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Thanks!
Tom
Any thoughts on:
-- cost and dealers (Los Angeles)?
-- do they work? Are they worth the cost?
-- any possible effect to warranty on car?
Any thoughts would be appreciated -- thanks in advance!
As you point out, generalizations are dangerous things, and those making indiscriminate use of them run the risk of betraying themselves as intemperate fools. I would hate to allow myself to be seen as such.
3 (or maybe 4) days until delivery of my 330xi! Woohoo!
But MD cops are tough, They never take a break.
When I spoke with the dealer (Concord BOW) he informed me that I could order now and that it would have a code number that would designate it as a 2002. I'm not sure what he meant by that. Am I correct in thinking that a new configuration ordered today would be manufactured in September and would be a 2002?
So far I have been happy dealing with the people in Concord. I was quoted MSRP on a 2001. Plus, they were willing to talk about the cost of accessories. Which is more than I can say for Weatherford in Berkeley. However, I'm located closer to Weatherford. Anyone have good or bad experiences with Weatherford/particular people there? Thanks.
Steven F.
But MD cops are tough, They never take a break.
The car now has 1200 miles on it. I'm driving way too much, but I can't help myself. It feels like the engine is really broken in now. The growl seems more pronounced, even at lower RPMs. In second gear from 40-60 mph, the inline six just sings. Braveheart will attest that the sound is, in a word, intoxicating. I love my HK system, but I'm not maximizing it's use. Blame those blasted engineers for making a car sound so sweet. I know there are cars with bigger engines (Maxima, Mustang Cobra, Camaro SS, etc.), but my 325Ci's growl is music to my ears. Refined AND powerful.
Just today, I opened it up, downshifted to second and just bolted past a Mercedes CL320. No contest. He tried to keep up, but no cigar. Sniff.
The sport seats have been very comfortable. In the twisties, they really do keep your kiester in place and allow you to focus on hitting the apex and accelerating out rather than worrying about how far your rump is sliding. The Contisports have adhered to the road like glue. I can't imagine having 245s.
I let the president of the company I work for drive it today. He has a 740il, which he drives like a bat out of hell. He took it easy on Lena out of respect for her newness. He absolutely loved the black leather on high gloss black interior, saying it looked very sporty. He also said the car just felt "tight." This, coming from a man who has owned a Porsche 928 S4, a V12 Jaguar XJS, and a Corvette.
I've decided to leave the amber lights the way they are. Though I think the clears look pretty crisp, I just can't get myself to mess with the aesthetics. And though I am Asian, I'd have to say that clears, IMHO, look a bit "ricey." Once my tinting is done, I'm gonna leave well enough alone. I also can't get myself to plunk down $1K+ for the DINAN upgrades. Somehow 11 more horses just doesn't seem worth it. Maybe I'll shoot for the ESS Tuning 296 hp supercharger once my warranty expires.
Annoyances:
- Brake dust (or car dandruff, as I like to call it) has been driving me nuts. Kleen wheels, here I come! Drawback: won't be able to see my beefy brakes anymore.
- Screens on the stereo/climate control are hard to keep clean. They streak easily and gather dust like Clinton gathers scandal.
- High gloss black is hard to keep shiny, esp. on door handles.
These are all minor issues, which don't come close to offsetting the myriad of aural, visual and tactile pleasures Lena has brought me (okay, Pat, you may have to censor me here). For those of you still waiting, once again I say, "IT IS MORE THAN WORTH IT!!"
To date I have only been ticketed once-155mph in a 25 zone, trying to keep up with M3Frank..er, no-that was in a dream I just had. It was doing 37 in a 25mph side street in Edison NJ...cop came up from a manhole cover with a radar gun. Before court, the Prosecutor advised me to plead guilty to "double parking" so I wouldn't get points on my lisence. $100 fine for peace of mind, but I was left with an irrational fear of manhole covers, which I am still being treated for.
Brave, I read your list of speeding tips with relish (and a little mustard, hold the ketchup) and ticked them off one by one. Common sense really. As Brave knows from private correspondance, I travel the Chicago skyway ( a two lane racetrack, much of it elevated) and I94 through Indiana to Michigan twice a week. There are some deliciously smooth sections of straight roads where one can cruise at 100mph (limit is 65 at this point) One can see ahead for almost two miles. The cars in the other two lanes are typically going 80 here and in the main move over to let me pass-everyone seems to be paying attention and there is much less lane changing than one sees in city traffic ( I live in Chicago)
At this speed I don't engage or encourage conversation nor would I dream of taking or making a cell phone call. My car is built for sustained high speed and has brakes engineered to function at speed. So-I am all for NO SPEED LIMIT on well paved highways with few interchanges or merging points.
I have had the very great pleasure of driving on the German autobahn (A3) (driving Mercedes and BMW sedans)and was impressed by the attentiveness and control of drivers piloting low flying Audis, Porches,BMWs, Mercs, Opels etc on two lane roads.
