Came here for this. Was not disappointed.

So wait. This guy has had 2 other E46 cars, but when the dealer said $900 to replace a fuel pump he said “OK?” The fuel pump is the world’s easiest DIY on these cars, and while it might be $300 (?) it’s not something to spend labor $$ on, let alone a dealer, and in particular if you have already had 2 of these cars.

Thank you. This is (going to be) the solution to adding a dome light to my ‘61 Ford F100. There used to be a dome light in the headliner, actually, but the headliner itself was probably removed sometime during the Nixon era and I have no ambitions of putting in a headliner when there are much larger issues at stake,…

I cannot wait until there is a fix approved. Resale value is the biggest reason I don’t own one of those right now (too high, that is). But if those cars all suddenly become available for sale again, they will most likely be far, far cheaper and still be generally good for all the reasons they were good cars in the…

Come on, the Wawa? They kinda have to stay open in a flood. Right? Wawa. No?

Even better, on at least one of those yachts (as on many larger yachts) there is already a boat on deck. I immediately thought of that meme.

I started reading your comment and wondered if you were talking about the E46.... another BMW anyway.

they’re one of the saddest, most miserable boxes of crap you’d ever have the misfortune of driving, slowly and painfully

For me, driving on those endless, standardized interstate highways is the WORST kind of driving, and exactly what an automated system would be good at. That’s fine with me. I live in New Hampshire and when it’s snowy, I don’t mind driving, it’s exciting and challenging. It’s the boring highway slogs where I’d let the…

A Richard Hammond in the trunk, actually

Exactly

Sarcastic star. Or is it? Never mind

There was no possiblity of braking to avoid this truck? Not being a jerk, I’m genuinely curious.

Many states have laws about that. I recall last year seeing a car pulled over by a cop, with snow on the ground all around the car - clearly they had not cleaned off the car and they (presumably) were actually stopped for it. That’s the only time I’ve seen it, but it was brilliant, if that’s the reason.

In other news, I need to get back to Team O’Neil. It’s about an hour north of me and I have been only two times. Not nearly enough!

I know a lot of TDI owners and just a few of their issues are:

3-series wagon? I have been hauling my kids in an E46 wagon since before they were born, literally. 5 speed manual, sweet NA straight 6, reasonably fun, can be had used for well inside budget - the E9x generation at least.

This, many times over. I would still like to have one, but they are becoming difficult to find that haven’t been thrashed by the second or third owner by now. And manual. Must have that manual.

I once bought a boat for this purpose. I basically broke even and got to keep a lot of the good stuff that I needed, and didn’t even bother with some expensive stuff like the windshield. But if I counted my time at all, I was waaaayy in the hole. I don’t think I could do it again unless I quit my job.

My wife’s 2007 X3 is the same height as a current Outback, too. At least the X3 is a manual!