BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

huntzinger

You get to see 3-series built. What more do you want?

Not to be bored to tears? Seriously.

Once you've lived in an assembly line for awhile, they become old. Unless I hear otherwise, the 3 is just another car, on just another line.

My alternative is to look into the Neurenburg Track...is it still open to the public for laps? If you could only choose one "tour", which would you pick?

-hh

seivwrig

The production number and vin # are not the same. You normally get a production number before your vehicle is built. You can get the VIN later. You can go to the Owners Cicle on www.bmwusa.com website for the status on your vehicle.

brave1heart

If my memory is not failing me in my old age, they go hand in hand - if you get a prod. #, there is a VIN # associated with it. I think I got the last 7 characters of my car's VIN # when I ordered it almost a year ago...The dealer already had an allocation for my car and all they had to do was change a couple of options. If you order before production has started, though, you will probably get just a production number...The production number is unique and good enough for ordering, that's the bottom line.

ccotenj

oh, go for the nurburgring!!! and then come back and tell us about it!

-Chris

dave330i

I was kidding. Do go for the nurburgring.

dl7265

Sweetness, thats my pick! Nobee have you taken a lap yet ?

DL

jim52

Edmunds has the new invoice pricing (at least they do on the 5 series). As best I can tell, the base invoice went up by 1% and options went up by anywhere from 0 to 7%.

stokdgs

I dont know about taking your car out there but I do know that they have a M-5 "Taxi" that a professional driver will take you around in for a lap at about 50 marks or so.. Hear they are booked up most of the time, but some people just walked up and were able to score a lap right then and there.. Now that would be very much fun !!
DanF

bing330i

I went to the factory tour. Since I had never been to an auto plant, I had no experience to compare with. As such, everything was new and educational to me. I am also no mechanic engineer. I could not tell any subtle technical know-hows which you may find otherwise. But I tend to say it may not be worthwhile for you to go considering that your had Ford assembly line experience and that in no way BMW would allow loss of secrets by such PR events.

rhmass

Thanks for your explanation on the vin/production number. I checked in with the owners' circle, my ordered car is listed as "scheduled for production". They have the color of the exterior and interior all listed. Very neat. This is the first time I have ordered my BMW instead of picking one from dealers' lot. I don't think I'll ever buy another one without ordering it, so that I get exactly the options I want. Interesting observation in my negotiation with the dealer is that they seemed not particularly eager to push for the sale of cars already on the lot, contrary to what I had thought.

ccotenj

you can... just line up and pay your marks (i guess euros now), and you can get out there just like the big boys... there's a schedule on the link i posted that has when it's open... from what i've heard, you had BETTER be on your toes when you drive it though, and you had better know when to point someone by...

i would LOVE a ride around there in the m5 taxi, for sure...

-Chris

petrarch

Thanks, jim52. Actually, it didn't seem that anything changed with the 3-series. I'll keep searching...

cecilt

I posted a week or so ago about selling my 00 323i fully loaded due to the fact I put on about 25k miles annually and will have about 75k at the end of this year. 2 people said to sell b/4 100k but I don't think I will get much for it at that point and it is probably better to sell at 75k or just keep it till 150k+ in miles and then sell for $5k or something(anyone sell a high mileage BMW, not a 10-15 year old one w/ 150k but a 6 yr old one w/ 150k). If I ultimately decide to keep it well past 100k miles what problems should be expected from the 3 series engine, transmission, alternators etc. Tires go about every 35k since I have the sport package so this is a known expense. My brakes will need replaced this year according to my mechanic. Just want to find out from previous BMW owners who put a lot of miles ont them whether they are worth keeping this long or will repairs just keep piling up. Thanks

billiam70

Well, I just got back from the dealer and placed my order for a 2002 330i. Now the wait begins....

Topaz Blue / Gray Leather
Premium Pack
Sport Pack
Fold dwn seats

Should be week 10 production (1st wk in March) with late April delivery.

nerd

My wife ordered a 325Ci with leather, PP, and SP on 12/3/01, the car was built the first week of January, and it arrived at the dealer in Tyler, Texas on 2/4/02. The dealer changed an existing order to have her car built (he changed the order while she watched). Excellent service in my opinion. And, the car is flawless.

bmw323is

Chris, thanks for the response. I am only looking to get new wheels because I'll be buying snows next winter and want to mount on separate rims. I thought I would put the snows on my 16" OEM rims and buy new 17" wheels with better Z-rated rubber than the Conti's. However, I don't want to spend $2,000 on wheels alone. I'm not a racer, however I put the car through an autocross and driving school each summer. With this information, what would you do? Thanks.

