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Amen to that!
If you are trying to convince yourself that you can fit 3 kids back there and you are comparing it to an Accord or a mini van.. Forget it.. Its not as big. What is the worst thing that can happen? Kids don't complain about space,it's the parents perception that kids need lots of space. I have two huge teenagers and they think the back of my 325 wagon is like a limo. It's all what you are have been used to and I have never owned huge vehicles or mini vans. In Europe,a VW golf is considered a family vehicle. Having said that,get the car you want,not the car you think you need..
Now that I'm committed to keeping it though, I'm determined to fix some of the things I had lived with before when it was really mine. Parts are already on the way for the steering power assist retrofit.
Here's the question: I'd like to goose the wheel size. I compromised when I bought it because I really wanted the color and the only one they had didn't have the sport package.
www.aaarims.com has "replica" wheels for sale and claims to be of comparable quality to the OEMs. Does anyone know if this is true? Are replicas really as good as the OEMs? If not, how much difference is there? Has anyone bought anything from aaarims and have any feedback? Thanks in advance,
Can I request that they replace the transmission anyway, since its under warranty? Or, is that so major, I'm better off with them trying to solve this through the computer?
Thanks
"What is the worst thing that can happen? Kids don't complain about space,it's the parents perception that kids need lots of space." and also--"Having said that,get the car you want,not the car you think you need."
I'm convinced...after all the kids will always complain and fight -"don't touch me". "you are breathing on me" and many other tipical stuff regardless of car size. Even in a minivan wich I do not have and will NEVER get.
Maybe a smaller car is what they need...so they can come closer as a family. hee...hee! Thats it!...this is my excuse and I will quote my friends in this forum.
About the legs...oh well this generation hardly uses them anyway...maybe we can chop the off. These kids knowadays rather keep their fingers in order to play video games - against everything I ever did when I was their age.
regards,
kyfdx
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Two things to keep in mind - less weight is better for ride and handling, forged is stronger than cast. If you call Tire Rack, you can usually pry that info out of them. An alternative is http://www.wheelweights.net - I don't know how up to date it is.
A data point - I bought a slightly used set of BBS RK, complete with almost brand new tires for $1200. The wheels are stronger than my stock rims, and 6 lbs lighter each. They're also so pretty I almost feel bad about only using 'em for track and Solo.
Thanks
The 330i currently runs on 7x17 stock BMW rims, which I find a bit less confidence inspiring. I'd be delighted if there was a way to economically upgrade them to the old 17" M double-spoke type 68s. I had those wheels on my E36 M3 and I loved them, just gripped like crazy. They would be my first choice as replacements.
I have the 18s on my current E46 M3, but I'm wary of whether or not 18s would really fit well on the 01 330 (I read somewhere that BMW altered the wheel well of the M3 to fit the rear 255s in... but now everyone has the option of 18s: did they alter the wheel well on all the subsequent E46s or does that mean the 255s should fit in ANY E46?) Add in the possibility that I'd have to recalibrate the speedometer etc. and it's too much work to go to 18s.
If I could find a good set of current M3 19s thoguh, I might be tempted to get them, slap em on my M3 and try to transfer the current 18s to the 330...
Does anyone have experience with the 325 sport package 8x17s? Any good? Are they almost as good as the 330's M double spokes (yes, I know the rears are bigger)? More importantly, are they a noticeable improvement on the 7x17s on the stock 330?
Thanks in advance everyone...
By the way, is this a new transmission or a rebuilt one? I think I read here or on another board that various manufacturers make the BMW transmissions but that the quality is fairly similar. Hope things work out for you.
It's horrendous! An abomination! Holy cow someone tell BMW Chris Bangle has been moonlighting for the competition!
Words failed me utterly. How could they possibly do that to a reasonably presentable vehicle? MBs had fallen considerably out of favor with me (owned a 1985 190E 2.3, but haven't seriously considered one since), but the CLK convertibles were starting to grow on me, partly because every 5th car down here in Westwood/Brentwood/Beverly Hills is a CLK cabrio.
I mean, they're still overpriced and slow compared to a 330ci, but once you get used to the lines they're really quite pretty, in an elegantly sedate and feminine kind of way. God I hope the new CLK cabrios fared better than that coupe.
The old CLK 430 Coupe is still one of my favorite cars on the road. If I had the oppurtunnity to buy one, I would (even though it is only available in automatic and I love my manual tranny) The new CLK does nothing for me. It isn't ugly, it just isn't head turning. I see where they were trying to go by eliminating the B Pillar and incorporating the CL style Grille.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Are the rear seats split folding? We're intersted in the Cold Climate Package with the Ski Sack, but we'd like at least one of the rear seats to fold down.
