"GMart" (gmart)
04/10/2016 at 10:34 • Filed to: None
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"GMart" (gmart)
04/10/2016 at 10:34 • Filed to: None | 8
| 22 |
My daily driver Mazda 6 bit the big one last weekend when its water pump tensioner pulley bearing seized and the pulley and belt retired themselves from service. I don’t currently have the time or facility to figure out just how much damage was caused by the subsequent overheating, so I had to find a replacement daily quickly. I considered new cars, and I test drove a Focus ST (it was awesome) and and Accord Sport with the 6 speed manual (it was fine) but I decided to spend half as much money and go used.
I found this 09 328i with sport suspension, navigation, and the all-important 6-speed at a dealer about an hour from home. It’s pretty much fantastic in every way, and now my wife and I are “that couple” with two Bimmers - she drives an 07 X3.
Booya:
It’s no 335, but I could only find lux package automatics within a reasonable distance, and frankly, the simplicity of the non turbo engine (and the fact that the X3 has the same one) is attractive. It’s not slow by any measure, but it’s not going to impress anyone with its power. Again, daily driver for me and the kids!
JR1
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 10:38 |
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How does it handle the twists?
Aaron M - MasoFiST
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 10:38 |
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Welcome to the N52 club, I think you’ll enjoy your time here.
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GMart
> Aaron M - MasoFiST
04/10/2016 at 10:50 |
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We’ve had the X3 since 2011, so I've had plenty of time to get very familiar with it! It played heavily into the decision knowing that my stock of oil filters are the same, I've already had to replace a water pump, valve cover, oil filter housing gasket... I know how all those things go on this engine. I'm happy to have two of them now!
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GMart
> JR1
04/10/2016 at 10:54 |
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Like it’s reading my mind. It’s the first car I’ve driven that gives me the same feeling that my 99 M3 did. It's composed, the steering is quick and nimble, and the rear drive character is fully evident. I was blown away by it.
-this space for rent-
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 10:59 |
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I had this mindset when I got a second e46 for my wife. I didn’t consider that something would always be broken on one or both of them and require more of my time than I wanted to dedicate to them.
E92M3
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 11:00 |
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“Look at these pricks with their 2 BMW’s” “They must be dealing drugs”.
It’s ok I understand buddy.
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GMart
> E92M3
04/10/2016 at 11:05 |
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We just bought a house, move in at the end of next month, I’m expecting that will be the new neighbors’ assumptions.
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 11:21 |
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Lookn’ good!
Twinpowermeansoneturbo
> E92M3
04/10/2016 at 11:24 |
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Yeah people who don’t know, don’t know. “Oh this guy drives a BMW must be rich.” Well what model and year is it? “I don’t know but it’s a BMW, and those are for rich people.”
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E92M3
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 11:31 |
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If you’re under 35, it’s pretty much guaranteed unfortunately. Just tell them their new Honda Odyssey cost more, and wait for the dumbfounded look on their face.
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E92M3
> Twinpowermeansoneturbo
04/10/2016 at 11:33 |
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Exactly! I got this on a 9 yr old E46. I guess they don’t know about german car depreciation.
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GMart
> E92M3
04/10/2016 at 11:48 |
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We’re closer to 40, but I still expect the apprehension!
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E92M3
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 12:02 |
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Well in that case you are on the tipping point from “young prick/dealer” to “must be doing well”.
DipodomysDeserti
> E92M3
04/10/2016 at 15:36 |
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I think it depends where you live. I’m under 30 years old and I’ve owned 3 late model BMWs (all used). I’ve always driven nicer cars than any drug dealer I’ve known. They usually rock beat to shit civics or newer Maximas. Drug dealers love Maximas.
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DipodomysDeserti
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 15:41 |
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Just a heads up. The 08-13 3 series have Takata airbags in them. Just in case you don’t get a notice on account of not being the original owner. I just got a letter from BMW on my wife’s X1 telling me it needs to be replaced but they don’t have parts. Good job snagging a sport package with a manual!
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GMart
> DipodomysDeserti
04/10/2016 at 15:44 |
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Yup, I got the same letter for the X3, and only six weeks ago I had it fixed for the Mazda.
AM3R shamefully returns
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 15:58 |
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Congrats! The E9x is one of my favorite cars. I have an E90 328i and an E92 335i. Love them both, if the 328i were manual I never would have even bothered getting the 335i (I’m addicted to it now that I have it though).
Any planned mods?
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GMart
> AM3R shamefully returns
04/10/2016 at 16:18 |
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At first, I’m probably going to replace all the things that I know are going to fail: water pump, thermostat, expansion tank, valve cover, oil filter housing gasket. That will keep my maintenance budget and my work-on-cars schedule busy for a while.
With having the 260hp version of the N52 in our X3, I’m pretty aware of just how much effect the different intake manifold has on the powerband. I’ll do that and probably the euro airbox, and probably a software tune, and that will be it for engine. I cannot imagine changing the suspension unless I need to replace a broken/worn component.
The car has the logic 7 system, so stereo system changes will have to start with a mobridge and then a very simple speaker and amplifier upgrade. I will probably have to keep that on the back burner for a while. I don't listen to music in the car that often anyway.
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AM3R shamefully returns
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 16:24 |
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Nice, just recently dealt with the rear main seal on my 328i around 82k. Besides that it’s been perfect.
A nice upgrade that will tighten up steering feel/turn in is M3 front control arms.. You can get the OEM parts for like $350 in a kit from tons of vendors.
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Twinpowermeansoneturbo
> E92M3
04/10/2016 at 16:50 |
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Nope, they have no idea. I just picked up my 5th BMW over the course of the past four years (of eight cars I’ve owned in the timespan... I have an issue), anywho its a 2011 E92 335i Xdrive M Sport. I got it for $23,500 with a year left on CPO and 58k on the odometer. You can’t buy a Camry for that much, god I love depreciation.
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E92M3
> Twinpowermeansoneturbo
04/10/2016 at 16:52 |
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Me too!
BlueDevil777
> GMart
04/10/2016 at 19:23 |
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I have a 2006 330i with the sports package. Red with black interior. It has about 75k miles on it and it is a real joy. E90s are great. Have fun!