BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

dl7265

vkwheels

Oxnard/Port Huyneme is where they come in in soCal.

And for someone who asked re: Costco purchase program, although I didn't use them, if I hadn't've used who I did use, I would've used them because it seemed reasonable. (does that make sense) They ask you where you live, then provide a dealer contact that's in your area. The quotes are based on invoice prices plus the markup for the dealer, which in my case was $1300 over & it included floormats.

It is hard waiting for that delivery. June seems so far off. Remember that ketchup commercial? Anticipation...

vkwheels

ok, i laughed but then last week Clinton was on West Wing & i noticed, among other things which have no place on this board, how nice his hair was. i take the 5th. ;-)

pexpl

When is the e90 coming i heard it will come on year 2006, is that true bimmer fans?!
And is any spy pic. avail. yet?

530bmw

With the 530, you can listen to your radio up to 30 minutes without using the key. It is one of the feature on 02 model, this is my first bimmer so I cannot tell you if the prior year's models have the same feature or not.

ddblue

First, let me just say that certain colors on the 3 look better with clears (gray, black, silver, especially). I think there was a discussion about this several thousand posts ago.

The replacement is actually pretty easy. I did the fronts, rears and sidemarkers on my 325Ci about a month ago. The sidemarkers are the easiest. Just pry and twist (wrap a cloth/rag around the tip of the flathead screwdriver so as not to scratch the paint). The rears take about 5-10 minutes. Just pull off the back cover inside the trunk, and remove the three nuts from each unit. Just make sure you line up the replacements well and fit them snugly before you bolt them on. The fronts are the most difficult. They will take you a few more minutes b/c it's tough to remove them. Circle BMW provides instructions, but you'll have to use a little muscle to push them out. There are no screws, you just have to insert a screwdriver into a hole just above the back of the light. You have the push the back of the plastic prong out towards the front pretty hard to get the light to pop out. Then, you just slide the new light in. I would order all your clears from www.circlebmw.com. The prices are good, and they are BMW OEM parts with the yellow bulbs included. Other makers don't include the yellow bulbs, to my knowledge.

You will LOVE the look of the clears--very Euro. They don't make the car look like a boy-racer.

wrjohnsonpghpa

Does anyone know if you get a discount when buying BMW accessories as a BMWCCA member? Do you have to be a member for a year before you can get the discount (I understand this is the case when purchasing a new BMW)? I am thinking of buying a couple of things from Circle BMW--universal transceiver (garage door opener), armrest, chrome tailpipe tips, and, just maybe, the new auto dimming rear view mirror with the integrated compass (has anyone installed this, does anyone know if I can install it in my car which does not currently have the auto dimming mirror?).

seivwrig

yes, you get a discount form dealerships like Circle BMW, Passport BMW and Pacific BMW if you are a BMWCCA member. You do not have to be a member for a year to get the discounts. I ordered my alarm from Passport and I don't remember them asking for my membership number. I don't about the installs but I will be doing an alarm and CD changer install this week (I should have my car today or tomorrow). I plan to get the clears, black tailpipe tips and myrtle brake handle by the end of the summer. Hopefully, my brother will be in the States this year and I'll have him pick up some stuff in Germany.

shipo

Not that an alarm is much of an issue for me, given that whenever I park in a high risk area, I always use a parking garage, however, I was suprised to find that BMW does NOT offer an alarm kit for the 5-Series like they do for the 3-Series. Then I found the answer, when I was picking my car up in Munich, the advisor Ernst told me that the alarm is standard equipment on all 5 and 7 Series cars. Cool.

Best Regards,
Shipo

topspin627

I just saw where Edmunds rated the top audio systems in cars over 30k and rated the H/K on the new M3 as one of the best. Is this the same as the H/K system that is available as an upgrade on the 330's? I have one in my 01 330i and was curious if it was the same as the one reviewed.
Thanks.

erickpl

I like the idea of the mirror with a compass (Gee, I sounds like Ralphie from Xmas XStory).

