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Comments
1. The mid-year model gets the fog lights, cruise control and auto climate standard at no charge. In addition, the sport package is now at $1,400 ($100 saving) for a total discount on all of these worth about $1,200.
2. I bargained for a 325i back in November and the best deal I got was $700 off. Now I made an offer for $1,300 off and they accepted it. In addition, they threw in free paperwork processing and free mats ($200). I am saving almost two grand by buying the car now instead of getting it back in November. It seems that even BMW dealers are beginning the feel the pain from the stock market and lowered consumer expectations.
3. The 5.9% financing deal is happening! The dealer offered 6.9% at first and then I told them I was aware of the 5.9% financing option at their discretion, so I got that too. That's another $500 or more in savings.
Good luck to you all and thank you for helping me get a better deal!
Let me ask a favor... can anyone with a South African built 3 post thier experiences with it.. problems so on? Im seriously considering backing out my order if theres issues with SA. I mean im 22, and this isn't exactly cheap for me, so forget BMW if I'm getting a half-[non-permissible content removed] car!
Or, just ask for the VIN. If it begins with a "W", it's being built in Germany. South African-built cars start with a "B".
Contrary to what has been said on this board of late, the first digit does NOT tell the manufacturer, only the county in which the car was built. For example, BMW's Z3s are built in South Carolina. The first digit is a "1" because the car was made in America and the factory is east of the Mississippi River. (A "4" means the car was produced in a factory west of that river.)
Other non-related, and probably useless info: If your VIN's first digit is a "1" or a "4", the vehicle is BUILT in the U.S. A "2" signifies Canada, and a "3" denotes Mexico.
Thanks for your help!
Jeff
Does anyone change their oil still at every 3000 miles??
Another question, My center console near the rear ashtray. There is a rattle coming from the floor part. Anyone has any similar experience???
(2) Depends on ship availability, generally S.A. production cars take longer due to fewer ships.
(3) You should probably make it considering you live on the East Coast.
Another comment..... Ask for 5.9% financing (will save you several hundreds) since BMW fiancing is offering it until end of April.
I can't help you regarding the build location. The 11th digit of my VIN is "J" and it was built in Regensburg, Germany.
Good Luck; it's worth the wait!
PS: How was your buying experience?
Here's a a download that should give you exact answers....can't do it now as I don't have time let us know what you find out
http://www.vinpower.com/downloads.jsp
Hi
Yes the 5.9% financing has been extended till the end of April.
However, it has been reduced to the 3 series and Z3 models. Please let
me know how else I may help you. I would be happy to set a test drive
for you and get you any materials you may need.
Thank You
Hi
Yes the 5.9% financing has been extended till the end of April.
However, it has been reduced to the 3 series and Z3 models. Please let
me know how else I may help you. I would be happy to set a test drive
for you and get you any materials you may need.
Thank You
If you don't have a flag by your name, it is because you have not specified a country in your profile. Just click on the "My Profile" link at the top of the page and select your country.
I'm thinking I can learn lots about other flags. If a flag is unfamiliar to you, just put your mouse cursor on it and the name of the country will display.
Cool, huh?
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
I'd guess it was a 1998 328i or 328is
If so then 5.9% is their buy rate, and you should try to get that rate, AND for 48 or 60 months
hope it works out in your favor!
Rob
I talked to my dealer about the south africa thing and he said that my 325i is done being built and ready to be shipped this week. He said that if I was overly concerned about the fact that it was an SA build, he'd reorder for me.. but then Id obviously have to wait longer. Any thoughts?
In all honesty, I wouldn't worry about where my BMW was built. It's engineered by the same team and I'm sure BMW has the same QA standards for all their plants.
+++
As they say here in S. Africa, a snake in the trunk is worth two in the bush
The saab will give you more interior space and amentities compared to the BMW, dollar for dollar. Reliability is a question mark still, and i worry about ours, but it may be OK. We've definitely had our share of gremlins, though i freely admit that our pitiful dealer was part of the problem.
The BMW is built tighter, i trust it's relaibility more, and the handling and ride are much better than the saab. It's a pleasure to drive every day. It's quicker, quieter, and handles bad surface better. It has fewer luxury features, but they are, in general, better executed. For example, it's climate control is dual zone, and it's heated seats have 2 levels, etc.
