Any BMW owners?

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by Ebbs15

KIA... that's a pos

Hey don't pick on my poor Kia

[VatorMan]

I guess it depends on the area. Around here BMW's and Porsche are a dime a dozen.

You might want to check the BMW forums. Seems both cars you are interested in have some electrical gremlins. I would get an extended warranty for either one.

[MikeSP1]

Originally Posted by SteveP

I don't want an old POS truck or a POS Honda/Toyota (same car IMO)

In reality I'll probably do 2 track days a year tops so towing really isn't a priority for me. Just something it needs to do every once in awhile. Kinda like the wife and laundry. BTW. The BMW I'm looking at is not a truck/suv. It's a 4 door sedan.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. ANY Ford Ranger will haul your Italian scoot with absolutely no problems, and the 2-wheel drive models have less ground clearance (and are less expensive) than the 4x4 versions, so getting the bike in the bed is much easier and negates the need (and $) for a trailer. Or get the trailer, put the bike on the trailer and throw all your gear/tools/parts in the bed. A 2001 Ranger with a 4 banger runs about 5K and keeps the wear off of your 5-series.

Who cares that your tow vehicle isn't a rare German sedan. The reason that people with common sense don't use BMWs cars for tow vehicles is because it's not cost effective. And here's a good question, where the hell are you gonna get a hitch receiver for your 5-series? How much is it gonna cost? Wear and tear on that car because of towing is gonna cost a lot more in the long run than the cost of the pickup.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by MikeSP1

You can't have your cake and eat it too. ANY Ford Ranger will haul your Italian scoot with absolutely no problems, and the 2-wheel drive models have less ground clearance (and are less expensive) than the 4x4 versions, so getting the bike in the bed is much easier and negates the need (and $) for a trailer. Or get the trailer, put the bike on the trailer and throw all your gear/tools/parts in the bed. A 2001 Ranger with a 4 banger runs about 5K and keeps the wear off of your 5-series.

Who cares that your tow vehicle isn't a rare German sedan. The reason that people with common sense don't use BMWs cars for tow vehicles is because it's not cost effective. And here's a good question, where the hell are you gonna get a hitch receiver for your 5-series? How much is it gonna cost? Wear and tear on that car because of towing is gonna cost a lot more in the long run than the cost of the pickup.

I guess my argument is.. For a few thousand more I could have a nice, fully loaded, german sedan. The 4 banger ranger is a gas pig as well, sure it has a bed, but that's about as much as an advantage as it has. Highway for the ranger is only 24mpg (brand new), compared to the 21 of the BMW. I also looked at full sized F150's. But again, it has a bed, other then that it's just a big ass truck. I can find a hitch online for about $200 for the 5 series, and I can install it myself.

[MikeSP1]

Originally Posted by SteveP

I guess my argument is.. For a few thousand more I could have a nice, fully loaded, german sedan. The 4 banger ranger is a gas pig as well, sure it has a bed, but that's about as much as an advantage as it has. Highway for the ranger is only 24mpg (brand new), compared to the 21 of the BMW. I also looked at full sized F150's. But again, it has a bed, other then that it's just a big ass truck. I can find a hitch online for about $200 for the 5 series, and I can install it myself.

All I'm saying is this, you can easily pick up a small truck for cheap that gets better highway gas mileage than the BMW. And the only thing you'd use the truck for is hauling your bike to and from trackdays, not commuting to/from work. I'm not saying to not get the BMW, but it was not designed/intended to be used in that manner. Use the proper tool for the job.

And FWIW, my V-6 Ranger got better than 26 mpg in town until the day I sold it.