KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Well I've certainly been slacking lately.

James, you ever get that wheel?

Nothing too new with the car, hit another milestone a week or two ago though, missed the picture by a couple minutes though.

20140626_065301 by KJ TL-S, on Flickr

Also, finally took a picture of the relationship between my car and the end of the driveway, they've grown very close.
20140702_062135 by KJ TL-S, on Flickr

Replaced the engine air filter....heres the old one, gross
20140705_144633 by KJ TL-S, on Flickr

Cleaned up the exhaust tips with Bar Keepers Friend for the first time in a while, man, what a difference it makes

20140705_134443 by KJ TL-S, on Flickr

20140705_134451 by KJ TL-S, on Flickr

I know a lot of people like the black to remain on the inside, which I accidentally removed the first time, but I do like the clean polished look I have now. They certainly stand out.

20140705_135140 by KJ TL-S, on Flickr

20140705_135203 by KJ TL-S, on Flickr


Finally, I feel like I've been cheating on AZ, been creeping on the BMW forums lately. I still have the itch for a facelifted E39 540i....Anyone else love those cars???
Here is a perfect example of what I really like:

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

e39? Fuck yeah!!!
That's the only BMW I love and only sedan I would want to see in my garage one day.
With 4 spoke steering and stick shift of course.
The way you sit inside that car combined with that steering and stock shift knob plus the feel the body of the car gives is too perfect

Can't see the example pic you posted

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Yea, I've always loved the E39...just so perfectly done. Not sure the deal with that pic, but this one should work better.

2003 BMW 540i M-Sport by KJ TL-S, on Flickr

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I would love one too...they were still reliable and trouble free back then?












oh and that driveway picture...love it.

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Stay away from M5, no matter which model but 540 is at least better in maintance.
Unlike a TL maintance of course...classic BMW

The one in the picture looks great
That's for sale? Buy it Kurt

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

E39-really?

Great new pics!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

E39

Your TL looks great as always. I have a few places around town where my lip is probably that close to the ground

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Yup, tracking says they will arrive this Tuesday, I'm super excited! I went with the steering wheel and center console arm rest lid. Steering wheel is same as yours except with gray stitching to keep it consistant with the rest of the interior (same with arm rest). In the pictures he sent it measured out at almost 4 3/4". I think yours showed 4 1/2" if I remember correctly, so it came out just a tad thicker for whatever reason. After having some newer cars with nice steering wheels it makes the TL wheel feel pretty weak and waaayyy thin so this is gonna be great. They should arrive Tuesday and I'll install them same day. I'll be sure to post pics!!
Thanks man, your car looks great as usual.

James

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

They were solid as a tank, as long as maintenance, mostly preventative, is kept up with. Certainly will be much more maintenance than the TL, but at the same time, the car itself would cost maybe half as much as my TL. I could pay it off in a year, and then enjoy years of fun driving and no car payment.

Haha, and that driveway picture was the first time I had ever actually gotten out and looked at how close I really was. As it is, I only scrape the black air dam, but its super close to the lip.

Yea, as fun as the M5 would be, I don't need it for a daily driver and the crazy-more expensive maintenance that comes with it. The 2003 540i M sport comes with most of the appearance upgrades of the M5 and still has the 4.4L V8 with just under 300hp, so that's all I need. The extra 100hp would just get me into trouble I'm sure.

Yea, the E39 is actually what I was looking at before the TL, but decided to get a more rationale choice. Who knows, maybe I'm just dreaming here.

My thoughts exactly on a nice E39. And I don't run into too may problems around town luckily, but when I'm in Chicago its basically game over. I hardly ever take my car there, the roads are a disaster. Unfortunately, the driveway scrapes it ever time.

Sweet, you'll enjoy it! I hear you on the red, I had the same thoughts at first. Its so subtle tho that it doesn't stick out in a bad way IMO.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

if you are planning on selling the TL-S for the E39, I would say dont do it....we love you too much for you to leave


what a BEAUTY !!! love how the E39 looks....

