[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

And this may be why he feeling so giving at the moment. Serious medical emergencies, near death experiences, etc. often led people to make rash, weird, out of character, etc. decisions shortly after the event.

But this is MK we're talking about here. He/daughter have been close, at least described here, all along. He has always wanted to "spoil" her.

My father was an attorney. Although he could afford it, and always wanted a red little two-seater MBZ convertible, he never did because of his feelings that it wouldn't look proper for a single-attorney firm doing mainly Family law. I bought him 1:!8 models on several occasions.

[Llarry]

Going back through my file of pricing guides, it appears to me that the final BMW Diesels sold in the USA were the 2019 540xd sedans.

In 2018 I show the 328xdT wagon and the X5 35d. (I suspect the 5er Diesels were sold, too, whether 535d/xd or 540xd I do not know.)

In 2017 I show the 328d, 328xd, 328xdT and the X5 35d

In 2016 I show the 328d, 328xd, 328xdT wagon, 535d and 535xd

[ezaircon4jc]

From what I understand, diesels hate putzing around town. They want to be driven distances.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

From what I understand, diesels hate putzing around town. They want to be driven distances.

I would respectfully disagree -- Diesels were traditionally superb at low-speed stop and go driving in Euro urban areas. Of course part of the rationale for Diesel is the low cost of fuel, which is no longer the case. But at least they're frugal with the fuel.

EDIT: Based on the below posts, I withdraw my disagreement It looks like the particlate filter does indeed like being periodically blown out a bit with high speed.

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I would respectfully disagree -- Diesels were traditionally superb at low-speed stop and go driving in Euro urban areas. Of course part of the rationale for Diesel is the low cost of fuel, which is no longer the case. But at least they're frugal with the fuel.

Yeah, but then emissions controls kicked in and they got kneecapped. My understanding is now, with relatively modern diesels anyways, that you do need to regularly take them for a rip on the highway for 15-20 min to clean up the filter or whatever it is...if you never do this, it eventually goes into limp mode.

[mrjimyjohn]

Originally Posted by Llarry

I would respectfully disagree -- Diesels were traditionally superb at low-speed stop and go driving in Euro urban areas. Of course part of the rationale for Diesel is the low cost of fuel, which is no longer the case. But at least they're frugal with the fuel.

Modern diesel emissions systems generally need to get real hot at regular intervals. A couple of vehicles in my family needed DEFs replaced prematurely due to short cycle city lives.

[vreihen16]

Modern common-rail diesels with DPF exhaust filters also should not idle for more than a minute or so, unlike diesels of the olden days that could be left idling for days.....

[tom2021]

MKSixer, looks like you are still deciding.
Good for you to offer a car to your daughter.
I only promise my son that I will chip in, to help him buying his first car.
He just finished his engineering degree and started a new job.

[Watching The World Burn]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Modern common-rail diesels with DPF exhaust filters also should not idle for more than a minute or so, unlike diesels of the olden days that could be left idling for days.....

As much as I want to get the 2023 Ram Rebel with the Cummins, mostly because I really like the engine and think it would last 10 years or so without any major issues, I have been hammered over the head by people wiser than me that a diesel would not be a good idea. Especially in our Canadian winters.

I've given up on the Cummins...it was probably a pipe dream anyhow, time to figure out my next pickup. I have to have something by November 2023 when my current lease is up, so I have a year to narrow it down and order.

Any thoughts? I want something with good power for highway merging, but I won't be towing more than 8000 lbs I think, and probably much less than that. Something comfortable for longer hauls too as I'll probably buy instead of lease and it will be the road trip machine for trips down to Myrtle Beach, Florida, etc.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Watching The World Burn

As much as I want to get the 2023 Ram Rebel with the Cummins, mostly because I really like the engine and think it would last 10 years or so without any major issues, I have been hammered over the head by people wiser than me that a diesel would not be a good idea. Especially in our Canadian winters.

I just re-homed my beloved 2006 Ram/Cummins/6MT 4x4 last month, that was my daily driver for 11 years. Cold weather was never a problem, and I would throw an electric space heater into the cab on nights when the temps were dipping below 0 F. I never plugged in the block heater unless it was going below 0 F, and it fired up at -10 F one morning when the block heater was offline because the house breaker popped. A Cummins engine is a lifetime investment, as long as you keep it fed with clean fuel. The harder you work them, the better!

