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http://www.motorworks.com/bmw/
Use the "part search" and enter GA13008
That's the rectangular plate. They also have the oval plate- part 938356. Not sure which one you need.
stgreen: There's also a good summary of the Car & Key functions at www.bmwnation.com. Just follow the "Tech" and then "Tech Glossary" links.
I call my 325i "THE CAR" as in " I am going to THE CAR", "THE CAR needs a good sudsing", "I ran over a police officer in THE CAR" and so on.
A friend called it "The Green Hornet" when he learned of its' birth-I think that is from a cartoon show or something. Machs nichts-what's in a name?
The lisence plate reads PARSIFL which is the abbreviated DMV name of Richard Wagner's final opera, so sometimes the car is referred to as PARSI.
Anyway-if you see the plate scampering around downtown Chicago or in a ditch in Michigan-toot your horn (whatever it's name might be) and stop and say "hi".
Some men even name their genitalia I hear. "Mr Happy" is apparently a popular choice.
Go figure.
My car is a 2000 323i with only 7,500 miles. I am very much of the buy and hold type of person (cars, stocks, whatever). I usually keep my cars 6 or 7 years, take very good care of them and sell them myself when it's time (usually to friends or family that know how I take care of cars). But I can't stop the urge to go back down to the dealer and order a 2002 330ci. Not sure of the pricing but I think I could get one for about $7,000 more (skipping leather on the next one). The only option I would get would be SP. My car still shows a blue book of $29,000 and I only paid $31,200. I keep telling myself that I'm being stupid. Never had this problem before. It's all BMW's fault!
How was your delivery experience there? Any advice? Anything I need to pay "special" attention to?
Can't believe i'ts so close! Hopefully in less than a week, I'll be fully engulfed in that BMW enthusiasm you display so well. Who knows, maybe I'll even get the urge to give it a name.
Brave, thanks again for all your help!
I got 6.7% for 60 months from a credit union. I think BMW will only meet that at best, and they'll definitely not going to go lower.
btw, mine is a 325i steel grey, black 'ette, SP, with a moonroof. What's yours?
DISCLAIMER:
I know step is not the popular choice here but I've got two reasons. I have a very nice wife who let me buy this car and she "may" want to drive it once in a while. I have VERY little experience with a manual and I don't really want to learn on a spankin new BMW.
Who's your client advisor at Peabody? is it brave's "ex"?
I'm not sure about the dot near your radio but e46fantics site says that the clear dot near the headlight switch is a light sensor which effects how brightly the instruments lights and radio lights are displayed. To test it, turn on your lights at night and shine a flashlight at the sensor. The displays should become much brighter.
He's ok, only followed up once since I ordered the car. I'd expect him to contact me soon though.
I know personal preference takes center stage here (daytime running lights, 5 mph locking doors, etc...) but it all seems rather complicated even with assistance of recommended web sites.
I will be only driver, so all keys will be programmed same. and I would like a/c to be coldest possible all the time if thats a codable thing...
again, thanks! ---stg
"The 3-series gets minor exterior touch-ups, plus new equipment, including a standard in-dash CD player (now on all BMWs), optional high- and low-beam xenon headlights, and optional rear-seat side air bags for coupes and convertibles."
* along those same lines, does that same car come with an engine disabling feature?? this will greatly reduce my insurance...
* also, is $785 for a six changer CD in trunk just too much to pay from dealer?? i'd rather not install it myself ...
(i know this may have been a popular board topic before, but...)
--stg
For the past 20 years, I've shared my life with a wonderful woman who refuses to judge my ridiculously expensive car hobby, but also refuses to drive anything but an automatic. That fact notwithstanding, with the wide availability of 5-speed automatics, and soon sequential have-it-either-way 6-speeds, and the rapid development of CVTs, methinks you are going to have to come up with some other test of manhood or enthusiast credentials than the presence of a clutch pedal. Real drivers drive well in every car they sit in. Poseurs are the same no matter which transmission they select. I've outrun and outcornered BMWs in my very "disrespected" Acura RL, automatic 4-speed, front-drive, and all, because I knew what I was doing and Mr. Hotshoes couldn't keep it in one lane, sport suspension and 17" wheels notwithstanding.
Don't misunderstand: I respect everyone's decisions in these matters, and to each their own. But I've had it up to here with assertions that a decision to forego the clutch is some sort of admission that you've given up enjoying driving, or don't have the skills to do it well.
