Roadtrip Pics of my new 535

[Gayle]

What do you get when you live in San Diego and buy a car in Scranton, Pennsylvania? Road trip. Once I read about some college kids who kidnapped a lawn ornament and took it on a road trip, sending pictures back to its owners of the gnome in front of Mount Rushmore, the Golden Gate bridge, etc. Always had an urge to do that. So those who are interested will get to see pictures of my 535 in front some off the beaten path destinations.

Maybe you are wondering why a not-young chick buys a car 2,500 miles from home sight unseen. Here is the condensed version of the explanation. My husband and I had 4 cars and wanted to thin the fleet. Sold the wrangler, sold my 90 325 convertible, and had plans to sell hubby’s 90 525. I started driving the 525 and decided I wanted to keep it, but there was the problem. Hubby’s definition of maintenance is top off whatever is leaking and when something breaks to the point it won’t run, get it towed in to the non-bmw-trained indy. I started reading this board to figure out what I need to do to keep the 525 running for another 200,000 miles. I found the 535 on this board and it was love at first description. Bought it and instead of shipping it, preferred to spend the money on a vacation.

Got it July 4th. My initial reaction is I love this car. The paint job was better than the pictures. Started it up—engine sounded good. Doesn’t have the throaty rumble our 525 had but it doesn’t have valve clatter either. This one had a nice quiet purr. And oh, the clutch…..I have owned 9 cars with manual transmissions, and this is the best ever…. Tight, smooth, not contrary. Thank you Philip (P.O.) and thank you to your indy.

Drove down the Garden State Parkway to the southern tip of Jersey. The M30 and the chip make merging on to the freeway much less of a challenge than the in-need-of-a-tune-up M20. And oh, by the way, did I say how much I love the clutch? Watched the temperature. A hair below 12 o’clock. Everything seems smooth and tight. Made it to Cape May a happy girl.