'76 BMW 2002 Daily Driver

[BLINGMW]

So give me your thoughts and opinions please MM.

Jess (the wife) got tired of the Element, so we got her the E46 <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.mmsports.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10446&start=20">viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10446&start=20</a><!-- l -->

This makes the Element available for me to DD, and leaves me with 3 vehicles with the 2002 and my moto (DR200).

I really hate to be doing this, but I cannot find much of a reason to keep the 2002. The Element has really served us well and I don't dislike driving it since it's a 5spd and beats the 2002 in most any contest.
Element: Acceleration, handling, hauling stuff, safety, ergonomics, stereo system, reliability, snow driving, cruise control, A/C and heat, running over zombies, doesn't complain when it's poorly serviced or washed.
What's the 2002 have over the Element? Um... it's unique. I like driving it more, shifts more smoothly than any 5-spd I've ever driven, I prefer spinning up rear tires instead of front in the rain, should be able to survive EMP, slightly better fuel economy for my daily commute (~30 vs ~24).

That being said, I'm a practical guy. I don't really care about looks, a DD is a DD, and I'm married with kids so I'm not exactly cruising Williamson RD for chicks all that often (more would fit in the Element FWIW). I have a moto for nice days and don't need or really even want a "weekend car" taking up half my garage and demanding what thin remainder of attention I have.

I *would* however like to get back on track next season. So my options are:

1) Do nothing. Cheapest option, leaves more $ for whiskey or a new house.

2) List and sell the 2002 potentially for what I have in it, which would at least make my inner bean-counter happy about the successful no-cost 2yr DDing of a car that's older than me. Free up some $ for... :dunno: anyone want to split a Spec Racer Ford for next season? Seriously, I should not attempt to afford it myself.

3) Turn the 2002 into a trackable car and start instructing again? Instructing didn't really do much for me, but it's better than doing nothing. Maybe $1500 worth of suspension, brake refresh, seats and exhaust... but it's still a noodle of a chassis.

Shouldn't I at least TRY option 2?

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[CaptainHenreh]

Option 2, for real.

I mean, you wouldn't even let us lift your car up in the air, and you're going to take it on a racetrack? With your, no offense, "track record"?

Sell the 2002, it might take some time to find the right buyer but it is quite nice for what it is. Then yeah, you could totally haul a little SRF with an element and an aluminum trailer. Option 2 is the only one that makes any goddam sense.

[Kaan]

#2

[Dave]

#2: take pics of the 2002 so you can show the kids what you used to drive around, list it for MORE than you have in it (gives more room to negotiate freely and makes the inner bean counter giddy) and continue to drive it until it sells.

[Jake]

#2, by far. The Element can tow something as small as a SRF, so BOOM you have a tow vehicle that you know the history of already. And all the other positives you listed (namely, safety) of owning it versus the '02.

[ScottyB]

you've been HPDE'ing forever right? go racing. your '02 was probably a good investment (even though cars shouldn't be) and you'll get some bucks for it. take your SRF and enjoy being on track in a car that DOESN'T need development because its already meant to be out there.

[.RJ]

I'll just leave this here

[Evan]

boost retard

[BLINGMW]

I'll just leave this here

heh, my current desktop pic

well ok option 2 it is, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't talking crazy.

ok, 2002 for sale. I'll post it this week for maybe $4500 tops. I don't suppose anyone here is interested for a severely discounted MM price? .... *crickets*

[.RJ]

How much does an SRF sell for?

[BLINGMW]

How much does an SRF sell for?

$12-$15k in ready-to-go condition. A new one is something like $35, so if it's pretty new, has a great record or is in super cool shape, it can still be well over 20.

[CaptainHenreh]

Better than an SRF:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/3465598709.html">http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/3465598709.html</a><!-- m -->

[SlimKlim]

Holy shitsnacks that thing must be terrifying.

You should definitely buy it.

[JPolen01]

Yeah buy that so Rex and I can enjoy it!

[BLINGMW]

Well, I went with option 1. Keeping it for another season. Build a house. Buy whiskey.



I'll have it off the ground for a week or two while I finally do some of the things I've been meaning to do:
Get exhaust manifold leak repaired. Will pick it up tomorrow.
Fix antenna reception. I found some obviously sketchy splices, need a new cable.
Install heater fan finally. Currently heater core will not exit the car despite me having most of the dash apart.... :x
Maybe find a non-AC center console and get rid of some of this extra crap while I'm looking at it.

[BLINGMW]

WOULD NOT DO AGAIN.

[Jake]

^ What are you doing

[.RJ]

STAHP

[Maengelito]

WOULD NOT DO AGAIN.

Has anyone coined the "BECAUSE BMW" meme? If not, first!

[SlimKlim]

Its been done.







^ Those two hit particularly close to home.