How to maximize your next car lease

With this post we’ll change speeds and look at one of the big expenses in life: your car. Using this one hot tip find out how you can maximize the payout from your next car purchase.

The secret: Lease Busters

I know what you may be thinking: That’s no secret, I’ve heard of LeaseBusters.com for a long time. If that’s true, why haven’t you used it yet?

For those who don’t know, LeaseBusters.com is a site where people in Canada who want to get out of their car lease connect with people who are looking for leases. The “lease sellers” post their car’s details, plus any other incentive (this is where it gets exciting).

Incentives are usually cash payouts of thousands of dollars. The savvy investor that you are (I know you’re savvy because you keep up to date on weblogs like this one), you realize that there are a number of benefits:

1. The cash

The cash that you get for taking the lease off of the lease seller’s hands can be immediately put towards any high interest creditcard payments. We all know that credit card debt is the silent killer, this money can help you fight back!

2. A shorter lease term

Aside from the cash, your lease term will be much shorter than the term usually allowed by the dealerships. The majority of leases on the site have fewer than 15 months on the contract. Plus, you still have the flexibility of re-upping once the contract is over; although it may be a better idea to check back with LeaseBusters.com and get a new lease with new incentives.

3. No start-up costs, potential deposit returns

Picking up someone’s lease is much cleaner than signing a new lease agreement. The previous leaser has paid all of the start-up costs, plus, any left over deposits would belong to whoever holds the lease when the deposit is due back.

Though there are many advantages, there are a few downfalls that you want to be aware of:

1. Be sure to check how many kilometers are left on the lease, and how much it costs/km if you surpass that level. One of the reasons why people try to get rid of the leases is because they drive so much that they’ll have to write a fat check to the dealership if they continue driving the car. If you drive fewer km/day then they do, you can benefit from their miscalculation when they signed the lease.

2. REMEMBER YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for the condition of the car when you return it to the dealership. Be sure to have the car inspected before you buy it. Spending a few hundred dollars to get a complete diagnostic of the car, inside and outside, could save you thousands when you return the car to the dealership.

On a final note, I want to remind you that you CAN NEGOTIATE with people who have posted their cars on leasebusters.com. One thing that a lot of posters will accept is to pay for the car’s inspection: remember, be reasonable in your negotiations and you will end up on top.

There it is, a quick and simple way to save thousands, maintain supreme flexibility, and to have a new car every year. I’m always at your service via email, thanks for reading. Ares

[Via http://yourlifetoronto.wordpress.com]