The autodim is nice, but since I tinted the windows (really dark in back), it isn't really an issue. The bluish color of the side mirrors makes it easy to tolerate.

If you find out more about installation of the mirror (including anything about the clown nose), please post it here. I'm definitely interested in your findings.

vkwheels... I know that Heinz ketchup commercial is rather old because I remember it. I guess our age is showing.

JingleJill

Okay...I know someone on this board can help me out.

What is the sales tax on new car purchases in Texas? (I know it is lower than the standard sales tax)

Thanks,

Stacy

luftig1

Called Circle BMW "Dave" with credit card in hand, they said they will not carry them until the DOT approves them for the '02 330i. : (
I liked that they throw in the amber bulbs

I was also advised to contact Maximillian Importing Company. I sent them an email, they have the lights, now I just need to call and see if the have the amber bulbs.

Thanks for your help, I will let everyone know how this goes.

derprofi

Yes, it's good as long as you don't shoot your eye out! :-)

vishnu11

Mirrors:

I recommend a really good aftermarket mirror by Brookstone that clips on to any OEM mirror for about $20.

First, it offers a much larger field of view than the OEM mirrors. With the OEM mirror (especially bimmer), I find myself constantly adjusting it because it barely covers the 5-series C-pillars end-to-end.

Second, its convexity (like your blind-spot mirror) reduces the glare by default.

Of course, if you have autodimming, then you might want to rethink this, but on the 525 you don't get autodimming, so it fit my bill perfectly.

Third, the build quality of this mirror is pretty good - it won't fall off, the springs don't wear out. I had been using it in my Integra for over 3 years.

Alarms:

Yep, Shipo, I was pleasantly surprised that the 5-er came with a sophisticated alarm system that includes motion detectors even.

seivwrig

The sales tax on an automobile in Texas is 6.25 or 6.5%. I believe is 6.5% is it.

errickson

Curious. I own a '01 325i, and was given a '01 330i as a loaner yesterday. Noticed that the interior has a trunk release button (near the hood release). The 325 has the same space 'carved-out' for this button. I remember way back when we chalked this one up as another one of the silly nuances of the different models....

Has anyone asked a BMW service tech if it is possible to wire in a hood release button, and if so, how much it would cost?

Apologies if this has been covered previously.

dave330i

I don't remember anyone wiring internal trunk release. I think I've used the internal trunk release twice, since I've owned the car. I've never felt the need to use it, since there's already an external trunk release, and the button on the key.

shipo

Like Dave, in the 39 months (as of today) than I have had my 328i (today is the last day), I have used the internal trunk release button exactly one time, and that was to test to see if it actually worked. For all other occasions, I either use the key button, or the external trunk release button itself.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dl7265

Is 6.25% , and is the difference in your trade, and the sales cost so your not double taxed, however it allmost forces folks to trade in , otherwords you would need to sell for an 1k-1.5k more on the street to break even.which may be possible.

DL

mjones6

Also don't forget the luxury tax, depending on the price of the car.

pap5

Yes indeed, the 5 series has the alarm as standard, and I assume it works the same on the 3 series when installed. I can vouch for how well the motion detector works. A few months ago, my 11 year old daughter wanted to stay in the car while I ran to the bank, so she could listen to her god-awful music on the radio. It was in a safe area and I felt comfortable leaving her there for a few minutes, but just to be extra safe, I took the key and remote-locked the car -- which activated the alarm. When I returned to the car, she was not at all happy. Turns out she had leaned forward to change stations, and in so doing set off the alarm. She dove under the dash out of embarassment! She couldn't understand how I didn't hear the alarm before it reset, because everyone in the parking lot sure could. I have since learned that the way to lock someone in the car without activating the alarm is for them to push the door lock button on the console.

tcn2k

pap5, if you hit the lock button twice, the alarm, i think, bypasses and disables the motion and tilt sensor for that duration of lock.

brave1heart

Hitting the lock button once locks the car. Pressing it a second time disables the motion detector. Pressing it a third time disables the tilt sensor. This way your daughter would be even safer from intruders next time you have to leave her in the car.

leenelsonmd

Do you really need the alarm? I have had my cars broken into even with alarms. They do not seem like much of a deterrent to me. With the BMW they will not be able to get it started to drive it off, so even without the alarm your car seems safe.

