What did you do for your ZHP/ BMW / MINI today? #2

[Imola.ZHP]

My mechanic and the dealer consulted with a pest control company. The best way to avoid rodents/mice is to lay out in various areas moth balls. They hate the smell.

Good to know, I would just be worried my pups might get sick if they attempted to try it out.

Paid off car beats a lease any day of the week.

I've been preaching that for nearly 5 years, it is indeed true. I'm just ready for something new.

I wouldn't say you're getting old. Just changing priorities. It happens. 10 years with the car is pretty long these days!

Year number 9 will be on 5/21/15 if I still have her.

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Researching trade values vs private party values, wow, what a difference. How can Edmunds say my car is only worth $4400 trade, $5600 private party, yet the two lowest cars private party I found on auto tempest had more miles and less options asking $7k? Also found a white 2003 with 53k for $18,500. WTF?

[Pip]

So much win in this thread. I feel weak sauce for installing headers now.

[az3579]

I've been preaching that for nearly 5 years, it is indeed true. I'm just ready for something new.

If you're going to keep it a long time then whey don't you buy it?

A "deal" on a lease of all things is hardly a deal for someone that wants to keep the car. Buying it out at the end of the lease costs more than just buying it outright, doesn't it?

[UdubBadger]

Everyone has been #winning


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[Imola.ZHP]

If you're going to keep it a long time then whey don't you buy it?

A "deal" on a lease of all things is hardly a deal for someone that wants to keep the car. Buying it out at the end of the lease costs more than just buying it outright, doesn't it?

Most likely I would buy it at the end of the lease. Leasing can be good and bad, depends on how/if you work the system. To make numbers easy, lets say I buy one for $50k, I get $10k off of the car and in 3 years the car will be worth 50% ($25k). For the lease term I will pay the difference ($15k) plus interest just like any other loan plus tax just like any car purchase. At the end of the lease, if they have their residuals wrong (happens from time to time, could very well happen on such a car as the i3) say similar cars are selling for $20k not $25k, then I can negotiate a lower price. Essentially buying a used car from myself instead of someone else. If they have their numbers wrong the other way, say similar cars are selling for $32k, if you trade it in before the lease is up (I can't remember how many weeks/months out, there is a deadline) and a dealer offers you more than what your residual is, lets say they offer $30k, then you have $5k down on your next vehicle. Yes, it takes longer in the end (lease term 24-36 months plus whatever to finance the remaining 20-25k 36-60 months), but if you can't afford a $50k car over a typical car buying term (3-5 years) leasing is a good way to get into something you otherwise wouldn't be able to.

Let me ask you this, would you rather buy a high end car that was previously owned by a stranger? Or from yourself?

Everybody seems to have their own opinion on leasing VS buying, this is just my opinion. Yes, sometimes with higher lease rates you end up paying more interest and in that situation buying might be a better option, but this lease rate works out to about 3%, pretty decent. I think the lowest new car rate I can get from my credit union is 2.45%.

[UdubBadger]

Amen to that


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[BavarianZHP]

Teaser pic of things to come...:





It's in 9.8/10 condition - no cracks, but can use a new polish. Pics can be deceptive but it's reflecting a lot of the background.

25118026329: Full Individual Wood E46/E39 , 6-spd, M plaque. Not too many of these floating around!!

[330i ZHP]

Welding unneeded holes. Ready to make braces and the strip engine bay and paint. Then I can start thinking about installing the S14

[Hermes]

Beautiful work Stu!!! Wanna come help me fill my holes?

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Got the E21 to start/run; need to clean up the harness and do some fine tuning but she's ALIVE!!!

[330i ZHP]

You beat me to having engine in and running to boot. It's a lot of work isn't it. So many little details