https://www.atthevintage.com

Beyond the mind meltingly cool cars (S38 swapped E9, anyone?), it’s a fantastic group of degenerates that all love this old iron and want to keep them on the road. I met so many people with wonderful stories to tell, from a woman who took Euro delivery of her ‘76 2002 and still owns it, to teenagers buying their first projects, and everything in between. I’ve been less active with cars the last few years but this brought it back fast. Like the sticker says, do it for the kink. 

If anyone has leads on a cheap E30 hardtop locally let me know. 

I just thought I would share because its gawd damn AMAZING.

https://www.carscoops.com/2024/04/bmw-will-transition-to-using-i-designation-only-on-electric-vehicles/

What are your thoughts on this?

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/first-look/new-bmw-concept-touring-coupe-glorious-z4-based-breadvan

I personally found the proportions to be a bit odd, but styling wise it actually looks pretty good IMO.

Discuss..

https://www.carscoops.com/2022/12/ac-schnitzer-created-a-bmw-i4-m50-police-car/

What are your thoughts on this? Is AC Schnitzelheimer giving up on performance? Or is this a 1 time gig because of "Tune it safe"

This is a scavenger hunt of sorts. Your task is to find an E34 on google street view. It can be any country, any color, just needs to be an E34 you find on Google Street View.  Post a screenshot or link (preferably both). First one to find it decides what to find next (LSB M3, ghetto looking BMW, BMW with visible rust, BMW parked the wrong direction, BMW with the top down, BMW within a certain city or state  etc etc etc). It can be your own car if it fits the criteria and its on Street View  (aerial images dont count, a Lada looks the same as an M3 from that vantage point) You can feel free to make choices non-BMW related, but I think there are probably plenty of variations of things to find when you lock yourself down to one near and dear manufacturer. 

If you do decide to lock the game down to a certain region/area, check to make sure street view is available there (it isnt available for the Nurburgring for example)

• Timing belt
• Troubleshooting of rough idle and misfire/random revs around 3000-4000 RPM
• Z3 steering rack upgrade
• AC conversion

I'd like to avoid Kelly Moss. 

Interesting that BMW is still continuing to develop the V8 in the racing program but man I just couldn't help but laugh at those nostrils. Its like all the voices about the M3 were screaming into a void. 

I’ve heard a lot about this classic BMW Show and figured it’s time to go!  We plan on taking a week to see the sights and make a vacation out of it.  I’d like to check out the Bourbon Trail while we’re down there 😉

Here is the website 

https://www.atthevintage.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/atthevintage/?ref=share

Now… which car to bring?? 🤔

-Tim

I'm looking for a do-everything kinda vehicle to replace my Land Rover LR4. With my commute going up to 45 minutes each way, 6 days in a row, that 13-15 mpg is starting to hurt. In 1.5 months I need to fit a baby seat in back as well.

I'm considering a couple different vehicles that I want to keep in the $7-12k range. Mainly I'd be looking at either an X5, preferably in a diesel for maximum MPGs, or something like a 328xi.

It's been a heckin minute since I owned a BMW or paid much attention to them, but in that time I've owned nothing but unreliable British or German cars, so I'm not completely out of touch.

Would love to hear some opinions on the reliability and usability of the aforementioned vehicles. I keep looking at diesel VWs too, but I yearn to return to the BMW family in some capacity.

Resources, references, or banter about the topic are greatly appreciated.

PFA (I saw this somewhere.)

Don't see a part number anywhere on the box, so not sure if these were a dealer item? Or if this is just fan made? Frame is metal, finish on the frame appears quality. The box is very nice as well which makes me think it is a dealer item.

Plate comes with this canvas type material of some of the art cars on it. The back of art piece has a backing material similar to a picture frame that has a fold out stand.

Link if you are interested.

His NEW design is more pop art but he stretches the horizontal lines to give it motion while stationary.  I think with different wheels and lowered or put on a racecar I could get behind this.

Until... I actually got behind it.  Anyone else see what I see?

Quote

The lengthy complaint can be summarized in the following statement: "cup holders are defective and are not properly designed to hold cups filled with liquid — the very thing cup holders are intended to do."

