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Comments
I am planning to buy 325 ix with a navigation system. Unfortunately none of the delears (in pittsburgh area) has any 325xi model with a navigation system available for test drive. I certainly won't spend thousands of hollers without even looking at how good its navigation features are. I called BMW's customer service to see if I can get any tapes describing 325xi and its navigation system without any luck. They had tapes only on X8. I just can't believe that I am not able to get even such a small thing from BMW delears and BMW itself.
Anybody has any suggestions on my dilemma ?
thanks,
Lawman
Hi,
I am planning to buy 325 ix with a navigation system. Unfortunately none of the delears (in pittsburgh area) has any 325xi model with a navigation system available for test drive. I certainly won't spend thousands of hollers without even looking at how good its navigation features are. I called BMW's customer service to see if I can get any tapes describing 325xi and its navigation system without any luck. They had tapes only on X8. I just can't believe that I am not able to get even such a small thing from BMW delears and BMW itself.
Anybody has any suggestions on my dilemma ?>>
...navigation systems are functionally identical. So, if the dealer has any BMW on the lot with a nav system, you can see how it functions. As for videotapes, my 330Xi came with a videotape, and it had a long section on how to use the nav system on it. I'd send it to you,but I threw it away!
In reference to message 577 - New Pricing and Standard Features for 3/1/01 on cars.
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. >>
...on the new pricing, and it seems reasonable to me, that the new pricing is available for March production, regardless of order date. Everything hinges upon production date. So, order now, for March production, and you get the new pricing.
Also any pros or cons from an owner on how the car is holding up as I am close to finalizing the best deal I might find and would like to know if there have been any problems.
Finally does anyone have a recommendation on a fair dealer.
Appreciate,
RLM from Boston...
As for how it's holding up, I can't help there... I'm still counting the days until it arrives... :-(
Good Luck!
When I turned off the air conditioner, my display went dead.
No tachometer, no speedometer, not even the fuel level indicator.
The check system indicator stated everything is OK, but that display is intermittent,
it glows and fades to black, glows and fades to black, etc.
I called roadside assistance and all they offered was a tow truck if I "felt unsafe driving it".
Please forward your reply to prometheus@thoughtworks.com.
Thanks!!
My wife and I decided to scale back our car so we headed out to find an alternative. We drove a 00 Maxima. The power wasn't what everyone bragged about, and it seemed very cheap inside. I never punched it from the line (I don't do that any more), so the rolling acceleration was not as good as my A6. My wife refused to drive it and just sat in the back seat fuming that I put her in this terrible car.
We then drove a 99 Acura 3.2TL. The car had noticeable power over my A6, but then I noticed that the gas pedal was just hyper-sensitive(it still was powerful). The strangest thing I found on the TL was the space...lack of that is. I'm 6'3", by no means a giant, but could not fit at all in the drivers seat (back seats were worse). I had to put the seat WAY back and pull the sunroof cover open. Needless to say it was awkward driving with my head tiled toward the sunroof. There was noticeable road noise and the car would get out of shape when we went over bumps(guess the double wishbone/multi-link could only do so much)
We finally ended up at the BMW dealership. They had used 323's in stock but they weren't ready for customers yet. We drove a 01' 325i Auto.
This was the most amazing drive of my life. I've always heard of the BMW driving experience, but thought "yeah, they probably drive nice, nothing to get excited about". This car didn't even have the sport package! The salesman was great, he was encouraging me to go faster and to punch it in corners. I've never felt a car stay this flat throughout the entire corner.
While the acceleration was very good (it was an automatic), and the handling was simply amazing(you really can push it hard), the most amazing thing was how tame and sedate the car could be when you need to drive like grandma.
Love my A6, but lust after the 3 Series...
Sorry for long post...excited (couldn't stop smiling after the drive...probably looked like a moron...heh)
Actually my wife didn't drive it. We went for 30min drive then when we got back to the dealership It dawned on me that it had the steptronic. We went back out for another 20 minutes. She was very impressed with it (as a passenger).
Normally I get chastised when I drive aggressively with her in the car. Sometimes it's hard to resist.(still a man even though I'm married...heh). She commented on how the car felt like it was hugging the road when we went through tight corners. My wife is more concerned with how the car looks (she really likes the looks) than how it actually drives (as long as it doesn't drive bad).
The test drive bordered on a religious experience...my eyes are open.
Dantlo:
No sure if I would categorize the Audi as a fancy VW. It's more like VW being a dressed down Audi. During my test drives I could really tell that the 3.2 TL platform came from a lesser car. The Passat by comparison comes from a upscale platform..and it shows in the drive.
Drive a 3er w/the sport package on it and if you have a racing heart it will beat double time.
w/o the sport package I felt the bimmer was not worth the price.
