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Check out your post #2580 (and congrats on snagging #3000):
#2580 of 2583 RE: Transport Question by mcq7159 by snagiel Mar 06, 2002 (06:33 am)
The boats leave every few days, on average, and the journey takes about a week. After that, figure in another couple weeks for processing at VPC, transport to dealer, and final dealer prep.
But the Owner's Circle lags behind true status and lacks precise information. You can call 800-831-1117, choose option 3, and have your production number or VIN ready. They can usually tell you more accurately what the shipping status is, as well as provide a good estimated delivery date.
Now take a deep breath and relax...
I did file that away - it works of course, but the chaps at BMWNA told me it was "Status 190" like that's supposed to mean a lot to me. When asked, they said that it meant its on a train from the factory to port of shipping. That's obviously inaccurate because on an ED delivery, it goes to the delivery center first and then trucked from one shipping point to the other...friggin' computers...;-)
Vishnu.
My question is: Does buying a BMW at the auction null/void the 36,000 maintenance warranty that gets you the free oil changes, etc....
I know the manuf. warrranty still applies!
Thanks in advance!
It's too bad they can't improve the inventory tracking; When I went through the Spartanburg Delivery, I was impressed with the system they had in place at the plant there (where they manufacture the Z3 and X5 models). Every single car, as soon as its chassis is fabricated, is fitted with a homing device placed in lieu of the BMW roundel on the hood (which is symbolically affixed when everything else is done and it's earned the BMW logo). Within the plant, they can track every single car, and determine instantly whether it's in the paint-shop, the suspension's being fitted, fluids are being added, etc. Wouldn't it be cool if you could get that level of granularity in the tracking tool? I suspect there'd be an awful lot of people who's productivity at the office would drop dramatically after placing an order...
The problem with lack of data comes outside the factory. Now its the job of suppliers/partners and customer-service agents etc etc and the information that they input and that is available to the owner is very limited. Who knows what the rationalization of this obscurity of information is! Or if there is any information at all.
Re: productivity, mine dropped as soon as I took delivery of the car. I have been pacing endlessly like a caged animal since coming back from Germany..:-) I'm driving my wife nuts...
Maybe I'll place a call the Harms office in Munich and see how things are going...:-)
Thanks for the input and helpful advice on my upcoming ED. I am looking forward to it. One more question. How can I get European navigation disks? Does BMW "loan" them to you while you are there? ) Thanks again.
On an unrelated but vital topic: GO TERPS!! (UMD class of '72)
Don't sweat it; a little oil burnup (1-2 quarts after 3-5k miles or so) in a new BMW engine is normal, but it should taper off after that. By 8k miles, I'd be concerned if I WAS loosing oil...
If anyone has one for sale in the surrounding NC states, send me an email at scottiewyatt@yahoo.com
Well, I could go on and on but this is enough for now. What about it?
Anyhow, I agree with all of your points except the first. When first learning to drive, I think a 16-year-old should focus on the rules of the road. Mastering how to apply throttle, braking, and steering inputs is something most adults/experienced drivers don't do as well as possible, and I think the clutch/stick makes learning to drive that much more complicated. I agree, though, that once a young driver has mastered those first skills, teaching them to drive stick is advantageous. I wish my Dad had let me get a stick back then! I had to wait until I bought my Passat four years ago to learn...which I did the day I picked up the car. I've never looked back on automatics.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Combinations that are allowable:
Premium Audio & In-Dash CD
Premium Audio & Cassette
Premium Audio & Cassette & Navigation
Standard Audio & In-Dash CD
Standard Audio & Cassette
Standard Audio & Cassette & Navigation
Combinations that are NOT allowable:
Premium Audio & In-Dash CD & Navigation
Standard Audio & In-Dash CD & Navigation
Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Before ordering the upgrade, I would check to see if the dealer has a car with this option for you to demo. If you consider yourself an audiophile, then it is not worth the $1200 (cost of the DSP). While the sound quality is an improvement over the stock system there is still plenty room for improvement. I do have this option in my 02 530ia. If I was ordering another 5-series, it would be a coin-toss as to whether I would include it again.
I now have 1200 miles on my car after two months of ownership. At this point the experience has been great. However I would change two things. First I should have gone with a manual transmission. The Steptronic is nice and smooth shifting but I do not have the full control as I would if it was a manual. Also I would have added the Sport Pkg. I noticed some of the limits of the standard setup during a recent coastal drive.
