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On buying accessories: bring an emply suitcase and buy your accessories at Niederlassung Munchen. When buying electrical items like CD changer or alarm, you will be more hard pressed. You are not supposed to add anything to the car while in Europe, but wheel locks would not be noticed. I purchase wheel locks, luggage net, cd changer and keyring. My birthday was on Monday, but my family celebrated yesterday by getting me a BMW cap, t-shirt and a model of the 325ci(the car my wife would not let me have.)
Hardest part of ED, keeping the car under 100 mph and 4000 rpm during break-in period. I did max my car out on the autobahn. I got 135 before the fuel cutoff kicked in. I figured the car could do 145 to 150 mph. Not bad for a 2.5L 6-pot. I got to experience a lot of driving on B-roads in Germany. It is a must do if you do ED. Autobahn is fine but it does not have hairpin turns. Give me 10 days, and i will have some kind of website up.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I am in the process of purchasing a station wagon for my family and I am leaning towards the 325xi touring but concerned if there is enough umph in the auto. I took one out for a test drive and it was a very nice ride but not a rocket. Typical cargo is two adults, one child and some bikes on the back. I think it is ok for the city (90% of driving) but I was wondering about the accleration onto the highway and passing. We rarely go past 130km/h. Apprciate your input.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I picked up my 325i sedan on monday at the performance center in SC. I live in NC, so I rented a car and drove down with a friend. Unfortunately, my wife could not come. I dropped the rental off at the small Greenville/Spartanburg airport and called the hotel. We were picked up in a 5 series wagon, very nice. The hotel was fine and the meal OK. Nothing special, but not bad either.
At 7:40 the next day we took a shuttle bus to the Performance Center. The people were very nice and the first thing we got to do was the driving school portion. You are outfitted with a BMW very similar to the one you bought. In my group there was a 325i sedan (mine), 330xi, 525 sedan, M3 convertible (not kidding here) and a Z3 (2.5, I think). All were auotmatics, except the M3 which had the SMG transmission. We got instruction in properly viewing the road, sitting in the car and mirror placement before we went on the course. The first course was a simple small oval where we practiced hard turns, looking the correct direction (vs. just staring out the front of the windshield all the time) and shuffle steering. The last is basically making hard turns without ever changing your relative hand positions. There was a set of cones as well on this course. Pretty basic, but fun. The idea was always look where you are going, and don't fixate on thing you want to miss.
The next step was learning to trust the anti lock brakes. This involved emergency braking on a wet surface and required some steering. You took it at 40, 45, and 50 mph. If you let up at all on the brake, the car did not stop as fast, and the front end lifted up so it did not steer as well. The 330xi did great at this. The guys with the M3 kept trying to pump their brakes, never really got the hang of just stomping on the brake and holding it as hard as you can.
The final course was for trusting the DSC. We were on the wet skid pad and basically the instructor pulls up the parking brake when you are not ready and you have to steer the car. With DSC, this was easy. I was the first driver, so I was not ready when he turned off the DSC on my second try and I spun the car in a 180. My friend nearly did a 360 when it was his turn.
After driving, I got to take delivery of my car. This was cool in the glass bay by itself. After lunch we went to the museum, pretty cool. No tours of the plant because they are working on the design of the new Z3. The video was pretty cool. After that, we drove home. I had wanted to go to Asheville, NC with my wife afterwards, but scheduling prevented that.
I really enjoyed the whole experience. The driving session was kind of short, it definately left me wanting a taste of more. I was glad not to be using my own car. By the way, if you went to the museum before you took delivery, you got to drive one of their cars. People were driving M3's and M roadsters. If you want to vacation on the East Coast some, I would definately recommend it. Asheville is only about an hour away, and has some amazing places to stay and cool stuff to do. I am working on getting my wife to go down for a whole day of driving school and going up to Asheville for a long weekend afterwards.
Ned
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Unfortunately, some "genius" decided to screw the lower part of the plate holder into my front bumper, leaving two holes in the front middle of the bumper. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to cover these holes (I think this was addressed about a month ago; is there a search engine on this board?).
1pierce - you have a great contradiction to present to your wife. She says that the car is an expensive toy, yet why would you pay an extra $1k+ to option this "toy" with a transmission you don't want? Good money after bad, no? If you stick to your guns, she'll ultimately let you get what you want, I've got to believe. My wife initially was upset because she thought it was too small. Not really a great argument, but she felt strongly about it. "Weenie car" is how she referred to it, if I'm not mistaken. When she saw it's what I wanted, what I REALLLY, REALLY WANTED, she laid off harassing me. Now, the stage has been set and she doesn't even bat an eye any longer even when I mention possibly replacing my 330i with an M3 in '04. She sees the joy it brings me and knows that I'm not buying an expensive car at the expense of other necessities. Now that's progress! Also, Brave's advice is quite sound. Find a big compromise position you can take with her. What has she really, really wanted that you've had a problem with that maybe she's denied herself? Think hard. Assuming the answer isn't a fling with the pool boy or something, take one for the team and give in and enjoy your manual transmission. You'll both be happy you did when you both get what you want through reasoned compromise. The foundation of every great marriage.
