Who wants to say "I told you so"? (car related)

[bunnymendelbaum]

Remember last year when DH & I were trying to find a car to buy and we decided on a used BMW wagon? Remember how people chimed in to say be prepared to pay a lot for service and repairs? To those people: You were right. Oh so right. 

I love my car. LOVE IT. But it just cost me +$300 to have the spark plugs replaced. Spark plugs cost $12 max each.

The worst part is my dad is retired but works part time as a mechanic, but his shop's machines can't read or clear BMW codes. He can do the work, but he can't diagnose the issue or clear the dash warning when he is done.  I went to the National Auto Show twice this year. I want a new Charger. This is when you tell me I am crazy (AGAIN).

I told my sister I'm just going to buy my dad's shop the things needed to read BMW codes.

[Deleted]

Ugh that's annoying. Maybe your dad can fix the issue and then you can bring it someplace else and tell them the warning light is broken?

[bunnymendelbaum]

Mar 5, 2015 14:29:24 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Ugh that's annoying. Maybe your dad can fix the issue and then you can bring it someplace else and tell them the warning light is broken?

I did that once when the issue was obvious. The problem is usually that a warning light just comes on and there is no way to figure out what it is warning you about unless you can read the codes in the first place. Grrrr. Cars are too smart!

I will say though, my car is AWD and it is amazing in the snow and ice. Better than any other car I've ever had.

[Deleted]

My dad's mastercraft boat had the same issue. Very high end boat, but none of the local mechanics were Mastercradt certified. So their computer would give the mechanics a code, but mastercraft wouldn't tell him what the code meant so he could fix the issue. My dad ended up hauling the boat 900 miles round trip to be fixed. The ridiculous part is that instead of fixing his 10 year old boat, he's buying a new one. Another Masrercraft. I told him I was going to be ken a certified mechanic and roll in the money.

[crazygame]

We have an old Audi. I feel your pain. Have you tried Autohaus in Royal Oak? We get our Audi worked on there and they are great. They specialize in German cars.

I just looked at your blog. I love your passion for this area. Hope to meet you sometime.

[kategm]

This is the situation with my Volvo too. It's really bad since we moved to an area that has no Volvo dealerships and therefore no one is able to clear our maintenance lights. So frustrating.

[itsme]

I had a Charger. I LOVED that thing. It was a 2008 so it was the older look but oh I loved that car.

[turtlegirl]

They are definitely an expensive car to fix! We had a small 3 series sedan for a couple years and the only way we were able to afford the repairs is the fact that my DH is a BMW mechanic! His shop specializes in BMW and Mercedes, so we were able to get all the parts at wholesale prices and he did the labor himself.

There was some issue with the engine (don't remember what exactly) but the costs for him to fix it was going to be at least $1200 in just parts! And it was going to need new tires soon. So instead of fixing it we ended up getting a bigger car (we just had DS2 and knew we wanted more kids) and got a Ford instead, lol.

But the car really nice and fun to drive for those couple years!

[BAMFMrsB]

Mar 5, 2015 14:18:47 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Remember last year when DH & I were trying to find a car to buy and we decided on a used BMW wagon? Remember how people chimed in to say be prepared to pay a lot for service and repairs? To those people: You were right. Oh so right. 

I love my car. LOVE IT. But it just cost me +$300 to have the spark plugs replaced. Spark plugs cost $12 max each.

The worst part is my dad is retired but works part time as a mechanic, but his shop's machines can't read or clear BMW codes. He can do the work, but he can't diagnose the issue or clear the dash warning when he is done.  I went to the National Auto Show twice this year. I want a new Charger. This is when you tell me I am crazy (AGAIN).

I told my sister I'm just going to buy my dad's shop the things needed to read BMW codes.

I feel your pain. My VW only needs oil changes every 10k miles, but it is SO EASY to put 10k miles on it. I do 20k a year. It's like $150 at the stealership for an oil change with whatever B.S. maintenance they add on. :? 

