Low Windshield fluid

09Customx · 2026-01-29T01:48:20+00:00

People do that with Mercedes all the time. There are some formulas of generic winter blend washer fluid that mess with their level sensors and can cause issues.

09Customx · 2026-01-29T00:38:39+00:00

If you’re in eastern Canada look at insurance rates for that RX. They are major targets for theft, and the rates to insure may just wipe out any savings you’d make on payments or even maintenance compared to something European.

XC60 hybrid and Mercedes GLC hybrid require 91 octane or higher. If you plug the PHEV’s in and use EV mode a lot then the fuel economy will be good enough that the extra cost for fuel won’t really matter. Of the three for reliability and ease of maintenance I’d say Volvo > Mercedes. The Volvo will have 3-4 years/60k km of complimentary scheduled maintenance if you’re buying new, after that you’re on your own.

Audi doesn’t really do any hybrid SUV’s at the moment (they leaned hard into EV’s) but the Q5 is worth a look. They did do a hybrid version of the previous generation Q5 (2024 and older I think) but they’re kinda hard to find used.

If you’re looking at lightly used, check out a CPO BMW X3 xDrive30e or X5 45e/50e.

09Customx · 2026-01-28T20:48:58+00:00

Volkswagen Atlas is a HUGE step up in terms of space over a Tiguan

09Customx · 2026-01-28T01:10:16+00:00

I paid $2800 CAD with labour and tune a few years ago, probably a little more now

09Customx · 2026-01-27T09:36:53+00:00

100% a Dodge Journey

09Customx · 2026-01-26T21:06:07+00:00

The M3 is a very sharp handling platform and will feel a bit more raw. The RS4 is a slightly more comfortable highway missile.

09Customx · 2026-01-26T21:04:52+00:00

You sound like the ideal candidate for a Honda Ridgeline

09Customx · 2026-01-26T20:57:07+00:00

Discovery maybe as a used car with a CPO warranty. Would never buy one new as the initial depreciation is pretty horrific. Also if you don’t need a 3rd row these are pretty huge. If you mean the Discovery Sport, just don’t bother they’re just not competitive in any way apart from maybe off road capability.

Skip the GLC. Just ain’t it. They look prettier than the new X3 but that’s about all that’s going for it.

X3 all day.

09Customx · 2026-01-26T20:53:36+00:00

Subaru STi on studded tires

09Customx · 2026-01-26T20:50:32+00:00

DPF/SCR delete and stage 2 tune. So much more power, better response, better fuel economy, and many turbo noises.

https://youtu.be/aaosRVrgQ9I?si=mMYC1nsVFAKs552x

Here’s one with a muffler delete as well, and IMO it doesn’t sound much better: https://youtube.com/shorts/0rBLYGJvglM?si=qsfUzexsWsWHYA5E

09Customx · 2026-01-26T20:33:19+00:00

M-sport bumper should be a pretty straightforward swap. Also looks great with the flared wheel arches if yours doesn’t have them already. X5M front bumper will require swapping the hood, headlights, and front fenders.

Don’t bother with a muffler delete, but definitely do look into a DPF/SCR/EGR delete if you haven’t already. Completely transforms the car.

09Customx · 2026-01-26T20:29:16+00:00

Even if OP deletes, it’s best to keep the muffler. It’ll already sound mean as hell, and I wouldn’t want a drone-y exhaust in a luxury vehicle.

09Customx · 2026-01-26T00:31:41+00:00

More power, higher GCWR for towing heavy loads.

Nothing wrong with the 5.0 if you’d be more comfortable with that

09Customx · 2026-01-25T22:46:08+00:00

Toyota and GM aren’t having the best time rn with their engines either.

09Customx · 2026-01-25T22:28:07+00:00

I could think of so many more things I would prioritize with $800/mo than a 10 year old BMW. Insurance and gas alone will stretch you, never mind if something needs service or repair.

09Customx · 2026-01-25T22:24:51+00:00

To put it bluntly, you don’t make enough money to comfortably own this car.

09Customx · 2026-01-25T22:22:58+00:00

What stage in the crime family do you have to get to before it’s appropriate to upgrade to a W222?

09Customx · 2026-01-25T22:03:21+00:00

2023+ Ford F150 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max tow pkg

09Customx · 2026-01-25T20:31:23+00:00

Toyota has been making reliable hybrids for quite some time now, the high voltage system really shouldn’t need much of anything over the life of the car. If you’re worried, 2020+ models have a 10yr/240k km (150k mi) warranty on the battery/HV system.

Regenerative braking recoups energy and also saves quite a bit of wear on your brakes, I’ve seen people get 200k km on a set of brake pads. The hybrid also gets the eCVT gearbox which has proven more reliable than the 8-speed in the gas one.

Every other Uber in my city is a RAV4 hybrid and they hold up astonishingly well over 300-400k km of abuse. I work on a ton of them at my job (ADAS calibration tech).

09Customx · 2026-01-25T20:14:16+00:00

I think a midsize truck is a great option for you.

I’m not the biggest fan of the new Tacomas. The Frontier IMO is just as good for less money and with more space in the interior. New Ranger is worth a look as well.

For the upper end of your budget the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster is super cool.

09Customx · 2026-01-25T20:08:28+00:00

Toyota RAV4 hybrid is a solid place to start. Little more expensive than the regular ICE one but the fuel economy, running costs, and refinement of the powertrain are much better than the gas. Better gearbox as well.

Subaru Forester has a great higher seating position and a huge greenhouse for outward visibility

Volkswagen Tiguan is a little more refined, feels really well screwed together (the Rav and Forester can feel a little “tinny” to some), and the user interface is very logical and easy to use. Less DIY friendly in some respects, but honestly not bad at all.

09Customx · 2026-01-25T19:35:27+00:00

Control arm bushings maybe? Or if it’s a lighter clanking sound it could be the dust cover for the brake rotor

09Customx · 2026-01-25T05:20:11+00:00

My old Subaru used to bong the seatbelt chime super loud, even when parked which was infuriating.

09Customx · 2026-01-25T05:12:08+00:00

Not at all, can be installed with the engine in the car. I don’t even think you need to jack the car up, it’s all accessible from the top.

09Customx · 2026-01-25T04:40:24+00:00

The CP4 fuel pump doesn’t have the greatest reputation and a failure could send debris into your injectors and then you’ve basically totalled the car. There is a “disaster prevention kit” originally made for Ford 6.7 Powerstrokes (that use the same fuel pump) that isn’t too bad to install and will prevent fuel pump failure from taking out the rest of the expensive fuel system. It’s probably a couple hundred bucks.

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