as a backup AWD get to work car, and a back up hauler, and a backup vacation car. A Carrera 4S could do all of that with the exception of trailer hauling. I know any newer Porsche will not be any cheaper than a BMW for repairs, I'm just hoping it will not have the "what's wrong with it today" factor of the BMW.

I have looked at Acuras, Audis, Mercedes, Subarus, Jeeps, as well. None of them gives me any kind of warm feeling like the Porsches do.

[Dave Colangelo]

For the past 6 years I have been DD'ing wither a 924S or 944 in the winter in NY. Its not great in the snow but it works and it has always gotten me where I need to be. If you want to have some fun a nice 944 can be had for 6K these days. I also have a 78 911SC Targa which saw some winter use last year but it was a very temperate winter. I have never had an issue with any of these cars in the cold or the snow. Unless you need 4WD for towing stuff I would not rule out a decent 2WD car. Personally if I could have any any DD it would be an 89 G50 Carrera in Alpine White with either a tan interior or a black interior. The 4S and the cayenne have very different storage space, what will you be using the car for.

Regards
Dave

[SiberianDVM]

Originally Posted by Dave Colangelo

The 4S and the cayenne have very different storage space, what will you be using the car for.

Regards
Dave

Back-up go-to-work car, drive on vacation, throw the golf clubs and a suitcase (or 5 for the GF) in the back, that kind of thing. I'd just get a Cayman S, but then the GF would have to stay home. Hmmmmm........

No. 1: It's got to have a world class air conditioner. Which rules out my Targa.

No. 2: Comfortable seats.

No. 3: a good sound system. The is the one thing the BMW had: the Logic 7 sound sytem was the best I ever heard in a factory system.

N0.4: It's got to make me happy enough to enjoy writing the check every month.

[ToddM]

I wouldn't buy ANY BMW newer than 1989. Like most manufacturers (cough) they build a brand and an image then they proceed to bean count it into the ground to the unknowing buyer.

Not that this is absolute but it's a general law I notice: The brands that were bad 20 years ago are good NOW. The brands that were good 20 years ago are **** now.

[wasserkuhl]

Subaru Diesel Legacy/Outback(if you have them there)

Failing that get a Toyota Diesel pickup.

[fitchesbass]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

since I spend most of my Pelican time in this forum, I'll start here.

My 2008 BMW 335xi Coupe has pissed me off for the 10th and last time (needs a new battery, which only the dealer can install, to the tune of $400), so I am thinking seriously of trading it. In the last 2 years, I have spent almost $10k in repairs to this car, and I'm starting to not like it anymore.

This is my backup car and really needs to be AWD, so I am looking at used Cayennes (2006 and newer) and used Carrera 4S (2005 and newer). The Cayenne S can be had for $29k to $35k and the Carreras are around $40K.

The gas milage on the Cayennes sucks as can be expected, but they are supposed to drive like a big sports car, and used they are cheaper than many new cars. The bad thing is, we have NO Porsche dealer here in Augusta, so even though I would do most routine stuff myself, for some things I would have to go to Greenville or Columbia or Charleston or Hilton Head, unless the local VW place could do it.

Am I thinking poorly, just because I'm irritated? Am I trading one headache for another?

10k in repairs? Is that serious or an exaggeration? I'm just curious... that sounds really bad given the car should be covered under factory maintenance and warranty programs for 4 years / 50k miles.

My 2007 BMW M coupe just went off the maintenance program and warranty last year. I barely paid a dime until recently when I had to start doing my own DIY maintenance; and I expected this car to be a repair / problem nightmare given the fairly limited production (~1,800 coupes in the US) - knock on wood. Surprised to hear a 335i would have that many problems given its a flagship BMW.

No offense... I love Pcars... but being worried about cost of maintenance/repairs and then talking about getting a 997 seems like an oxymoron. Just sayin'.

Sorry the 335i isn't working out though. My buddy has a 2010 (had it since new) and its been without any issues aside from regular maintenance (which is covered by BMW anyway).

Good luck with whatever you decided. Your current range of vehicle choices is pretty broad. You should go test drive some and figure out what you like vice what a bunch of folks on a forum prefer.