I don't feel that SPEED per se, is the cause of accidents on the highway-more the lack of focus from drivers.
In Indiana the police use unmarked Camaros in festive colors and a brown Crown Victoria, supplemented by cars with State Police written on the side. How folks get caught by the latter baffles me...rear view mirror, anyone? Well it's hard to look in the rear view mirror if you are talking on the cell phone, trying to lift a 64 oz soda, eat a burger and fries,change a diaper, pet a dog the size of a small horsie, shave, read a paper, change your socks, argue or make out with your girlfriend,iron a shirt or whatever it is people do in the back of an SUV.
Sooner or later my luck may run out-I am not a racer by any means-no Green Light Derby for me. I don't "blow the doors" off anyone, I drive to please me, to enjoy my wonderful car. I focus intensely on the drive-why else would I drive a BMW??! There are other motorists out there- I am very well aware-AWARE-that is the key word in speeding.
I have NEVER in my driving life, cut anyone off, or pulled in dangerously close in front of another car (as happened to me on my last night drive to Michigan-by two guys who were racing each other) because I am aware of my surroundings.
Of course, when I am stopped in Indiana for speeding, I will quickly slip into my "kindly old lady costume" ( a little known option from BMW)-grey wig pulled tight into a bun, frilly frock, round rim spectacles and when the officer comes to speak to me I will roll down the window and offer him some warm cookies( which I carry always), saying "Sorry Officer- I wasn't aware I was speeding-like a cookie?"
P.S. Doughnuts work equally well.
Police officers have a very hard job-often periods of inactivity followed by the heat of the chase and a face to face encounter with someone who will lie through their teeth rather than face the consequences of their actions.
I for one, when nabbed on the highway, will take my lumps and accept my fate. I am always fully aware of the speed limit and will congratulate the officer on his catch.
I will of course point to the $100 bill that he must have dropped just outside my window....
The people at Crevier were very professional. I was able to do a test drive with my wife and brother only, before I signed anything. That was nice. The finance lady was a little cold after I turned down her extended warranty offer. :-) Overall, my experience with Crevier is very positive. You shouldn't have anything to worry about.
eug, I have been following your conversations with errickson regarding tint. I am still debating whether to do it or not. Let me know what tint you choose and where you are getting it done. In case I decide to tint my car. Thanx.
jnscheong
P.S. one thing I can say about my car is that the engine sound is GREAT!
Seriously people, that's the way BMW builds them now. Just out of interest, for the people that have wanted titanium headlight trim, are you considering or have you already purchased chrome wheels and or "gold package" badging.
Car looks great. The tint is a very neutral color, but is very effective. I actually had to turn the a/c temp UP a few degrees b/c it was getting a bit nippy inside using my pre-tint temp setting! This place also tinted the sunroof (had not thought of that).
FYI, I think the place I took mine too in Houston may be a national distributor for Huper and V-Kool or something. This lady was incredibly helpful and knowledgable, travels around to tradeshows, and knows vendors throughout the country that use these products. She may know a place out West, if you have not found one (Linda- 713-856-8333).
Oh, I asked her about the warranty, and she confidently replied..."Yes, there is a warranty, but I promise you will not need it! We have this stuff on office buildings all over the country, and have virtually no complaints. You are going to love it."
Anyway, if you have any questions, please let me know. Happy to answer them.
jnscheong: Let's see some pics! Also, I only found one dealer of Huper in Orange county. Can't think of the name right now, but they said they couldn't install the rear with one piece. The Huper dealer in San Diego won't tint the front-side windows. They both are exclusive dealers in their area. I haven't checked LA or Riverside county etc.
The instructions are very straight forward, and the car is pre-wired for it.
You will have to take it to the dealer to 'activate' it, but that is no big deal. I say DIY!!
(If I can install the armrest, I am sure you can install their alarm....trust me!)
It was very embarrasing and to think it passed QA at Regensberg, VPC at Port Jersey and at the Dealership!! (I myself noticed it the next morning).
veekay1(325xi, blk sapphire/gray)
Just looking for your thoughts on this, not attempting to wage a battle or anything.... What is it about the clears that make you feel they look "ricey"?
I was actually thinking about doing them in an effort to DOWNPLAY the lights, and make them LESS noticeable. I had not thought about any 'rice-related implications'.
Anyone else have input on the clears? Is there something I am missing? Am I getting too old to identify trends? ....So I went to Van Halen and Foreigner concerts in High School
Well, IMHO:
"Though I am Asian, I'd have to say that clears, IMHO, look a bit red-necked /WASPy as they are so popular in Europe.' --- bingusa
>>> errickson: Just looking for your thoughts on this, not attempting to wage a battle or anything.... What is it about the clears that make you feel they look "ricey"?
My guess would be because so many Asian youngsters tune up their Hondas into clears-all-over toys for years and clears-notorious Lexus's are more popular among Asians. But I still have to say it is whites on Bimmers rather than clears on Hondas/Lexus's.
