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feed and not knowing what will come next but they were really bad. I had to laugh, on two occasions Cheever said "Lets just listen to what's going on" then proceeded to go in to such long explanations about what we were going to hear that before he was finished both times the camera had changed to something else.
Sure I can root for Ferrari ! I did say I wanted McLaren to DNF - that was so the BMW engine team would pass MBZ !
People talk of the heavy steering feel on this forum, but my steering feels quite light. I own a July Production 2001 325i.
Thanks
"The model of vehicle that you indicated in your correspondence, a 2001 BMW 325i , was produced with the steering feel that the steering equipment level change provides."
I have a post June 1st production model 325i....the steering seems to be quite light, but I have grown quite accustomed to it. I hope you've found yours to be as intoxicating as I have!
Tough to pick between the Subaru's explosive, addictive performance and hero inducing driveability and the BMWs perfect to live with everyday, never puts a foot wrong perfection. But I'm not so sure about the 'Oh God, 6 months old and creeks and rattles from all round the car' and 'sorry honey, I can't do that because I've got to take the car to the shop, again' ownership experience one should expect from the Audi.
I assume that you were aCuLeX in a previous life, right !?
Overall, I like my steering a lot but was wondering about the so-called "heavy feel", because mine certainly is not heavy.
Thanks
Best Regards,
Shipo
tenet1, that's still a pretty good rate you got and would indicate to me that your dealer tacked on their extra 1% of pure profit (which is their option) to the 4.9% BMW rate. I talked to the finance guy at Passport this morning and confirmed that the 4.9% (5.9%) rate is for MY 2001 leftovers only. The best they could do for me on a 2002 was 7.75% (6.75%+1) so I told them I'd have to pass. I think I can get a rate better than that at my bank, and better still from my credit union. On the car, I was able to negotiate $1400 over ED invoice price.
The front of the car is the most obvious change what with the new headlight openings, grill, bumper and pinhead fog lights. I must admit, after looking at the pictures of the 2002, I was pretty sure that I would hang on to my 1999 when the lease expires next spring, however, I REALLY like the new light openings and grill. Those feelings do not include the new slab, uh, air damn, uh, I mean uh, front bumper, I think it looks a little tacky. Never the less, I actually like the new overall look on the nose of this car (the jury is still out on a 330i SP).
From the rear, the only real change is the taillight assembly, which has the amber turn signal moved from the top to the middle, still amber. My guess is that the bottom of the assembly is for standard taillights, the middle is now the Reverse (outside) and turn signal (inside) and the top is the brake lights. Overall, I like the look.
The only clue from the side of the car that this was a 2002 was the body side crease, up until now, said crease traveled forward from the taillight assembly all of the way to the headlight assembly. As of 2002, said crease travels only as far forward as the rear of the front wheel well. This change is one that I am ambivalent about; I just cannot get too worked up about it either way.
One interesting item of note, I noticed a new button located on the button strip just above the ashtray. It featured a pictogram showing a car proceeding down a steep grade, I assume that this is the button to activate the “Hill Decent Control” system that I heard was going to make its debut here in the USA on the 2002 model.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Derprofi - Either my dealer took me for a 1% ride or they may not have given me the 4.9% since mine was a pre-ordered/pre-sold car and not a 2001 left over. Either way, I guess 5.9% is not bad at all.
As far as the steering, I have driven a '99 323 with the original heavy steering, a 2001 July build 330, and of course, my '01 325, which was built at the end of March with the boosted steering and now has the steering retrofit. Here's how I rate them in terms of steering weight from heaviest to lightest:
'99 323
My '01 325 retrofitted
'01 July build 330
My '01 325 before the retrofit
The difference was smallest between the '01 July build 330 and my '01 325 before the retrofit. In other words, the post-June fix (same as the one '02 models will have) is closer to the boosted steering than it is to the retrofitted steering. Also, the retrofit is not as heavy as the original heavy steering (still love it, though!!).
Suggested Retail: $34,060
Not a bad idea, according to mapquest.com, it is 127 miles from my house to Albany, maybe a long lunch in the next couple of weeks.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I am looking for a good soap for the car and any product for the wheels (that will not stain) and a good quality sponge and brush (for the wheels). Any help is appreciated. I guess I dont feel like taking it through a car wash just yet.
Thanks
"From the rear, the only real change is the taillight assembly, which has the amber turn signal moved from the top to the middle, still amber. My guess is that the bottom of the assembly is for standard taillights, the middle is now the Reverse (outside) and turn signal (inside) and the top is the brake lights. Overall, I like the look."
Well, almost. Actually, the Reverse lights are on the inside of the middle amber band mounted on the trunk lid. The turn signal lights are mounted on the outside (so as to wrap around to the side of the car) mounted on the body portion of the light assembly.
