BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

postoak

I went to Garlyn Shelton in Temple. A pleasant 2 hour drive from my house through some of the most beautiful scenery in Texas. My salesman is Jef Sims. I imagine he would give anyone the same deal, as each succeeding one just becomes that much easier for him since he will know the procedure.

530 BMW - I still don't know the answer to MACO and ED. In my case it didn't apply because I bought from a small town dealership (well, Temple is about 75,000, I think) and so they are outside of any MACO area.

postoak

Moonroofs are sort of like home swimming pools -- you either "gotta have" or you know you will never use it and (in the case of the pool) know it will just be a pain to maintain.

Ah, I didn't understand that seivwrig was posting from "over there".

postoak

I still don't understand how the actual purchase process works. So, far, the dealer has just taken my information (pickup, dropoff, car specifications).

What's this power of attorney thing?

When do I actually sign something? Normally, you sign an agreement that has the vehicle VIN written on it, but in this case, there is no VIN, yet.

wacka

So I tried these out when I was doing my T-drive sometime ago, and one of things I loved about the 3-series is that the music just seems to be coming from EVERYWHERE...

However, I only noticed a slight difference in power between the 325i and 330i (330's come with Kardon standard), the Kardon seemed to do slightly better at louder levels..

does anyone have any thoughts on the Kardon option?? Did you find it worth it? If I am to buy a 325i I think this is the only option I'd want..

Request feedback... thanks all

nyccarguy

ED is becoming increasingly popualar on this board! That's great that so many of us are taking advantage of ED. Please post your experiences when you return from Europe.

shipo

The power of attorney is so that BMW can arrange the registration and insurance over in Europe in your name, prior to your arrival.

If I remember correctly, all paperwork must be signed 30 days prior to ED pickup.

Best Regards,
Shipo

carwatch

when did you put in your ED order? what model and how much over invoice were you able to get?

nyccarguy

In the fall if I decide to go with the BMW (I'm pretty sure I will) and if (i'm pretty sure I will) do ED. I'll be shopping for a 325Ci. I've still got 9 months to go on my Saab's lease. Again, I haven't even driven the car yet! My first stop will be Wide World of Cars in Spring Valley, NY because they're closest to my parents' house (where my car will spend most of its time) and they provide loaner cars I believe to their customers only. I'll then try Park Avenue and some of the other Jersey dealers.

nyccarguy

for another German luxury marque's sport sedan with a Turbocharged 4 and Quattro whose name shall not be mentioned on this board;)-

hgeyer

I got my 330i last week and it's great! My only problem (other than the car sitting between customs and the dealer for 4 weeks) is that I thought that there were supposed to be cupholders in the back seat armrest.

I've got the cold-weather package with the pass-through armrest, but my owner's manual indicates that there should still be cupholders back there.

Is this an accessory that I can order, or am I just blind and missing them.

derprofi

I noticed the same thing. My 330i has the CWP and I was expecting a little pop-out cupholder in the center armrest... Let me know if you find out anything.

carwatch

LOL and good hunting.

I wish I could have done ED but my schedule does not permit it. I did multiple test drives on both the 325Ci and 330Ci. In the end, I chose the 330Ci - you'll know what I mean when you do your test drives.

I ordered my 330Ci at Difeo BMW in Tenafly, NJ due in May. Lowest price point and has a reputation of providing good maintenance service (of course, with any dealer there will always be those who are not satisfied).

Get in touch with Gregg Berkowitz (internet sales) by e-mail first so you can be attended to when you go there.

Park Ave BMW advertised on the net as "new" a demo with 13K miles. I learned about it when I inquired since it had the config that I wanted and was hoping not to wait until May. That lit up my warning lights and my confidence level with them just started to dive.

Anyway, nine months is not a long wait, it'll go by very quickly. I'll surf this board from time to time. Business is starting to really pick up and I have less time enjoying all your posts here.

nyccarguy

There are quite a few variables which will influence my next purchase/lease decision. I do not know yet whether I will buy or lease. I don't plan on a 330Ci because it is out of my price range (Unless there's some fabulous too good to be true lease deal on a leftover with a Black Interior and a 5 speed). Plus it gives me something to look forward to;)- Yours is the first bad experience I've heard about from Park Avenue. I'm still going to give it a shot! I'll definitely give Gregg a call (Berkowitz...He's one of my guys;)- at Difeo.

conneen

I've written up my ED experience and put it on a web page. It's pretty rough, but since people seemed interested I figured they wouldn't mind.

http://www.conneen.com/BMWEuroDeliv.htm

Enjoy!

