Trying to realize a dream--looking for advice

H

Hey Moe!

New member
Sometimes, things just kind of fall into place.



Yesterday, a few things in my life came together, and to cut to the chase, I am planning to retire from my teaching job of 34 years in June of 2009. My income in retirement will match what I make while teaching, and since I have a pretty simple lifestyle, that should work. I also have three interesting part-time jobs that I can work at as I feel like it, in addition to playing more tennis and learning to play golf.



My Focus ST (American) will be paid for at that time, and I intend to keep it, and use it as a daily driver and winter car. Without the Focus payment, I can afford to lease something a little nicer, and pamper it even more than the Focus.



Since I was in college, I have always wanted a BMW. I am interested in getting either a 1-series or a 3-series.



Since I put a lot of faith in the people who frequent this site, I am asking any Bimmer people out there as to which online BMW forums are worth joining. I am hoping to get opinions of the various models, and the ins and outs of BMW puschasing/ownership. I am even willing to listen to those who would try to talk me out of my plan.



Any suggestions would be appreciated--thanks!
 
Get it, you won't regret it.



If you can spring for it, the 335i is worth the premium IMO. I would suggest looking into an E46 M3 also... similar money to a newer, slower one.



Oh yeah, and do not, I repeat, do not get their "Jet Black". I swear that the wind marrs that paint as it passes by.
 
Timmah--will definitely consider your advice. Yikes!



Yeah, I'm kinda fond of the 335, too. We will see.



G6 GT-Thanks!
 
Bimmerforums is nice...I frequent bimmerfest.com more, though.



Personally, I love the new 335i, BEA-utiful car, but I agree with some people about it getting "too big" I love my friends E30...the size is perfect. Therefore, I'm actually looking for a. a used E46 coupe (2005-2006) or a new 1-series, when the time comes. Of course, that's my opinion and you'll decide for yourself...but that 1-series with 300hp and slightly lighter curb weight = awesome + a blast to drive. Indirectly quoting a car mag, the new 1-series is like a M2.5!
 
Hey, Moe!- From one retired teacher to another (well, a soon-to-be) one, congrats :D



My only advice: a) find a dealership you'll be happy with (our primary cars are Audis as much because of the dealer as anything else), b) avoid the stupid-soft clear that some BMWs have, and c) buy whatever *you* really like.
 
Thanks, Accumulator!



Yes, I am going to take the next year to get a read on BMW dealers within my "territory."



I bought a bunch of Fords here in my boondocks because of the dealer. I consider the owner to be a friend. Not that I can match that feeling, but I will be sure that I am comfortable with the BMW dealer of my choice.



I'm pretty good at digging around for the "facts," and I have a year to do so.



Yes, I hear you (and the choir) preaching about the soft BMW clear (Jet Black keeps coming up on my radar).



It is going to be a fun year. I am going to have a great time with this "project," and a lot of fun driving my "dream."
 
Hey, Moe!- And don't be surprised if, after a while, you find yourself doing something not unlike teaching....I post here, Accumulatorette tutors dyslexic kids, you might find yourself doing something like that too ;)



Just a FWIW on the color choice- a color that you like, but that is *NOT* a never-ending challenge, is, *IMO* most likely to provide the greatest satisfaction. Something that takes over your life might not be as much fun to live with as it was to dream about ;)
 
I have an 06 3 series (e90) and love it everyday!



I am a post whore at e90post.com and I think it is a great place to be!!:bigups



e90post FTW!!!
 
All excellent replies.

I have an "02" 330i in Orient blue (the best dark blue ever IMHO !) they make wonderful cars that are solid and drive like they were new even when 6 years old.

Good luck with your retirement. I am about a year away myself.



Cheers
 
Bruce B said:
All excellent replies.

I have an "02" 330i in Orient blue (the best dark blue ever IMHO !) they make wonderful cars that are solid and drive like they were new even when 6 years old.

Good luck with your retirement. I am about a year away myself.



