Selling My 540's Replacement - BMW Forum

Eric S. · 12-08-2006, 10:15 PM

Just put my '03 Maxima 6-speed on Craigslist (http://richmond.craigslist.org/car/245733350.html). This car replaced my '99 540/6 in September when I sold the 540 to M3UOND.

Why? There's no doubt it's fast, in fact it feels pretty invincible lately. Fast in a straight line that is. The handling was a HUGE disappointment until I added a 22mm rear sway bar, but even now it's just 'acceptable' because it's still not very linear in transitions. Also, unlike the rock-solid 540, it gets scarier the faster you go. It feels almost death-defying (maybe not defiant enough!) to go over 90mph! But you'd better be on your toes if you run up against one at a stoplight! A 540 can take it, but barely (Maxima 0 to 60 is 6.0 flat, and mine 'feels' at least that fast!).

It also 'feels' lighter (it IS 500 lb less) and more nimble than the 540, but it more or less wilts when you push it, so there's no comparison there. It feels MUCH more tin-can-like than not only the 540, but also any Honda Accord. At least the back seat leg room is cavernous.

It has all the bell and whistles, but nothing seems of very high quality. The cable-operated 6-speed shifter is rubbery-feeling and not rewarding to drive (IMHO). There's nothing defective or broken about my car, I just cannot warm up to this Nissan product, which I hurriedly bought to replace my 540.

So I test drove a used '06 Accord EX-L the other day and it was like night and day. The '06 Accord WILL be my next car, ASAP, unless a pristeen 2003 TL Type S falls into my lap in the meantime. And get ready for this Blasphemy - I like the automatic; it's a sweet 5-speed perfectly calibrated automatic!

So ignore what I said above and buy my car!

ozarkmark · 12-10-2006, 03:15 AM

The Honda has the V-6 right? I owned a '99 with the auto and loved it - it was a nice change from the stick in stop and go traffic. It was very smooth.

At any rate this is a shot in the dark:
Have you ever considered getting a motorcycle as a new way to get the enthusiast rush? I know that sounds bold but I got into it a few years ago and can't live without riding everyday. If its sheer performance you are after, its game over on a bike man! 60-80 in 3.5 seconds? NO PROBLEM! BTW - nothing against the v-twin crowd but if you want real performance go for the inline 4 or heck a good Triumph inline 3 will do the trick.

Just consider the possibilities.....lots of good forums for support no matter which type of bike you get.

Eric S. · 12-10-2006, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozarkmark

At any rate this is a shot in the dark:
Have you ever considered getting a motorcycle as a new way to get the enthusiast rush?

No crotch-rocket for me. I'm 44, and have a family to think about; I never owned one and don't really want to. I rented one for a day once when at Daytona Beach as a high-school senior, so it isn't like I've never driven one. And part of my goal here is to end up with a vehicle my wife likes too. This would be going in the opposite direction. WAY opposite. I don't intend to visit Divorce Land ever again. Makes Disneyland seem like a bargain.

Yes, and I am only considering the V6 Accord, and staying with post-2002 due to transmission problems they had between 1999-2002.

Dirty_Tool · 12-10-2006, 11:23 AM

Eric,
You have already owned a BMW and what is happening here is that you have already owned and driven the finest automobile ever made. It is not going to be easy to accept something else. Nothing else will compare. Quit attempting to fool yourself. Go to the dealer today and buy a 335. it is the only thing that can save you now.
Good luck.

///M Power · 12-10-2006, 11:39 AM

You're gonna be an all honda family. C'mon now! No consideration for another BMW?

Eric S. · 12-10-2006, 10:16 PM

DT, MP - you guys are SO right!!

I would LOVE a nice E46 M3, and you are right - that new 335i had me droolin' at the dealer.

Maybe once my son graduates high school (he's a freshman now) and the steep child support payments end I can begin to think about another Bimmer. As-is, my wife won't hear of anohter BMW now, or really anything non-Honda. I can't say I blame her - I've trained her well!

And my wife is wonderful - don't go thinking she's a beyatch or anything. She doesn't make many demands of me so when I know she wants something I want to bend over backwards to accommodate her. We have a good thing going, trust me!