BMW 328 MILLE MIGLIA BLUEGELFALTE GOES TO AUCTION

  ne of the world’s most significant pre-war sports racing cars, 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Buegelfalte’ will go to auction in Monaco on May 1 at the Grimaldi Forum. This car is the only special roadster ever built at the BMW factory in Munich, has numerous race wins to its credit (including a Mille Miglia class win) and became the pattern for a whole generation of post-war sports cars, an influence seen very clearly in cars such as the Jaguar XK120 Roadster. BMW had been actively involved in sports racing activity in the pre-war years and had enjoyed significant successes with its technically advanced, high-performance 328 model. Chassis 85032 was manufactured in May 1937 as a standard-bodied car for Rudolf Schleicher´s Experimental Department at BMW. The car participated in the 1937 Le Mans with the well-known British driver of the period, A.F.P. Fane, as well as the 1937 Tourist Trophy in the hands of H.G. Dobbs. The following year it participated in the 1938 Mille Miglia and won a notable victory in the 2.0-litre class, again with Fane driving and William James as co-driver. Chassis 85032 subsequently won a Gold medal in the “German Alpenfahrt” with Fritz Roth and “Blasi” Huber, plus an overall win in the same event in 1939. In the autumn of 1939, “85032″ was then dismantled by the racing division and the car was significantly re-engineered as an all-new open streamliner destined for use as a factory entry in the 1940 Mille Miglia alongside the two factory fixed-head “streamliners”. The beautiful and entirely unique bodywork of “85032″ was designed by Wilhelm Kaiser, a very experienced member of BMW`s new design department, “Künstlerische Gestaltung”, headed by Chief-Stylist Wilhelm Meyerhuber. The car was built at the factory racing department in Milbertshofen, Germany. The nickname of the car is derived from the creases on the top of the fenders, referred to as ‘Büegelfalte’ meaning ‘trouser crease’. This absolutely genuine and iconic bodywork styling was to become the pattern for a whole generation of post-war sports cars, an influence seen very clearly in cars such as the Jaguar XK120 Roadster. Amongst the other extensive modifications required to create the car was an intricate tubular steel framework for the body, whilst re-engineering also ran far deeper than chassis and body changes. Key components such as brakes and the Hurth-gearbox were up-rated to cope with the increased performance that was derived from its more powerful 130 PS engine and lighter overall curb weight of 725 kgs. Of significance to BMW historians, the ‘Buegelfalte’ is the only special roadster ever built at the BMW factory in Munich; the two other ”second series” streamline roadsters (after having been assembled) got their final outer Aluminum body skins by independent coachbuilder, Touring of Milano. In its new form, chassis 85032 was intensively tested before the 1940 Mille Miglia alongside the two 328 streamline coupes by Ernst Loof, who was the head of the BMW race department. Ultimately, chassis 85032 finished sixth in the 1940 Mille Miglia in the hands of Hans Wencher and Rudolf Scholz, with the 328 Touring coupe of Fritz Huschke von Hanstein and Walter Bauemer victorious that year. After the war in 1945, the car was part of the reparation payments and was given to the UDSSR and ultimately to Artiom Ivanovich Mikoyan, head of the Mikoyan Gurevich Design Bureau, best known as the creator of Russian MiG warplanes. His son used the car and eventually traded it with Mr. Giudo Adamson of Riga for a brand new Lada in 1972. Mr. Adamson kept the car until 2001, when, after the collapse of the “Iron Curtain”, the car was driven from Riga to Munich and stored by BMW in its museum. The current owner bought this important motor car in 2001. A copy of the Büegelfalte was made and now resides in the BMW Museum. The Büegelfalte joins an already impressive lineup of cars consigned to RM’s inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco event at the Grimaldi Forum on 1st May, 2010 – the same weekend as the 7th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco. The single-day event is set to present 80 of the world’s finest motor cars to an elite assemblage of automotive enthusiasts and collectors from around the world. “Our Monaco sale will feature some truly outstanding historic cars, but the totally unique nature of this BMW and its fascinating history make it an exceptional opportunity for any collector of significant motor cars”, says Max Girardo, managing director of RM Europe.

[Via http://5magazine.wordpress.com]

Experimenting with education

In a major experiment with technical education, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to introduce Bachelors of Engineering (BE) course in the civil and mechanical disciplines in the Tamil medium also in 15 constituent colleges of the four Anna Universities. The state would create an additional cumulative 1,800 seats in these institutions to accommodate students who prefer to study BE in Tamil medium.

- The Times of India, TNN, Feb 25, 2010

The Minister of Education in Tamil Nadu (India), K Ponmudy, has announced the introduction of BE courses in select engineering colleges of the Anna University in Tamil. It is going to be piloted first with freshmen students. The minister also added that students would have the option of choosing which medium to study in, English or Tamil.

Unlike most people in northern India, citizens from southern states – especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala – have been known to consecrate their language and hold it so close to their daily life that both English and the worldliness it brings with it is lost in in an often-meaningless pursuit of nativity.

I am from Tamil Nadu, and if I were to back home and so much as suggest some parallel anglicisation with Tamil, I will be shot down as a “traitor of the culture” – a phrase I am accustomed to hearing these days. There is some English in the Tamil airs, but it is of an esoteric nature. Even Hindi for that matter: speakers of the national language are treated with a different kind of affection, one that is constantly affectated with scorn.

A cultural disparity does exist, and it will not be a surprise when a Tamilian is mocked in Mumbai or when a Mumbaikar is mocked in Chennai. However, there is no move to embrace anything from either end. Although a pacifist, I am not being one when I hope that the Tamilian mindset will change. There is more to it than meets the eye, including a state-wide cohesion that means progressive thinking will be very slow and very painful.

To that end, the TN government’s decision to only “introduce” the opportunity to study in Tamil is, simply put, bad and in poor judgment. Of course, the “true” Tamilian won’t see it. After all, 1,800 new seats will be opened up and that too to people who have had no formal education of English. However, in affording such an opportunity, the government is also blindly sidelining the importance of English when it comes to employment.

For example, in 2007, BMW India opened its first production plant in the country in Chennai. If a through-and-through Tamil speaking engineer enters the job scene, how can he hope to be hired? Tamilians have to remember that when Tamil is concerned, it is important only within the state. When the state itself concedes and opens its arms to host European companies on its soil, why can’t it see the cons in denying the college student a global perspective on life?

[Via http://thedeadtiger.wordpress.com]

2004 BMW 330Ci Service 2

Ok, I’ll promise to stop being lazy and keep the blog updated in my spare time, lol.