IMHO - Be yourself and dare to be different OR just to be same.
IMO it's worth it having your windows tinted.
BTW, as far as tickets, what I've really noticed, as an ex-Marylander who used to get yanked all the time in VA when I had MD tags, and since I became a VA resident haven't been touched for speeding in VA, is that one of the main factors increasing ticket odds is having out-of-state tags. The reasoning is that out-of-staters won't bother to defend the ticket. Also, in Maryland, I drive frequently on 70W and 68W, and never get ticketed--cops really focus more on the 95 corridor and the beach, I think.
Later,
LDBUGnova
On being stopped: Never, Never, Never, Never stick your wallet, license, registration or anything else out the window as the cop is walking up. Keep your hands on the wheel and ask permission before reaching for your wallet or the registration. (Am I the only Black person on this forum?)
Last, as a criminal defense lawyer for 13 years, I might be constitutionally inclined to hate all cops, but the fact is that many of them are decent guys. I don't say all. I've dealt with many who are liars and racists but I've dealt with as many who are okay. In any case, even with the worst, a non-hostile approach will minimize problems.
thx for any reply
driver36
Tom
Cheers to another counselor. What is the constitutional ruling on drug searches--do I have the right standard of review (i.e. reasonably articulable suspicion--which has gotta amount do more than DWB, or DW95inouttastatetags)?
I agree completely on keeping hands on wheel. And the guy who jerked the window down trying to get a rise out of the young cop--man, you're lucky.
LBnova
Hands on the wheel - agreed. You guys are right. However, I remember getting out of a ticket once - sticking my license and registration slowly out the window might have helped. I'd only do that if I have them handy in my pocket.
Bavarian - you are a riot!! I bet you've heard of Eddie Izzard and find him the funniest comedian. I have three shows from him on tapes. I'm still waiting for my movie education program, BTW )
#7241 of 7540 HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan by silverprincess Jul 11, 2001 (03:51 pm)
There has been some discussion on this board regarding the tax advantages of taking out a home equity line of credit (HELOC), if you're a homeowner, instead of a conventional auto loan. For instance, www.deepgreenbank.com has some great rates right now (as low as 6.10%). But what about a home equity loan (second mortgage)? Wouldn't this be more advantageous because although the interest rate may be a little higher than a HELOC, but you're getting a FIXED 15, 20, or 30 year rate (about 8% now) AND actually paying down the pricinpal of your home? I've read that, depending on the terms of your HELOC, you could be paying INTEREST only for the first 10 years, and then you owe the amount you borrowed at the end of the term (see http://www.fool.com/homecenter/refinance/06.htm). I recall there were a couple of posters that went with Deep Green Bank's HELOC and felt that they got a great deal...your comments please regarding this comparison? I apologize for my financing/loan ignorance, but hopefully the feedback on the pros/cons of a home equity loan (see http://www.fool.com/homecenter/refinance/07.htm) will help some members here in searching out for their best financing options.
Cheers to another counselor. What is the constitutional ruling on drug searches--do I have the right standard of review (i.e. reasonably articulable suspicion--which has gotta amount do more than DWB, or DW95inouttastatetags)?
I agree completely on keeping hands on wheel. And the guy who jerked the window down trying to get a rise out of the young cop--man, you're lucky.
LBnova
Thanks for the conlaw response.
Concerning your question re name origins, It is based on a love for (but foggy memory of) the old Herby Disney movie(s) as a kid. The herbies/bugs were always the good guys, which led me to love the idea of the VW Bug as a kid, and as an adult,while VW Bugs are cute, my favorite car, aside from the 325xi we own, is our other car, the TT, which for better or worse, resembles (and is built on the same platform as) the VW, in a squashed way. Not to be overly analytical, but entomologically, Ladybugs are also positive, in a way, b/c they eat bad bugs. And we live in Nova.
Speaking of name origins, maybe you are the federal FPD in a Southern town?
LBnova
Ask for Murry in the service department. Had a problem with my radio and they were very easy to deal with.
No mention of Coupe/convertible or sportpackage is mentioned as to include or not include the titanium trim...
I'm not trying to stir up a can of worms, just refering to the bmw issued info book. Things may have changed however since the book was printed which may explain gurumikes post.
---
I was thinking the same thing reading through one of the post which said have your license and registration ready. The first thought I had was I'm not moving 'til the officer ask for them.
I don't remember who asked about Weatherford earlier, but the one time I went with a friend to test drive a '98 5 series the salesman seemed pretty cool. I don't remember his willingness to negotiate.
Don't recall anyone saying anything specific about this dealer so I'll ask again: has anyone received a good deal from Weatherford? Having to go out to Concord would be a pain.
i have a 330xi sp orient blue, and like aaron's above, it has titanium trim on the dash, the headlights and it also has chrome trim around the windows (all four windows). however, i do have the aluminum trim inside, so not sure if that makes a difference.