BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

ccchen1102

The vibrating noise occurs when mounting bracket is tapping against mount area, this is due to a fairly large contact area (about 2/3" W x 5" H) with only one bolt to fasten in upper portion. insert anything soft and durable in lower portion would do the trick. I used a small piece of foam tape.

tcn2k

But what about driving without programming it for a few days, any effects?

tcn2k

I have read all the posts, and never came across an alarm going off during freezing weather. That is nuts! I am getting an alarm soon, actaully on its way. if that is the case, i will have to return the junk!

jasonkureejii

I got bumped from behind by a 16 yr old. I've only been in Dallas for 15 months. Can anyone suggest a reputable body shop? Not much damage at all....replacement of the bumper (some corner damage), replacement of the red tail light (only scraped), and the corner sheetmetal above the bumper (about 3 inches in hieght right along that indented seam). Thanks in advance.

joefriday

There's no problem with having the siren without programming it. When I bought my car the dealer installed the siren, but he didn't have the latest software to program it. I finally got it programmed about a month after purchase.

kominsky

'ditto' joefriday's post. I installed mine on a saturday and got it programmed the following thursday (I think). No problems.

kominsky

I did not insert anything (never thought about it) and have not had any problems with vibrations. That said, it sounds like a great idea and I think if I would install it again, I'd put something there just for insurance. One side note... If you have large hands, have your wife (or whoever) nearby to get the siren bolt started. I had a miserable time with it, but my wife got it started in about 15 seconds... made her day to be able to bust on my mechanical skills.

cnorthrup

Picked up my new 330i Saturday...My first BMW and I love it!

I never had a car in this "class" before and didn't realize what I was missing.

The car begs to be driven... and is addicting to drive!

I will be installing my alarm hopefully this weekend.

The alarm kit came with a fuse and was wondering if this also needs to be installed or is it a spare?

The topic of how to program the alarm as far as the means by which it is enabled/disabled, i.e., arm by remote only or by remote & using the key in the door?

Any thoughts?

Also will "pad" the bracket just to be sure.

CNorthrup

petrarch

Any military folk here? Have you used USAA's free negotiation service? They advised me that $750 under MSRP is the max they could get off a 2002 325i.

From previous posts, it seems I might be able to do better. The only problem is how completely green I am.

fpereira -- I plan to hit MY BMW this week. Think I can do better than $750 there?

ls11

Just picked up our 2002 330i this weekend - titanium, PP, SP, Xenons - what a great car! Our first BMW. Love the way it responds and sticks to the road. Haven't been able to get out of it all day. Can't believe its finally here. Good service from Garlyn Sheldon in Temple, TX. Owner said to contact him if I ran into problems w/ servicing in the DFW area (also to write to BMWNA and I'd never have a problem again.) Hope neither is necessary.

mschukar - re: insurance rates - mine went up $116 every 6 months over the '95 Nissan Maxima SE rates. Not too bad. Wish my son's rates would only go up that much now that he's taking over the Maxima!

Daytime running lights - does anyone know if there's a way to program them to go on by myself, or do I have to go to the dealer?

tcn2k

Thanks to all who responded to my question.

I plan to install this alarm this weekend, and was wondering if anyone know the easiest way to get the trunk lining out, along with the green emergency button to release the gas cap? Looking at the pics at e46fanantics.com, this scares me the most. Removing the lining and installing the tilt sensor looks intimadating.

kominsky

I don't remember exactly what I did, but I followed the instructions I got from CircleBMW and had no problems. The one 'hint' I can give is, don't be afraid to bend the lining a little. I was afraid of creasing or breaking it, but once I decided it had to be done, I had no problems.

http://www.circlebmw.com/service/access/01219416538.htm

brave1heart

Just wanted to mention that I am using it for my windshield and I am very impressed with it. I drove 170 miles in pouring rain last week and did not need to use the wipers at all. The only time they might enhance your visibility is if you are stuck immediately behind a larger vehicle. Great stuff - it lasts for about a month per application, which takes a minute.

