BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

rjg96

Very interesting theory. I bet it is something related to the throttle body (doesn't BMW call it the "MDK"-- if not exactly the condition you describe- something very similar. How hard is it to get at the throttle body? I'm going to suggest this to the dealer- assuming they'll admit to hearing a noise.

If you could, I'd appreciate it if you could test this condition out on the 325i to see if you or Brave experience the same thing.

Thanks for you theory-- makes a lot of sense to me.

brave1heart

I only wash my car once every three weeks or so but during the winter I tend to do it more often. I never use automatic car washes - maybe some of them are OK but my old Jetta got streaks on the paint after a couple of times and I gave up on them. I always wash it myself at the Lechmere self-wash in Somerville (or is it technically Cambridge there?) and use a sheepskin glove.

brave1heart

It would be great if we can all get together next time - can you imagine a line of 3-series carving the back roads?

cnorthrup

I actually watched the vcr tape the dealer gave me and it says trunk release button, my 2002 manual says lock.

genie1

>>It would be great if we can all get together next time - can you imagine a line of 3-series carving the back roads? >>

Funny you should bring that up, but I was part of a serendipitous BMW trail earlier this week on Lakeshore. There was a 540, a 330ci, a Z3, a 325i and my 318is. All five of us waiting at the light, lined up to enter the on-ramp.

This was on my favorite curvy section of road too. Of course, the sun was shining and there wasn't much other rush hour traffic at the time.

Made my day.

Of course the flip side is that Bimmers are just too damned common here.

hippo168

So they let you use your own equipment?? Many so-called "self-serve" car wash won't let you do that, they post a big sign saying sth like "no bucket, no sponge..."

dave330i

"Of course the flip side is that Bimmers are just too damned common here."

Better than too many Azteks on the road.

Your story reminds me of the time I was working down in the Silicon Valley. There were four of us waiting at the light. A Porsche 911, Audi A6 2.7T, Q45, and my 330i. Unfortunately, I still under my break-in period. It was still pretty fun for the next several blocks.

brave1heart

I just got back from a 1-hour drive in the twisties - the Albany area has a lot of good ones (rt. 101 and the vicinity for those who live here). The 328 handles pretty well even without the sport package, It feels like probably about 8/10-ths of what the sport pack can do. The 328 is always poised and predictable - same perfect weight distribution after all. The biggest difference I noticed was absorbing bumps while cornering. The sport pack is tight and extremely composed over bumps, rarely giving in an inch. The 328 gets a little wobbly going over a bump while cornering. You can also tell the difference in general cornering ability - I feel like I can push the 325 much harder in corners (when dry - no wet road comparison yet). It just exudes more confidence. You also sit a little higher without the SP. But sport pack or on sport pack, they are both a lot of fun to carve the twisites with. The 328 ALWAYS rides smooth, I mean it doesn't matter how uneven the road, it is extremely smooth, never harsh. The SP is maybe about 8/10ths as smooth as the non-SP (all subjective, of course). I am perfectly happy with the SP - you give up some ride quality on harsher roads for a better-handling car. Ultimately, we are all very lucky that the 3-series is so versatile and can be optioned to each owner's preferences.

Note: the 328 has 32K+ miles on the tires; the 325 has <12K, so that is a handling factor that should be taken into consideration.

dave330i

Now that you've spent sometime in each other's cars, do you believe the price difference between the 2 is worth it?

brave1heart

I have not seen signs like that and there is no attendant either. I have seen some owners (mostly German cars) bring their own bucket. I do use their soap, only the glove is mine.

brave1heart

It's impossible to answer that question objectively. To some people it would be worth it, to some not. For me personally, even the 328 is a little too easy to drive with all this torque. I like rowing through the gears but you can hold it in third from 10 mph to 95 mph or so. I'd say, if you don't carry a lot of passengers and/or luggage regularly, the 325 manual is sufficient. If you get the auto tranny and/or carry a lot of people and luggage, the 328/330 would be better.

tenet1

I dealt with BMW of Arlington, and had a good experience. They are located min. outside DC. Email me if you want to know more.

dave330i

I realize the question is subjective. Just wondering if you could do it again, would you have paid the extra money for the extra omph.

Personally, I get lazy sometimes, and I like the fact that I don't have to row the gears if I don't want to.

brave1heart

jfedor1

If you guys ever do the Westchester thing (I live in the NYC area), I wouldn't mind stopping by and driving around with you guys.

