The saga continues

"maximillious" (maximillious) 06/28/2015 at 13:06 • Filed to: None

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So a while back I posted that I sold my focus st and picked up this little gem. It has 330k on the clock with a rebuild 40k ago. There is fresh paint on the car and a clean interior. I took it to an amazing import mechanic in my area to have it gone over with a fine tooth comb. In the end they found it needed ALOT of work. I trust this mechanic and they have an amazing reputation. (Voted one of the top ten shops in the USA last year).

Basically the work added up to roughly 10k. This includes but is not limited to replacing the front axle replacing shocks and struts, repairs to the front diff replacing front control arm, serious work to the power steering assembly, work on the air conditioning and since the car is leaking from every possible place plenty of work addressing that.

I went into this knowing this could be the result, and since I sold the ST to make this my daily I have the budget.

I guess I don’t really have much of a question or point to this but I am interested in hearing your general opinions of the situation, what would you do? Keep moving forward or sell it off and jump ship for something else?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:09

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I would’ve kept the ST...

maximillious > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 06/28/2015 at 13:11

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It was a surprisingly boring car. It was fun for a while, but this 325, even in its current condition is still way more fun. The st was very capable but in the end its just a tarted up econobox

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 06/28/2015 at 13:11

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As an ST owner, I wouldn’t. :p

misfitmascots > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:12

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I would jump ship. I understand you prepared for this kind of thing, but what's to say after he fixes all that you won't be paying another 10k or more for something else in 6 months or a year from now.

maximillious > misfitmascots 06/28/2015 at 13:15

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Well part of this is all their work is waranteed and they are basically rebuilding everything that needs to be addressed on the car. Sure something else could come up but they have checked everything for anything that is or will be failing...I don’t know that there will be something else for a while

lone_liberal > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:15

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Such is the life of daily driving an old car. I won’t do it again but I salute those of you who do. If you are willing to put up with it, and remember there will be more things after these are fixed, then it will certainly put more smiles on your face than driving something reliable but boring. You are the only one who can decide if that trade off is worth it for you.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:17

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As one born of Colorado I can imagine there is real value in having the AWD and a very responsive chassis in the rockies. With that said how does it do at altitude? And why haven’t you turbo’d it yet? 10k in repairs/ not dying is hardly an excuse...

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:18

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For that kind of money, you could get an E36 M3. Heck, if you paid more than $3k for the car, you could get an E46 M3.

maximillious > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/28/2015 at 13:19

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Then I would have a $ 13k car that would likely need 10k worth of work lol

maximillious > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/28/2015 at 13:20

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Right now I have a 3 k car that needs 10k

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:21

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Okay, if you buy a well-maintained 540i for $8k, it will definitely need less than $5k of work.

blacktruck18 > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:24

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Even having the money and expecting it, $10K is a serious hit. Can you do some of the work yourself and save money?

Do you see yourself owning the car for a long time? If you do fuck it spend the money.

Will you get bored in a year and have to sell it at a huge loss? I think that is the biggest question you need to answer.

maximillious > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 06/28/2015 at 13:29

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Then there is the problem that I just don’t want that car. An M3 I would probably like as Much as an e30

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:31

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If you’re capable of doing any mechanical work, I’d see if you could tackle some of the problems yourself. If you’re like me and while not being inherently mechanically inclined, capable of using a wrench, torch, sprocket, and hammer, maybe a screwdriver as well, try to get some parts, new or used, and get crackin on the car. My 944 has only been to the shop once, and will only go to the shop for inspections, the timing and balance shaft belts, and any drivetrain-related things I cannot handle without there being a modicum of disaster or risk. If you have any car friends, see if they can help as well!!

Some more mechanically inclined friends and I did the struts on my 944 last week. I bought used struts with 54k miles to replace my blown 122k mile struts and the difference was night and day! I had help on the passenger strut, but did the driver strut myself and did a 8/10 job on it! Shocks should be the same as struts, maybe easier or harder, I haven’t a clue.

I say as long as it’s still running and driving, stick it out!