Best Regards,
Shipo
tenet1, if you got a 2002 for 5.9% then I think that's a great deal. Like I said, the best I was offered today through the dealer was 7.75%
aculex, very few here know you but I'm sure many know of you. As long as you don't troll, you're definitely welcome! And my comments to gurumike were merely to relate a recent personal experience. Re: the WRX, the best line I've read about the car was actually today. It went something like, "The only problem with the WRX is that I can't get past the looks. It's like an ugly (guy/girl) with a fantastic personality. You want to date (him/her) but you just can't bring yourself to do it!" Still, I'd love to take one for a spin just for S&G.
1. The '99 was the first model year for the newest iteration of the 3 series (E46?) Potential teething troubles.
2. Can't remember if yours was an auto or not, but I think the '99's did not have steptronic.
3. The economy is tanking and new car prices (even BMW) will start to drop off soon. The typical demographic on 3 series buyers is "nuevo riche" 20 and 30 somethings who have good jobs and want to spend some of their newfound money. They are usually the first to go in corporate layoffs. I suspect you will see 3 series sedans selling for $1000 less than "the norm" of the last few years. Higher level 5 and 7 series buyers are less affected by economic fluctuations.
4. There is always a significant degree of risk inherent in a used car, warranty or not. Time spent getting it fixed is a pain regardless of if you pay for it or not. Buying new means those problems that fall between the warranty cracks get fixed.
5. You get the first 36K mi of service free on a new one.
6. You may get free loaner cars from your dealer if you buy new. Not sure on the CPO.
7. I think you're saving roughly $10,000 off what the original '99 328i owner paid. That's only $3,333 for each year of use. Not much of a bargain to me.
8. Resale: A new 325i will have 60,000 mi on it in 4 years of avg use, and be readily marketable. A '99 328i would be out of the CPO warranty and have over 100K mi, I assume. I found when trying to sell my '97 540i that NOBODY wants to pay a good price for a high mileage BMW. Potential repair costs mean that your car becomes a $12,000 car, no matter how nice it's running. Also, it's harder for a buyer to get financed on the 7 y/o car you'd be selling. Usually people buy based on payments (dumb, but true). They often just go buy a new car and finance for 72 mo rather than for 36 mo on your used model. Cars w/ lower mileage/age can often be financed more easily.
9. 2002 sedans are restyled somewhat. It might look "newer" to a buyer down the line, when you're ready to resell.
10. Resale value is just too good on the 328i's to make it a good used car purchase right now. One big advantage of buying used is that you can buy from a private seller and avoid sales tax (at least here in GA). Buying CPO means you still pay the sales tax. You will also be paying a much higher price for a BMW dealer's CPO car than you would from a private seller, even if you also purchase an aftermarket used car warranty.
Oddly enough, the 1999 and the 2000 model year cars have actually had less problems than the 2001 cars. The fan recall business has been something of a pain for many of our members who own/lease 2001 325i and 330i automobiles.
In my case, I have had two $2.00 taillight bulbs fail on my 1999 328i with 30,000 miles on it. I would say that is unusually good for a first year car, regardless of manufacturer. Based upon my participation on this board (off and on) for over three years now, I would say that my experience with my 1999 is not atypical.
Best Regards,
Shipo
The BMWUSA web site now has the '02 plugged into the "Build your 3er" utility. However, although the wheels show the proper change to Type 68M when one selects the SP, the front end doesn't change one bit. Huh? Tomorrow morning on my way to work I'm planning a detour out to Fairfax BMW with my digicam to see if I can catch a glimpse of this elusive beast.
Easy Ed
I have a 330I SP on order for early Nov delivery, so I am still holding out hope that the white lights will be included on the 330's, but after seing the 330XI SP, I would say that once again the US market is not getting the best looking options.
We will see.
Overall,the sedan is quite nice,but the coupe is really outstanding.
Does anybody else remember such?
Best Regards,
Shipo
The coupe 'feels' sportier because of the lower seating position. The only other issue I would raise is the length of the doors. If you park in tight quarters, the coupe can be a little scarey during ingress and egress.
Ed
Question:
I got the retrofit primarily because there was a steering imbalance, with less effort required to turn left than right. With the retro, everything is heavier. But there still appears to be an imbalance, tho not as much as before.
Its not noticeable when turning from a stop at a light. It appears at speed when taking gentle 5 to 30 degree curves. Another way to describe it is that the dead spot is off center 5 to 10 degrees to the left, while ther is immediate resistance even a couple of degrees to the right.
The alignment seems ok, maybe a slight tendency to drift right, but it could be road crown sensitivity.
What the hell is this? Tires? Can I cross rotate the fronts?
Something other than the steering rack?
ANy ideas?
Response:
Sounds like too much toe-in makes the car hyper-sensitive to turning, even though it steers straight... imagine front wheels are like this /\ instead of like this ||. Or in your case, it steers too easy to the right, it may be like this /|... just my opinion...
BTW although I have the sedan, I have to admit that the coupe looks better-- longer and sleeker.