Prediction: if we were on this board 10-15 years from now, cars in the class of the BMW 3er will have two transmission choices - electronically controlled sequential gearboxes, or CVTs. The left pedal will be nowhere to be found, just as it is absent on all F1 cars today.
stgreen - no alarm or chirps. Yes engine imobilisor. $785 sounds reasonable for a dealer installed changer. I've seen some places with CD changers at $995 on the addendum sticker. $785 is not much over their installed cost.
jrct9454 - Don't worry about transmission. In the new 3 series, all autos are Steptronic. 5 speeds. For someone in your situation, it's the perfect option!
Please keep me posted and let me know if I can help with anything else.
I agree with your sentiments, but I don't see or recall any recent posts to this topic disparaging automatics or the folks who choose 'em. What prompted your message?
I drive a stick for 1 reason: for me, shifting gears is just plain fun. I certainly don't think that I'm better (or even as good) at picking gears than any of today's automatics. But I've been a licensed driver for over 35 years, with no more than 4 of those spent driving automatics, & I find that a good manual transmission makes driving more entertaining. I've never owned an automatic that didn't make me want to swap it for a stick at the 1st opportunity.
I might have chosen the Step if I had to drive to work in my 330i - I live in the NYC metro area - but I work at home 2 days a week & ride the rails the other 3. (For station duty, I've got an old Taurus.) Thus, I could base my transmission choice entirely on the fun factor.
FWIW: over the years, I've taught a more than a few folks to drive manual transmissions, & I've found that women learn much more quickly than men. On average, a woman needs only half as much time to go from 1st stumbling stall-out to smooth solo driving as a man does. My hunch is that women are simply better coordinated, but this is just a hunch. Any other ideas?
1. The manual allows the car to accelerate almost a full second faster 0-60 than its auto counterpart. The gain is bigger in the 0-100 tests.
2. The manual offers better fuel economy.
3. The manual offers better control over the car, which allows you to keep the car in the gear of your choice as circumstances require (driving in snow, passing, engine braking).
4. The HP rating at the wheels (the one that really matters) is higher with the manual because the torque converter sucks power away from the auto.
5. The manual allows much faster downshifts for those drivers who demand passing power immediately.
6. And most important, drivers agree that the manual is a lot more fun to drive and that the BMW's have some of the best manual transmissions available.
I am sure you can easily come up with a lot more pros and cons. I know BMW enthusiasts who opted for the auto and are making very good use of it. I also know bad drivers who have the manual and are not making good use of it. One thing, however, is indisputable: A good driver with a manual will outperform another good driver with an auto, all else being equal. BMW owners tend to be very good drivers.
Second, my spouse is intelligent, coordinated, and also a very occasional driver, who tried to learn how to use a manual [our '81 Tercel was the test bed], but never got especially good at it because she just doesn't drive much. I, in turn, need her to be able to use the car in an emergency with no anxieties and no worries about doing anything she doesn't practice regularly. She is my polar opposite - cars are strictly transportation tools, and driving is something she knows how to do because she needs to, not because she enjoys it. [We're retired, and are lucky enough to live within walking distance of virtually everything we need; the car gets out about once or twice a week for the theater or the trip to Costco, beyond pleasure trips and family visits.]
So, automatic it is; but apart from that, if I were suddenly on my own again, I doubt I would go back to manual transmissions in the age of such worthy alternatives. If you can hold the car in any given gear until you need to change gears [which you can do with any modern automatic from MB, BMW, Honda, Toyota, Audi, VW, etc], and the change can occur as fast or faster than you can shift manually, as you can with these, you'll have to forgive me if I fail to see the point.
When we travel to Europe [which is pretty much on an annual basis], we always rent a car, and since cost is paramount, it is usually a Golf or Megane or Astra, always with a manual. None of these, with the engines that are in the typical rental, have the poop to handle an automatic; all of them, if so equipped, would be just fine with a good sequential manumatic. But when you get up over 170 hp or so, to me it just doesn't make sense to have a clutch pedal to fool with when the desired result can be had just as easily with the available technology. If I lived in the EU, I would probably drive a manual [strictly for cost reasons, again], but would jump instantly on a good CVT like Audi is about to mass-produce, or the various sequential manumatics that everyone has or will have in the next few years. Call me lazy, or just practical, but these technologies [including something like BMW's or MB's current generation of torque-converter 5 speed shiftable automatics] give you everything you say you want - the ability to hold gears, to shift up or down at will, and ALSO have the added bonus of clutchless operation in crowded traffic. To me, this sounds like the cutting edge - I thought it was we 50+ folk who resisted change...
The torque conveter is still in the loop, and the resulting "rubber-banding" makes balancing the car with the gas pedal much more difficult. Yes, I know both systems offer "lockup" torque converters, but that lockup occurs when the tranny wants it to - not the driver.
