I think Myna injection pumps are about $4500, plus a european injection pump for a core. I dont know how much power you can get out of an OM603, but I think a OM617 will make about 175hp before you have to modify the pump. Isnt there something bad about the w116 diesels? Like they either have a weaker version of the engine or transmission than all the other OM617 cars? Im not sure if I remember right, but I think there was some reason to avoid them.
benzbaron wrote: The problem with the 69er is the horrid gas mileage and potential suspension problems. You can rebuild the hydraulic suspension but it sounds like much work. If I was going to buy one just find a clean euro model and be done with it. I think the euro model uses a higher compression engine than the us model. Another option if you keep your eyes open are the w116 300sd or the 280sel/280se with m110 engine. A euro m110 will give you 20mpg highway and in good tune produce around 180hp which is pretty good for a 30 year old car. Or you could also find a w123 280te mercedes estate, but I think they are euro import only. The other car I find interesting which you didn't mention is a Volvo T6 with a inline 6 turbo. They look very nice but I have no experience with them.
Can you replace the hydraulic suspension with a conventional suspension?
Having seen all the problems that everyone I know who have Volvos have had with them, I would run away screaming.
Travis_K wrote: I think Myna injection pumps are about $4500, plus a european injection pump for a core. I dont know how much power you can get out of an OM603, but I think a OM617 will make about 175hp before you have to modify the pump.
I think it is about $1700 for the modifications and I don't think you have to have a european pump but yes you can get 175hp out of the OM617 or OM603 with very little work.
BoxheadTim wrote: For once, the availability of a manual trans is a secondary concern, Ann doesn't really 'do' manual and she needs to be able to drive the car as well, so a slushbox would be preferred. BTW, the E39 528i has a reputation for Nikasil issues in the UK (meaning you get to buy a new block), is this an issue over here, too?
BMW auto boxes aren't particularly long-lived unless they've been maintained, but with the idiotic "Lifetime Fill" nonsense BMW has decided on, maintenance is unlikely unless you find one that's enthusiast-owned.
The I6s in the US were all cast-iron blocks until the M54 appeared in 2001. All V8s are of course aluminum blocks. I've not heard of any fuel-related issues in the US aluminum I6s (and I own one, so I've been paying particular attention).
I once talked to someone that had a bunch of Mercedes including a 6.9 and a w126 560sel, and he said the 560sel is alot faster and more pleasant to drive.
02Pilot wrote:BoxheadTim wrote: For once, the availability of a manual trans is a secondary concern, Ann doesn't really 'do' manual and she needs to be able to drive the car as well, so a slushbox would be preferred.BMW auto boxes aren't particularly long-lived unless they've been maintained, but with the idiotic "Lifetime Fill" nonsense BMW has decided on, maintenance is unlikely unless you find one that's enthusiast-owned.
BMW auto boxes also kinda ruin the point, IMO. I'd almost always take an auto benz over an auto bimmer. They're still nice cars, but 5ers don't shine so bright without the ability to make their engines do your bidding.
I also like the Acura 3.2TLs.
I second that option above, I NEVER heard anything wrong with those
NickF40 wrote: I second that option above, I NEVER heard anything wrong with those
I giggled.
m4ff3w wrote:
"Dude, what's second 'D' in 'DD stand for?"
The pervert in me wants one bad, though.
I went through sort of the same delima about a year ago. I started out looking for a 330 or 335, but ended up with a G35 as I wanted one car that doesn't need a lot of down time or extra costs. So far I'm fairly happy with it. Here are my observations having had both Audi and BMW luxo sedans:
Audi...don't ask, will never, ever own another one...bad bad bad... Even hated driving it for fear of what would break next. Dealer equaled horrible as well. Of course that was 20 years ago and maybe they've changed, but that was enough to put me off for life.
BMW. Love them, love driving them. Budget needed to repairs, fair to high. It depends on what breaks as to how bad. 5 series are not for the weak of wallet though. My dad's 5 is now, what, 4 years old and around 35k miles. 2010 repair costs exceeded the price of what the car can retail for. Included in that is a total replacement of the wiring and all electrical dash components (it was not the first they seen with this problem either). Granted the dealer picked up all the labor costs due to the low mileage and the fact that he buys a lot of cars there, but parts prices were in excess of 4k for that job alone. Also last year: headlight and tail light issues, some of which still are not resolved, trans issues, a running problem, and I think a few more I am forgetting. It's due for a trade in soon.