My dream car on the 'practical' end is a Hellcat. Newly available is the Hellcat, which makes an amazing 707 hp from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, making it the most powerful production sedan on earth. It's MPGs are 13/22. THIRTEEN. I might as well live in a gas station.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Mar 5, 2015 14:48:52 GMT -5 crazygame said:

We have an old Audi. I feel your pain. Have you tried Autohaus in Royal Oak? We get our Audi worked on there and they are great. They specialize in German cars.

I just looked at your blog. I love your passion for this area. Hope to meet you sometime.

I haven't tried them. The place I've gone to twice is only a mile from my house, but I think they charge too much.

Are you going to the ML MI GTG? If you ever feel like meeting an internet stranger for a beer, let me know. We just moved here and I need friends!

[bunnymendelbaum]

Mar 5, 2015 14:57:41 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

Mar 5, 2015 14:18:47 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Remember last year when DH & I were trying to find a car to buy and we decided on a used BMW wagon? Remember how people chimed in to say be prepared to pay a lot for service and repairs? To those people: You were right. Oh so right. 

I love my car. LOVE IT. But it just cost me +$300 to have the spark plugs replaced. Spark plugs cost $12 max each.

The worst part is my dad is retired but works part time as a mechanic, but his shop's machines can't read or clear BMW codes. He can do the work, but he can't diagnose the issue or clear the dash warning when he is done.  I went to the National Auto Show twice this year. I want a new Charger. This is when you tell me I am crazy (AGAIN).

I told my sister I'm just going to buy my dad's shop the things needed to read BMW codes.

I feel your pain. My VW only needs oil changes every 10k miles, but it is SO EASY to put 10k miles on it. I do 20k a year. It's like $150 at the stealership for an oil change with whatever B.S. maintenance they add on. :? 

My dream car on the 'practical' end is a Hellcat. Newly available is the Hellcat, which makes an amazing 707 hp from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, making it the most powerful production sedan on earth. It's MPGs are 13/22. THIRTEEN. I might as well live in a gas station.

I *only* want a Charger SXT AWD!

Wasn't it the Hellcat the dealers are getting in trouble for taking orders and deposits for cars they probably won't get due to limited production?

[BAMFMrsB]

Mar 5, 2015 15:02:29 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Mar 5, 2015 14:57:41 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

I feel your pain. My VW only needs oil changes every 10k miles, but it is SO EASY to put 10k miles on it. I do 20k a year. It's like $150 at the stealership for an oil change with whatever B.S. maintenance they add on. :? 

My dream car on the 'practical' end is a Hellcat. Newly available is the Hellcat, which makes an amazing 707 hp from its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, making it the most powerful production sedan on earth. It's MPGs are 13/22. THIRTEEN. I might as well live in a gas station.

I *only* want a Charger SXT AWD!

Wasn't it the Hellcat the dealers are getting in trouble for taking orders and deposits for cars they probably won't get due to limited production?

I didn't hear about that. THAT is shady! DH is ready to put a deposit down on a Focus RS. I won't get to drive anything fun for a long while.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Mar 5, 2015 15:04:43 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

Mar 5, 2015 15:02:29 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

I *only* want a Charger SXT AWD!

Wasn't it the Hellcat the dealers are getting in trouble for taking orders and deposits for cars they probably won't get due to limited production?

I didn't hear about that. THAT is shady! DH is ready to put a deposit down on a Focus RS. I won't get to drive anything fun for a long while.

We might be the same person married to the same person. Do you also have a '67 mustang like I do? My DH wants a focus!

[spunkarella]

BAMFMrsB *lalala I can't hear you!*

I just bought a Jetta on Monday and so far I'm in love.

[BAMFMrsB]

Mar 5, 2015 15:08:53 GMT -5 spunkarella said:

BAMFMrsB *lalala I can't hear you!*

I just bought a Jetta on Monday and so far I'm in love.

no, the love is strong and true with my Lily. My car is SO FREAKING OSSUM. But it's also expensive to maintain. I will happily buy another VW. I'll prob either get the Sportwagen or go up to the Passat TDI.

