I'm surprised to read that. The MB web site shows $419/mo + $4700 due at signing vs $349/mo + $4100 due for a similarly priced 328xi. The MB pricing requires a "dealer contribution" that I didn't notice in the BMW fine print.

I had that exact reaction when a parent showed up in one of these at my daughter's school. I found myself wondering if he just wanted to stand out among the sea of GL450s or if it was professional reasons (US car dealer, Union executive, whatever).

But you know you're the exception. Loss history for Warrantech is so bad they started invoking some happily-ignored-when-they-made-money fine print to cancel aftermarket warranties.

OK, fair enough but I think people figure it out pretty quickly though. :) That point is a far cry from "used cars are stupid". They are just a risk trade - you accept some level of risk to save money.

$0.00 in repairs and your fine new automobiles (which ones?) depreciated not one cent last year, right? Yes, THIS PARTICULAR CAR has some risk associated with it and the worst case is really bad. Anyone with a 3rd grade education understands that the low buy-in reflects that risk. Believe it or not, there's a whole…

You were just bashing Tavarish for not making much playing with used cars but $1000 is "a lot of money"?

Since you put it that way, we'll stop forcing you to read Tavarish's posts. :)

The work done on this car was well within the reach of anyone willing to invest the time in learning.

This was a great one. The ultimate buyer got the best deal IMHO. He paid $1600 for you to do all that work! :)

I suspect pre delivery inspection is going to include removing rubber from wheel wells.

I don't know if this one is generally unpopular but I caused an Internet-warrior British ex-pat to come completely unhinged for suggesting that the Abarth 500 was not entitled to limitless reverence and admiration. It seems some people really like their stickered-up Fiats.

I offer some counterpoints:

FWIW, the local BMW dealer patched a tire for me on my 360. They have some insanely expensive doesn't-touch-anything tire machine (I imagine levitation) and charged me $35 IIRC. I brought it to them. I never put the receipt in the folder. :)

Huh? If value exceeds liability (outstanding loan) you have positive equity.

The rod bearing issue is the great "oh damn" with these cars to me because they really did look bulletproof. The local M-focused independent was lamenting that his business was suffering because they didn't have a bunch of foibles that demanded attention! I guess he was relieved when bearing issues came up. That's…

I thought the '91s were the scary ones but revisions in later years made them better. Way back when, a buddy found himself wheels-pointing-skywards with a '91.

My friend once bought an Evo XIIVE (whatever the hell it was) in <45 minutes. He told the guy "I have to be somewhere. If you can get me out of here in time, I'll buy the car for [some reasonable price]". The best part (I would not have believed it but I was sitting right there): he didn't even pay for it.

This is what I said: "Guys running true exotic shops...think they could make more money working on normal cars"

Yes, with stability control you are less likely to drive off the road, assuming you ever get moving in the first place. Does it snow where you live? I saw plenty of fancy electronics cars sitting motionless on minor grades last season.

Sure it's decent, but you said "rich".