From an ST owner who loves his to daily drive “needs work” 944 than his reliable “doesn’t need work” Focus ST. ;)

maximillious > blacktruck18 06/28/2015 at 13:35

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All solid questions. Most of the work is beyond my capability not to mention no great place to actually do the work myself. (Apartment garage)

Yes I do see myself keeping the car for a long time

BUT

Its still possible I’d want to sell it

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:37

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You wouldn't want this?

I own dead car brands only > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:42

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Fix what will definitely kill you first then the rest can wait to be doled out.

blacktruck18 > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:47

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If you could see yourself selling it I wouldn’t mess with it.

However, if you can swing it, maybe buy something newer to drive everyday. You won’t be in a rush to get the BMW fixed so you can drive it everyday. Also, you could switch between the cars pretty regularly. That might alleviate the boredom that could come with BMW. Also, if you are DD’ing the BMW the first time it breaks when you need it you will start to hate the car, it’s all down hill from there.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 13:47

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PREACH

AM3R shamefully returns > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 14:04

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Honestly I'd sell it and get a clean E36 M3 for around $10k. The E30 is nice, but not $10k worth of work nice. The M3 will be more fun and with a good budget of $10-15k you can easily find a lower mileage car that doesn't need much work.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 14:31

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You probably should have bought an old Corolla or Paseo for dirt cheap while you worked on (or paid someone else to) a project bimmer, one that doesn’t need 10k in repairs.

Or as others suggested, there were probably better options for 10k, like buying a nice used car that was in great condition, and you can pocket what’s left over.

I’m just going to assume you have a really good paying job.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 15:34

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While I get why people love E30s , I think this is just a really foolish idea. You’re dumping 10k into a car that won’t be worth anywhere close to that when it’s done. Its not an ultra rare or super desirable car. At the end of the day it’s still a car with 330k on it.

BLCKSTRM > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 15:47

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I was much in your situation after buying my E36 M3. I dropped $3500 the first year on refreshing the suspension, and $500 - $1000 per year every year after on various other things. Some were big failures, some were just finally getting to things that had needed to be replaced for a long time.

It may not be ideal, but you should be able to take your time with a lot of this. It doesn’t need to be done immediately. Start with urgent, then important but not urgent. Always delay any non-vital repair until you’re in a situation to cover both it AND an urgent repair.

You’re kind of always in that boat with an old car. I always look at it like the trade-off with making new car payments. I’d rather keep my old car and be able to choose whether to replace my worn parts than have a new car I’m required to make payments on.

You already enjoy it more. If you can be responsible enough to keep a rainy day fund, you’ll be prepared, and over time you’ll end up spending less.

N51fanatic > maximillious 06/28/2015 at 17:27

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I’ve thought about a scenario where my BMW is totaled i would do something like this. xcept i wouldnt daily the vintage car. Not enough modern conveniences. I would daily a used civic accord or camry and then buy something like an E30, E28 to putz around in when i feel like it

maximillious > N51fanatic 06/28/2015 at 18:26

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I thought about the “modern conveniences” part and realized the only thing out of the focus that I would miss is the Bluetooth phone and audio....but that’s a simple stereo upgrade

maximillious > BLCKSTRM 06/28/2015 at 18:30

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That’s kinda how I was seeing it. I never thought for a second a 91 325ix would better than the focus but I know its better for me. And since it is the IX it is rather unique to those who are aware and to have one that’s essentially been restored mechanically would be awesome. I hear they are a dream when dialed in. I plan on doing cosmetic repairs myself (removing some small dents and replacing the fog lamps and brake vents even in its current state its a blast to drive and I am dying for a snowfall to get it sideways

maximillious > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 06/28/2015 at 18:34

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I understand your logic for sure but if I was looking to make a buck on it or have it retain value I wouldn’t have gone for the e30. My reason for choosing this car was out of my own desire to have an e30 that I could bring back to life. And it is rather rare here in the USA as it is the Awd IX version that only a few thousand were imported from 88-91.