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BMW Owners Meet the Members
Please take a moment to introduce yourself and share some details about your BMW 3-Series!
My name is KarenS and I am the host of the Edmunds.com Owner's Clubs. Please let me know what discussions you would like to see in your Club folder. I will create them ASAP. You may want to take a look through the other clubs to get ideas for discussions.
Also, if you are interested in a live chat, I can arrange that for you. All Club chats are set up on
Tuesdays:
4:00-5:00 pm PT/7:00-8:00pm ET
-or-
Thursdays:
5:00-6:00pm PT/8:00-9:00pm ET
6:00-7:00pm PT/9:00-10:00 ET
7:00-8:00pm PT/10:00-11:00pm ET
(The latter may be rather late for East Coasters, but is available if you want.)
Let me know if you are interested in a chat and the day/time convenient for you.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
My name is KarenS and I am the host of the Edmunds.com Owner's Clubs. Please let me know what discussions you would like to see in your Club folder. I will create them ASAP. You may want to take a look through the other clubs to get ideas for discussions.
Also, if you are interested in a live chat, I can arrange that for you. All Club chats are set up on
Tuesdays:
4:00-5:00 pm PT/7:00-8:00pm ET
-or-
Thursdays:
5:00-6:00pm PT/8:00-9:00pm ET
6:00-7:00pm PT/9:00-10:00 ET
7:00-8:00pm PT/10:00-11:00pm ET
(The latter may be rather late for East Coasters, but is available if you want.)
Let me know if you are interested in a chat and the day/time convenient for you.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
I actually have been staying away from the BMW 3-series discussions because 90% seem to be new buyers worrying that they are paying $100 more than someone else. You're buying a $35K car , ferchrissakes! I prefer discussions on mods, like the "gearhead" topic, and topics regarding care/maintenance. I tend to hide out in News & Views. Nice to meet you Karen!
Cheers!
veekay1
I think the black looks the "classiest" or "richest" of all the Bimmer colors. I guess that's why most limo's and mob cars are black!
The other colors appear more "sporty", however.
June is a long ways off but I can assure you it will be worth the wait!
Good to be here!
No packages! Love that naked steering wheel!
Dealer installed: front and rear spoiler, aluminum shifter knob, aluminum e-brake handle, luggage mat.
Aftermarket: Racing Dynamics front strut tower brace
I'm a car enthusiast and by far this is the most fun car I've owned. Next one on my list is the 2003 M3 with SMG. Can't wait!
See my links in the Photo Gallery section for some pics. Sorry, haven't gotten around to updating them all.
Happy driving!
My name is KarenS and I am the host of the Edmunds.com Owner's Clubs. Please let me know what discussions you would like to see in your Club folder. I will create them ASAP. You may want to take a look through the other clubs to get ideas for discussions.
Also, if you are interested in a live chat, I can arrange that for you. All Club chats are set up on
Tuesdays:
4:00-5:00 pm PT/7:00-8:00pm ET
-or-
Thursdays:
5:00-6:00pm PT/8:00-9:00pm ET
6:00-7:00pm PT/9:00-10:00 ET
7:00-8:00pm PT/10:00-11:00pm ET
(The latter may be rather late for East Coasters, but is available if you want.)
Let me know if you are interested in a chat and the day/time convenient for you.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
Thanks.
I'm the proud new owner of a 2001 525i. Purchased on 3/30/01. The car is Titanium Silver, Gray Interior, Premium, Convenience, CD, Cold Weather, and Steptronic.
I absolutely love the way this car drives. After ordering it (actually dealer locate/swap - one month wait), I was very nervous that I would be disappointed with the 2.5 and should have spent the extra 3800 for a 530. Glad to say that after one month and 1100 miles, not a bit of regret. The car is very responsive at all speeds.
Look forward to being part of the discussion.
Kevin
1997 528iA- Aspen Silver/Black, Premium Package, DSP, CD Changer, and Heated Seats/Wheel
This E39 is our sixth BMW since 1983, and probably the best all-round sedan of them all. It's a real contrast to my canyon carving Club Sport. Guess I'm getting old; I'm actually growing quite fond of the big sled. I'll probably limit the mods to HD Bilsteins and a Shark Injector.
Obi
clutchless; paddle-style shifting located at the steering wheel > this should be fun.