Josh

ccchen1102

I saw 1. being described somewhere, but it is 2. for my case, don't know about 3., it would be hard to drill a hole in such small space. To be more precisely, the mounting area is actually not on fire wall, it is on a metal beam that attach to the firewall. It sucks if 3. ever exists.

bmw323is

I drive a Ford truck as my 'other' car and I have the same exact whistle that you have described, only mine will start as early as 40 mph. Only at steady throttle. I have had the noise for two years now. Dealer says he can't hear anything either! And it's actually getting louder. I tried changing air filters because it sounds like it's related to air intake. Nothing has worked including a prayer to St. Jude (the patron saint of lost causes, or so the nuns in my Catholic school told me) - so I just turn the radio up and live with it. If you find the problem, let me know.

shipo

I left work early this afternoon and took a real curvy 2-lane road home over a couple of mountains and then hopped on the freeway for one of my favorite interchanges before picking up the van and trundling the family into the city for our weekly Thursday pilgrimage to Carnegie Hall (that is where our studio is).

Unfortunately, that wonderful 2-lane road was only clear of traffic in a few spots (very unusual); however, the ramp from the Northbound NY Thruway to the Southbound Garden State Parkway was wide open. For those of you who do not know this ramp, it peels off the right side of the Thruway with a nice constant radius curve to the right, then a small straight (100 yards maybe) and then a nice slightly decreasing radius uphill curve to the left. With my 1995 Passat GLX, things started getting dramatic at 70mph on both curves, in my 328i, the drama threshold is more like 85mph. Given that, I took the initial curve to the right at 85 in Stroumpf, and she was so stable, I pushed to 90 as I entered the second curve, and I kept the hammer down through the curve and was a little over 95 when I exited the far end, and, no drama. I am sold on the SP option for my next car; I will just have to deal with the inevitable bent rims and such from the NYC streets.

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

As for the power, well, quite simply, I likes my power. As nice as a package as the 325i is, I will absolutely go for the 3.0 liter mill in my next car. Let&#146;s see, I&#146;m thinking a 330i, Black Sapphire Metallic, Gray Leather, SP, PP, Xenon, MSRP: 39,910, ED Invoice: 32,935, Dealer Profit 1,500, Destination: 645, Total: $35,080, plus a cheap plane ticket and I can have a 2002 330i with greater content than my 1999 328i and pay about $1,500 less. The only problem is that I still have not ruled out a 530i with basically the same specs, well time will tell.

Best Regards,
Shipo

postoak

Anybody here done a silver with the grey leather interior instead of the traditional black? I know you usually go with a dark interior when you have a light exterior, but I'm thinking about the grey because it would be cooler in summer.

nyccarguy

I know the exact stretch of road you're speaking of. 95mph...good thing there was no NYS trooper sitting in the median...very impressive though. That small stretch of road has put smiles on my face numerous times.

postoak...I've seen Silver/Gray. Its a really nice combo, but the Gray leather is extremely light. It is all your personal preference. As far as the difference between Black & Gray leather interiors during the summer...If you park a BMW with Black Leather next to a BMW with Gray Leather in the 95 degree scorching summer sun, they're both going to be HOT (100+ degrees). Maybe the black will be hotter, but the gray will by no means be "cool."

Just my $.02

brave1heart

Glad to hear that you're having fun with the Shtroumpf. She likes to be entertained and to have a good time ;o) OK, I have to admit that the extra power of the 328 makes merging into the freeway at speeds much higher than the traffic a little easier. I can definitely get used to it ;o) Couple of other things I noticed:
- At first, I found it very awkward to shift gears with the armrest. Even if I pull it all the way back, I don't have enough clearance for my elbow and keep bumping into it when shifting into second and fourth. I have to keep it down, so I had to get used to keeping my elbow higher than what I'm used to in my 325. I got used to it and I don't mind it as much now but I've noticed that I involuntarily tend to keep my arm on the armrest too often instead of keeping both hands on the wheel.
- The first time I unlocked the car yesterday, the power seats with memory had re-adjusted themselves. It spooked me for a second (did someone else drive the car while I was in the office?!?) till I realized that the seat memory must be tied to your car key. The seats only re-adjusted the first time, though, and I am not sure how you control that. Do you have to hold the unlock button for the seats to keep re-adjusting?
- I like the deep, dark, rich green exterior color - it looks great in the sun. Beige interior complements it very well and makes for a very classy and mature yet rare combination these days (Bavarian is the only other poster I know of that has the same combo).