Anyone, anyone.......
Dave
Since I'm a fair and balanced writer I must report that several cars received the lowest rating of 'poor', they are: MB C320, Jag X-type, and Lincoln LS, Audi A4 Quattro also got a 'fair' rating.
The BMW did receive the best overall score of excellent though.
Machines getting 'very good' or 'excellent' scores are Lexus IS and ES, Acura TL S-type and the Infiniti G35.
If you place high importance on reliability, you best shop at the Japanese store near you.
I don't buy the supposed bullet-proof Japanese vehicles as 5 vehicles, Honda, Toyota and Nissan over a number of years, in my mind, gives an average rating to reliability.
You will also note, that in the JD Power initial quality survey, BMW edges out Infiniti. After a year and a half, my own experience with the BMW is that it is heads above any past Japanese vehicle I've owned. Of course, it's more expensive as well, but a heck of a lot more fun to drive.
Of that group only the G35 can be called a serious contender. The rest are nice enough cars, just not sports sedans.
If so, I will need to untrain the computer by taking off like a bat outta you know where. That will be fun.
buy anything and everything you want, but absolutely get the adaptive bi-xenon...
ksso
2. i have the cold weather package which does not include split folding
3. the only reason we bought the 325 over the 330 was because the first 2004 in at the dealership was a 325 in the exact color wife was fixated on, but having test driven 2003 330 cic, i know they did not have the folding rear seats with the cold weather package
4. i looked at the spec sheets i'd on both the 325 and 330 and the 2004 brochures and both do not talk of folding rear seats...
but then i'm not as bmw savvy as some of the others on this topic....
buy any combination you want, but absolutely get the adaptive bi xenons, hey if nothing else just get those lights alone !! haha, I know i would
ksso
Back in 2001, when we paid the $4-500 for the split folding seats in the 330 sedan, they were definitely standard in the coupes/cabrios. I used it as an argument to get my wife to agree to a coupe. I lost.
I accept this as I accept the JD Power Initial Quality Survey, which lists BMW ahead of Infiniti. Yes, BMWs are great running machines, but I am unclear how that statements translates into the fact my BMW goes into the dealer once a year for service and has no mechanical or reliability issues.
Statements like that at the 50,000 foot level sound great, except it doesn't really tell you what side of the ownership experience you will be on. Just ask my friends who had their Honda bought back under the lemon law.
ksso
My question is how can a BMW with a cost of mid 33K have a lease payment of $378 per month tax included. A maxima of similar price has a payment of $515.
Is this true? Do they actually lease so well. I can only think of a superior Residual Value that brings the monthly payment down.
I rreally did not ask the sales guy to give me a monthly payment b/c I do not negotiate on monthly payments I negotiate car price, discounts and how close i can get to sticker price or go below MSRP.
If these cars lease so well its almoust a no brainer to get one. WHICH LEADS ME TO THE SECOND QUESTION. iS MAITANANCE EXPENSIVE ON A LEASE?
BTW, you can make your lease even LOWER. Do a search here on Multiple Security Deposits or MSDs (you need to buy before june 30th to get the best deal).
Check bimmerfest.com too. Nobody at BMW will tell you about MSDs but if you're leasing it's a great way to bring down your payments and make your money supply some massive returns.
If this is the case I would be a bit hesitant to invest my money in some kind of lease program. Other alternatives apeal more to me.
I probably need to go over this and will visit the suggested website. Thanks blueguy for advice.
Leasecompare.com moderator said: "In general we do not recommend doing it. The idea of leasing is to pay as little up front as possible. "
-Tarry Shebesta
The Lexus Lease Glosary defined it as:
"Multiply Security Deposits
Lexus provides you with a special feature to leverage your investment in a Leased Vehicle. You may provide multiple security deposits beyond the required minimum amount and these additional deposits will help to further reduce your Lease Rate. All of your security deposit will be returned to you upon expiration of your lease."
So Lexus says "ALL OF YOUR sECURITY DEPOSIT WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU UPON EXPIRATION OF YOUR LEASE"
I do not feel confortable giving several thousand dollars to a dealership or for that matter a car manufacturer. Things are not well with this economy and we all know how this corpoprations can make it hard to almost imposible when it comes to returning money. Simply put, they are not in business to return money...they are in business to make money and the more the better.
There may be better places and things. Anyway, I only found this by researching a few minutes so there may be opinions that prove me wrong and make this alternative a positive one. Will keep searching and learning!
