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Comments
Now I haven't used winter tires in about 7 years, and my Jeep did not have them. And when it snowed I never felt that I needed them. However, winter tires do provide extra traction, which equates to better control.
I would get the 2003 at this point anyway since depreciation is based on model year (mostly) I think that it is always better to get the newest model unless you can work out a deal on a 2002. Working out a deal on 2002 would be difficult here in Houston where I live and so waiting a couple of extra months for the 2003 would be the only penalty for going with the new model.
I think you would love both of them and so go for it if you want the car today and they have it on the lot.
At 5K miles the 3er is doing well. Love that roar when accelerating and it corners like a dream. To quote an acquaintance who rode in the car recently: "I could drive the ---- out of this car!" The BMW 6-changer I threw in the trunk works well so I now have fm/am, cassette and cd options. I also had the garage door opener installed and it works like a charm.
As for tires: We have always used the all season tires on our Suburu Legacy Wagon in the winter so I'll try that on the Bimmer as well. I predict they will do just fine.
Hope everyone is enjoying his or her summer.
ButMyWife
Also, I have a ding/scratch on my door. It doesn't warrant touchup paint. Does anyone have any recommendations for something that can buff or polish the the ding.
A few weeks ago someone posted on the e46 fanatics board about BMW getting rid of the inline 6. Someone posted what they said was an "official" document of some sort. it was debated for a while then forgotten. Does anyone here know if BMW is getting rid of the I6? the reasons listed were related to safety i believe. i'm no mechanical expert so forgive me, but it had something to do with the hood being too long and the engine being too close to driver? something like that, i can't remember. does anyone have anything to add here?
thanks.
Oh, why get rid of an engine that runs at 110 mph in 4-th gear at 6K RPM's uphill without a hint of vibration?!? And that's only the 2.5 ltr...
I remember you and, I believe, Chris posting on the oil extractors a year or so ago and I was intrigued. Now the idea seems even more appealing to me. ;-) I remember one of you mentioned Griot's Garage as the source of your extractor and I just went to the webpage. They have one, but I don't see a brand or model name. Where can I get my hands on a Topsider? TIA!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=45403
Can't imagine it has that much to do with safety. The 3 and 5 Series have outstanding crash test results from NHTSA and IIHS. And their real world crash statistics are also quite good. Not to mention testimonials of those who survived serious crashes in 3 and 5 Series cars.
Don't forget that Lexus has their wonderful 3L I6 for IS300 and GS300. Will be interesting to see if they replace it eventually with a V6.
While I think snows are the way to go for RWD, in generally wintery climate, my Jeep with V-8 Quadradrive was awesome. In deep snow, notice I said deep and not a dusting, you wouldn't be pulling away from that thing. Even with an M5
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=10122
Overtons has it for a few bucks less:
http://overtons.com/cgi-bin/overtons/order/pdetail.cgi?26696++
The main advantage from ordering from Griot's is that they'll send you monthly catalogs for the rest of your natural life
Yes. The "famous" photo of Neuschwanstein (brick gateway end) is a 2.75 hour walk from the bridge, but we had heard that there was a "viewing spot" roughly 15 minutes up the trail. This is it.
From the bridge, the trail heads up the gorge, and then starts to switchback up the hillside to your left. On one of the switchbacks, there's a "do not trespass" sign on a 6" tall, broken down fence. Stepping over the fence, there's a small area (on a cliff that some photographers have fallen off of... fatally), which is where this photo is from.
We had hiked another ~30 minutes out the trail, to see if the trail was going to reach the top of the ridge and provide any good views: no luck. The ridge line is fenced off, which keeps the hiking trail along the woods on its backside. BTW, the basic trail itself is pretty narrow, with steep drop-offs - I wouldn't want to do this trail if it was wet, or with younger kids.
- -
Do remember seeing a small article in C&D or R&T about 2 years ago discussing the possibility of a BMW V6. Mentioned possible packaging, emissions, and safety issues. ... Can't imagine it has that much to do with safety.
Generically, a V6 is considered advantageous because its shorter length package makes it a smaller "uncrushable" to manage where it goes in a crash, plus its smaller net size also means a larger effective net crumple zone.
-hh
div - every month? geez, it seems like the darn things come every week!!!
re: i6 - i just can't see it going away, especially in favor of a v configuration... a big piece of bmw will die if the i6 configuration goes away....
re: snow tires. oh well. i wonder if any of those who are on the "other side of the debate" (i.e. the wrong one!) had the dealer disable their air bag systems, remove the crush zones and so on. after all, you could survive without them right? and i KNOW that none of you are the type of parents who care about their children's safety, right? sheesh.... it's all about using the right tool for the right job. yea, you CAN hammer in a nail with the back of your socket wrench, and most of the time, you'll get away with it... does this mean you don't buy a hammer????
-Chris
ps. interesting to see who is on what side in this discussion....