Both cars have excellent safety.
If you take advantage of them, saab has some awesome leases, and for 3 years, you're in warranty, and you don't get hit by the high depreciation.
Even though i like the saab image more, "kooky and smart" vs "stuck up driving mainiac", and i like certian things about it very much, if the saab was totalled/stolen i'd be tempted to replace it with a BMW. Nothing like looking foward to being able to drive every day!
dave
Thanks to everyone for the information on this board...it is very helpful.
I have just received word on my car: ordered a 325xi on Feb14 w/PP,SP,CWP, Leather with wood trim, HK, CD, Xenon...final price including tax,tags,delivery,etc. was just over $38 large. That price was good enough for me as I am not into the excitment of haggling.
I have just received a production number indicating my build date is week 14 or 8 weeks from order. Dealer expects approximate delivery three weeks following.
FWIW...I asked if my car was being built in SA. The dealer said that ALL 325/30 xi's are built in Germany. He had no other info as to which cars are destined to be built in SA. Although I am happy mine is being built in Germany, I don't think I would have minded either way. I have a VW VR6 built in Mexico and it has performed flawlessly.
Now I can only hope the this new car (my first BMW) can meet and exceed the perfomance of my VR6. I am certain the interior amenities will surpass it.
Thanks for everyones input on this thread which helped me make this purchase!
I will see if I can remember all of the differences between the 323i and the 328i (for 1999 that is).
Engine: The most obvious, the 323i has a 2.5 liter engine which is simply a de-stroked 2.8 liter from the 328i.
Manual Transmission: The 323i has a manual tranny made by Getrag, while the 328i tranny is made by ZF. Please note: I think I got this correct, but, do not quote me.
Brakes: The 328i has brake rotors that are somewhere around one inch larger in diameter than the 323i. I think that the calipers are slightly larger as well.
Wheels: The base model 323i has 15 inch wheels in either Alloy or Steel with a hubcap. A 323i with the Sport Package has 16 inch wheels in Alloy. The base model 328i has 16 inch wheels in Alloy, the Sport Package bumps that to 17 inch wheels also in Alloy.
Suspension: The base models of both are sprung the same but I think the 328i has a slightly stiffer roll bar. In both cases, the Sport Package reduces the spring height by one half of an inch, lowering the vehicles ride height and increasing the spring rate.
Seating: All four trim levels have different seating, with the base model 323i having the least supportive and the least adjustable, and the 328i Sport having the most of those two attributes.
Trim: On the 328i, much of the exterior trim is chrome, on the 323i, most of said trim is a flat black matte. Personally, I prefer the 323i trim.
Interior Lighting: The 328i has rear reading lights situated on the "C" pillar over the rear seat passengers shoulder. If my memory serves me correctly, the 323i does not have said reading lights.
Trunk Release Button: The 328i has a Trunk Release Button under the dash on the drivers side, the 323i does not. This generated lots of controversy back in late 1998 on these message boards. FWIW, in the two years that I have had my 328i, I have used my release button exactly one time, just to see if it worked (it did). The Trunk Release button on the key itself is far more convenient.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Shipo
thanx again
joe
There are a number of used car price calculators on the net, one of which is here on the Edmunds.com site. I suspect that your 25k miles with a 26K price tag should be something more like 35K miles with a 27K price for a 323i.
That is both the bad news and the good news. These cars seem to hold their value inordinately well. As a case in point, I paid somewhere between 36k and 37k for my 1999 328i (the sticker was between 38k and 39k), it has 24k miles on it. Accordingly to the Kelly Blue Book, it is currently worth $35,200! Astounding! When you factor in the re-sale value of a used BMW vs. cars that do not hold their value as well, you may actually find that the BMW is less expensive to drive per mile.
I say all of this as if I am the one trying to rationalize buying a car that is more expensive than I want to spend. Only you can make that decision, although I suspect that there are several people here who will help cheer you on.