A little side note regarding the E60. The latest issue of Roundel hinted that the iDrive will be a standard feature for the next 5-series. Apparently there would be significant expense in the manufacturing of two dash panels. One for the iDrive, and one without it. I hope the dash does not resemble the one used in the new 7-series. I prefer the cockpit design of the current 5.
Chris
My 2002 530i (3 months old) had the "Sevice engine soon" light stayed on for a couple times and disappeared when I drove around town. I noticed that at one instant, the message "check filler cap" flashing in the main display. I parked the car, removed the cap and put it back on but the "service engine soon" light was still on after I re-started the engine. It is off now but I am just curious if anyone seen this? otherwise I will talk to the dealer. Thanks. Hnn
I saw...
I yawned...
No thanks.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Chris
First time my wife fuelled her '00 323iA she kept key in ignition in ON position so she could run CD player while fuelling. Sure enough, Service Engine Light came on. It went off after I refuelled the car as per the instructions. And since I do it that way for both her's and my '98 540i6, the light has never come back on!
I had the hardest time trying to decide whether the DSP is worth it, and in the end took it. Here's why:
(a) The DSP comes with an upgraded amp, upgraded speakers and two extra speakers. Not that the upgrades are the greatest stuff on earth, but they are a considerable improvement over the base audio (which plain sucks). The power of the DSP system is adequate for the 5-series, but lacking for the old 7-series.
(b) The DSP comes with a 5-band equalizer. All else being equal, an equalizer dramatically improves the perception of music quality. A 5-band equalizer is a decent start. Most upgraded car audios only have 3-band equalizers.
(c) I am not the die-hard audiophile who will upgrade speakers/amp etc. In fact, if you want to upgrade your speakers and amp, you are better off NOT taking the DSP because the DSP is run on a digital bus, and your choices of aftermarket speakers and amps are considerably limited (as is the expertise) if DSP is already installed.
Hope this helps.
Vishnu
I wonder, however, if learning to drive a stick will improve the skills of mediocre drivers by making them more attuned to the whole driving experience, or just overload them more? There are too many drivers around who barely seem able to steer down the road (usually slowly, in the left lane) without overtaxing themselves.
Ken
-First are those who, irregardless of their skill, are distracted by food, newspapers, books (yes, I've seen this), makeup, shaving, drinks, cell phones, other passengers, inebriation, and about 30 other possibilities.
-Second are those who lack either good driving skills--I'm talking fundamentals, not Mario Andretti reflexes--or a good understanding of traffic rules and signs.
-Third are the ones who see yellow lights as an invitation to speed up, a stop sign as a suggestion, and 55mph signs as "yeah right." Basically, those who drive extremely aggressively.
I suspect a stick would help the first group, since it would dissuade them from fidgeting with whatever is distracting them. But it may overwhelm those in the second group who are genuinely unskilled drivers. And I suspect it would make those in the third group either more aggressive, distract them, or otherwise lead to an accident sooner.
Since I don't know the proportions between the groups, it's hard to say if everyone driving manuals--hypothetically, of course--would make people safer drivers.
At the end of the day, the safest driver is the most alert, responsible, and knowledgable one. To that end, it would benefit everyone to attend a good driving clinic like the one BMW sponsors in various cities. There, even good drivers are taught new things, and poor drivers are awakened to new important skills.
Has anyone heard if the new 5 is going to have the SMG as an option?
I looked at the link of the 2004 Lexus GS430 and am completely unimpressed. Not even in the same league as the 5 series.
I did, however, drive the heck out of everything out there, including the GS430. Personally, I don't care how good Lexus looks, they are not even in the same league as BMW in terms of driving "dynamics". If it's bold aggressive looks you want, go for it. Perhaps a Buick GS or Monte Carlo would be good for you. But without a major engineering and priority overhaul, there is no way that Lexus can compete with BMW as the serious driving enthusaist's car of choice. Heck, the only thing they even offer with a stick in is their boy toy looking IS300.
The LS430 might be giving the E430 and S430 a run for their money, but I don't see anything coming out of Lexus that could seriously be labeled "a driver's car" to compete with the 5-serious. Looks are only skin deep.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
Now in its seventh year of production (6 model years, the 1997 was released in early 1996), the E39 has evolved into a car that can run with the "Best of Breed" reliablility wise, from anywhere in the world.
Best Regards,
Shipo