BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

shipo

I never forget a face (or a profile for that matter), she is beautiful isn't she?

Best Regards,
Shipo

brave1heart

cnorthrup

I was looking at the trim and noticed the same thing that I think you guys were talking about last week with the discoloring of the trim.

I guess I assumed incorrectly that it was okay to wax these since I thought they were a painted plastic, which in hindsight wouldn't make much sense. I guess they are a hard rubber?

I noticed it mainly on the bumpers and along the strips that run along the doors that are supposed to protect the doors. It does not seem to be a problem with the wide black smooth trim on the exterior of the B pillars between the front and back windows. Is this because this part is painted plastic and okay to wax?

I also did my alarm and found the removal/installation of that last back piece to get at the siren location a real bear also.

I will be getting it programmed Tuesday and I am going to have them set it up so it works with the remote only since it seems that I have read some postings way back that seemed to lean in that direction.

CNorthrup

kalagoodwin

hello guys...i will be picking up my 330i in the next couple of weeks now and was wondering if some of you could give me some input in the following areas:

1. Do you happen to know the car sales tax in Houston, Tx (I hate to get ripped off here) or where can i find the info? I am under the impression that its lower than the regular 8.25%.

2. What can i expect to pay for title and license fees? also state inspection fee?

3. I was told that the dealer fees will be $387; Do you guys know of any other surprise fees i should watch out for?

4. I was told to avoid any add-ons; Are there any things you guys would recommend getting from the dealer?

thanks so much

bavarian

brave-handsome car-but there are NO ugly modern BMWs out there and before anyone says Z coupe...hush your mouth! (John Shaft!)Z3 coupe is a work of art...certainly better than any of that childish scribble that Picasso got away with. Yeah-most people have seven nostrils-yeah, right!
What's wrong with the three nostrils we are born with?

Curry? You say curry? Indian food is a thing to savor and there is nowhere better to savor it than London,home to the turban and strange body odor. Bath night in London is Friday by the way.

Shipo mentioned my favorite dish which I have never seen listed in America, in years of searching....back in 1978 I went into a local Indian place in London and perused the menu...I wanted a new experience...I saw Meat Phal (or Pal)
and the word "danger" next to it started my taste buds a-dribblin'. I ordered a lamb phal and the waiter said "are you sure?"

Feeling that he was questioning my manhood I relied "yes Abdul" my racist slur about 1000 miles further West than intended.

He went back to the kitchen as I continued to peruse the menu. Within a few moments I noticed the kitchen swing doors open and three heads appeared, staring at me. The waiter nodded in my direction and there was some shaking of heads.
I could imagine them back there, opening a major tin of red pepper.

The dish arrived and was consumed-bravely-with much sweating and nose running. Man was it tasty.
It became my one and only dish from that restaurant over the next three years, three times a week and to such a point that soon, when I called to order I would just say "this is Norris-get my order ready" and they would deliver a hot spicy delectable dish with a side order of Kleenex
and a complimentary roll of toilet tissue.

I had to sit on an ice pack for about a week later but that was fun in its' own way.

I haven't found many worthy Indian rstaurants in the USA to date but when in New York as I was for a day last week, officionados MUST visit DAWAT on 58th st at 2nd avenue. It is the best I have found.

shipo

"I had to sit on an ice pack for about a week later but that was fun in its' own way."

ROTFLMAO! Man can I relate. The Double Phal just about turned my inside-out. Sure was tasty though.

I think I will try DAWAT next Sunday for lunch. Thanks for the lead. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

brave1heart

For those of you that might be interested -

V1 Concealed Display install

I forgot the last picture from the first link - you can get it

Here

genie1

Meat phal?
I've eaten Indian food all my life, but don't know what this is. Is it a Brit thing? Maybe it's called something else elsewhere? Any of the other posters of Indian origin care to help me out here?

Brave: I've lived in downtown, midtown, uptown and rural towns of pop. 3000.

I was moved kicking and screaming from my 700sq ft downtown condo to a det. 4br/3bath in the burbs about a year ago. The funny thing is my commute now takes exactly the same amount of time, except I have more fun driving and I'm not at the mercy of Toronto's public transit and the weather.

In addition I found that groceries cost far less in the burbs, and the selection was fresher. All the places I liked to go on weekends are still there if I need them and are still as accessible as ever.