Since I HAVE to get an auto, I would think the extra hp would be beneficial. In the brochure for the 2001 323 it shows a 0-60 of 8.1 with the Auto. Does anyone know if the 170hp was slower? This was the only figures they had in the brochure (besides top speed).
I'm actually more impressed with good passing power than with drag strip performance but not too many magazines test the 323 with Auto.
Posted 02/02/01 4:16 p.m. CST
Associated Press
STUTTGART, Germany — German luxury carmaker BMW said Tuesday it is recalling 22,000 of its X5 sports utility vehicles worldwide to inspect them for a possible steering defect.
A bolt on the steering column may not have been fitted properly on some models, the company said. There is a small risk that the connection to the steering transmission could break loose, leaving the driver unable to control the vehicle, it said.
BMW said dealers are contacting X5 owners, who can have the 30-minute inspection performed for free at a BMW service station.
The Stuttgart-based automaker said it has sold about 45,000 of the four-wheel drive vehicles worldwide. Some of those recalled have not yet been delivered to customers, it added.
Parts of my transmission fell out, I found out, because the factory forgot to attach the main trans housing to the chassis. There are three major bolts that attach it, it seems, and two were defective or warped or some other. So the upper mounting cylendroid impacted the lower housing case and smashed into parts of my exhaust manifold. Sounds complicated to me and I'm not a mechanic, by a long shot. All I know is that they decided to fix it after all once the defective bolts were confirmed. But I still don't think I could drive this car again. BMW Germany said that they will not consider this a lemon and won't take it back. So now I'm stuck with almost $40K "mortgage" on this German junk for the next five years! I should've bought a Lexus. I've never heard my friends have problems with those cars. Some ultimate driving machine! >>
I am in the market for a '01 325, and was also considering shopping thru Wide World of Cars also (Route 59, right?) Anyway, how did you find their dealership/treatment? Did they treat you fairly? Were they somewhat negotiable? Did you cross shop any of the other dealers (like DiFeo, etc)? Any feedback on your experience/deal with Wide World would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
You are correct -- the dealership is on Route 59 in Spring Valley, NY. My salesman's name is Michael Speranza (please tell him that I referred you to him). I felt that he treated me fairly. I was able to negotiate a deal that ended up being 5+ per cent over invoice (including the $200.00 advertising fee). I did "shop" at other dealerships (Mt. Kisco, White Plains, New Rochelle) and got the best deal at WWC. If you are not under time pressure, consider ordering a car that will be produced on or after March 1st. You'll get more standard equipment and prices on some packages will have come down (see message #577). Good luck!
P.S. By the way, are you the creator of the "Rizzo method" (see message #530)?
I'm just heading out to drive the IS300(hard to make my self after the 325).
From what I've read all the Lexus have pretty good reliability (Think GS was a little lower).
In his own words, here's how it works:
http://www.bimmer.org/3series/messages/archive/msgsy1999w01/13648.html
Thanks for your reply! I will be looking for my 325 in the next month or so, and will definitely look up your salesperson, Michael. Best of luck with your new toy (I imagine it must be tough waiting now!) (And as interesting as it sounds, I am not the Rizzo Method Man.)
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_techtip/techtips/check_valve.htm
Acura has the most comprehensive standard equitments and such a high-power. The dealer is willing to budge and many ppl got their cars for less than invoice. When I made the first hardcore turn, I was amazed by the handling of it, even though it is a FWD! But just like the editor said in his/her topic for test drive CL-S, it won't give you as accurate responsiveness as from a BMW. It does everyting good, but won't get excited, like an A- or A score student, but not an A+ guy.
For a BMW 325, nothing more than how other people think of it. So responsive, really enjoyable.
For IS 300, it is really responsive too, and I can say it matches BMW 325 (at least my feeling of the test drive). And the service in Lexus is so good, and you are treated very very well. Comparing with Lexus, BMW's service is really bad, and I felt that they won't care about you at all: you wanta the car or not? If not, just leave...
so my ranking:
drive and handling:
BMW 9.0; Lexus 8.8; Acura 8.3
dealer's service
Lexus 9.5; Acura 8.8; BMW 6.0
I am also concerned very much with reliablity. Seems from my reading in this Town Hall, BMW's reliability is not as good as Japanese car-maker's. I don't know how well a BMW is, but I wish it has good reliability, because I plan to get it, considering only BMW comes with a AWD, which is what I want. Anyway, one of my friend bought a BMW 325 and has not had a problem for one year and a half.
I have some questions regarding to buying a BMW, but I would like to the next thread, in case of making confusion with this topic.
Pricing:
I talked to three dealers around here, and the only best quote so far is 7.5% over invoice, and they are unlikely giving better quote than this.
Question 1: Has anyone got a better offer in Seattle area? Or what is the average offer you got in other area?
Financing:
BMW offers 5.9%, but all of them only offer 6.9%, and I asked why is that, and I got some answer like 'they are not the participating dealer, blah blah'..
