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Comments
Reference the types of vehicles that I stop, only the ones over the limit regardless of color or vehicle type.
Before anyone becomes offended, the above story does not mean that everyone that drives a jag thinks that way.
Safety first and if you get busted dont cry about it and blame the cop.
add123
Braveheart - Thanks for the info on the surname. Are you a member of BMW CCA? Worth it?
Best Regards,
Shipo
Alpine- you may be somewhat correct in saying that certian professions attract certain personalities (generally accountants tend to be somewhat analytic) - Did you get a ticket recently. The majority of the times I got pulled over, the cops were steriotypical however there were times when they were very understanding. When I was younger, I got pulled over all the time and was ticketed ~ 25% of the time.
Add123: If you have a trap set up in a 70mph zone and I pass you at 80, would you pull me over? what cushion should I expect from the general cop population? (Assuming I'm not reckless)
What excuse can I use? "I had to go 100mph to get to the next exit so I could "drop the kids at the pool"" ; )
Anyone replace the 325 black front grill with the chrome from the 330? How much? part# install instructions?
drcr
I asked why more places don't offer these films...and she simply said "sticker shock". Most "high-end" films run about $300'ish, so most people don't appreciate (or can't afford) to pay $575 for these products. She also said most people think "film is film", and are not educated on the differences between the different types, effectiveness, etc....Will let you know how it turns out.
BTW....you asked about the clears....I am only doing the front and side markers. The set was only like $80 at Circle. Seemed reasonable, and thought it might look good with blk/blk...we'll see. If not, I can change 'em back!
Driving at 10/10-ths - By that I mean using the car's full potential. Not necessarily driving it pedal to the metal - to me it's more like keeping the car in whatever gear it takes to keep the RPM's in their peak range from 3,500 to about 5,000-5,500. With the 330, you get plenty of torque at any range and you don't have to think about RPM's that much. I probably spend more than half the time driving at 3,500 RPM's. I love the way BMW designed the tach - the numbers are at least as big as the speedo's and the peak torque of 3,500 RPM's is visually dividing the tach in two halves. So it becomes second nature: leisurely pace - stay in the left half; having fun - stay in the right half of the tach.
Although you can be stopped and cited for any speed higher than the posted limit, most, not all officers will grant 10mph over the limit. I usually grant a 10mph over the posted limit. The reason for the 10 mph, as I understand it, is that there is less question of who the speeder is when everyone else is going 70 and you can see the target vehicle passing all others traveling
at 80mph.
As for excuses, it really depends on the officer. I am quite understanding and will attempt to verify the excuse. I once stopped a vehicle for 75 in a 60mph. The driver stated that his father was dying and he needed to get home. I had him call a family member but did not let him speak. I spoke with sister and asked her if there was a family emergency happening. I further asked her if anyone was dying. She stated that everything was fine. The driver received a ticket.
If anyone is able to go on a ride-along with a traffic officer and see how it works, it may be beneficial. It really is not very difficult to pick out a speeder.
add123
I was going back home from work last nite on a 2 lane back road, 1 lane each way. There was this "senior citizen" coming towards me, with half of his car on my side!!! The important note is, he was not going fast, only about 40mph (the limit). But I'd think it is more dangerous than speeding, because if somebody pulled out from a side street he would have hit it head on...
Common sense means you dont drive 70 in downtown boston, but it ALSO means you dont go 30 on MassPike when it is wide open. Going slow doesnt always mean it is safer.
1. After you stop, keep your hands on the wheel where the officer can see them. They'll be more relaxed if they can see you're not doing anything suspicious and are more likely to let you off. Roll down your windows, make sure there's light in the car. Yes, they hate tinted windows because they can't see what's going on inside the vehicle.
2. Have your license and registration ready. You may want to stick them out of the window so the officer would know that you are not a criminal but make sure to do that in a relaxed way so it wouldn't seem like you're rushing them.
3. Make sure to pull over safely. Don't go driving people off the road or braking like crazy. Put the emergency lights on and shut off the engine.
4. Admit you were at fault. 99% of the time, if you got pulled over, you deserved it and it's better to admit it. I typically say I'm sorry and that it was probably my fault.
5. Never argue with the officer. If you think they made a mistake, try to explain but if they don't want to hear it, you can't force them to.
6. Pleas work better than excuses. As long as you do it in a respectful way without making an idiot of yourself.
7. Don't call them 'Sir', they'd prefer 'Officer'.
I'm sure there are a lot more but if these don't work, you're out of luck. I too used to get pulled over more often when I was younger and they used to let me go more often. Now I don't get pulled over as often but it's much tougher to get out. I guess they consider me old enough to know better and I think that's fair.
Drcr, I bought the chrome tips last Friday when I picked up my car, one service advisor just popped them in for me with a stapler and a soft towel. When I got home I popped them in more, now they look great. The part number is 82-12-9-410-926. about $15.00@. Good luck
Dan
Thanks
Dan
Are you hasppy with Geico?
deepdark - do you live in the suburbs? This is a phenomenal rate. Are you limiting on miles? What's your collision deductible and general coverage level?
1) mail in your ticket and check the "not guilty" box, or, depending on the jurisdiction simply do not send it in at all and it will be treated as a default not guilty plea.
2) Contact the clerk's office and inform them through whatever means necessary (if they require a formal motion, make one) that you need a continuance due to scheduling conflicts on that date. Make sure you have a good excuse, but DO NOT LIE TO THE COURT.
The continuance will result in having your hearing date postponed and moved to a new date -- one of the Court's choosing rather than the officer's. That way, your hearing will NOT be scheduled on the same day as every other ticket that cop has written in the past month.
3) When you get the new date, repeat step two. That is, request another continuance due to scheduling conflicts. Again, have a good excuse but DO NOT LIE TO THE COURT.
