Stopped at my BMW dealer yesterday. They have a 4-series and several 3 GTs

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2013 at 09:46 • Filed to: None

The low coolant light came on my 135is so I popped into the service dept at the dealer to see if this was anything to worry about. Apparently not, just needed a top-off.

They had a 4 coupe and several 3 GTs out front. The 4 is actually a pretty good looking car. The 3 GT isn't terrible either. A little too wannabe-crossover-ish in front but none of them were the M sport trim which I think should help things.

That is all...

DISCUSSION (13)

Volvosaurus-Rex > Textured Soy Protein
10/16/2013 at 09:55

I bought a shift knob for my E30 from a 19-yo kid the other day, he was driving a 135i...then I just got real sad that my parents aren't overflowing with money.

The 1 series is the car I would have if I could afford to have a luxury-priced toy.

Chteelers > Textured Soy Protein
10/16/2013 at 10:07

Coolant light? Please tell me you used this as an excuse to go see the new BMWs and not that you didn't consider adding your own coolant first.

BKRM3 > Volvosaurus-Rex
10/16/2013 at 10:08

They're 20 grand. Last time I checked that's 9 less than a new (or even slightly used) BRZ. To borrow a phrase I learned recently, these things depreciate like organic fruit. 09 with 38k miles, 6MT: Autotrader - 135i

Volvosaurus-Rex > BKRM3
10/16/2013 at 10:11

I also could not afford a BRZ as a toy. Neither could I afford a 20k car when I was 19.

Montalvo > Chteelers
10/16/2013 at 10:29

Do you own or lease a new BMW? To be honest can anyone add more coolant, BUT who would turn down an opportunity to drool over some of the new stock? Plus Rallye BMW where my family goes is awesome and usually toss in a bunch of things for free. Yes it costs more but you get to chill in an awesome building with cool cars and talk with some of the other owners who you can tell buy it for the performance and not the name. They also host car shows every once in a while with every kind of bimmer candy you can imagine.

Chteelers > Montalvo
10/16/2013 at 10:55

OK good. At least you had ulterior motives.

BKRM3 > Volvosaurus-Rex
10/16/2013 at 11:10

I hear ya on that one. I had a pontiac when I was 19 =)

BKRM3 > Chteelers
10/16/2013 at 11:13

Usually the dealer will top up fluids for free without even making you wait. I just asked them to check my power steering fluid reservoir - the fluid flies out on the track because of a poorly designed vent hole in the cap. I could've bought some...but why?

Textured Soy Protein > Chteelers
10/16/2013 at 11:38

I only got the car a few months ago. It was a cryptic icon that came on the little screen on the dash that looked like a radiator. I didn't know if it was just a coolant level light or an indication of some other problem. The dealer's on my way home from work so I stopped in to find out if this was something I should worry about. It's a brand new car with a warranty and free maintenance, why not take advantage of the free service at the dealer?

Now I know that the little icon just means to top off the coolant and isn't anything to worry about, so next time I won't bother with the dealer.

Textured Soy Protein > Volvosaurus-Rex
10/16/2013 at 11:40

I have the car because BMW has silly low lease rates.

Volvosaurus-Rex > Textured Soy Protein
10/16/2013 at 12:29

Is it your only car? How do you get by with a shoebox's worth of space for carrying things?

Textured Soy Protein > Volvosaurus-Rex
10/16/2013 at 13:46

Um...I don't carry lots of big things? It's not that bad really. The trunk's decent sized, you can fit a couple suitcases in it with some room to spare. Plus the back seats flip down if needed.

I drove a Miata as my only car for 4 years, and made do with that. There were the occasional trips with large items on the passenger seat and top down. So the 1er is practically cavernous in comparison.

Volvosaurus-Rex > Textured Soy Protein
10/16/2013 at 14:04

Haha, I guess it all depends on your perspective. My last car was a Ranger.