P.S. Got the Shtroumpf back yesterday and it's stronger than ever. The engine is singing, baby )

dave330i

I've noticed that it's nice when you first apply it, but as it fade, it causes problems with wipers wiping properly.

Still haven't named my car yet.

brave1heart

Maybe dave330i should call his car Gipsy (spelled with an 'i' to remind him of the Gipsy Kings). The engine is melodic, powerful, and moving - just like their music. And the car likes to be driven, i.e. go places like a gypsy...

dave, pssst - I think genie1 might like the name too ;o)

1johann

Looking into getting a four door sedan. Was thinking Volvo, but have read many reports questioning the build quality and reliability issues.

Looking to spend US$25K or under. Was thinking 323i from 1999 (since it has the updated styling/size). Can't find posts on Town Hall about the positives/negatives of the 323 four door.

Is this the best model for me to consider based on the price point?

Thanks in advance.

dave330i

She's the 2nd woman who mentioned the Gipsy Kings to me. I really should get around to listening to them once.

1johann: according to Edmund's 99 328i can be had for $25k.

riez

1johann... think alike. The BMW dealers seem to be pushing their 2000 "demonstrators". My local BMW dealer has about 5 2000 323is, all with less than 25,000 miles. Wife just bought a 2000 with 18,000 miles. Stickered for $34,995. Paid about $28,000. Was one of their service loaners. But it is Certified Pre-owned.

genie1

Gipsy Kings, Cheb Khaled and Rossini all sound pretty good whilst tooling down the highway. So does Shaggy and Enrique.

BTW, tested the 2002 IS300 this weekend...
Here's one persons opinion: It was incredibly quiet - no wind noise, no engine sounds, nothing. (Great selling point unless one shifts by sound, I guess).
Exterior: nothing special, rather flashy
Interior: O mi gawd, yuck! It was ugly and tastless
Curves: Not even close to the roundel

The brochure was hilarious...read it if you need a laugh. Overall: Lots of gadgets and gizmos, no appeal for me.

Also: the sales guy put down the 325 as underpowered, compared the IS to the 330 and also said the MB 230 coupe was like a Japanese car.

Just my .02 cents worth of entertainment on a pleasant afternoon

1johann

Riez:
I was hoping to keep it under US$25K for used BMW. US$28K is more than I care to spend at this point - but thank you for the information. :-) I was looking into the 323 because I think it will come in under the US$25K point - but have not found reviews on this specific car yet. While Edmunds says one can get the 328i for under US$25K, finding one in the real world (try DC or Baltimore for a start....althought most will consider those anything but 'real' places, haha) is not so easy. Most 328i's I have found on cars.com in this area are US$27K ++.......for 1999s w/40,000 miles.

Looking into getting a four door sedan. Was thinking Volvo, but have read many reports questioning the build quality and reliability issues.

Looking to spend US$25K or under. Was thinking 323i from 1999 (since it has the updated styling/size). Can't find posts on Town Hall about the positives/negatives of the 323 four door.

Is this the best model for me to consider based on the price point?

Thanks in advance.

dave330i

Personally, I like my music a little louder (wouldn't guess it from the way I look).

I thought the IS300 was a bit twitchy. The funnies part about the test drive for me was when the dealer told me it had more interior room than the 3 series.

genie1

The IS had more leg room in the back, but the driver section was cramped, even for a little thing like me.

So what's the dichotomy between the way you look and the music you like?

1johann

Shipo:
Thanks for the note and offer of your 328i when it comes off lease. First I'm trying to find out the merits (or problems) of the 323 before I jump into the next level of pricing. I am seeing if I can get a decent 1999 BMW for under US$25K.........starting at the bottom of the pricing.

dave330i

"The IS had more leg room in the back."

You sure about that? I remember it being very tight. Granted I don't spend much time riding around in my own back seat, but it seemed tighter.

"So what's the dichotomy between the way you look and the music you like?"

I don't look like your typical Metallica, Godsmack, Korn, Linkin Park, etc fan (driving music). I also listen to stuff like Tori Amos, Dave Matthews, Moby, etc, but they aren't quite driving music.

genie1

<< I don't look like your typical Metallica, Godsmack, Korn, Linkin Park, etc fan (driving music). >>

LOL!!! You don't sound like it either.

