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Comments
The trunk net does not cover the whole trunk. The pieces that the net connects to are already in the car. It works great for my laptop bag or one large piece of luggage but that is the limit. It was great while I did ED because I was carying a lot of crystal that I did not need broken.
CircleBMW, PacificBMW and PassportBMW all have good prices. Also, if you join BMWCCA, you can get discounts from certain establishments.
Enjoy your car, you probably deserve it. Just drive responsibly. It seem like in Houston, some of the most unresponsible drivers are in sport sedans and econoboxes(speed racer types).
many of you newer members express concern for the ride quality of the SP equipped BMWs as well as back seat room. A friend of mine has a (black/beige) 2001 325Ci Leather, PP, Step. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but the Cis (plural) come standard with the sport tuned suspension. 4 of us went to a METS game last night. My friend was driving and he's 6'4", riding shotgun was another friend of his who is a good 6'2". I was in the back with a guy who was about 5'8", and I myself am 5'11". I felt the ride was very comfortable (despite the fact I feared for my life the way my friend was driving). The streets of Manhattan & Queens are riddled with potholes that are actually deeper than some small canyons. I had to duck my head a little bit, but it really wasn't too bad. The back seats were really supportive.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Please see my next post: Top 10 reasons why competition improves the breed WITHOUT being a TYPICAL American (this applies to every human in this planet except the Taliban, Mount Everest Sherpas, rain forest and outback aborigines (ups, also sierra club members))
My wife used to want a Jaguar or Mercedes for her next car (she currently drives a 93 Lexus LS400 Silver/Black), and now it's ONLY BMW (5 series) for her ever since we purchased our CPO 1999 323i 5speed/SP/Jet black & tan/moon/leather/rear folding seats. I've been telling her about Shipo's new 530i, but she still prefers the tan interior vs. the stealthy black on black! And it's only black exterior for her although I'm always complaining how hard it is to keep our 3er clean. Oh, and I promised her the 5er will be a Step. Fair enough, right? Best of both worlds - BMW all in the family - a 3er 5 speed and a 5er Step. As much as we enjoy our LS400 luxmobile, I told her that if I can help it, we're never going back to Japanese again. It's German from now on. So I ditto: "Once you go BMW, there is no turning back."
My wife and I tried the heated seats when we bought a Subaru a few years ago. It felt kind of weird to have my butt getting warm, while my nose and hands were cold. As you said, just personal preference,...but I'll never understand it.
I do understand Dave and Brave's desire for pure performance and few frills. Its not mine, but I understand it perfectly.
Don't kid people. The backseat in a Ci is noticeably tighter-feeling than in a sedan. I sat in both a few days ago. Don't know why, since the Ci is actually a longer car?
The SP tires give much more road feedback than the base tires. I noticed it more w/the 17's I drove, than with my brother's 16" SP tires on a 2000 323i. This can be good or bad, depending on your preference. My opinion is that the base setup handles more than fine for my use (and probably most people's), and is much quieter and more comfortable. My advice is, as the magazines say, "Try before you buy".
You're not part of that "Hate America" crowd, are you????
Its our "typical American virtues" that give us the prosperity to buy BMWs. If you don't believe it, go get a job in Europe for a while (not working for an American company, of course), and you'll see what I mean.
OK, maybe you struck a nerve.
I was just giving my honest opinion about my thoughts on the back seat and ride quality of a Ci.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
9.- Better upholstery and seat design, so my skin touches softer materials and relax, avoids temperature extremes, allergic reactions, abrasions, etc. the tactile feeling would elevate the spirit and improve spiritual happiness, bring a smile and better behavior with fellow humans. My typical American butt will feel better to.
8.- Better AC, dual controls, to improve relationship with significant other by providing two different atmosphere and please both. Again, the harmony obtain allows better rapport with the rest of humans in the area.
7.-Better brakes: improve security, accident avoidance, self confidence and survivability.
6.-More Torque, HP and curve characteristics : Allows increased passing power, which could avoid an accident in the hands of a mature driver, who is already filling better because 10,9,8 and 7.
5.-Improve suspension: Better road fill, improve handling, obstacle avoidance, lets you reach older age if everything goes well.
4.-Improve structural rigidity, 8,7,6,5.
