Spending a lot during quarantine.

[bmwpower603]

As a German car enthusiast / car dealership owner I’ve learned how to spend money on maintenance. And I’ve learned to like doing it. To the point where it’s actually becoming a problem. I currently own 3 german cars, 1 bmw, and 2 audi. The Audi’s are both b5 s4s. B5 s4 is the only audi that I’m a fan of, besides maybe the c4 s4. Maybe due to the porsche influence. I grew up as a bmw family, and 95% of my friends work at bmw, not to mention I know one of the top dogs at bmw of America/ bmw race engineer. So they have taught me how to maintain practically every bmw ever. And that is how my business strives

Anyways. I’ve noticed myself buying a lot of maintenance parts, wheels, expensive parts that I don’t need but will need in the future, dealership diagnostics, and much more. I’m finally in a position where I can get a lift put in my garage. Preferably a maxjax. But now after recently purchasing these two s4s, I feel the need to buy all the sweet mods, and wheels/ suspension for stance. It’s getting out of control. Especially now. That no one is buying cars (so my work I limited, along with my income) lol So I stay home, quarantine, and tinker until my german cars are maintained and stanced appropriately. And then probably sell them and lose a money since I went overboard.

The current cars I have:

2001 s4 87k miles. Just purchased I planned on selling this but I don’t think I’ll find another one with 87k. Maybe im wrong.
2001 s4 235k miles stage 1. All maintenance done at EPL tuning. Including rs4 clutch. No rust.
2008 m3 173k miles. Rod bearings done $3000 Original owner maintained it very well, and I still had to dump another $3000 or more in parts to make it 100% leak free and up to dealership standards, or better. New valve covers, MAP sensor, idle strip gaskets PCV valve, rear coolant pipe gaskets, all coolant gaskets on and around t stat, OFHG, throttle valve clean/ gaskets, WP, serp belt, oil line gaskets, the list goes on. Every gasket is new. And I still need to do suspension work, and brakes + rotors.

Is anyone else having this problem? Do I have an addiction? Or is this just all part of having a car collection?

I’m not complaining. I have plenty of stuff to do until the virus gets under control. But my wallet will be hurting big time.


Here’s the fleet.

Would like to lower one of the s4s, and get rs6 wheels. ASAP

[Richneerd]

sell them and lose a money.

That's what I did.

My collection is huge.

Mini Cooper S
Abarth 500
GTI
E83 X3
E46 M3
E39 M5
E90 335D
E90 M3

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by Richneerd

sell them and lose a money.

That's what I did.

My collection is huge.

Mini Cooper S
Abarth 500
GTI
E83 X3
E46 M3
E39 M5
E90 335D
E90 M3

That’s quite the collection. M5 is a good one. The e83 x3 an n55? Sounds like maintenance 24-7. I kinda wish I hadn’t sold my e46 m3 a few months ago.

[Richneerd]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

That’s quite the collection. M5 is a good one. The e83 x3 an n55? Sounds like maintenance 24-7. I kinda wish I hadn’t sold my e46 m3 a few months ago.

3.0 L N52 I6

No problems, just regular maintenance. Gas, Oil, and Repeat.

Love the car to death, I lowered it with forgestars cf5v's.

People mistake it for a X5 because how wide it is! haha!

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by Richneerd

3.0 L N52 I6

No problems, just regular maintenance. Gas, Oil, and Repeat.

Love the car to death, I lowered it with forgestars cf5v's.

People mistake it for a X5 because how wide it is! haha!

You can’t kill those n52s.

Best engine bmw has made. As far as reliability.

Just the t case you need to keep serviced, and you’ll be good. Maybe tran as well if it’s an auto.

[pbonsalb]

I am trying not to spend any money. I also still go to the office every day so I don’t have that much more free time. I have bought some parts over the years that I still have not installed and there is always maintenance I can do on the cars. Right now, I am installing a CAE shifter in my turbo E36M3, why have required some custom work because that car has a GS6-53 trans (same trans as my E90M3 but with bell housing bolt pattern for a 6 cylinder N54). So I don’t really need to buy anything.

bmwpower603 should buy the MaxJax. A lift is really nice as you get older. I was probably 45 before I got one. If you can raise your ceiling to allow a real 2 post, that would be best. If you are a hobbyist, a nice home shop is worth it. When we moved a couple of years ago, my wife said I could buy a Porsche 997 Turbo or renovate the carriage house at the new house. I chose to renovate the carriage house into a nice shop.

[850tgul]

The only crazy thing I read is your proclamation of love for the B5 S4 .
I had one, it was the worst car I've ever owned. Horrendously unreliable, handled like a pig, ridiculous maintenance. Turned me off of Audi for a long time.

Seriously, try a b8/b8.5 S4. Worlds better, in every way, than the B5 and pretty affordable.

Half joking of course, as I still have affection for my old b5 but I would say it was far from Audi's finest.

[Space Fox]

I am certainly in this camp. I've spent over $3k since quarantine started. The bulk of that was on rod bearings and new motor mounts but I just bought a power steering fluid flush kit off FCP Euro yesterday for the hell of it. Figured I'd tackle this maintenance item since I'm bored. I also did spark plugs but that was a cheap ~$80 job, tinkered with the rear fog light mod since it was free and why the hell not? Finally put my foot down yesterday when I was about to spend $150 on this sweet S65 LEGO kit from Replica Motorsports: https://replicamotorsport.com/collec...32468370784396

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by 850tgul

The only crazy thing I read is your proclamation of love for the B5 S4 .
I had one, it was the worst car I've ever owned. Horrendously unreliable, handled like a pig, ridiculous maintenance. Turned me off of Audi for a long time.

