Three Changes in Sept 09 - two of auto interest (??) & one very sad...

[ovr50]

A new thread for this as my old BMW thread is too long now.

The sad item first. On Sept 14, we had to put down our loved and loyal pal of almost 11yrs, Drake, our Shepard/Rottie cross. His back legs just basically wore out, he was in pain that painkillers didn't seem to ease, and we had to make a VERY heart-rending and difficult decision. To have kept him going on every increasing dosages and strengths of drugs was not fair to him, and was only for our benefit. We opted not to do that to him. He had a good life with us, and he gave us, in return, all the licks, tail wags, nuzzles, et al that we could handle. Drakie was a great dog, and we miss him so much. Once the pain is gone, only good memories will remain - at least that is our hope. Losing Drake has made the other things that I did this month seem insignificant, and I have not felt like posting much of this on here to this time.

[initial_D]

Congrats on the new M3, Ovr. And the Accord.

Understand and can relate to the pain and difficulties of losing a loving pet.

[99 Silver]

I can relate to your pain of losing your loyal dog.  Jackie and I went through this a couple of years ago and it is very difficult.

[rrocket]

Man....I feel for you.  I really do.  I'm still not over Dax passing and it's been several months.....

[ovr50]

The M3 came about the first week of Sept, before the health issues with Drake reached a crisis point.

First, it is a 2009 BMW M3 Sedan (an E90) in Alpine White, and Black Novillo leather. It is a 7 spd DCT with MDrive (Double Clutch Transmission). You can drive it using the steering wheel paddles or just dump it into Drive for around town and slow traffic. The paddle shifting is amazing and the DCT is instantaneous. It even blips the throttle on the downshifts...!! It has all the options except the Electronic Damping Control (which I would have been OK with). The MDrive gives you Navigation, and Voice Recognition plus the various settings of the DCT - M. It has the Executive pkg which includes the better seats, Individual Audio, Compass Mirror, Elec.Rear Sunshades, manual rear side sunshades, Park Distance Control, power folding mirrors, Sirius Sat radio (paid by BMW first year), USB port and Univ Garage Door Opener. Further it has the optional 19" wheels with staggered 265/35/19 rear and 245/35/19 front. These cars come very well equipped before options, so I won't list all the stuff it has. You can check on BMW Canada website for details.

The deal came about quickly as I had looked at in June past, but the deal was not good for me. In early Sept, the GM of the local BMW store got transferred, end of Sept. He reopened our June discussions with a much improved offer to me. It just went from there. I got the M3 for a very good price, or, if you prefer, I got a very good price for the 535xi. The leaving-GM was motivated to get the M3 sold and off the floor of the showroom. An M3 in a recession and with winter around the corner is not a fast seller (it had been at the dealers since March).

I reasoned that, at my age, if I was ever going to have any M cars, it was now. The deal was good, and I crossed an item off my "bucket list".

I don't have any pix to post yet but will soon.

The Honda Accord Coupe is my winter driver for those days the M3 needs to stay tucked in the garage. I was looking for a cheap, but still reliable car that would get me thru the winter. This one is a 1992, one owner car, with only 102,000 kms on it. It is the EX-R model so as loaded as they got that year. All the stuff works except the electric aerial, and there are 2 minor door dings. Timing chain done. Purchased Dec91 and trading in on a Toyota just last week. My friends at Toyota grabbed it for me. It was a couple grand, it in great shape, and 4 brand new Yoko. Avid TRZ tires (which in new condition, are cabable enough in the snow around town). It is my drive to/from work car, and I only need it one winter as both wife and I are retiring/scaling way back after June 30/10. We still have the Highlander.

I will post pix of the Honda once I take some shots. It's really quite a good car, for the money and the age of it. I should be able to resell it in April for most of what I paid.

More later.  

[initial_D]

^^ such a teaser ... 

[rrocket]

5...4....3....2...1...until someone flames you for NOT getting the manual in the M3.  Personally, I'd rather have the DCT over what I've read described as a "rubbery" shifter in the M3.

Great colour too....!!!

I don't think the M3 has a dipstick though, does it??  That I don't like.  Apart from that...how are you enjoying the sublime V8??  

[initial_D]

5...4....3....2...1...until someone flames you for NOT getting the manual in the M3.  Personally, I'd rather have the DCT over what I've read described as a "rubbery" shifter in the M3.

Great colour too....!!!

I don't think the M3 has a dipstick though, does it??  That I don't like.  Apart from that...how are you enjoying the sublime V8??  

In ovr's case, no. 

[ovr50]

5...4....3....2...1...until someone flames you for NOT getting the manual in the M3.  Personally, I'd rather have the DCT over what I've read described as a "rubbery" shifter in the M3.

Great colour too....!!!

I don't think the M3 has a dipstick though, does it??  That I don't like.  Apart from that...how are you enjoying the sublime V8??  