Right now one of the current projects is a 2004 BMW 330Ci that I am doing a service 2 on along with some other maintenance.  The owner is moving to Arizona, and wants the car in tip top shape in the hotter climate.

And the pile of parts we have to go on the car.

List of things we are doing:

Radiator

Coolant Expansion Tank

All cooling hoses

Thermostat and housing

Updated waterpump

Oil Change (BMW 5w-30)

Diff Fluid change (redline)

Transaxle fluid change (redline)

Updated black grills

Fuel Filter

Air Filter

Cabin Filter

Valve cover gasket

Spark Plugs

Belts

Lower Control Arm Bushings

Front and Rear Rotors, Pads, and Sensors, and Brake Flush.

Getting to work:

First thing to tackle was the valve cover gasket, spark plugs, and cabin filter.

You do not have to remove the airbox to do the valve cover gasket, but since it does have to come out for the radiator replacement, I went ahead and pulled it.

Shot of the old radiator that will come out.  Fan’s are removed.

Back to the valve cover.  Disconnect the wiring harness and lay aside.

Then you can pull the coil packs, and remove the valve cover.

And going back together with a new gasket and new spark plugs.

Next was time to tackle the cooling system.

Old waterpump.

Old versus new pump.  If you are updating your pump, make sure to update to a pump that uses a metal impeller.  The stock pump is plastic and known to have issues.

Radiator out of the car.

Removed the coolant thermostat housing for replacement.

And all back together again.

Along with the above, I changed the oil and swapped out the grills.  Tonight I will tackle the brakes once the garage floor dries.  No point in sliding around in coolant, so I took some time to scrub and wash the floor, which will make the rest of the job much more enjoyable.

[Via http://docwilenracing.wordpress.com]

Wahhh... BMW Indonesia Siap Beli BMW Seri 5 Seken Sampai 90 Persen

Jakarta, 11 Februari 2010 - Anda pemilik BMW Seri 5? Mau dijual? PT BMW Indonesia menawarkan program menarik berupa Garansi Pembelian Kembali (Buy Back Guarantee) hingga 90 persen setelah satu tahun kepemilikannya. Dua model yang siap dibeli dengan harga oke itu adalah BMW 532i dan 530i.

“Nilai jual kembali mobil kami meningkat tajam beberapa tahun terakhir. Kini dengan program Buy Back Guarantee, mengendarai BMW Seri 5 menjadi investasi yang jauh lebih baik,” kata Presiden Direktur BMW Indonesia, Ramesh Divyanathan.

Pembelian kembali ini tentu ada syaratnya. Jaminan hanya berlaku untuk mobil dengan riwayat perawatan berkala oleh dealer resmi BMW dan jarak tempuh total kurang dari 15.000 km. PT Bestindo Car Utama, dealer resmi BMW untuk mobil seken yang berlokasi di Bintaro, ditunjuk sebagai pelaksana program Buy Back Guarantee tersebut.

Ramesh mengatakan jika pemilik mobil memutuskan untuk menjual Seri 5 mereka maka biaya kepemilikan mobil selama satu tahun lebih rendah ketimbang biaya yang dihabiskan untuk menyewa mobil tersebut. Sebagai catatan, di Jakarta, BMW 530i dan 523i ditawarkan dengan harga Rp 929 juta dan Rp 789 juta (off the road).

Catatan BMW menyebutkan popularitas Seri 5 mengalami lonjakan cukup tajam pada tahun 2009. Sepanjang tahun lalu BMW Indonesia menjual sebanyak 208 unit atau 40 persen lebih tinggi dari tahun sebelumnya.

Dalam keterangannya, BMW juga melaporkan penjualan sepanjang Januari lalu mencapai 70 unit atau hampir dua kali lebih tinggi dari angka penjualan Januari tahun lalu. Pertumbuhan volume didukung oleh pesatnya penjualan tiga model inti BMW; BMW Seri 3 (29 unit), BMW Seri 5 (12) dan BMW Seri 7 (10).

BMW X5 Sport Activity Vehicle juga menunjukkan pertumbuhan yang kuat dengan penjualan 10 unit, sementara Sport Activity Coupe pertama di dunia, BMW X6, mencatat 7 unit penjualan.

“Selain itu, BMW juga menawarkan program BMW Service Inclusive kami menyediakan layanan perawatan berkala secara gratis selama lima tahun atau hingga jarak tempuh total mobil mencapai 60.000 km,” tutup Ramesh.