Neither the Steptronic or Tiptronic is as fast or predictable when shifting as a stick. Sometimes they bang the shift right when you hit the stick, other times there's a delay. I'm not sure about Steptronic, but I know the tiptronic will not allow you to hit the rev limiter - it will force an upshift whether you want it to or not (and there are times when you *don't* want it to shift).
Lastly, as others have pointed out, at least with the 3 series there're significant performance and gas mileage penalties with the automatic.
The SMG-II system in the new M3 looks like it'll finally be the best of both worlds (being a gen-u-ine manual box with a brain) - but I'll reserve judgement until I drive one.
My Miata (recently sold with the promise that we would get a 3 series sedan) had a keyed lug nut that would deter theft. As I was attempting to remove the over tightened, keyed lug nut with the miniature wrench provided, the key slipped and was rendered useless. I took the car to the tire store wear they worked on it for 1/2 an hour, cussing and spitting the whole time.
I have since removed all keyed lug nuts from our other cars and will not allow them on any car I purchase for a couple reasons-
-I don't recall hearing of anyone having their wheels stolen in Madison, Wisconsin.
-I figure if my wheels are stolen, I will more likely be someplace I can get help than when I get a flat tire.
Disclaimer: BMW likely has a better system than Mazda for locking the wheels and may be much easier to remove. I will check them out before I make that decision.
-Murray (hoping Santa will bring me a BMW this year)
Didn't mean to get something started here.
Bottom Line is the BMW is a fine automobile. Give me a 325i with step over something like a Lexus IS any time (right guru?). There's more to life (and fun driving) than 0-60.
The choice of transmission, like all other options, is a matter of personal preference and/or one's situation. I'm quite happy with choosing the step, knowing all (most..lol) of the trade-offs in choosing it. The manual obviously would be more sporty and allow you to massage every last bit from the car and give you ultimate control (going and stopping). Of course I would have needed to get a "practice" car to become more proficient with a manual. I guess this would have given me something to do while waiting for the car and keep me from bugging gurumike.
My reticence in mentioning the step was that I did not want to come across as one who doesn't appreciate "spirited" driving.
Great discussion though! Great contribution from both sides. Kind of stuff that keeps me up late reading through the day's posts.
But I'll go up to finish up some paperwork, and take a look at it, to make sure everything is OK... : )
Sigh. To each his own, I suppose, but I simply suspect that a lot of people are buying autos because they have been too lazy or too timid to learn how to drive a manual. Lord knows, most people I know won't go back to an auto after they learn the joys of driving a stick.
Second, anyone have any knowldge or experience regarding good options for removing or covering up minor scratches in the clear coat? I have a couple minor scratches the don't go through the paint, but I'd really like to know what my options are for removing them or at least minimizing their noticability.
Finally, all true believers MUST go over to that "What's this BMW thing" discussion board and spread the faith. Dumb Lexus drivers and other assorted misguided souls are insulting our consumption decisions! Give 'em heck!
- BMW has "S D" mode, TL does not.
- On TL, the rev can't be maintained in sync with gear like we experienced on BMW "S D" mode
- Both BMW and TL provide quick manual down shift
- Manual up-shift on BMW has longer latency than TL
- While going uphill (Auburn, CA. to RENO, NV. as an example) with TL, there is a spot
somewhere between 80-90 mi/hr that it won't kick-down from 5th to 4th.
I feel that when in "D" mode on BMW, the kick-down is slower than TL, this could be because I am more used to TL's higher engagement point. But I keep it on "S D" mode most of the time.
So which tranny do I prefer? I have to give my vote to BMW.
Thanks
Names: Who said that only living, breathing organisms are worthy of proper nouns?? Do we not name bridges, streets, ships, and even hurricanes out of admiration and personal attachment? Why not cars? (Don't mean to belabor this point any further -- just an observation).
Tranny's: I am fortunate that we have both a 330i Step and a Z3 manual. Diverstiy IS a wonderful thing. Even though I, personally, would prefer the 330 to have a manual, my wife would not, and I have actually grown to enjoy the virtues of the auto. I must say, though, that much of the virtue lies in the powerful, torquey engine, which lends itself better to the Step than the 2.5. It'd be a little more difficult to justify the Step (for me) in the 325. In the 330, just stomp the gas, and your off!
I went to the "What's this BMW Thing" topic but couldn't get it to take my post. Maybe it's code red worm. An amazing amount of hostility from drivers of mostly Japanese cars. Why do they care so much that BMWs are such pieces of crap and that we BMW owners are all so stupid? It makes you wonder.
Can't wait, though I am having fun in the loaner I have 2001 320i.
Had damage (grrr...), delayed.
Fixed yesterday.
