BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

woobah

There is a used 2001 325i for sale not to far from where I live. What is a fair price for a used 325i with premium package, CD player, and 25000 miles. Thanks for any help

postoak

I often read reports here about the Owners Circle being way behind on vehicle status, but mine shows as being in the "awaiting transport" stage. This is 5-6 weeks before I pick it up! It shouldn't even be built yet! Does the factory produce in "batches"? Could it be that my car got made at the end of a batch of 325is -- the last batch before 6/25?

leenelsonmd

No doubt a home in Pearland is less than 400k. I have a 2250sf home in Pearland that is just great. My yard is perfect too. (I treat my yard just like my cars and they are all in mint condition). My garage is clean and my E36 325 fits right beside my wife's Maxima. She just got the itch to move into West U or Bellaire and so we started looking. Who knows what will happen. If we spend 350k or less then I will probably get the 2003 330 that I want, but if we let it go up to 400k then it is unlikely I will get the car. Life is good either way I suppose.

Shipo: you have to quit putting those pictures up. It fills us with envy. That is one good looking car.

Asinger1: If I were you I would try to drive it from FL to NJ. There are few experiences that compare to a roadtrip in a 3 series. When you get to the Appalachians (sp?) you should hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway and taste a small piece of heaven--the 3 on a twistie beautiful road.

brave1heart

The Sumitomo HTRZ II are rated better than the Kumho's in almost every respect and cost about the same. I am leaning toward getting them. Any experience with them?

shipo

It is not unusual for a Customer Ordered car to get produced a little early, this is because the factory can do some allocation swapping so that a scheduled car, ordered for your dealers' stock, could be reconfigured to your spec, and shipped early as a result.

As it turns out, both of my BMWs have gotten an accelerated build date for this very reason. In the case of my 328i, I ordered it in late November 1998 for a late February 1999 delivery. I did this because the lease on my 1995 Passat GLX was ending at the end of that February, and my salesman told me that by ordering as early as I did, I was guaranteed to get my car on time.

So, once the order was complete, I went about my business, and did not pay too much attention to my yearning desire for my new car. Imagine my surprise when my salesman called me on Monday 4-Jan-1999 and said, “Your car is in and ready to be picked up!” I still had almost two full months left on my Passat, and my 328i was just sitting over at my dealership, begging me to come and fetch it, and take it home. I finally succumbed on Saturday 30-Jan-1999; so, I only had the two cars for one month, both of them begging for my affections. Imagine, I had a problem with two cars at one time, Old Faithfull, and Young and Spunky, after all, these were just cars, and I was troubled by it, I guess I could never be a bigamist. ;-)

Here we are, 39 months later, and I have no car at all, hmmm, I don’t think I timed this properly, I wonder if I can get my old Passat back for a week or so. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

derprofi

Ouch! Not the Miata too?! What are these people thinking? Oh well, at least I can take comfort in the fact that my next-door neighbors with the "Designo" electric green SLK230 moved out a few days ago.

shipo

The lady across the street from me has a Yellow Z3 2.8, so, even BMW has gotten into the act.

Best Regards,
Shipo

mitchs3

A while back someone mentioned some type of wax product to make cleaning the wheels easier. Spent forever getting the endless spokes cleaned on my 02 330i (non-sport) wheels. Once they are clean I'd like to wax them so the dust can wash off. Any suggestions?

love2skicar

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has either a 330 xi or 530 and has driven in snow. I test drove both today and both were great but the 330 was much louder (the salesperson said it was intentionally throaty) and somewhat rougher on rough roads than the 5 series. So if the 5 can get around in some snow then i might go for that. I know the xi is all wheel drive so it should be great but the 5 has a stability system which is supposed to help. Appreciate anyone's input, thanks

bmw323is

Waxing the wheels will make it easier to clean them, but you'll never just be able to rinse them clean. It's an automatic hour per week to clean the wheels, even if the body isn't dirty. At the next brake job, I'm going to look into pads that produce less dust. Still don't know why German cars have to produce so much dirt at the wheels.