Brian

nyccarguy

I'm sure the edmunds people are thanking you for creating your own website, posting a link, and not tying up their system with those large pictures. It sounds like you had a lot of fun. I saw some snow on the ground in the picture...did you reap the benefits of your Xi's AWD system?

postoak

I'm glad to see you confirming my information that PeopleFirst is no problem -- you just need to get the VIN to place on the check. Also, thanks for the tips on the timing of giving it to the dealer.

lfgpit

If you press the band selector until you get to either FMA or AMA, you can then press and hold down that band button until the display reads "Autoscan." After a minute, you will have you presets pre-set. Good luck.

Also, I just got the call. My 330xi (steel blue, grey leather, pp, hs) is at the dealer. I can't wait to pick it up.

nyccarguy

are you doing at your computer? Go to the dealer already! LOL

hgeyer

I dropped my car off at Harms on 1/14 in the early AM. Parked next to my car was a dark blue 325xi.

On my trip page (www.geyer.org/bmw.htm) I have a picture of my car at Harms. I believe that yours' is the car behind mine (the one with my pop bottle resting on the roof - sorry).

conneen

NYCCARGUY... The only time I really got to try the AWD system was on the way to Fussen. There was this one back road, actually it's the one I'm on in the second picture, that was snow/ice. Other than that the Germans do a very good job of keeping the roads clear.

HGEYER... I was wondering where that cup ring on my roof came from... j/k.

seivwrig

Congrats on the purchase. When I make another BMW purchase, I will use Garlyn Shelton too. They do not include MACO and will not try to snow you. I had to use them in order to get my deal in Houston.

Yep, I am email from Germany. Did some driving in the Mosel river valley area along this minor road (B50). Talk about hairpin curves!!! I am very pleased with the purchase.

Nobee, thanks again for setting up the purchase for the changer. I will get the brackets in Luton. My father lives four blocks from a BMW dealer.

On the key remote, your dealer can have program the keys so that when the doors are locked, the lights flash and the clown noise will flash when active. You do not have to have an alarm to accomplish this feat. It also works as a good deterrent.

Well, I'm off on the run again. An evening to Trier.

mschukar

It's confirmed, my Steel Blue 325i with SP, CWP, HK, xenon's, sunroof is at the dealer waiting to be prepped, etc. How long should this take? The yahoo (not my original salesman) I spoke to this morning said "Less than a week"! I certainly hope so! My salesman will be in tomorrow morning so I should get a more accurate estimate.

I've got the Pickup Checklist from e46fanatics.com which I plan to work through when I pick up the car. Any last minute suggestions from the group?

I tracked my car through BMWUSA and the dealer. BMWUSA seemed to be pretty close to the dealer, but a couple days behind. Probably the worst part was being stuck on "Awaiting Transport" for nearly a month.

With any luck, I will join the ranks of BMW Owner in a couple days!

-Murray

erickpl

I am taking my car to the dealer to set up some options on Saturday. I'll ask about the cupholders there to see what is up with that.

I've had the car 2 days now and I'm loving it.

With the 325xi, I've had no problems climbing mountainous roads. From the dealer to home there is about a 4000 foot climb with twisties. It handled it flawlessly, even in the rain. I like the xenon lights and how they cut off at a certain height. Great plus in heavy fog.

Ride with the xi Sport Package is wonderful. Not too firm, but not bouncy either. Just confident.

My baby is Oxford Green Metallic 2, with Natural Brown leather (black just won't work in the desert!), myrtle wood trim. Windows are tinted. Wheels are the standard xi sport package wheels.

The hardest part of this car is working out when I get to drive it. My wife loves it too. Guess I'll get her a Z3.

I got the car at BMW of Bakersfield and worked with Dennis. Great guy. Really cares. When we had problems with the car at delivery (wrong trim, etc), he took care of us and made things right.

nyccarguy

I like the line that you didn't want to disclose your speed due to the fact that it might void your warranty. Thay can't do that can they? LOL!

modendahl

Where on e46fanatics.com is the checklist that you wrote about? If you can point me in a direction it would be great.

My 02' 325i is scheduled to arrive at the dealer today or Monday and will be picking it up soon.

Thanks!

genie1

the checklist can be found here:

http://e46fanatics.com/faq/checklist.html

Off topic: I'm heading out shortly to help my brother pick up his CL230K and I'm excited. Can't wait to see it...Capri blue ext, oyster leather, Evolution package, heated seats and the best part: the panorama sunroof.

Can't wait till break-in is done so I can check it out for myself.

nyccarguy

Tell your brother I said congrats on his new C Coupe. He got a 6 speed? I'd like to definitely hear your thoughts on the C Coupe's manual tranny!

genie1

that would be a no! neither of us can drive a stick.