I'm the happy semi-sane owner of a 2001 silver 325 convertible, just hitting 6 months, 6,429 miles, (zero commute to work :-), computer reads 24.5 mpg (today), 21.5 usually. Jack Head, otherwise known as "Patron Protective Saint of Expensive Cars" proudly rides the antenna since day one and smiles giving an invisible thumbs up as we pass those friendly California Hwy Patrols. No tickets yet! It's very difficult to keep this car under 90 on the freeway. ;-). This great piece of silver machinery is not only fun to drive on the great back windy canyon roads, it makes a wonderful lawn ornament, spruces up the house, and is great for dealing with mid life crisis. Who needs prozac when you can put the top down, turn that key and hear that lovely bimmer engine crank up, plop that CD in and head for them there hills!!! Don't forget the sun screen! Like Frank in the Kia commercial....I do look at it starry eyed a few times a day and ask, "whose car is that in the driveway kids?"... It is mine.....isn't it! :-). Anyone who owns this car is no doubt saying the same! :-) It's also a great bargaining tool to get teenage boys to work around the fort. Forget dollars per hour, it's miles per hour around here! :-)
I did not get to participate in the BMW CCA drive school at Sears Point because convertibles are not allowed (without special roll cages etc etc) but I did go and hang out there and get to drive on the course in an M3 with a race driver/instructor and it was one of those things I hope not to do again!! Especially as a passenger!!! Luckily I didn't barf in the borrowed helmut! I have signed up to take the BMW Car Clinic in Monterey in a couple weeks offered through the BMW CCA Golden Gate Chapter. Signed my 2 teenage sons on also as I figure this should be beneficial to anyone who drives. Guess I'll be needing new tires after the event with 3 of us skidding and whipping around cones all day.
Karen, I would love to see messages and posts on this club forum about events especially scenic drives and caravans.
Ec Creative--Not sure what part of the country you are from but if they have a BMW CCA chapter near you, you should definitely join as they have organized events advertised by them and other car groups. A couple weeks ago my son and I participated in a timed and distance rallye which took place on the most awesome back roads full of rolling green hills, windfarms, a few bikers, and friendly folks. It was not an official BMW event but I found out about it on the chapter site and it started at the BMW dealership in Pleasanton. It was such a BLAST and I would recommend this to anyone as a great way to spend the day bonding with your car. :-) Just don't go alone...you need a navigator and someone to laugh with when you find yourself lost and miles from the checkpoint! Several people were talking about organizing a caravan down the coast over Big Sur and said the Club has done this type of thing before, so I suggest you check to see what's going on in your local chapter. :-)
Maria: I love black as well...but felt I needed some contrast for the interior...am struggling with coming up with a good plan for upkeep of the exterior right now.
For those who don't know me from the old 3er convertible board...Black/sand 2001 330Cic, SP, clear corners, HK...and am enjoying the good weather we are having in the Northeast, finally, for however long it lasts...
Been tempted to put mods on the car, but i think i have decided not to. With the crappy roads around here, i don't need a ride that's much stiffer.
dave
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
My referral to the "reference standard" is that whenever an auto mag tests a car, new or old, the standard it goes against, is a BMW. Well, after 18 years of owning all other makes, I decided it was time to see what the mags were always raving about.
My pride and joy now is a 2000 528i with all the goodies... sport package, 5speed, sport leather seats & moon roof. I had it specially painted Estoril Blue. The car is truly a dream, the sport handling package really delivers. I look forward to driving it every chance I get. Those trips to the store just for a loaf of bread somehow seem to take forever now
Looking forward to meeting other owners!!!
MarkinAtlanta, I do believe you have the best of both worlds with a Bimmer AND a Miata in your garage! Mine served me well for 10 yrs. and was, by far, the most FUN car I've ever owned! (The 3 series is a close second but clearly a cut above in terms of class and refinement!)
Since my car is often exposed to the hot Florida sun, I chose the lightest, coolest combination I could think of...Alpine White, Gray Lthr, Dk. Blue top. Though not unique, it draws lots of compliments and is relatively easy to maintain.
Any day can be made better as soon as I hit the road, wind in my hair, stereo crankin'! It's true, who needs Prozac!!!
