Trying to realize a dream--looking for advice - Page 2

Hey, Moe! · 03-28-08, 09:44

Thanks, everyone! I knew that I would get good advice here, and I did.

Accumulator--I understand what you're saying. I am not getting away from working, nor from teaching, in retirement.

I'm going to continue as tennis coach at my high school. I like the kids I work with; sometimes we are successful, sometimes not, but it is fun, and I have something to offer them. I have actually coached three players who became HS coaches themselves, and one who is a D-1 college coach. I still have the bug to do that.

I do a *lot* of college tennis officiating. Actually, I just got home from working the Penn State-Minnesota match. Yeah, I was in the umpire's chair. Challenging, but interesting.

And, I am picking up a part-time summer job as a tennis teaching pro at a nearby resort/gated community. I actually enjoy teaching beginners to play tennis, so I will be doing a lot more of that.

And, gee. Not that I am driven by money--not in the least--but maybe all of this "part-time" income will drive my vehicle selection ; )

As always, Accumulator is spot-on. I will end up with a vehicle in a color I like, but not one that will own me. I don't mind working on my vehicles, but I realized that life got somewhat easier a few years back when I went from a black car to a gray car.

Again, thanks to all! My faith in Autopia lives on!

JustinDetail · 03-29-08, 07:15

First off, congrats on being financially responsible in your life (so it sounds), and I hope the retirement works as well as you have planned it to be. :thumbsup

As mentioned previously, bimmerforums.com is a great site with tons of info, just ignore all the kiddies with modded E36's that clutter the site....it was *much* better 5 years ago. I know the 1 series is getting a bit of heat for its interesting design hehe, but I think a 128i set up the way you want it would be a fantastic car for you for many years. That silky smooth 230hp, 7K redline I6 is a nice one for that size a car. Then of course you have the twin turbo 135i, satans little stepchild. hehe That is one fast machine, but it's hard for me to justify low 40's with a few options, when a nice 10K mile 05-06 M3 can be had for the same (a much better overall car, being an ///M and all). Good luck with your choices, if you have any BMW questions, feel free to ask me, I've been around them all my life, having owned 7 myself and the below some that my family had when I was a little tike.
-2002tii, E28 M5, (3) E30 M3's, E36 M3, E30 325is, E24? gray market 7 series, E46 M3, etc, etc

itb76 · 03-29-08, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinDetail

As mentioned previously, bimmerforums.com is a great site with tons of info, just ignore all the kiddies with modded E36's that clutter the site....

Glad I'm not the only one that noticed that. I'm about a year away from my first BMW (as soon as the VW hits 200K I'll start shopping seriously), and only 20-25 years away from retirement! I foresee the "standard" retirement age moving up to 70 before I'm retired.

Good luck with your selection. Glad to hear you'll be staying busy during retirement, I believe that's the key.

JustinDetail · 03-29-08, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by itb76

Glad I'm not the only one that noticed that. I'm about a year away from my first BMW (as soon as the VW hits 200K I'll start shopping seriously), and only 20-25 years away from retirement! I foresee the "standard" retirement age moving up to 70 before I'm retired.

Good luck with your selection. Glad to hear you'll be staying busy during retirement, I believe that's the key.

Yeah, it's sad what $8K E36 M3's did to the community, oh well.

I'm likin those Dubs you've got, cool cars.

Holden_C04 · 03-29-08, 09:57

For quality detailing advice and much, much more join maXbimmer

I post there regularly and there is a huge Bimmer community there. Tons of resources for the new Bimmer enthusiast.

Bostonsfavson · 03-29-08, 10:57

Well first of all, congratulations! I have an Alpine White '07 E92 335i and I love it; just a great vehicle with a truly remarkable engine. As far as Bimmer forums, I recommend e90post. It's arguably the best site out there for the E9X series cars. Good luck!

AREITU · 04-07-08, 12:33

1addicts.com is a good place to start with the 1-series.

If you're also shopping for E46 M3s, keep an eye on edmunds.com's long-term E46 M3 tester. They bought a CPO M3 from a BMW dealership to see if it'll be reliable, etc.

DETAILKING · 04-09-08, 07:17

I am a member of various Bimmer forums too and I also vote for bimmerfest.com. It will get you a good start, and breaks the 3 series forums into the different model years. Also has a pretty good Classifieds

Hey, Moe! · 04-10-08, 09:06

Thanks, everyone! I know that this "project" is almost a year away, but now I have a lot of info to look at. I am kind of interested in the 1 series. I feel that I can get a very fun to drive car at a price I can deal with.

Accumulator · 04-11-08, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinDetail

Yeah, it's sad what $8K E36 M3's did to the community, oh well.

I agree...mine sorta gives off the wrong vibe due to all the [individuals of a different demographic] who drive them

It's almost as bad as the "die, yuppie scum!" image they had when they were newer. Sheesh, I wish people would assume I bought it for the reasons I did... but then I really only care about their opinions when they're cutting me off in traffic, or keying my cars, or selective-enforcing traffic laws

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey, Moe!

... I am kind of interested in the 1 series. I feel that I can get a very fun to drive car at a price I can deal with...

IMO it's sorta a throwback to the original BMW concept too...their recent cars are too heavy/complicated/"good and modern" for my taste; they're just not the sort of cars that scratch my BMW-itch. Heh heh, by the time I'm finished with my E36 M3, the same money coulda bought a newer, "better" (scare-quotes intentional

), much more "modern" BMW, but I'm happier going this route.

Note how many people are comparing the 1-series to the old 2002-series cars from the '70s!

[I don't intend for the above to be a slam at anybody's car, this is just *IMO* and I'm, uhm...me]

Carbon Blue · 04-11-08, 11:13

If you still have a love for that smaller car feel and have no problems with your back then a 135i wouldnt be a bad choice at all. Its about 150lbs lighter than the 335 and matches or beats the older e46 m3 in many categories. Only downside is that youll be paying about 43-45k otd which is only a few thousand less than a 335 which is a much comfortable/bigger car. Have fun!