I can make it at 5:30 PM tonight - I will give you a call to confirm that this is convenient for you as well.

dave330i

I've got a silver with black interior and it's fine. I lieve near SF, and it gets nice and toasty here during the summer. Just need to make sure all your windows and moonroof (if you get it) down before you get in.

tenet1

3 Way comparison sounds great, but you will have to put up with my PP step. Had to "sedan" it for the wife and new baby. However, I have driven stick since I was 12, and had a manual in all my cars, so no problems there.

I'll have to make my way up to NJ soon.

tenet1

I have a Silver and Black leather and I think that it is a great combo. Try and put this combo next to Silver/Grey and you will see what I mean.

Leather will heat up in the summer no matter what color.

genie1

Silver/black all the way.

In my opinion, silver/grey is somewhat bland. I saw a steel grey or blue (hard to tell with the dirt on it) with the grey interior and it looked nondescript.

tcn2k

Okay, i am a bit confuse on what these two terms mean. Are they interchangeable? In the manual, they have two section for this, describing the samething (how to turn it on and off, both utilizing same concept)? What is the difference between this too? Or are they the samething and the terms was changed for whatever reason?

shipo

Brave,

On my way into the office this morning, I got off the Thruway and looped around and got back on to try my "Ramp" again. This time as I was coming around the long left hander, I caught up to some traffic while I was somewhere between 85 and 90. When I lifted off of the throttle, I was very pleased to notice that I did NOT have to make a steering correction for "Trailing throttle oversteer". On my 328i, anytime I lift off the throttle on that curve while moving at anything over 80 or so, the back end get a little light and I need to adjust accordingly.

By the way, the boss gave her approval for me to skip dinner with the family tonight. ;-) See you at 5:30. During my drive through yesterday, I saw Sushi, Mexican and Thai, along with several quaint looking Cafes, eating should not prove to be too much of a problem.

NycCarGuy,

Mr. Smoky usually sits beyond merge from the Southbound Thruway, just beyond the overpass after the lanes are reduced back down to 2. By then, I have already slowed down to something that is semi-legal, like 70 or so. You are right, that ramp has a very high grin factor. ;-)

Jfedor1,

We are meeting for dinner this evening in New Paltz at 5:30, just look for a dark green and a dark blue E46. Based upon what I saw yesterday (I spent almost a half hour in town) we will be just about the only BMWs in town (other than the old clapped out 633Csi that I saw that is).

Best Regards,
Shipo

brave1heart

Step is fine for a day - I don't discriminate on 3-series optioning. I like all 3-series and it's great that we have a true series!!

brave1heart

I have pushed my 325 hard looking for that trailing throttle oversteer but the car is so composed like you're saying that it is very difficult to induce it.

I had sushi last night but I never get tired of it. Mexican and Thai is fine too - just as long as they all have full bar ;o)

I look for the ATM on the left this time. New Paltz is a very small town and you're right - anyone could easily find us there.

genie1

>>anyone could easily find us there.<<

Is that an open invitation?


What happens if all the East Coast lurkers decide to show up in New Platz? Will it be an impromptu Bimmer convention?

I'f you'd given me a couple of hours more, I may just have been able to make it. ;0)

brave1heart

I could use some help understanding these too. I am pretty sure that in an oversimplified way, ASC+T is traction control and it only works on the rear wheels. I think DSC works on all wheels and can individually apply brakes to every wheel, as well as reduce engine power when necessary. Can someone please explain these better? Thanks.

dave330i

I won't be flying home again until the 28th. Plus my bimmer is staying here in the other coast.

dave330i

Didn't BMW make SP suspension standard in all 330i starting MY 2001.5? Something to think about before your next purchase.

brave1heart

We didn't even have a specified place with Shipo - he pretty much told me "I'll meet you in New Paltz". As soon as I entered the town and didn't see him there, I gave him a call and he said he was 5 cars behind me and I had just passed the ATM machine at which he was waiting. So if anyone is interested, as soon as you come to the end of the ramp (exit 18 off 87) and enter New Paltz, look for an ATM (Fleet?) on the left, we'll be there at 5:30 PM. genie1, you'd better leave now. BTW, I totally agree with your comments on gray and gray.

carsrcool

My M3 was titanium silver with gray leather. IMO, It looked great. When I return to BMW this will be my color choice again.

shipo

The bank is located on the North side of Rt. 299 a half of a block West of Rt. 17. Across the street from the bank is an Antique Shop with a flag that looks sort of like the French Tri-Color turned 90 degrees with the red band on the top and the word "Antiques" written across the white band.

