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Comments
PeopleFirst - We financed our A4 through them and I've had a 10 out of 10 experience with them. The on-line application was approved in a few minutes and paperwork was at a minimum. There is no charge for setting up an electronic debit or any prepayment penalties. You can track your account on-line, obtain payoff quotes, etc. Their rates were the best we could find outside of manufacturer-subsidized rates and HELOC of course.
Acura TL-S 6 speed - The comparo was interesting. I was surprised to find out that C&D rated the Acura's engine AND tranny higher than the BMW's. They rated the 330 3 points higher on looks and if it wasn't for those 3 points, the Acura would have won. At the same time, though, you can feel that the writers still love the 3-series more than the Acura.
Tires - I ordered a set of Sumitomo HTRZ II's from the Tirerack to replace my Contis. The rears are down to the wear bars at 21K miles with 3 autocross events, one driving school, and pushing the limits of the car almost every day. The sales tax savings almost offset the shipping charges, not to mention that their prices are at least 20% lower than any discount tire store. The Sumi's are $106 each, just a tad more expensive than the Kumho's. I noticed a couple of the M3's had Kumho's at the autoX yesterday and the Sumi's are not nearly as popular so I guess I am taking a risk with them.
Well, the King, I mean the Board is dead. Long live the Board!! Is everyone up watching soccer all night and sleeping during the day?
On the colour subject, Jet Black is fine if you love washing your car. 6000 miles and no probs but I don't think my alarm was programmed correctly. I still need to get my autobahn souvenir fixed(two rock chips on the bonnet).
1) What does the dealer say about this one?? My truck has this issue without any resolution. Is there a fix?
2) Are you sure you are not fat-fingering the steering controls?
Please let me know if you've had a similar experience, or know whether alarms are considered standard equipment. Thanks!
email address: karenagad@aol.com
The alarm is not standard in the 3 series. It is pre-wired for it. Most dealers will probably charge about the same amount of money for the alarm (installation included).
$1500 over invoice is a pretty good deal.
Now, does anyone know about "Cinnamon red" leather for the 3-series?
Ken
$1500 over invoice. You did well. You will not get that in Houston or Dallas. The 3er sedan was changed for MY 2002, so 2003 probably will not any different, hence $1500 but you can probably get that on a 2003. Also, you don't have to buy the 2002 because someone else will and at full MSRP.
Nagad:
Like tenet1 said, the 3er is prewired for the alarm. I'm an engineer not a technician and I was able to install the alarm and CD changer. With the BMW, these installations are not rocket science. Each installation took about one hour. With the alarm, you still need to take it to the dealer to be initialized. Buy the alarm from a dealership Passport BMW, Circle BMW or Pacific BMW. They sell the alarm for about $225 (most dealers charge $300). The dealer will charge for about 2 hours on the installation (about $150-$200) for a one hour job. If you paid more than MSRP on your Bimmer, you got ripped. But you will not care after 2000 miles or so. The more you drive the more irrelevent the price become. I did not get a deal(only $700 off ED MSRP) like a good number of the individuals on this thread but I feel the car is worth the money. Happy Motoring.
Best Regards,
Shipo
The Lo-Jack decision was straight from the gut. I live in a nice area, but drive all over the place. My old Prelude was stolen 3 times, twice from "nice" areas & once from my workplace, and as good as the std anti-theft features of the BMW might be, I couldn't stomach buying a $30+K new car and walking out without something extra. So besides appeasing that emotional side and getting a lower finance rate, I think I get a little discount on my insurance.
Thanks.
staying on topic: im always back and forth on the Steel Blue, however my last trip down to Austin, i followed a 325cic Steel Blue/Blue top Grey leather back and though it was a georgious combo, good luck with your order.
enjoy the games,
DL
Electronic vehicle immobilizer:
The key to security:
Your BMW is equipped with t passive anti-theft system. This electronic immobilization system is designed to reduce the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft by making it impossible to start the engine using any means other than the special keys furnished with the vehicle. Your BMW center can cancel the electronic system authorization for individual keys (in the event of loss, for instance). A deactivated key can no longer be used to start the engine.
How the electronics work:
At the heart of this system is an electronic chip that is integrated into the key. The lock mechanism is actually a dual-function device, simultaneously serving as a communications interface designed to allow the security system to maintain a continuous stream of variable, vehicle-specific signals with the electronic circuitry in the key. The system will not release the ignition, fuel injection and starter unless it recognizes an “authorized” key.
**************
In the case of my insurance company, I did indeed get a discount on my insurance for the integrated system. I was told by my insurance agent that “late model BMWs have such low theft statistics when compared to other comparable cars that they are entitled to lower rates.” I also asked her how much more my insurance would drop if I added the integrated alarm system, and while I do not remember the amount, it was no where near what the system would cost me, even if I installed it myself. That said, there are a number of folks who post on this discussion that have found that their insurance companies require the add-on system in order to qualify for the extra discount. I suggest that you check with our insurance company before you make any decision regarding the extra alarm.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Thanks
Smelly AC: Is this really a common problem? I noticed it on the last 3-series I test drove. I was actually terrified that it was the leatherette (since that was the only 'ette car I drove). I'm actually relieved, as I'm sure it will clear up as the car breaks in.
