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Finally! After months of delays in getting started, I just picked up my 1990 535i (5sp) from B.M.S. in Ft. Worth, TX where it had spent the week undergoing major and minor repairs.
The main reason for going in was to have my old 5-speed transmission replaced with a Jim Blanton remanufactured unit that was delivered the previous month, and for an overdue inspection service. I also left them with a fix list of every complaint or broken item on the car, big and small, and standing orders to be on the lookout for anything else that needed fixing.
It didn't take long to find that my brakes only had a couple weeks of life left, something was squirly with the front control arms, and that the driveshaft was about to take a dump. Though to fix all of them would push the bill up to $2,500 I said do it.
The upshot is that my 535i, with 180,000 miles on it, now feels and drives like a brand new car! Never in the time that I have owned it has it felt this nice, tight, smooth, or quiet. This is a feeling everyone who really cares for their cars as they age should get to experience as often as possible. :)
The 65 mile ride home from the shop (I took the long way ;-) ) was pure bliss. I had deep cleaned the interior before taking it in, and it really help set the mood. The engine purred all the way to the redline, and the new clutch and transmission were a joy to work. The A/C was now putting out 44 degree cold air despite the 102 degree Texas afternoon. The new control arms fixed the occasional pull to the left that had dogged me since I bought the car, and now it tracks straight as a laser beam down the center. And it is so *quiet* now inside - my wife fell asleep on the drive back @ 80 mph.
It amazes me how much nicer this 10 year old car is than many of the midsized new cars I have ridden in lately (2000 Dodge Interpid, 2000 Pontiac Malibu, 1999 Ford Taurus, 1999 Honda Accord, 2000 Chrysler 300M - to name a few). And to think that even including reapir costs, it's cheaper. :)
Alright, that's enough gushing for one day. It should be obvious that I've been unable to wipe the grin off my face. In fact, I think I'm going to go out for a Sunday drive now... Thanks for letting me share.
-Matt
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