I saw that the G35 stopped from 60 in 108 feet - an astounding number since the Corvette Z06 is about the same. Do Infinity's have the brake dust problem?

vkwheels

I had a yen for yellow on my next car, don't know why except it's high-intensity & fresh. My friends & family thought I was nuts and were relieved to hear it wasn't happening, since that's not an option on an '02 325. I will be quite happy with steel blue. For the record, all those who responded to my query felt that steel blue is not a "chick color". Good grief, I didn't think so either. Gotta take that kind of salesman talk with a grain (bushel) of salt.

I saw a yellow roadster (Z3?) on the freeway & I still like the color!

vkwheels

As with many BMW's I see, it might be an issue for them too. Saw a G35 & its front wheels were obviously dirty-gray, the rest of the car was clean. It's a nice car in profile, but anytime you see a partial to full rear-end view, it's not pretty at all. My first impression was that they copied the BMW nose, sort of the slightly domed topline on the front half if you look at it from the side.

verozahl

My father is a former 3 and 5 Series owner, and he has a beef with the brake dust. I don't get that at all! If you can't stand such a thing, get a Lexus. Otherwise, I would say the dust adds character. Funny to see Infiniti copying that!!!

kominsky

I was just at Tire Racks site, reading the owner reviews for kumhos and sumitomo's and I'm getting a headache. One person gives the tire a 9.0 and claims it's the best thing since sliced bread and the next reviewer gives the same tire a 4.7 saying they'd make a great tire-swing, but nothing else (okay, so I made that up, but you get the point). I THINK since I know a couple of fairly aggressive drivers with Kumho's on their cars and they're pretty happy with them, that's the way I'm going to go. I still have another 300 or 400 miles before the belts are hanging out of my Contis, so I've got time to give it more thought... LOL! By the end of this week, I will have placed my order. I'll let you know what I decide and if I have an epiphany, I'll fill you in. But it's more likely I'll just flip a coin or something. ;-)

shipo

I read somewhere that German manufacturers are required go equip their cars with brake pads that contain a certain percentage of Graphite, which is the source of the dust. I am not aware of any reason that would prevent pads that are free of graphite from providing as good if not better stopping power/fade resistance, in fact, it is my understanding that Repco Metalmaster pads (which are essentially dust free) are fairly popular with the AutoX crowd.

I am actually considering replacing the new pads on my new 530i with the Metalmasters almost as soon as I take U.S. delivery of my car.

Best Regards,
Shipo

postoak

So what's the rationale behind the graphite requirement? I've always assumed that the BMW pads gave superior braking performance at the expense of short life and dirty front wheels.

BTW, I've got 110,000 miles on my current set of pads on my Miata -- and probably have another 20,000 miles of useable life on them!

sunnybrook

Is it pretty much standard that you need reservations when traveling by train around europe or is buying a ticket on the go easier to do? I am supposed to go from zurich to munich on the ICE #95 but want to just walk up and buy my ticket since i'm not for certain which day I'll be leaving. Anyone have any insight or past experience with this?

shipo

I have "just walked up and bought train tickets" at the last minute any number of times while traveling around Europe. The only thing to consider is that if you want one of the higher classes of service, they MAY be sold out, and you will have to adjust your plans/expectations accordingly.

Best Regards,
Shipo

nyccarguy

I don't like the Dakar Yellow that E36 M3s and some Z3s came in personally. I think they look faded as opposed to the great loooking yellows on MBs, Miatas, & Corvettes.