The year is 2021 and the germans still haven't figured out cupholders 🙄

So 2012 was the first year for the N20, which I had forgotten when I rented the car but I specifically chose this 528xi off Turo because of its very close proximity to where my brother Ben and his wife were staying for the weekend as they were our ride to and from the airport. It would've been an additional $50-60 to have the car delivered out there. This was also the cheapest BMW available on short notice as well at $67 a day which worked out too. Ben got to ride around his friend's new KTM Adventure too. 

I haven't set foot inside a F10 since they were brand new and I was really happy with how this chassis with 128k has held up. Especially for being a car that's rented out, the interior more or less didn't have any wear over the last decade. I can remember driving E60's with 60-80k miles on them that were falling apart inside and out but this car didn't have any squeaks or rattles. The iDrive shows its age obviously but the controls and screens all worked as they should. 

The car itself still handled and drove great as well. My only complaint with the car was I don't think the N20 is best suited for this chassis. The car's registration listed the curb weight at 4400lbs and the motor struggled to move it. Between the weight and the AWD I only got 20mpg on mostly highway miles around town over the weekend. Getting on on ramps at 50% throttle the motor would still wind out to 7k rpm and that would hardly get me up to traffic speed. I also had a "drivetrain malfunction error" pop up twice over the weekend which resulted in even more reduced power. Not sure if it was a waste gate rattle or exhaust in general but something was noisy although only noticeable at idle when parked. The N20 is great in the F30's and Z4's but is just overworked imo with the F10, my choice would be a 535i. 

Now the Turo experience:

So this was my first time using Turo since 2016 when I rented that 6spd E90 328i in Albuquerque, which was a fantastic experience. Things didn't go nearly as smoothly in Denver partly due to the host's assumptions and imo some flaws with Turo's app. I rented the car 2 days before my scheduled pick up day. Host had 5 stars and a few good recent reviews but like I said the proximity and price were really my deciding factors on renting this. The host got back to me within 10 minutes thanking me for booking and saying the car would be ready for me at my desired pick up time. Upon landing in Denver, I updated the host with our ETA to their listed address as I said I would earlier. I got no response. 

I arrived to the car parked on the street. Two cars were in the driveway of the house as well, but no answer to the video doorbell and an unanswered phone call as well. This is where my communication troubles started and assumptions by the host. I was not informed at all that I would be doing a "contactless check-in". I would assume now that this is the norm for most Turo transactions but like I said its been 6 years since I did my last Turo rental so I had no clue how this was supposed to work. Eventually I found the keys in the mail box and then realized after I started the check in process that photos of the keys in the mail box were taken by the host as part of their pre-trip photos. This 5min+ of confusion could have been avoided though in multiple ways buy communicating ahead of time and also answering in the moment. I took my photos of the light scratches and wheel curbing and went on my way.

After a late night visiting and catching up with family, the following Sat morning I see the seller had sent me a message Friday night asking to upload pictures of my drivers license. I was confused as the Turo app has my license verified, so I asked why that was needed. The response was "Those where supposed to be uploaded on the check out process so the app can see who’s driving the vehicle in case of accidents. Let’s say someone else took it and is driving it they won’t cover me if the ID is not on there for me to prove that you and not someone else". It was at this point that I found and read Turo's Contactless check-in and check out guide for hosts. Turns out I was supposed to verify my id up to 24hrs BEFORE pickup. I complied because you can later delete them from your trip photos for privacy reasons but I was upset that this wasn't requested at the appropriate time. 

After a very busy, long day of family activities that Saturday and Sunday morning I get to returning the car 1hr before I had scheduled it for as we wanted to grab food before driving to the airport. It's at this point I realize I missed a message from the host Sunday morning. Good morning, Check out list: . Fill up gas tank (premium only submit gas receipts showing premium gas) . Car wash (You can drop off the vehicle as is and we will take care of it and bill the app.) Please leave car parked in the drive way and put keys back in the mail box. Submit any pictures you need to the app. Thank you

I had put premium in the car because I knew that was required for the car but of course the receipt printer didn't work on the pump. I did take a photo of the pump total for purposes of splitting the gas bill later so luckily I had that. I actually didn't read the host's message until after I finished check out and we were down the block. The Turo app doesn't provide a notification inside the app and I missed this on the lock screen. I wasn't checking my email either so I'll admit this is on me but the core problem in this scenario is WASHING A RENTAL CAR. 