BTW: I'm sure you'll also appreciate having a garage to park Shtroumpf.

kominsky

For those Hot Sauce fans in the Hall. MO HOTTA - MO BETTA has a listing of hot sauces by Scoville ratings (heat). Dave's Insanity isn't even close to the hottest made! www.mohotta.com/hsrating.htm

tcn2k

Why not activate the alarm with remote and key? Why just remote? Is there a benefit?

dave330i

seeing the BMWFilms DVD (I know I should have seen it when I first got it, but something always came up). Great series of shorts. Too bad only one of the films featured the 3-series. It looks like Ford is doing something similar with the new T-bird.

errickson

Didn't look like anyone provided your info, so here you go:

I live in Houston, and bought mine over the summer. Here is what I saw:

* Sales Tax: 6 1/4%
* Title & License: about $155
* "Dealer fees": I had none. You may be paying for the advertising fee (aka MACO, DAG). I did not incur this charge b/c I purchased out-of-town.
* Add-ons: I added an alarm. The dealer discounted the price, installed, and programmed it. Just one less thing for me to mess with later.

I would add any items you would like on the car at drive-out. Anything you can live w/o, I would hold-off and shop around.

cnorthrup

I am not actually sure. I remember reading some post going way back that talked about it.

I think the drift was that if you pop the lock then the alarm goes off but then there is a way to deactivate it very easily with a pen or similar tool. Maybe the theory is that if you do not have the alarm checking the key lock then if you pop the lock the alarm wouldn't go off until you open the door or set off the motion detector but at least you could not deactivate it as easily.

Having said that I am not sure and may see what the dealer thinks.

I have asked this very question in some previous posts and really haven't got any feedback either way (except from you).

CNorthrup

errickson

3 words for you. GO FOR IT!!! The UT is a VERY simple install, and looks much nicer than having a garage door opener attached to your visor. Additionally, if you have 2 garage doors (like us) you can program them both, and still have a button left over for the lighting option!

postoak

I consider it very telling that Shipo noticed a difference in how hot leatherette was over leather in a relatively mild environment. I'm still undecided about getting cloth, but if I don't I'll definitely get leather -- and a light colored leather at that.

I've never considered leasing before, one reason being that I drive about 22,000 miles per year, but I noticed on BMW's site, in the section that helps you decide whether to lease or buy, that one of the questions is "do you drive less than 25,000 miles per year?". I ASSUME from that that BMW allows that many miles on a lease -- is that correct. Another reason I'm considering a lease is that on an ED, I won't be able to trade in my car to serve as a down payment. Does anyone know the least you can put down on a BMW lease?

ccotenj

on the colors... it's back from "in the day" when racing was more "nationalistic" (for lack of a better word)...

-Chris

shipo

Minimum down on a BMW lease: $0.00 (that way you can maximize your tax benefits if you have a business).

Mileage: When I leased my 328i in 1999, I was given the option (by my dealer) of leasing through either BMW or BancOne. BMW was about $35.00 more per month ($545 vs. $510, $0.00 down), in exchange, BMW is a little more lenient about vehicle wear and tear AND they will buy back any unused miles that you prepaid for. According to my salesman, I could prepay up to 25,000 miles per year with the BMW lease.

In my case, I chose to use BankOne given the lower payment. As it turns out, I will be about 12,000 miles under my mileage allotment next April when my lease expires, as such; I would have been better off with the BMW lease.

Keep in mind that my information is now approaching three years old.

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

On the subject of the 'ette interior, in all fairness, the OAT was about 75 degrees and humid and I did not have the A/C engaged. I have driven many leather equipped cars in similar conditions and not noticed the clamminess before, however, there was no back-to-back comparison done to make sure.

Best Regards,
Shipo

brave1heart

<<< 12,000 miles under my mileage allotment >>>

Seems like we should have swapped cars till April - I could have certainly helped you burn through those miles with my Boston-Albany commute )

efxx

I see swirls on the top of the trunk lid dagnabit! How do I get rid of that? I think it was caused by wiping it down. Its an orient blue 325i that I purchased 3 weeks agon and already swirls grrrrr.

Also, I have a quater jammed in the nickel slot the coin holder. Any suggestions on getting it out w/out damaging anything?

I have a scuff mark on my door caused by kicking it (door storage bin) accidentally when exiting the car. Any recommendations on removing that black streak (sand beige interior).

