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Comments
I do intend to get Dunlop Winter Sports soon probably with some cheap wheels - Borbet Type B's look like the cheapest 16" wheels from Tirerack.
Sorry, everyone, for do a vehicle inquiry on the board! On a side note, BMW now have a really cool name for cloth - it's called "Gran Turismo Anthracite cloth" - how appropriate!
Brave - I'd say I notice gains at all rpms. I recently spoke to someone at ECIS and he told me that they had to slightly modify the design of their pipe to eliminate a whistling sound!! Just like you mentioned someone had with the Dinan product! I have no unusual sound, well, if you have the window open, when you move away from a stand still, you can just about hear a short and quite quiet whooshing type sound as the throttle opens. Yes the filter is incl. With just a basic screwdriver and socket, you'll have the whole project finished in well under an hour.
Any ideas???
I read that these tires are "directional", or maybe it was "asymmetric". Does this mean that there are different tires for the right side and the left side of the car? Or does the same tire go on both sides of the car?
By the way, I think it was gurumike who said that with these cars it can be hard to tell when you have a flat tire. I have to agree with him there. When I had mine, the car drove as if nothing was wrong. Just a slight vibration was all that told me I had a flat.
I know it is definitely no good if the bolts are loose, but what happens if they are too tight? Is there any "recommendations" on how tight the bolts on the wheels should be?
gurumike, any ideas?
1. What is a Ku band? Do you use it?
2. Doesn't the 'L' mode effectively filter out the vast majority of 'X' band alarms? I use my V1 in 'L' mode in the city and 'A' mode in rural areas and I've noticed that the 'L' mode significantly cuts down on false alarms. I think 'X' band signals are usually burglar alarms, right? I get a lot of these in commercial areas when using 'A' mode. So in short, I'm trying to decide whether it's better to disable the 'X' band completely or continue using the 'L' mode and let the V1 unit decide which 'X' warnings to filter out.
Thanks.
BTW, I checked my V1 wiring and I found out that I did tuck the phone wire underneath the weather strip next to the door. I guess the air bag issue is a moot point then.
I just checked mit dem Owner's Circle to get the status on mein neues X5.... I'm really concerned about the build quality from the Amerikaners in Sud Carolina. I mean, why can't they get good Muenchener workers to make them here, ja? Should I cancel my order? I hear that maybe the ML320 Mercedes is better because the Alabama Mercedes workers are all university graduates but the Sud Carolina BMW workers only attend the high school.
I heard that there is chip which records your driving style in terms of how u vary your speed ... doesnt sound realisitic to me .. but if it does what does it do and what is it trying to record and how does it help even if it records.
The "engine-recording chip" conspiracy is greatly exaggerated. I think some of this stems from the Adaptive Transmission (Step), which monitors driving style (throttle position, average speed, average engine load, average RPM, to name a few factors) and adjusts the tranny's shift points to better match. This is done on a per-trip basis (i.e., from ignition ON to ignition OFF, then reset at next ignition ON) only, so I see no real value in recording ALL engine data from mile 0 to mile xxx,xxx. Would take a lot of memory (unlimited, theoretically), too (but you'll have to ask some of the hardware/software experts here about that one).
This isn't a very intriguing subject, but what do you guys use for cleaning your windows from the inside? Is Windex good enough?
Motorcity: Of course Windex will work. But you know this bunch, we only use the BEST-- no matter the cost (see "Zaino" above). I've had good results with all the Rain-X products. Follow this link if you're interested:
http://www.rainx.com/frame_auto_glass.htm
I especially like the anti-fog stuff.
The second release should be a button just inside the front, driver-side door in the foot-well area either below or above the hood release lever (unless only the wagon has this button. In the case of the wagon, the key's trunk button releases only the glass window, not the rear door.)
I would see no reason why, speed limit aside now, you could not shift just before redline when having fun. As you mentioned I didn't spend all this money on a BMW to keep my rpms below the level to get the best performance from.
When I had the 320i step loaner, the most fun I had was shifting right before redline. THat seemed to get me the best acceleration anyway.
I just got back from a 200+ km drive with my new baby and I was able to pick up the habit and still have some fun keeping the rpms below 4500. 1700 kms left to blast off!!!
From my understanding, "directional" means that used tire should always stays on the same side of the car, i.e. you can rotate front <-> rear but not left <-> right. Since the size of front and rear tires are different on 330i SP, rotation is not required. Giving the fact that weight distribution is close to 50/50, I don't mind no-rotation at all.
1) Step: will ALWAYS upshift to higher gear (even in Manual mode), usually this occurs 2-300 rpm after redline on the tach. Also will not EVER allow downshifts that exceed redline for that gear.
