ec437
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Posts posted by ec437
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The BMW owners I'm talking about are the enthusiasts of the older BMW's. ie, the e30, the e30 m3, the e28, the e28 m5, the original 6 series, the m6, the bavaria, the 2002, the 1800, the 3.0's, and all the antiquated models that you have never heard of
And I have heard of every one of those models, could point them out in pictures and could give you a breif general timeline of their lineage. Again, please stop talking to me like I'm not a car enthusiast because I don't have a BMW.
Just my .02 but all those BMW's were rust buckets also...I sold lots of replacement panels for those cars.... ;)
far from it, most were only rust buckets if the owners paid them no attention.
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I want the window sticker. A few days ago I could buy it for $9, what happened to that? I was gonna try to order one today.
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LOL, if BMW owners are as DIY as you say, why does BMW now offer all scheduled maintenance free at the dealer? There had to have been some sort of demand for that. I have a client that has a new BMW 530i, I noticed it had a nail in the tire and showed her and her response was "Wow...will that give me a flat eventually?" LOL, THAT is the typical BMW owner. Face it, people that fork over the small fortunes it costs to buy these cars new or lightly used simply aren't interested in doing their own maintenance anymore. For one thing the more complex these cars get, the more difficult it becomes to do so, but mostly its just out of laziness. I love cars and I'm reasonably knowledgable. More about the industry than the mechanics but knowledgable nonetheless. The fact of the matter is though, the extent at which i have the time or the desire to do things to my car myself is washing it and detailing it. Thats all I'm interested in doing to it. I'm more than thrilled to drop it off at the dealer and let them do the maintenance. I'm just not interested in doing it myself. As for modifications, no real interest in that either. Thats not unique to Lexus owners though BMW owners are the same way.
Look around here and other Lexus forums, PLENTY of Lexus owners into doing their own work and doing all kinds of modifications, even on brand new cars. What you have to understand though is these people are the vast minority when compared to most owners of all of these cars, Mercedes, Lexus, BMW doesn't make a difference. "there are people who do that sort of thing" thats the mentality at work here.
Although if either of us ever breaks down on the side of the road, I'll be up and running within the hour using stuff in the trunk, and you'll still be waiting for roadside assitanceSee thats the whole point you're missing, as a BMW owner you have to be prepared for that sort of thing. I drive a Lexus, my car runs. Everyday. No being broken down on the side of the road for me. ;)
When I push a button, it does what its SUPPOSED TO DO! I can drive it in the salt, I can drive it in the rain, it runs the same regardless, I can drive it for 250,000 miles and my biggest complaints will be a clunky suspension and a sunbleached dashboard. I know BMW owners that can't say that after 60k miles!
The BMW owners I'm talking about are the enthusiasts of the older BMW's. ie, the e30, the e30 m3, the e28, the e28 m5, the original 6 series, the m6, the bavaria, the 2002, the 1800, the 3.0's, and all the antiquated models that you have never heard of, including the motorcycles. I am one of these. Granted, owners of new(er) BMWs are, more often than not, completely oblivious to all things mechanical. But when you find someone that has an classic BMW that is in near showroom condition, then you know you have found who I am talking about. This may not be a fair comparison, but it is the group of BMW owners that I am most familiar with... Besides, in 10-20 years, the BMW's that are new now will be in the hands of the classic bimmer enthusiasts.
BMW's are only unrealiable if you neglect them. They are not unrealiable vehicles, they are high maitenance vehicles, and were designed to be as such. HUGE difference, and maintaining our own car is part of the satisfaction that us classic BMW drivers get from our cars. They are very reliable and will last a long, long time without ever breaking down if properly mantained, and keeping them mantained is not such a huge task, either.
PS: my BMW, in 163,000 miles of life, did never once leave its owner on the side of the road. :)
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Please everyone! Nobody makes any money off these forums, its just to help keep the costs to the admins down as low as possible. Thanks!
$50 is a little steep for me at the moment :(
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Nor do I care to B)
Meh, you people are obviously a different breed than am I. BMW owners want good performance and good handling in a sexy looking package. They (at least older BMW enthusiasts) are the type that want to get their hands dirty working on their own car, they want to know what is going on inside that engine. They install their own suspension, they work on their own engine, then they drive the contraption around the course at speeds of sheer insanity. Why? I have no idea. But its a lot of fun.
From what I can tell, you lexus people are the ones that just drive it. You want a comfortable seat on a machine that only your mechanic knows about. You're the ones that ask for more sound deadening material, not caring about the extra weight. We're the ones that rip out the carpets just to peel off the foam sprayed underneath. After all, if you stripped the whole car of the stuff, you could save a couple tenths of a second off your ET! :P
So I guess a BMW isn't for everyone. :D
Although if either of us ever breaks down on the side of the road, I'll be up and running within the hour using stuff in the trunk, and you'll still be waiting for roadside assitance :P
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Or any BMW thats out of warranty ;)
So I take it you don't know how to upgrade a camshaft? :P
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Thats the matra of all the BMWphiles I've known "They're just little problems!" "You need to learn some troubleshooting skills!" or "These cars are just tempermental" or "They have character, unlike that Lexus". Well if having no character means it always runs properly then I'm pleased my Lexus doesn't have any. Why would I want to buy a car thats going to have its electrical system go screwy if I drive it on salty roads? Thats not "a thing" with BMW, thats poor engineering...