Dave
2000 323i, 5 speed, SP, HK, Wood, Jet Black, Sand Leather.

bmw323is

Is anyone on the board planning on attending the BMWCCA O'Fest in Keystone, Colorado this summer? Anyone attend one in the past? If so, what did you think?

topspin627

I had a very good experience at Haberstad in Huntington, LI with a sales person named Laurie. She was very professional and didn't play any games. She gave me the best price in the area right off the bat and really worked to find me the car with the exact options I wanted (waiting and placing an order weren't an option for me).
Good luck!

jim52

Try this link. They also had updated 5 series invoice pricing.

http://www.eurobuyers.com/pricing/

sunnybrook

I've been hearing how the standard on what to pay for a new 3-series runs about $1500 over invoice. Yet how can this be the case when even the edmunds "TMV" indicator suggests you should be happy to pay OVER the MSRP? Can anyone shed some light on the subject? Is it really reasonable to walk into a dealership in a big city and get a deal which is under MSRP?

genie1

It seems that I missed the debate on Single Malt (among other things) while sipping Laphroaig in Goa.

I saw several Mercedes Benzes (mostly Es) and one 5 series. They looked out of place among the Fiats, Hyundais and Marutis.

Bombay was crowded and polluted, and I couldn't wait to get away.

Traveled from Bombay to Goa in a Toyota Qualis (9 seater Nissan Patrol-like), on Bimmer-worthy, curvy hill roads through the Western Ghats. I missed my car a great deal on the journey. It would have been a joy to navigate the ghat roads in a curve-loving Bimmer. The 635 km journey took about 12 hours including rest stops (had some very delicious local cuisine in the most unassuming places).

Spent several days on Baga beach - the water was perfect and so was the sand, and I have the tan lines to show for it.

Ate some great seafood - mussels, clams, crabs, prawns, king fish, pomfret...

I was careful to only drink bottled water (for fear of Bombay Belly) and I didn't have any problems with the food. I had the opportunity to also sample some local cuisine on the road trip (misal and vada pao for those familiar with the region). It was spicy and delicious.

One place to try in Bombay (especially if you like seafood) is Gazali which serves Konkan Coastal food. I had tandoori Crab which was the size of a dinner plate and was unbelievably good. We also feasted on Bombil (Bombay Duck) which is a specialty of the region. Perfectly fried to a light crisp crust encasing the fragile tender flesh of the Bombay Duck...Yummy!

Dinner for seven including Prawns, Crabs, Bombil, Pomfret and dessert for Rs 2700 (about CDN$90/US$55). (No Alcohol)

Oh, and there was a bomb scare at our gate at Paris (CDG) Airport on our way back yesterday.

dave330i

It depends on the region. In NoCal for example, you'll still have a hard time getting much less than MSRP.

dave330i

Welcome back. It sounds like you had fun.

tenet1

All that food makes my mouth water. The best tiger prawns are available in Goa.

Nothing like getting sun burnt in Goa in January.

ccotenj

yup, i'm going to o'fest... ROADTRIP!!! about 1800 miles from jersey, hopefully i won't leave my wife in a rest stop on the way... lol...

hmmm....

since you don't have to buy them "today", what i would do is for the next month or so is watch ebay to see what's out there and see if you can come across a decent used set... if you can't find anything you want (or don't want to go used), what i think i would do as a first step is start with better tires on the 16" wheels and see how you like that... i think you'll be more than mildly surprised at the difference the tires will make... then i'd get a set of snows with steel wheels from tire rack for the winter... go through the first set of tires on the 16's, and if you really aren't satisfied with the performance after that, bite the bullet and go for the 17's... keep in mind it's not just the cost of the wheels when you plus size, but the tires themself get more expensive...

hope that helps. good luck.