Just want opinions. I was not planning on getting the alarm.

How much is it when added to the 330i?

dave330i

Alarm was discussed here, and several other boards while back. My feeling is this, considering all the anti-thieft devices already built into the 3-series, an alarm isn't going to stop a determined thief. I didn't bother getting one.

sunnybrook

All the anti-theft devices built in?? The only one that I know of is the coded key which doesn't seem all that much of a deterrent. Which other ones are included on the 2002 models?

dave330i

This is from another thread:

<<#1451 of 1531 Lo Jack? hmm by millerro3 Mar 06, 2002 (03:07 pm)

in addition to what Dave330i posted, first of all, the would-be-thief would first have to get INTO the car. smash the window? doors still will not unlock, so he's gotta climb through the window-lol.
Bypassing the driveaway protection?(the chip in the keyhead) Not gonna be your average joyrider, but a professional who knows which port to get it to before the ship leaves. I don't have a clue HOW to get past it.
he wants to pop out the ignition cylinder to try and hot wire, or figure out the driveaway protection? Inside of that cylinder, holding the entire assembly in place, is a little plastic tab that holds the whole assembly in place, or keeps it from spinning. Too much pressure on the ignition cylinder will break that tab, causing the
whole thing to spin uselessly, and effectively making it harder for the thief than he had it in the first place.>>

brave1heart

The alarm system is mostly a deterrent from thieves looking to break in, grab some stuff from the car and run away. I never remove my V1, concealed display, and 30 or so CD's from the car (they can have my old maps if they want them). Would the alarm really stop a thief? Probably not but it will 1. Make him think twice before doing it and 2. I'd know about it if I am nearby or other people will hear it and see it. In addition, the alarm's tilt sensor will call your attention if your car is being towed or if someone bumped into it while parking or if kids are doing some "scientific experiments". Here in Mass, I get an insurance discount for the alarm that pays for itself in a year and I sleep better too.

john01

One of the American ladies who lived in Berlin decided to get a nice Audi A6 (twin turbo, all the bells and whistles) before returning to the US. The Audi has similar anti-theft set up as the BMW from what I understand. Anyway, the thieves brought their own ECU, or whatever that matches the coded key to the car and simply replaced it and drove away. Apparently A6 was so popular in the former USSR countries, thieves would stop at nothing to get them.

If they are determined, they will get it.

pap5

Thanks for tips on the alarm. Just when you think you've mastered all the car's features, you learn of another layer. Obviously, I haven't read the owner's manaual cover-to-cover. BTW, if this was anyplace other than our local supermarket strip center just around the corner, no way my daughter would have been in the car alone for even 30 seconds.

Philosophy on alarm system: Glad to have it -- it may not stop a determined pro, but it will cause an amateur to look elsewhere.

pat

kdshapiro and brave1heart and everyone else --

Take a look at the URL of this page that you are looking at right now. In it, you will find two @'s and a bunch of mess in between them. That "mess" is your own personal login/identification information.

If you do what most people do and go to the location/address bar, right click, choose copy, then paste it into your message, you have now created a situation where anyone following that link will arrive at the destination as YOU, because of that unique login information. That will be true as long as your session remains current.

If/when you logout or close your browser, that will make the information between the @'s invalid, so after you have done that the person following the link will arrive at the destination as "not logged in". So it is a sort of self-correcting problem (eventually), but it is a problem nevertheless until you, the URL poster, leaves the Town Hall in either one of those ways.

The solution is that if you want to copy a URL from a Town Hall discussion into a posted message, just remove all the information between the two @'s. That will allow the person following the link to arrive there as themselves (assuming they were logged in to start with).

Is this stupid or what?

