Of Thankful Goodbyes and Nervous Hellos 

"Ronin" (grhrd762) 08/17/2015 at 14:10 • Filed to: None

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I should really feel depressed and sad and regretful about selling my 1977 Datsun 280Z. I don’t. All I feel, if fact, is my wallet becoming noticeably heavier in my pocket.

The 280Z was the first car I ever bought, acquiring her just over a year ago. My automotive ownership virgin self thought that buying a 34 year old car with no history for $3400 to use as a daily driver was a good idea. I was quite wrong.

No matter how much fun it was getting thumbs up and waves at stoplights, and no matter how much character the wooden steering wheel and three pedals added to the already lovely and very involved driving experience, I could only enjoy these emotions when she was running. And she almost never ran. The list of problems and parts that needed replacing got longer every time I peeked under the hood. She left me standing on the side of the road no less than 5 times, and let me tell you the novelty of classic car ownership wears off quickly when your bike becomes your main source of transportation.

I finally tracked most of the reliability issues down to a bad ECU, but not before dumping more time and effort and money into just keeping her running than I have any interest in calculating. I was fed up and tired and when offered $5,000 for her the other day I didn’t think twice. I vowed to use that money to buy something reliable. Something strong. A Honda, possibly, or maybe a truck. Something without mechanical or electrical gremlins. Something that would start for me every single morning damnit. Then I came across a certain !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ...

Oops. I’m not sure I’ve done that right.

An orient blue E39 540i M Sport ushers in the next chapter of my automotive experience. And on that note, I think I just felt my wallet get lighter again. Wish me luck! I’m worried I’ll need it.

Thanks for reading!

Party-vi > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:15

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You have done that so right but also so wrong.

Also, your wallet is going to get so light you’ll swear it’s a hologram when looking at it. Welcome to BMW ownership you (soon to be) poor soul.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:16

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Your poor wallet...

Enjoy though!!!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:16

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Ronin > Party-vi 08/17/2015 at 14:19

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My wallet is already so light I’m trying to get it off the ceiling. I just got back from the shop after the power steering pump decided to leak its juices everywhere. Off to a good start, we are.

jkm7680 > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:21

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What are these?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:21

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Ronin > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 08/17/2015 at 14:22

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Thanks. The bimmer is a blast to drive, powerful but more nimble than a 16 year old 3800lb car has any right to be. My bank account statement is also a blast, but more like a shotgun blast to the kidneys, which I may have to sell in the up and coming months.

Ronin > jkm7680 08/17/2015 at 14:23

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Wheels, I believe.

But seriously, they are American Racing somethings. No idea beyond that.

jkm7680 > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:24

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.....What kind?

Party-vi > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:24

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It seems like a rite of passage to spend some ungodly sum on a freshly purchased used BMW.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:26

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My automotive ownership virgin self thought that buying a 34 year old car with no history for $3400 to use as a daily driver was a good idea

Yep, been there. Luckily, my parents had more brains than my 16 year old self and bought me an old Honda before I could get myself into serious trouble.

Ronin > jkm7680 08/17/2015 at 14:28

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I had to edit my post because the second part didn’t initially show up. Didn’t mean to sound like a prick.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:29

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I would have given you $5,001 for your Z. That being said the average replacment price for the Z is like $49 while the BMW will be $$499. Enjoy, also I had to junk a 240z when it rusted in half.

Ronin > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/17/2015 at 14:30

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My dad took the ‘dis gon b gud’ route and just sat back and watched the shitshow. I did learn a hell of a lot about engine repair though, which was nice I guess.

lone_liberal > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:32

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Yep, daily driving a classic car gets old. Never being quite sure whether that beautiful car is going to get you to your destination is a pain in the ass. As for your solution? If you’re lucky it will be just fine. If you’re really lucky.

Ronin > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 08/17/2015 at 14:32

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That’s what had me thinking. The 280 parts were definitely cheaper, but also harder to find. Next time I’m selling I’ll post here first.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:33

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Lol, my Dad doesn’t know shit about cars and I end up fixing his at this point. I don’t think he wanted me to be teaching myself how to work on cars in his driveway. That and the car I was looking at was a Z31 turbo. For $1500. Yeah, if I didn’t crash, it would have been because it was broken in the yard and I can’t fix it.

jkm7680 > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:34

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Ah, I was wondering what they were since they looked so odd on the car.

I wish you luck with that BMW though!

Ronin > Party-vi 08/17/2015 at 14:35

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Like how Top Gear says to be a real gearhead you have to own an Alfa at some point in your life, the same might be true with used German luxury cars.

Ronin > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/17/2015 at 14:36

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It’s always an old Nissan/Datsun isn’t it?

Ronin > jkm7680 08/17/2015 at 14:38

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I appreciate it!

Ronin > lone_liberal 08/17/2015 at 14:43

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The 280 was no doubt a love/hate relationship. I’m praying the BMW Gods will smile upon me.

lone_liberal > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:46

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You might want to sacrifice a Weisswurst to the Bavarian gods.

