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That sentiment is very refreshing to me, seeing as we live in a world where some people tell us we only need, or should only spend, money we can socially justify, and that we should give the rest away to "save the world".
Congrats...I respect the content of your posts, and I hope you love your car.
On another subject, I just want to say what a nice guy nobee is. He just sent me 1 of those Esso highway maps that he uses to navigate around Germany.
FWIW, I had to battle with my own logical side regarding the 530i:
“Should I keep my perfectly good 1999 328i with only 37,000 miles on it, or upgrade to a 2002?” Fortunately, my leasing company made that one real easy to justify, they wanted just over $120 PER MONTH more to extend my lease 13 months! Not going to happen.
“Should I move to the 330i and enjoy the extra juice in basically the same car that I currently have?” Hmmm, good question, however, I want a 530i.
“Given that my wife now has a practical family vehicle (Dodge Caravan), maybe I should have some fun and get a loaded Chili Red Mini Cooper S for $24,650 and save some money.” Hmmm, good idea, but I WANT a 530i.
“Ok, ok, get the 5er, but, what about the 540i 6-Speed?” Tempting, VERY tempting, however, do I REALLY want to pay another $8,300 (this really is apples to apples, with the exception of the V8, 6-Speed and wheels/tires, my 530i is configured identically to the 540i 6-Speed) for power beyond what I already find totally acceptable?” Nope.
I guess the 530i wins.
Best Regards,
Shipo
http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/03/17/stolen.vehicles.ap/index.html
https://www.boston-bmwcca.org/forms/registration.asp
so far I haven't closed. At least on the 330cic they claim they are
mostly getting MSRP. Seemed willing to talk a little, but aren't
meeting my desired price. Autobaun in FW allows you to request
pricing over the internet and will give a discount. If you find
someone good let me know.
I just picked up my car from Inspection I. The car now has synthetic oil and a new oil filter. I also had them do the brake flush and coolant flush. Damage: $615 of which a whopping $80 is taxes.
Does a hundred bucks each for the brake and coolant jobs sound right? Most of the cost was labor for the inspection I, and this dealer prices out comparatively with others in the area.
btw,ordered me a new German machine and i will take delivery Thursday! its got advanced fuzzy logic, stainless steel interior and LC display with real time finish and real time delay lol, and its assembled in Berlin Germany.
wala: its the New 2002 Bosch Laundry Machines hehe
DL
We had about 6" of sleet and snow last night and the roads were SOLID ice. I wanted to try out the xi's awd performance, but I just didn't feel comfortable with it yet. Our Jeep barely made it out of our steep driveway in 4 Lo cuz the driveway is steep and it was a smooth sheet of ice.
I'll report back on snow/ice performance soon I hope.
-Paul
Sorry that happened to you.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
Well, this really teaches me the virtue of patience! I'd rather they do it now than notifying me later to bring my car in for fixing. Just to share this most recent information. I'll call my salesperson tomorrow to find out more information, if any. I'll post it here.
scotpana1
How did you hear about these folks?
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
Scotpana1
Given that I do not know too much about paint, maybe somebody who has more knowlege on the subject can help us out here.
Best Regards,
Shipo
As far as Bayonne itself is concerned, well, it is fairly “Old World” and the folks that live there have a tendency to take things and attempt to make them “Beautiful”, and then, when that failed, the try to make it “More Beautifuller”. My favorite is the wrought iron grillwork many folks have on the front of their houses, that they then spray paint GOLD. Definitely “Beautifuller”. On the other hand, there are a few decent places to get some good food (don’t try the pizza, anywhere). Your best bet is to try to hop a ride into Manhattan, or, if that is not an option, try Hoboken or even a couple of areas in Jersey City, such as “India Square”, where there are more types of Curry Houses in one area than I have seen anywhere else in North America.
If I can offer any assistance while you are in the area, please, feel free to ask.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Ok, so are you one of the folks coming in on the Ro-Ro vessels, or are you doing something that "if you told me, you would have to kill me"? ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Scotpana1
-nobee
on a side note, I just put down a deposit on a Harley Davidson Fat Boy! What a beautiful bike...I can't wait to tell my wife about it...hahaha!
The one in Bayonne has a couple of semi-decent Italian Restaurants, and, well, that is about it. The one across the Hudson, well, I would be hard pressed to name something that could NOT be had at some point during it’s length.
Ahhh, Constable Hook, just the next stop south in Bayonne from the (former) MOTBY, lots of storage tanks there. I used to run in that area at zero-dark-thirty in the morning for exercise, it seemed that that was the only area around there without a bunch of drunk drivers.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Salesman told me that suspension struts problem is corrected and vehicles produced in calendar 2002 year should not be affected.
First off, this is a "campaign", not a recall and the difference I learned is that for a campaign, car manufacturers can wait to correct the said problem when the cars are brought in to dealers for services. Generally as a rule, this means the problems are not serious enough to require a recall and may not be safety-related. May be BMW is just to upgrade certain components on the rear brakes. This campaign relates to 02 325i cars, not just the AWD models as they all have the same brake system. This doesn't relate to 330i models.