I like my $40,000 purchase to run, and stay out of the shop. I don't want to nor should I have to learn any troubleshooting skills.
:chairshot:
every car owner needs to know troubleshooting skills!
I guess to own a classic BMW you have to be a do-it-yourselfer.
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About the HVAC controls, not only was the fan "dead", but it was like the entire system was dead. Nothing would work. The buttons pressed in like there was nothing there.
Huh. Thats odd...
I've never specifically dealt with the e23, so I'd have to see it in person to fix that. From the pictures of the interior that I can find, I'm not sure what would cause that problem. Did the tempature control knob turn freely with no resistance? I think that car used a mechanical connection to control the temperature. As for the buttons, thats an electrical issue. It could easily be related to those stripped wires behind the radio, although it could also be other things, such as a bad ground somewhere (less likely, but possible), or a loose connection in the fuse box or something. I'd have to get under the dash with a flashlight and a screwdriver to figure it out, although I'm reasonably confident I could have fixed it with some elctrical tape and needlenose pliars. :D
You, my friend, need to learn some troubleshooting skills :P
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I'm not sure why BMW cut the M coupe. Usually their marketing decisions aren't driven so much by sales as by design and technology...
They are one of those companies that are ALWAYS switching around their lineup, though. It might also have been dropped because in '99 (I think it was '99) their old designer retired and was replaced by an American named Chris Bangle. That is when they started the radical makeover of the 7 series; the new 6 series and the remake of the 5 series are also his handiwork. From what I have seen of the up and coming 3'er designed by him it will be rather ugly as well.
I am looking forward to the 1 and 2 series, though.
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My problems were as follows (if I recall- as this was several years ago): The low washer, as well as some other warning lights on the left side of the dash in the "message center" were illuminated, even when nothing was wrong.
Probably a loose connection in the engine bay, possibly a bad ground. I could likely have fixed it in an afternoon.
If I recall, I think one was a "low oil" lamp that was illuminated- even when the oil was full.That would probably be a bad sensor. Easy fix.
The radio had been removed when I got it and there were excessive exposed wires in that radio hole area. NONE of the HVAC controls would work and the fuse was good.You mean the fan controls wouldn't work? Probably bad resistors on the fan. Also fixed in a weekend with a few parts off ebay.
The power window switches on the console were constantly illuminated, even with the car off and keys removed. The only way to get those lights off, was to disconnect the battery.They're supposed to do that on your model. If they don't do that, then you have a bad relay, but fortunately yours were working correctly :D
The main thing was a sensor on the engine. If it was plugged up, the car would not start when the engine was hot. When it was unplugged, it would not start when it was cold.
. Bad thermostat. comeon, you gotta give me something at least a little harder! :)
I also think that the car had been hit in the front before and something was loose, because when I would press down on the front bumper, the entire front fender would move outward in the center around the wheelwell. It was probably a good car, but it had obviously seen abuse and as mentioned, it was originally a northern car- which seems to create more wear and tear on a car.Yes, it probably had been in an accident, and yes, it was a good car, and yes, I could have fixed all of its problems given a week and a voltometer. :P
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If he had minor annoyances with the Lexus, the LAST thing he needs is a BMW ;)
The only minor annoyances I had with my 17 year old, high mileage bmw that had been totaled twice and been in 2 other accidents was that the radio quit working. (The frame was still straight too, even after so much damage!) I suspect that there was simply a loose connection inside the radio. Everything else functioned perfectly. And as long as you have a voltometer, the internet, and a set of metric sockets, any fool can chase down electrical gremlins, of which I had none.
What problems did you have? I could probably tell you what was wrong with it.
Also, do they use salt where you live? Salt can wreak havoc on BMW electrical systems.
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I would also say that you should return to the train tracks where it happened and take some pictures to show what condition the road is in.
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Yeah, stick around. You are going to be purchasing another car, and might need some suggestions and opinions.:whistles:
*cough* BMW!!! *cough*
feel free to consider me the resident expert on all bavarian vehicles. :P
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After all that take your back seats out and realign the back rests as the right side is out of its tracks
I would've never noticed that in a million years. I'll do that tomorrow.
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Oh lord, I'm exaggerating! In honest measurements, about an inch below 0 is where my speedomoter needle sits.
lol, thought so, but I wasn't sure if you were exagerating or if you just had no sense of distance...
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I have read through some of the threads about extra keys and now completely confused. Can someone pllleezzee help clarify?
I just bought a 91 LS400. I only received one key that works with the remote - the key with the little button on the side.
I need at least one more key - preferably another one like this.
Now - I read somewhere that you couldn't purchase another key and reprogram for this year model. But...I see a couple of tututorials that say you can. If I spend the $$ to buy a couple of other keys like this, can you actually use them? Can they be reprogrammed?
In the event I can't use another remote key, can I purchase another key and use it - like a manual key?
