New cars....pfsst....you can have em.

[Indy62]

The thought of driving the wheels off my E36 BMW 328i 5-Speed Sport depresses me. I know in all probability it won't last the rest of my life as a daily driver. It's coming up on 200,000 miles right now.

It has a real 5-Speed manual. It has real buttons, and toggles, and knobs, and levers. It has a real throttle cable with real gauges. It has no digital screen to distract me. My hands and fingers know exactly where to go to operate every control. No taking my eyes off the road to distract me.

The seats are real leather. The doors shut solidly with a nice 'thunk' and the engine purrs a solid inline 6 cylinder melody. When I want to scoot..it does..no waiting for the paint-to-dry CVT'ish auto transmission lag.

It gets 30mpg on the freeway. It has four doors and rides smoothly, quietly and comfortably for all passengers.

It handles like only a German sports sedan can.

The thought of losing it is heartbreaking.

The current new car transaction is $47,000. They have huge display screens, digital everything. Lots of nannie controls, lane change, self park this, back up cam that.

They can have it.

I think I'll find another couple of cars like mine to hermetically seal for parts and just take it with me to the grave.

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[TTSX]

Good ol 5.9 Cummins over here. It just runs the way a truck should. 5 speed, heavy duty axle and a long bed. 415k and still going. It'll be a sad day when it's mandated off the road

 

[lucusloc]

I would not mind all the new technology if it were not so intrusive. Engine Control Unit that can detect problems/issues/anomalies and log them to a screen for me to take note of? Yes please. ECU that detects a "problem" and throttles my speed until I take it to a certified dealer to "fix," and only they can clear the error? I don't think I need to buy your car now, thanks. Oh, and I want control of what pops up on my screens, and when that happens. If you think you get to play an ad when I first start my engine I might think I do not need a functioning screen in my car.

Basically the auto industry (like so many others) has decided not to use all this new tech to improve the user experience, but rather has decided to use it to squeeze as much money out of their customers as possible. We consumers have let them do it by continuing to buy their products. And because we let them get away with it entire industries have now pivoted so there are no viable alternatives, as every player therein now operates by the same paradigm. Just like voting in bad politicians, we did this to ourselves. I do not see an easy way to dig ourselves out of this hole.

 

[Nosferatu]

I'm seriously struggling with what to do with my '13 F350. It's old enough not to have all the current nanny stuff, but new enough to have enough crap that when it does die, it's expensive to repair. I just put $2300 into replacing the Body Control Module. I know the EGR/DPF/SCR days are numbered. It's also at the age & mileage where it could drop an injector at any moment, which is a cab-off repair (ie: $$$$$$$).

However, it's paid for. Has been for a long time. Repairs are still cheaper than buying a new one.

I have a '23 Bronco that has some of the tech, but I purposely didn't get one with all the lane-keeping, cameras, etc. 7-speed manual, front & rear lockers, swaybar disconnect and factory 33's, and a 96:1 crawl ratio, this thing is a billygoat!

 

[ilikegunspdx]

The thought of driving the wheels off my E36 BMW 328i 5-Speed Sport depresses me. I know in all probability it won't last the rest of my life as a daily driver. It's coming up on 200,000 miles right now.

It has a real 5-Speed manual. It has real buttons, and toggles, and knobs, and levers. It has a real throttle cable with real gauges. It has no digital screen to distract me. My hands and fingers know exactly where to go to operate every control. No taking my eyes off the road to distract me.

The seats are real leather. The doors shut solidly with a nice 'thunk' and the engine purrs a solid inline 6 cylinder melody. When I want to scoot..it does..no waiting for the paint-to-dry CVT'ish auto transmission lag.

It gets 30mpg on the freeway. It has four doors and rides smoothly, quietly and comfortably for all passengers.

It handles like only a German sports sedan can.

The thought of losing it is heartbreaking.

The current new car transaction is $47,000. They have huge display screens, digital everything. Lots of nannie controls, lane change, self park this, back up cam that.

