tman89544

So i've got a major dilema on my hands and i am really torn as to what to do. My car has been running into quite a few problems the past few months (alternator went out, brakes went out, window got screwed up) and i've just got a bad feeling the tranny is going to die soon (was replaced 10k ago, ??).

While i absolutley LOVE my CL i've really run into a wall with it. As far as little stuff is concerned i've done all there is to do. I've got my fog lights, clear corners, spoiler, door sills and CAI. I feel that to get this thing up to speed i would have to sink atleast a grand into it. Plus, i feel im getting a little bored with the automatic transmission. And as i said i just have had alot of bad luck with this car.

On the other hand i have an opportunity to buy a 1998 BMW M3 with just about 100k. The car is in supreme condition, and appears to be in damn good shape. The only thing is, its going to cost me atleast 12,000 to get it. While i really want to get an m3, i see there are some clear negative aspects. First off, its got 100k. Even though its a BMW that # just scares the hell out of me. Plus, these cars apparentley are very high maintenance. As someone who is going to be leaving for college soon I really don't know if i've got the time/money to do that.

So here I am, and am really confused. I feel extremley emotionally attached to my CL. Since it was my first car its just tough to get rid of it. I've met alot of people because of that car (CJ, smallz) and i think i might shed a tear if i loose it. At the same time though, since my milege isn't too bad (86,500) i don't know if i should sell it now while it still has some value and before something else serious happens.

So what should i do? M3 or CL??


BTW, what do you think my car is worth? http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2157256

THANKS!

herbalist

a lot of threads like this one have been popping up lately. a lot of people are having major problems. if your CL is giving you that many headaches i'd look into a new car. as for what to get, that depends on your budget. compare the different cars in your price range and go from there.

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

fuck the M3, you'll get owned with maitenance and shit...keep the CL, go through college, by a newer M3

tman89544

Getting a new car is not really in the picture, because in my price range the best thing i could get would be something like a corolla or some little shit.

Thanks for the info, the more the better.

mcajka

hey man hang in there ive had the urge to get a different car a few times and every time this car keeps me here...and plus it will run forever pretty much...oh and yea maintenance on a bmw is killer. my friend just bought a 91 535i and hes had alot of issues with it and its cost him a ton so id say stat with the cl tilly our out of school

lnsyone

i think the cl would be ideal in your dilemma.

tman89544

^^^

To what dilema?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

But sounds like you're pretty set on the m3. If you sell, you should sell me your stock fogs

6peedSleepR

that m3 will give you 10 times as many problems.. just keep the cl if you dont have the $$ to get something newer..

duluoz

i think that feeling is exactly what puts most sellouts over the fence -- the rest (plus the fact you're eyeing an M3 ) sounds like you want performance for your $$$ instead of just typical hi-mile-car maintenance -- with a 10-yr-old 100K M3, you'll be paying for both.

good luck.

03silvertypeS

if you're really worried about the tranny and think it might fail, personally i'd say sell it and get an integra or something that will get you through college with no problems whatsoever. If you're main focus is having dependable transportation at college with minimum repair costs, i'd start looking (unless you can afford a new tranny). Definitely stay away from the bmw and start looking at more practical cars. After college, when you get a better job, then go get a newer M3 w/ less miles (if you must have one).

SwervinCL

Keep the CL. I am in the same boat as you. About a grand. But in the long run, its gonna be cheaper. You have to figure your gonna spend a bunch of new money. Registration, Smogs/inspections. or whatever else. Down payment if its needed. Thats my

tman89544

The thing is, I keep pooring money into my CL and i figure if im going to keep putting money into this then why not just get an m3 which has alot more power and is just that much better of a car.

I guess i'm just really disapointed with this car right now. When i bought it i anticipated that i wouldn't have to all that much to it and that i could just drive it without crap braking down all the time. In addition to that i didn't know i would get bored with the automatic transmission.

My gut feeling is that i'll probably end up sticking with the CL though.

