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Comments
i was wondering... on the 92-95 3 series models the A/C controlling unit(or whatever it's called) is a little bit old fashioned(the classic setup with the turning dials).
can that be replaced with one of the newer ones(electronic with LCD display and a lot nicer) used on the 96 and later models without replacing the whole A/C system and without changing the dash.
it might sound like a stupid q but im curious if theres any way for this to be done.
i was thinking that since both units have the same size all you have to do is take the old one out and then connect the wires to the new unit and put that one in.
are you saying theres more to it than just replacing the controls? like wires that have to be added?or something like that?
We finally got to the negotiation process and the price came down to $21,500
It is jet black 1999 BMW 328i with 45000 miles Opitions include sports package, premium package, steptronic transmission, xenon headlamps, trunk mounted CD changer and it is in good condition.
I wanted to know whether this was a good deal or not because I have to give him the answer as soon as possible....
Thanks
- Edmunds - click on "used" at the top of the page
- Kelley Blue Book
- NADA book - that seems to be the most common
source for new car dealers to determine value
- a local car dealer whom you know.
Any suggestion on where can I order xenon for 330i and how difficult to install it?
Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
TIA
Ron
Thanks in advance
Anyway, I'll appreciate any info on the aftermarket xenon.
Maybe I'll give it a try and I'll post the result.
Thanks again riez for the info.
Thanks for the help-Chris
-carless one
1 week since we got 03 325i to replace 1999 323i; quite a different car. Really a nice car. The new one beats 3.2TL hands down. I did enjoyed reading the posts. Now I have a question; what can be programmed?? Mirror tilt?? I am told only on 5 and 7. Can you get the clown nose to flash even if you do not have alarm system?? Thanks. Jl
In addition the mirror tilt is controlled by the position of the mirror control on the drivers door. At least on my 02' 330i. I don't remember if right or left controls the tilt, but if you put the car in reverse and change the position of the mirror control, you should see the passenger mirror tilt.
I must say first of all I enjoy reading the posts on this website. It's good to see so many people who are into cars as much as I am and willing to share so much valuable information. Most of the people that use this website should be the true car sales reps instead of the people we have to deal with at the dealerships.
I know my post is not completely about 3 series BMW's, but I wanted to share this with everyone.
Today, I had to take my sisters 2001 330 couple to a local Dallas(John Roberts BMW)dealership for repairs since she had to leave for a job related trip this morning. For some reason the airbag light will not turn off. This is the third time this has happened.
I checked her car into the dealership this morning and explained the situation to the service rep. He was very understanding. They gave me a 2002 530 sport demo for a loaner car since they were experiencing a high amount of warranty work this week for some reason. As I was walking out of the service bay, I couldn't help but to notice so many 3 series BMW's in for repairs or service.
I walked to the front of new car sales area in hopes of getting a look at the new 7 series. As I was looking around, a sales rep came to me. He explained to me that they didn't have one on the floor, but willing to show one to me on the lot. He gave me the key and told me to take it for a run. As I sat in the car, he explained to me how to use I Drive and how to start the car. I must say, it's harder than it looks in the articles and on the websites.
The sales rep directed me to many sharp curves and flat areas for me to just floor it. It's amazing what 345hp can do.
After arriving back to the dealership, I tried to speak numbers to him. Would you believe that they would not come off the sticker at all......keep in mind the new 7 has been out about a year now. He told me that the most they have came off of any BMW sold new is $500. That includes 3,5,7,Z,X5..etc... I couldn't believe it.
I was shocked that a lux car dealership was so open about taking their flagship $ 80,000 car out for a hard test drive today, but when I've test driven common cars such as Hondas,Toyotas,etc....I have to show my Drivers L,Insurance, deed to my house, and rights to my first born child just to take their $25,000 cars down the street and back. Go figure.