[Via http://rajufebrian.wordpress.com]

A small selection of cars from the Ring

From the always great nordschleifenfan…

You might remember this beastly 993 (here was the other view- the one that other cars are probably more likely to see):

Looks hot, but what is it? We believe it’s a RHD Ford Sierra Saphire (British):

This purpose-built Z4 [M] Coupé is stanced to perfection (and makes us want one pretty badly), but we’d love to see it without the luchador livery:

The perfect single all-around car? E92 M3 (though what we’d really love is an E91). We’re really digging the look of this example, too, with the Melbourne Red paint, blackened kidney grilles, and anthracite (black?) wheels:

Ring taxis and a GT3 RS caught in a train:

Photos: nordschleifenfan

[Via http://bulgogibrothers.wordpress.com]

1962 BMW R-69S - The Rolls Royce of motorcycles, for luxury touring in comfort

Cover: BMW R69 S

Contents: Road Tests: BMW R-69 S, Bultaco TSS; Triumph Bonneville Revisited; A Nurgurgring Lap – Anke-Eve Goldmann invites you to tour Germany’s famous racing circuit; Technical: Two-Strokes; 963 Mile Trial; 130-Mile AMA Road Race Shreveport; BMW Memo – A brief history of the Bayerische Moteren Werke (What does BMW stand for? Bayerische Moteren Werke); Scooter Test: Heinkel Tourist; Mini-Bike Test: Go Kart Scrambler; Ascot Season Opener / Sammy Tanner; more

1962 June Cycle World Motorcycle Magazine Back-Issue – BMW available at www.DadsVintageAds.com in the “ Motorcycle Magazines” category

Search our Magazine Back Issue Index for more old Motorcycle Magazine Back Issues for sale.

To search our full inventory of Vintage Motorcycle Advertisements, Articles, and Road Tests CLICK HERE.

[Via http://dadsvintageads.wordpress.com]

2011 BMW X5

2011 BMW X5

BMW unveiled today the new X5 SUV, a model that comes with entirely revised range of engines and concise design modifications. At the exterior the new X5 gets larger side air intakes at the front and an increased proportion of surfaces painted in body color, reshaped rear bumper and the tailpipe surrounds, dual round headlamps with optional Xenon lights, fitted with LED corona.
The biggest changes are made under the hood: a choice of V8 and a straight six-cylinder, all featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and direct fuel injection and and equipped with an eight-speedautomatic transmission as standard.
The model line-up include: BMW X5 xDrive50i powered by a V8 petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo and direct injection that delivers a total of 407 bhp at 5,500 – 6,400 rpm. It makes the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. The next model in the line-up is BMW X5 xDrive35i powered by a Straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo and direct injection and a total output of 306 bhp at 5,800 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph in this version is made in 6.8 seconds, and top speed is 146 mph.
The first diesel model is BMW X5 xDrive40d powered by a Straight six-cylinder diesel engine with aluminium crankcase, BMW TwinPower Turbo and Common Rail direct injection that delivers a total of 306 bhp at 4,400 rpm. It makes the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, while top speed is also 146 mph.

And finally there is the X5 xDrive30d powered by a straight six-cylinder diesel engine with aluminium crankcase, turbocharger with variable turbine geometry and Common Rail direct injection with a total output of 245 bhp at 4,000 rpm and a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds; top speed in this case is 137 mph.

[Via http://autowheel.wordpress.com]

BMW - Vision or Street Cred?

As BMW readies itself for the Frankfurt Auto Show, the Lagerlad can’t help wondering if their Hybrid Supercar will live up to expectations? Will their Vision Efficient Dynamics Hybrid Concept truly lead the way to a sustainable future or have they lost out to the amazing work already being done by rival manufacturer Audi? The Lagerlad is concerned by the overly styled/try hard look of the car, would you really want to be seen driving one of these?

[Via http://lagerlads.com]

We've never really loved the 2002 Touring

To put it diplomatically, we always thought it looked sort of.. unique, at best, and awkward at worst. But – while we must say we still prefer the coupé – we can say without hesitation that this is probably the nicest 02 Touring we have seen yet- very well done.

See a short clip here (in German).

Via focus.de/auto

[Via http://bulgogibrothers.wordpress.com]

One

A pretty simple video.  A guy practicing his dolly skills with his subject being his 1 Series.  Ever since it’s anticipated release, I’ve been infatuated with it, because of the history BMW placed upon.  It is to be the revival of the 2002, in my opinion, giving it a greater lineage than any other model in the BMW stable.  What’s better than a frame nearly the size of a 5th gen Civic coupe, with a rear-wheel drive platform, powered by one of the most powerful engines offered in it’s bigger brother the 335?  Yes I would buy one, and yes I would Osaka Style it.

E>
Takkaro

[Via http://sdstreetfighters.wordpress.com]