To give you an example here is what is in my location bar right now: "/direct/view/.ee9e7b1/16672" - I "x'd" out the info between the two @s so that none of you could be ME in following that link!! ;->

What you need to do is take all of that stuff between the @s out, and post this: "townhall-talk2.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ee9e7b1/16672" - that will take someone to whatever you want to show them without either making them YOU or logging them out. (note that I left off the http:// in that example - that was the only way I could seem to get this post to show you what I wanted to show you.)

I have no idea why it is this way, I just know it IS this way.

Hope this helps - email me if you have any questions.

Pat
Sedans Host

kdshapiro

For taking the time to write about the issue and follow-up.

Ken

mschukar

I have since learned that the way to lock someone in the car without activating the alarm is for them to push the door lock button on the console

This is a better idea than using the key fob anyway; when you lock the car from outside, someone on the inside can't get out. Obviously, you can't pull up the "lock" pin on the door and the central locking button is disabled.

This reminds me of when we tried to lock a drunk friend in his car. I guess we could do it now :-)

-murray

mschukar

Gee, I wonder if this guy will live to be old enough to buy beer in the US?

http://www.e46fanatics.com/features/feature.php?news_id=27

-murray

postoak

Yes, the sales tax in Texas is 6.25% but there is also a "Dealer Inventory Tax" which is basically an additional sales tax that goes to local taxing entities. Its exact amount varies even within a single county as the mix of taxing aauthorities changes. It is roughly 2%, though. So, effectively there is an 8.25% sales tax.

butmywife

Got back yesterday from 10 days of pure joy driving a wonderful car (325xi, greygreen, premium). Just a few notes that I hope will help anyone considering doing it.

1) Took SAS airlines from Seattle to Copenhagen and then to Munich. Great service, better food, all the drinks you want. I highly recommend it. BTW, the tobacco shop in the Copenhagen airport which doubles as a shopping mall sells Cubans at a reasonable price. I paid $45 for 5 luscious Cohibas.

2) Took the underground from the airport to downtown and kept waiting for someone to ask for money for the tickets. Turns out it's on the honor system and we were supposed to buy tickets before boarding. Then boarded a bus and got off near the Uhland. Couldn't figure out how to pay there either. I offered the driver some Euros but he wouldn't take it. "I like this place so far," I thought to myself. Took the underground from the stop closest to the Uhland to the pickup center. Asked a man how to pay and he showed us. Judith at the Ed center showed me our car and was very helpful. She's worked for BMW for 19 years!

3) Here's a quick rundown of our itinerary:
Drove to Berchtesgaden and then Hallstatt, Austria. Didn't think you could beat the scenery but we hadn't gotten to Switzerland yet. Kept the car around 80mph while Audi stationwagons passed me like I was going in reverse. Wanted to step on it but was a good boy. Stopped at a luge place and took my first trip downhill on a metal luge course. Had a ball! Drove over the Brenner Pass in a blizzard and the awd came through it with ease. Made it down to Tuscany and visited the hill towns (San Gimignano, Sienna, Volterra) for a few days and then headed to Cinqueterre on the coast (drove to Pisa to see the tower, got horribly lost and ended up parking 1 block from it by mistake!). Drove up to Zermatt, Switzerland and then on to Lauderbach (south of Interlaken) and saw the most beautiful scenery ever imaginable. Made it to Fussen to see the castles and then back to Munich/Dachau on the last day before turning the car in. I had so much fun I'm still grinning about it.

