[Rick V]

I don't see a good future for the cars. I bought mine as a project. The PO money shifted it. I re-built the head and have a good daily driver. It sees action about 3 days a week. I have pulled every trick out of my hat that I have to make this thing move and I have given up. I have resigned myself to the fact that it is a pig. A chip isn't going to help much since it only inhances the strong points of the car.They are simply cruisers.I knew that before I got into it. (I am a wrench, who specializes in Euro cars)
I will break it down like this. My BMW has a 30% smaller engine, weighs 800lbs more and has 100k more on the clock and it will flat out kill my 44, and it is an "s"
On the other side of the coin, the car is quiet, smooth, comfortable, and gets decent milage. They are fun to drive and after a long day standing on concrete, it is a nice relaxing way to get home.
As for the maintanance, they arn't that bad. My MB got a simple tune up and I was floored when I was handed the parts bill. Almost $200 for 12 plugs, 2 airfilters, 1 pollen filter and 1 fuel filter................ouch! That didn't include the oilchange. A 44 is a bargin to keep running.
I guess from my standpoint I see the vast majority of 44's falling into the hands of people who just want a "porsh" and will buy them because of the entry level price.
I like the car, and I will finish fixing it up, and have a nice driver. I will be happy with that. When I wanna raise a little hell, I will simply drive something else.