We loved ours for road trips, and did 3,000+ mile trips in it every year. My only gripe was that it always seemed to rain whenever we traveled, and our luggage would get wet in the bed even with the soft tonneau cover closed. If we put our luggage into the back seat to keep it dry, I couldn't take a nap or recline the passenger seat while my DW was driving (which is sort of important due to my medical condition).

I replaced the Cummins with a high-roof diesel Sprinter for road trips. The engine is more like a VW TDI than a Cummins. The big plus is being able to stand up in the passenger seat and walk upright to the rear to stretch or take a nap, and the interior is designed more like an over-the-road big rig with useful shelves over the sun visors and plenty of big storage compartments for things like first aid and flare/triangle warning kits. We're going to build it as a minimalist stealth camper for road trips, and not use it as a daily driver. One of our biggest problems is OCD psycho dog, who spent the last 13 years curled up on the center bench seat of the Ram whenever we traveled. The Sprinter has two tall pedestal bucket seats with a walk-through aisle between them, and he will definitely not be happy unless he is up at people height or on someone's lap.....

[Llarry]

I graduated from high school in 1965 and university in 1969. My total take was a cheap watch in 1965. MK, would you please adopt me? Thanks in advance!

[Gritty]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Modern common-rail diesels with DPF exhaust filters also should not idle for more than a minute or so, unlike diesels of the olden days that could be left idling for days.....

I had two 2019 BMW diesels and enjoyed driving the cars, the combination of power and milage was great.
However my 435d convertible was often driven on short 5-10min trips to school and to the market and every six months we would get a warning the "engine oil level to high". Quite concerning...so I would bring it into the dealership under warranty and they would change the oil - Problem solved for six months? Apparently if you don't drive for 30min it fails to complete the regen cycle and the excess regen fuel get dumped back into the oil. That doesn't sound good? Sold

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

I replaced the Cummins with a high-roof diesel Sprinter for road trips. The engine is more like a VW TDI than a Cummins. The big plus is being able to stand up in the passenger seat and walk upright to the rear to stretch or take a nap, and the interior is designed more like an over-the-road big rig with useful shelves over the sun visors and plenty of big storage compartments for things like first aid and flare/triangle warning kits. We're going to build it as a minimalist stealth camper for road trips, and not use it as a daily driver. One of our biggest problems is OCD psycho dog, who spent the last 13 years curled up on the center bench seat of the Ram whenever we traveled. The Sprinter has two tall pedestal bucket seats with a walk-through aisle between them, and he will definitely not be happy unless he is up at people height or on someone's lap.....

badass - the dream imo

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

But this is MK we're talking about here. He/daughter have been close, at least described here, all along. He has always wanted to "spoil" her.

My father was an attorney. Although he could afford it, and always wanted a red little two-seater MBZ convertible, he never did because of his feelings that it wouldn't look proper for a single-attorney firm doing mainly Family law. I bought him 1:!8 models on several occasions.

Spot on Uncle Wede. In fact, my parents spoiled my brother, my sister and myself. But all with responsibilit y. We learned early on that we could EARN anything we wanted. Academics first. Household chores second. Only one conservation by parents about college for each of us at the end of our 8th grade year: We will buy you a car or pay for college if you don't get scholarships. Same deal for my daughter. Law school has been paid by us, of course.

Reliable transportation is a must for a 25 year old girl moving to a new city. I just happen to be in the position to make it a bit fun.

P.S. Being spoiled isn't a bad thing. It's the two words that most often go around it that make it bad. Those words are entitled and brat, respectively. I didn't raise one of those.

[NoMoreVauxhalls]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Reliable transportation is a must for a 25 year old girl moving to a new city. I just happen to be in the position to make it a bit fun.

P.S. Being spoiled isn't a bad thing. It's the two words that most often go around it that make it bad. Those words are entitled and brat, respectively. I didn't raise one of those.

This is great to see, and I really understand where you're coming from, here! My own daughter is 23 now. She graduated from university almost three years ago to start her career as a Social Worker. It's such a hard job as she's working in children's services (abused kids and allsorts of horrifying stories).

She used to drive a little Renault Clio as her first car, but with her new job I knew that she'd be making house calls and visits, sometimes quite far from home, and into the evenings. So I wanted her to get something a little more... robust/reliable, and comfortable I guess. With full breakdown cover, etc.