2) Manual: rev limiter will not allow engine revs beyond 2-300 rpm over redline in any given gear; ignition is retarded.
So, unless you PURPOSELY TRY to inflict damage upon the engine (e.g., downshift to 2nd gear in a manual at 90 mph -- physics wins out and engine revs to about 10,000 rpm), you can pretty much have at it to your heart's content.
BTW, speaking of rims, I found out that CART cars run on 17-inch rims so this size seems to be the sweet spot for performance. I couldn't believe the weight of the tire and rim when I was replacing it - I'm guessing it's North of 50-60 lbs each!! Any rim bigger than 17-inch would be mostly for show-and-tell at the expense of performance due to added unsprung weight.
Lexol/ RainX- You can buy all og that stuff from about 1,000,000 different websites... just go to: http://www.google.com and do a search for "lexol" or "rainx". You will see all the places that sell those products.
Trunk release- Let me tell you how I figured out I had no trunk release on my new $35k 2001 325I...
I read a list of "NEW" features on the 2002 325 sedans.... "smoother lines on hood & bumper , cd, different foglights, clears with the SP, new taillight config., blah, blah, blah" ...then it hit like a ton of bricks:
"and an INTERIOR TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON!!!!!!!!!!"
I ran to my car, sat in the drivers seat, and started pushing every button I could find. "You gotta be kidding me! Surely that trunk release button is around here somewhere... to no avail.
No big deal...the rubber button works fine. But the fact that they consider an "interior trunk release button" an upgrade from the 2001 models to the 2002 models just seems "so wrong".
BTW, mile #1200 is fast approaching, and these past 18 days have been very sweet, I must say. However, two concerns:
1) Does anyone have any updates on the aux. fan switch recall and should I not worry about it after so many miles...does it usually occur within the first few weeks or so?
2) Occasionally, and more specifically, when traveling on the highway a bit, that is, nonstop 70+ MPH for more than 15-20 minutes say, I've noticed that when I come down from those speeds and enter local stop-n-go traffic, a very low pulsating resistance is frequently sensed when I disengage or push in the clutch pedal while in 3rd or 4th gear. Otherwise, it is usually entirely smooth in the tranistion. This may not be a symptom I hope of anything, but I just wanted a little feedback....
I only realized the nonexistant interior trunk release after searching for it last week and finding only a plastic cover in place of the "upgraded" trunk release (ala erickson). That didn't suit me too well either, but then again, it didn't bother me much longer once I took off onto the open roads!
Interior Wise: I opted for leather, it is great. The smell is still there, and it is been holding up quite well despite the hot midwest sun; of course lexol might be of help here. Love the black dash board, and am greatful to get the black mats my salesman kept insisting on. Match quite well with the sand interior.
Engine: This thing screams FUN FUN FUN. I have never owned a car quite like this one. The engine begs to be driven. No hestation at all from the engine while in the 5500 rpm mark and above. Not to mention the sweet sound it makes. I agree with most people saying that there are hesitation below 3k rpm, but above this, the car screams. My fuel economy went up and the horsepower is getting better as this car ages. I drive mostly in S mode or manual, so zig zagging through traffic is great with this car. One word phrase sums it up, "utlimate driving machine".
I could only dream of a manual, wifey can't drive them - thus i had to opt for step.
p.s. pulled up to a signal light with a 3.2 TL, scortched it when green came on (he tried keeping up, but cutting through traffic was too hard for him). Gave my dad a ride of his life that sunday, i think he enjoyed it since he couldn't do much with the camry he has. Most of people around me likes the car but always ask me "is it worth it". Obviously they never driven one, so i just smile and say to them, "go enjoy your 35k suv's". Cause if i let them drive my car, they will definitely be addicted to it.....
I never let anyone finish tightening the wheels without using my torque wrench...end of story.
Paint: Without eyeballing it myself, it is hard to say, but the description sounds like it might be hard-water stains. Is it a commercial or office parking garage? Sometimes moisture from the concrete above will condense and drop on cars - one of the reasons mine is covered everywhere except our garage at home. Otherwise, the possible candidates are endless - birds, trees, nasty rain water, etc. A good polish [I like Zymol for my cars, especially for dark paint] should be the first step; if that doesn't do the trick, it's off to the professional for an opinion.
Directional vs Asymmetrical Tires: Directional tires can only be mounted on one side of the car; there is an arrow imprinted in the sidewall which shows the direction of rotation. This is increasingly common with the new breed of performance tires designed to handle rain, another reason I prefer a touring design to a pure performance tire. Asymmetrical designs, on the other hand, refer to a tread design that requires one side of the tire to be mounted on the outside [street side]; these may or may not be unidirectional - the two characteristics are independent. The Michelin XAS was an early asymmetric design, with a different tread pattern across the face of the tire, designed to give better grip in all weather [this goes back to the '70s and early '80s], but it was not unidirectional - could be run at any position on the car, as long as the correct side was facing out.