Back to the 3 series point. I feel that the 3 series is the best value for a BMW. After driving the 7, at $ 80,000, it didn't make me feel as I had to have it. At $ 80,000 I should feel as if I couldn't live without the car after driving it. The 3 series has a special way of making the driver feel as if he/she can't live without the car.
I'm seriously in the market for another car right now. My price budget is 32K max.(I just bought a house and need to stay within a budget) I really would like to have a 3 series, but I'm feeling a little shy about buying one because of the high cost of keeping it up and the many problems so many people have run into. Used or CPO is the only way I can afford a 3 series. I've thought about the CPO program- 2000 model 328- in order to save a little money, but I'm concerned about the cost of keeping it up. My list of possible cars: 2002 Nissan Max SE, 2001 VW Passat GLX,2000 Lin LS V8, 1999-2000 Lexus GS,2001 Lexus ES, waiting another year for a Infi G35 to fit my budget, or 1999-2000 BMW 323 or 328. I know with the Lexus GS or ES, and VW I will have to do some upgrades to the springs/wheel/tire package to get the tighter sport feel that I like. But again, nothing can replace the feeling I get from driving the 3 series.
Please give any suggestions on a solution.My
Email Ad: Topdog240@hotmail.com if anyone would like to comment.
Thank you
Ben
There's also the cloth seat G35 with 16" tires for $27645. Somewhat de-contented interior but has the same engine and suspension.
-- Joe
2003 330i SP 5-speed
You could definitely get a 325 nicely equipped for under 32K through European Delivery. If you're not familiar with this process, check out the BMW ED board here on Edmunds.
also, this is an excellent link:
<http://www.bariaur.com/e39/EDsavings.html>
Take a 2003 325i, for example,
base ED invoice = 23,530
premium pkg = 2,455
sport pkg = 1,275
destination = 695
TOTAL 27,955
(automatic tranny costs additional $1,210)
plus dealer profit max. of 1,500 (you can get lower if you try hard enough)
= 29,455 (of course, you need to factor a r/t ticket to Munich (c. $500), tax and title.
You can check out the wholesale ED prices on www.eurobuyers.com
If you're worried about service costs, the 2003's come with 4 years/50k standard service included.
The G35 has a bigger engine, but it's no BMW!
I haven't paid a dime to maintain my car yet and dont plan to for the next 2 years because maintanence is included. These cars are very solid and dependable.
Did I mention that this car is a blast!!!
If I were to do it over, I would do it ED: at worst a wash price-wise and by all accounts an incomparable experience.
Best wishes,
Ed
Does anybody have any ideas. Thanks a lot in advance.
rtorreca - The 330's come standard with sport suspension. That combined with the standard lower profile 17" rubber would probably give the 330 the handling edge. If both cars wore the same rubber and had sport suspension, the 325i would probably have a slight advantage due to the 200lb less weight.
"Reliability has fallen to below average, so we no longer recommend the 3-Series."
I hope this is a wake-up call to BMW. I can tolerate "reliability issues". What I can't stand is the arrogant dealership network that I must rely upon to get warranty work completed!
I am asking $10,500. Is this reasonable? I want it to sell pretty fast.
The actual difference is 50-100 lbs. Maybe you were thinking RWD vs. AWD? The non-SP 330i will definitely handle better than the 325i. If they are both have the SP, their handling should be very similar - the 325i SP is a little lighter but the 330i SP has wider tires in the rear, which may give it slightly better traction.
Check the attached link:
www.geyer.org/bmw.pdf
Lexus IS300
Acura 3.2TL
Saab 9-5
Lexus ES300
Volvo S60
Volvo V70/XC70
-----------AVG---------------
Chrysler 300M
Infiniti I35
BMW 3-Series
Oldsmobile Aurora
Audi A4*
Lincoln LS
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Jaguar X-Type* (-135%)
It's only CR - don't take this too seriously ) Kudos to Toyota, though - they swept almost every class.
Congratulations on your M3
Jlan
I just thought I would follow up and let you all know what has taken place in the past couple of days. First of all, I would like to say thank you to all who replied with great info and help. I just wished that I knew about you all before I purchased my past vehicles.
