Date:         Fri, 19 Oct 2012 23:16:06 -0700
Reply-To:     Zeitgeist <gruengeist@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Zeitgeist <gruengeist@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Still Friday, sort of OT...why I like BMWs
In-Reply-To:  <CAGydU8T+JYiEfH5DYL4Lnn9vyqjQ_r3L+fsROLGFQjHWdGmnAQ@mail.gmail.com>
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After three decades of taste-testing various samples, I now have two...just
two automotive passions at the moment; The Volkswagen T3 and the Mercedes
Benz 124.  I churn with a ferocious need to use each chassis as the basis
from which I create my ultimate expression of vehicular Vergnügen.  My
current '89 Bluestar is mostly a turd runner that gets some design concepts
tested out from time to time, but it's been so reliable and trouble-free,
that I've neglected to dive in and monkey about with it too much.  It's
possibly the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

My other primadonna obsessions are a '90 300D sedan and an '87 300TD wagon,
the latter of which is my mid-life crisis moneypit pièce *de* résistance.
It has a transplanted 24v six cylinder IDI turbodiesel currently configured
to kick out 225hp, but there are phased plans to modestly bump that up to
well over 400hp...while still returning mid-30's mpg.  It has massive
Brembos from a V12 model and the biggest swaybars available.  There's
simply nothing like a solid midsize RWD Euro wagon with gobs of torque
carving up the twisties while carrying a full compliment of Home Despot
goodies in the back.  I'm sure there's a psychological nomenclature set
aside for weirdos who obsess about vans and stationwagons, vs. the more
typical coupes and convertibles to which we're accustomed.  I've tried to
be normal, but just can't shake the obsession.  Pray for me

On Fri, Oct 19, 2012 at 8:56 PM, Jason <uberhare@gmail.com> wrote:

> AH yes.  I respect the BMW Wagon...Respect it enough I own a 92 E34 525 tds
> (yes turbo-diesel) imported from Germany.  It is a computer controlled IDI
> with a rotory Bosch VE pump.  It can get a respectable 6.9L/100k with mixed
> city/highway driving.   City only it will average about 8.5L/100k.  Not bad
> for a tank.
>
> It is primarily a winter vehcile and sports Hakkapeliitta snows and works
> very well.  Very controllable drifting nature when a heavy foot is applied
> and the turbo spools.  :)
>
> My other summer toy is an 82 320is.
>
> Jason
>
>
>
>
> On Fri, Oct 19, 2012 at 10:07 PM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Regarding Dennis's comments about a BMW wagon being a money pit . . .
> > Probably true, but let me help clarify some things about me and why I
> would
> > make that choice:
> >
> > 1) I have a VW Vanagon camper for one reason, to go to and camp out at
> > old-time music festivals. It was never really intended to be my daily
> > driver, but it serves that purpose pretty well, barring deferred
> > maintenance. After I put the correct Michelin tires and KYB shocks on it,
> > the van handled pretty well considering what it is. One of my daughter's
> > friends commented that she loved the fact that I drive the van like a
> > sports car. Contrary to what others have said, the Vanagon can hold its
> own
> > pretty well in the handling department given the right setup and
> > understanding that the limits of adhesion and rollover are in very
> > different places than other vehicles.
> >
> > 2) Outside of my camping and music-playing life, I LOVE to drive. I don't
> > drive competitively, but I love to throw a rear-wheel drive car into a
> > curve and blast out the other side. I do, however, respect the limits of
> > adhesion, and of my cars. My preferred vehicle use to be a Honda Civic,
> up
> > to the point where my chiropractor declared that they are too small for
> me
> > and that they were hurting my back. Now, it's an E28 BMW, specifically
> > either an '85 BMW 528e or an '88 535is. Note that it's another mid- to
> > late-80s German vehicle with a Bosch fuel injection system. I also LOVE
> > working on them, though once you sort them out, they don't need much and
> > aren't expensive to maintain. I sold my 535is not too long ago to thin
> the
> > fleet and because my wife and I were commuting together. My 2 older girls
> > each drive an '85 528e, one with 260K miles and the other with 73K. Yes,
> > you read that right. The rubber and plastic are still just as old though.
> >
> > 3) My wife currently drives a 2002 Volvo wagon. The BMW wagon would be
> very
> > much like it in that it's not that easy for a weekend warrior like myself
> > to do the maintenance on it, but it would be way more fun to drive. It
> does
> > come with many creature comforts and safety features. So I'm thinking
> I'll
> > keep my Vanagon and do something close to a restoration on it, doing a
> lot
> > of work myself, because I enjoy it, and get the wagon so I can haul my
> > family around safely and comfortably, and I'll pay the cool older BMW
> guys
> > down the road to keep it properly maintained. It's money out-of-pocket,
> but
> > my job pays well, I just sold my house, and I'd prefer to be spending the
> > time with my new wife and son. Choices.
> >
> > Regarding the purchase price being a down-payment, I couldn't agree
> more. I
> > can get a decent BMW for $1-2K, but it will cost about $2-3K to get it
> > sorted out properly. I know that up front and willingly accept that cost.
> > My Vanagon has been similar. I bought it cheap knowing that it needed a
> new
> > transmission. I have since replaced most of the drivetrain, including the
> > engine, but that's what you do with these vehicles. The BMW engine is
> > bullet-proof; not the Vanagon's. The BMW has electrical gremlins, usually
> > ground issues, and leaky sunroofs, and faulty heater valves, and cracked
> > dashes. The Vanagon exhaust is a leaking nightmare, as is the cooling
> > system. However, I am as much to blame there as anything . . . getting
> > divorced, paying the mortgage on my old house, which I didn't live in,
> > meant serious deferred maintenance. Now it's time to fix that, I think.
> >
> > I appreciate the collective wisdom of this list and your patience with
> > people like me who, being pressed for time in our busy lives, tend to
> come
> > asking foolish questions before checking out the Bentley. Getting my
> > questions answered here allows me to fix the van more efficiently and
> have
> > more time to spend with my family and I am very grateful for that.
> >
> > Take care, have a great weekend, and remember not to spend ALL of it
> > working on your vans!
> > Marc
> >
>



-- 
Casey