Monday. [Tuesday update]

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion) 05/08/2018 at 13:30 • Filed to: None

2

27

My wife *just barely* got to work this morning, about 50 miles away, when her car started puking coolant. It’s a 2007 X3 with 207,000 miles.

Now, we recently had the water pump and thermostat replaced, but that was several hundred miles ago; however, I am hopeful that it’s just a slipped hose connection or something. The temp didn’t spike (she was pulling into her office complex at the time) so we aren’t looking at an overheat.

We’ve been talking about upping our AAA membership to Plus so we’ll have 100 miles of towing. This could have brought the car (and her) right back to our house where she could have taken a different car. Diagnose and repair later. However, we failed to do that in advance, so we’re stuck with 5 miles of towing. Annnnnd the nearby shop to her work (where we bought the car) is 8.8 miles from her work. We were stupid not upgrade AAA sooner, with her 50 mile commute (one way) and two aging BMWs as our primary cars. Hell, our third car is a 6 year old Volvo with nearly 100k. Hardly “old” but also far from new.

So I called AAA and asked (in more words than this, very nicely): “We’ve been members for nearly 10 years, haven’t used your services FOR 5 YEARS and we just upped our membership this morning. Can we please have it flatbedded 8.8 miles? ” They said yes. THANK YOU!

With our older cars we’re choosing to make repairs rather than car payments, but last month was one where it hurt, due to a few simultaneous repairs.

So here’s hoping it’s simple.

[UPDATE: Welp, it’s Tuesday and I heard from the shop]

The Good News: The car didn’t overheat; it appears to have just blown a coolant hose. OK, replace that one and the other obvious one just like it, put coolant in, bleed it, pressure test it.... and it will run again no worries.

The Bad News: There are a few other things that they pointed out are either in need of attention now, or soon. The shop I use locally is very good, but I don’t push them to fix every tiny thing, and they don’t push back. The shop it’s at now... they specialize in BMWs and they’re concerned for the future of this car, for a bunch of reasons I won’t detail entirely here. It’s not one single big thing, although they are concerned about the lifespan of the transfer case (I think that’s hit or miss), but otherwise it’s things like oil leaks that aren’t catastrophic, but the labor to fix them all would really add up. I don’t have time to DIY all this stuff.

We have two other cars that are fine: the 2012 Volvo and my E46. So we can comfortably sell the X3 and not miss a beat. I even can drive my truck a bunch over the summer, so we can take our time finding my wife a new commuter car, which I think is the next move. Something that will still fit all four of us, but more efficient, and still fun to drive. I’m pushing hard for a GTI, even though I’ve technically never driven one.

The shop where the X3 is now has a red GTI they’d let us drive, but we don’t want a red car. I want to send my wife out there to drive it, at least, and go from there. They also have a couple Minis, which my wife loves (the idea of), but hasn’t driven either. She will miss the X3 but I think she would love a GTI. Her previous car was a 2005 Volvo S40 6-speed manual/ AWD / T5. She loved that car, as did I. An S60 wouldn’t be a bad option, but no manuals. I’m ready not to have two aging BMWs in our fleet. And we both adore the new V60 but it’s too much to spend right now.

Meanwhile, does anyone want a 207,000 mile 6-speed manual X3? With a brand new water pump, thermostat, and coolant hoses?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The next step will be deciding amongst these options:

- sell it on CL and be totally upfront and forthcoming about its possible future.

- sell it on CL and only answer questions when asked; maybe don’t be overly detailed, and leave it up to a buyer to have an inspection done if they choose.

- send it to auction and get $1,500 - $2k for it. Guilt-free, walk away.

Then it will be a matter of how long until we replace it. The beauty is, we can wait for the exact right car, because we have 2.5* other functional vehicles. If there’s ever a good time for this, it’s when I’m about to daily the truck from June-August.

*Truck is not a good daily kid-hauler. I can drive it to work because we have a nanny in the summer who comes to our house. Hell, I could bike to work without much trouble.

Party-vi > functionoverfashion 05/07/2018 at 13:06

1

That poor, expensive blue coolant.

If the cooling work was done by a shop, check your paperwork for their warranty. I would think it’s something like 6 months/15,000 miles.