[BAMFMrsB]

Mar 5, 2015 15:08:57 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Mar 5, 2015 15:04:43 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

I didn't hear about that. THAT is shady! DH is ready to put a deposit down on a Focus RS. I won't get to drive anything fun for a long while.

We might be the same person married to the same person. Do you also have a '67 mustang like I do? My DH wants a focus!

I married a nerd who turned out to be a decent gear-head. He can change the oil in our cars AND fix the computers. Handy really is his middle name. He drives a Focus ST right now but is 1st in line for the RS to arrive.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Yea, might be having to buy my dads shop the tools. They just tried to charge me $460

[Deleted]

Buy a BMW code reader/clearer off eBay for your dad. There are some listed under $100.

[crazygame]

Mar 5, 2015 15:00:51 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Mar 5, 2015 14:48:52 GMT -5 crazygame said:

We have an old Audi. I feel your pain. Have you tried Autohaus in Royal Oak? We get our Audi worked on there and they are great. They specialize in German cars.

I just looked at your blog. I love your passion for this area. Hope to meet you sometime.

I haven't tried them. The place I've gone to twice is only a mile from my house, but I think they charge too much.

Are you going to the ML MI GTG? If you ever feel like meeting an internet stranger for a beer, let me know. We just moved here and I need friends!

Autohaus is the most reasonable place we have found.   I'd give them a try.  They have been really good about telling my husband what really needs to be done and what can wait.

I'm not on ML at all, so I hadn't heard of the GTG, but I'd love to meet you sometime.   Your blog leads me to believe that you are too cool for me though.  You guys seem awesome. 

[mandapanda18]

Mar 5, 2015 14:43:58 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Mar 5, 2015 14:29:24 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Ugh that's annoying. Maybe your dad can fix the issue and then you can bring it someplace else and tell them the warning light is broken?

I did that once when the issue was obvious. The problem is usually that a warning light just comes on and there is no way to figure out what it is warning you about unless you can read the codes in the first place. Grrrr. Cars are too smart!

I will say though, my car is AWD and it is amazing in the snow and ice. Better than any other car I've ever had.

Autozone will read the codes for free and clear them when the repair is done. Not sure if you have one of those near you?

[bunnymendelbaum]

Mar 5, 2015 16:10:23 GMT -5 mandapanda18 said:

Mar 5, 2015 14:43:58 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

I did that once when the issue was obvious. The problem is usually that a warning light just comes on and there is no way to figure out what it is warning you about unless you can read the codes in the first place. Grrrr. Cars are too smart!

I will say though, my car is AWD and it is amazing in the snow and ice. Better than any other car I've ever had.

Autozone will read the codes for free and clear them when the repair is done. Not sure if you have one of those near you?

If they can read bmw codes, I owe you a beer, no a case of champagne.

[imojoebunny]

I am debating between a ford flex and a new Volvo xC 90 now that the new consumer reports is out. The Flex is much more MM. I am kind of hoping the XC 90 drives badly and I don't love it. I had a Volvo for 8 years and I loved it. It wasn't too expensive, but it was the entry level one, now I need a 6/7 passenger.

[mandapanda18]

Mar 5, 2015 16:25:27 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

Mar 5, 2015 16:10:23 GMT -5 mandapanda18 said:

Autozone will read the codes for free and clear them when the repair is done. Not sure if you have one of those near you?

If they can read bmw codes, I owe you a beer, no a case of champagne.

they read my old mercededs no problem

[Deleted]

Mar 5, 2015 15:04:43 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

Mar 5, 2015 15:02:29 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

I *only* want a Charger SXT AWD!

Wasn't it the Hellcat the dealers are getting in trouble for taking orders and deposits for cars they probably won't get due to limited production?

I didn't hear about that. THAT is shady! DH is ready to put a deposit down on a Focus RS. I won't get to drive anything fun for a long while.

DH is almost disappointed we got the 2015 WRX before we knew about the Focus RS. Not quite bc he loves the WRX (his second one) but almost. I said maybe 2022. ::fingers crossed they take off here and are still in production::