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Haha, thanks Swoosh! I could always be like some of the other guys and make a build thread right here in the 3rd Gen section! And at the very least, it would always be in Car Talk, this forum is just too damn good to leave. Bimmerfest is a pretty good forum too though, which is always nice to have.

And that E39 I posted really is a fantastic car. It has all the right things going for it...the itch is strong, I'll say that much.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I am sure it is...

well, whether you end up keeping the TL-S or getting the E39, we know it will be well modded

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

You'll miss the TL. Trust me.

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Thank you sir! If it was that one, there wouldn't be much left to do, which is a good thing as I could put money towards things it needs instead of getting it how I wanted it.

That's certainly the reason I got the TL to begin with. After giving it a nice bath over the weekend, like it gets most every weekend, I look at it and can't imagine getting rid of it.

That said, sometimes I also feel like life is too short to not try to experience more things, and an awesome RWD V8 sedan seems like a fun thing to check off the list. In the end, they are just cars, and I could always sell the BMW and get another TL if I wanted down the road, just ask James (JTS)!

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

YOLO Baby !!!

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

LOL...I'm probably all talk...

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

I'm sure the E39 runs well, but it seems like you can't tell one BMW from another. I owned a 535i. That was back when you could look at a BMW and say, "Oh, that's a 5-Series" or "Hey, there's a 3-Series".

Now that all look basically the same to me......

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Different strokes as they say...IMO, the E39 is about as good as BMW has ever done. Something about it is just subtle and classy to me. I don't know a ton about other BMWs per se, but with these E39s I can tell every different model apart.

I found a local 540i 6 speed for sale and took it for a spin yesterday after work....gotta say, it was a lot of fun to drive. I was very impressed with how nicely it shifted despite the fact that I haven't driven stick shift in a couple years. This car was not one I would consider buying, but I'm glad I drove it to see how it felt. I'm pretty sure 6 speed would be the only way I would go with this car.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

If I were going to give ze Germans a shot, it would have been my buddy's 2004 M3.

I did the whole "live a little" thing in my head too...trust me, buying the S2000 wasn't that easy for me to pull the trigger since I certainly didn't NEED it. I'm glad I did but I didn't have to give the TL up to do it. I guess in my mind, I can easily just sell the S and be back at square one. I do want to experience turning the key and hearing a Mustang Coyote exhaust turn on though, that much I agree with.

Ah hell...go for it.

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Yea, your decision is completely reversible...mine, not so much. Makes the decision a little more difficult. Knowing that in maybe 10 months I would no longer have a car payment would certainly be a nice feeling, assuming I didn't have issues keeping the beemer on the road. The one I'm looking at is so crazily meticulously maintained though that I can't imagine big things going wrong with it that would keep it down.

And I keep thinking about how enjoyable it was to row those gears...ugh. Didn't realize how much I'd want a manual trans.

MEKO

iTrader: (1)

Because I know exactly why you want e39 or love it... I am positive that you won't be missing the TL

Would be a different story if TL was standard but...

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Maybe that's the key...since I only buy/drive 6MT I don't know that yearning...although, when I traded to a Nissan Frontier for 5 weeks once, I dumped it rather quickly due to bag mpg and boring to drive.

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Yea, if the TL was a 6 speed, I'm sure the driving experience would be more of an experience. Things I worry about missing are some of the luxuries and conveniences that the TL has that an E39 wouldn't.

This has really been weighing heavy on my mind trying to figure it out. The issue I'm having is that the car I found I think would be about the best example for me.

Anyone reading this commute through nasty traffic in a manual trans? Any opinions on it?

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

How far are you really from paying it off?

I mean, I won't lie...it's nice not having a monthly payment but if you don't have the car payment, that money will either go to savings or other bills and something that you don't feel like taking pictures of and loving.

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Between parting out cash and selling the car, it would make a significant change in length of time I'd have a car payment, so I'd say its definitely a valid consideration.