Brave1Heart - My single biggest peeve with freeway driving in this country is road discipline, or lack of it. Every few miles along the freeway where I live there are signs that read "Slower traffic keep right". That so many (nearly all) don't understand it blows me away. It doesn't say "Slower traffic keep middle" or "left". Left and middle lane cruising is the principal reason for tail gating (and associated accidents) and road rage. I saw "better" wording in Arizona. They have signs which read "Keep right unless passing". This seems better but doesn't really work any better. I have surmised that there are three reasons for the mind bendingly poor driving skills for U.S. drivers. 1. No formal training. Forget drivers ed. Total waste of time. No minimum requirement for taking a test. The test is a joke. Drive round the block a few times and answer some laughably easy questions and off you go. 2. People (by word of mouth, as no training is available) consider the right lane (on a 3 or more lane freeway) the "slow" lane. i.e. only semi's and such like use it. Hence selection of the middle (or left) lane selection upon joining a freeway (even if there's no traffic in sight). 3. Use of the "slow" lane is an admission of inadequacy. In other words, being seen in this lane clearly indicates to other road users (abusers?!) that you are some how inferior as you need to use the right lane. Think about that one.
On the west coast, I'd say that 5% of road users, at the absolute max, use the right lane on a 3 lane freeway. What really does me in are the folks who drive in the middle/left lane, not passing anyone, who move over into your lane before you've passed them on the right! Having seen you, why can't they wait until you've passed! I think control has a lot to do with it. It empowers them to know that you had to make an effort to get by them in other than the easiest way for you.
Do the systems used in the 99-01 models work as well as the navigation systems Lexus and Acura use?
I know in Europe,the left lane is STRICTLY respected as passing only,but my way doesn't seem too anti-social.
This is one of those things that I just don't get. Come on BMW, just throw in the $25 worth of hardware already. I guess since its available on the MY 2002 we'll be hearing about the trunk release retro (LOL)
And thanks, daswolf, for confirmation on it still being "big motors" only. One less job tomorrow!
Dave (small engine - good steering:})
Is there anyone having problem with the radio reception. Mine get static when I drive near a big truck or bart train on I 580. Really appreciate your response. Meg
I believe that only the coupe has the trunk release button. I don't think that the sedan can be retrofitted at a reasonable cost.
With regard to the problems with radio reception, does this apply to both FM and AM? Also, does your rear window have a metallic tint? Is the static present with stronger AM stations such as KGO 810?
I will not have access to the board until mid next week and will look for your responses then.
Let's not start talking about truckers' driving habits....
In my case, I have had my 328i for over 2.5 years and I have used "The Button" exactly twice. IMHO, not a very useful feature except when doing an airport pickup in a "No Parking" zone.
Best Regards,
Shipo
On driving habits: I agree with the post above that the principal problem in the US is that no training of any sort is necessary to be licensed in this country, and most jurisdictions idea of testing is ludicrously funny. The result is that everyone breathing thinks they are entitled to a driving license for life. Everywhere else in the civilized world, licensing requirements are real, and thus require real, uniform, relatively rigorous training, with renewal testing that actually has meaning. Give me the EU system any day...it's why I always come back from one of our EU visits and become frustrated quickly by the complete cluelessness of the American driver. Never mind lane discipline, how about jabbering on the phone, eating, drinking, swatting the kids, reading, dressing, undressing...who has time to actually drive? Too busy receiving a fax from the onboard machine, or watching a movie with the onboard DVD player...
- As far as I know, US is the easiest country in the world to pass a driving test. Your dad shows you how and you try few rounds around the hood and then you are confident to pass at DMV. Certain "non-important" rules are not or less often tested.
- US has the most new immigrants (= new drivers). The typical slowbies on the road, IMHO, are 3 types: (1) New immigrants who are simply so excited to be able to drive a car. And there are so many cars they can choose from within any price range. Being a person that can drive and drive safely to himself overweighs being a good driver to the public. The far left lane has only one side traffic and thus is safer. (2) Our grandpa/mas. Understandable and I never get upset with. (3) I do not want to name. I do not know why and may never know why. :-)
I agree that given the trunk release on the remote and the ability to unlock the trunk with the central door button, I have not missed a trunk release button in the two weeks I've owned my 325i. I just think it's a little silly for BMW to make it an "Exclusive" feature for the bigger engined car. It's one of those things (like no in-dash CD) where it makes me feel nickel and dimed.
More useful would be a fuel door release button so the attendants don't scuff the heck out of the fuel door. I guess it's self -serve from here on.