I may be the bravest or dumbest Oppo out there

"BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind" (briangriffinsprius)
04/03/2019 at 17:46 • Filed to: None

Sunday, I followed in the Oppo fashion and adopted a new doggie. Pic of old dog and new dog for reference:

I’ve been car shopping for a bit, because my fiancée likes the LR4 and I wanted something more gas consumer friendly for my 100 mile a day commute. Her CRV was killing both of us.

Went to a Lexis dealership yesterday to check out a very fairly priced LS460...88k miles, every package except Executive, blue, etc. I also wanted to get the Oppo car of the year, obv. Dealer showed me the original window sticker and it was $79,000 in 2007 money, which is nuts. Took a look inside and we both agreed: it was the beigest beige that we ever have seen. Couldn’t sit in it without feeling ill.

So we looked around at the old people cars folks trade in at a Lexus dealership and I got a very well maintained, very cheap, high mileage F10 535xi instead. Well, if you call 112k miles high. It already has the leaks in all the usual spots, so at least I’m forewarned.

The terrible lighting makes it look heavenly

I love it, except for the asshole who designed the cup holders, the idiot first owner who didn’t pay for comfort access, and BMW for not making the car Auto Unlock when turned off. It drives wonderfully and I can’t understand those that hated the F10 vs E60 - this steering is really much heavier than I like. Seats are much better than the Honda; I tried to hold out for a M-sport and one with RWD, but they’re impossible to find in the northeast and doubly impossible to find together.

So many major life changes. I’m owning a Land Rover and a BMW with more than 100k miles each, out of warranty. Of course my AAA membership is paid up and current. I like living life on the edge!

DISCUSSION (18)

xc90v8/I4 :( > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 18:12

A 535xi is good on gas? what did you get so far?

Also nice car I’m sure its nice to drive and can’t wait to hear about reliability.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > xc90v8/I4 :(
04/03/2019 at 18:22

It’s...not good on gas; I’m getting 21mpg to work (uphill) and 24mpg home . Better than 16 mpg in the Land y, though.

The PO had the BMW Certified warranty and had everything replaced. Wheels, headlights, valve cover gasket (1/3 of the unholy trifecta of oil leaks); tires are new and it had its services every interval. It’s super clean inside and only had a few wearing buttons that are common to BMWs.

xc90v8/I4 :( > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 18:53

Well yeah not good but not terrible either.

Nice. sounds like a good deal. But you never know..

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 19:24

My father in law had a F10 550 and I loved that thing. I personally liked it so much more than the E60, but since I haven ’t spent any time around/in an E60 my opinion is limited to overall experience and aesthetics of F10 vs. only overall aesthetics of the E60. Either way, congrats on the new things!

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 19:25

I’m not familiar with those particular cup holders , but I can imagine. The cup holders in my former E39 were proof the Germans do indeed have a sense of humor.

Cash Rewards > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 20:08

The auto unlock may be a changeable setting? It is on our Honda. We wondered why you would ever have it that way, and the dealer explained that if you parked somewhere sketchy or in a dark lot, and didn't want the doors unlocking unless it was intentional.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 20:50

As a guy who has two Fords with over 180k on them, I’m constantly living on the edge. My wife’s Explorer is draining over $1,200 out of our budget for two rear wheel bearings and other items in need of repair. I’m thinking it may be more when the final bill is tallied. It’s a good thing I don’t like dogs, as I’d be getting one of those too, if my son had his way.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Cash Rewards
04/03/2019 at 21:09

For BMW it’s not in a menu, you need software and to code the system to unlock when the car is turned off. So...unnecessarily complicated and very German.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
04/03/2019 at 21:10

It’d be cheaper just to replace the entire axle, I’d imagine.

Cash Rewards > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 21:13

Ugh

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 21:34

It’s an ‘02 with the IRS, not a solid rear axle. She had a ‘99 Exploder, but it blew the head gasket and that was all she wrote for that car. I’m not really complaining, her current ride I picked up from a co-worker for $1500 a year ago. It’s the first major repair so far.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
04/03/2019 at 21:50

Wow, today I learned a thing. Didn’t know that the third gen had IRS; I had figured that the Explorer mimicked the Ranger up until the D4 based fifth gen.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 22:42

Kinja'd!!!

You’re welcome.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/03/2019 at 22:55

And $2,000 for front brakes on the Beamer. Maybe it’s only $1,500...

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/04/2019 at 06:59

I’m pretty handy, I can do most of the work myself. I’m considering shopping out the oil filter leak because it’s a four-hour job that I know will take me eight or at least require tools I don’t have

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/04/2019 at 08:48

I know a guy with a big Audi SUV that needed brakes. He bought the parts at the Audi dealership, $1,000 for parts. Then a friend with a shop let him put it on the lift, and he struggled for hours. Biggest damned brakes I’d ever seen on an automobile. I’ve seen pickup trucks with smaller brakes.

Oil filter leak?

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
04/04/2019 at 09:30

On N55s there are three things that always leak: oil filter housing gaskets, valve cover gaskets, and oil pan gaskets. The valve cover was done by the PO, the oil filter housing needs to be done because it drips onto the belts, which can cause them to slip and be eaten by the engine. The oil pan is nbd until it gets worse; you have to drop the subframe for that one.

Brakes for the LR4 are pretty big (though I’m sure performance Audi are bigger) and brake pads are like $50, rotors about $100 each. It’s nice to basically share parts with an F150.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/04/2019 at 12:27

I looked up that oil filter housing gasket on YouTube. Looks like a nuisance, but doable. Probably about $500 for a real mechanic to do it. I’d do it myself, but then again, I wouldn’t have an N55 because 27-year-old Corolla is more my thing...