I was driving my friend home from the city (to his place in Jersey) on Friday night at around 1AM (OK, so it was Saturday Morning). I was in the Express Lane of I80 (right outside the city a few miles after the split), but saw lots of flashing lights up ahead in the local lane. The express lanes were clear, except for the rubberneckers slowing things down to take a look (I hate this, but that is for another board). I look to my right and see an E46 323Ci (Silver, SP) which looked like it was just recently made into a convertible (By either a tractor trailer or the Jaws of life). The windshield was on the shoulder and the roof was to the left of the car (which had spun out). A chill went through me. I hate seeing things like that. Anybody else hear about this?

seivwrig

Generally, it is cheaper to get you train tickets from the U.S. prior to leaving especially with train passes. If you are just going to take one train. The difference is not that great. So are we talking about a single ticket or a pass?

hippo168

On the ICE trains, even the 2nd class is nice and clean. I bought my ticket right before I boarded the train, using those automatic ticket machines. The only drawback is that you might get "kick around" when people with reservation arrive and claim their seats...

dave330i

I haven't heard much about Sumitomo HTRZ II either. No one I know rides on them.

sunnybrook

I'm just planning on taking one train, one-way from zurich to munich. I'll probably just buy the ticket at the train station to avoid the hassle which reservations could get me into...

rshaw1655

Has anyone purchased an extended warranty when they bought their new BMW? I know it's covered for 4 yrs/50k miles, but I'm sure the dealer will try to sell me an extension. Anyone have experience/costs for this? Thanks.

tcn2k

I use to have to clean those darn rims twice a week too. I finally found Meguiars all wheel cleaner. It it a mild cleaner and works great since the brake dust on BMW are just graphite left overs. I spray it on to my wheels and let sit for 2 mins, then spray them off before cleaning my whole car. Afterward, i just dry the car and the rim in less then 10 mins and the whole car and RIM (looks like i spent all day getting between the rims cranny) looks GREAT.

brave1heart

Here is some help on choosing tires from someone who tracks his car regularly. He has been helpful and I respect his opinion very much -

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46/forum.php?postid=637340&page=3

brave1heart

Liking yellow is entirely a matter of personal preference. I remember reading, however, that it is the safest color on a car because it stands out in any weather and on any background. It may be a mixed blessing for fast drivers on public roads, though - everyone will see you as you approach them at a much higher rate of speed. So will the cops, though :0)

shipo

I just got off the phone after informing my insurance company that I am changing cars from my (old) 1999 328i (MSRP of about $38,700) to my 2002 530i (MSRP of $47,395), and was delighted to find out that my premium was only going to go up by a whopping $111 per year. I then found out that I have been carrying a silly $100 deductible on my comprehensive, so, I changed that to a much more reasonable $500, which will actually bring my policy down below the pre-530i levels.

Keep in mind, these are New Jersey prices (the highest in the nation):
Old policy: 1998 Grand Caravan Sport & 1999 328i -- $500 Ded. on Coll. & $100 Ded. on Comp.: $1,893
New policy: 1998 Grand Caravan Sport & 2002 530i -- $500 Ded. on Coll. & $500 Ded. on Comp.: $1,880

Not too bad. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

tenet1

Man, I feel for you. I lived in Philly for a few years and just hated the insurance in that area. You are still a bit better off in NJ.

seivwrig

Shipo and others that live along the Altantic seaboard. How do you live with those ridiculous insurance rates and high cost of living? My wife and I both lived up North before living in the South. We both would find it hard to live up north (I have thought about the Western and N.W. Suburbs in Chicago). For the price that Shipo insures two vehicles, I have almost ensured three w/$500 deduct on coll & comp.(96'Altima,99'Ranger,'02 325i).

nyccarguy

While my new Prelude is no BMW, I pay $2200 per year in insurance (full coverage). Here's the kicker; I had to put the car in my father's name (in the suburbs of course) in order to get it so "cheap." I'm 26 and have a flawless driving record. Most insurance companies wanted $3500 per year to insure me to drive the car.

brave1heart

Having two six-figure incomes helps a lot ;o) Real estate is ridiculously expensive but it has been appreciating at a good clip so essentially you end up living for free when you factor in buy price and sell price. Besides, you have a lot of job security because of the high concentration of good employers. Not to mention that I love 4 seasons and especially the quality of life in the Boston area (security, mobility, school system, diversity, highly educated people, entertainment, food and many intangibles). That said, I'd love it if I could pay 2 grand less for auto insurance )

1johann

Assuming average mileage and not somone who has kept it in the garage or on the road 24/7.......