The purpose of this step is to foil the smart cops who will have set up an alternate date ahead of time. This is more common in some jurisdicitions than others.
4) Go to Court on the date of your hearing when it has finally been rescheduled.
First, cross your fingers that you have succeeded in making this so inconvenient that the cop doesn't show up. If he doesn't show up, you're home free.
Second, if the cop has actually shown up, inform the Court of any valid excuses you may have (including a mis-calibrated speedometer, if such can be demonstrated by an affidavit from a mechanic). I have seen tickets reduced and/or thrown out based on such affidavits.
Finally, if all else fails throw yourself on the mercy of the court and try to have the charges reduced. This usually will succeed in having the charges reduced, but may require you to attend a safe driving class.
Noto bene: I do not practice this sort of law, or any criminal law, for that matter. All my knowledge of this subject comes from my own tickets. I actually do financial litigation, so take my tips with an appropriate grain of salt.
Of course, there are smart cops who got into the profession for the right reasons. There must be. But I haven't met any.
As an aside, I will tell you a funny story. A few months ago I got a call from the State Police Benevolent Association looking for handouts. I told them that I never see a state trooper except in my rear view mirror, and they've never done anything for me in my whole life. "So," I said, "I'm thinking no."
Keep in mind the that the PBA is essentially a union. The money you give to the union benefits the police in a very real way. I personally have no desire to give any more money to cops than I have to. Furthermore, I find the whole notion of those stickers that are supposed to let cops know you "support" them and thus get you out of tickets OFFENSIVE. They are evidence of corruption, no more no less. What else can you call a system that gets you out of tickets for giving money to the cops, directly or indirectly?
In any event, my wife and I were driving from DC to NYC later that day, with my wife driving the Grand Cherokee. Needless to say, we got pulled over by a MD State Trooper and my wife got a ticket for doing 80 in a 65. Man, life is SO FUNNY.
You can be a not-for-profit organization and spend 95% of what comes in on yourself and the other 5% on the charitable cause.
Anyway, thanks for the advise. I will go for it. I know it would make the car handle even better not that I got my gas pedal fixed too. I always like the steering on my wife 98 528i. She always said the 325i is too light everytime she drives it.
P.S Are you gonna find out the baby's gender?
Dan
That also includes multi-car discount
I am switiching to Geico. Cost for 330i is $1,100.
That is a great price you received from Chubb.
I believe that some time ago you had strong words in connection with a comment I made that you took to be "anti-lawyer". To the contrary, and as an attorney myself, I try not to prejudge or generalize as to any group.
While I have had one exceptionally bad incident involving a wet behind the ears officer (who lied on the stand in connection with a minor traffic offense with which I was charged), for the most part law enforcement officers are like anyone else. Some are good and some are not. A few of my friends are cops, and I suspect that their "general" views of lawyers are not terribly positive. Mind you, I'm not trying to take up the cause, but I think for the most part they have a pretty tough and (for the most part) thankless job.
So, let's not bash cops, lawyers, or any other group.
Just my nickel's worth....
I'm really excited I can't wait, they told me production started today.
Thanks
Josh
Thx.
Dan
One question. My dealer wants $525 plus labor to install the BMW alarm system. This sounds like a complete ripoff. Isn't MSRP on the alarm system $300? I'm aware it's available for $225 from Circle BMW and is a pretty easy DIY project. If the dealer's price were fair, however, I'd probably just let them do it to avoid warranty hassles.
Tom
Don - we definitely want to find out the gender of the baby. We're doing the ultrasound at the next exam in 3-4 weeks. It was exciting to hear the baby's heart yesterday (first time for me).
Cops - I think being an officer is a very tough job, especially for what it pays. You work long shifts, have to deal with criminals, get paid very little for what you do and worst of all - your family never knows when you won't return home b/c you got shot by a criminal. I personally have seen more good than bad from them - they have helped me every time I got stuck with my $200 cars in college or ran out of gas. When I was younger, they even pulled me over a couple of times to tell me that I was driving too aggressively for my own sake w/o giving me a ticket and have treated me with respect for the most part. There have been a couple of officers that didn't want to hear me out and just wrote me up. Well, that's what they get paid to do - you can't rationalize with every driver out there. I have no hard feelings - it's a job like any other and somebody's gotta do it. They do protect all of us but we typically see the enforcement part a lot more than the protection side. That's b/c we don't hang out in places where criminals hang out late at night.
They got me good once, since then I know to be verrry careful. :-)
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
Shoot, I wasn't even THAT close to the corner. Yeah I got suckered and let 'em do it to me, you can't fight it when you don't live there. All I know is that on the heels of that speeding ticket, as I said, I hope to never drive through that state again.
I have rethought what I posted earlier, and I do believe I was only cited for going about 10 mph over the speed limit - because as I recall THAT is what I was trying to politely argue with the little tiny woman who would not listen to me because SHE was right period. And that one cost me something like 94 bucks in the early 80's.
I guess it has to do with the way they sit in the car. My brother and dad both favor a more acute angle at the knee and hence sit closer to the steering wheel. (Comes from years of driving SUVs?) So they feel the driver space is tighter. I prefer a stretched leg position more suitable to the coupe, although I can drive comfortably in a higher seat config. (like an SUV/minivan).
I never got the phrase "put your foot down" as I've always had to press forward to brake and accelerate, rather than down into the floor. I started learning to drive in a 70s Delta 88 and with the seat all the way forward I was still too far away from the pedals. So I'd drive on my toes. What a riot. Sitting on a cushion and I still couldn't see over the steering. I'm so glad I went to a driving school instead.
Headroom was never an issue for me until I discovered seats that moved up.
Tom