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If it's your wife's car and she's not used to driving RWD, I would opt for snows over all-seasons. Guaranteed she will get stuck if you stick with the SP tires.
Even though we can get some really nasty weather, there are only about 5 days per winter in this area, when you really need that extra traction. I just can't bring myself to put 16" aftermarket or steel wheels on the car for 3 months per year. Has anyone put 17" snows on, in the stock sport package size? Thats another reason I want to wait until next year... Looking for time to find a used set of factory 17" rims to put the snows on. I know I have to do it eventually, but trying to skip this winter. Who thinks I'm an idiot for getting 17" snow tires?
regards,
kyfdx (who loves his wife)
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ksso
-Paul
Hey..Isn't anyone going to ask me about the car? I mean, where is the love?
regards,
kyfdx
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kyfdx
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You definitely have the summer tires if you bought the car with the SP, no doubt about it. I would advise spending the money. 17s will be fine. If you can go narrower, that's the part that matters more than rim size. But if you go 225s, you'll still be just fine. Just make sure it's a dedicated winter tire. Picture this--all seasons are like wearing a basic walking shoe for all conditions. Wouldn't work on a hike, you might slip and break your legs. Summer tires in winter are like wearing wing tips to a track and field event. You just might kill yourself.
And, since you asked?? It is a 2003 325i. Steel blue with black leather. Steptronic, premium pkg, sport pkg, cold weather pkg, Harmon Kardon, and Xenons. Just 8K miles. My wife would have been happy without the sport, xenon, or HK, but I figured if we are blowing the car budget, I'd at least get everything I wanted on the car.
I've been on these boards since about last February.. I wasn't positive I was going to get the BMW, and even came close to pulling the trigger on an Acura TSX last Saturday, but couldn't pass up the deal on this one.
Its been a real education reading about the car on this board, and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.. I'll let you know more after I get it on Saturday.
Thanks to all,
kyfdx
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
ksso
sometimes you are the windsheild
sometimes you are the bug
Also what are the wiper blade sizes I really do not like the BMW refils.
Josh
I got the Mityvac delux that will also dispense fluid (though I only use that for pumping into the containers I take to the recycle place).
To clean up the interior of it would be a pain if I wanted to use it to put fluids back into the car.
I may have to do that though if I use it to change my differential and transfer case fluids on my Wrangler and Grand Cherokee.
Anybody know a good cleaner that breaks down the oil/gas/tranny fluid/brake fluids so I can use it to dispense?
For wiper blades, you can get just the rubber blades or the entire arm. My BMW blades work VERY VERY well and took about 3 minutes to replace them.
-Paul
I've clocked my 0-60 times with a Passport G-Timer (accurate to 1/10th of a second) and pulled 6.2-6.5. The throttle response is much better and the growl of the engine is divine. At autocrossing, the guys always comment on the sound of my engine note (I don't have modded exhaust). It sounds far better than the tinny rasp of the E46 M3.
Rev limiter is raised and the redline is now close to 7000. Top speed governor is removed, as well. It should do over 130 easily. I've done 125 without a sweat.
Anyone have any insight??
Thanks.
Can sell Maxima for $2K profit.
Can assume a lease on a 2003 330ci (fully loaded) for $500/month for 2 years (no down payment).
Two years from now:
If choose BMW- No payments, no car.
If stay with Maxima- No payments and an "older" Maxima.
Assume insurance cost will remain the same.
What would you do?
i think you should dump a car the moment your heart leaves it and obviously for some reasons your heart has left the maxima.
i think 2 year leases are super loss makers, unless of course you have a business that desperately needs a tax write off
hmmm, i dont know what i'm trying to tell you
ksso
sometimes you are the windshield
sometimes you are the bug
doesn't every business need a tax write off?
BTW, get whatever car you dig. Ya only live once, enjoy it.
Your actual cost on the Maxima is how much it depreciates over the next two years, plus the interest you are paying on the note. I'm sure that adds up to a lot less than the $460 you are making each month for the payment. So, the downside is the BMW will probably cost you about $150-200 per month more, because that payment is all interest and depreciation. On the upside, less maintenance costs, and you get to drive a 330i at probably the lowest cost possible.
There is a '03 330ci in Cincinnati listed on swapalease... 24 months left at $484.00/mo. Thats a pretty good deal.
regards,
kyfdx
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If you sold somebody and engine with a set rev limit would say it is ok to change it?
If I return the BMW at lease end, the interest and depreciation doesn't matter. Also, if I sell the Maxima for a $2K gain, I could park the $2K in a money market account for a future down payment for another lease.
I know how it is... when its time to get a new car, its time.. Having $2000 extra in the bank when the lease is up will be good. You might even find another lease to assume at that time. I'm picking up a used '03 325i on Saturday. So, I'm pretty stoked about it..
regards,
kyfdx
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but he mostly sings about caddy's... if he only knew how they are built... just teasing
ksso
PS: GSP to all you non-northeastcoasters is Garden State Parkway, a toll-full expressway in NJ
My 325xi has 30K now and is approaching its warranty limit of 36K. I was wondering if there is any work covered by warranty that I could/should have done to prevent potential future expenses?
Still adore my car. It developed a rattle which turned out to be the connector for the wood paneling in the right, rear door and this week I got a signal that something is amiss with a headlight. The light is working well but once the right blinker worked twice as fast as normal so I'll take it in to see what's up. Very few problems so far in my opinion.
Re the difference between 325/330: As far as I can tell, it's the 3.0 engine and lumbar controls in the seats.
I'm thinking about trading in for a Euro. Delivery X3. I'd do it to get the extra room, go to Europe again, and get the longer warranty (50K vs 36K on mine). Am I thinking clearly?
ButMyWife
Lumbar? I wish! There's no lumbar control in my 330i.
We also get the neat tilt down mirror...lol
My lowly 330i even has lumbar!!!
ksso
Also a tad annoyed at night that my 40k+ sports sedan lacks a dimming mirror. Good grief.
Regarding the seats, my '01 330I with manual adjust sports seats have no lumbar control, although I wish sometimes it did as on long drives it can be a bit much...
-Bret
Wonder if this will get worse with rise of Euro against the Dollar? And notice what happened to price of new E60 5 Series. 530i's with MSRPs around $53K.
But all things are relative over time. Remember when E46 was new. Cruise control was optional and you couldn't get an in-dash single disc CD player. Former is now standard and thinking buyers have had a choice of standard CD or cassette for some years now.
riez - "Let alone fact you have to pay hundreds of dollars for metallic paint."
For the dollar amount of the vehicle, in it's class BMW makes the most beautiful metalic paint jobs. I do not mind paying extra for some stuff, which I believe is worth it, but it does get tiresome being nickled and dimed to death. But the paint job, I would pay extra for in a heart-beat.
Hmmm, I had one of the earliest E46s, my 1999 328i was built in December of 1998, and it had an in-dash single disc CD player. Of course it was an extra cost option and said option replaced the standard in-dash cassette player.
Best Regards,
Shipo
ksso
sometimes you are the windshield
sometimes you are the bug
remember... most geniuses have no social skills
ksso
sometimes you are the louiville slugger
sometimes you are the ball