TIA

shipo

Then I would be the one having all of the fun commuting on summer tires throughout the winter. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

brave1heart

You have to admit it was a nice try, though...

P.S. Drove the Quattro for 50 miles in over an inch of new snow on Saturday night and it was so much fun!!! Glad we took the A4 out that night, as the snow came down really fast.

brave1heart

I have the cure for all your worries - drive more often, worry less about cosmetics ;o)

P.S. Have the dealer replace the jammed coin holder - it is a common problem with the 3-series.

shipo

Brave, I will leave the "quarter stuck in the nickle slot" for you. ;-)

Fred, I have the sand colored interior as well. For general purpose marks and such, I just use "Baby Wipes", I figure that if they are save enough for the hides of my children, they are plenty safe for the hides on my car seats. For some of the nastier marks, I have used those "Citrus Cleaners" (Orange looking spray liquid). I go real easy with that stuff and make sure that I rinse it off with a wet cloth (wet with water that is).

Best Regards,
Shipo

1pierce

As somebody who is pretty uptight about cosmetics, I can relate to your issues. But,...it sounds like you made a bad buying decision given your sensitivity to flaws. My solution to this sensitivity is to get a light color exterior (doesn't show the inevitable swirls and water marks), and get a dark interior (shoe marks BEGONE!!!) I'll be getting a red 325i w/black leatherette next year. Our minivan is white, with brown cloth interior the color of dirt (we have three kids, afterall).

Obviously, its a little late for you, since you just got the car. I love the orient blue color - that would be my choice if I went dark - but it requires constant attention to keep it perfect. And even with that, you'll fail due to acid rain, winter driving, bird droppings, stone chips, etc. Are you depressed, yet?

Thats part of the reason I lease. If I get a chip or a scuff, I'm more worried about covering it up for a day when I trade the car, than I am about having to look at it in disgust for 10 years. I get to reset the clock every three years with an unblemished beauty!

Best of luck making your car right.

raavir

Is it E30 or E36

shipo

Take hope, all is not lost. I have the dark Forest Green Metallic on my 328i, that paint has about the same level of darkness as Brave's Orient Blue 325i. After almost three years, you would have to really try to find any swirl marks and such on my finish. The only thing I do to my car is to use the Klasse polish system and then run my car through a regular soft cloth (ie. brushless) car wash every few weeks or so.

FWIW, I see many BMWs here in the area that have swirl marks in the paint, including folks that I work with. I asked two folks here at work how they washed their cars and they both told me "By Hand". I do not know if I am just lucky or what, but the paint on my 1999 looks better than the paint on both the 2000 328i (dark blue metallic) and the 2001 330i (dark gray metallic) that my car shares the parking lot with everyday here at Fuji.

Needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend the Klasse system.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dave330i

If you're talking about this model year, then 325i is E46. Not sure about 320i (I'd assume E46 as well). I don't believe BMW makes anything on the E30 anymore. The Z3s were on E36 in MY2001 I believe. Don't know about 2002 though.

shipo

What year?

If you mean new cars, all 3-Series Sedans since 1999 have had the E46 designation. During the 2000 model year ALL remaining 3-Series cars were converted to the E46 platform as well (I don't really consider the Z3 as a 3-Series). I think it is safe to assume that the above holds true in Canada as well.

Best Regards,
Shipo

raavir

I am taking about 3series 320i and 325i for 2002 model year. If u guys get a chance could u tell me is there any way that i can order 3spoke multi function leather steering wheel as a stand alone option and could u tell me more about sport pack and sport seats. I test drove a 325i with sport pack and felt it's a bit noisy, may be I am wrong. I have an appointment with another dealer to night for a test drive on 320i with out SP. They don't have any with sp to test. Are the sport seats bigger than reguler seats?, if it is so they might have take some leg room front and rear, not sure, very new to BMW cars. Thinking of getting 320i with sport as ith costs same as 325i without sport, but have some doubts on sport pack.

Thanx guys

jfedor1

I know how you feel I have plenty swirl marks and I only wash at hand car washes(they tend to be the ones that cause the swirls) or by my hands. I just don't always have the time to do it myself and it'll be impossible in the winter. Unless I can find I self serve car wash in the LI, NY area.

I'm slowly getting over the swirl marks, I'm sure you will too soon.

