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Comments
I imagine that, given BMW's sporting niche, the engineers' had a design criteria of 50/50 for the most sporting model, RWD with a manual. Other option configurations were secondary: it would not make sense to target 50/50 for an AWD auto when that would likely compromise the weight distribution of the most sport-oriented configuration. Other options, such as SP, likely have negligible effect on weight distr. Any extra suspension beefing would only add a few pounds, and it would apply equally at both front and back.
This brings up another much lesser-discussed measure: L-R weight distribution. We discuss front-back distribution, and even top-to-bottom (in the form of Center of Gravity height) distribution, but the third axis of the car is rarely discussed.
Also of interest is the moment of inertia about any of the car's 3 axes. Think of two cars with the same weight and same 50/50 weight distribution. One car has all it's weight distributed very compactly, within, say, a foot of the front-to-back centerline. The other has its weight distributed at the opposite extremes: in both bumpers, with none in the "middle". You can see that when cornering, the first car will be much more responsive and tossable, whereas the second car will feel much more boat-like and be slow to respond to steering inputs.
OK, that's the technical lesson/thought for the day...now back to more important stuff, like how the hell did MarkinAtlanta (woooops -- had to edit since the 5,000 crown is apparently dynamically changing!) edge out Brave for 5,000???
You guys post too much. Can't keep up. Actually I have another question. Has BMW switched from ContiSport Contacts to Turanzas on the SP? I've seen quite a few 3series with the 17" wheels that have Bridgestones on them. Maybe they've been pushed as a good aftermarket alternative out here, don't know. This is a bit disturbing. Not that bridgestone's performance tires aren't good but Turanzas...
I've been driving in winter for a couple of years now, so I probably will see how bad this next winter is before I get the snows. No one I know here uses them.
I haven't test driven any yet, but will probably try to check some out this weekend. I am getting excited about my anticipated purchase.
www.cars.com/carsapp/national/?szc=94612&srv=parser&act=display&tf=/news/national/storytemplate2.tmpl
jnscheong
Q1: What's meaning of 325IA, I've ordered 325I?
Q2: I did factory order, why the VIN number is on the contract?
Q3: At beginning of the contract car type is NEW, but Why it shows AS-IS in the middle?
Q4: Should I pay for the advertisement fee? Is it part of invoice? Is it called Arco or something like that.
Q5: $1400 over invoice(excludes advertisement fee), is it a good deal?
Thanks in advance.
Q
I've been driving in winter for a couple of years now, so I probably will see how bad this next winter is before I get the snows. No one I know here uses them.
I haven't test driven any yet, but will probably try to check some out this weekend. I am getting excited about my anticipated purchase.
It's kind of like when switching between my Altima and BMW... Whenever I get in the Altima I expect the window switches to be in the center console and they're not. Then I get back in the BMW and reach for the switches on the door and they're not there. Maybe I should get rid of the Altima and get a 325 as my 'beater' car... (okay, maybe this time I am looking to start trouble :-))
You would think with the X-coupe concept they saw the merits of producing an AWD coupe...???
Tom
Yes, that's off the bottom of my driveway with a great view of the Blue Mountain.
... sorry, it's gotten awfully quiet around here since veekay1... no wait, I mean MarkinAtlanta... oops, sorry, I meant to say langley2 got to post 5000. :-)
Is that true? Any comment?
new C (?) enthusiast...
not sure if you just read it wrong, or j/k around but I meant it to be read "novice enthusiast".
Can't believe I didn't get into cars earlier in life, esp. with all the engineering that goes into them. But then again, couldn't afford one 'til after graduating and getting a job.
Stooge I'm 25 and not a yuppie, but I am strongly considering one. I say whatever makes you happy. Though I must admit that seeing so many on the road, they're as common as accords and that makes me a little hesitant.
Is that true? Any comment?
new C (?) enthusiast...==> Just kidding, sorry...
Can't believe I didn't get into cars earlier in life==> I was talking to a friend of mine last night and he asked what was new with us. I had not seen talked to him for a long while and we've never been that close so he didn't know I share a passion for driving. I said not much, same ol'. Told him I bought a new car, didn't even specify what. He said "that's just rubber and metal, who cares". I asked him what he cares about and he couldn't come up with anything - just kept talking about how he wanted to do something more exciting in life and all he kept talking about was his career. So many people don't get it: it doesn't have to be cars; it could be sports, trips, friends, whatever, anything that you are passionate about. There are those few who are truly passionate about their careers. I keep reminding myself that I go to work so I can sustain my family and be able to support my abundant hobbies; not the other way round. So in short: for me it goes like family, parents, hobbies, work, friends or something along these lines... As Muhammad Ali said, don't wake up at 60 and wish you had another chance to live your life...Passion for driving may be a good start.
denk - Patrick's a nice dealership. Fields is nice also. In the end, I got my best deals from these two...in fact, nearly the same deal. So I went with my local dealership as Fields has free car washes six times a week as well as free BMW loaners. I know, free car washes seem cheesy, but in Chicago, they're vital. The salt is lethal here, as you know. But they don't pick up and drop off the customer. I was treated well just about everwhere except Perillo (see above).
Good luck both of you.
I'm still waiting for my 325iT. It's sitting at the VPC waiting for a truck! I guess I won't get it this weekend. Let's hope for Monday!
you'll see all the 3-series you can stand.
Where do you live?
I think you're right about passion Brave1. I enjoy my job, but not passionate about it; yet...
I do have plans in the work to begin exploring my real passion. Cars can be secondary though. I'm really interested in buying an old sports car and fixing it back up. I used to think my friends in highschool that would buy and work on old cars were nuts. Now I can understand.
Personally I think that free loaners for the life of your car push the value of a dealership up. As a surgical resident who goes to multiple hospitals (sometimes on the same day), I cannot spend any time without a car.
have a good weekend all.
7 scratches on the drivers side door...three of these scratches were extremely deep. They offered to repaint the door which I quickly refused. They were able to find another car, exactly as I had ordered allready in transit and one week from port. I only hope this time the car is delivered as it should be...without scratches and clean...Am I asking for too much???
Definitely not!!!! Although waiting even longer is not desirable, you have every right to expect a perfect car.
purchased new. I have never experienced anything like this. I'll give it one more shot. If this car is damaged, I suppose i'll have no choice but to look for something else...
the 330 is a great car.
Practical (for a sports car)
Fun
need any other excuses?
I would definelty point out to your salesman that even if the scratches weren't there, the car was poorly prepped. He has the most to gain by keeping you happy and the most to lose if you're unhappy. Hopefully he'll keep a closer eye on things the next time they're prepping your car. I think the guy who sold me my car would have been out there with a bucket and hose cleaning my car himself to assure my happiness. Not only did he earn "excellent" scores in the BMWNA follow up call, but I've also referred several people to him (a couple of whom have bought from him).
I agree with Kominsky in that the sales staff did a poor job of prepping the car for delivery, even without the scratches. Why was the interior filthy? Was it mearly dusty or was it truly dirt and oil stains? You're paying enough for these cars AND you've orderd them so there is no reason to expect what you ordered. There is no AS IS excuse when buying a car fresh from the factory.