KarenS, thanks for bringing us all together! Look forward to the camaraderie.
Im one of the past members, purchased in Nov last, an '01 325i, Black, black leather, S/Pkg, Prem/Pkg, xenons, HK upgrade, 5 speed, 6 Cd Changer in trunk.
Other than a leisurely (?) 4k mile trip to Texas and back, Ive not had much seat time, drive my CRX Convertible much more, but nothing is as nice as the Black Beauty!! Glad to see "Sheee's Baaaack," my girlfriend Randy, and Donna and Julia !! Thanks for making this forum more user friendly and hopefully a lot of fun !!
DanF
PS No the M 6 is NOT for sale!
Ok, ok...you don't have to sell the M6, but can I pleaaaaaaaase take it for a test drive!
Obi
1990 BMW M3 Alpinweiss
For the record:
2001 540iA Steel Blue with Sand Beige leather interior
sport pkg, nav, cold weather pkg., 5-spoke M-syle wheels
Sports/Premium Package
Convenience Package
Premium DSP System
In-Dash CD player
6-CD Trunk-mounted Changer
Fold-down Rear Seats w/ ski-pass
And I installed the European armrest..
I have pics at http://photos.yahoo.com/cons_rep if anyone wants to view...
Yes...summer is near! Woo-hoo!
There is no drain plug in the floor-is that a new option? I ask only because I went through a car wash and left the moonroof open and the sound of the suds sloshing back and forth when I drive is drowning out the 8 track stereo I had installed.
I am not too happy with the engine-when you press down hard on the gas there is a loud deep snarl from around the exhaust-similar to the sound a grizzly bear makes when he sinks his teeth into your [non-permissible content removed]....remind me never to camp out in Alaska again, would you?
I read copious screeds of text on cars and the choices people make and have read many comparison tests...this car has superior appointments to the 3 series, that car has more horsepower, this car has a better reliability rating, that car has more rear seat legroom etc and so on.
And yet I test drove no other car when I decided that, after two years of living in downtown Chicago and renting cars from Avis for weekend getaways, it was time to get my own car.
Something about the BMW 3 series "spoke" to me and comparison numbers went out the window.
I will tell you why I fell for the 3 series in a future thrilling installment of "Life with Bavarian" but for now I'd like to sit back and sip a Bourbon Old Fashioned while you tell me...
"Why a BMW?"
The floor (with optional drain plug)is yours.
Bavarian: It was just the feel of driving a BMW--unlike driving anything else. Maybe the responsiveness? I can't really describe what it was. I didn't even drive a 3 series convertible before I plunked down the $, just a Z3 and a coupe. I loved the Z3. I always imagined I'd end up in a M-B, but they ended up feeling too heavy and sluggish in the end. The attention to detail was also a major plus. Everything, from where the controls were placed to the tilting passenger side mirror, just seemed to make sense. Not to mention the fact that I still can barely stop looking at my own car as I park and walk away...I know that sounds pathetic, but it's true! I'm not someone who's got years of car enthusiast experience and am not going to pretend that I do. So, let's hear thrilling installment #1!!
He is "PARSIFL" as his liscence plate attests.
He is German through and through. Germany holds a special place in my heart and I will tell you about it another time. It has a distinct bearing on "Why a BMW" for Bavarian.
And you thought "Survivor " was gripping??
Julia, oops!! I thought you were coming to town THIS weekend! Next weekend (11th and 12th) I head to Monterey with my younger mammals doing the BMW Drive Clinic. Forget your meeting in S.F...Come join us!! :-)
Bavarian- Feelings of fondness for Germany are felt here too. Especially Bavaria. Lived in Munich for 3 years 5 years ago where we were given a 5er for company car. Truthfully I wasn't all that impressed with the car expecially since the Germans are not into much beyond the basics. (Had a turbo diesel montero there too.) Why the 3er now? Test drove a convertible for the helluvit on a gorgeous day and my sons told me it looked good on me, my accountant told me not to worry about being a bag lady and to go for it, my best friends said I deserved it, and the rest is history. :-) Aside from loving the way this car glides along the roads, the aesthetics especially with the top down are just wunderbar!! IMHVNFN as her license plates attest. :-).
I was gonna comment about suvivor being gripping but I decided I'd leave that one alone, smart move, eh Donna?? ;-).
