And extremely thirsty on petrol?
You seem to imply it's just BMW. Every car these days has electronics where once there was none. DIYers simply need to learn some new skills - perhaps also buy some new test equipment. In 50 years time or whatever the same will be said about today's vehicles.
If there really was a demand for a no frills vehicle I'd guess it would be supplied. But even on the lower end of the used car market a fully loaded model always makes more than a basic one. So people obviously like toys.
Not really - fuel mileage on the 312ci engine was comparable to what you'd find on typical small-block V8s in trucks today. Otoh, there was absolutely zero emissions control back then - not even an EGR - so the exhaust plume was likely a few times greater than what today's technology provides.
Sorry - right after I posted that I realized you'd likely take my comments that way. I didn't mean to single out BMW - pretty much all current model cars and trucks have evolved to the same state where there's as many geegaws and doodads slathered on that manage to confound both owners and repair centers...
/daytripper '00 s4 6spd
Final chapter on the heater blower. I took it in and the dealer fixed it gratis. A pleasant surprise. I guess the mothership was amenable to comping me since this is a relatively common defect.
As to the oil fill light, I'm gonna live with it. I guess the pressure sender is on a separate circuit, so if I keep my eye on the level, I'll be OK. They also told me that the newer models don't have a dipstick, so when the light comes on errantly, some owners are overfilling their crankcases. Ouch!
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