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Comments
which one do you WANT? and get the tranny you want too ('specially since you want a stick..
-Chris
PS: Just pulled the trigger and ordered the ECIS intake and Active Autowerkes (AA) exhaust for my car as a 1 year old anniversary present. Arriving later this week, install this weekend and will post my impressions next week.
I remember having the same problem with getting a consistent smooth start. It took a good 3 to 4 months before I could usually start smoothly. I still occasionally have the same problem.
I do not think it has anything to do with the sticky pedal, which I also seem to have in the warm weather. I think it is just the combination of the drive by wire and engine/trans software.
Practice, Practice, and More Practice...
BTW there is a fix (tsb) out for the sticky pedal.
I will probably go for the fix after I wait and see if the new pedals hold up. So far I have read that it is a great fix and everyone is happy with it so far.
CNorthrup
Let us know how you like the AA exhaust. I installed a conforti CAI on my 2001 325ci three weeks ago and I think it is GREAT.
jjsmitty69-
The Germans use clear washer fluid in their cars. It is fine to use the blue fluid. We color the fluid in N.America so it is not mistaken for water. I THINK the fluid sold by the dealers in the states is blue. Personally I like the BMW fluid - it has that nice rubbing alcohol smell
Can anyone help?
Thanks,
Josh
Does the CWP use the same reservoir for the headlamps as the windshield? Maybe it has some special debugger on it.
-Paul
Wish I had time to write more now, but one quick opinion on car "value". Personally, I believe that once you get into the $30-40,000 price range, you have unlocked the door to world class driving and luxury experiences,...and really have no need to go any higher except to indulge extravagance or add size. You can get into a 330i (judiciously equipped), for that price, if you want a sports sedan. You can get a base Corvette (I think?), if that's your cup of tea. You can get a nice full or mid-size SUV, the best minivan made, or a Lexus (if you like comfort). You could probably even swing a Cadillac Deville on an end-of-model-year discount for $40,000, if you wanted a very big sedan. The new Nissan Z will have remarkable performance, will be a pure sports car, and will cost a little over $30K loaded. You can even get an Audi TT or a Z3 if you want a roadster.
The moral? In today's dollars, I can't imagine spending more than $40,000 for a car (on a middle class, midwestern income, $50-200,000). Everything above that, IMHO, is just over-indulgence.
Now, if indulgence is your purpose, how about an E-Class? As for sports cars, I agree with Brave. Once you get into the price range,...it has to be Porsche - if for no other reason than: "There is no substitute." And nearly everyone believes it.
Thanks again,
Josh
The sales manager called me this morning to tell me that if I was not willing to pay the difference of $400 then how do I want my deposit back, check or credit card.
Stay away from Norwood, MA.
Jeff
If it isn't, then just order the car and go somewhere else for service.
If it is, get your money back and look elsewhere. I know Shipo got his 5er for ED in that area somewhere (all the East Coast is one big area for me since I'm in soCal), so he might be able to offer a better dealer to work with that would be more willing and certainly more friendly.
-Paul
Dan
I ordered my 2002 before a jan '02 price change and I got the previous price. I know, this is not the same as getting a 2003 at the 2002 price but the principle is the same. The dealer could afford to lose $400. He might make that up on the next two middle class suckers.
Washer fluid: it smells like rubbing alcohol because it is rubbing alcohol and water. It is part of that environmental friendly stuff that BMW believes in. Very easy to replace. If you are not satisfied add a booster like P21S.
LeeNelsonMD:Though it is not advertised, the rumor is for a midyear change on the 2003 3er coupe. The end of 3er model year is around late 2004 to mid 2005. BMW is known to make changes near the end of a model year to push cars. Just like the belief with the ugly 5er spy shots. I actually think the 2003/4 5er will look pretty good. I say hedge your bets on a later 330Ci. We should here more info by Dec '02
jpierce26:Buy the car, go to Germany, take the family and eat a bratwurst for me.
As for doom lights, I hope mine never come on
As an aside, I got to drive from Edwards AFB to San Diego last week. Got to enjoy some good 'spirited' driving on 15.