I have been seeing 1999 328i and 323i for under US$28K. Is the 323 a good car or is it underpowered. The bodies seem to be the same - just slightly less HP - right?

Alternatively, I have seen some higher mileage 2001 325i for about the same price.

So, if you had these choices, which would you lean toward?

Thanks in advance,

J

sunnybrook

What are some of the best bars in the downtown munich area for a guy in his early to mid 20's??

dl7265

I own a 1999 323i Sport and would recommend it. it has proven to be very reliable and more inportant IMO had the best steering of all those model years, i would take a low mile 99 over some high mile car anyday.In addition the first three years maint is free ,so run the VIN by a dealer but i cant imagine it not being done.

good luck
DL

seivwrig

I can't help you there. I don't drink. But then again, even in my low 30's there are a lot of things that I don't do any more or have never done. I have co-workers tell me there are some good beer gardens especially one in the Englische Garten (sp?). You'll have fun in Munich anywhere you go especially if have never been to Europe before.

zer2

Can anyone recommend a mechanic in the Houston area? Preferably north Houston / The Woodlands?
Just got our first BMW ('98 328), and looking for someone competent and honest (if that's possible) for future work. Would prefer an individually owned shop that works only on BMW's or at least just German cars.
Thanks in advance.

vkwheels

Maybe that's a reason to look forward to getting older. :-D I pay $630/yr now. I haven't priced the 325 insurance yet. Yep, I will need to adjust my thinking along with my spending habits once I start having a car payment again. This time I have faith I can make that mental jump.

brave1heart

fwiw, I spent > 1 hr reading reviews on the Kumho's, Sumitomo HTZ II, the Bridgestone RE730's and the Michlein Pilot on the Rack. I am definitely going with the Sumitomo HTZ II - so many reviewers can't be wrong!!

bbell4

Do we have to keep the plates we currently have if we get a new car or do we have the option of getting new ones. Any reasons I should know of to do either? Also, what is the $455 "license fee" that I'm being charged - does that have anything to do with plates? Thanks.

leenelsonmd

My 325 definitely has a problem with brake dust, but it is not a problem for me. I do not do anything fancy to get it off. I wash the car and for my last step I wash off the rims and it comes right off. I do not understand the need for any special cleaner. I will say that you can minimize the brake dust problem by not spraying stuff on your tires to make them black -- this just gets all over the rims and acts as a magnet for the dust. I use Meguire's Endurance Gold Class, blah, blah blah tire cleaner which goes just on the tires and leaves them black and shiny for days. I apply just a dab each week after every wash after the tires are dry. Don't use too much, it tends to collect over time and the funny thing is that my tires stay black and shiny for 2-3 weeks now even if I forget to put the stuff on. I wash my tires though with every car wash and this helps reduce buildup on the tires and it seems to promote the shine.

The G35 stopping is so impressive because the brakes bite like a shark, even when you don't want them too. It is hard to ease on to the brakes in that car, because the initial grab is harsh -- certainly not what you would expect in a luxury car. Again, it was engineered this way so numb nuts could look at the number and be impressed with the stopping distance -- "Hum, its shorter than the 3 series...must be better." Just another example of how the numbers don't tell the story -- you cannot sum up all of the emotion and sensory information that your brain processes while driving a car with a few simple numbers.

shipo

The buyout on the 328i that I just turned in is about $23,500 and being offered at 5% interest by my leasing company (BancOne). The car is a 1999 328i with almost 40,000 miles on it (like 39,700), it is a dark Green Metallic, Sand Leather interior car equipped with PP, In-Dash CD, Xenons and Harman Kardon audio system. The last I heard, the car was still at Park Avenue BMW, and BancOne had not yet picked it up, so, you might still be able to call BancOne and snag a deal.

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

I don't know what pads you have on your 325i, however, the pads that I had on my 328i were of such a tenacious coupound that if you were to wash the wheels in any conventional you would be lucky to get even 50% of the black stuff off. In fact, this stuff is so hard to remove that as an experiment, I took SOS to the back side of the wheel to see if I could clean it. No go!