3.-Better symbiosis between driver and car, better controls, road feel, etc. Bring a smile to my face when driving on a remote twisty road
2.-Because thanks to MB, Ferrari, Porsche, Audi, Saab, Lexus, Volvos, etc our BMW's are better than Cavaliers. (Dear Dave, The car manufacturer executives, who are starving to death because of the public expectation of better cars, and so, basically have to give away their cars at a loss so they can compete in order to sale cars to these @#$%^ typical Americans with typical American responses. I assure you, will be GLAD TO SALE YOU A $40,000 Yugo, since you don't care about the above).
and the #1 reason is:
1.- Because it is my *&^%$#@ money which I work hard for, and I want to #$%^& buy the best I can afford, and I am not a @#$%^&* Arab sheik, and because I don't want to live in Cuba or China. and because YES, I LIKE THE WAY A TYPICAL AMERICAN THINKS ABOUT CARS. (same way as any Argentinian, Chilean, Venezuelan, Colombian, Japanese, German, British, French, ________ etc).
Perhaps you should start a discussion: The spiritual passion of driving a Yugo; because better brakes suspension, engine and features are NOT WHATS IMPORTANT.
There're 2 parts to the power to weight ratio. Increasing power's nice, but reducing weight is even better. A lighter car will accelerate faster, corner better, brake better, and get better mpg. Yet, American public seems to be fixated on hp.
More standard features means more weight, more things to break, more complexity, and less choices for the consumer. What's so great about that?
I'm sure this isn't isolated to America, but America's the only one I'm familiar with.
Competition will allow development of better, lighter and stiffer materials to decrease weight, increase handling and acceleration without sacrificing safety.
As I said before, thanks Nissan for making my next BMW better (or next G35 perhaps if BMW doesn’t step up to the challenge?) My only loyalty regarding which car to buy, is with the better one.
I like (and buy) heated seats for overcoming that "initial chill", but my primary motivation is because it lets me run a cooler cabin interior in the winter months, which helps me stay more alert while driving.
As such, I almost consider it to be a piece of safety equipment.
-hh
1. More comfortable ride
2. Looks - SP look is just too aggressive a look to me - I'm REALLY trying to like it!
3. Cost - replacing performance tires every 18-20,000 miles isn't the most economical. Save money up front, save over the long haul.....
I just don't think I really need it. Yes, I like the seats. Yes I like the steering wheel. Yes taking some corners faster would be fun, but how often will I really do that?? Unless I'm missing something I just don't think it's for me and the kind of driving I do (in town and to California once or twice a year).
Please give me your final thoughts before I shoot myself!!
bbell4: I think you'd still be making a fine choice sans SP.
There are some big changes coming soon, though -- and I do think the new, improved and all-wonderful search engine is part of it. I'll let you know something as soon as I know something.
On another note, let's avoid broad brush characterizations of *any* group of people. The only thing that is absolutely true about a generalization is that it is not true across the board of whatever is being generalized.
In any case, there is no need to make nationalistic and/or ethnic generalizations of any sort whatsoever. We can discuss our own personal thoughts, wishes and opinions without using such terms.
Thanks.
Pat
Sedans Host
Another thing to consider is the safety advantage that a better handling car will provide in emergency maneuvers.
It took me about a month to get used to the gas pedal. I now can take off very smoothly when I want. There is no adjustment as far as I know of.
p.s. It is correct that you have to stick with lower profile tires to keep the combined rim and tire diameter the same but they can be softer all-season tires instead of the performance tires that the sport pack comes with. Same size tires, just softer ride and longer wear.
Heck, you are buying a BMW! I don't think you will go wrong either way.
Larry in SF, CA
Regarding the rotor replacement, as a general rule of thumb, I always replace the rotors on later model cars, because, once again, as a general rule of thumb, most manufacturers have started making thinner rotors to save weight.
Regarding the oil change, yes, the annual/15K (which ever comes first) oil change will run about $150 at the dealership. That said, the way I look at it, that is about the same cost as many other cars that require more frequent oil changes, but are able to get by with regular oil. You could also opt to do the oil change yourself for a total of about $60 in parts, assuming you paid full price for the Mobil 1 or Castrol Syntech.
In my case, in over 3 years and 40,000 miles I spent a total of $260 for maintenance (two sets of wiper blades, a 4-wheel brake job and two taillight bulbs) on my 328i. If I did not have the free maintenance that BMW offers, and done the work myself, the cost would have totaled about $380 for the same 3 yr/40K period, and if I had paid the dealership do all of the work (once again, assuming the free maintenance did not exist), the total would have come out to almost exactly $1,000, which in my book, is still fairly reasonable.