Wed I went back to John Roberts BMW(Dallas) to meet up with my sister to make sure everything went okay. They said something was wrong with a relay that caused the airbag light to come on.
As we were walking out of the bay, we caught a small part of a conversation that a service rep and new 7 series owner were sharing. The car completely locked up on the guy. Seems that the 7 series and idrive are causing nothing but problems.
As my sister drove off, I thought I would walk around to the front to look at the 3 series inventory. The same pompous guy sales rep came out again. He had the never to ask me if I was ready to take the 7 that we test drove home. I laughed at him. I did tell him that I was really looking for a new 3 series. This guy had the never again to tell me " the 3 is a much lower car than the 7. May i ask why you would want such a lower model car if you have they money for a 7". At this point I'm ready to leave. Just as he stopped, he was paged for something in front. He told me to stay there and he would be right back. Well, I walked back inside. One of the sales magrs asked me if everything was okay. I explained to him how his sales rep downgraded the 3 series. The mangr was so apologenic, but it didn't seem sincre. I mentioned that I wanted a long test drive with a 3. He offered one to me. So, I ended up with a 2002 330Ci coupe, sliver in color, sport pk, HID, Harmon K, premium pk, 5 speed. I told him I would be back later today.
My friends, I have to share this all with you. I've found my youth again. I understand why 3 series are so good and why the 3 series wins. I don't even know where to start. Smooth power, like an electric motor. Torque is very flat and progressive. The seats of the sport model: firm but very comfortable. I felt as if I was in control. Refined. 80mph in 4th and it felt as if I was driving 45mph. I felt connected with the road.I could do anything but smile. I haven't felt this good about a car in a long time. The sound of the I-6 I didn't care about the size of it anymore. I didn't look at it as an overpriced small sedan. It's better than the 530i IMHOP. I wanted to sing and dance. I coudn't keep my eyes off of it when I did park it. This is what I have been missing. I've driven many cars, but this is not like any other car under 50K. I know I must sound stupid, but I'm a changed man! I cannot understand why so many people drive other types of cars on the market(IS 300,ES 300, Saab,CTS,SUV's,etc..). It's understandable why the 3 series is the target for most entry level lux auto makers.
I arrive back at the dealership. I asked the sales rep about the ED program as many of you all have suggested. They told me that it was a long process, very costly, and not many BMW dealers and buyers deal with it. He said that it will cost me and the dealership more money if I went with the ED program.
I didn't believe him. I think he just wanted to make a sale at MSRP or he must think I'm just that stupid. I walked out and thanked him for his time.
At this point, I'm on a quest. I'm getting a 3 series BMW. As many of you all have noted as well that I purchase one for less than 32K. I must have such a dream of a car. As Nerd suggested, I called Mike Pile BMW in Tyler, Tx.
Oh my! such a nice dealership on the phone. We even talked about real prices over the phone. That's rare. They have a great inventory. Plus, they were willing to set up everything if I wanted to use the ED program. I'm driving to Tyler Sat.
Now, I could use some help from the BMW family here at Edmunds.
What do you guys think:
Should I buy a 330 or 325? Is the 330 really worth the extra money?
Should I buy a 5 speed or step auto?
ED program or on the lot?
Should I buy CP0 2000 or 2001 to save a few dollars, or should I buy brand new
If brand new, should I get leather or the leather like seats?
Coupe or Sedan? I'm single w/no kids (coupe looks better to me)
And my last factor: I have now a 1998 Olds Intrigue. It has a little over 118K on it now. It was a company car that I bought. It's running good, just a small oil leak from a seal that needs to be replaced, otherwise in great condition. It's only worth about $ 5500. Should I trade it in, or just keep it for a daily driver? It's paid for as well.
I'm sorry if I have been long winded, but I'm very happy about this next car purchase for me. Please leave any input.
Ben