Also, doesn't the S60 qualify as a "toy"? What's so utilitarian about a $40K sedan? A Taurus maybe, but an S60? I don't think so.
I don't have to be convinced to buy a stick. I know they're fun. But it isn't for me in this case. Better an auto-BMW than a manual Volvo (do they even make those?).
The compromise? I make sure that the bimmer is never "behind" the van in the driveway so she is never stuck (this involves lots of car jockying in the morning and night - single driveway, remember?, but it's worth it) and I bought an extra car seat which I keep in the trunk of the bimmer. That way, if my wife needs to go somewhere she takes the van and I can still take the 2 kids (only one is still in a car seat) in the back of the bimmer.
I do not, for one minute, regret the 5 spd., car jockying, and extra car seat.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
You give up her income but save a lot of money on daycare, commuting, fast food, etc. Most important, everyone, esp. your kids will be happier and better cared for, that's the key thing.
Estimate how much the Maxima costs you average every month (repairs, maintenance, etc.) Hint: be generous with the estimate. Then estimate how much the 3-series will cost you and use the DIFFERENCE as your argument, not the entire purchase. Make sure you use the money you'd get for the Maxima to lower your monthly payment on the BMW.
She will not allow you to buy the BMW unless you are able to convince her that even if she stays home you'd be able to make ends meet even with the higher monthly payment for the 3-series. We are already having the same arguments on the size of house that we should be buying - my wife wants to be able to stay home for a few years after we have our second child, which I respect very much and fully support but she wants us to be able to live off one income without running a budget deficit. We husbands love our kids dearly but we may not ever fully comprehend how strong our wives' maternal instincts truly are!!! So plan accordingly ;o)
• Previous car was 94 saab 900se (front wheel). 16 inch z rated tires were great summer tired but of course, terrible in snow as you can imagine. The 15 inch snows I put on from nov-april were great of course. no sliding, no slipping - no problem.
• current 330xi. All wheel drive is different than i imagined. It seems to really kick in (maybe it is the DSC ??) when you start to skid and then you are sort of 'thrown' back on course. Im not sure if this is the 4wheel drive system working or simply the DSC like all 3 series have. Wheel set up on the car is stock (sport package wheels actually - although it is really a cosmetic addition on the 330xi - seats, spoilers - but the wheels and tires have the same exact specification on the car as non SP - no suspension change like other 3 series): ALL SEASONS. there in lies the reason for the decent but not great drivability: 17 inchers with an apsect ration of 50 are good and servicable w/ all whee drive- but does NOT really inspire confidence on the super snowy roadways.
• Next season: maybe a set of four snows with the 330xi- because one has to think that next years new england winter cannot be as tame as this one. However, my commute is 27 miles on rte 91 and snows will increase tire noise...
• summing up: 7 year old front wheel drive saab felt MUCH more stable and safe with a dedicated set of snows, while 2002 330xi all wheel drive and 17 inch all seasons is good; but not confidence-inspiring.
• but still the debate rages regarding 330xi with stock set up vs. 330i and snows... no experience there so no comment.
but most you probably already knew that.
hope it helps.
stg
"A Man and His 5-Speed: No Driveway Too Narrow."
-I like it. I think we can get Tom Cruise to play the lead, Renee Zellwegger to play Dov's wife. Thoughts?
Dear Abby... My wife can't drive a stick. I beg her to. I and lots of others have tried unsuccessfully to teach her. I have a standing offer to give any of her friends or co-workers $200 if they can teach her to drive a stick. We have a one car garage. MY 540i6 stays in the garage. HER 323iaA sits on the driveway. She has to jockey her car to let mine out. Seems right. Am I a Neandrethal?
Choice #1 99 323i very low miles (11k) (sport pack moon, H-K and extra set of wheels) coming off lease in two months. Owner would like $25k (basically his $1k deposit back and buy-out of lease). I don't know much about leases but the guy seems honest. But is this too much for a now 3 year old car, regardless of the mileage?
Choice #2 00 330i, 5k miles, sunroof, htd seats, cd. asking $35k and very interested in selling.(he'll probably come down to $33k)
Choice #3 01 330i, sport, 7k miles, m whls $30k
And then there's choice #4A4.a new 325i w/ premium and cold weather packages, leather and H-k for $33k (roughly $1k off sticker) Can I do better than that in New England?