Josh

shipo

Klasse is a German Acrylic car polishing system, they have a product called "Klasse ALL-IN-ONE Car Polish & Sealant" and another complimentary product called "Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze". They are very easy to apply (especially compared to Zaino) and are a fraction of the cost. I bought mine from www.properautocare.com and the All-In-One cost $35 for a litre and the Glaze cost $28 for a litre. FWIW, a litre of this stuff is a several year supply.

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

A couple of years ago (like 8) I saw a couple of articles about Hand Washing vs. Machine Washing of cars. Each article came to the conclusion that hand washing was just about the most damaging way to wash a car, second only to the old fashioned car washes with those stiff nylon bristles. I have no scientific evidence that this is in fact the case, however, I have never hand washed any of my cars more than twice a year (only at wax time), and my cars have NEVER developed swirl marks.

Brave1heart has struck me as someone who has a fairly acute eye and he can attest to the clarity of the finish on my 328i after almost three years of being washed in commercial car washes.

Best Regards,
Shipo

nyccarguy

I don't know where on LI you live, but there is an awesome car wash on Old Country Road (Near Westbury Nissan). It looks like a brushless wash, but they pull your car in and it is "attacked" by about 20 guys in raincoats and sponges. It is then sprayed off by high pressure water and hand dried. It is realtively inexpensive too.

BTW...Thanks Shipo.

jfedor1

Actually I tried that place a couple weeks ago, its my favorite in the area. I really like the Comack car wash, but its too far away. I work for Hofstra University, so I live in the Hempstead area.
I was hoping to find a self serve that I could use for quick washes.

Thanks
Josh

dave330i

I don't believe you can order just the 3-spoke wheel only. I do know that You can buy the 3-spoke wheel (M style) and replace it. The sport seats provide more lateral support. Some people find this restrictive (I don't). Sport also has additional thigh support which is adjustable. I'm not aware of one seat being bigger than the other though.

1pierce

When I was younger, and had more free time, I always considered hand washing my new cars to be one of the joys of owning a nice car. What you guys are describing (guys in raincoats,...etc) is hand washing by a bunch of other guys. Why is this different than washing it yourself? I've never taken a car that I owned through a machine wash, but I don't believe that any machine can get all of the little grooves, recesses, wheel contours, etc., totally clean, without additional hand attention.

When I wash my cars, I use a soft cotton towel (for wash and dry - I don't care for chamois (SP?), they don't absorb all of the water), with liquid car soap in warm water (no soap in summer, or if I can wash often enough). I wash and dry in straight lines, trying to avoid round motions on the big flat areas of sheet metal.

You guys think this is harder on a car than a machine? Also, this type of detailed wash allows me to micro-inspect the car for dents, chips, squashed bugs, tar, or any other flaws that have crept up since my last wash. Once I had a damaged tire sidewall that I would never have noticed, had I not hand washed the car.

Even if you can prevent swirls through washing, how can you prevent water spotting from acid rain on dark finishes (other than by living in Montana)? I'm genuinely curious on this point - or is this just a phenomenon of where I live?

dave330i

take my car to the local car wash to be washed once a month or so. They do a pretty good job, and I'm in and out in 30 minutes or so (big plus). Every 3 months or so, I wash it myself, then wax it. This usually take 3-4 hours. Just don't have the time or the effort to do it monthly. With all the recent rain though, car's looking pretty dirty.

brave1heart

... is smooth as glass, no swirl marks whatsoever. It looks at least as good as my 7-month old Orient Blue 325, which has never been through an automatic car wash. It must be the Klasse polishing system that Shipo described above.

Having said all that, cosmetics and caring for cosmetics is last on my list of priorities. As much as I love my 325i, in the end it is all just stuff - you've all seen American beauty, right. What's real to me is the feelings and emotions that the car and especially driving stir in me. Take this from a guy who parks two 30+ grand cars on city street and never worries about brake dust because he thinks the wheels look cool and mean with it.

raavir

going to testdrive them this evening

looking for this config, both costs more or less same CAD$42500

320i:
black/black
5sp manual
sunroof
sportpack
xenons
rainsensor
dimmingmirror
aluminium trim
HK sound system

or

325i:

black/black
5sp manual
sunroof
heated seats
rainsensor
dimmingmirror
aluminium trim
HK sound system

dave330i

Does anyone use them? I remember my hand slipping off the shift couple of times during the warm months. Any particular brand to get, or avoid?