-Chris

dave330i

The other thing you can do is look at the back of the Roundel. There's always several listing of BMW rims and what not.

jimmyz328ic

My first time to the "Hall" and seeing lot's of good info... Was hoping someone might have a good resource for a replacement zip-in window on an E36 convertible. Thanks!

raavir

sounds like u had lot of fun and tried all kinds of food from street side to good see food resturents. I love that masala....wooo wooo

bill124

Was Habberstad better than $1500 under MSRP? I am in no rush so I'm hoping that is in my favor (though I could move quickly if necessary). The $1500 under was from a place in Westchester (Wide World or something like that). Many thanks.

Also any views on whether the pricing is better on the 325 convertible vs. the 330 convertible?

nyccarguy

Wide World of cars is in Rockland County, Not Westchester.

bill124

Thanks. Do you have a Series 3 now? If so, where did you go? If not, what's holding you up?

nyccarguy

I don't have a 3 series now. What's holding me up is the fact that I still have another 9 months to go on the lease of my 2000 Saab 9-3. In the fall I'll start shopping for a 325Ci with a 5 speed/Sports Package, Leatherette & Sunroof. I'm also considering an Audi A4 1.8T. I know that Shipo (who is a highly respected member on this board) goes to Prestige BMW on Rte. 17S. I've also heard good things about Park Avenue BMW (NJ). There are so many dealers in the area.

bill124

Hey, that's my situation to but I have 20 months left on a 48 month lease. I think I'm just going to eat the 2700 bucks to finish the lease early (a 2000 Mitsu eclipse) because I know when the summer comes I am going to die for a convertible.

Have you done better than $1500 under MSRP or are you not that far along? Also, your profile says no car is more beautiful than a MB so why not a 320?

genie1

I had a great time. This was my first real vacation in over nine years (anything less than ten days doesn't really count as vacation, does it?). It was a culinary delight from the day I arrived.

I ate like there was no tomorrow and only gained a pound.

Oh yeah, I also saw some sights and lazed on the beach in between gastronomic experiments. While I checked out all the beaches, and stayed near Calangute, I spent most of my time at Baga beach, indulging in tender coconut water or Kingfisher beer (goes well with salted cashew nuts) and swimming.

postoak

I was thinking of taking an entire "BMW" day in Munich by taking the factory tour, visiting the BMW Museum, and of course, picking up my car.

In reading earlier posts, I've learned that the museum and the factory tour locations are together, along with BMW HQ, but I'm not sure of the relationship of this site to the Delivery Center -- is it part of this same complex?

Also, someone said they spent about 1 1/2 hours in the museum, but how much time does the factory tour take?

Finally, in which order would you recommend doing these 3 events, factory, museum, and pickup?

pmhtv

Does anyone know if the possibility even exists to special order a 3 series with cloth interior instead of the standard leatherette?

nyccarguy

The C-Class sedans are way out of my price range. If I put the options and equipment in a C240 that I'd have in a comparably equipped BMW 325, it costs a lot more. If you check out the C-Class board, you'll notice that more than just va few people have horror stories. The C320 starts at $37,000 + options. If you mean why don't I look at the C230 Kompressor. I actually like the C230, but the 6 speed is not up to par with the BMWs Getrag 5 speed and MBs quality anjd reliability have been questioned as of late. I know that Scheduled maintenence and warranty would be effective for the term of the lease, but I don't want to have to deal with the headache of bringing the car to the dealer every other week.

postoak

Supposedly you can do this. Read this post:

gurumike Jun 27, 2001 9:18am

And this one:

gurumike Jun 27, 2001 7:01pm

hgeyer

The ED delivery center is not part of the museum/hq facility. They are, however, about 10 minutes away from one another.

Keep in mind that the factory tours are only on Monday and Friday.

Personally, I'd pick up the car first. There's no easy train from BMW-HQ to BMW-ED (you'd have to go downtown and back out again). I guess you could call a cab, but BMW is not in downtown Munich.