They can have it.

I think I'll find another couple of cars like mine to hermetically seal for parts and just take it with me to the grave.

View attachment 1895622View attachment 1895623

Change the coolant regularly is key #1. Make sure sunroof drains are clear is key #2. The failing electronics will get you eventually but might as well drive the doors off of it until that happens. Have a 325i black 4 door 5 speed and have had 328i convert, 750i, 2 740i and about 4 others I can't recall. Engine will last pretty much forever. Electronics will fail though and plastic bits get brittle with age and break/crack.

 

[Indy62]

I'm seriously struggling with what to do with my '13 F350. It's old enough not to have all the current nanny stuff, but new enough to have enough crap that when it does die, it's expensive to repair. I just put $2300 into replacing the Body Control Module. I know the EGR/DPF/SCR days are numbered. It's also at the age & mileage where it could drop an injector at any moment, which is a cab-off repair (ie: $$$$$$$).

However, it's paid for. Has been for a long time. Repairs are still cheaper than buying a new one.

I have a '23 Bronco that has some of the tech, but I purposely didn't get one with all the lane-keeping, cameras, etc. 7-speed manual, front & rear lockers, swaybar disconnect and factory 33's, and a 96:1 crawl ratio, this thing is a billygoat!

I'm actually surprised you could find a 7-speed. Thought they went the way of the do-do.

Feel for you. Cab off repair!? Wow.

I've only ever done all the repairs on the E36 myself. When something goes wrong, 99% of the time plugging in the diagnostic reader will tell me what it is. Ignition misfire on cyl 6..ignition coil. Etc. Although german dealer mechanics will scare people and convince them only THEY can fix their cars..they're wrong.

My wife's BMW is a 2010 X5. That's as new as I want to go. It still has the same rock solid inline 6..no turbo 4 buzz motor or exotic v8 to deal with.

Sure..spending $1500 a year on maintenance-parts between the two cars is no fun, but they're paid for..and a $1000 monthly car payment isn't real smart in my book.

No matter how rich you are.

 

[Indy62]

Change the coolant regularly is key #1. Make sure sunroof drains are clear is key #2. The failing electronics will get you eventually but might as well drive the doors off of it until that happens. Have a 325i black 4 door 5 speed and have had 328i convert, 750i, 2 740i and about 4 others I can't recall. Engine will last pretty much forever. Electronics will fail though.

Yep..I've had to do a few electronics repairs. New ignition switch. Door switches..couple locks. Sunroof rebuild etc.

I'm religious about oil changes. Coolant system etc. Have had it 17 years.

Love the late 90's 740 il. Transporter!

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Yep..I've had to do a few electronics repairs. New ignition switch. Door switches..couple locks. Sunroof rebuild etc.

I'm religious about oil changes. Coolant system etc. Have had it 17 years.

Love the late 90's 740 il. Transporter!

Yea had 2 95 740s and 750. Love that body style and cars were Unbelievably good. Athletic, quick and so smooth and quiet. My last 740 was a daily driver for 6 years. Needed 2 crank sensors in that time and that's it. Loved that car. But electronics started failing and let it go. Make sure you flush/change coolant cuz that's a weak spot on these (sounds like you already know about that). Also suggest checking underneath at least once where rear diff is mounted to the car to make sure there are no tears. Yours may be new enough to not have the issue but the diff mounts were weak and prone to tearing on the early E36s. Sunroof leaks (overflow due to plugged drains to be more accurate) can kill the computers.

 

[Old Dog]

The current new car transaction is $47,000. They have huge display screens, digital everything. Lots of nannie controls, lane change, self park this, back up cam that.

They can have it.

I'm in the same boat with my truck. It'd be around $80K to get what I "need" just to compare with my current truck. My mind boggles at the thought. Have sunk around $5K in the past year or so just for scheduled maintenance and the usual modules and suspension stuff that start crapping out after 150K miles..