Thank you in advance - I'm so confused, but loving the car so far.
Thanks,
Headjoog
my ls400 came with 4 keys. 1 wireless entry one, 2 normal ones, and 1 credit card one that goes in your wallet.
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Hard to believe, but that was the case on this truck. My uncle bought it brand new in March of 1988. When my dad bought it, he asked my uncle when he last changed the timing belt and his answer was "I have never changed the belt". My dad changed it that same week. It was indeed the original. The belt was so worn that it was paper thin. Nissan must make good timing belts. I am suprised that one did not snap a long time ago.:o :o :o
How is it even physically possible for a timing belt not to break when it is TWO-HUNDERED-THOUSAND miles old?!?
holy damn. you're supposed to change timing chains more than that.
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I made a 4 hour trip after the incident, that's how I knew the gauges were messed up, including the fuel gauge. Example, when the tank is full, the needle is about an inch below "F" and when it is empty, it's only an inch below 1/2 a tank including my speedomoter needle starting at 5 inches below 0! ARGH!
And since the incident my battery has been disconnected (to install a new radiator). That didn't work because my gauges are still screwy.
Any more advice from anyone?
P.S. What can I really say to the city about this situation? Any good ideas?
Never done this myself, but get several estimates, from the dealer and elsewhere, and include them with a letter stating what happened and why they should pay for it. Do your research and if you can do so with a good chance of winning maybe you could threaten legal action or something. Anyone else care to give advice?
5 inches below 0? umm... 5 inches is about
that much. Its that far below 0???
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The timing belt never even got changed until my dad bought it from him in 1999, when it had 205K.
:o :o :o
How is it even physically possible for a timing belt not to break when it is TWO-HUNDERED-THOUSAND miles old?!?
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Hey-
I have a 1991 Lexus LS400, Black with stock speakers. I was wondering what size speakers I need if I decide to replace them with new speakers?
Thank you. :)
why did you post this in an existing thread about something else?
oh, and back to the original post, of course the dealer will want you to buy a new car. Perhaps you could try suggesting that if they won't do the work for you, you have a "friend" at "another dealer" that said he would be more than happy to do it for you, and if they won't do it, you'll just take it there. :P
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partly serious and partly joking
It may work, it has worked for other people.
If you start to get red tape and run arounds, do your research and take them to small claims court. I would think it would be the city's job to mantain the area around railroad crossings.
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I hit a HUGE HUGE HUGE bump in a train track last night and when I got in my car this morning I noticed my speedomoter needle drops about 5 inches below 0 when not moving (idle) giving me innacurate MPH readings while I'm driving and my gas gauge doesn't go all the way to the "F" when full and doesn't go all the way to the "E" when empty.
What do I do???? I've already spent $4,000 on engine work and restoration. I cannot afford an arm and a leg for a whole new cluster board...*cries*
Advice, please...
Brian Styles
Lexusownersclub.com
1991 Diamond White Pearl
LS 400 - 250K and still going...
send the city the repair bill <_<
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It looks like a warped seat frame. Perhaps someone pressed back in the seat to hard over a long period of time? I had a 1984 Honda Accord years ago that had a seat like this. I tried to "push" it back into shape, but no go. I have actually seen a few cars at dealers like this. I think it is mainly where too much pressure is placed on the seat back.
HAHA! It was repairable, and it wasn't a warped seat frame. You know how the power seat reclines back? Well, the mechanism that does that wasn't working right. Turns out only one side (left side) of it worked, leaving the other side always in that position. I took apart the seat, and with much grief and a few !Removed! knuckles, realigned the two sides and slid the little turning bar thing back into place and superglued it there. Hopefully the superglue will hold so I won't have to take it all apart again to epoxy or JB weld it.
Am I really the only one with this problem?
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My drivers seat tilts to the right. See the pic.
How on earth can I fix this?
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Buying Mercedes, But May Keep Lexus Too....
in 90 - 00 Lexus LS400
Posted
*disclaimer* (again)
Everything I say applies to older BMW's, perhaps only older BMW's. I have little or no experience with models less than 10 years old. However, I also can name 10 people off the top of my head that have had no problems with their new BMW's. I know families that drive nothing but new BMW's.
electrical gremlins caused by corrosion because of improper winterizing procedures on the part of the owner aren't really a good example of unreliable.:chairshot: I mean come on, that 7 series we were talking about was made in the early to mid 80's, and was/is many years older than your lexuses. Cars don't last forever, and I think it is unfair to compare a 20+ year old BMW that wasn't properly looked after to a newer lexus that has had good maitenance its entire life.
But they are reliable cars, if properly mantained. I can tell you this from personal experience with them, not just from things I've heard from other people.
Never said that other cars were lesser, and never said they cornered the market on anything. I only said that their products are (or at least used to be) marketed to a different demographic, a more performance oriented one.
ah ha, but our ford explorer went through 4 transmissions, 3 radiators, numerous power steering pumps, and other things, leaving us stranded more than once. It eventually died of a cracked head at 184,000 miles, running on just 5 cylinders. We were the original owners, BTW, and had mantained it well, it was just a terribly designed car. The BMW, however, was reliable.