Best Regards,
Shipo
STANDARD TIRE: 205/55R16
SP TIRE: 225/45R17
What you can go to: 205/50R17
The circumference is almost the same: 78.8 inches versus 78.2. When your non-SP tires show 60 on the speedo, your SP tires will show 60.2 and the 205/50/17s will show 60.5.
You can see all that on this tire size calculator:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Well, sort of, assuming you decide to keep the stock SP wheels on your 325i, then yes, you need to stick with a low profile tire. That said, you are free to change your wheels to the stock non-SP 16x7 wheels and mount 205/55 R16 tires on them to keep the total circumference within the proper specifications for your car. I just turned in my 1999 328i with that same exact wheel/tire combination, and it served me well for the three plus years that I had the car. So, what did I replace the 328i (sans SP) with? Glad you asked. I replaced it with a 530i WITH SP. Why? After driving Brave1hearts 325i SP around for a day and a half last December, I decided that the trade-off between ride and handling was easily worth it. From my perspective, the SP offers MUCH greater handling capabilities over the non-SP car (even if you replace the stock OEM tires with good high quality All-Season tires like the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S), at the expense of a slight and only occasionally noticeable degradation in ride quality, a classic case of "Give a little, Gain a lot". ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
bbell - if you don't like the SP, don't get it and save the money. I have 4 female friends/co-workers that bought 3 series after I did (they rode in my car) and none of them bought the SP. But they all got the PP. I'm the opposite - would never consider a BMW without the SP and I don't like sunroofs. You will love the car either way. (BTW, all the dealers told me I'll never sell my car because it doesn't have a sunroof - guess I'll just have to keep it forever!)
The more aggressive look of the SP is particularly appealing and does not have a gender bias.
When i searched cars out look how much maint is on a G or LS you will pay over 100 bones for the filter alone!!
BBELL4: You also can replace the 17" if you decide and sell the 17" and come out a head! i would not do an EVEN swap at the dealer. There is a wheel/hubcap store next to my work and they have a full set of 225/50/16 just like my 1999 Sport package for sell. Also remember a full set means 5 wheels not 4.....
take care
DL
I was wondering, Are you "soveryimpatient" yet?
ButMyWife, (AKA, ReadyandWaiting)
This meant sacrificing the PP, and considering installing the armrest myself, and ordering the power seats as an option. I even looked at the coupe for a while (this was a divorce waiting to happen), because the standard feature mix (armrest, sport suspension, sport steering wheel - all with silver trim) was more to my liking.
Finally, I drove both cars (SP and non SP). I can't say I didn't like the SP, but there were some things about the SP ride and road noise that took the luxury edge off the car. And, the non-SP was certainly sporty enough, with enough performance for my daily driving style. I like the "idea" of the larger wheels, but to be honest, I prefer the look of the 325i standard wheels, and they look like they'd be very easy to clean. Also, consider that if you get the SP and need winter tires (can't remember where you live?), you'll be driving on aftermarket rims for half the year - I hated that idea.
My advice: Drive an SP and non SP back-to-back. That's what I did (though the SP was a coupe). Then do what your gut tells you. After a year of research and discussion, I ended up buying almost the exact same car I was set on when I started shopping. Your first instinct is usually right. If you have to "talk yourself into" the SP, then I'd say you should change your order.
One thing I wouldn't do is stick with the SP with the intention of swapping out the tires for softer ones when they wear out. If you don't like the SP when you get it, you'll be "putting up with it" for the first 15,000 miles with the car - and those are the most exhilarating miles of all - they should be perfect.
More HP to maintain their performance characteristics. That's OK, because most of us like the bigger, slightly heavier car. That's why the 4-cyl 318 is gone from this market. It was a dog in the E36 with automatic, which is what most Americans buy. Personally, I see nothing wrong with the market pushing BMW to increase HP (hell, it ought to be at least 190 HP in the 325i). As for other standard features, a few years ago, CD players and fog lights weren't even standard, and the standard wheels were 15" w/HUB CAPS! That's just not acceptable in a "sport-LUXURY" sedan, at these prices.
IMO, the next adds to the standard list for the 325i should be: 1) the armrest; 2) additional torque for the base engine; 3) the trip computer; 4) the fold-down rear seat; 5) covered cup holders; 6) and a better interior storage console.
In terms of handling, braking, steering and safety technology, the car is already about as good as it gets.
Every day counts, as I curse my current anemic car each morning I get on the freeway. It's never easy being me and these past couple months it's been ever harder. So many worries -- did I pick the right color? in my effort to avoid the wood, will I miss the PP? did I really need the 330i? will I be embarressed having two BMWs in my garage for awhile (wife has a little 318ti she'll be trading for a Mini S when available)? where's my friggin' car?