NauTiC*

The alternator and brakes shouldn’t be to hard to fix/replace, right? Just get a repair manual and some buddies to help u and fix them. So far i've adjusted my valves, changed my axles, upgraded my suspension, installed my double din unit, and changed my starter all by myself. Saved tons in labor costs. Good luck.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

You think you should get the "better car" and take on a car payment, but your gut says stick with the CL? I'd stick with the CL

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

here's a thought. keep the cl and go get a beater!

ekim121

If the maintenance costs are killing you then by all means get something different, but be smart about what you get. There are tons of cars out there that are reasonably fun to drive and can be had with pretty low miles. If you're considering spending 12k on the bimmer, consider what else you could get for 12k. I understand that the status of saying you have a bimmer is impressive, but how impressive is it when you can't afford to do anything because maintenance is eating you up. For 12k you could get an 01/02 maxima with under 100k...and the engine in those is supposedly one of the most relaible ever. Just a thought, but there are tons of solid choices out there for that price.

Palayah8ta

Your supposed to run ur car into the ground, then get a new car. Think about payments on another car:

$12000 + taxes/registration fees/financing / 62 months = $250 a month. Ok not bad.

But 4 months of payments on a new car, buys u 3 extra years of A-CL ownership, no point in upgrading..

SwervinCL

There are a lot of cars out there for 12k. Just gotta look. IMO, if you want something reliable, i would stay away from anything German.

belcom

iTrader: (1)

BMWs are about 1.5-2 times cheaper and easier cars to fix than Audi. Had a 1995 Audi 90S and spent a little fortune to keep it running. So if you cand find an immaculate BMW in good shape and 5 speed. You shouldn't be worrying about it much breaking down. It doesn't have to be M3. 328 is quite nice too. As long as it has clean history, service records from dealer and fair Km's. But the CL tranny is a major problem and imagine yourself having to replace another tranny and thinking why did I not get rid of it when I wanted. After a bunch of tranny replacements out of your pocket you're pretty much driving a golden brick that's worth to you way more than it's worth to anybody else.

tman89544

The thing is though, i don't know if all this little stuff thats going out right now is a sign of things worse to come or if i've fixed all the tough stuff. Like someone said i just don't want to regret my decision 6 months from now when my glass tranny goes out. I had my transmission replaced at the end of 2003, being a re-built transmission (not a new one) how much longer should i expect this thing to last me?

I've heared alot of conflicting stuff about BMW's. Some people say that if i keep ontop of fluids it should last me forever. Others say that ill be changing things all the time.

As for other cars, i really don't see anything out there japanese that i would be interested in. The stuff that i would be interested in would be more of a bitch than the m3.

strawb3rri3

Sounds like you don't follow up on regular maintanence.

& if you do. Obviously the car is at least 6-8 years old.(I don't know what year u got) but things are bound to go out.

Weren't u the one who wanted those oem fogs? I got a pair....

agranado

strawberrie, he ended up getting them on ebay eventually... after a good month and a half of torment.. lol.

sad to see you go if you do.. I'd say stick with the CL

strawb3rri3

AHHH, so I see someone remembers lol I just like to tease him bout it - thats all.

tman89544

And you didn't win the auction either, you were just there to be annoying .

I'm very OCD about my car. Every little thing that happens i get it checked. Im almost always early on oil changes and checkups.

strawb3rri3

aww do you wanna start that up again? What name are you going to call me this time? I didn't win the auction, I only bid on it to make it go higher the first time it was up & I also linked the seller to that thread

I only paid 50 bucks for my pair of fogs where my buddies @ acura shipped out to me from ny so yeah I'm a lil sad that I didn't win that auction.

& I'm also guessing your going to buy this bmw off your parent's credit right? Unless your planning on going broke with APR & intrest & insurance bills.

tman89544

God..I'm not even going to reply to you. Knowing you are a girl the entire forum is going to rally around you regardless if you are right or wrong.

Im just going to wait this out and see what happens. If the seller contacts me with everything then its ment to be. If not, then im sticking with my cl.

agranado

im super OCD about my car too. My fucking rear bumper is hanging and the very same side above it is keyed on my right rear quarter... to repair it and a few other things is why i started working more hours recently lol...