By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Tom
Brave - I can take some pics of my install, but it will probably be the weekend after next before I can get to installation of the remote display. I used the DIY article from bmw330ci.com to install the V1 itself. This was a great article and the install time was only about 30 minutes - a very easy job.
Tom
Here's what I think you'll need
Z1, Z2, Z5 (if you have ans swirls), Z6, Z7, Z16, Z18.
This will st you back about a hundred bucks.
Sal has some detailed instructions on getting started at:
http://www.zainobros.com/files/application.htm
j/k buddy, it's supposedly pretty common from what I've heard--just give it time to work itself loose, then use strong tweezers
j/k buddy, it's supposedly pretty common from what I've heard--just give it time to work itself loose, then use strong tweezers
I'd like to pass along one tip that helped me on my V1 install. I bought a 2 ft. gray phone cord (around $3.00) from Radio Shack to replace the 8 ft. black one that is supplied with the V1. This is to run between the Direct Wire Power Adapter and the V1. With the 2 ft. cord you don't have nearly as much wire to tuck into the upper console. Space up there is tight, so this made for a cleaner install! I'll use the 8 ft. black cord supplied with the unit to run between the power adpapter and the remote display. Also, if you haven't seen it here's a useful link showing an install of the remote display unit. Good luck!
http://pkx.todiefor.com/cars/bmw/v1/new/index.html
Tom
As far as Zaino, you can get away without claying just wash with Dawn, apply Z1 and Z2. Even the z6 and z7 are optional, though worth the money.
I have a step, and has bosch but not sure what the 2nd fan is. Seems both are working fine, just afraid one of the fan might be bad. Does anyone know why auto have 2 while manual have only one?
I think most of us on this board are pretty good at what we do and easily recognize a professional in another field. While I did not have a true professional sales rep, I am quite pleased for those whose experiences were better than mine. While some BMW dealerships obviously have work to do to catch up to Lexus and others, it does not seem to be a more universal type of problem.
Guru, you are correct about Nordstroms. I drive 2 hours to shop the nearest one in Indianapolis. One shoes sales rep was so excited about his award and factory visit to Allen Edmunds (or Trask, I cannot remember which) that he spent 20 minutes talking about the shoe's construction. His enthusiasm and professionalism helped him sell 3 pair of shoes when I intended only to purchase 2 pair.
To those considering the sport package, I advise you to have your wife and any small children be part of the test drive process. My 11 year old daughter, who when she was 8 told the Lexus sales rep "we'll take it" during the GS 300 test drive, is already on record as saying the car is "too firm over bumps Dad." I am fortunate this is our third car and a toy for me. If I had to share, I would pass on the sport package.
To those comparing the 3 series to a Lexus GS, know in advance that these are entirely different animals. I could not bear to part with the Lexus because of its plush, quiet, comfortable ride. The seats are the best made for me, I can drive 12 hours and arrive feeling great. The wife and daughter love the car. The fact that I still was unsatisfied and lusted after a 330i convinced me that one car cannot do it all for me. Shop smart, mistakes are expensive.
since they're only replacing the steering rack, all they really need to do is re-adjust the "toe" setting. with a steering rack replacement, that's the only thing that get's moved around when the move your original tie rod ends over to the new steering rack (camber and caster are umaffecetd). the toe is set by adjusting the tie rod end's position on the threaded steering rack ends. this is a non-issue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
what do you think? any regrets at all about the retro?
The results are astounding. I also recommend claying annually. It really doesn't take much time and completely cleans the surfaces before waxing.
Check out http://www.bmwusa.com/welcome.cfm?code=Home, choose the "Joy of Driving -> Technology" along the gray title bar and then "Safety" in the blue bar under the picture. Other elements of BMW safety (All Season Traction, ABS) are listed there.
Besides a new battery in the remote and holding the remote farther from the UT (hot end ~6 inches), I also programmed the UT with the engine off. Wow, what a difference!
Coolbret, thanks for the link. I'll show it to my wife.
He will call me back tomorrow to let me know exactly what it is; he said it is usually a door scratch or bumper scuff. He also said the VPC said it should be ready and at the dealers by the end of the week.
Anyone been through this? What are my options? I am NOT pleased about this. I will be sure to get a VIR, but I don't want to wait FOREVER to get another car which is probably what would happen if I have to refuse delivery on this one.
First they screwed up my original order, which forced me from week 24 allocation to week 27, now this. I know this isn't the dealer's fault, but I have had just about enough for a $36 K + car.