She liked the Mercedes A Class so I helped her with financing for that. I couldn't buy it outright for her, but gave her a big down payment so her monthlies were quite small (she's recently finished paying it off). She loves it as it's exactly what she wanted. So my only advice would be to let your daughter take the lead and get something that she really wants.

I do love seeing mine drive off in her A Class with her laptop and in her smart outfit lol. Makes me think I at least did some things right!

[XutvJet]

I would think that the cost and time of ownership of a diesel, especially a German one, could be one royal pain in the ass. For one, diesel BMWs are not very common in the states. That means parts supply is likely limited and requires extra time to get the parts. It also likely means there are few BMW techs in the US capable and willing to repair these cars as they age. Lastly, diesel fuel costs are quite high.

To own a BMW diesel seems to me to be more of a burden rather than necessary, especially for a young lawyer that will likely be putting in 60+ hours a week. I'm telling you, it is ROUGH, especially if the goal is to be partner. I have a good friend that is an attorney and partner and I work with attorneys every day. They are all say the worst part was the first 5 years. They had no life outside the firm.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

badass - the dream imo

The *real* badasses are FedEx and Amazon van drivers! I have a new-found respect for them having to climb in/out of a Sprinter dozens of times per day making deliveries. I thought that my Ram 4x4 was a PITA to get in/out of, but the Sprinter takes it to a whole new level (pun intended).....

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by NoMoreVauxhalls

This is great to see, and I really understand where you're coming from, here! My own daughter is 23 now. She graduated from university almost three years ago to start her career as a Social Worker. It's such a hard job as she's working in children's services (abused kids and allsorts of horrifying stories).

She used to drive a little Renault Clio as her first car, but with her new job I knew that she'd be making house calls and visits, sometimes quite far from home, and into the evenings. So I wanted her to get something a little more... robust/reliable, and comfortable I guess. With full breakdown cover, etc.

She liked the Mercedes A Class so I helped her with financing for that. I couldn't buy it outright for her, but gave her a big down payment so her monthlies were quite small (she's recently finished paying it off). She loves it as it's exactly what she wanted. So my only advice would be to let your daughter take the lead and get something that she really wants.

I do love seeing mine drive off in her A Class with her laptop and in her smart outfit lol. Makes me think I at least did some things right!

I love this!

It's amazing that they go off and do noble things. Mine wants to practice family law and help kids, specifically. I told her I could make a few calls and get her a nice corporate law making a crazy amount per year for her age and she wants nothing to do with it!

It seems we both did something right!

[2000cs]

I hope the diesel fuel shortage (current 25 day supply) will be short-lived, and the resulting price spike also. But diesel pumps are always a bit slimy. I don’t think I’d go diesel unless I was towing, and even then I’d give it a lot of thought.

For a BMW diesel, does this effectively eliminate most independent mechanics? I really don’t know if many/any of them have diesel expertise. Routine maintenance should be fine, but anything major requiring knowledge and special skill or tools might become a problem.

I get that your daughter wants a diesel, that is the only part of her request that I would encourage her to rethink. If she sticks with it, well, ok. Just eyes open.

[YWGT3]

Hey Mad dog driver,

Perhaps consider writing a check for $16,000 as a tax-free gift to your daughter this year and the remaining $34,000 in 2023. At least, it will preclude you from paying taxes on $32,000. As for cars, the best gift is one that your daughter chooses. But make sure it's sturdy and reliable. My bodyshop guy is not a fan when it comes to Audis because some of the body panels are actually taped on for weight-saving measures. He's not a fan of Teslas or Mini Coopers for their structural design and workmanship as well.

[UncleWede]

You don't have to tell everyone, but just a thought based on what we did for my youngest son a few years back, since he needed to develop his own credit.

All thru college we let him "pay" for tuition with student loans, etc. We simply filled his bank account each time he needed to make payments to the loan company. He's free/clear now that he's a graduate and teaching local high school.

When the 77 Beetle just wasn't working as a DD for him, we found a little old man from Pasadena who has less than 1200 miles on his Yaris that the family said he could no longer drive. We made the transaction happen. We paid 1/2, then he got a loan from local credit union with our co-sign, and he proceeded to pay it off. Got him a car he liked AND built his credit.

[Esteban]

When my son was 17 we co-signed and made the down payment on a '05 Scion xA for him. He worked part time while finishing HS and going to college and made all the monthly payments, at the same time establishing credit for himself.