I do plan to learn this summer though!

Lest ye judge too harshly, I've only been driving for 5 yrs and became a certified car nut last summer, when I discovered the joys of driving Bimmers.

zer2

Please indulge a novice. My wife and I have been looking at BMW's for some time, we live in Houston. When we're ready to buy what are the advantages of ED? What is the cost to cargo the car back to the U.S.? Or is that included? We just don't know and would like to hear the pro's and cons. From what I've seen here it seems that just negotiating your best deal in the U.S. would be better.
Thanks a lot.

dave330i

www.bmwusa.com has a link on ED. There are other sites as well (can't remember right now).

Couple of quick advantages to ED. Cost of the car is cheaper (enough to offset travel expense), they will ship it for you, and you can get options not available in the US (rear sun shade comes to mind).

postoak

The advantages of ED are:

1) lower price
2) a few extra goodies: First Aid Kit, Emergency Triangle, free floor mats

BMWs are in demand these days and a lot of people are paying $500 under MSRP for non-ED. I just got $3330 off US MSRP on my ED deal.

There are disadvantages too:

1) Costs time and money to go to Germany
2) Longer process - from the time the car is ordered until it arrives back in the US at your dealer is, at a minimum, 5 months. So this requires planning.

The shipping issue is a wash. You are charged the SAME shipping on an ED as you would pay for any car sitting on a dealers lot.

Here is an ED XREF post I made that points you to a number of earlier discussions of ED and also has a link to the BMWNA ED pages:

postoak Dec 13, 2001 4:04pm

gwunj

They also cover the car insurance up to 30 days. I was seriously considered it, but gave into the lust and ordered a US delivery. If you are planning a European vacation anyway and were thinking of buying a bimmer, go for it! I'm sure the posters can point you to a bunch of previous posts. If someone can remind me how to post some of my bookmarks, I can too.

Yes, I took the plunge: Topaz/grey 330ci, SP, PP, Xenon & Heated Seats) Currently scheduled for production in week 15. Where's the fast-forward button?!

Glenn

chewie5

I just had a quick question about the steptronic tranny. When you are in manual mode and come to a stop, is does the tranny automatically downshift to 1st or 2nd gear? I had thought it was supposed to go into 1st gear, but mine goes to 2nd gear.

zer2

gwunj

Is it just me or is sports wheel a little on the thin side? I was expecting a meatier steering wheel with the sports package and was surprised during my test drive.

Speaking of test drives, the oomph and handling is addictive. We all hear about it, and now I understand and believe.

Glenn

dave330i

There's M3 steering wheel which is meatier.

zer2

seivwrig

The steptronic goes to 2nd. The only fix is to get the Dinan tranny software.

seivwrig

There are plenty of advantages but I think it is the disadvantages that get most people, i.e. the waiting period (twice), having to go to Munich, cost of Europe can be high in the summer, & can be harder to finance.

Advantages:
discounted cost
insurance paid for
no additional shipping costs
drive the car on the roads that it was created for
get accessories cheaper(be careful if you buy electronic items because the P/N are different)
don't have to get a rental car to tour Europe
first aid kit, triangle and floor mats(probably about $300 in value)
pleasant experience with BMW people (more than I can say for some US dealers)

otoluva

So,is it a wash at the end,total cost of vehicle?
The only gain is a free vacation in Europe?

shipo

From my perspective, even with the week in Germany and France that my wife and I will have, we will still be ahead when compared to the MSRP (or even a thousand or so off of MSRP) of my new toy.

So, to me, not only am I getting a FREE vacation in Europe with my wife, I am still saving between $1,000-$2,000 in the process, my kind of deal.

Best Regards,
Shipo

butmywife

POSTOAK: The paperwork I just helped the dealer complete is a European Delivery Program Purchase Order which gives specs on the car you order and personal info including passport #. On the back is a power of attorney page entitling BMW to register your car on international license plates for driving in Europe.

I agree with SHIPO's assessment of the benefits of doing ED. To me, the additional waiting for US delivery is far outweighed by a trip with one's wife to Europe and substantial savings off MSRP. Plus, you buy a little time to sell your current car.

What's this about accessories to be bought while in Europe? Are these items I needed to order with the car or stuff I can get put on after market?????? How could I find out what is available before going to Europe?

GENIE1: Thanks for the link to the checklist. You guys are amazing. It is incredible how much information I've gotten from this sight. I hope I can reciprocate.

bavarian

I am halfway through my 3 year lease on my 325i and am very interested in ED for my next BMW.
To be honest the discount afforded by ED isn't a compelling factor for me, in part because it is somewhat offset by the fact that you have to pay for a car that you are not driving while it is being shipped and you have to go to Germany and pay airfares and lodging expenses.