It handles like only a German sports sedan can

Yep, even though we've only had Audis.

.

 

[ma96782]

LOL......

BUT, But, but.......
I don't even like those vehicles with the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system).

Why Americans are holding on to their vehicles longer than ever

Blame it mainly on the pandemic, which in 2020 triggered a global shortage of automotive computer chips, the vital component that runs everything from radios to gas pedals to transmissions.

www.pbs.org

In a recent article that I read.....it said that American's are going to the hybrid and not necessarily the EV.

Awwwww.......Come on Man
Follow my MANDATES.









Is that you Brandon?

Aloha, Mark

 

[Jay Walk]

You done good on that beemer, good luck finding another with a manual.

 

[Alexx1401]

I'm seriously struggling with what to do with my '13 F350. It's old enough not to have all the current nanny stuff, but new enough to have enough crap that when it does die, it's expensive to repair. I just put $2300 into replacing the Body Control Module. I know the EGR/DPF/SCR days are numbered. It's also at the age & mileage where it could drop an injector at any moment, which is a cab-off repair (ie: $$$$$$$).

However, it's paid for. Has been for a long time. Repairs are still cheaper than buying a new one.

I have a '23 Bronco that has some of the tech, but I purposely didn't get one with all the lane-keeping, cameras, etc. 7-speed manual, front & rear lockers, swaybar disconnect and factory 33's, and a 96:1 crawl ratio, this thing is a billygoat!

That is the one BIG and I do mean BIG downside to all this "tech" in cars. Simple little things quit and the cost is often shocking. Wife kicked a little but both of the last two "newer" cars we bought I paid for a service contract for just that reason. I may never use them and the money just flushed but, it would only take a simple thing to die to pay for the contract. When they expire? Guess we will drive the damn things till something breaks and call it good for that car which is sad.

 

[Nosferatu]

I'm actually surprised you could find a 7-speed. Thought they went the way of the do-do.

There are enough off-road enthusiasts that appreciate a manual for Jeep and Ford to offer them.

Feel for you. Cab off repair!? Wow.

I've only ever done all the repairs on the E36 myself. When something goes wrong, 99% of the time plugging in the diagnostic reader will tell me what it is. Ignition misfire on cyl 6..ignition coil. Etc. Although german dealer mechanics will scare people and convince them only THEY can fix their cars..they're wrong.

I do what I can. I don't have a garage to work in and as I get older, dragging my bubblegum around a gravel driveway fixing bubblegum is less and less attractive. I troubleshot the BCM issue until it got beyond what I could reasonably & economically do (I threw a new starter and ignition switch at it) before having it towed to the shop I trust.

My wife's BMW is a 2010 X5. That's as new as I want to go. It still has the same rock solid inline 6..no turbo 4 buzz motor or exotic v8 to deal with.

Sure..spending $1500 a year on maintenance-parts between the two cars is no fun, but they're paid for..and a $1000 monthly car payment isn't real smart in my book.

No matter how rich you are.

I concur. With the price of new 1-ton trucks nearing a house payment, my plan is to keep this truck as long as I can.

That is the one BIG and I do mean BIG downside to all this "tech" in cars. Simple little things quit and the cost is often shocking. Wife kicked a little but both of the last two "newer" cars we bought I paid for a service contract for just that reason. I may never use them and the money just flushed but, it would only take a simple thing to die to pay for the contract. When they expire? Guess we will drive the damn things till something breaks and call it good for that car which is sad.

I bought a125k ESP from Ford with my F350. Never used it. Even when I did have a problem, it was minor enough for me to not bother with the useless dealer and fix it myself.

All my major repairs have come after the 140k mark. I've put nearly $8k into it in the last 2 years.

Still cheaper than buying a new one!

 

[Heyjoe]

People are going to wise up to the fact that all these fancy high tech electronics are made to fail and cost a fortune to repair.

Manufacturers will absolutely have to bring back switches and dials. The most egregious of current practices is electronic parking brakes and engines without dipsticks. There's also collision avoidance systems that apply brakes every time a squirrel or some rubbish blows across the road.