The 4.0L V8 is a truly AWESOME engine that just cranks, big time..!! I cannot run the crap out it yet, too new, but after 2000kms and the fluids change, I can boot it a bit. Well, I have already booted it some.. . The sound of that thing is wild. Redlines at 8300 and (allegedly) will pull right to that. Most of the power (414hp) is at the top. It doesn't have the low end torque of the TT 6 in the 535 and, of course, the V8 is not turboed. It is blindingly fast tho. I have just under 1000kms on it now so hope to get to 2000 soon.

Dipstick? Nope, all electronic but the car has 4 years of maintenance and 4 years of warranty - I will not own past that point. I will return to something more docile and more fitting of a senior-type (chronologically) person.....

The DCT tranny is another marvel. It is actually faster than the 6 speed manual. Purists, of course, want the manual; but for many M3 buyers, the DCT is the way to go. It makes it a real Jekyll and Hyde car - easy and docile at times, but a pure beast at others. Hit the "M' button on the steering wheel and you transform the car into an animal. Can't do all that stuff yet tho.....

[rrocket]

Yea..I don't like not having a dipstick.  I mean...what do you do to check the oil level?  Take it to the dealer?  If I was ever keeping a car beyond the warranty term, that alone is almost a deal breaker for me.

OK...so when you getting an exhaust for it??   

[ovr50]

Yea..I don't like not having a dipstick.  I mean...what do you do to check the oil level?  Take it to the dealer?  If I was ever keeping a car beyond the warranty term, that alone is almost a deal breaker for me.

OK...so when you getting an exhaust for it??   

You check the oil any time you want by using the electronic system. I do it at least once a day. Incidently, the M3 engine is expected to use about a litre getting to 2000kms. When I got it, the oil level showed slightly overfull, and the car was taken out back to drain off a bit. Fine now.

Exhaust? Actually, the stock unit is good. I will not be modding the car. Not into that. It's a pretty complete package the way the Germans made it.

Additionally, the new iDrive is much improved and actually a pleasure to use. So easy now. And the tires are not RFTs, there is a can/pump thingy in the trunk. No spare tho. I took out the BMW wheel/tire insurance for the first 3 years, as if you ever wreck a wheel or even a tire, the costs are extreme.

[Flinter]

I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your loyal pet. My Sister is currently going through a similar situation (back leg problems) with her yellow lab Jake. Gut wrenching stuff.

Congratulations of the new M3!! That is one truly awesome automobile my friend. I guess the hard part right now is keeping from indulging too much during the break-in period. Speaking of break-in, what a cruel torture to inflict on anyone that has just purchased a new sports car.

Wise choice on the 92 Accord Coupe as a low cost winter beater. EX-R model will 102K... I bet it drives very well and wouldn't be surprised if you get the same you paid for it next year when you decide to sell. I think with cars of that age, it has more to do with how well the car has been maintained.

Anxious to see some pics of the new toys.

[Shnak]

I can't wait to be comfortable enough in life that I can trade in a $70k+ car for another...  Congrats!!

As for your dog, I'm very sad for you. I can only imagine the pain of having to go through that with ours when the time comes... She's only 5 so we still have many years to go with her (hopefully!!).

You paid as much for your '92 Accord than I did for my '01 Accent!  But then again, you had 50% less mileage on it, so that's worth something I suppose. 

[airbalancer]

SO I guess the wife keeps the HL for a couple more years
Will your winter tires for 5 fit the M3
That way on a nice sunny dry winter day, you can take the M3 out

[Careener]

Sorry to hear about your dog Ovr. We were in the same situation a few years ago. It was very sad.
Congrats on the M3. Forget pictures, I want to see in-car video ;-)

[dr_spock]

Sorry to hear about Drake. 

Congrats on the new rides. 

[Railton]

A good long life Drake lived. And losing a family pet that has shared the many events and joys of your life over those 14 years makes it that much harder to deal with. Their passing touches us to our very core and does a reset on our souls.
Sorry for your loss Ovr.
Railton

[ovr50]

Thanks to all of you for your kind words regarding Drake. I know many of you have experienced the same so know the hurt it causes. Appreciate your kindness.

I hope to get some pix up later today.

[ovr50]

SO I guess the wife keeps the HL for a couple more years
Will your winter tires for 5 fit the M3
That way on a nice sunny dry winter day, you can take the M3 out

Wife wanted to keep the HL until next June, when she finishes teaching. Her choice, not mine. But I had to concur. 

No, the 5 winters do not fit the M3. I am trading the winters, with only 6000kms on them, back to the dealer, and am getting 4 aftermarket wheels and 4 of the new Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 winters. I will have winters on the M3 but still do not wish to drive it every day in winter, nor on days that are filthy or stormy. I will use the M3 on some sunny winter days with dry pavement.

BTW, Shnak, an 18 year old car here has no rust - try that in ON or QUE. 

[Shnak]

BTW, Shnak, an 18 year old car here has no rust - try that in ON or QUE. 

Actually, my car was originally purchased in NB... so ha!!! But yeah, I see your point!