So, do you have it turned all the way up and sing along too? >;)

dave330i

"You don't sound like it either. "

I know. That complete sentences, intelligent thoughts really throw people for a loop.

"So, do you have it turned all the way up and sing along too? >;)"

Not really. I like to listen to the engine noise when I take it up past 4k rpm.

genie1

Actually I used to play Metallica when I did my DJ thing on Friday nights in Univ. Also Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin...

dave330i

You were a DJ?! Are you going to tell us you were a camel racer next? I do have some Led Zepplin, but don't own any Pink Floyd. Maybe I'll name my car Lars.

genie1

I wasn't a DJ for long (couple of semesters). It was at my college radio station and I still have my non-commercial FCC license to prove it.

<<Are you going to tell us you were a camel racer next? >>
I did wrestle a snake once in Bankok. Does that count?

Actually, it was trained to wrap itself around tourists necks. If it were me, I'd have been tempted to nip an earlobe or two.

dave330i

"I did wrestle a snake once in Bankok. Does that count?"

Was it a boa? I assume you won, since you're here typing.

Snakes can be trained?

"If it were me, I'd have been tempted to nip an earlobe or two. "

I guess I could comment on this.....

brave1heart

I found out that the mat in the trunk is reversible and the bottom side is rubberized, so it holds objects placed on it very well. I was thinking of getting a cargo net but I flipped the trunk mat instead and that took care of the couple of things flying around my trunk under .86 G's. The rubberized side is slightly sticky and it really works. You're probably thinking "yeah, what's your point, I've known about it all alone" . Well, I didn't and it still amazes me that 7 months and 11K into ownership, I still discover new cool things about my 325.

dave330i

Call up your dealer and complain. That should have been covered when they went over the car.

I still don't put any groceries back there. Espically if I want to eat them later.

genie1

My trunk mat has two rubber straps that you can place items on. They are to stop things from flying around, but they don't really work. A cargo net would make more sense.

dave: Yes, I'm still here, earlobes and all. So I guess I won that encounter.

brave1heart

Thanks god for the internet, it saves us a lot of time and the prices are about the same. They might have covered the mat at delivery but that would have honestly been the last thing I'd be paying attention to with all the excitement that went into picking up the car. It's great, though. Plus this saved me $60 or so from the cargo net. The one the A4 came with is a pain in the beep to keep attached.

brave1heart

I respect your strategy and understand your objectives but I seriously doubt you could find a decent E46 for under 25 large. You'd be lucky to find a bargain like Shipo's 328 for 26 grand and you should seriously consider it after you are convinced that there are no decent bargains < 25. A big plus would also be knowing the history of the car and knowing that its owner took good care of it.

brave1heart

<<< I assume you won, since you're here typing. >>> lol, could it be the snake won and took over his identity (comes with his PC)? Poor Dave, he must have been a good man.

Pink Floyd, Led Zep, Metallica - great choice, definitely Top 10 in my book. Dire Straits would be a nice addition but not something a DJ would typically play. BTW, I got Mike Knopfler's Sailing to Philadelphia a while back and I like it a lot. Melancholic but very relaxing.

dave330i

something about buying grocery online doesn't work with me. Plus my average spending is $20-30, so they charge delivery fee, and webvan went bankrupt.

Only song I remember from Dire Straits is "Money for Nothing".

genie1

<<< I assume you won, since you're here typing. >>> lol, could it be the snake won and took over his identity (comes with his PC)? Poor Dave, he must have been a good man.

Methinks you are a mite confused. Dave was assuming I won against the snake.

Is it getting quite freudian here, or is it just me.

Sometimes a snake is just a snake



I can't buy groceries online either. I prefer picking out my own fruit and veggies.

brave1heart

Sorry, I should have read it more carefully.

We buy groceries once every two weeks, so it makes more sense - delivery is just $5, plus a small tip. genie1, going to the grocery store may be a girl thing - my wife likes to go to the grocery store every once in a while because she likes to touch things and get a visual.

hippo168

"going to the grocery store may be a girl thing..."