brave1heart

... Csaba Csere on CNBC in the aft - they invited him to talk about C&D's Top 10 list. They asked him why there were only a couple of American models on the list. He answered along the lines of "What the big three do best is trucks and they focus their design efforts in that segment. Since this is a Top 10 list for cars, most of the cars on the list are foreign." So he started presenting the cars but only got through the Focus and the Accord, as they interrupted him because they were running out of time. As a closing question, one of the talking heads asked him if AWD cars are really as safe as AWD SUV's. What a clown... He said he was trying to choose between the Audi Allroad and the Volvo CrossCountry AWD. Why was I not surprised (and great relieved I might add!!) that he was not looking at any Bimmers.

dave330i

"As a closing question, one of the talking heads asked him if AWD cars are really as safe as AWD SUV's. What a clown..."

What was the response?

brave1heart

He said that in the end, snow tires are more important than AWD and that AWD only helps you accelerate better but for better braking and handling, you should use snow tires if you do a lot of driving in snow. So indirectly and very politely, Csere (had no idea it's pronnounced as in chair) told him he was an idiot for asking that questions...

Can people in this country really be so misinformed on the "advantages" of AWD and big tricks? Blows my mind...

p.s. I have to run to the post office or my mother-in-law is never getting her X-mas present on time...

1pierce

I admire your attitude, Brave. I wish I could share it - and have as much sheer fun driving, as you obviously do.

Part of the joy of cars for me is the thrill of owning them and looking at the beauty of them. If this makes me shallow or materialistic, so be it. Truth be told, I don't get to drive hard all that often. Mostly, I'm in traffic, or tooling around the suburbs, or have passengers in the car that want to keep their lunch down. And even if I could drive at the edge often, I wouldn't. I could never forgive myself if I made a mistake, wrecked, and messed up my life and my family's.

I've got to try this Klasse system, though. But, while I like washing cars,...I absolutely hate polishing them. I'm a perfectionist, so it takes me a whole day to polish a car. The weather has to be just right, not too sunny, hot, or cold, no rain, etc, - or in the garage. I love the way they look when they're done,...I just hate doing it. Maybe I'll try it. A fairly driven '99 Orient Blue with no swirls or water marks must be a wonderous sight to see!

1pierce

Brave: I respectfully disagree. Of course snow tires are better in the snow than All Seasons or SP's - but anyone who has owned an AWD car (not necessarily an SUV) knows the inherent advantages in the snow. And, they are many.

Everybody on this site admires RWD for its handling dynamics - and that is valid. When is the last time anybody saw a FWD race car? But, Porsche has made a living making AWD sports cars for years. Given the same tires, FWD gets better snow traction than RWD,...and AWD gets much better snow traction than FWD. Also, AWD doesn't have the inherent stopping disadvantage of FWD, in terms of the backend wanting to swing around on a down-hill because only the front wheels have engine drag.

And in most cases, an AWD SUV is safer than a car in the snow, if driven sensibly. Because, if you slam into somebody, you have an enormous size/weight/height advantage, and are more likely to win the impact battle and walk away. I don't drive an SUV, but I won't deny the laws of physics. If you want handling, RWD is it. If you want to drive in the snow everyday, AWD is it. And if you have to compromise, FWD isn't all that bad.

dave330i

"Because, if you slam into somebody, you have an enormous size/weight/height advantage"

I'd rather be in a better engineered vehicle.

mschukar

And in most cases, an AWD SUV is safer than a car in the snow, if driven sensibly.

Actually, the NHTSA's statement on SUV's is that they are no safer than an average midsized car based on deaths per million vehicles. This is due to the much higher incidence of rollover deaths in SUV's. (Sorry I don't have the link handy).

You are correct that you'd be safer in a SUV slamming into a 325, but you're much more likely to die in a rollover in the SUV.

Given the same tires, FWD gets better snow traction than RWD

This is true in most FWD cars since they have more weight on the front wheels, but is this true if the car has equal weight distribution?

-Murray

dave330i

"This is true in most FWD cars since they have more weight on the front wheels, but is this true if the car has equal weight distribution?"

Don't know of any FWD with equal weight. Not sure if it can be done, unless you go hybrid and have the batteries in the back.

brave1heart

<<< AWD and big tricks >>> lol, you guys are much too easy on me... Sorry, I was in a big hurry and did not proofread my post. I meant to say "trucks" of course.