Good Luck.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Adalbert Album
Exxex Fells NJ
I still like Orient Blue for its depth and richness in the sun. I realized it was much darker than I remembered it to be. Still very classy and I won't get tired of it in 5 years. However, they had a 325i in Topaz Blue and that is a truly beautiful and sporty color. I wish they offered that on the sedans when I ordered the car - I probably would've preferred it to Orient Blue.
The wheels that come with the SP are spectacular. This is the first thing I noticed about the car and no matter what other details I kept trying to focus on, my eyes kept sliding back to the wheels. The car came with the 17" rims from the coupe - you know, the ones that curve in towards the center like a beautiful fountain. I could swear the rims that I had on the test car 2 months ago had flat spokes, Avus style, which also look beautiful but are not as elegant as these. The rims left a photographic image in my memory.
The tires that I'm getting are ContiSports. Don't know anything about them. I can say they look really aggressive in 45 ratio. I can't believe I was thinking of taking delivery of the car w/o wheel locks. For $100, they should provide great protection. The tires have deep vertical grooves for better handling on wet roads but barely any horizontal grooves, so I can't imagine they'd have any traction on snow and ice. I did ask the dealership if I could have Dunlops put in and the answer was that they would not put in any other tires for free. I guess it makes sense for them, as the car comes with 10 track miles from the post-assembly test and the tires are not exactly brand new.
I love the doors on the car. The have that heavy, sturdy, no-BS, serious car type of feel. The interior feels very sporty and I love the black high-gloss trim and esp. the dashboard curve in front of the passenger seat. Aluminum would probably be even better but in either case, it's reminiscent of E36 M3. I have to admit that the A4's interior is definitely more luxurious, more elegant; the quality and materials of the controls look and feel better. It's fine with me, I'm going for the sporting look anyhow. The seats that come with the SP are very comfortable and offer great support. I sat in the 330i with PP in the showroom and the wood is horrible, IMO. It's that kind of over-engineered veneer with near-perfect pattern that looks plasticky and unnatural. I guess it would look much better with beige interior. And that clown nose in all cars - man, this is almost the size of a real clown nose, this is no joke. It is the single ugliest, most stupid-looking piece of junk in the interior and unfortunately, it'll be in front of my eyes all the time. It looks like it belongs on the roof of an ambulance or something.
I think it's unacceptable that the 3-series comes w/o a standard alarm system?!? I sure gave my salesperson a lot of grief over not mentioning that detail during the negotiation process. She is fine with me bringing my own alarm BTW but again, I'll go with a dealer-supplied and installed alarm.
The steering is a disaster. The car definitely has that awesome WYSIWYG (where you steer is where you go) feel but the steering is so incredibly light. Granted, I only drove at < 20 mph on the dealer lot but even my Jetta VR6's steering is heavier and offers a road feel at least as good through the steering column. I sure hope the steering tightens up at higher speeds but in either case, I'm pretty sure I'll have to push BMWNA for a retrofit. I've decided to pay for it myself in case they don't want to cover it - that's how bad I want the older steering.
BMW Financial Services makes financing very easy, totally hassle-free. They don't require a down payment either so I'm going for full financing. At 5.9%, I won't even want to pay it off. BTW, as far as timing of the deal, I found out that all that matters to the dealer is the day they close on the deal, not the day you actually order the car. And yes, they are in a huge rush to get all the paperwork in by the end of the day Monday so they can get their month-end commissions. As far as ordering a car, I don't think any particular time of the month would be more beneficial discounting-wise
I did ask for a report of any damage incurred to the car during the transportation process and the dealer promised me a copy of the report on Monday. e46fanatics.com has a great pickup list in the FAQ server - some of it was overkill but more is better. The dealer had not even thought about the key memory options list and I had to ask for it. The options are truly impressive.
Well, I rambled away tonight. I've wanted a 3-series for years and this car is truly special for me. Someone had once said that there is a very fine line between a hobby and mental illness and I think I'm just about to cross it.
While I believe these are wonderful driving machines, I don't think BMW does a very good job advising customers about how long it will take to receive the car, or even the equipment that will be standard vs. optional (based on the changes effective March 1, 2001).
Does anybody REALLY have the definitive answer on where these cars are produced? I was told that all 3 series cars are made in Germany, but the 11th digit of my car is a J. Was it really made in South Africa? Should I be concerned?