Hey, I'm a guy and I do grocery shopping EVERY WEEK, because I like fresh food. Online grocery shopping might be good for dry stuff. I just can't trust someone else picking my ribeye steak for me. : )

anyway, just ordered a set of Michelin Arctic Alpins from tirerack. It will probably arrive in a couple days. It has been so warm here in Mass, it doesn't seem like we need winter tires!!

shipo

It seems that I violated the Town Hall Membership Agreement when I told you about my car. Sorry Pat. Anyway, to help you determine the difference between a 1999 323i and a 1999 328i, I am reposting a message that I posted earlier this year:



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

rtboon

Couldn't help but notice that the Xenon headlamps that were priced at $500 as an option for 2001 are now priced at $700 for model year 2002. I have a hard time beleiving that the cost of the Xenons increased by that much in one year, so I have to assume that BMW is simply making more money. Nothing wrong with this but fair is fair and this kind of an increase is not!

shipo

Well, sort of...

In the years 1999 through 2001, BMW charged $500 for low-beam Xenon headlights. In 2002, BMW is charging $700 for Quad-Xenon (low and high beam) headlights. Having said that, I suspect that the price of the Xenon assembly is coming down and BMW *may* be making a few extra bucks, but then again, maybe not.

Best Regards,
Shipo

nobee

Petrarch, Just purchased a 2002 325i from Capitol Car Sales, Spangdahlem, GE. Yes, you do save quite a few greenbacks with the program. I purchased my 325 with the Cold Wx Package (ACW), Premium Package (ZPP), Steptronic (205), Xenon lights (522), and the gray metallic paint. Out the door, it came to $30,515, however, Mitch (the dealer) cut another $475 off my price. I got a fantastic deal and I'm hoping to take delivery of it 2nd week of jan. Let me know if I can help out in any way.
-brian

riez

1johann... I happen to have a MY2000 full color 3 Series Brochure which I picked up 12/99 when I almost bought a then new 323i. Some of the interior option differences noted by Shipo are more apparent on a comparison of the base models with no options. But if one wanted to, you could option out a '99 or '00 323i a lot like a base or moderately optioned 328i. Most of the 323i's I've seen, including the '00 version my wife is picking up tomorrow, have the Premium Package (or Sport Pkg or Sport-Premium Pkg). For example, the 323i Premium Pkg gives you "upgraded interior lighting", that include rear reading lights.

But even when 323i fully loaded some of the mechanical differences remain. For example, in 2000 the 323i has the 11.3 front and 10.9 rear disc brakes. The 328i has 11.8 front and 11.6 rear disc brakes.

raavir

(black on black) or (black on beige)

tenet1

Recently when I got a 3 series loaner from the dealer, I noticed that the plastic trim below the driver door had some permanent yellowish-brown dirt stuck to it, giving the trim a discolored appearance.

Now I noticed it on my car (Ti. Silver) over the weekend while I was washing it. I tried to get it out with soap and water but that didn't work too well, though it got some off with a lot of scrubbing.

Anyone have any suggestions to get this off as it seems to happen to most light colored bimmers???

nyccarguy

are illegal in this country. The only cars I know of that had them for sure were the first 500 CL500s brought into this country in 2000. The Xenon high beams were replaced by halogen bulbs when the owner brought hi or her car in for its first service.

Having said that, I don't know what the Bi-Xenon headlights are for MY2002, but the Bi part is probably what cost an extra $250.

brave1heart

I had the same problem with the exterior rubber strips on my 325i. The discoloration was especially visible after I waxed the car - I was not very careful with the rubber pieces thinking they could be easily wiped off. After I figured the wax was not coming off, I tried Lexol, which covered it up very well. I thought the problem was resolved until I washed it next time and the wax showed up again. I used Black Magic this time and it seems to have done a great job. However, I have not washed the car since then and would be hesitant to recommend it just yet. Will let you know next time I wash the car in a couple of weeks.

brave1heart

I sent you an e-mail yesterday right after your e-mail that mentioned your mail server was down. I have not heard back from you yet and I was wondering if your can receive e-mails now. Please let me know via e-mail or through the board. Thanks.