To me, the money isn't the thing.

What is the thing is spending at least a week in Germany driving a brand new BMW on good roads amid some of the most beautiful and spectacular scenery on this planet you call Earth.

My plan is to drive the thing 400 miles a day and be done with the break-in period by the morning of the fourth day and then let her rip on the autobahn. It will be a driving holiday in a beautiful country, seeing lots of little out of the way places and will work up an appetite for evenings of beer and schnitzel and yodelling.

I am frankly tired of having to tip-toe down the potholed lanes that pass for highways here, hoping that I don't get pulled over. What is with this 55mph limit on long stretches of I94 in Indiana?

I welcome the free first aid kit,the warning triangle and the free mats and I will certainly take full advantage of the free BMW lunch in Munich and take the factory tour on Montag und Freitag, but what I really want to do is drive a German car on German roads and I want it to be my car.

Saying that- I am going to Berlin in two weeks and am renting a Mercedes "Elegance"(E200?) model from Hertz and will get to steam down the autobahn-a grin on my face no doubt-but it's unlikely to be the same as the BMW 3 series ED experience....and that's to me why it is worth doing-even if you only break even-hell....even if it costs you MORE! than buying in America....it is an EXPERIENCE, something new and if Platypus' great experience from last year (April?) was typical....then count me in.

john01

I am renting a car in Berlin for my friends who are coming to visit in 3 weeks as well. I used Europcar and eSixt for quotes and they both carry 3 and 5 series, plus you can opt to pick it up at local BMW dealers.

hitek007

I am considering the DINAN upgrade to my 2001 325 /SP. 1. What can I expect from it? 2. What does stage I and Stage II consist of? 3. Will I notice any digerence? 4. Will the gas mileage improve?

Any help? Thanks

modendahl

For you new guys considering ED - just a quick note to help you avoid what I fell in to.

My plan all along was to do ED on my new 325i. My wife and I planned the car and started working with the dealer. Germany is one corner of Europe that we haven't been to yet. After talking with the dealer, we figured out that ED will not work well financially with leasing since you must start paying for your car a month before leaving. This means that you have at least three lease payments before getting your car to drive here. You can do it, but it makes no sense.

Still, it started our interest in going to Germany and it looks like we will go later this year anyway (hopefully worked in with some bike racing since we are fans). We leased anyway and I'm waiting for the call this morning from the dealer telling us our car is ready for pick up today.

Hope this saves somebody some aggravation!

godwin3

I HAVE A 2001 325I AND I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS HEARD OF THIS. WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WILL HAVE AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF PLAY. THE WHEEL WILL MOVE LEFT TO RIGHT ETC. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE WITH MY PREVIOUS VEHICLES. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND THE STREET IS UNEVEN MY WHEEL WILL TURN EITHER LEFT OF RIGHT DEPENDING ON THE SURFACE AND THE WHEELS TURN AND MY CAR WILL GO IN THAT DIRECTION. THIS CAN BE SCARY WHEN YOU COME TO A SUDDEN STOP AT A LIGHT AND YOUR CAR DRIFTS OFF INTO THE LANE NEXT TO YOU ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLES. I HAVE THE SPORT PKG ON MY CAR AND I WAS WONDERING IF THAT WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT BEFORE I GO AND BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALER. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREAT.

hfb

I'm am curious to hear your opinion on strength/power of the 325 with the awd option as I am concerned that the added weight will be noticeable. I have only driven the 330xi and that had plenty of power but was more than I wanted to pay.

hgeyer

Last month, I traded in a Volvo S80 for my new ED 330i. Not knowing that I had defected to BMW, Volvo sent me a letter notifying my that they have modified their ED program and have a pretty interesting special running through May.

I had actually first heard of ED after buying my S80 domestically and then reading up on some of Volvo's promotional materials afterwards. The problem with Volvo's ED program was that you had to go to Sweden to pick-up the car. While I'm sure that Sweden is a wonderful country, it's a hassle to get from there to continental Europe.

Well, Volvo now allows you to take delivery (and drop off) from any of 12 locations throughout all of Europe for no additional cost. Furthermore, if you buy a car between now and 5/31, they will throw in 2 round-trip plane tickets on SAS.

I mention this so that it may be helpful to any current BMW ED shoppers. If your dealer is being stubborn on price, threaten them with this competing offer (try to keep a straight face when doing so).

gurumike

What you're feeling might be normal. To be more sure, perhaps you could tell me what your last two cars were, then I'll be better able to guess if you might have a problem or not.