We turned around and went back because I forgot to take photos of the keys in the mailbox. The host ended up being there only 10min after I dropped the car off and I talked to them in the driveway about forgetting to take pics of keys and not receiving the message about washing the car until now. They were lienient on no gas receipt but I uploaded the gas pump photo anyways. At that point I was given the choice of taking the car 1 block away to the car wash for $12 and 20min of my time or the $30 cleaning fee. I stated, at this point I didn't have 20min to spare so I will just have to pay the fee after explaining I had a very busy weekend and told them this should have been communicated when picking up the car. The host agreed and this whole interaction was also recorded on a security camera. 

For those that know me, it takes a lot to get me worked up but I was pretty furious when I hopped back in my ride to the airport. Piss poor miss-communication drives me crazy and also I shouldn't have to worry about all this shit during the use of the car. On the way over I start reading Turo's policy docs and the renal terms. Cleaning the car - Turo Support states Guests aren’t expected to clean or disinfect the car upon return, though if you return the car in a condition that requires moderate, heavy or severe cleaning you may be charged a cleaning fee. (See cleaning levels table in the Cleaning and disinfection policy). To avoid fees, vacuum up excessive dirt, sand, or crumbs, wipe up any sticky spots or spills, and check the exterior for any significant dirt or mud that may need to be washed off.

I returned the car in "slightly worse" condition then when I picked it up. It was far from showroom condition when I got it. We ended up driving through some rain, resulting in water spots on the hood. I did shake out the floor mats when I returned the car and there were no crumbs or spills inside.

The host adds on $30 cleaning charge Sunday night, Monday morning I start the dispute which you have up to 48hrs to file:

Me: "The morning of my rental return (host) messaged me with checkout instructions requiring the car to be filled with premium gas and to be taken through the car wash. This was not communicated before picking up the car and I believe is against the Turo Policy. No matter what condition the car was dropped off in, P would charge this fee. I shook out the floor mats before return and washed the windows at the gas pump. We did drive through some rain so water spots on the hood but no excessive dirt or mud."

Host:  "Due to Covid 19 we are required to detail clean the vehicles to prevent the spread for our renters. Each renter is required to pay a cleaning fee at the end of the trip. Message was read at 9:30am and drop off was scheduled 5 hours later having enough time to deliver vehicle correctly. Before renting all extra fees are listed on the app. Every renter I’ve had sees them and pays for them before booking. I listed the prices of all the extra fees this vehicle comes with.

When renten dropped off vehicle I have him in camera saying he will pay the cleaning fee because he didn’t have time to go get a car wash. He agreed to pay for car wash. I mentioned it’s $12-15 plus 20-30 mins of his time. He refused and said he will pay the $30 fee. $30 fee covers employee time, car wash fees and cleaning materials. I’ve uploaded all pictures showing the fees and please let me know how I can submit that video in my drive way"

Me: Chris rated this trip and left a private message:

I was very disappointed with the communication on this rental. It was not communicated after booking that you were setting up a contactless check in. I don't believe the app's check in progress makes these instructions clear either so I will be writing feedback to Turo as well on this. I am disappointed that you didn't pick up the phone after initially ringing your door bell and then calling your phone number before finding the key in the mail box via the photos. The app did not require or mention needing to upload the drivers license photos that you later requested. Had the contactless checkin process been communicated before pick up the driver verification could have been completed 24hrs before as required by Turo policy.

If the entire video footage is uploaded, I stated I came back because I forgot to upload a picture for the key returned in the mail box. I also stated in the driveway that I did not have the 20min you estimated the car wash would take so I would just have to pay the fee instead. 

I understand the elevated requirements for sanitation due to Covid19 but a wash and vacuum at a car wash does not complete those requirements nor should that cost of business be passed on to the customer without prior agreement to picking up the car. 

Turo policy states "Guests aren’t expected to clean or disinfect the car upon return, though if you return the car in a condition that requires moderate, heavy or severe cleaning you may be charged a cleaning fee. (See cleaning levels table in the Cleaning and disinfection policy). To avoid fees, vacuum up excessive dirt, sand, or crumbs, wipe up any sticky spots or spills, and check the exterior for any significant dirt or mud that may need to be washed off." That cleaning and disinfecting policy is what is referred to during the rental agreement. 

Your trip rules as listed on the app are: Arrive on time, Bring your license, no smoking, keep the car tidy, 400 miles included, refuel the vehicle. I followed all the rental rules as agreed to when booking the car."