Ash78, voting early and often > functionoverfashion 05/07/2018 at 13:08

1

I’d say 90%+ odds it’s related to the recent work. Fingers crossed

functionoverfashion > Party-vi 05/07/2018 at 13:28

0

It was done by a shop, and if it weren’t for the stupid 5 mile towing thing, I would have brought it to them. They are very reputable and stand behind their work. I just didn’t want to pay a shady tow truck company $100+ (or who knows) to bring it there, since it’s quite close to our home, so, ~45 miles from wife’s workplace, only to find out it’s a loose hose clamp or whatever. I know they wouldn’t have charged me to diagnose it, though.

In hindsight, I should have started with AAA by asking if they would honor the upgrade to 100 miles of towing right away, then if no, ask for just the 8.8. But we know and trust the other shop, so if it’s simple, it’s not going to cost much. And if something unrelated failed, well then, 50/50 which shop does the work. Last but not least, we have a long history with the shop near her work, and the owner lives near us. He’ll give my wife a ride down to retrieve the car when it’s done, if needed.

functionoverfashion > Ash78, voting early and often 05/07/2018 at 13:29

0

Yes, Occam’s Razor, etc.

Fingers crossed indeed. I guess they’re so busy AND have a tech out sick, so can’t even pop the hood until tomorrow. I’m like, COME ON JUST LOOK but I understand. It kills me that I can’t look at it myself. I thought about it.... this pesky job, though.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > functionoverfashion 05/07/2018 at 13:30

0

I bet AAA would have honored the 100 miles right away. Too bad that ship has sailed, apparently. If it isn’t a simple fix and you want to use the warranty with the other shop, it will probably be worth asking AAA to take it from one shop to the other.

functionoverfashion > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 05/07/2018 at 13:46

1

I agree. With everything else going on this morning, that didn’t occur to me until later. I think now, to ask a favor again, would be a lot. I believe you’re only allowed one tow per issue.

I also have a friend with an F350 and a big flatbed trailer. With some notice, we could just go get the car that way, I suppose. I just... don’t know when I’d have the time.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > functionoverfashion 05/07/2018 at 14:03

1

AAA plus is totally worth it especially since you have older BMWs like you mentioned.  We have had great service for more than 5 years now.

Good luck!

functionoverfashion > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 05/07/2018 at 14:35

1

We’ll definitely keep Plus going forward. In hindsight, I should have just asked if they’d honor the upgrade right away, rather than waiting the normal 7 days... but I didn’t think of that at the time.

CompactLuxuryFan > functionoverfashion 05/08/2018 at 13:50

0

I feel like at this point you really might as well just run the X3 into the ground, without the $500 minor leak repairs. You’re bound to get more out of it than what you’ll get for selling it. Maybe the Volvo and X3 can swap duties?

functionoverfashion > CompactLuxuryFan 05/08/2018 at 14:04

0

If we can get $4k out of it, I think we’d be ahead of trying to get $4k worth of use out of it without anything else going wrong. A quick look on my local CL has ‘06-08 X3's listed for $6-8k, but none have over 200k miles. So, $4k isn’t unrealistic, I don’t think, if I can clean it up nicely and find someone who wants a manual.

shop-teacher > functionoverfashion 05/08/2018 at 14:05

0

Option B is the one I’d go for.

functionoverfashion > shop-teacher 05/08/2018 at 14:07

1

Seems likely.

I mean, it’s a 200k BMW. If you don’t think it’ll have some issues, that’s your fault as a buyer. It drives nicely, it’s been taken care of. It’s just... at that point.

I sold my ‘01 wagon when it was at the same point, for $3750 I think? It had 202k miles and no current problems. PERFECT TIME TO SELL IT

CompactLuxuryFan > functionoverfashion 05/08/2018 at 14:20

0

Hmm that makes sense. $4k just sounds pretty optimistic to me, but I don’t actually know. I was going more off of your auction price.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > functionoverfashion 05/08/2018 at 14:21

1

Selling a car with potential issues is tricky. If you disclosed everything the shop told you(I assume it’s long and probably overly cautionary) getting a buyer might be tough. Just don’t represent it as perfect; speak only to what you know about the car(what has been done not what might need to be done); and let them decide if they want to get an inspection and what to make of it. Somewhere between 1 and 2.