 

[lucusloc]

People are going to wise up to the fact that all these fancy high tech electronics are made to fail and cost a fortune to repair.

Manufacturers will absolutely have to bring back switches and dials. The most egregious of current practices is electronic parking brakes and engines without dipsticks. There's also collision avoidance systems that apply brakes every time a squirrel or some rubbish blows across the road.

Oh man, I drove a rental with this feature recently. It had two stages, a nanny alarm and then brakes. I triggered the nanny alarm a few times, which was annoying enough (it went off once when I was at a complete stop and someone else rolled back towards me at a light). It applied the brakes on me only one time when, no joke, a plastic bag blew across the road in front of me. I saw the bag, decided it was not anything to be concerned about, then had the car slam on the brakes and throw everyone against their seat belts. If there had been someone following too close they would have slammed into the back of us for sure, as we went from ~60mph to 30 in no time flat.

This could be a great feature if you can figure out how to apply it only when there is a real accident impending (even a fraction of a second of extra brake time can reduce impact energies by a significant amount), but the fact that it will kick on for trivial road conditions makes me think it will cause more problems than it will solve. Like in a worst case, what if it did this with slippery road conditions? Even super modern traction control is not perfect, and this kind of panic braking can easily cause you to lose control of the vehicle under those kinds of conditions. Not a fan, would not drive again.

 

[Nosferatu]

I'm sure some of you have seen this already, but for those that haven't:

Jist: Truck wouldn't start. Diagnosis was water intrusion which damaged a module in the tail light. $5600 repair.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUkFsuilVD0

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I'm sure some of you have seen this already, but for those that haven't:

Jist: Truck wouldn't start. Diagnosis was water intrusion which damaged a module in the tail light. $5600 repair.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUkFsuilVD0

$5600 repair? Holy bubblegum!

 

[lucusloc]

I'm sure some of you have seen this already, but for those that haven't:

Jist: Truck wouldn't start. Diagnosis was water intrusion which damaged a module in the tail light. $5600 repair.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUkFsuilVD0

How TF do consumers put up with this sh*t?! Not only did his tail light stop the entire truck from working, but it will cost more than I paid for my used boat to fix?! When is this going to generate class actions for extortion? And the guy just decided to eat the cost, absolutely amazing....

 

[FATAL125]

I'm seriously struggling with what to do with my '13 F350. It's old enough not to have all the current nanny stuff, but new enough to have enough crap that when it does die, it's expensive to repair. I just put $2300 into replacing the Body Control Module. I know the EGR/DPF/SCR days are numbered. It's also at the age & mileage where it could drop an injector at any moment, which is a cab-off repair (ie: $$$$$$$).

However, it's paid for. Has been for a long time. Repairs are still cheaper than buying a new one.

I have a '23 Bronco that has some of the tech, but I purposely didn't get one with all the lane-keeping, cameras, etc. 7-speed manual, front & rear lockers, swaybar disconnect and factory 33's, and a 96:1 crawl ratio, this thing is a billygoat!

No idea where you live, but if it's within a reasonable distance of Auburn, WA. go here...

Sound Diesel Performance | Power Stroke Cummins Duramax Transmission General Repair

sounddiesel.com

Gene is hands down the best diesel guy in the state. He works on everything, but he's a Ford guy at heart.

He built and installed a new 6.0 for my F350 and did not have to take the cab off, which everyone says you have to do.

 

[Nosferatu]

No idea where you live, but if it's within a reasonable distance of Auburn, WA. go here...

Sound Diesel Performance | Power Stroke Cummins Duramax Transmission General Repair

sounddiesel.com

Gene is hands down the best diesel guy in the state. He works on everything, but he's a Ford guy at heart.

He built and installed a new 6.0 for my F350 and did not have to take the cab off, which everyone says you have to do.

I use NW Diesel in Maryville. They have always treated me well.