BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

brave1heart

My favorite quote: "The car is part of the family, like the children." That's exactly how I feel about our cars.

Also,

"Germans don't miss their appointed times," replied Batten, clearly shocked by the suggestion. "On the rare occasion when people get delayed by the unexpected, they call ahead to warn us. This is something they take very seriously."

They certainly build the type of cars and roads that get them to their appointments on time )

brave1heart

At first I was going to ask if you could spray-paint it to save a couple of hundred bucks ) but then I saw the picture on the link and I figured spray-paint would not cut it. Wow, this looks totally 3-D - they must use a gazillion layers of paint. I personally like a clean white helmet so I could put stickers on it. Not nearly as cool as that flaming dragon on the helmet you want to get, though. I remember one of my colleagues was telling me a couple of years ago that he bought some really cool helmet in Britain and he paid a lot of money for it and I was dismayed at whatever he paid for it. I asked him if it was safer or it vented better and he said no, it's got cool colors, it is unique and you can't get it here in the U.S.

Well, I am getting to a point when I really can't be too picky about the helmet. The Bell M2 came highly recommended by a couple of other autocrossers and I figured I'll go with it. I put it on and I was sold - it felt a lot more comfortable than the $150 Shoei and HJC I tried yesterday. Plus, it has an extra wide opening for those like me who prefer to drive with glasses on. I doubt there will be a big difference (if any) in clearance. Will let you know when I get it tomorrow or Thursday.

p.s. The guys at the bike shop yesterday seemed really easy-going and fun to talk to - I liked hanging out there

srq4tech

I am trying to find information about the factory antenna line on my 2002 330Ci. I have been told that the factory connector is fiber optic. Where is this signal converted from RF to light? I can't figure out how to convert back to RF for a radio upgrade, unless I can run a standard antenna cable as a substitute for the fiber line.

ddblue

I just purchased an HJC Helmet, new for $80.00. A friend of mine hooked me up with an artist who airbrushes helmets that look just amazing. He can take any helmet, sand it down and then customize any artwork you'd like on the helmet. My friend got an eagle's head, an Indian chief, Wolverine from X-Men, and a dragon, and they look amazing. He has this technique where he cuts out a visor-shaped screen and inserts it just behind the visor. He can paint over this screen, and you can see right through it. So, when you put the visor down, it looks like a complete face/head. Very cool and gets some serious looks. He charges something like $200-$300 depending on the artwork.

kominsky

As the price of helmets goes up, TYPICALLY, weight comes down, venting is improved, features (quick release shields, etc) are added, and interior materials improve. Most of this stuff is much more important for a motorcycle than for a car. The helmet I'm looking at would probably run somewhere around $450 in white (or other solid).

brave1heart

How many finsky is $450 - two?!? I hope your head is worth at least that ) I could tell the Bell M2 was lighter than the two helmets that I tried out yesterday. I'd think that weight matters for both motorcycles and cars...

kominsky

I've seen some of those air-brushed helmets that look incredible. It sounds like this guy knows what he's doing, but there is a very real risk if the person isn't versed in helmet painting. Some artist who just grabs an airbrush and starts painting a helmet with 'normal' paints can cause serious damage to the shell due to chemical reactions.

kominsky

"I'd think that weight matters for both motorcycles and cars..."

I'm sure that's true, but on a bike, your head's out there in the wind being shaken around like crazy. A heavy helmet can really wear on the neck muscles. And typically in a car, the helmet will be on for an hour, maybe two while your on the track. On a bike, if you want to go for an all day ride, the helmet is there the entire time.

FWIW, I would say my coconut's worth 20, maybe even 30 finsky's. :-)

jluftig

It would not make sense to covert the RF signal to light, the rf signal would need to be amplified, converted to digital, and transmitted via a laser overfiber only a few yards to the be converted back to analog rf - nope, just does not make sense. Maybe you could avoid some electrical interference, but there are much less costly ways to do that.

leenelsonmd

Well, I ran the thought of getting the SP and the 18" tires by the wife. She hardly objected--which was a total shock.

Now I have to decide if adding the 18" wheels to the SP is really worth it.

I appreciate all the input above.

I suppose that each of us goes through the same process when deciding about the various options that appeal to us.

It is rather conspicuous though that no one has come on and really struggled with adding on the Park Distance Control. I suppose that anyone that is seriously considering this option might be too embarassed to talk about it. You guys need to come out of the closet, especially you big city guys that parallel park all of the time.

I admittedly am somewhat ashamed that I am considering getting the SP with 18" wheels on the same car that will have an automatic transmission. I welcome the criticism. Just let me have it. I think it is fun to hear the purists groan.

Again, for all of you still shopping. Let her rip and buy the car that makes you happy. Adding a few of these options to a pricey car makes very little difference in your payment. Go with the Xenons for crying out loud -- unless you could really care less.

