02-16-2017, 07:46 PM | #1 |
New Member
22
Rep 20
Posts |
First car
I thought I would share a story about my son and a silver coupe from Munich and how they met in Washington DC.
Let me start off by saying I come from modest means but through endless schooling, hard work and a bit of good fortune, I have been blessed with some financial success. I have tried to instill these values as a parent and have succeeded for the most part with 3 wonderful kids. In a moment of weakness or questionable sobriety ( i really dont remember which), I challenged my middle son that if he could get straight A's in junior high and high school, I would buy him a BMW. This statement was subsequently forgotten by yours truly. But wouldnt you know it, on this kids 17th birthday-he says "remember that bet you made? that if I got straight A's, you would buy me a BMW!! The excuses jumped out of my mouth “Uh, I dont remember saying that” and “I was just kidding” But I suppose a deal is a deal and truthfully- he is a really good kid that never asks for anything and always gets the hand-me-downs from his older brother. so, ok……. lets get you a BMW the hunt is on The first question is…… what kind of BMW? -Nothing too old - i want a car that will be reliable and have modern safety features nothing too fast - enough said nothing too big-plenty of time for that when you are older. To me, the 2 series captures the essence of BMW. |
Appreciate
9
|
02-16-2017, 07:47 PM | #2 |
New Member
22
Rep 20
Posts |
I grew up with the BMW’s from the 70’s and 80’s, so 2002, e30 and e36’s are my nostalgic favorites. And i think the current 2 series is the modern interpretation of the 2002 and the early (pre e90) 3 series. The size seems right too me- not too big not too small. It is nimble and responsive in a way that the bigger 3 series isn’t. And although I will always have a soft spot for the inline 6 cylinder motor that is in the m235, I thought the turbocharged 4 in the 228i was in keeping with the motors for the 2002 and early 3 series. Plus, I drove the 228i and thought it was pretty damn quick.
So-228i it is. we scoured the country for weeks on end looking for that perfect 228i. We wanted the sport package-because it looks so right with the aggressive front spoiler, upgraded wheels and sport steering wheel. lighting package-because the standard halogens were not impressive cold weather package- we live in the midwest driver assistance package-seemed like a good idea for a beginning driver. A used car made sense to me as well- something that was a little bit broken in - with a couple a scratches -so he wouldn’t feel so bad about his first mishap o getting to close to the curb and raising one of the rims We finally found the car in Washington DC. One owner. Low miles. The color and packages we wanted, All the service records, clean carfax. Advertised at a BMW dealer. Inquires were made, offers tendered and a deal accepted. I have a great idea Let’s fly down there and drive it back. “Mom,can i miss school on FRIDAY?” For me, the best part of this whole endeavor, was engaging with my son. This was a chance to spend some quality time with AJ and do some bonding over this wonderful adventure. We found some reasonable one way tickets to Washington national airport and that is how we found ourselves on a clear but cold morning in February driving to Ohare airport. After a quick flight, we get our rental car and a 15 minute drive gets us to the dealership early in the morning, We drive around the lot looking for the car and….. there it is like a puppy at the pet store waiting for its new owner, As soon as I saw it, I knew this was the right car fir AJ. Of course we gave it a careful inspection- see if there was any evidence of body or paintwork (none) examine the interior ( very clean (the seats and steering wheel leather look brand new), plenty of tire tread left brake rotors feel new. We head inside and meet our sales advisor ( a nice, polite and friendly gentleman). Time for the test drive. And the car is great- no creaks no rattles tracks straight it drives like a new car (and on the drive i begin to appreciate what wonderful cars BMW makes). Lets get this deal done and get on the road! As a side note, during this whole trip i was keenly aware of the national weather forecast and i din not want to get caught out in a storm on the drive from washington DC back to our home in the midwest - especially since this car was not the XDRIVE and had summer sport tires!!! I would like to say that it gave my heart supreme joy to see AJ take the wheel of his first car on this sunny Friday in February and begin our journey home Last edited by Jk356; 02-17-2017 at 07:35 AM.. Reason: Erroe |
02-16-2017, 07:49 PM | #3 |
New Member
22
Rep 20
Posts |
we had our tunes
we had our snacks we had a full tank of fuel and the open road ahead of us We visited Gettysburg we took the back roads though the Appalachians we got caught in a snow storm near pittsburgh ( and that rear wheel drive 228i with summer tires on curvy mountain roads was absolutely perfect! love those late night gas station photos! Last edited by Jk356; 02-17-2017 at 01:00 PM.. Reason: error |
Appreciate
1
steve198061.50 |
02-16-2017, 08:22 PM | #5 |
New Member
22
Rep 20
Posts |
AJ did most of the driving and i was more than happy to be the passenger.