Good luck with the shopping. We keep hearing there are deals to be had on FiSTs and FoSTs. Probably a little downmarket in interior quality from an X3 but brand new may make up for it.

functionoverfashion > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 05/08/2018 at 14:52

0

I definitely won’t say “it’s got no issues” because yeah, that’s not true. But I could still honestly say I trust it to go anywhere; which is true. Thanks for the feedback though.

I’d love an FoST (or FiST) but this would be primarily my wife’s commuter car, which is 85% highway - and I think you’re right, she probably wouldn’t love the Ford’s interior. But maybe we should have a look!

Actually a Model S would be ideal. But... many reasons why not that.

functionoverfashion > CompactLuxuryFan 05/08/2018 at 14:53

0

There’s on on my local CL with 223k asking $2,900 “for quick sale” but it’s also a 2004. That’s the nearest comp in terms of mileage.

Ash78, voting early and often > functionoverfashion 05/08/2018 at 15:05

0

Sounds just like my coworker’s wife a few years ago. She ended up just giving the dealer her X3 ($2,500 trade or so) and came out with an Acura RDX and loves it. Comparable size, generally more reliable.

I’d personally look at 2013+ Mercedes GLKs. I love those things more than any car in the segment.

Bright red, ideally.

shop-teacher > functionoverfashion 05/08/2018 at 16:57

1

Exactly. It’s not your job to do the buyer’s due diligence for them. It’s your responsibility to be honest, if they ask you a question about something.

My citroen won't start > functionoverfashion 05/08/2018 at 17:54

0

I’m going to be very honest here, if she likes the GTI but will miss the X3, consider the Tig, if you got the 2.0TSI with DSG in the US.

functionoverfashion > My citroen won't start 05/08/2018 at 21:55

0

You may be right, logically. I would push for the Golf AllTrack though...

functionoverfashion > Ash78, voting early and often 05/08/2018 at 22:06

1

Oh, and I just discovered they had a diesel GLK. Oh no. My wife LOVES those, always has - I am sure she’s never driven one, so that’s something. But yeah... if I mention those she’ll light up.

But I’m sure, no manuals.

Ash78, voting early and often > functionoverfashion 05/08/2018 at 22:21

1

No manuals, but the paddles are decent.

The 350 is an absolute screamer, if you go that route. WAY quicker and more fun than any little crossover has a right to be. It’s pretty heavy, but the short wheelbase keeps it nimble. And most of them seem to be owned by elderly people, which usually means easy miles and good upkeep. I was impressed.

Maybe the best visibility of any car I’ve driven, too, which also helps make the interior feel bigger and more airy than it is. At the end of the day, it’s just a shorter, taller C wagon.

My citroen won't start > functionoverfashion 05/09/2018 at 08:31

0

Huh, the Golf Alltrack is an even better option, I forgot that it exists. We never got the Alltrack here.

I really like the Passat Alltrack, but I think it is EU/Australia Only

functionoverfashion > My citroen won't start 05/09/2018 at 09:38

0

That’s nice! There’s no reason to buy a Golf Alltrack as a commuter, except my wife said her concern with the GTI and the Mini is that they are too low. As much as I want to say, “just because everyone else has a tall car doesn’t mean..” but it’s how she feels so I can’t argue with that. I really don’t want to get another big heavy AWD SUV or lifted wagon, because we want better mileage. But... if GTI is too low... then what.

functionoverfashion > Ash78, voting early and often 05/09/2018 at 09:40

0

I’m sure she would like it. I mentioned it to her and she said, “you’d never let me get one of those!” Well, part of the reason I didn’t think of it was that we want a more efficient commuter car. But then, she said she doesn’t want something super low because she’s on the highway all the time with all the other big cars, which... I get.

So then I realized the GLK could be had with a diesel. But do I really want a German diesel? Hmmmm.

[ninja edit] I’m looking for pricing now, just for reference.

My citroen won't start > functionoverfashion 05/09/2018 at 10:59

1

Uhh...

functionoverfashion > My citroen won't start 05/09/2018 at 11:15

0

Well that’s the answer, obviously.