Dan, hope your Black Beauty is enjoying it's new garage. Other than your long trip I can't believe you haven't taken it out for more joy rides. It's deprived of California sunshine!
I agree with Mike, join the BMW CCA and have no fear that it's all about mods and gearhead stuff. It's a combo of everything and the people I've met who run events from drive schools to clinics are just so nice and friendly and appreciate all new members. It's only $35.00 a year and the monthly magazine is included plus a local newsletter (at least with GG chapter) and discounts to members on some BMW supplies.
Curious what kind of mileage the computer is telling you guys you get.
I give up...What does PARSIFL mean?
-ran
See my photos of Jeff's BMW 330Cic at PhotoPoint
One of the many nice things about Bayreuth is that 50% or more of the taxis are BMWs-mainly 5 series, all painted in a soft creamy beige. Beats riding in the back of a dinged-up Lumina in Chicago!
The roads around Bayreuth are the hilly twisties-but I had a rented Mercedes C class when I was last there-not quite the right tool for the job.
Not that it changes anything. I love driving the '00 328i... just wish I had taken the option to pick it up in Germany!
Hi Dan, glad to see you're still out there! Don't baby that "Black Beauty" too much; you know what they say, if you don't use it, you lose it! :-)
Randy, my OBC is saying 21.1mpg lately, but I do mostly in-town short hops and I've only got 2200 mi. on it. The best I've gotten is 29 on a 2 hr. trip. Yours sounds like its improving with the added miles or maybe you're doing more highway recently. BTW, we play our own version of the "Kia commercial" at our house too (our favorite)! Of course, I get to play "Frank" and say, "It iiiiiis, iiiiisn't it? (Just can't believe it's really mine!)
Ooh, I'd better hurry, only a few minutes 'til the Survivor finale... (What was that about gripping?) ;o)
Julia--you mentioned in an email the possibility of hanging fuzzy dice on your mirror and your husband wouldn't hear of it...well, talk about retro...yesterday my youngest son who is almost 17 mentioned that a pair of dice hanging in the window would be pretty funny and pretty cool and he's definitely not the type who would think dice hanging in a window is cool. (Some cute rich girl at school must have em hanging in her bimmer she got for getting straight A's. :-)
My OBC is about the same as yours Donna and I do a mixture of freeway miles along with back roads. Hardly any rush hour stuff.
Drove by the local BMW lot a week ago and was shocked at how many convertibles were out there. New ones. Wonder if it's just in the silcon valley or if all the places have a surplus. My kids are now begging me to order the M3 convertible swearing they'll support me in my old age if I become a bag lady. Hmmm.
Ran, that is so funny about your son and the dice!! I've given up the thought. I'm doing the plain-is-better thing.
kashchei@prodigy. net
I was surprised to learn on the drive home that the rear-view mirror is not autodimming. With all the awesome features of this vehicle, you'd think they'd throw that in as well. My '98 chrysler minivan had that, after all! Of course, this is a minor complaint. This is one awesome car! Before this week I didn't know driving could be so enjoyable!
I am the proud owner of a 2001 330i, Titanium Silver, black ett, 5-spd with minimal options (moonroof, xenons, and CD player). I absolutely love the car. I purchased the car at the end of August '00 and have 13k trouble free miles. It still puts a smile on my face every time I look at it.
Stacy
Black/sand/Black
98 323IC
SP/PP
Bornagain- It's nice that your wife was so thoughtful of you. When I went to get my car I was looking for a coupe and my wife said the only way I could get it was if I got a convertible, ain't it grand.
Well it was raining in Dallas today and I got my first chance with the rain sensing wipers. I thought at first they were kind of gimmicky but after today I'm a firm beleiver, thoise babys worked just as advertised. One word...awesome. It's nice not to have to reach for the wiper speed everytime you hit a red light.
On a side note, thanks to all in the past who suggested Vinylex and Lexol. I bought a bottle of each last nioght and tried them for the first time, again, awesome is all I can say. The interior looks new again although my newcar smell is fading fast. That's all for now.
Jeff
"Brian525, looked at your pictures, and really like your European Armrest/Drink Holder. Did you get that at the dealer or on the internet?"
I also liked it and want to know where to get one. Also, was it hard to install? Thanks, Brian