Seriously, try a b8/b8.5 S4. Worlds better, in every way, than the B5 and pretty affordable.

Half joking of course, as I still have affection for my old b5 but I would say it was far from Audi's finest.

The b8 is very nice. I’m not going to knock it.

But the b5s exhaust note is 1 of a kind. And the interior, and engine design make it feel porsche worthy. Even the interior scent.

And there’s never really been an engine like. Personally I don’t see it as an Audi. I see it as something more superior. Yes it’s very unreliable, and you need to be a mechanic to own one. Tide quality is great. They don’t handle to great with stock suspension. But once you upgrade it, the awd just pulls you. And there’s no looking back. Grip and go.

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by Space Fox

I am certainly in this camp. I've spent over $3k since quarantine started. The bulk of that was on rod bearings and new motor mounts but I just bought a power steering fluid flush kit off FCP Euro yesterday for the hell of it. Figured I'd tackle this maintenance item since I'm bored. I also did spark plugs but that was a cheap ~$80 job, tinkered with the rear fog light mod since it was free and why the hell not? Finally put my foot down yesterday when I was about to spend $150 on this sweet S65 LEGO kit from Replica Motorsports: https://replicamotorsport.com/collec...32468370784396

Lmfao. $150 for that 30 piece LEGO set is insanity.

It doesn’t even look like the s65. Besides maybe the valve covers.

[KevinGS]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

Lmfao. $150 for that 30 piece LEGO set is insanity.

It doesn’t even look like the s65. Besides maybe the valve covers.

LMAO, I agree, Space is truly wasting money.

Somebody take Space Fox's credit cards from him STAT.

[Space Fox]

Originally Posted by KevinGS

LMAO, I agree, Space is truly wasting money.

Somebody take Space Fox's credit cards from him STAT.

Lol I really did think about it. I was a LEGO kid growing up and it would be a fun project to pass some quarantine time but like I said, leveler heads prevailed and I said no to this one.

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by Space Fox

Lol I really did think about it. I was a LEGO kid growing up and it would be a fun project to pass some quarantine time but like I said, leveler heads prevailed and I said no to this one.

I was a HUGE LEGO kid as well.

And I’ll be honest. I was seriously considering buying a big set at Walmart last week to pass some time.

I wonder if you could just buy one and return it? Lmao. It is Walmart after all.

[fs34]

I’m not spending too much but I’m pumped to get a couple of NGK Coils while they were in stock. They went quicker than toilet paper!

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by fs34

I’m not spending too much but I’m pumped to get a couple of NGK Coils while they were in stock. They went quicker than toilet paper!

Where did you source them from?

I thought those NGKs were done for good!

I still have 8 brand new ones that I ordered 3 months ago before they vanished.

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I am trying not to spend any money. I also still go to the office every day so I don’t have that much more free time. I have bought some parts over the years that I still have not installed and there is always maintenance I can do on the cars. Right now, I am installing a CAE shifter in my turbo E36M3, why have required some custom work because that car has a GS6-53 trans (same trans as my E90M3 but with bell housing bolt pattern for a 6 cylinder N54). So I don’t really need to buy anything.

bmwpower603 should buy the MaxJax. A lift is really nice as you get older. I was probably 45 before I got one. If you can raise your ceiling to allow a real 2 post, that would be best. If you are a hobbyist, a nice home shop is worth it. When we moved a couple of years ago, my wife said I could buy a Porsche 997 Turbo or renovate the carriage house at the new house. I chose to renovate the carriage house into a nice shop.

I really like the quality of the maxjax. But the height only going to 46” seems to be a problem. Some tran jacks won’t fit under there.

And it might be more awkward to stand under that, and laying underneath jackstands.

[fs34]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

Where did you source them from?

I thought those NGKs were done for good!

I still have 8 brand new ones that I ordered 3 months ago before they vanished.

Rock Auto. I just got 2 as backups. I’m hopeful the OE part goes back down.

[bmwpower603]

Originally Posted by fs34

Rock Auto. I just got 2 as backups. I’m hopeful the OE part goes back down.

Genuine bmw coil packs won’t be going down.

I’m surprised you got some from rockauto. NGK doesn’t even have them if I remember correctly.

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

Genuine bmw coil packs won't be going down.

I'm surprised you got some from rockauto. NGK doesn't even have them if I remember correctly.

They were Bosch not NGK, no?

[Matthew III]

wow 187k miles?? good to know they last that long.

I've been spending too but I give myself a budget and clear distinction between must have and nice to have. I think a new $50 m3 badge to replace my fading one counts as a must have . also did oem springs and muffler swap bc I was getting tired of drone and poor ride quality

[RedScytheM3]

I certainly hope none of you are actually in quarantine

[Space Fox]

Originally Posted by bmwpower603

I was a HUGE LEGO kid as well.

And I’ll be honest. I was seriously considering buying a big set at Walmart last week to pass some time.

I wonder if you could just buy one and return it? Lmao. It is Walmart after all.

Buy the set, build it, tear it down, and send it to me! I'll split the cost with you lol. The Porsche RSR set looks like a winner. Would love the GT3 RS set but that must have been a limited run or something because the one's I can find sell for like $500+.