TLDR The host insisted that the $30 minimum cleaning fee that can be OPTIONALLY prepaid at the time of booking was part of the rental agreement. Turo did deny the charge. "We reviewed the documentation and information submitted to us and determined that you aren’t responsible for the reimbursement charge your host requested. We won’t be charging you for this invoice and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

I asked Turo support about why people even pay that fee beforehand. I doesn't cover spills and stains so unless you intentionally feel like being a slob and making a mess, but not a big enough mess to require the higher cleaning fees, why wouldn't somebody wait until the proper fee is determined at drop-off? Turo's response: "Guests aren’t expected to clean or disinfect the car upon return, though if you return the car in a condition that requires moderate, heavy or severe cleaning you may be charged a cleaning fee. (See cleaning levels table in the Cleaning and disinfection policy). If you purchase a Cleaning Extra from your host, you don’t have to clean the car before returning it and can return it with Moderate level cleaning required. However, your host could still charge you a cleaning fee if the vehicle requires Heavy or Severe cleaning.To avoid fees, vacuum up excessive dirt, sand, or crumbs, wipe up any sticky spots or spills, and check the exterior for any significant dirt or mud that may need to be washed off."

Know the terms you are agreeing too! This applied to both me, the renter and the host who clearly doesn't understand the platform policies itself. 

My final thoughts are about the Turo app itself. We're 18+ months into the pandemic, why aren't these contactless check out procedures baked into the app at this point. The host should be able to chose what type of pick up they are offering and in the case of the contactless it should then walk me through the Turo guidelines as part of the check in process. The app should specifically ask for photos to verify my drivers license and shouldn't allow me to complete check in until done so. I also believe for cars requiring premium, it should be stated in the rental agreement and built in as part of the check out process as well. 

I also find it interesting that my generous 4.0 review with no public comments is the only one that shows on this car's rental profile tight now. What happened to the previous reviews I read?? Next time I rent on Turo, I'll be looking for cars with a longer rental history. 

I hope this helps somebody else in the future understand what they are getting into with a Turo rental and what is actually required. 

I was wondering if anyone lives in a city or county (for example Adams county wi) that doesn't require emissions, I need an adress where I can say my cars kept in so I don't have to go anymore... Hehe

Or if someone knows another way around it!

I'll pay someone a

Few bucks thru pay pal

Thanks.

I know I haven't been around here much and this is probably frowned upon to make these sorts of posts but...

I need to get a new(er) car with automatic for a variety of reasons.  Therefore this thing has to go.  The edmunds true car won't give me a value for it for whatever reason so I have no way to know if I'm getting hosed by the dealer (if I trade it in) or what to ask for it if I try to sell it outright.  I know it's not worth a whole lot.  I was looking at a 528i automatic several years ago and that dealer didn't want it because it was manual trans.

It's an '07 328i sport package with manual transmission, rear wheel drive.  Space gray with saddle leather (obviously).  178,500 miles.  The car is cosmetically clean with just the normal chips in the front bumper cover.

It needs a driveshaft, which is kind of prompting this.  It is currently drivable but it's on the way out, there is the "rust colored powder of death" coming out of the rear u-joint.  There are some other minor nits, but the major stuff like the a/c works.  If it ends up going for sale here I will disclose all said nits as I'm one of those dreaded completely honest type guys.

It had shocks, struts, water pump/thermostat at ~150k, and within the last 3k front control arms, two front tires plus I just had the oil pan gasket done.

Any thoughts?
Wally

-Game begins 2/17/2021, activities must take place after this date.

-activities SHOULD be completed with a BMW but once someone achieves BANGL and submits evidence in this thread, we will vote.

-evidence should be photographic, but if it isnt, it will be subject to scrutiny by the community come validation time.

-Knocking on Chris’ door is an acceptable substitute in the event he tampers with his doorbell

I am trying to figure out sway bar setup for my e21. I have e36 front suspension sway and e28 rear but stock e28 rear bar is not ideal because the bump in the middle to clear e28 diff mount and e36  front has too much hanging below the frame rails. 
 

Looking at the pictures it seems that e30 might be a good match. 
 

Could someone please measure their front and rear sway bars for me?

I am looking for the arm lenght and width between the arms. Also if there is a part of the bar that hangs lower than the arms it would be nice to know how much lower it is.

Thank You