[Shotimes] Replacing the SHO

[Donald Mallinson]

Mark,

Not smoking anything (wow, how many jokes in poor taste can 
we hopefully avoid over the word "crack" ?  ;)  )

Here is what I said:  "in overall quality feel, I didn't 
feel one bit like I had taken a big step down.  Yes, it was 
a step down, but a tiny one."

I didn't talk specifically about build quality, but there is 
NOTHING wrong with the build quality of my '96.  Body lines 
are tight and consistent.  The thing is tight and 
squeek/rattle free at 7 years and 80,000+ miles, and the 
interior is holding up well, as is the exterior. Can't ask 
for much better than that.

Like I implied and said, the Beemer is a quality piece and 
it shows and drives like it.  But the '96 is close enough 
that it just isn't worth the huge hit my pocketbook would 
have to take to trade.

Don Mallinson
Only smokin' the tires.
I can buy a half-dozen more SHO's AND maintain them, with 
what one 530 would cost, let alone what a 540 stickers for!


Mark Blacknell wrote:

> I don't know what crack Don was smoking wrt build quality).  
> I'd give the 540i a wide margin against my 94 SHO in both power and 
> quality.  In some hard handling situations, I'd narrow the margin a fair 
> bit (my 94 had Tokicos, Eibachs, and subframe connectors, though), but 
> still give it to the 540.  And in terms of obscenely over-engineered 
> cupholders, the Germans take the lead (that's not necessarily a good 
> thing - ask me after I break one).
> 
> Of course, the SHO blows the Bimmer out of the water in one category - 
> the damage it does to your pocketbook.  But I'm still smiling after the 
> purchase, so it's worth it, I guess.