In the end, if you don't use some sort of solvent on the dust left behind by the OEM factory pads, you will have LOTS of black highlights on your wheels. I really wish this was not the case, however, it is something that I am willing to live with, given the basic goodness of the rest of the machine.

Best Regards,
Shipo

soverypoornow

So, who else is it that has a car on the Trianon? When last I remember they were going to try and find a way to track the ship across the ocean. My wife mocked me for having the same thought. In addition to the Wallenius site, of course, properly bookmarked with their tracking, I also found a webcam at the port of Bremerhaven. It doesn't show the car loading dock, but it points to another dock. I would give my wife a Bremerhaven visual weather report every day while my car was waiting to be loaded. She's quite thankful the ship is on its way so the Bremerhaven weather reports have stopped. Now, I'm trying to find a way to give her sea conditions in the Atlantic. Can't have any storms delaying my/our ship and my 300i bliss. It would be awesome if we could track the Trianon in real time. But to dream. June 3. Port Hueneme. Be there!

bmw323is

You should be able to get a lot of information on things like this from the local BMW club in Houston. If you don't kow how to contact them try www.bmwcca.org. I think this national web site has connections to the local clubs. Or you can send an email to bmwclub@aol.com and ask for more information.

Our local club is sponsered by a couple of fantastic shops that specialize in BMW's. Way better and cheaper than dealers after the warranty expires. Good luck.

butmywife

Sunnybrook: We went to a bierhaus called Augustins just off the Marienplatz. They brewed their own beer (about 10 varieties) and had good food. The clientele was comprised of different age groups (20's to 60's) and we even saw a few dogs strolling with their masters (very common). I don't know if this is what you are looking for but it wasn't gimmicky or touristy like the Hofbrauhaus and it was recommended to us by a local gal in her late 20's working at the Uhland Hotel in Munich. My wife and I met two Munich journalists in their early 30's and had a great evening sampling the beer and just shootin' the salt.

soverypoor: Yes, our 325 is on the Trianon headed for Port Huenme (how does one pronounce this?). I don't know of any way to track the ship across the pond but their must be a way. Heck, one can track hurricanes, right?
Have you been told what's the turn around time in Port Huenme? I'm planning on a week to 10 days to get the car up here in Washington but it is only a guess. Would you mind posting the URL for the Bremerhaven Port cam? I'd like to see what it looks like. Our wives should compare notes. Mine thinks I'm crazy for knowing what ship the car is on and when it sailed, too.
Thanks, ButMyWife

soverypoornow

I'm trying to figure out how to phoenitically spell Hueneme for you butmywife -- "whyneemee" is probably the best I can do. Here's the link. These same two ships have been sitting there for a couple weeks. Weather is grey almost evey day. http://www.boot-bremerhaven.de/webcam.htm

I'm in SCal, so I'm just about a two an a half hour car carrier ride from the dock. I'm figuring 5 days from dock to delivery based on no reliable information whatsoever. Very jealous of the ED, by the way. Someday.

chewie5

My experience seems to match that of LeeNelsonMD. Every time I wash my car, I wash the wheels with the same car shampoo that I use on the car itself, and the brake dust comes right off. It is frustrating though, how quickly the brake dust starts to re-accumulate. I have the OEM pads on--do you think that BMW has switched pads over the years?

agraf

Hi:
I just bought a '95 325I with plenty of experience (miles). Is is definitelly a very well put together car, very refined and tight. I have been doing miscelaneous fixes to restore its former glory. Have some of you ever replaced the AC filter? I have been trying to remove the glove compartment but have not been successful.

Thanks for any help.

Alex

hgeyer

The solution to your question:

http://www.beerdrinkersguide.com/

I wish I had found this site before my trip, and I concur with the recommendation of Augistiner - great beer, great food and great crowds. Another good brauhaus is Weisses, around the corner from Hoffbrau.