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

All of the swapping discussions of yesterday has brought us to within 41 posts of the 300M discussion.

Best Regards,
Shipo

rednblack

I currently have on order a 325i but I am undecided on color and unfortunately only have a few days left to nail it down.

Any opinions on Steel gray with black interior...seems to be a good combo but I have yet to see that combo personally.

I could always go safe and choose silver/black

Comments would be greatly appreciated!!!!

mschukar

Does anyone know a good place to download decent sized pictures of 3 series sedans? I've gone to the BMW sites, but my monitor at work is 1280 x 1024 and I don't want to fill it with a little photo.

Otherwise, if anyone has a good photo of their car, perhaps I could "borrow" it until I can take my own pictures this spring.

-Murray

shipo

Given how many BMWUSA folks in my neighborhood drive Silver cars, I personally would avoid that color at all cost. Around here, you cannot go into a parking lot and fail to see at least a couple of Silver E46s and E39s (current 5-Series). The Steel Gray looks classy and is not as common.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dave330i

steel grey/black is very close to silver/black (my 330i). I believe grey is a bit easier to keep clean vs. silver. It's a great choice.

nyccarguy

I want to let you all know how much this board has eduated & swayed me towards getting a BMW 3 series coupe (330 is a slim possibility if I can get a stellar end of the year deal on one) as my next car when the lease is up on my Saab next December. I'm impressed by the 11,000+ posts about the 3 series just on this board alone! I've always been a big fan of BMWs (especially the 3 coupe) ever since I drove my first BMW ('95 325is 5 speed...Loaded to the gills). I have been known to take the road less traveled (Hey I Drive a Saab, 'nuff said). That's the one thing that actually detered me from placing the BMW on my short list. BMWs are beautiful cars, but they're all over NYC & the metro area (Silver/Black). Don't get me wrong, Silver/Black is gorgeous but there's just too many of them around here. I'd get either Electric Red/Black 'ette or Bright White/Black 'ette SP,Bi-Xenon,Moonroof, & Hot Seats. I read this board every day and learn a new reason why you all love your cars so much. Thank you.

dave330i

Silver is the German color in F1. That's why mine's silver. Although, I'm pretty sure not everyone's like me.

hippo168

I have a steel gray/black 325i, and I like it a lot! I think it is very "stealthy". There is not much steel gray in my area, and it really stands out.

I took some pictures of my car, I'll try to scan and post them...

brave1heart

Ditto your comments on silver. Dave, I think silver is one of the sportiest colors traditionally and it still looks great on the 3-series, probably one of the very best colors. It's just that I get really tired of seeing so many of them around me. Silver is McLaren-Mercedes color in F-1, not necessarily the German color. BMW's F-1 color is blue and white, just like the roundel.

genie1

Are the wallpapers at bmwusa.com not large enough for you? Let me see if I can work on one for you.

nyccarguy

the German F1 color. Do you know how that came about? A Mercedes engineer decided to strip the paint off race cars to save 18lbs way back in the day. The body panels were bare metal, so it looked silver. Hence Silver is the German F1 color.

tenet1

There are a lot of Bimmers in the DC N. VA area and a lot of them are silver.

We were tied between Steel Blue and Silver, but picked Silver because it just shines like a jewel and has a stunning appearance. The steel blue changes color like a chameleon and can look quite dull in cloudy and nighttime conditions, and doesn't quite have that stunning look. Steel Gray is pretty sharp too. My second choice.

I prefer dark interiors because you dont ever need to shampoo the rugs, just vacuum and go.

brave1heart

I have at least 30 pictures of my 325i SP Orient Blue/black 'ette. I'll send you some pictures this weekend - I shot them all with the highest resolution on my Canon Powershot G1 camera. I had just washed the car and there is too much glare on some of them prompting Bavarian to exclaim "There has undoubtedly been a hydrogen explosion nearby" ) Also, anyone interested in how I hard-wired the V-1, let me know by e-mail and will send you the pictures, it's a pretty cool setup. I am planning on posting them on the Internet some day but I have to figure out where and how first.