We made the trip over 2 days and the car behaved flawlessly. I was deeply impressed with the car. The ride comfort on the interstate was quite good (better than expected given the short wheelbase and m sport suspension. Yet in the corners the car was firm and composed. And BMW remains so skillful at balancing these two seemingly opposite characteristics- the sport seats were extremely comfortable -This car did not have the premium package and as a result didn't have lumbar support. I was concerned that the seats would be uncomfortable on this extended drive- but they were fine The tech features were also impressive- the drive system is much more intuitive than mercedes in my opinion. The engine is adequately powerful, and yet delivered 29 mpg on the highway at 75 mph. The automatic transmission delivers crisp and smooth shifts. Not much to complain about then... I think sometimes we get so jaded by the technology that is part of our daily world that it is difficult to step back and appreciate how good we have it. The drive back to in this bmw 228i reminded me that we live in wonderful times. Of course, This car is a jewel. But more importantly, the trip itself was something to remember. I got to spend time with my son, and go on this crazy adventure. I think the memories of this trip will last longer than the car AJ-I hope you get as much joy owning this car as i did on this trip with you. You only get one first car--I glad yours was a BMW Last edited by Jk356; 02-17-2017 at 09:27 AM.. Reason: error |
Appreciate
1
Vervain471.00 |
02-16-2017, 08:37 PM | #6 | |
Private
50
Rep 95
Posts |
Quote:
You made a great choice, the car is great and he won't have issues with it at all honestly (At least I haven't had any) The only thing he has to do is take care of it and don't go crazy because these cars have a lot of power from factory (stock). I have two buddies around my age that have them so if he ever wants to talk to us and know more about the car etc. he can always send a message I would be more than interested in helping him Instagram is @bagged_f22 if he wants to check it out I'll attach some pictures |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-16-2017, 09:20 PM | #7 |
Private
31
Rep 99
Posts |
Congrats! By any means, your son deserved it, and I am sure he will return you the favor by making you proud later in life. I hope that me too, one day I will get my daughter a fun car, IF she deserves it (I have time, she's only 7). And also, she WILL have a to drive a stick shift
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 06:26 AM | #8 |
Private First Class
62
Rep 125
Posts |
Good for your boy! And props for being a great father.
I remember when my parents promised me a new vehicle.. ahh, how the memory loss came into play when I tried reminding them. Anyway, no worries, here I 10 years later and am planning my purchase of an M240i . |
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 07:52 AM | #9 |
Major General
4527
Rep 8,942
Posts |
Smart move sticking with the 228 and not going for the 235. Money aside kids will be kids. I cannot tell you how many guys I grew up with whose "cool fathers" got them M3, 911, M5 etc with disastrous results.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible |
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 08:48 AM | #11 |
New Member
22
Rep 20
Posts |
BEM-S4
agreed the 228 seems plenty fast especially with a novice driver behind the wheel. Thankfully, he is a very cautious and careful driver but I also like how well the 2 and 3 series did on the iihs crash test |
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 09:22 AM | #12 | |
Major General
4527
Rep 8,942
Posts |
Quote:
Maybe next semester "bribe" him with a trip to one of the performance centers for the intro driving course. I think for the day it's like $750 or something and they get through all the emergency braking, skid pad, etc. It's a lot of fun and to my way of thinking anyone can benefit from advanced safety and handling courses, especially budding gear heads.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 09:46 AM | #13 | |
Major General
5055
Rep 6,352
Posts |
Quote:
https://bondurant.com/advanced-teen-driving/ This is a serious training ground for new drivers. I sent both of my kids through, and it was extremely beneficial. This can take his caution and add a significant set of skills for a young driver...this isn't racing...it's about safety and control. BTW, my eldest daughter's first car was a 4 cylinder, three door, short wheelbase (they used to make those) Plymouth Voyager! Times and situations do change!