Have fun.

jluftig

and don't stop with the park distance controller, get some curb feelers. They look best when mounted in pairs on each wheel well. Hehhehe !

butmywife

I'm off for my ED tomorrow and am just finishing packing, watching the Mariner's game and tying up loose ends. Its SAS to Copenhagen from Seattle and then on to the Uhland in Munich. We arrive at 5pm so we'll sample the local bier, grab some shut-eye and get up on the 19th to pick up the greygreen, pp 325xi. Then its off to Austria, down into Italy for 5 days or so and then loop up through Switzerland before heading back to Munich. The trip will be about 10 days in all. Can't friggin wait--it's going to be a blast.

If anyone wants me to find out any specific info. while on our trip let me know and I'll try to find out for you. I received such great information that made my purchase so enjoyable and satisfying (and saved me a lot of money) that I'd like to return the favor.

Thanks again for everybody's help and I'll check in when I return.

My first Bimmer and a trip to Europe---sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

Ciao, ButMyWife

leenelsonmd

I love the idea of curb feelers.

I am going to put some Yosemite Sam "Back Off" mud flaps on it too.

mschukar

Actual conversation with my Father-in-law last week:

Father-in-law: So, what's the insurance cost on your new BMW?

Me: It's about $50 more/6 months than the 626 we sold. Not too bad if you ask me.

FIL: Why do they mount the engines so high?

Me: Huh?

FIL: Joe Blow up the street says BMW's tend to roll over because they mount the engines high. He used to sell insurance and said he's seen the statistics. That's why the insurance is high. [I just said the insurance isn't that high]

Me: You've got to be kidding!?!

FIL: Joe says he wouldn't go near a BMW.

Me: Next time your in Wisconsin I'll take you for a ride and you tell me if you think the car is more likely to roll over than anything else you've ridden in. BMW makes some of the best engineered sedans in the world…

I was flabbergasted! I would love to see these "statistics". I hit 40 mph going around one of the corners on the way home from work today-I don't think the SC even kicked in! Let's see Joe do that in any sedan made outside of Germany without ending up in the ditch!

As I've mentioned before, I've encountered two types of people regarding my BMW: Most people are very complementary, the others can't seem to say anything nice. I guess I know where my Father-in-law fits in!

-murray

mschukar

Well, I finally hit 1200 miles today! To celebrate, I did 3 redline shifts with my foot to the floor on the way to about 75 mph. The engine sound really gets sweeter in the upper rpm's!

Some cars don't seem to notice if you've got the gas three quarters of the way down or to the floor. Not the Bimmer, it responds with more acceleration all the way down!

As someone else mentioned, the longer you wait for something, the more time you have to increase your expectations to the point of being disappointed with the real thing. Not this car! It seems even better than I expected. The honeymoon is just starting.

Another observation: I noticed while using the cruise control that the gas pedal doesn't move like every other car I've driven. I assume this is because the throttle is electronically controlled and not directly linked to the pedal. Any thoughts on this?

-murray

dl7265

Well, being in Texas and all the G/F decides she wants to go drive a F250 CrewCab Diesel 4x4 ,and this is from a woman born in Stuttgard, Germany!

In any case during the drive the salesman pulls over and says the truck has PDC, he attempts to demonstrate by attempting to back into a light pole in the Albertsons parking lot, after that attempt fails he tries a 4 Runner lol I can see the dealerships face when this guy crunches a 42k truck lol , anyways it never did work ..... as luck would have it, the little lady is quite the backer so we will pass on the PDC .

DL

dl7265

i cant remove the caps dont know how they got there, but i was not yelling...

DL

530bmw

Lately, when I come into the 3 Series discussions my computer always start at the posting on April 9, instead of taking me to today's postings. I did not have this problem in the past, can anyone tell me what causing this problem and how to fix it? I did not have the problem with the 5 Series TH.

sunnybrook

For a guy in his mid 20's what are some of the better hangouts in Munich. Any recommendations on restaurants or good bars/clubs for the younger crowd??

tenet1

Yep, it is the Drive by Wire throttle that causes that.

I now have 7K on mine and I love it even more. My truck is collecting dust (literally)!!

nyccarguy

I've just read (in CAR magazine) that they found the 18" wheels on their long term 330d extremely hard to clean. Persoanlly I think the SP M-Double Spoke wheels are beautiful!

murray: Congrats on the magic 1200 mile mark! There's always going to be some negative connotation associated with owning a luxury brand automobile.

Like shipo always says, there's always someone's father's ex-girlfriend's step daughter's college roomate's high school sweetheart's cousin's dog who's had a bad experience with a BMW 320i from 1980!