4) Had no problems driving/surviving with a new car in Italy. While I did witness and participated in an amazing excursion just outside of Florence on the Autostrade (driving 90-120 mph in a driving rain in and out of tunnels, none of which had 30 feet of straight road in them) I found Italian drivers to be like aggressive drivers here in the States. And while it seemed the only traffic laws they seemed to obey were those they felt were practical at the time, I only saw one accident: A tourist crashed into a divider, evidently unable to decide which way to go at a fork in the road. I felt for him. Those damned roundabouts are confusing. My favorite was one which pointed to Pisa on 3 out of 4 possible directions.
We stayed in Agritourism homes/hotels which were just outside of cities and provided protected parking. I'd say we averaged about $65-75 a night, including breakfast. Very reasonable. We even got brave and drove into a couple of larger cities and used the public parking spots. We had no problems but may have been lucky. I gave myself a 30% chance of wrecking the car in Italy mostly due to the narrow roads and small parking spaces. I saw some roads that were one lane but handled 2-way traffic. I was hoping not to get caught on one of them and have to back up for 3 blocks!
5) I used my ATM debit card everywhere but in very small towns. I paid about $3.80 a gallon for gas and put on 1800 miles! Got it up to 130mph outside of Milan on a straightaway and had so much fun did it again. My wife encouraged me so I couldn't refuse.

6) The car handled beautifully. The roads we took (a combination of autobahns and two-lane roads) were well engineered and made for the Bimmer. Driving them was an excellent test of how one's car handles. If you are on the fence, do it. You won't regret it.

Hope this wasn't too rambling. I'll test my computer skills next week and try to get a few pictures up.

Did I mention I had a great time?

Thanks, ButMyWife

ddblue

I went to that link for the mama's boy M3. Unbelievable. I would love to get my own E46 M3, but no way I respect some goofy kid who gets it without having earned it. Part of the pleasure of owning a BMW is knowing that it's taken some time to get to the point where you can afford one. Plus, this kid seems to have no qualms about blowing cash that is probably not his.

I'm 32 years old and I bought my first BMW last year. I'm still in heaven, knowing that I couldn't have done it until I reached this point in my career. I did it on my own, and I'm happy with my purchase--plus, I take care of it b/c I actually pay every painful cent.

This kid is spoiled (and color-blind, apparently). Mustard yellow on red? Geez, kid, buy a freakin' Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, and your halfway there.

mschukar

Geez, kid, buy a freakin' Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, and your halfway there

Watch it! Oscar Meyer is located here in Madison and my Father-in-law used to work there. We take the Weinermobile seriously here :-)

Wouldn't owning an M3 be enough? Why would you go out and blow a small fortune on every gee-haw do dad you could find?

In a way, though, I feel sorry for the kid. He'll never understand the value of anything. It would make a good TV show (ala The Osbournes) when he has to go out and earn his own money!


Oh, and the best quote when asked if his enthusiasm for cars will die out: Hell no! In the past, I've had a big enthusiasm for computers, then plastic models (such as Gundams), and aquariums. But for cars, I think this is gonna last for a long time (if I have the cash!)

-murray

shipo

I tried to get a few pictures of your car, however Ernst (my advisor) told me that you car was not yet at the ED center, and would probably not arrive until the day before you picked it up. Sorry about that, I tried. :-(

Did you check out all of the Minis and 318ti(s) peppered all over the ED lot? I was surprised to see a 325ti as well (I'll bet that is a lot of fun to drive).

Glad you had a great trip, and that you got your car through without so much as a scratch. ;-)

How about SAS, tough to beat that airline, especially for the price.

Best Regards,
Shipo

wabends

We bought our '01 325iT yesterday and my wife agrees with me that we made the right choice (thanks to advice by Shipo et al). We chose the siena red one (premium package, CD in dash, full size spare tire, cold package, HK sound upgrade, auto transmission, park distance control and xenons) used as company car for about $6.5K off the original MSRP (coincidentally has 6.5K miles on it). Salesman said they wanted to sell it because it has been on the lot for over 4 months.
Drove it from dealership (about 160 miles) away and thoroughly enjoyed every second in this ultimate driving machine. The Steptronic is awesome.

This forum is great and I look forward to being an active participant.

postoak

Hey, welcome back! Sounds like you had a great trip!

luftig1

You are going to love the car. Some things I love about BMWs are the subtlties, interior lights that come on when you unlock and fade out when you lock, amber map lights, great ergonomics, a sense that you are driving (Compared - a Lexus ES300 or 430 is like being numb) Enjoy !

wabends

Luftig1: Thanks for the warm welcome. Yes, it is the intangibles about the car that makes it so delightful to own and drive a bimmer. Never driven a Lexus but I don't think I need to because after you have the best, why try the rest?