-Paul
Here is his 'auto'biography - leased a 99 328i (no sport package), traded it for a ED 2002 530i (with sport package), lived in NJ, moved to NH (or Mass, forgive me) and would rather give up driving than give up a stick.
Whew, I think I'm ready to join EA (Edmunds Anonymous) - there must be more to life!
Got my Homelink from Circle BMW today. Interesting experience from Circle. They completely flaked after I sent in my order. Gave me a price with shipping, then never shipped. I emailed a couple times and got no response. Finally ended up canceling my order. At that point, they called and apologized and offered, if I hadn't already gone and bought it somewhere else, to ship it UPS Next Day. I happily agreed, they have a great price. Installed it this afternoon. Works great. Reasonably easy to install. I was sweating only a little while cutting through the plastic. Quite proud of myself. Made me nervous messing with my brand new not-so-cheap car. Now, what can I do next?
I'm in Rancho Cucamonga. For all of you out there not from so. Cal, first of all yes there really is a Rancho Cucamonga and second yes we have a Jack benny drive complete with a statue of him at our minor league ball park.
I'm not sure if this is possible, but the best dealer in the country is Cutter Motors (www.cuttermotors.com) in Santa Barbara. Not sure if you can order ED from them and get them to ship it to MA after you pick it up in Munich. Call their internet sales manager Franco Karzag, he may be able to help you out.
http://www.eurobuyers.com/
You won't regret doing ED. Depending on the time of year you travel (winter and early spring are cheapest) and your length of stay, the savings should pay for your trip. And, being an East Coaster, you will get your car 3-4 weeks after dropping it off in Europe.
Good luck!
ButMyWife
and brave is out driving , where we all should be
as my 4th year on this board ill stand in....
DL
If its not a budget issue, I'd just pay the $400, which as vkwheels said, is really not that much for a year of service.
My philosophy: You're buying a BMW. Nobody "needs" a BMW, and they cost more than an acceptable, relatively equipped form of transportation - therefore the purchase is a luxury, no matter how hard anybody tries to rationalize it. You're not going to get a bargain, because they don't need to make you feel like you got one to sell you the car - that's what Infinity is for. The easier you make the purchase on yourself, the more pleasantly you'll look back on the experience.
I don't feel like a "middle class sucker", to quote seivwrig. I had a pretty low stress purchase experience with my car - even though I may have paid a few hundred dollars (which is peanuts on a monthly payment) more than I could have - had I been willing to go the whole nine yards. Afterall, who wants to end up jaded like tchoo.
Enjoy ED, but remember, you end up spending the same total amount of money (or more), as most people spend the ED savings on the trip. Of course, you get a nice vacation out of it, in addition to a great car.
BMW Norwood - I posted a couple of times last year advising new buyers to avoid them. When I negotiated a deal with them, they chose not to tell me about the mid-year discounts that BMWNA had thrown in last year and they were essentially going to charge me close to MSRP while I was thinking that I was paying about $1,400 less. The best dealership in the Boston area is Peabody. For ED, I'd contact Steve Diamond at eurobuyers.com or Passport BMW in MD - that's where platypus got a great deal (contact name was Joern Ernst (sp?)).
I need to have my 325i's brakes bled for the next track event and I was quoted $90 and $95 by two dealerships. I can't believe it takes them over an hour to do that. What do you guys typically pay?
1pierce - that was a smooth shot! i'm impressed!
-Chris
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
-Chris
I could have drove a big Suburban for the price of my Bimmer but I would attract more thieves in my neighborhood.
Sorry, I couldn't resist but should have.
I now truly feel like a member of the Order. This week the subwoofer blew out in my everything-on-it-but-NAV '01 5-speed 330ci, and the driver's door rubber gasket disintegrated. If I can manage to develop a notchy pedal, I'll have a trifecta (and a glass of merlot, thank you).
I thought that some of you could relate.
Is this true, that I get the cheaper pricing just for going to Germany, signing out the car, and dropping it back off to be shipped here, to my dealer of choice? Why is this cheaper if they are actually doing all the prep work twice (it seems), still paying for the same shipping and delivery to the dealer, etc? Where does the savings come into play?
Please help. Thanks.
-Ron
good luck
DL