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Eagle One: For the poster that asked about this product - I used Eagle One wheel cleaner to remove brake dust from clear-coated aluminum lace-pattern wheels for 7 years, and it caused no damage to the wheels. It actually worked very well. Now, I can't comment on what it does to brake pads - I had much brake trouble with that car. I don't think it was caused by the cleaner, since the 1992 GTP had a very poorly designed brake system. Any opinions on what wheel cleaner does to brakes?
msparks: I agree with leenelson - at this point in the year, I'd order a 2003, not buy a 2002 (I'm not even sure you can still order a 2002?) It bugs me a little that the new model year will be out a month after I get my car. Not that I prefer the new model for features, equipment, or new options, but it could have a financial impact on me if I decide to buy out my lease at lease end. The car would "technically" be a year older, and less valuable, when I pay it off.
I posted a question about the difference between the Dunlop M2 and the Blizzak LM a couple of days ago. Do you know firsthand how they compare?
www.wheelwax.com
www.bimmertoy.com and do a search for this product.
Thanks for the help!
Okay, so V6s have advantages. What are the advantages (if any) of I6s?
as far as the comparison on those particular models, i can't help you there... i'm predisposed to liking the blizzak choice, because i'm a bridgestone guy... i have mz-02's for mine, because we tend to get ice/freezing rain more than anything else in my little corner of south jersey... plus, when it does snow, all of our side roads tend to turn into packed down "snow ice" for the better part of 4 or 5 days...
two names i always hear brought up are the blizzaks and the artic alpins... i really can't comment on the dunlops, no one has brought them up...
-Chris
actually, that alone outweighs all of the v6 advantages put together... by a lot...
-Chris
Offering all this marketing gimmicks to sell more cars...
You sneaky guys... bad, bad, bad.
Now, how about adding something really useful to us, real BMW fans and costumers, like:
1. SMG
2. Valvetronic (Am I spelling it right?)
3. More titanium or aluminum components to decrease weight (without compromising structural rigidity.
4. How about a better stereo (the current one is ok, but I REALLY would not be offended if it got improved).
5. Short throw shifter.
6. I think there is room for improvement in the clutch feel and travel.
7. How about finally fixing the sticky throttle issue.
Engine configuration unlikely to have any significant impact on side impact, rear impact, and rollover situations. And hard to say regarding offset front impact. A lengthier I6 might also allow more crush space in a straight-on frontal impact versus a V6 design that has the driver physically closer to the front of the car (and thus the impact).
I agree. "But..."
There are way, way more variables to safety than just engine configuration...
Agreed.
But now here's why I deleted that particular point:
if BMW can deliver outstanding performance despite carrying a design disadvantage (however slight), if that disadvantage were removed, why would they not choose to become even better?
Engine configuration unlikely to have any significant impact on side impact, rear impact, and rollover situations. And hard to say regarding offset front impact.
Agreed.
A lengthier I6 might also allow more crush space in a straight-on frontal impact versus a V6 design that has the driver physically closer to the front of the car (and thus the impact).
The problem is that the engine is a "problem" in crash management more than it is a "solution". Many automotive designs have special linkages designed to provide structural hard points and strategic leveraging to transform the engine's rearward motion and vector it down so that it passes underneath the passenger compartment instead of into the same. The longer an engine is, the more its like a spear (that needs to be deflected) that's pointed right at the passenger compartment.
The second part of this is that it seems that you're assuming that any safety benefits that could come from a reduction in engine length will effectively be "taken back" by designing a shorter hood line. While this is possible, let's recognize it for the assumption that it is.
-hh
1pierce - congrats on winning the golf tournament. I haven't even been out the whole season - had to choose between the track and golfing. Tough choice... I would not be close to winning any tournaments in either sport, though. BTW, watch the Robin Williams show on HBO for his interpretation of how the scotts invented the game of golf. I laugh over tears every time I see it (it's on all the time).
jcivitello - I read it on bimmer.org a couple of weeks ago. Try doing a search there, although their search engine is a pain...At least they have one that returns something back...The two changes for sedans that stick were the center headrest with 3-point seatbelt and the standard armrest. The rest was even less significant.
I6 - wouldn't it be more correct to refer to the I6's width instead of length?!?
Torque wrench - I was going to get one from the Tirerack but then I saw it was the cheapest Craftsman that Sears sells which looked and felt kinda cheap in the store. Do you guys have any recommendations for a torque wrench? Also, I'd need a 17-mm socket for the wheel lugs, right (325i SP)?
The gravity and weight vectors will aim towards the rear wheels, thus increasing the traction in the rear while displacing the weight of the car away from the front wheels.
A similar phenomenon occurs when accelerating hard, the weight of the car shifts towards the rear, increasing the rear traction.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/news-story.php?news_id=7
Bottom line? Never assume a dealer offers certain perks. Find that out BEFORE you sign on the dotted line. That's what I-along with many others-did. Sorry.
Thanks
DL