Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
There is talk of a small BMW starting at $18,000 also in 2004.
Interesting article.You can read it at Barrons.com
Meantime I had my young nipper, the Fern Green Hornet out in the backroads of Michigan where the snow is at the side of the road where it always belonged. No traffic so 70mph was the order of the day and some brand new tarmac made me a happy camper as the car showed me his nifty moves.
It was like a fairground ride.
Hilly, twisty country roads+ 3 series= fun!
Lots of good reviews from owners on Epinions.com btw though you have to read the inevitable cons such as "shortage of back seat room" (buy a Lincoln!) and "pricey". Shame on BMW for making wads of cash! If it were my company I would sell the cars at cost and pass the savings to YOU the consumer. Is profit a dirty word? Shouldn't excellence have a price? or should it cost the same as "mediocre" and "serviceable"?
Rhetorical question! Hail capitalism and supply and demand and enough of the nit-picking,say I.
The writer, Jay Palmer, in the Barron's piece refers to BMW cars as "Beemers"- he will be publicly stoned on Tuesday (weather permitting)
Good article on BMW
There is a good article on BMW in the current issue of Barrons, the financial newspaper. "BMW the Little company That Could" is the headline on the front page and three pages are given over to talking about the company's finances and possible future. There are hints at cars being designed for release within the next 5 years including the return of the 6 series (2002/3) and 8 series(2004)
There is talk of a small BMW starting at $18,000 also in 2004.
Interesting article.You can read it at Barrons.com>>
...when the automotive press was speculating on who was going to snap up BMW and Honda, as the big automakers were getting bigger and the small independents were selling. Since then, the auto market has softened, and the big automakers have taken some body blows, like Daimler with its losses at Chrysler and GM with the shuttering of Olds. Also, BMW was looking shaky last year, as it was in the process of shedding its English Patient, Rover. Now, BMW is looking good. How things change.
Still, it never does one good to gloat too much, as BMW still has lots of challenges before it. It has the Mini launch, and new models, as well as a relaunched Rolls in a few years. I believe the BMW ceo mentioned doubling sales in a few years. Very aggressive, and the trick will be to not fall into the same traps that have plagued Daimler and others.
I'm about to get a 325 sportwagon, man, sp, but I'm hanging on the PP. Call me crazy but I want my Fr & Rr maplights. The BMW brochure and my dealer say that you have to get the PP which includes the "upgraded interior lighting" to get the Maplights. However, I just saw a 2001 325 sedan that didn't have the PP(no sunroof,climate or P seats), and it HAD maplights. Does anyone have a 2001 325 sedan or Wagon w/o the PP?? If so Do you have Maplights??? Some of you may think I'm being picky, but I really don't want the sunroof or the climate, but I want my maplights. Thanks
The only thing I added at the dealership was an armrest which cost $260 installed.
After lot of sleepless nights, I have decided to go with 325xi being in Pittsburgh. The only question I am still worried about it, is whether I should go for navigation system or not. I am hoping ,anybody having 325 with nevagation system can provide me with some guidance. I am being fan of navigation system. But since I need to get premium package (which otherwise I may not) in order to get navigation that about 1800 + 3500, I am wondering whether it is worth.
Also if I get the navigation system what happens to AM/FM/CD options. It says both can not be available simultaneously in the dashboard. So where will my audio system be ?.
thanks,
LAxman
Thanks for the info on your maplights. I don't know if it was a last minute change or what, but even though the 325 brochure says you have to get the PP to get the maplights, it seems it is a standard item now. Since I'm getting the wagon I want to keep the weight down(in the interests of going as fast as I can), but the PP adds alot of goodies that make life easier. So it's a tough choice.
<<562 of 562 Nevigation Option by laxmang Jan 23, 2001 (11:37 am) >>
I
In case you didn't know in the long term test section of Edmunds they have a new 328 w/the navigation system in it. There is quite a bit of discussion in the monthly reports on the Nav Sys. Overall some people liked it and some didn't. It also needed to be repaired, and limits you to the cassete deck/radio up front and the CD changer in the back. Like everything it's a personal choice. Although it's hightech and all, I prefer to let my wife navigate and have my CD player up front.
http://www.edmunds.com/roadtests/longtermroadtests/1999/bmw/3series/44466/
Is it a good choice to make?
Thanks guys.
I'm thinking about buying a new 2001 330i. However, I keep hearing "nightmare" stories about BMW's breaking down and being extremely expenisve to repair. I've heard the spark plug wires cost $300, for example. And I've also heard about fairly new BMW's breaking down suddenly.
I expect a BMW to be more expensive to repair than an American make, but it should be reasonable. I also think a car should not need any major repairs for at least 100k miles.