I took delivery of a CPO 1999 323i about a month ago and my advice to any buyer is on the day you take delivery at the dealership, make sure that the dealer parks the car under direct sunlight when you're doing your final inspection!!! Mine is jet black and I was too excited and gullible to let the dealer park the car in-doors where the lighting was not good enough to detect all the dings in the paint and other imperfections. Make sure to check the underbody carriage also as I found that on my car, the front, rear and sides all had paint scratches. Although I accepted the dealer's argument that under the CPO program, they are not responsible for paint "under the vehicle" (I still don't know if this is true or not), and the fact that I purchased my car in San Francisco (horrible terrain and potholes), and the fact that it has the Sport Package (ie. lower suspension), I nevertheless crawled underneath the car and looked VERY carefully and had the him put it down IN WRITING on the paperwork (what's called a "DUE BILL") for me to bring the car back on another day to be worked on. Believe me, it would be VERY hard to convince the dealership to do any touch ups (especially body related work) if you found out the imperfections after-the-fact, after you've driven off the dealer lot! My salesperson was cooperative to do the work and honest too by telling me that he was glad that I noticed the problems off the bat. All in all, it has been a wonderful experience so far - I love the 1999 heavy steering, handling, agility, and the drop dead gorgeous look of my 323i 4dr sedan/ manual/SP/jet black/sand interior/moonroof/rear- folding seats.
"I found when trying to sell my '97 540i that NOBODY wants to pay a good price for a high mileage BMW. " - This is true for the 5-series and especially the 7-series but less so for the 3-series. The 3-series are popular among a much wider consumer group and are more marketable, all else equal. I bought mine new for the same reasons that you describe and I am planning on driving it into the ground (200,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first). However, if the 4-year old used 3-series value remains that high AND there are new exciting models that I am interested in, I might consider upgrading in 4-5 years. I think 90% I'll stick with my 325i regardless of my financial situation.
- the coupe's roofline is a little lower and we felt like we had more headroom in the sedan, especially with a sunroof (I am 6'1).
- the windshield's slope is 2 degrees steeper than the sedan's and I like a more vertical windshield when I'm sitting in the driver's seat. It's not as good ergonomics-wise
- visibility - Because the B-pillar is pushed further back, visibility immediately to the left is a little better in the coupe. However, when I maneuver fast, what really matters to me is visibility behind me, looking over my shoulder. Well, there isn't much of it in the coupe because the B-pillar is far back.
- doors - They are heavy as they are in the sedan. The coupe's doors are much longer and therefore much heavier. Not to mention that parking in tighter spots would be a pain.
- Seat belt: it is pushed way back there in the coupe and you have to stretch unnaturally far to reach it. Pain for the driver and the passenger.
- The sedan is a more mature-looking car. I am 32 and would not like to be in the category most popular with 23-year olds.
- Insurance rates for the coupe are higher than those for the sedan (I did check with my insurance company)
- With a sedan, you are more likely to get away without a ticket if you get pulled over and are more unlikely to get pulled over in the first place.
- BMW invented the sports SEDAN segment, not the sports coupe segment.
- Attaching a baby seat back there would be a royal pain. Shoving passengers in and out would be almost as inconvenient.
In short, the Coupe looks better, sportier; the sedan is more of a mature, family car. They both perform phenomenally well.
The coupe is a sleek looking car and I love the shape, the profile,the long door handles whether Myrtle or Titanium,the lower more agressive stance etc.
When I build my BMW on the website I most often build coupes but there is only one caveat and that concerns getting into and out of the car for rear seat passengers.
The front seats will ingeniously move out of the way,which is a help,but in my case, I do occasionally carry passengers on opera nights and country trips-one of them being an 80 year old lady (who adores the car by the way and gets a kick out of riding at 100mph) and so I have concerns about loading passengers,particularly in heavy rain where the doors will be open for longer than is optimal as the front seat passenger has to step out and wait while the rear seat passenger embarks.
Does any coupe owner have regrets in such circumstances?
The coupe is indeed a beauty-but the sedan is hardly a "dog"
1. The coupe doors (virtually any coupe) are HUGE when trying to open in tight spaces.
2. Dealers are less willing to deal on a coupe.
3. Insurance.
4. I am in and out of the back seat constantly (loading and unloading printing proofs and briefcase) having to raise and reset the seat was a hassle
5. Headroom
Having said all that I almost went ahead and bought the coupe because I LOVE the lines and look.
I am glad in hindsight that I didn't buy the coupe but that is only because of my needs and criteria. I still give every coupe driver a thumbs up when I see them.
Performance wise I don't think you would find any difference between a sedan with the SP and a coupe with the SP.
If you want, I can give you a referral to WW if you were willing to order in NY. Good luck.
I think it looks richer and I actually like the lines better which seems to put me in the minority. I love having a car that is much faster than it looks. As an earlier post mentioned, the coupe is a big hit with the 25 and under set so as I'm in the mid 40's range, I too believe that it is a little more mature looking.
Both are great looking but to me the sedan is a bit more understated yet with sp still looks "mean" enough. Oh, and the practicality is a big plus for me.