Released to carrier today.
The VPC is in Jersey, I'm in Connecticut. Probably a two hour drive at most.
Anyone know who the carrier might be? I'll call them if possible.
I'll also see if the dealer knows anything.
At LAST. So sick of waiting...
- MCC
330i / steel gray / 5spd / SP / Xenons / moonroof
I was wondering if any of you enthusiasts and gurus could give me some advice and clear up some reservations I had about the 330. Here are some of the questions I had:
1st off: What are the features of the 2002 model that are missing in the 2001(if any) ?...I hear that the Ci remains unchanged and the sedan gets a front end cosmetic overhaul. Any other differences?
2nd: Can anyone share the terms of a great deal on a lease or purchase of their 2001 330Ci? What ballpark should I be looking at? (by ballpark I mean within $250) and is the CarsDirect price reasonable 39,845 PP/SP/Nav/Xenons (I am purchasing in southern, Ca Orange county/Riverside/LA county areas.)
3rd: Anyone have any opinions on waiting to testdrive the 2002 audi A4 3.0? I have been waiting to buy a car since april (had to wait for escrow on a house), so i think i might be a little to impatient to wait til october.
and Finally: Can I expect to find a car with my options on the lot?...once again 330Ci PP/SP/NAV/Xenons in either Steel Blue, Titanium, or that Midnight blue color with any interior color but Red.
Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading any helpful reply.
PS. I have had the 330 on my screenname for years, and now i have found a board where my name is not so unique...kinda feels like home.
Thanks.
I was wondering if any of you enthusiasts and gurus could give me some advice and clear up some reservations I had about the 330. Here are some of the questions I had:
1st off: What are the features of the 2002 model that are missing in the 2001(if any) ?...I hear that the Ci remains unchanged and the sedan gets a front end cosmetic overhaul. Any other differences?
2nd: Can anyone share the terms of a great deal on a lease or purchase of their 2001 330Ci? What ballpark should I be looking at? (by ballpark I mean within $250) and is the CarsDirect price reasonable 39,845 PP/SP/Nav/Xenons (I am purchasing in southern, Ca Orange county/Riverside/LA county areas.)
3rd: Anyone have any opinions on waiting to testdrive the 2002 audi A4 3.0? I have been waiting to buy a car since april (had to wait for escrow on a house), so i think i might be a little to impatient to wait til october.
and Finally: Can I expect to find a car with my options on the lot?...once again 330Ci PP/SP/NAV/Xenons in either Steel Blue, Titanium, or that Midnight blue color with any interior color but Red.
Thanks in advance and I look forward to reading any helpful reply.
PS. I have had the 330 on my screenname for years, and now i have found a board where my name is not so unique...kinda feels like home.
FIRE IN MUNICH
July 4th, 2001
BMW AG PRESS RELEASE
MUNICH, GERMANY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A major fire in the BMW factory at Eching in Munich was brought under control on Wednesday afternoon. During the fire action, two firefighters were slightly hurt. Detailed numbers on damage to property are not yet available.
The fire broke out briefly after 16:00 local time in the warehouse and advanced to the production plant. Several powerful explosions rocked the building and the fire spread to surrounding buildings as well as to properties of companies outside of the BMW area.
Engaged in the firefight were some 300 firefighters from the Munich Fire Department, the Munich Airport Fire Service as well as the in house BMW Fire Brigade. Their combined efforts brought the fire under control within two hours. With the exception of two slightly hurt firefighters no further injuries were reported.
There was no damage to the surrounding area beyond some very heavy smoke. The damage to property can be tallied up only after extensive investigation, however it is thought to be substantial with sections of the workshop heavily damaged.
- 1999 323iA (new shape) with leather, upgraded wheels, CD, electric seats, moonroof, wood etc. etc.
- silver with gray leather, 27k miles
- one owner, no accidents, all maintenance records
- mint condition (selling as we need SUV for new member of the family - a dog)
- brand new Michelin tires (beware the std continentals - the literally tear at the seams under excessive heat - Houston)
- drives like a dream (of course)
- will be fully serviced & detailed prior to sale
I'm confused as a variety of second hand price guides have it down as retailing from anywhere from 23000 to 28/29000.
Just rec'd a fax confirmation of my order from the dealer... Status 112
Purchase 2002 325i Alpine White w/Sand ette, SP, Step, Moonroof, Dark Wood trim and of course Xenons.