__________________
2015 228i 6MT/Track Handling/Tech/Cold/Premium/Lighting/Driver Assistance/KCDesign Strut Brace/M2 LCAs/Rogue SSK/BBS SR/PS4S/ER Chargepipe/AA Intercooler/Dinan Shockware/MPerformance Spoiler/Black Grilles/Xpel Ultimate PPF & Prime XR+ Tint/Adam's Ceramic/no CDV
2024 X3 sDrive30i/MSport/Premium/Dynamic Handling/Shadowline/Parking/Xpel Prime XR Plus/Weathertech Cargo Liner |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 09:51 AM | #14 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1173
Rep 1,930
Posts |
Get him into a bmwcca hpde, and autoX in the area.
He will be a very good driver in no time.
__________________
www.nybmwcca.org
Current Cars: 1995 M3 Coupe Manual Alpine White 1997 M3 Sedan Auto Cosmo Black Metallic 2018 x3 m40 Auto Grey Metallic |
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 10:27 AM | #15 |
New Member
22
Rep 20
Posts |
that is a great idea
I wonder if we could do it in south Carolina ( at the bmw track?) otherwise road America is close to us and I know they offer performance schools |
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 10:42 AM | #16 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1173
Rep 1,930
Posts |
a performance school will cost big money and he wont be driving his own car.
Look for the local bmw cca chapter in your area, than look for events that are close to you. http://www.motorsportreg.com/ shows all the events including, bmw, porsche, audi etc...
__________________
www.nybmwcca.org
Current Cars: 1995 M3 Coupe Manual Alpine White 1997 M3 Sedan Auto Cosmo Black Metallic 2018 x3 m40 Auto Grey Metallic |
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 10:45 AM | #17 | |
Major General
4527
Rep 8,942
Posts |
Quote:
They have different level of courses he needs the one day intro one. All the details are on the website.
__________________
2022 Macan S
2016 F31 328i xDrive Sport Wagon 2006 E46 330ci ZHP Convertible |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-17-2017, 10:48 AM | #18 | |
Major General
5055
Rep 6,352
Posts |
Quote:
For example, when was the last chapter event with a specialized skid car on rollers for training? Or, had emergency lane changing in response to multiple sets of traffic signals set up with electric eye triggers as cars approach at increasing speeds?
__________________
2015 228i 6MT/Track Handling/Tech/Cold/Premium/Lighting/Driver Assistance/KCDesign Strut Brace/M2 LCAs/Rogue SSK/BBS SR/PS4S/ER Chargepipe/AA Intercooler/Dinan Shockware/MPerformance Spoiler/Black Grilles/Xpel Ultimate PPF & Prime XR+ Tint/Adam's Ceramic/no CDV
2024 X3 sDrive30i/MSport/Premium/Dynamic Handling/Shadowline/Parking/Xpel Prime XR Plus/Weathertech Cargo Liner |
|
Appreciate
1
Pparana467.50 |
02-17-2017, 10:51 AM | #19 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1173
Rep 1,930
Posts |
Our local chapter, and i think all of them, offers a Teen Driving School day every year.
Look out for that day and sign him up. http://time.com/money/3842351/bmw-te...ving-school-2/
__________________
www.nybmwcca.org
Current Cars: 1995 M3 Coupe Manual Alpine White 1997 M3 Sedan Auto Cosmo Black Metallic 2018 x3 m40 Auto Grey Metallic |
Appreciate
1
SteveInfante607.00 |
02-17-2017, 10:51 AM | #20 |
Major General
4527
Rep 8,942
Posts |
Here's the link to the BMW one. They do a one day or two day teen school.
https://bmwperformancecenter.com/school/classes/bmw |
Appreciate
1
bryan_G011172.50 |
02-17-2017, 11:24 AM | #21 |
Enlisted Member
6
Rep 33
Posts |
When I turned 16 my parents had me do a driving school where you bring your own car to the track and practice safety and handling skills and then got to drive around the track at high speed. If memory serves it was Phil Wicks driving academy. My dad actually did the course with me and it was an amazing experience. Learned a ton of great skills and felt much more comfortable behind the wheel having experienced skids and such in an non emergency situation. I enjoyed driving his 3 series around the track a lot more than my ford taurus station wagon. I would highly recommend doing some type of program like this. Well worth the money.
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|