I know this is not an apples to apples comparison but does anything stand out to you veterans? Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
Also, I plan to buy in VA within the next 30 days how much under MSRP should I expect to pay
The price difference can be substantial. Also, there are accessories available in Europe that are not listed in the U.S. brochure.
brave1heart... My tastes are quite eclectic. Everything from Englishmen like Kingsley Amis and Anthony Burgess to American classics from likes of Steinbeck, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Ford Maddox Ford, Sinclair Lewis, and Hemingway to oddities like William S. Burroughs and Charles Bukowski!
I agree, it is so ugly I have no idea why BMW decided to put it there in the first place.
The good news is, you forget it's there after a while. In fact until you brought it up, I forgot I even had the ugly thing in my car.
We pick up on April 19th and have 10 days. The itinerary is a tad sketchy still but it looks like a quick trip to Berchtesgaden and Salzburg and then a quick pop over the Alps into Italy. We'll set up base in the hill country south of Florence and make day trips to Florence, Pisa, Rome and the Cinque Terre with a return trip up through Switzerland and then back to Munich. The idea is to keep the car (and us) out of the cities and visit them in short bursts to see the sites. (I'm a little freaked about what I've read about Italian driving habits, especially in the cities).
Seivwrig, did you use the BWMNA EURoad atlas and did you think the "times" between cities were accurate?
As for accessories . . . I'm not sure what is available because I've never seen a brochure but I'd be interested in a CD changer, the universal garage door opener, back window shade, etc. Do you have any info. on lumbar support put in after market? A dealer in Portland, Or said he thought it was possible. So, what happens with the warranty if mechanical/electrical things are intalled in Germany?
Any advice for someone just getting ready to do his first ED?
Congrats on the car!
I have the accessories catalog for the U.S., U.K., and Germany. I will check what you have listed. As far as the CD player, I can give you the P/N for mine and then try to call Niederlassung Munchen and find out if it can be ordered.
BMWNA ED dept told me not to add anything, this probably has to do with customs. When you turn your car in, there is a list of all the options for your automobile that get turned into Harms.
I did not use EURoads because I have a SAT-NAV. It was great but it failed me three times: in Newport, Wales, in Luton, England and Ipswich, England(my hometown). Also, I drove on a new stretch of Autobahn that was not on the CD. I got it because I live in Houston and I don't know where I am going half the time. Also, I don't know the directions to most of the company buildings in town. Maybe my company should pay for my nav. I think the times are quite good in EURoads, especially since you will not be drive over 92 mph. Check the following websites for directions: www.ViaMichelin.com or www.ShellGeoStar.com.
Best advice is to find out what is super unleaded (Germany - Super Benzin) in the language for all the countries you go to. Use debit or credit cards but carry some cash. Enjoy the trip and drive safely.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
In late January, I was considering to purchase an additional car for the family, since my son would be leaving for his residency in July taking his car with him. Initially I was considering the 330i. The test drive was great. I inquired about the AWD version after my test drive, as I thought it would be a plus considering the New England winters. Believe me, this one is an exception!
He brought me this 325xiT telling me that was the only one available as all the AWD sedans had been flying out of the dealership once they arrive.
I had a lot of reservation at first, as I learned from reading many reviewers that the Wagon was absolutely "underpowered". The salesman suggested that my test drive at least give me the feel of the AWD set-up. I drove the wagon and found that, while it was no way as responsive as the 330i, the power was quite adequate. I found the wagon very stable in sharp turns and the handling was simply superb without any compromise from the additional weight. I also love the look and the utility aspect of the wagon. The additional trunk space will fit us well as we live in a town we must haul our trash to the town dump. I went back to test drive the wagon a few more times in different roads and the result remained consistently satisfying. Since deciding to order a wagon this time, I also went to test drive the new Audi 3.0 Avant Quattro. BY comparison, I still found the BMW with less power to be my favorite. I just wish it also had come with a 330 engine. That would have been perfect for me!
Please note my experience was based on my test drives, not ownership, and also that I am not a "purist" as most of the posters here appear to be. So take my opinion with that in mind. At least I did put the money where my mouth is by ordering the 325xiT, when I could have ordered any one of those cars I test drove (also the Lexus Allroad, a car not worth mentioning in this context!).
Hope this helps.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
nyccarguy, yup, we have to haul our trash to the town dump. Our town stopped trash pickup and leave pickup in the fall many years ago and the outcome hasn't been too bad. At least we no longer have the unsightly scene of seeing trash lying around on pick days (after the small animals got their first chance to pick!) and the household trash volume may have decresed :-)
CD changer
about 388 euros
p/n 51 46 0 000 522
back window shade (automatic)
325 euros
p/n 51 46 9 415 462
back window shade (manual)
95 euros
universal garage door opener is different in Germany. It is built into the interior mirror. Not like people really have their cars in garages over in Europe anyway.
"Selling Covered Calls When the Chips Are Down" which recommends that strategy to investors.
Thanks!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD