[DeTomaso] Bimmers redux

Fri Feb 12 23:22:24 EST 2010

I'll betcha consumer Reports could tell ya when it came down to brass tacks but I can't.
I don't think American or Asian shop rates are that far below Europeans that much anymore.The BMW shop we will use if needed is $125/hr. Local Chevy dealer is $95.Not sure about the Asian rate.
It just depends on how often you see them and if your warranty covers the problem.If you buy a newer BMW I would get the bumper to bumper warranty if available.I can't believe I'm saying that.No I don't sell them.
As advanced as they are with so many computers,forget fixing it yourself unless you've got the right reset hardware/software diagnosis machine. The guy said the machine they've got cost $15000.
BMW kind of reminds me of Sony.Very proprietary oriented. Only their stuff will work right.But according to the forums I've visited,there are work arounds.

Maintenance(lubricants) is just insurance to promote maximum life on all systems. .Even then,stuff happens.Your cost is determined by the amount of time and labor , quality of materials you want to contribute.And driving style. And climate.And...
In the end Bill, will you say "I shoulda bought the Hunday,coulda saved $102 bucks."
I think not,otherwise you wouldn't be on the Pantera forum.

Enjoy,
Matt
3584

. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bill Lewis 
  To: matt at nwpantera.com ; detomaso at realbig.com 
  Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 6:29 PM
  Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] Bimmers redux

  So, if you factor in the cost of maintenance on the BMW, as opposed to an American - how does that work out? (Never mind looks, wife likes, etc.)

  > From: matt at nwpantera.com
  > To: detomaso at realbig.com
  > Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:46:03 -0800
  > Subject: [DeTomaso] Bimmers redux
  > 
  > Larry,
  > quote: "It is to replace her 1996 mini-van which decided to puke a trans and would cost more to fix than it was worth."
  > You could not say that about almost any BMW on the planet. It is more common with a lot of US cars.
  > 
  > "European vehicles tend to hold their value better and
  > generally were well maintained by their previous owners..."
  > True
  > 
  > "I just kept looking and looking finally realizing one thing was missing...emotion.
  > There was none concerning all the Japanese choices."
  > Add American choices to that.
  > 
  > For brevity sake I used just the Asian market in my post but since you asked, I actually first started looking at new and used US models wanting to fulfill my patriotic duty but remember, it was still "her" ride. 
  > Chevy,Chrysler and Ford were all candidates in the race. She simply didn't like the way they looked.They looked overweight and handled oafish. Most are based on truck frames.The interiors were bland or forced.
  > The only one she seriously considered was the new style Dodge Challenger ;-)) 
  > It lost out due to only 2 doors and impracticality in inclement weather,which we get occasionally in the NW. I didn't even get to test drive that one :-((
  > So that left the Asian/Euro market which offered many more models that fit our criteria.
  > 
  > Sadly,the US models simply did not have that emotional appeal like the Euro offerings have had for years.
  > It was really more about what drives people to buy what they buy (emotion-see Pantera) and was not intended to be a complete synopsis of all vehicles considered in our particular purchase.
  > I could go on and on about how the BMW is completely designed for driver comfort,safety and performance and still looks good.
  > But I won't since I know you (and I) are not a big fan of the "Ultimate Driving Machine" blah blah blah thing and this is a Detomaso forum after all.
  > But I will suffice it to say, IMHO unlike the US and Asian cars, my perception is the BMW truly attempts to make your driving experience the best it can be. No I don't sell them but I am impressed so far.
  > In the end , it all really comes down to a persons perception of a particular brand which will decide where the money goes.
  > 
  > And besides, we have a pure breed Daschund so she just had to have a German car with heated seats ; - ))
  > Women, go figure!
  > 
  > Have fun,
  > Matt
  > 3584
  > 
  > Message: 52
  > Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:00:25 -0800
  > From: Larry Finch <fresnofinches at aol.com>
  > Subject: [DeTomaso] Bimmers
  > To: detomaso at list.realbig.com
  > Message-ID: <CD808FBD-3E00-48DA-8171-7D1DEE3C5FA2 at aol.com>
  > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
  > 
  > quote: "We looked at all the Japanese.....I just kept looking and 
  > looking.....European vehicles tend to hold their value"
  > 
  > Did you even .....consider.....an American vehicle?
  > 
  > They still make them, you know.
  > 
  > Larry
  > _______________________________________________
  > 
  > Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
  > 
  > Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/
  > 
  > DeTomaso mailing list
  > DeTomaso at list.realbig.com
  > http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now. 