Bytemite > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:48

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Why why why why why!? An old BMW?

You didnt even have to go Honda level reliable, but you missed the ballpark.

Matthew Phillips > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:51

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I feel you, I'm planning a truck as my next ride, but.... We all know that won't happen.

Megamullin > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 14:56

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You got the right color with the right wheels. I wish it was more reliable, too but I whole-heartedly support your decision friend.

I read the same article and have been looking for my own 540 ever since. Heck, you probably outbid me on several!

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 15:26

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Wow, I’m surprised your Z was such a problem.

I have 1978 and it has always started everytime. The only problem I’ve had was that the clutch mast fail at 89k miles and it needs a new clutch. In fact I enjoyed mine so much I bought a 1600 roadster.

Oh well, good luck with the beemer!

Big Bubba Ray > Ronin 08/17/2015 at 22:00

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NOOOOOOOO! It’s a shame that you got rid of the Z. I’ve got a 240 that hasn’t given me any problems besides breaking down on the highway on the way to class one time haha I had to clean out the fuel filter then be on my way! I reeked of gasoline in class, but it was totally worth it.

If you can put another Z in your garage sometime, I highly recommend it. Anyways, enjoy the BMW! Please tell me it’s a stick!

Chasaboo > Ronin 08/18/2015 at 00:43

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Wow, that Datsun just has amazing lines. The BMW not so much. Whatever floats your boat.

Ronin > Big Bubba Ray 08/18/2015 at 00:56

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Yup. If everything with the Z was perfect it would’ve been a great car. I just couldn’t justify the unreliability of using it as a daily, and having 2 cars just isn’t an option right now. I really look forward to getting another one in a few years down the road.

And absolutely the BMW is a stick. A lovely gearbox I might add. Throws are a bit long, but I’m looking at short shifter kits at the moment. Thanks for reading!

Ronin > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger 08/18/2015 at 00:59

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Yup, I initially was drawn to it because I had heard they were pretty solid. In its defense the main drivetrain components were pretty much flawless, it was the electrical systems that kept it parked. I plan on getting another down the road when having 2+ cars is an option. Thanks for reading!

Ronin > Bytemite 08/18/2015 at 01:02

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I’m hoping that things aren’t too bad with the bimmer. I have always loved the E39, and Tavarish made quite a few good points as to why the 540 was a decent choice. The main thing that worries me is the added complexness of the BMW. I could do all my own wrenching on the Z, not so much with the 540.

Ronin > Megamullin 08/18/2015 at 01:05

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The 540 is a lot of fun to cruise around in. Comfy, quick, and spacious. Not too expensive to get yourself into one but obviously running it is where the real cost lies.

I use Craigslist usually so not sure I screwed you over hahaha.

Ronin > Chasaboo 08/18/2015 at 01:07

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I know, the Z was beautiful. What floats my boat though is practicality and reliability. Granted the BMW isn’t known for that last department but the 280 was horrible. I plan on getting another once having multiple cars is an option.

Why, I Mioughta > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/18/2015 at 01:08

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Same boat- and you bet I autocrossed the crap out of my civic, heh

Bytemite > Ronin 08/18/2015 at 02:37

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I don’t understand what is so good about the E39...it is a big, luxurious sedan. Yeah it has decent power and wide rubber and BMW’s suspension tuning. But it is still a big 2 ton sedan. There is only so much fun you can have just mashing the gas pedal. You could’ve gone with a Lexus IS300 for $5,000. Toyota’s legendary 2JZ I6, driving the rear wheels through a proper LSD, and double wishbones all around. Plus not too bad 3,000 lb curb weight, and apparently its handling was the best in its class, besting even the E46.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Why, I Mioughta 08/18/2015 at 07:36

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Yep. I didn’t know about autocross at the time, but I would definitely have been out there if I did. ...then I would have had to get a racecar.

Ronin > Bytemite 08/18/2015 at 12:25

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IS300 wouldn’t have been a bad choice if I was in the market for an automatic 3 series. The 5 is heavier because it’s better equipped and comfier, but honestly you don’t feel the weight when tossing it around corners. The suspension was already upgraded by the previous owner, so the last big thing it’ll need is an LSD from an M5. Not to mention that I love the look of the E39, and a manual is a must.

Bytemite > Ronin 08/18/2015 at 13:22

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IS300 comes in manual. It definitely isn’t as comfy as the E39. But you can’t have the best of both worlds right? I guess it depends on what you prefer. Comfy or handling. I’m just one of those people who give comfort no weight in my judgment of a car.

JR1 > Ronin 08/20/2015 at 19:57

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How many miles on the Bimmer?

PyramidHat > jkm7680 09/14/2015 at 00:45

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I had forgotten that wire wheels (knock off wannabe’s) were quite popular in the late 70’s. Not only are they a bitch to keep clean, but you had to get them trued. They were seen as classy. Now, they’re klassy.

Better still: My mom’s Cordoba had wire-wheel hubcaps. Klassy, indeed.