And don't you go thinking that the E39 wouldn't be loved...I wouldn't even consider switching from the TL for anything that I didn't love. Pictures would still be coming along, either here or in car talk.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

ohhh the E39 is effin drool worthy !!!

plus that V8, plus that RWD and plus that MT....I am sure the only time you will miss the TL is if the BMW gives you some maintenance headache....

for what am understanding, I think you have made up your mind...i say, do it !!!

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Haha, and here of all places has people telling me to get the BMW...what is this world coming to?!

And my mind unfortunately is not made up...I wish it were. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what to do. The maintenance scares me, but, like I said, I think I have as good an example as I'm likely to find. If I was going to take a gamble, this would be the one to put the money on.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

after reading about the power and rowing through the gears I thought your mind was made up....

I think the BMW has a lot to offer....hit up Majofo, that dude knows the BMW's (as in the issues they have been facing)....see what he says...

either PM him or jump on the Rambling thread and put a post....I dont know much about BMW's but he was mentioning his mom has a 745i and I think they have the same engine as the 540i

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Well, part of it will be selling the wife on me getting a 6 speed when she can't drive stick. Anyone play that game before and win???

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

hahaha, I havent....I have an Automatic so well...

when I bought the car in STL, I was planning on moving back to NYC within 4-6 months...hence bought an Auto and the NYC plan didnt come to fruition LOL

the selling point for you could be if your wife RARELY drives your car right now....

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Yea, thats my main point that I can think of. She's probably driven in 5 times in the last year....which was 5 too many IMO. All my life I've hated people driving my cars...just doesn't sit well with me. Plus with the ES2s, I don't trust her to avoid banging them up.

So, in the end, it wouldn't change much if she never drove it. There's just always that "well, what if I had to for some reason" point of view that I would need to overcome.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I am totally comfy with the wifey driving my car....but I get super duper worried if she is driving my car when am not in it LOL....she is a great driver but still...

when I put racing seats in the TL, they are fixed and dont move, so she cant reach the pedals...win win ROFL !!!

yeah I think 5 times/year is something she can live without I guess...

I love your TL but I know what you mean by "the E39 does something to me"....

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Hmmm...
I have 2 manual cars and Betty can't drive either and both were purchased while we've been together.
but she has the nice new expensive comfy car.


Do it, Kurt...you're not being whimsical here, you've given it thought. You can get another TL down the line at a lower price point if you decide to.

What's your commute like? 100 miles a day? If you're putting along 10 miles a day like me currently, you won't be putting much strain on the Bimmer.

Marcelechka

^

I was in the same boat, but after teaching her how to drive stick, she now takes speed bumps sideways in the CL!

OP: I agree; the E39 was the BEST model year ever! 540i M or M5! If you can swing it, I say do it... YOLO

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Unfortunately...about 70 miles a day, mix of city/highway/gridlock/cruising. And you're right about being able to revert back, although I feel like I'd be hard pressed to let a car like that go. Then again, that's how I feel about the TL as well.


Totally agree - only things I'd consider are the 2003 540i M Sport or the M5...and I've ruled out the M5 as a commuter vehicle.

Stupid cars...sometimes I wish I was the type of person that didn't care so I wouldn't be putting myself thru this...

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

My Stingray is a 7 speed manual-my wife can't drive a stick shift either.....darn.

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Crazy AZ guys trying to get me to ditch the TL...

So yesterday I had a guy at a stoplight in a base TL tell me how F'in beautiful my car was and how awesome he thought it was, and then when I got home the wife reiterated how not on board she is with me switching cars. Seems like multiple signs to get past this phase....but man, I wish I was in a situation for a second car, I can't get that one out of my head.

Thankfully, after a nice hand wash, it's tough to imagine ever letting someone else drive it away when it looks like this:

20140713_140004 by KJ TL-S, on Flickr

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

every now and then you will get bored with any car and would want something different....I havent had a new car itch in a while....this being the only car I have owned in US and just 1 other car while I was back in India....

but recently, I have been getting an itch for a new car...but I have been trying to fight it off...its a phase you need to get over...I hate going back and forth, so I tend to make up my mind and stick with my decision