The Expy's getting no love....

[Stoned06]

So my wife's car is coming up to the end of the lease, and we needed to replace it. We finally found the needle in the haystack we were looking for (a BMW 550i with sports package and manual transmission) and we had to jump on it earlier than we wanted to. A few weeks ago, the new to us vehicle arrived via transport from Carlsbad, CA, and the Expy got booted to the driveway. With the weather getting colder, I have been driving the leased vehicle to put as many miles on it before we turn it in at the end of December, and because it's sitting in the warmer garage with seat heaters that actually heat up by the time I get to the end of the driveway (instead of 5 minutes down the road).
I try to drive the Expy a few times a week to stretch it's legs, and I determined I would much rather drive it than the 2011 BMW 328. While the Bimmer is fun to drive, it's just too small for me on a daily basis, and the little things that bothered me about the Expy before have seemed to go out the window when I do get to drive it now. I have owned this vehicle the longest of any vehicle I have driven, and I reeally can't see replacing it any time soon. While it's getting no love sitting in the driveway, I appreciate it even more that it is.

 

[sgtowing]

I love my Ex but a 550i with a manual tranny, oh, I think I would be in love.

 

[Stoned06]

I love my Ex but a 550i with a manual tranny, oh, I think I would be in love.

Yeah, it's a pretty damn nice ride!! The first time I drove it, I pegged the rev limiter in first and second without trying to. It's a beast with the MT. My wife absolutely loves it, and she's the reason for the MT. She has had 4 BMW's with MT, and we had to special order 2 of them (2005 X3 and 2011 328i) when we couldn't find one in the states with a MT. It took me a couple of months to find this one, and as I said, we had to get it from CA. I could definitely drive it daily if I had to!!

 

[sgtowing]

For me the manual would serve two purposes. I love em and it would keep the wife from driving it. She doesn't know how. :flammingdevil:

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[Stoned06]

For me the manual would serve two purposes. I love em and it would keep the wife from driving it. She doesn't know how. :flammingdevil:

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Haha.....I have tried to get her to look at other vehicles as I believe that BMW's are not what they used to be (getting too lux and losing their sportiness), but so many manufacturers have lost the option of the MT. She is dead set on driving a MT as long as she can because she said she dislikes driving and that's the only part of it that makes it interesting. That's why we had to get an older model of the 550 (other than the price of new) as the new ones aren't available with it.

 

[stamp11127]

Don't have much in that garage, hope you have a man cave out back....

Tools that is.

 

[Stoned06]

Don't have much in that garage, hope you have a man cave out back....

Tools that is.

What you can't see is the third garage bay with all my tools and kids toys. Mainly woodworking tools, but I have my fair share of mechanics tools also. You can barely see the workbench in the right rear of the garage in that pic. I built my man cave in the basement with all the tools too!! Lol

 

[andrew_s]

Shame that the expedition isnt getting any love, just dont let it rot like what happened to my jeep before I inherited it. My wife family only "stretched its legs" once every 6 months and man did it need alot of work when I got it...and still does.

For me my small car days are over. Up until 2007 all I ever had were fast sports cars and while it was great I also did some things I am not proud of and well now with a family I shouldnt be doing/cannot afford. Plus I do honestly enjoy driving the truck more then a little car on rails. I know most wonder why or utter "WHAAAAATTTT?!?!?!?!!?!" when I say that. But it just feels much better driving the expedition and I enjoy it more then anything I have ever owned for everyday driving. Sure the jeeps were fun and the grand cherokee will make a real good buggy but at this point in my life that takes a distant 2nd to daddy-mobile duty and tbh Im happier for it.

Im glad that youre at least keeping the truck and that you have found a nice little car to whip around. Have fun and stay safe!

 

[Static54]

How'd the BMW do in the snow this morning?

 

[SOLISIMO]

5 series is way too small. I agree especially for that price

 

[MoHawk]

I love the 550 with the sports package. Gorgeous.

 

[frankie paladin]

I gotta say I have not been using my Expy much either. I am driving a Buick LaCrosse, which is ok, I'm just using it to put miles on it, it's a lease. But when I do use my Expy, it's pure comfort and love. I'm hoping when I get into an Explorer, I'm gonna dig it too, we'll see.

 

[tallsville]

why is everbody stealing all the good socal cars

 

[sgtowing]

5 series is way too small. I agree especially for that price

Way to small, what do you want, a Rolls Royce Phantom?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[SOLISIMO]

Way to small, what do you want, a Rolls Royce Phantom?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

My unmarked charger has plenty of room compared to the 5 series. When in rode ***** in my buddy's car, my knees were on the dash with the seat all the way back which in turn means no room for the rear passenger.

 

[Stoned06]

How'd the BMW do in the snow this morning?

It stayed home!. My wife took the 3 series, and I took the Expy. It still has summer rubber on the front, so we played it safe. Getting new all seasons put on tomorrow. I did take it out for a spin around the block to see how she handled, and it actually wasn't too bad. Rear traction was OK with the new Conti ExtremeContact DWS on it, but the fronts were sliding a bit with summer tires.

Sol, how tall are you? I'm 6 ft and have no issue in the 5 series passenger seat, although when I'm in the car I will be driving it.. The 3 series is a different story though.

 

[Stoned06]

why is everbody stealing all the good socal cars

Because that's where the good cars are! lol

 

[Stoned06]

Shame that the expedition isnt getting any love, just dont let it rot like what happened to my jeep before I inherited it. My wife family only "stretched its legs" once every 6 months and man did it need alot of work when I got it...and still does.

For me my small car days are over. Up until 2007 all I ever had were fast sports cars and while it was great I also did some things I am not proud of and well now with a family I shouldnt be doing/cannot afford. Plus I do honestly enjoy driving the truck more then a little car on rails. I know most wonder why or utter "WHAAAAATTTT?!?!?!?!!?!" when I say that. But it just feels much better driving the expedition and I enjoy it more then anything I have ever owned for everyday driving. Sure the jeeps were fun and the grand cherokee will make a real good buggy but at this point in my life that takes a distant 2nd to daddy-mobile duty and tbh Im happier for it.

Im glad that youre at least keeping the truck and that you have found a nice little car to whip around. Have fun and stay safe!

It won't rot. The 3 series lease is up the end of December, then back to the Expy full time. I do prefer the larger vehicles too, but every now and then it's nice to dart around in a small car.

 

[Stoned06]

I love the 550 with the sports package. Gorgeous.

Thank you! We wouldn't have got it without the M-Sport package...it absolutely makes the vehicle.

 

[MoHawk]

Makes me miss my E39 M5