Teh Prof · 12-11-2006, 09:10 AM

Was just on a DC road trip this weekend. Would you believe I killed an Evo 8 between DC and Lexington? with a 250 pound passenger?

Might have something to do with the fact that it was from 90 to 120 mph in 4th.

Eric S. · 12-11-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3UOND

Was just on a DC road trip this weekend. Would you believe I killed an Evo 8 between DC and Lexington? with a 250 pound passenger?

Might have something to do with the fact that it was from 90 to 120 mph in 4th.

Hey, nice photo, man! The AEs look great! Looking for more pics soon! :lol:

sp0rky · 12-12-2006, 01:02 PM

I've never been too big of a fan of the Maximas.. I always thought they were quick and looked great but lacked that "quality" feeling. I hope you have better luck with the Honda.

I myself have been thinking about an 07' Toyota Camry Hybrid. Looks like a sweet little car. I'd like to have it along with the 540, though.

WALSRU · 12-12-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric S.

Just put my '03 Maxima 6-speed on Craigslist (http://richmond.craigslist.org/car/245733350.html). This car replaced my '99 540/6 in September when I sold the 540 to M3UOND.
So ignore what I said above and buy my car!

LoL worst sales pitch EVAR! :lol:

Teh Prof · 12-12-2006, 06:57 PM

As of today, Eric's old car is now a Dinan 5.

Eric S. · 12-12-2006, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sp0rky

I've never been too big of a fan of the Maximas.. I always thought they were quick and looked great but lacked that "quality" feeling. I hope you have better luck with the Honda.

I myself have been thinking about an 07' Toyota Camry Hybrid. Looks like a sweet little car. I'd like to have it along with the 540, though.

You summed it up well, spOrky - it lacks that "quality" feeling. I wish I hadn't had such stars in my eyes when I test drove it, because now, after having driven a TL-S, it feels like a "tin can" by comparison.

The jury's still out for me regarding the new Camrys (Camries?). To me, they look like a Chrysler 300C that's been "Bangle-ized". The interior is undeniably sweet though, and that's what you look at as a driver.

Eric S. · 12-12-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3UOND

As of today, Eric's old car is now a Dinan 5.

OK, OK, so I take it that means you now have the Dinan exhaust. I have GOT to hear this!! Sound clip, please, oh please!!!!!!

Oh, and I'd really like to see something in addition to the head-on photo because I want to see how the clear turn signal lenses look from a profile or 1/4 view. So far, you're doing all the stuff I wanted to do to the 540 but was too busy repairing and maintaining to do!

I've had MANY inquiries about the Maxima, but the biggest obstacle I'm running into is the fact I've only owned it 3 months. I have been totally honest in telling my story to people (as above) - the car just isn't matching up to my personal preferences. But I guess that's just too hard to believe.

It's too bad, because this is a rare Maxima, and it's at least as well-prepared and sorted out now as the 540 was. I think M3UOND can attest that the 540 was in decent shape when he bought it. I think the 1st serious buyer to actually come look at it will readily buy it....

Teh Prof · 12-12-2006, 09:14 PM

Yes, I'd say the 540 was pretty well sorted. The royal purple stuff was a bit of a disappointment. The only repairs so far were that the rearview mirror snapped off the windshield and I have to do the passenger side rear window regulator. That regulator is as we all know a very common failure--I had that problem on my 528 too.

I do have the exhaust in. Tell you what, there's something better than a sound clip. Why don't I drop by in early January on my way back to Atlanta? That would be about January 7th, I'd imagine late morning/early afternoon. If you still have the code reader I'll buy it off you then too.

Eric S. · 12-13-2006, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3UOND

Why don't I drop by in early January on my way back to Atlanta? That would be about January 7th, I'd imagine late morning/early afternoon. If you still have the code reader I'll buy it off you then too.

Now THAT sounds great! I'll pencil you in. Yeah, I don't understand what happened with the Royal Purple either - it's The hot thing over on Roadfly's E39 forum.

Regarding the code reader, I've had a trickle of interest; one guy who lives near me actually made me an offer and all that was left was to set up a meeting time/place and then I never heard from him again. But as of now, I still have it.

Am back to driving the Civic Si (the spotless Maxima is staying in the garage). I guess it'll make me appreciate the next car that much more....