mg330ci

You should be able to buy the car for 1500$ over the total invoice. If you work harder, even for less but:
1.- You have to be an informed buyer and prove it to them.
2.- Be patient, ready to walk out.
3.- You will need to shop around, alot!
4.- The dealers will look at you and make you believe that your information is wrong, that your invoice is wrong, that BMW FS official rates that you researched are wrong (to charge you more!), they even will make you wonder who your parents are. They will swear on the Bible under their mothers name that you are wrong in order to squeeze that last dollar out of your pocket, without an eye blink.
5.-They will be offended by your offer, claiming that only people so rich, who don't care what they spend, and who will also top it by polishing the salesman shoes, will receive the privilege, to be allowed to buy a BMW over MSRP.(They never heard the concept of hard earned money)
6.-But at the end of the day, there will be a dealer willing to sell a car, who understand that you know what are you talking about, knows that you did your homework, and knows that if they don't sell you the car (already 1500$ profit + dealer hold back and who knows what else!, why are they wining about!) you will walk out and find somebody else. ((They will still get you some how, fee here, fee there, dealers private yatch fee, Dealers wife poodle (Fifi) pedicure and hair styling fee, etc, be careful!)
7.-Remeber its only a car, I was so turn down buy the buying experience, that I was ready to buy something else, there are several nice cars out there, which cost less, and that will provide you with satisfaction for many years. Perhaps, I should not buy from BMW again?
8.-Hello BMW, anybody home?, your dealers are a disgrace, for you, and for the human race.
9.-Good luck shopping, enjoy :{

postoak

the factory tour was only Mondays and Fridays -- that changes everything. BTW, did you take the tour? How long does it take? Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

nyccarguy

I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I take it your buying experience was unpleasant.

ccotenj

you think, maybe?

i guess i was lucky... mine sure wasn't that bad... maybe it's cause i was shopping for a lowly cpo... but i kinda think it's because i didn't go in with a confrontational attitude, or with the attitude that i could decide what a "fair" profit is or not (how would you like it if someone showed up where you work and arbitrarily decided "you make too much money") without really understanding your business...

maybe if he did a little more research he'd also know that bmw doesn't have holdback... but, nah, it sounds like he knows everything already...

-Chris

petrarch

The prices look the same as last year, so I must be confused. Thanks for the help!

hgeyer

I did not take the tour because the plant was closed on the week of my visit. It is advertised as a 1:30 tour that begins in the morning (8AM or 10:30AM, I can't remember exactly).

It seems like a worthwile endeavor, depending on how much time you have.

I am kicking myself for not checking out the Nurburgring.

millerro3

If I give you a better deal, will you come in and polish my shoes? lolololol

I don't know where you live or who you ran into while shopping for your car, but it's a far cry from anything I've ever seen, regarding incorrect info, instilling doubt in the identity of one's parents, swearing on the Bible that people's info is wrong, only selling cars to people who shine my shoes!?!? still lol, etc. etc. etc. It sounds like you really didn't prove to anyone that you were informed, yet that's your 1st rule up there.

Did you walk(rule 2)from the dealer who was telling you the rate was .00250? I really hope you did because by shopping around "alot"(rule 3), you could have easily verified the correct rate from any other number of BMW dealers. And in the leasing questions thread, some of CarMan's info is wrong. Acquisition fee is $525, disposition fee is $350.

Did you use your three rules? It sure doesn't seeem like it to me, since now you're here complaining about your buying experience, when countless others have used these rules to buy a car very painlessly-for a great price.

But, maybe I'm not qualified, 'cause all I am is a disgrace to the human race, right?

bill124

How much are European Delivery purchasers saving net after the trip or is the idea that you give some of your money to airlines and hotel and get a trip out of it rather than give it all to a u.s. dealer?

bing330i

The BMW HQ site, Delivery Center, downtown are like a triangle. I agreed with hgeyer to pick up your car first and drive to HQ for the tour.

The factory tour I took lasted about 2 hours, beginning at 115 PM, Monday, promptly at the BMW museum and a 15 min break at a factory cafe. The first part was a 20 min documentary movie same as that's played in the museum - so pass the museum movie.

After the tour, you may want to visit the museum depending on if you are exausted with the day or you just want to drive your dream machine!

You will probably have to park your car at the Olympia Park next to BMW HQ/tour as I did not notice anywhere else around you can park. If you plan on visiting Munich for a couple of days, I'd suggest you pick up your car on the last or two there unless you want to pay hotel parking or fight on the street.

brave1heart

"Acquisition fee is $525, disposition fee is $350". Is there also a documentation processing fee or that is rolled up into the acquisition fee? Wondering why consumers are typically asked to pay the acquisition fee for leasing but not for buying - is processing a lease more time-consuming that processing a purchase?!?

bill124

How much are European Delivery purchasers saving net after the trip or is the idea that you give some of your money to airlines and hotel and get a trip out of it rather than give it all to a u.s. dealer?