So.. after my doing the Bentley thing ($250nz) my front shocks at $700 all-up were even with hers. The engine is better at 240000kms (152000miles) than hers and we're now getting better agreement on my maintaining the BMW - the old shocks would have been in around the 100000kms I'd guess and we're now going on the assumption that the BMW is a big kit and each part should last about 100000kms reasonable usage - and I'm guessing that the rest of the car will still be in good enough condition that a failure in any one part will still make the 735 worth repairing, as opposed to the Nissan where we are now looking a lot more carefully at each new problem to see if this will push it off the road for good, and when...

Plus the BMW is rock-solid for the long trips with the kids, and the only one my wife falls asleep in when we're goign for a long trip.

Good luck.

I just found coolant coming out from the head gasket. Does anyone have an idea of what this owuld cost to have fix by a certified mech or the stealer. I was just great to find this upon returning from vacation. My wife is encouraging me to sell the car because I've had too many things go wrong in the five months I've owned it. In five monthsI've replaced:

2 interior door light lense
cap fix but have to do it again
seat twist is on the list
bought floor mats and a Bentley Manual
had wheels balanced for shimmy

Is that too much in five months? She wants me to sell it and get some other used car.

Mark Dorr
88 735 98K