The parts have come in today and the affected cars will be shipped to dealers by Friday or Monday. Seems everything is being taken care of now about this rear brake rotor problem.
Hope this information is helpful.
I'll be taking my car to the dealership soon anyway for some other stuff and may want to have this taken care of.
Do you by chance have some identification number for this campaign that I can refer to when I talk to them about it?
1) I understood that BMW's (included) scheduled maintenance did not include wear items such as brakes. The sales manager at a local D.C. area BMW store said that the program now includes brakes. What is the real answer?
2) In the D.C area, what is the typical selling price over invoice?
3) My only concern with this car is the seats. I wish they were more adjustable (i.e. lumbar, seat bottom angle), but to get the better seats you need to get the sport package (which living in the city I most definitely do not want). What are other peoples experiences with the seats? Do they just take some time to get used to or do most people agree that they are not one of the 325i's strengths?
2) I bought mine at a local DC BMW dealer for about $1900 over invoice in Sept. Other were quoting about $2000 over, so it is safe to say that this is the case.
3) The seats on my non-SP dont bother me at all, though I will say that they could have been a bit more comfortable for long journeys. I am usually too busy enjoying the drive to notice.
Having said that, I think you will find that most people on here will tell you that you should get the SP, and will at some point regret NOT having it.
The seats I have are manual (I didn't get the PP). But the adjustments include:
back and front, height adjustment, back angle adjustment, and seat angle adjustment. If you get the PP with the power seats too, you also get the lumbar adjustments.
If you are unsure of the SP, take a drive on a 325 without it and then one with it and decide for yourself. I suspect you will feel quite a difference.
Enjoy the 530! Btw I understand that its steering is better than the 540, which has less feel do to recirculkating ball vs rack.
I have heard the same thing about the Recirculating Ball steering from the 540i as well, however, the folks that drive the 540i every day seem to think that it's just "Splittin Hairs" to say that one is better than the other. Since I have not (yet) driven a 540i, I cannot offer any first hand comments, that said, the steering on the 530i that I drove reminded me of the steering on my 1999 328i, that is to say, perfect. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
PP seats - I have no problems with these seats and find them quite adjustable and comfortable. However, you can't adjust the tilt of the overall seat so you end up sitting pretty flat, if you know what I mean. Overall, a very comfortable seat, but not perfect. I've noticed no problems on long trips, for what it's worth, and I'm average size (5'9", 155 pounds).
SP seats - now you're talking perfection. The thigh adjustment/support REALLY adds a lot to the overall comfort, and I thought the more pronounced side bolsters were absolutely perfect for a person my size; they really hold you in there without being at all uncomfortable or binding. You'll see many people on this board say that the SP package is worth it for the seats alone, and I would have to agree.
Also, just because you live in the city, I wouldn't let that scare you off of SP - from what I've heard, the suspension can handle the ruts of city streets with no problem. It really is an awesome option and I'd definitely have it if I could. I'm going to have to move before I get my next car, because I can't bear the idea of not having SP on my next Bimmer.
Best Regards,
Shipo
nsolano - Based on recently published sales numbers, dealers are having a toughER time moving 330's. Add to that the fact that this car is a manual without the sport pack and that may explain why it is still on their lot. I'd check the miles on the car - if it has less than 20-30 miles, I'd start at invoice. The more miles it has, the lower I would go below invoice. Good luck.
He had his snow tires on the car (16" wheels-standard w/SP in 2000). I was shocked at how good the car felt. I was expecting less than stellar handling, and I got limited tire squeal and cornering that greatly exceeded my expectations. Probably due to the SP suspension. These were Blizzaks(sp?). Maybe a we bit noisy, but that is purely nit-picking.
The seats were also more comfortable and far less cramped than I expected - although I wasn't wearing a top coat, jacket and tie. I didn't think about the seats once, which is the mark of good seats.
This has totally upset my buying plans. I was going to forgo the SP to get a quieter, more comfortable ride and save money on snow tires and rims. But now, I think I might really want the SP. If I go that route, I have to totally rethink my configuration, since I can't afford the SP and the PP.
Two other small quibbles. The standard stereo was definitely less than what I am used to (Bose unit in my Maxima). I know I won't be satisfied with it, so I have to get the HK. Also, this car could have used a little more power, especially on take-off. This will hopefully be remedied by the extra 14 HP of the 325i. Of course, I could get the 5-speed, which would solve all of the power issues and save me enough money to buy the SP and the PP - but I'd have to get a divorce - and the alimony and child support would eat up my payment money!
I guess I'll just have to drive the SP and non-SP, and decide at the last minute. I had really hoped to nail down my decision before I started visiting dealers. Question: Has anybody traded a '99-2000 3-series on a 2001-02 w/the added HP? If so, what do you think of the difference?
With regards to step & wife, how often will she be driving it? If she might drive once a month, I'd say argue for the 5-sp.