Thanks in advance for any / all advice.
- MCC 330i / steel gray / SP / black 'ette / moonroof / aluminum interior trim / 5 speed
Hope this helps!
On the fan recall, I was interested to see that the number of vehicles once again has been increased. It looks like my 330xi is about 50 vehicles outside of the range. I sure hope that don't include it. Two overheated engines is about as much as I can take...after getting it back from the body shop, that is.
I have a two part question.
First, as I currently understand it, the service indicator system, combined with the brake pad warning light should alert me to excessive wear of the pad or rotor. Is this true and/or reliable? Anyone know the requirement specs for maintenance (i.e. pad thickness, etc.)?
Second, is there any resource avail, web site, etc, that provides maintenance information for those who choose not to service vehicles at BMW. My family mechanic services all our cars (foreign car specialist) and while I have complete confidence in his ability, I want to have peace of mind that all that should get done, is being done.
Thanks for the info. Long time no hear. I'm still tearing up the GSP. 110+. Try that in a Lexus! Without kids in the car of course.
VW service departments suck, and there are some real lemons out there, although most folks are happy with their VW. What is the scoop on BMW? Do dealers treat you poorly? Are service departments efficient and well-trained? Is the overall build quality much better than VW? Seems like I can get a 325i with Xenons, HK, leatherette and sport group for around $30k, does that seem about right?
Finally, does the sport-tronic AT eat much horsepower compared to 5-speed? Trying to decide if it's the way to go as I've always been a 5-speed fan.
Thanks!
As far as performance goes, I would think that you'd knock around a full second off of 0-60 times with a 5spd BMW. This is based on VW's claim of 0-60 in 8 seconds for the 1.8t GTI 5spd (only thing I could find numbers for quickly). This is assuming, of course, that you don't have your Jetta chipped.
I, personally, have been thrilled with the performance of both my dealership's sales staff and service depts. Others haven't been so lucky.
http://www.koalamotorsport.com/
On the home page click on the "E36". Scroll down on the next page that appears-- there's lot's of Technical Q&A, including extensive info on brake service. Too bad there's not a similar E46 site!
I second Kominsky's comments and would add that when we were looking at the VW my wife commented that, for the money, VW's lack some of the nicer touches that BMW simply nails(i.e. dual lighted vanity mirrors, cockpit design, climate control).
I do not think VW has an on-board computer which comes in handy for long trips and "neato" effect.
Went for the Bimmer and have not looked back (except to see the rest in my dust).
BMW and it's owners never cease to amaze me.
Another option, around here, would be to ask 'gurumike' (a regular poster in this 'hall') to check it for you. I think he's still helping out when possible.
P.S.
Forgot to mention that the 325 is substantially roomier - longer, wider, and it has a real rear seat. The front headroom in the Jetta is also great, as is all-around visibility, but the driving position and controls are a lot better in the 325.
As for the question of TL reliability vs BMW 3er, we have had a lot of lively discussions about this, often involving people without extensive experience with both Honda and BMW. I've had 6 Honda products, 4 BMWs, 14 Toyotas, and 13 Mercedes in the family over the past 33 years, and there is no point in arguing with me that the Germans can touch the Japanese for long-term reliability and [RELATIVELY] lower costs over the very long term [say 100k miles and up]. But for any given new car over its first five years, it's always a throw of the dice - get a good one, and you will think you're a genius; get something else, and you'll wonder where these guys got their great reputation. It's always the luck of the draw; once you get out over 5 years, then the longer-term issues all fall on the side of the Japanese, both in absolute number of things gone wrong and what it will cost to fix them. Depends entirely on what you want...
Your email is not listed in your profile. Would you mind emailing me at mgm5933@hotmail.com?
Sounds like you have a better database than most to make your long term reliability assessment on.
However, I also find it interesting that in checking the used car classifieds in the Washington Post, I have noticed a relatively large volume of Mercedes and BMW's 10+ years old with 120k-150k+ miles. It's not uncommon to find late 80's or early 90's S-class or E-Class cars still selling for $10k to $20k+. The relative number of older Japanese cars listed for anything over about $3k is limited.
P.S. I do feel like a genious - I have a 95 Maxima that has had virtually 0 unscheduled maintenance costs over 111,500 miles. Unfortunately, my previous Acura made me feel like a dope - killed me before it hit 100k. Now I'm considering an M or AMG car and wondering which side of the lucky draw I'll fall on.