3 series cars seem to be much better from my experience, but my 3 had somewhat similar issues. They weren't as bad though. But, I still loved it and it was much better than the Audi in absolutely every respect.
No direct Mercedes experience, so I have nothing to offer here.
The G35 is a better preformer than the 5 is every area, except steering feel. It will run and hide from the BMW without breaking a sweat, and so far, has needed absolutely nothing but oil changes and a new set of tires. I average about 22mpg with every tank, a bit better on trips, but never worse than 21 since I've owned it. I'd like a bit better turn-in and a few hundred pounds less weight, but it's been one of the best daily drivers I've had to date.
I'd still have a BMW though.....
In reply to racerdave600:
That list of repairs on your dad's 5 series is pretty scary. One of the reasons that I would buy an older one with less complex electrics, like an E34. I'm still tempted by an E30 or E36 - probably E36 though as I really would need the additional legroom in the back.
I think I'll scratch the idea of an Audi, most people seem to have bad experiences with them.
Something like a G35 is financially out of question at the moment, I don't like car payments and we'll have to start saving for a downpayment for a house fairly soon.
I don't think Maserati 430s are that terrible, they still aren't cheap though. The ones I have seen were close to 10k. 425 are cheaper though.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
One Audi you might want to look at are the Ur-S4 and S6 with the 20v I5 Turbo. They're built like tanks. My dad had a '91 200TQ that was at well over 200K miles when he sold it, still on the original trans, clutch and never had the head off the car in spite of the fact that it was chipped to 280hp for half that time. Occasional electrical gremlins aside, they were reliable and had a hell of a good drivetrain.
Not a big fan of the early S4/S6s, they remind me too much of the carp I drove for Avis. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Great, and now I've found a cheap Maserati Quattroporte that just needs a little work and a bunch of Biturbos in Socal.
Biturbo is Italian for crap. Do not even consider one as a daily driver. They were a partsbin special thrown together by a floundering company.
dculberson wrote: Biturbo is Italian for crap. Do not even consider one as a daily driver. They were a partsbin special thrown together by a floundering company.
Sounds like a recipe for awesome with a side of win!
I want a Biturbo.
Biturbos get worse mileage than a 6.9 from what I have been told. Some of the parts are very expensive too. Quattroporte parts make biturbo parts look cheap. If you want to experience the excitment of owning an italian car you can buy my milano (plus a truckload of parts) for $1800. I dont think it would do well in the snow though.
Yeah, I know. Despite what my sig says, I'm not deranged enough yet to try and run a Biturbo as a DD.
I have no real interest in testing this theory but I want to believe that a Biturbo can be much improved with port EFI in place of the carb in a box, then a whole lot of work re-wiring and related electrical improvements. So Megasquirt & the Painless Wiring catalog for a win?
What about Alfas? Did I miss something that keeps them from being an option?
SlickDizzy wrote:BoxheadTim wrote: BTW, the E39 528i has a reputation for Nikasil issues in the UK (meaning you get to buy a new block), is this an issue over here, too?America never got the Nikasil liners; they were all cast iron over here due to our crappy high-sulfur fuel.
E34 V-8 had nikasil liners. I understand that the 530s were more prone to problems because of them. The 530 had no low end grunt but mine was otherwise a very enjoyable car. It had the Nicasil liners. BMW extended teh warrenty on them to 100K/ 7 years. I picked mine up with a new short block under warrenty on the 7th anniversary fo the cars in service date.
93EXCivic wrote: What about Alfas? Did I miss something that keeps them from being an option?
Lack of a dealer or specialist within a sensible radius from home. One of the "benefits" of living out in the sticks. I think it's easier to get a Ferrari fixed out here (there's a specialist in Reno) than an Alfa - IIRC there is someone in the Bay Area but that's too far a tow for a DD.
When you have an Alfa you need to fix it yourself. Lol. The newer ones (164ls) are fwd, and very complicated.
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