[fitchesbass]

Originally Posted by ToddM

I wouldn't buy ANY BMW newer than 1989. Like most manufacturers (cough) they build a brand and an image then they proceed to bean count it into the ground to the unknowing buyer.

Not that this is absolute but it's a general law I notice: The brands that were bad 20 years ago are good NOW. The brands that were good 20 years ago are **** now.

BMW makes a pretty good car. I am not always a fan of the direction they're heading, but I'm guessing you haven't driven a BMW recently (?). That said, (and I might be biased) but I do think the Z4M Coupes that they made in 06-08 were some of the last true BMW sports cars; no major comfort frills to distract and add weight, good power and direct handling. I'd still like to drive a 1 series M coupe that they put out the last year or so - that thing sounds fun too.

But really - how many diehard porsche enthusiasts liked when porsche started making the Cayenne or more recently the Panamera? No matter what... car companies are always bean counting and looking to maximize profits... From Porsche to BMW to Ford to Kia. They're not in the business (unfortunately) to please some handful of car dudes on Pelican.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by fitchesbass

From Porsche to BMW to Ford to Kia. They're not in the business (unfortunately) to please some handful of car dudes on Pelican.

+1

Die-hard batches that we are - we count for nuttin'.

[SiberianDVM]

Unfortunately, the $10k is not exagerated. BMW did cover the HPFP failure under warranty, and 2 of the DTML pump failures. After the warranty was expired, they discoved, during a routine but expensive brake job and tire replacement, that the front end would not align to specs. BMW said that the front suspension was "bent" and that both struts and associated components needed to be replaced. That alone was over $5.

Add a couple more DTML pump failures and a few odds and ends, and to misquote a famous politician "now you're talking real money".

I'm really trying to get suggestions for vehicles I may not have thought of.

[wasserkuhl]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

Unfortunately, the $10k is not exagerated. BMW did cover the HPFP failure under warranty, and 2 of the DTML pump failures. After the warranty was expired, they discoved, during a routine but expensive brake job and tire replacement, that the front end would not align to specs. BMW said that the front suspension was "bent" and that both struts and associated components needed to be replaced. That alone was over $5.

Add a couple more DTML pump failures and a few odds and ends, and to misquote a famous politician "now you're talking real money".

I'm really trying to get suggestions for vehicles I may not have thought of.

Like I said, if you want a back up vehicle get a Subaru or Toyota (dependant on the reason why you want an AWD)

In my experience these cars have been the most reliable as everyday drivers.

A Twin Cab Toyota Diesel Pickup 4WD is the perfect second vehicle as its reliable, good on fuel, Multi purpose and most of all, affordable and extremely easy to work on and source parts........

The same can be said for Subaru Products, perhaps not the most recent ones as I have no experience with them.

My Old 1992 Subaru Liberty(legacy) Turbo Wagon sits around for 3 years sometimes and when I need to use it (eg: lost a company car etc..) I just change the oil and water and fire her up. Goes for another 5000 km's until I mothball her again. Another reliable, easy to work on (and very fast all weather) vehicle.

Most German Marques made between 1970 and 1999 were and still are over engineered, reliable and what their brands were built on. In particular Mercedes, BMW and Porsche between 1987-1995.

Then they got Kaizen............and started to actually make some cash by watering down their product and selling more of them, cheaper faster , quicker.

Less reliable and not as 'special'.

I am one of those people who conduct personal surveys on Cars Brands. At the Fuel station, in the street etc... "Hows this thing working out for you? any problems......"

Toyota and Subaru always have the answers "Great, no problems at all, costs s abit to service but it hasn't let me/us down...."

Range Rover, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Honda,Audi and to some extent VW owners have some horrid stories to tell about failures and after sales service........

my 2 cents.

[dafischer]

Check out a Volvo S60R awd, made from 04 - 07. 300 HP turbo 2.5L 5 cyl., and can be had with a 6 spd manual. Goes like hell, averages about 20 mpg, handles well, comfortable on the long haul, and well appointed on the inside. Nice ones can be had in the 15K range and less.
I just picked up an 04 as a new DD, and after 1,300 miles I'm impressed.