$1,500 over invoice: That's a good deal, unless they jack-up invoice by including the floor mat cost and advertising fee. That's what they did to me, so I only actually got $1,000 under MSRP (about $1,750 over invoice). I agree with seivwrig. I started my shopping prepared to pay MSRP to order the car I wanted, so I am OK with my deal. You totally forget about the price after you have the car for a while. Also, in the end that few hundred dollars difference is pocket change spread over a 3-5 year finance. I don't know why we make such a big deal about it. Better to pay a few hundred more and have a pleasant, low stress buying experience that you will remember fondly.
My philosophy is: You'll never remember what you did with that extra $250 you saved, but you'll never forget the unpleasant taste of what it took to get it.
Thanks
Thanks
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I am now confident that this issue was just a watercooler rumor that stuck in my mind. My colleagues who had problems mentioned electronics and fit/finish imperfections (mostly rattles) with their SA cars. The electronics on the BMW are made by a German company anyway, and any car can have minor rattles. I will now move forward an get the SA-made 325i.
Thanks again for your comments.
me: are you kidding ? bring it over!
2001 Premium ,5 speed , cwp,HK, interesting its the same colors as mine but all different options. here are a few pelimanary differnces.
1)cant tell much difference in the HK, glad i passed on it.
2) door handels pull up ? not out.
3) clutch seems to have a lot of travel but is easily engaged.
4)prefer my Sport seats, allthough with the manual the power seats are handy.
5) found the ski sack, but how do the seats fold down ??
Brave: 1/2 the cars on the lots here are Black, and in the 100f TX heat, id run the A/C also
however id prefer to hear the engine as well.
DL
-Chris
Best Regards,
Shipo
1. Steering wheel--I haven't yet taken it in to the dealer. I'm no car expert, but I can't imagine that this would be a big problem. I'd think that all they would need to do is re-mount the steering wheel. I wish I would have noticed it when I picked up the car, but I guess that I was just too happy/excited to notice!
2. Volume controls--yes, I'm sure I'm not "fat-fingering" it. It doesn't happen all the time. When it does occur, afaik, it is usually when I'm holding the volume button down to lower the volume as opposed to just pressing it once or twice. The volume does lower, but then it changes the station/cd track.
As for the smelly A/C, it does seem to be a common problem. Actually, it is not my A/C that smells, but rather the vent air after I turn off the A/C. I've tried turning off the A/C for a while before I park. This has helped some, but has not eliminated the problem. I've also tried spraying lysol into the air intake--this is what has seemed to help the most, but still has not completely eliminated the problem. The strange thing is that on all three of my other cars with A/C, I've never had this problem. Maybe BMW's design is just more prone to it?
mine tends to smell somewhat "stale" after it hasn't run for awhile... the cigarette smoke doesn't help, i'm sure...
if the car in question is "new", is it possible that the plastics in the venting system are "degassing" (or whatever it's called)?
-Chris
http://home.att.net/~texhwyman/auto.htm
The section on signage is something I plan to study here and then print out and take with me. Interesting history of the Autobahn, also.
I actually posted this awhile ago. But here it is again. I hope this helps. =D Enjoy your car.
Option Code 0415
MSRP $300
I think it's a great option. Only offered in the 330.
Jeff
The A/C does smell but I think it has to do with the area where the filter is. Maybe condensation forms that area. I guess you could spray the filter with something nice. The problem does exist when the fan is running by itself.
Like you, I rarely use the AC - I prefer the windows open effect, and I don't like the AC drag on the engine. Its also not very hot where we live. BUT, if we lived in Arizona or Texas, I'm sure we'd both have a different perspective.
I did the majority of my test driving with the AC off (which seemed to amaze the salesman since it was 88 degrees when I test drove). I wanted to test the power of the 2.5I. I did turn it on for part of the test drive to see what the engine drag would be, and how quiet/noisy it was. Somebody else had probably test driven it earlier that day with the AC on and turned it off wet, which accounts for the smell.
I run the fan on vent/econ setting in my cars at all times, year round, with the exception of those really hot days in summer or when it rains in summer. I don't expect a problem with the smell on my 325.
I've noticed that most cars have that stale, musty smell when the AC is first turned on or off, especially if the car was just started and the vent/econ mode was not used.
Funny, but I drove 3 different 3-series, and I remember noticing this in only one car (the xi I drove on a very hot day). Maybe I didn't try the AC on those other cars? Can't remember now. Oh well, I'm not exactly going to cancel my order. At least the smell isn't coming from the 'ette, which I'd feared.
more a/c - i use mine a lot, even with the top down... try sitting in traffic in a convertible on a hot day sometime... also, you should turn it on at least once every couple of weeks even during the winter...
-Chris
-Chris
As for a/c, I noticed ours has a funky kind of smell to it, but I don't think I have been turning off the a/c before I get home and into the garage. I'll try that tip and see if that helps a bit.
Had my car 3.5 months and I've already got over 7,000 on it...
-Paul
-Paul
Thanks.
p.s. I kinda regret not getting the xenons.
Fifteen years ago, when I didn't wear glasses and my eyes were 20-20, I wouldn't have spent the extra money. Now, I'm really looking forward to the xenons improving my night vision.
-Paul