These forums do help
You have to calculate the rate of return on the money you put down into the MSDs versus what you could get elsewhere with that same money. Guessin' you'll find you won't be able to get much of a rate of return on this small investment over just a 2-4 year term (e.g., CD, T-bill, money market fund, etc.). Then see how much money you save on the lease payments. Turn that into an annualized percentage basis and you can compare. If investing the money gets you 3-4 percent but the MSDs get you 5-6 percent, you're better off with the MSDs. If not, don't.
If you can show me somewhere that I can turn 5000 into 7500 in 3 years I'm interested. Especially in this economy.
Also, why is BMW changing the MSD program to a max of 5?
When u return your lease...you say they give it back. I am sure the contract may be/seem that simple and includes several disclosures and protections for BMW as THEY, not you, wrote the contract for their protection.
What about the condition of the car? Are they allowed to get dollars from this deposit if they claim the auto needs work? Or is this a deposit that is set appart?
I will check all this.
Riez- I do understand your point. My case as others may have, is this. I do not pull 5k from a checking account. Since having $ laying around is worthless. It would mean taking it out from an investement. But you are right it may still be smart to do the MSD assuming no troubles when is time to get the deposit back.
Lastly, does BMW have a program similar to Honda and Acura. Were they have a 1,500 insurance type deposit when you return the car. Meaning the person does not pay for any cost over normal wear and tear utill is over 1,500. So its kind of a deposit paid by the company?
Something else to think about and look into.
Blue- I work for the Office oif Consumer Affairs with an Att. Gen in a state and I see this EVERYDAY. Corp finding ways/tangents and discvlkaimers to con peoplo out of THEIR money. caution!
Also you're talking about the return as if the dealership will know BMWFS has MSDs on my car. They'll know it's a lease return. I'd be very surprised and extremely fast to contact my lawyer if i got a hint of anything being abnormal.
Also, there is a chance (if the car is solid) that'll i'll keep it. In which case they MUST give me my MSDs (or use them toward the residual if I choose). Heck even if the car's stolen or destroyed I get all of my MSDs back. I didn't walk into this blind.
I will admit I was blinded by my desire for the car and I jumped on it before finding a home for my Jetta. 1 month later i still have a 2001 Jetta. Eventually someone will buy it. right?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Exactly my point Kd shapiro...and dealerships ARE in trouble all the time for finding creative ways to overcharge customers. Such as overcharging DMV cost of License and registration. Another class action suit. This is only one example of many. Class action suits such as rolling back odometers, selling used cars as brand new, changing/forging contracts and MORE!!!
"Also you're talking about the return as if the dealership will know BMWFS has MSDs on my car. They'll know it's a lease return. I'd be very surprised and extremely fast to contact my lawyer if i got a hint of anything being abnormal"
Yes Blue there is a connection b/w the way dealerships and the leasing company (if connected to manufacturer- i.e. BMW Financing) work. The dealership does know at the time of return what your agreement is with BMWFS and it is in their interest to make as much money as posible. They make money coming in and going out...anywere they can.
I am sure you, Blue, did check and I respect that but you will not be the first person with a complaint against a comp. like BMW. About getting a lawyer to deal with something this size...good luck. The cost of a lawyer may exceed the MSD depoit very quick...big risk if you cant prove anything and end up with double the problem.
We can leave it at that b/c I know is just me being a skeptic because I see it a lot were I work.
ONE RECOMMENDATION...CALL YOUR STATE OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION (CONSUMER AFFAIRS)AND ASK HOW MANY COMPLAINTS, IF ANY, ARE THERE AGAINST THE DEALERSHIP YOU DID OR ARE ABOUT TO DO BUSINESS WITH. THIS IS PUBLIC INFORMATION. YOU MAY BE SHOCKED MY FRIEND!
The dealership does not refund the deposit. The deposit checks are issued from the auto manufacturer themselves. This is an issue endemic to leasing. I have found that manufacturers tend to be lenient in order not to get customers angry. The last thing car companies need is bad press about their customer relationships. So while it's good to understand your rights as a consumer, the small risk relating to bad business practices with leasing, is far outweighed by the benefits of those who chose to lease. It's the old story about 1000 attaboys. I have never had a bad experience leasing, as the dealers only act as agents to collect the cars and note the damage. Most car companies tend to be fair. And if I were blueguy, I would worry more about the purchase side of the transaction than the termination side. Or in blueguy's case, I would worry more about rain in San Diego than getting his money back.