Cheers
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I agree, but I've never understood why so many people are changing parts out, especially the cooling system so soon (E46's). I'd rather buy the parts and have them ready for when it happens! Have you replaced your water pump/radiator yet :confused:
 
Thanks, everyone! I knew that I would get good advice here, and I did.



Accumulator--I understand what you're saying. I am not getting away from working, nor from teaching, in retirement.



I'm going to continue as tennis coach at my high school. I like the kids I work with; sometimes we are successful, sometimes not, but it is fun, and I have something to offer them. I have actually coached three players who became HS coaches themselves, and one who is a D-1 college coach. I still have the bug to do that.



I do a *lot* of college tennis officiating. Actually, I just got home from working the Penn State-Minnesota match. Yeah, I was in the umpire's chair. Challenging, but interesting.



And, I am picking up a part-time summer job as a tennis teaching pro at a nearby resort/gated community. I actually enjoy teaching beginners to play tennis, so I will be doing a lot more of that.



And, gee. Not that I am driven by money--not in the least--but maybe all of this "part-time" income will drive my vehicle selection ; )



As always, Accumulator is spot-on. I will end up with a vehicle in a color I like, but not one that will own me. I don't mind working on my vehicles, but I realized that life got somewhat easier a few years back when I went from a black car to a gray car.



Again, thanks to all! My faith in Autopia lives on!
 
First off, congrats on being financially responsible in your life (so it sounds), and I hope the retirement works as well as you have planned it to be. :thumbsup



As mentioned previously, bimmerforums.com is a great site with tons of info, just ignore all the kiddies with modded E36's that clutter the site....it was *much* better 5 years ago. I know the 1 series is getting a bit of heat for its interesting design hehe, but I think a 128i set up the way you want it would be a fantastic car for you for many years. That silky smooth 230hp, 7K redline I6 is a nice one for that size a car. Then of course you have the twin turbo 135i, satans little stepchild. hehe That is one fast machine, but it's hard for me to justify low 40's with a few options, when a nice 10K mile 05-06 M3 can be had for the same (a much better overall car, being an ///M and all). Good luck with your choices, if you have any BMW questions, feel free to ask me, I've been around them all my life, having owned 7 myself and the below some that my family had when I was a little tike.

-2002tii, E28 M5, (3) E30 M3's, E36 M3, E30 325is, E24? gray market 7 series, E46 M3, etc, etc
 
JustinDetail said:
As mentioned previously, bimmerforums.com is a great site with tons of info, just ignore all the kiddies with modded E36's that clutter the site....
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Glad I'm not the only one that noticed that. I'm about a year away from my first BMW (as soon as the VW hits 200K I'll start shopping seriously), and only 20-25 years away from retirement! I foresee the "standard" retirement age moving up to 70 before I'm retired.



Good luck with your selection. Glad to hear you'll be staying busy during retirement, I believe that's the key.
 
itb76 said:
Glad I'm not the only one that noticed that. I'm about a year away from my first BMW (as soon as the VW hits 200K I'll start shopping seriously), and only 20-25 years away from retirement! I foresee the "standard" retirement age moving up to 70 before I'm retired.



Good luck with your selection. Glad to hear you'll be staying busy during retirement, I believe that's the key.
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Yeah, it's sad what $8K E36 M3's did to the community, oh well.



I'm likin those Dubs you've got, cool cars. :cool:
 
For quality detailing advice and much, much more join maXbimmer



I post there regularly and there is a huge Bimmer community there. Tons of resources for the new Bimmer enthusiast.
 
Well first of all, congratulations! I have an Alpine White '07 E92 335i and I love it; just a great vehicle with a truly remarkable engine. As far as Bimmer forums, I recommend e90post. It's arguably the best site out there for the E9X series cars. Good luck!
 
1addicts.com is a good place to start with the 1-series.



If you're also shopping for E46 M3s, keep an eye on edmunds.com's long-term E46 M3 tester. They bought a CPO M3 from a BMW dealership to see if it'll be reliable, etc.
 
I am a member of various Bimmer forums too and I also vote for bimmerfest.com. It will get you a good start, and breaks the 3 series forums into the different model years. Also has a pretty good Classifieds
 
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