I'd love to get some feedback from current and former BMW owners.
Thanks,
Bill
My advice: individual opinions are VERY subjective. Rely on real data. Consumer Reports (the most anal of car magazines) gives the 3-series very high reliability marks. The current BMW's are MUCH more reliable then in the past. So, if Joe Blow had a nightmare 1990 BMW...you are going to get some bad information. I know someone who had a hightmare Toyota Corolla - so what.
As far as repair costs I understand BMW's cost about the same as other luxury brands (Lexus, Audit, ect). But, this is just what I've heard.
Enough rambling. Good luck on your purchase.
I'm thinking about buying a new 2001 330i. However, I keep hearing "nightmare" stories about BMW's breaking down and being extremely expenisve to repair. I've heard the spark plug wires cost $300, for example. And I've also heard about fairly new BMW's breaking down suddenly.
I expect a BMW to be more expensive to repair than an American make, but it should be reasonable. I also think a car should not need any major repairs for at least 100k miles.
I'd love to get some feedback from current and former BMW owners.
Thanks,
Bill
I'd guess that repair costs on a Bimmer will be in the same ball park as a comparable domestic or Japanese car. "Comparable" here meaning "of the same cost and complexity". A Lexus ES or Lincoln LS will cost more to fix than a Toyota Corolla or Ford Focus. Statistically, I'd expect slightly more frequent repairs on the Bimmer than the Japanese cars, but my personal experience hasn't borne that out - the Bimmer's been better than my last two Japanese cars, and I drive it much harder.
A couple of examples from my experience: The water pump for my M3 cost a bit more than the one for the Maxima, but labor was less (actually, I did the job on the Bimmer 'cause it was so easy). I had the fuel injectors replaced in the Maxima, and just for grins checked into what the same job would cost on the Bimmer. Parts cost was within $20, but the labor on the Max was more than double that on the Bimmer (a brief peak under the hood will reveal why).
2 months ago, i had a race with my friend's car, a mazda 240 94 or 95 model. i was making a 35 to 40 degree turning at BQE brooklyn, NY in 100 mph more... the car so so stable and stick to the ground.... a great turn... what a great car...
shouldn't complaint and ask for more.... : )
by the way, i won the race by 4 car distance after i was in 85 - 90 mph.
Thanks
direct: kelfg@aol.com
Here is the official Product Planning Dealer Bulletin quote,
"The new 3 Series has represented value since it's introduction in 1998. In MY2001, BMW continued to improve the 3 Series with the introduction of the new more powerful M54 engines, new packages, and additional safety features.
However, BMW's key competitors have launched and will launch new products that are increasingly competitive. The all-new Mercedes C-Class, Lexus IS300 and Volvo S60 launched last year and the all-new Audi A4 and Jaguar X-type will launch this summer.
To maintain the competiveness of the 3 series, BMW NA will improve the value position by increasing the amount of standard equipment beginning March production"
"To maintain the competitiveness of the 3-Series, ..." Effective March Production fwd.
Now "std." equipment!!:
325i and 325iT:
> Foglights
> Cruise Control
> Automatic Climate Control
325Ci and 325Cic:
> Automatic Climate Control
330i:
> Power Seats
> HK
> Sport Suspension
330Ci and 330Cic:
> HK
NO increase in base MSRP...
325i sedan & wagon: PP now $2,700.00
: (was $3,500)
: - Sport pkg. now $1,400.00
325Cic PP now $1,400.00 (was $1,900.00)
330i sedans: PP now $2,900.00 (was $3,850.00)
Color Changes:
> Gray Green replaces Sea Green on Converts, added to coupes
> Oxford Green replaces Fern Green
> Black Sapphire now available for all
> Orient Blue now available for coupes
> Topaz Blue now avail convert, sedan, wagons
> Gray leather now avail w/Bright Red all models
> Black leather/l'ette now avail w/Gray Green (coupes)
In fact my the other car, Benz CLK 55 AMG, has been sent to the dealership for repair. ( an unknown problem for me ) it just stopped and all the warnning like appears on the screen. So, what do think about this?
If you got a new bimmer that broke down suddenly, no worry, call the 1-800 # and people will come an get you in no later than 45 mins. ( i called once when my tired weared out ). So no worry.
afterall, it depends on whether you are lucky or not to get a trouble free car.