Even when I was considering the purchase of a 325Ci, I was talking to my financial advisor and he really told me that he had a BMW in the early 70's that was an absolute blast to drive, but was always in the shop...gimme a break!

My Mom works at a Yeshiva (Religious Jewish School). When she first started working there people used to make comments to her about her Black on Black CLK 320 (recently replaced by an Audi A6) being a "German Death Machine."

I'm 26. You should see the looks and comments people give me when they find out I drive a Saab. I tell them it was cheaper for me to lease my Saab than a Honda Accord or VW Passat and they're stunned.

Don't worry about what other people think! Enjoy your BMW!

erickpl

Seeing all these people take ED makes me wish I had researched that option a bit more. At the time, the information looked like I wouldn't save much on a 3 series if I did ED, so I passed (that and the fact that I don't have any vacation time! ).

I am DEFINITELY doing ED with the next BMW.

BTW, has anybody seen the spy shot of the 04 5 Series in Motor Trend? Opinions? Think the look will translate to the 3 (staying on topic!

dave330i

Wait until you've put 6-7k miles on your BMW. That's when the engine really comes alive. Congrats on passing the magic number. I'm disappointed that you didn't break 100.

huntzinger

Like shipo always says, there's always someone's father's ex-girlfriend's step daughter's college roomate's high school sweetheart's cousin's dog who's had a bad experience with a BMW 320i from 1980!

"Woo hoo! My car's on fire!"

An occasional statement made in our office, made explicitly to bust the chops of a coworker who used to have a 320i (no, this particular event didn't kill it).

Despite some sister-in-law's cousin's mother's stepson's girlfriend's Uncle might be inclined to think so, trying to add oil in a car while its piping hot (and spilling enough oil to start a fire) is not something that anyone with common sense would consider to be a shortcoming of the automotive breed :-)

-hh

tenet1

Just broke 7K on mine, but was hoping for the instant "increased growl" and the instant increased power. Guess it may take a bit longer for it to kick in.

BTW, I broke a 100 right after break-in

brave1heart

I'd sure get a chuckle out of a guy in a shiny new 3-series with huge 18-inch wheels putting his auto tranny in reverse and backing up to park as the Park distance control starts beeping intensely. What a sight... I think I'd rather be seen driving a purple Pinto with pink lettering. The 3-series is a pretty small car - if you can't tell that you're <10 inches away from the curb,
you should improve your coordination skills and spend some time practicing parallel parking.

brave1heart

It only get better with time. Almost a year after I bought my 325 and I am still totally excited about it. I hope I can sqeeze in some backroad terror in my lunch break today.
Another thing you'll notice about the 3-series is that matching the RPM's on the downshifts is effortless - you just blip the throttle and the response is immediate
and the RPM's are right where you need them. This car is addicitve, what can I say...

dave330i

are great. How else will you protect those beautiful alloy wheels?

dave330i

Only 3 series I've seen with it were M3s.

nyccarguy

get a chrome strip for the lower door panels that says "Pimpin' BMW" LOL!

vkwheels

dingle ball trim around the back window.

vkwheels

dingle ball trim around the back window with a waggle-head dog.

"I suppose that each of us goes through the same process when deciding about the various options that appeal to us." ... and I thought I was a total goofball for how I approached this whole issue of selecting & buying a car. I've felt such community & support on this board! :-)

ButMyWife--Have a great trip, will be looking forward to reading about it!

seivwrig

That is pretty cruel to think that some Jewish people would attack each other with a comment such as what was used towards your mother's car. There are probably plenty of Jewish people driving Volkswagens, Audis, Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, Opels, Porsches and German Fords. I don't think we should ever forget about the atrocities against Jews and other various groups. That would be like Japanese saying we will not buy American cars because they got bombed during WWII or Ethopians not driving Italian cars because of Mussolini. How much boycotting can one group do anyway.

nyccarguy

Really busted my mother's hump and made light of it for a while by answering the question of which car are we taking: "The Black Death Machine." But it is sort of ridiculous. I know people who's parents are Holocaust survivors and won't drive anything except BMWs and Mercedes-Benz'. In my 26 years on this planet, I've learned you really can't change people's views and perceptions.

seivwrig: Just to stay on topic, when's your car due in?

agraf

Hi:
I am new to this BMW thing, and would like some recommendations from the experts. I am considering buying a 1995 325is, 5 speed, sport suspensiong, with 110k miles. Is that too much? I know that these are not Festivas, but ... The owner states (and have records) of consistent dealer maintenance. Any ideas of the engine and tranny durability or expected life?
Are there any specific problems known to this car? How many miles can I expect to drive this thing, and how expensive are the repairs compared to a V6 Camry. My previous experience with sport cars was a 140HP FIAT 127, and it was not pleasant; drive-it-today-repair-it-tomorrow kind of deal.