I will certainly get SP in my next BMW.
Also, do you have any recommendations for reputable non-dealer shops for after the 3 years/36k?
Thanks!
Josh
Options: I wish I could take advantage of the BMW Individual program-more paint colours and upholstery choices. I would probably get the nappa leather instead.
If Americans have such an influence on the entire auto industry, why don't the Germans change as rapidly as the Japanese companies (Acura and Infiniti does not exist in Europe). SOMETIMES, I have to side with Dave330i. The Germans don't need our help to make a car. If the Germans don't use cup holders, I think we will live. If a individual does not want to buy a car based on standard options, buy something else. The great thing about our country is the prosperity and the choice to choose. Have any of you seen what comes standard in an Aston Martin, a Porsche or a Ferrari? No much but a car with a fast engine. For six figures, you do not get that much in the way of creature comforts that you find in most midrange Japanese cars. If one thinks that BMW will bow down to the level of a Acura TL (with has one manufactures option), it will not happen especially as long as there are true enthuaist and traditionalists out there.
I like the E36 better than E46. Sure the newer BMW has more hp, more room, more features, etc, but it also weighs 400 lbs more as well.
For you guys that like the strip-down, road racer type cars, like a base E36 w/SP, I say, be glad that BMW is listening to the rest of us. Otherwise, the average American would turn up his nose at BMWs (in spite of their inherent, and often intangible goodness). The result would be either the knee-jerk elimination of the sporty characteristics that you love, but are not very "popular" (like 5-speed and SP), the pull-back of unpopular hardcore models (like the 318ti), or the constant erosion of market share until the car becomes a high priced, low-volume exotic (like Porsches, Ferraris and Aston Martins), and prices you out of the market.
The mighty M3 was trounced by the competition.
As I scratched my head figuring out why, I think I found the answer in the numbers. The M3 is the porkyest of them all (by a lot!) (except the 911 turbo, which compensates by having the most HP, Torque, fat tires and smaller wheelbase). Reminds me of the super heavy M5 also. (look how close the slalom numbers correlate with the cars weight!!)
I guess, the trade off is the vault like sensation that we get when entering and driving the car.
Compromises, compromises, compromises.
If I could have a Lexus 430 (just making a point, I know, I know, the 7 series is better, I am just referring to the complete isolation from the road in a bumper to bumper 45 min commute + the ultra-expensive Mark Levinson sound system) for my commute and a Lotus Elise for the weekend,(Ok, how about an extra 100hp and 100 lb torque Lotus?) actually a couple of each, one at home, and one at work, so I can decide which one to drive according to my mood.
So, for me, due to my budget, today, the 330ci is the best compromise.
BUT
I agree with Dave330i, somehow getting rid of the extra fat would help improve the car.
1. drives a standard or
2. can afford a high price luxo or sport sedan with a manual/SMG/auto or
3. can afford a less expensive automobile or
4. knows about cars or
5. has taken some type of performance training
Almost everybody I know fits into one or more of these categories.
Good luck to all of you who continue to read and post hear. I'll see you later.
Competition has improved the cars so much, and have made them so close in performance, that we have to compare them based on who has more cup holders. Isn't life great!
Aston Martin, humm... I think this babies come loaded, and have like 3000 lbs on top just on pure leather.
Cup holders, I agree with you. You have them--->you use them--->= one more distraction that can cause an accident. I'm guilty myself, as I end up using it frequently.
In Germany, they are to busy doing 150MPH to waste their time sipping from their 3 gallon coffee. While here, people can get dress, have breakfast and apply make-up while driving at 45 in the left line on our extremely fast 65MPH highways
Believe it or not, for over $100K. Most exotics are quite spartan for the price. For $100K, you will not get a navigation system and you might not get a CD changer. Japanese luxury cars might use a lot of plastic but you get a lot of bang for your buck. With an Aston, you get a V8, loads of leather, lots of chrome and less plastic but no toys. If you want cabon fibre, you pay extra.
I don't use cupholders but my wife does. I am single tracked minded when it comes to driving. I sometimes don't even listen the stereo. For me, driving is serious business and I would like to arrive alive wherever I go. In Germany, I 'll drive as fast the posted speed limits but in Texas, I'll drive at or no more than 5 mph over posted speeds. I cannot trust the people around me.
Any comments on how effect of using a lower load rating? Does anyone know of a good 93 load rated tire int he 215-45-17 size? Thanks
I guess I need to make the gap of coming back longer.