Skippy14 - I too own a 2001 325I, 5 Speed, and I know it has awesome power anywhere from 50mph on up in 5th gear, easily.. Are you using premium 91 Octane gasoline?? Is your oil level up to the line?? Either of these conditions not being met could definitely affect the performance of your car.. If gas is not highest grade, computer will turn down the timing functions, and probably other things to avoid damaging engine, thus limiting the amount of power available to you, and if you dont have good clean oil in the car at the proper amount, the oil pressure needed to activate the double vanos variable valve timing wont be enough to make this also turn on, and increase the amount of power available to you.
If these conditions have been checked to be ok and you still experience the lack of power, you need to go into the dealer, have them drive the car with you, and let them look at your computer, at least. Good luck, this is not a condition that is impossible to correct.
DanF
If they're blaming you for the repair and you're suing BMW, you must know which part of the transmission fell off.
Uhm yeah whatever. ;-(
Had a chevette that threw a rod once but have only seen a tranny grenade in the way you describe once, at Englishtown dragstrip.
Banjo, I fail to see the humor in your slurs against Germans. I am a GI stationed in Germany and also dislike Germans, but to make a statement like that is beyond bad taste.
Also I am looking for a 325i with leatherette and the Sport P. I want to pay under 30k for this is this something that is real? If so what is the best tactic to proceed? I love the look of this 3 series and want to get one so I would appreciate any info to help make me believe that this is a solid purchase. Please email response to djjunior@gte.net or post a message here. Thanks fellas.
Thanks for your otherwise informative post which I have filed under "F" for Fruitcake.
1. Any problems installing an infant car seat?
2. Is the upgraded stereo a most? How bad is the base CD/AM/FM?
3. Difference in G/M between 325 AWD and RWD?
4. Is the extended warranty worth buying?
5. Minimum over invoice price I should expect?
By the way, I think I read a post were somebody bought a 325xi for less than 30k. Can you please post the options you got for your car?
BMW, on the other hand has a hydraulically actuated clutch, that they tell me, is not adjustable, and it also engages higher in the pedal travel than Im used to, and it took a few tries to get that down. I dont have a problem with it now, I have also heard that BMW also puts a switch in the clutch engagement, to help "smooth" out the engagement. Some people are taking this switch out and finding this helps one to "feel" the beginning of the engagement better, with no adverse effects to the car.
Im going to have to live with the way it works, but Im definitely going to get a UUC Motorwerks short shifter, as I find the long throw, kind of vague feel, not exactly condusive to making full throttle power shifts.. : - ) One thing that you will be able to do and will like, is engage in 1st, and actually idle down the road, as smooth as if you had an automatic, very nice in bumper to bumper traffic...
Larry, you will get better, unless you have some kind of mechanical problem, might not hurt to run it by the dealer, I did, and they said sorry, its the nature of the BMW. Think the way they must want us to drive the car is long, lazy, shifting, singing/yodeling, all the way, to 155mph ??
: - ) : - ) : - ) : - ) : - ) : - ) : - ) I love this car !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dan
The base stereo is mediocre, even with 10 speakers. The Harman Kardon upgrade is worthwhile, but no one will mistake it for an after market system. The in-dash CD player is a separate option.
I think you meant to say, What's the MAXIMUM amount I should pay over invoice?" $1500 is a fair deal. Others say $2000 over is a decent price, but I guess it depends where you live. I paid $1500 over invoice, and felt it was an OK deal, certainly not a good deal.
BMW is offering 5.9% financing for a short while, so take advantage of this if you have good credit.
Thank you for your prompt answer. YES, I MEANT MAXIMUM OVER INVOICE. I guess I should stop typing after 3:00 AM.
(Post 189, 26 January 2001)
In fact, given his post there, I would suggest that he is unlikely to own a BMW,
"...[A]nd people with REAL money don't drive Beemers...read the "millionaire next door" book...people with money have it bc they don't waste it on dumb things like cars...cars are meant to be transportation, not status...for status, I'll leave that to a big home, big investments and such...read MARCUSE, who argued that materialist obsession is the deathknell of modern civ. He's right and DAewoo is here to help us be more responsible. "
He is merely flame-baiting BMW owners, and I would suggest that you (and ideally the hosts) react accordingly.
did you recall that you hit any bum hard or hit anything under your car? if not, it almost impossible your situation would happen. Because you are talking about transmission and not other part of the car.
i have owned my bimmer 200o model bimmer for almost a year. it gives me a good and reliable feelings towards it. good power, good stability while making corner, good handling and so on.
by the way, i found out something really interesting regarding the gas which we use for the car. Last week, i took Sunoco Ultra 94 gas New jersey turnpike gas station. My bimmer is extra powerful than it use to be. may be the bimmer fans can check this out!
DanF
When will dealers take orders reflecting the new pricing? Does this mean the car needs to be ordered in March to be considered March production? This can be a nice savings. Thanks for your input.