Shopping.... looking for used 328xi wagon, thoughts?

Congrats! Pics or it didn't happen.

Originally Posted by wadeholiday

I have to get my winter tires. I think i'll just go w/ blizzak RFT, but wanted to see if many recommended blowin off the RFT and what they do for backup?

I have runflat winter tires. My summer tires are the original staggered ZSP wheels and tires, but I have a set of 16 inch wheels for winter use with 205/55 x 16 Dunlop Winter Sport runflats. Taller and skinnier tires are better in the snow, and that's why I downsized. Another thought is that if you get dedicated winter wheels, you'll need to get tire pressure monitors for each wheel and there are a couple of different versions of the TPMS depending on the E9x year.

I'd buy a temporary spare (or keep a summer tire in the trunk) but that would take up much of the limited trunk space. I always carry a plug kit, a jack and an air pump stuffed in the nooks and crannies of the trunk. And have AAA "Plus" with the long distance towing. Since the cars aren't designed to carry a spare, there isn't any solution that I could think of that doesn't have some minuses. Sorry.

Congrats! Stay with run-flats for winter. I have 16" Dunlops Winter as well. They are decent. Got them from Tire Rack together with wheels. Having a spare in the luggage compartment is not good. Been there...

The 06 Tire Monitor does not have PODs mounted in the wheels.
Which means you do not have to worry about them running out of power or buying them with a new set of rims . They use a rotational system based off the anti lock brake sensors.

OK,
thanks. So, I'm going to stay run flat, and get them put on their own rims.

A couple of dunlop votes here, I was thinking blizzak. have you had better luck with the Dunlop?

I'll get some pics!
white w/ blk interior.

so,
after a few days, I like it more and more! I'm known for a bit of buyers remorse at times, but each day I've been more sure I made the right move. this car drives soooo well! I was coming up mt rose highway about 11 friday night, and couldn't believe the lights. the tracking around turns, especially hairpin bends made me chuckle out loud, just amazing. didn't even know what I was missing.
and the turn signal levers, wiper blades, just the ergos of everything and feel is the best I"ve ever owned. I saw the german couple's original invoice, and can't feel bad about getting a car they paid @50K for 19K w/ only 39,000miles.

totally stoked!

cheers,
wade

Congrats Wade on your car.
I have an 06 with sport seats, panno roof 6sp mt AWD
I bought the car in 2011 with 60k at a BMW dealer. Nobody wanted the car because it was a stick and mommys couldn't be bothered.
Other dealers I go to tell me how rare this car is and if I want to trade it in they would buy it on the spot.
I am up to 110k now and out of warranty so now the maintance is done by me and it is adding up quickly.
Just put on a new set of Bilsteins in all four corners, did the drive belt, plugs, new battery, oil changes in my drive way. Still need to change two diff fluids, transfer case and MT fluids. All of these things start to rear their head at 80k.
I drive this car everywhere.
Went on vacation to OBX from Connecticut with 4 people, two bikes and a cargo box on the roof. The cruise control is amazing and increases my MPG to 28-30
If you want to carry bikes, I got a Curt hitch receiver on Amazon for 150 and used a Thule Helium rack (23 lbs) off the back. It comes out in 10 sec when you don't need it.
For the roof, go with Thule Aeroblades and the 450R foot.
Pops on and off in 2 minutes and no wind noise.
Good luck
Tom

Originally Posted by kodathedog

Congrats Wade on your car.
I have an 06 with sport seats, panno roof 6sp mt AWD
I bought the car in 2011 with 60k at a BMW dealer. Nobody wanted the car because it was a stick and mommys couldn't be bothered.
Other dealers I go to tell me how rare this car is and if I want to trade it in they would buy it on the spot.
I am up to 110k now and out of warranty so now the maintance is done by me and it is adding up quickly.
Just put on a new set of Bilsteins in all four corners, did the drive belt, plugs, new battery, oil changes in my drive way. Still need to change two diff fluids, transfer case and MT fluids. All of these things start to rear their head at 80k.
I drive this car everywhere.
Went on vacation to OBX from Connecticut with 4 people, two bikes and a cargo box on the roof. The cruise control is amazing and increases my MPG to 28-30
If you want to carry bikes, I got a Curt hitch receiver on Amazon for 150 and used a Thule Helium rack (23 lbs) off the back. It comes out in 10 sec when you don't need it.
For the roof, go with Thule Aeroblades and the 450R foot.
Pops on and off in 2 minutes and no wind noise.
Good luck
Tom

Nice first post. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the 'fest. What took you so long to get here?

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Nice first post. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the 'fest. What took you so long to get here?

Now that I am elbow deep in doing the maintance, I have been lurking around more.
Most people don't like to talk about wagons and I have to sift thru "best choices to lower my car", engine mods, bigger wheels, etc..
This is my dd and have enough speeding tix with this vehicle (110mph latest) which is why I now set the cruise at 60 and let it drive itself. I need to lay low for awhile.
I feel this is the best vehicle ever created, and I love the way it holds everything. My 13 ft sea kayak fits perfectly on top and the car is low enough I can get away carrying all my toys on the Martha's Vineyard Ferry without paying an oversized vehicle premium.

I read these threads, and I just shake my head at the stupidity of Americans and their obsession with SUVs. My car has been on snow for 20 something days straight, never even getting close to pavement, on roads that get plowed only every couple days if that. I constantly pass people on the road, then see them in the parking lot after I'm in my boots heading on up the hill. Being low is an advantage, not a disadvantage. Too bad that the new F31 is AT only. AAAArrrrgggghhhh.