Thank you for your comments ...

agraf

Hi:
I am new to this BMW thing, and would like some recommendations from the experts. I am considering buying a 1995 325is, 5 speed, sport suspensiong, with 110k miles. Is that too much? I know that these are not Festivas, but ... The owner states (and have records) of consistent dealer maintenance. Any ideas of the engine and tranny durability or expected life?
Are there any specific problems known to this car? How many miles can I expect to drive this thing, and how expensive are the repairs compared to a V6 Camry. My previous experience with sport cars was a 140HP FIAT 127, and it was not pleasant; drive-it-today-repair-it-tomorrow kind of deal.

Thank you for your comments ...

dave330i

It would help if you list how much the seller wants.

heatmiser1

Does anyone know how much a 7year/100,000mile warranty costs direct from BMW before the original warranty has expired? Do they offer these warranties for used cars?

agraf

He wants $9900. The car, from his comments has some cosmetic problems (fog lights broken, some scratches and wear on the driver's seat leather).

Thanks for your help and comments

seivwrig

My dealer has not emailed me back about the date. When I called the European Delivery department, they told me that I should expect it about April 23rd. That would place it at about 35 to 36 days after I dropped the car off. I probably would have the car if I dropped off in Belgium. My car had to go from London to Antwerp to Zeebrugge (the irony is, this is where I caught my ferry to England) I already told my dealer that I want my rear plate and to make sure my manuals and leather-like binder is in the car. My dealer will probably have it for about two days because they have to tint my windows. I will install the CD changer and alarm myself. I will then find out which dealer is cheapest for the alarm activation.
The wait to go pick up the car was harder. My two week BMW fix has sufficed but my Ford Ranger is getting beat up. Just not made for high performance. I've seen the latest photo of the '03 5er. I don't think my wife will like it. If it is Banglized, my wife might try to buy a Lexus GS300. That is one Wisconsin native that my Wisconsin wife would like to get a piece of. He definitely knows how to mess up a car. We might be forced to buy a 2002 5'er at the end of the year. I guess I will not do ED for a while. We probably will buy our daughter a VW Beetle when she turns 16 or 17.

nyccarguy

$9900 for that car seems a bit steep. TMV says it is worth somewhere around $9000. Regardless, I'd definitely take the car to a BMW Speciality Mechanic to get it checked out. I'm sure the car will run fine, but I'd be weary of any car once it hits the magic 100,000 mile mark. Things will either have to be replaced very soon or they will break.

brave1heart

"The pedestrian had no idea which direction to run, so I ran over him."

"When I could not avoid the collision, I stepped on the gas and crashed into the other car"

"A pedestrian hit me and went under my car"

"I was unable to stop in time, and my car crashed into the other vehicle. The driver and passengers then left immediately for a vacation with injuries"

"I saw a slow-moving, sad-faced old gentleman, as he bounced off the hood of my car"

ddblue

I was driving my grey E46 325Ci at lunch just a couple of hours ago, when I saw a grey E46 M3 a few cars ahead of me. It had a red interior, and looked just perfect. I pulled up next to the car, honked and gave the thumbs up to find two silvery haired 65+ guys in the M3. I thought it was very cool--retirement money well spent (plus, you're never too old to appreciate fine/fast automobiles) They gave me a funny look and then cracked a smile. I made sure that I pulled in front of them so they could read my license plate, which happens to read O2B-ANM3.

vkwheels

Duh! maybe i should come up with something...

bbell4

OK - I think I've decided on the 325i, PP,SP, xenons and speakers. Anyone want to share a nice low price they paid?! I'm entering the negotiation phase! Right now they won't give it to me for less than 36,000. What do you think?

Need some negotiating power

rshaw11

This is higher than MSRP! Some people have gotten $1,200 below MSRP in this group. Someone just got a great price through Costco's program. If the dealer won't budge, you might try one of the buying services.

bbell4

I should have mentioned that this is INCLUDING tax, license, document fees and plates......sorry about that omission. MSRP (plus everything else) is about 37,100.....

derprofi

Shoot for $1400 over invoice price.

vkwheels

Check out a buying service like Redbooks or Costco. Both gave me comparable quotes around 1200-1300 over invoice, regardless of pkg or options. I got the PP & one separate option on a 325i. I also contacted Eurobuyers, a broker service. His fee was $300, which seemed o.k. but I ended up not using him because I felt I was getting a reasonable deal on my own through Redbooks. His website listed retail & wholesale prices, so I knew the dealers weren't messing with me. Feel free to email me direct if you like. Geographical area might matter, cuz there are alot of dealers in my 50-mile radius & perhaps that serves to keep their pricing competitive. Good luck with the negotiations!

chewie5

From all the messages on this board, it seems that pricing varies by region. I live in Northern California and was able to get my 325i for $1500 off MSRP + floormats.