Question 2: Is this possible? Why do they did this?
H/K sound system:
I need a good sound system,but some people said the H/K system is not good.
Question 3: how well the aftermarket sound system will be providing with the same amont of money (about $600)? Which brand? Will they mess up the car during the installation? (I am quite naive here, coz' I never did an aftermarket accessory before)
Hope some one can give me some help, thanks.
yeah, i know what you mean, i was totally amazed too when i test drove a new BMW. surgically precise, smooth, and stuck to the road. i was instantly converted. i was in the market for a 2001 honda accord coupe, then i drove the BMW,[325i sedan]. wow! i didn't think they could make a car this nice! so i went and ordered a 2001 BMW 325i sedan, alpine white, sand leatherette, premium package, heated front seats, CD player with the harman kardon upgrade, and fog lights. the sport package is super cool but i thought the ride was way too rough for my tastes. the non sport is the one i chose, the ride is less jarring and smoother with plenty of stuck to the road feel for me. AWESOME CAR! i ordered the car around the first of december, i will be picking it up from the dealer around the 7th of february. i had a custom german european union licence plate made for the front of the car to make it look like it's from overseas, $50. i did this because the brochure had one on the car [M RE 3982] really cool! they sell them on the internet. can't wait for the car, counting down the hours. >>
...$50 for a fake europlate? If you go to the dealer, you could ask them to give you one, from one of their eurodelivery cars for FREE! Even though I told the salesman I wanted to keep my eurodelivery tags, they had removed them and chucked em in the trash. Good thing I reminded them when I picked it up!
Does it come with the power seats if i did not opt for the premium package?
I ask a couple of dealers but they seemed UNSURE!
Can anyone answer me?
thank you
As for no Premium package, I did not get it either. I have Titanium Silver with Black leather. The dash has aluminum trim instead of the wood in the premium package and high gloss trim in the 325i.
Hope this helps. You ordered a great car!
If your car is going to be build as 3/2001 production, it will come with power seats at no charge. BMW has adjusted base model equipment includes power seats with memory, HK audio and sports suspension as standard equipment from 3/2001 production at same MSRP. The sport package has reduced about $100 and PP has reduced about $950. Hope that helps.
The RWD has better performance over AWD. That is why BMW decide to use a total different approach compare to other AWD. BMW uses fixed toque split (62% RW and 38% FW) to maxmize the performence. It also use individual braking to achive the power transfer from wheel to wheel rather than using differential locking. Therefore, the BMW x version is very much feel like its RWD brothers. If you are living in Bay area, you could save yourself $1,750 to have RWD. With its standard AST and DSC, you won't see a difference.
Good luck, there are lots of dealers in your area, perhaps some of the posters from the Bay will respond soon.. The car is worth it !!
DanF
i'm thinking about buying a 96' 97' 328is. this will be my first BMW. i really like them because of their performance and handling and road feel. i'm not much on the luxury side, but it is a plus.
i just want to know if it would be a worthy buy for what i want. i've found one with 40000 miles for about 22k.
thanks,
michael
$26,880
1) Buying a "stripper" I need to order, what are the lead times involved. I'm in Texas
2) If I order today and get 5.9% financing is it valid when I actually get my car when it comes. Let say it comes in May or so.
3) How much over invoice should I expect?
4) Colors: [non-permissible content removed] silver or steel blue?
Thanks in advance and for all you posts that have made me an informed buyer.
Cheers
spoiler to the 325?
2)5.9% is being offered through the end of February. BMW extends credit approvals for 60 days beyond the end of the program date. So, if you order the car now or February 28th, 5.9% will be valid until April 28th.
3)That one is hard to answer, but in NJ you could expect $12-1500 over invoice as a very good deal. I've heard that Texas dealers are very strong on their numbers, so they may try to charge $2000 over invoice or even higher! I would call a number of dealers and see what each is willing to do, but you should give them a number to work towards. Not "what's your best price" but something like "I'd like to know if you can get me that car for $XX" and let them tell you. If you establish some sort of rapport with whoever you're talking to, you're much more likely to have them give you a great price, instead of anonymous faxes and the like.
4)Titanium Silver or Steel Blue?? Isn't this a little personal?? I'd say neither, get Steel Gray, that's what I got
hope this helps you out and Good Luck!!
Rob
and a bra to a 325
Options
Leather Upholstery
Premium Package
Heated Front Seats
Xenon Lights
Radio: BMW Business CD
Harman Kardon Sound System
Paint: Metallic Paint
$33570 My Price
pay in Maryland and which dealer
should you use?
We have the trunk-mounted CD changer and like it a lot. (You can get the parts for a Nav equipped car for about $400 and do the installation yourself) I like the changer in the trunk but then I'm not constantly swapping discs, either. If you're a disc swapper then you might prefer the in-dash player. I wanted the cassette and CD so the trunk changer was the best choice.