No 2002 prices yet but they gave it to me at $1700 over dealer invoice. The Salesperson Matthew, at BMW of Riverside (California) was extremely professional and C/S oriented. All they wanted was a $500 check to hold for the deposit. Highly recommend this place and they have loaners if you buy from them. I was told I won't see the car until end of October (Bummer)
The car is for the wife and she wanted the steptronic because of her commute to Orange County. She has a stick now, 95 Infinite G20 and enjoys driving with the best of them and put the 2001 test drive car with Step in its place.
I have a 95 Lexus GS300 and compared to the new BMW is a dog in the handling and acceleration dept., before the Lexus I had a VW Jetta GLI (stick) and a used BMW 528e stick that lasted 270,000 miles until I sold it. That 528e was a good car and built like a tank (Panzer)
Can't wait for the new BMW. I'm one of those guys who researches the heck out of something (months) and then has to have it now. We first were looking at the 1999/2000 323's to save a little money but the resale on them is impressive and wouldn't of saved that much (as least here in Southern Calif) not to mention scheduled maint. now comes with them and the available Steptronic. Dealer couldn't find the 2001 car above so we went with the 2002. Still undecided about the facelift but sure it will look great in person. After all.... it is a BMW!!!
Gotta go... It's almost MillerTime..... thanks for listening,
Brett
Tuesday night I was out with my wife & kids when I decided to drop into the Mercedes dealer to show her a new C32 before it got delivered to another buyer. She loved the looks (silver w/ black leather), loved the 4-doors (even though we also have an SUV), really loved the seats and interior (frankly, better looking than BMW). Even my two young girls loved it. The salesman was eating it up. Then my wife went silent, got out of the driver's seat and took me aside - and, I quote, "Are you nuts, a $53,000 sport sedan with an automatic transmission?"
I actually tried to explain to her all the good things about the new breed of "semi"-automatic transmissions. (I often argue points with my wife that I don't necessarily believe in myself, just to have a good debate). It was useless. She wouldn't buy any of it. I was trying to argue the technical side of a purely emotional issue. I finally had to concede that she was right - and I was fortunate that my own manual transmission preference was not at odds with my marital vows.
For me personally, the fact that steptronics and manumatics can perform almost as good or better than me isn't the point. I was fortunate enough to play golf with Gary Player a few years ago. He beat the crap out of me. But I didn't for a minute think about asking him to swing my clubs for me. I just kept at it and had a great time.
I wish everybody the very best in making the right choice for them.
By the way, I'm still keeping my deposit on the C32, just in case I lose my left foot to a shark when we hit the beach in a couple of weeks. It is one hell of a good looking car that I suspect would give an M3 a run for it's money across all performance categories (except left foot exercise).
And "real drivers" aren't defined by either the transmission they pick, or the make of car they drive...if you want to know why there is so much anti-BMW hostility out there, you might want to think about how much holier-than-thou tends to creep into the discussion from time to time. There's a fine line between being enthusiastic about your choice[s] and denigrating the choices of others. I've been in on enough BMWCCA discussions to know the line gets crossed often enough to make me uncomfortable from time to time. That applies to all of the my-car-is-better-than-your-car crowd, no matter which marque they're defending..."real car enthusiasts need 10-car garages"...that's my personal mantra.
Looks like Tuesday for me as I am not available to pick up on Monday. I'm going down tomorrow to finalize some things with my rep as we have done everything by phone/fax until now. I offered to go down to make sure everything is taken care of. I want no surprises on delivery day. Since I'm not financing through them, it also enables me to have the tax/license thing taken care of Monday while I'm away instead of waiting until delivery day. I'll also get a "preview" look at her (the car not the rep). I'm sure it will make the next 3 days more painful but what the heck.
I'll look for yours while I'm there. Promise I won't sit in it though - LOL
Compared to others you have driven, how do you all rate the shift/clutch actions in BMW's?
The basis of this question is that I drove a coworkers Integra GSR today and, IMHO, I think Honda has the edge in shift quality. The throws were shorter and smoother and clutch engagement was much easier to modulate. On the plus side, the BMW shift action blows away anything else I own (Altima and CJ5 {not saying much here}) or have recently driven (Audi A4, Jetta, Maxima, etc).
I'm at work waiting for a run to finish and I'm bored... can you tell?? :-)
I guess the bmwusa.com's owner circle is a little behind. It still shows my car is in the VPC...
I think I'll pick it up on Tuesday also, he told me it won't be ready until late monday. And I want to test-drive it to make sure there is no problem whatsoever, before I give them the check. I'm sure it is worth skipping work Tuesday morning. : )
Also remember that the 3 series cars come with two different manual transmissions (at least they did in 2000).
Egypt is one with biggest population (I guess) so I am assuming Egipt.
I think I won 10 points but I have doubts with 100.
Krzys
PS If You asked about 'habibi' I think I would know withot google ;-)