Now a question. Our car came with the remainder of the full maintenance warranty which will expire in June 2004 and we got the CPO warranty which adds an additional two years to June 2006. We were offered a one year extension of the full maintenance warranty for $595. Is this a good deal? Any thoughts that you might have will be appreciated

Regards
Wabs

seivwrig

I could of threw up my power breakfast(pringles & O.J.) knowing that a 19 year old drives and M3 and has already owned 328. I guess he has his own house. Why go to college? To pick up women!!! This guy obviously will not respect anything until he has to work for his money.

Talk about Madison, I will probably be in the Wisconsin Dells this summer but not with my Bimmer. I cannot see myself giving rides to all my wife's family in Milwaukee. I also hate the drive from Houston to Milwaukee.

seivwrig

Reading about everyone elses ED trip depresses me. Just reading the post gets my blood racing then I realize that I can't do it for a while. I am hoping that my wife wants a 5'er next year. I will definitely convince her that it is a reason for a vacation and visit the family.

Welcome back and it is great to know you enjoy your car. I will pick up my car today. I have had to wait 44 days. This is pathetic. If my car went from Antwerp to Charleston, I would have had it two weeks ago.

errickson

for your comments. After reading your comments, you have convinced me of how trivial it (the interior trunk release) is.

genie1

1. M3 boy: I've actually seen this car up in Richmond Hill/Markham. There are many people who moved here from HK, cash rich from selling million dollar one bedroom apartments, who buy 500k 4-br detached homes in this area (usually outright). There's still plenty of cash to invest in businesses and cars. So a 19 yr old in an M3 is not uncommon...neither will he have to worry about a career...there are usually a couple of small businesses he can take over. No worries, mon!

2. Happy Birthday to me! Is there a Fire Mist Red SLK320 in my driveway this morning? No, but one can hope! Anyway, I'll be driving with expired plates for now, as everything provincial is on strike.

3. Shipo: Glad you're back. I can't believe you took your brand new car around the Arc de Triomphe. Brave, hardy soul!

nyccarguy

As if the color combo of that M3 isn't bad enough, I can't even fathom how much this guy spent in aftermarket parts. It is true they say youth is wasted on the young (This coming from a 26 year old)! What does he have to look forward to (oh yeah, maybe he'll get that 911 GT2 when he turns 25)? I can't say that I'm not jealous though.

Wabends: You'll definitely be happy with your car in the long run. The Siena Red Metallic is a great color! I actually saw it on an E46 328Ci with SP and Balck Interior and it looked really sharp! You got a great deal on a great car that's pretty much brand new and you get pretty much the full warranty, & free maintenence + the CPO warranty. For $595, I'd take the extra year of maintenence.

Butmywife: Welcome back! Glad to hear you had such a great time on your ED trip. You even got to test out everything from the speed governer, to the superb handling, to your 325Xi's DSC-X AWD system (BONUS). Congrats on your car!

Shipo: The 325ti must be a blast to drive! I hope the MB C230 Coupe & Audi A3 (when it comes our way) sell well, so maybe BMW would rethink bringing in the E46 325ti over to our shores.

While I'm extremely happy with my new Prelude, I can't say I'm a little jealous of everybody's ED experience. 5 or 7 years down the road when it is time to retire the Prelude to extra car duty (I can't believe I'm saying this after I've only had the car for 4 days;), I hope to take ED of a BMW.

shipo

Genie1,

Hmmm, "Brave, hardy soul!"

How about "Hungry, tired, needed to find the hotel and had to pee" kind of soul. ;-)

NycCarGuy,

If my wife gets a 3er next summer (2003) as her next car (we will keep the Green Monster {which I am currently driving, see next post} as our third/family vehicle), the 325ti will certainly be under heavy consideration. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo