BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Germans love Japanese cars, but, according to the 4/03 Bimmer magazine, the Japanese love the Valvetronic engine. A Japanese automotive engineers group gave the Valvetronic engine, technology of the year award.

    In another tidbit, Bimmer magazine says BMW and Siemens are working on an EMT camshaft, that might be introduced with the 42 volt electrical systems.
  • soverypoornowsoverypoornow Member Posts: 74
    Well, eight months and 11,000 miles on my 330i and I have my first real failure. The CD changer. My music. It had to be my music?

    It's the BMW trunk mounted changer. Driving down the road one day it all of a sudden decided to stop noticing there were any discs at all. Just kept saying on the Nav readout "no discs." Tried to think like a techie. Hmm...what would a comuter guy say if I called and asked for tech support? Ah, yes, turn it off and turn it on again. No luck. Popped the magazine out and reinserted each disc. Still "no discs."

    Took it into the dealer today and I swear they did the exact same thing I did. Turned it off and on again. Popped out the magazine. And finally pronounced it dead. New one on order covered under warranty.

    Sigh. The honeymoon is over. My music, it had to be my music...
  • bluebeastbluebeast Member Posts: 258
    Better to have the music go than the engine / transmission. You still have the radio, right?
  • kd6aw1kd6aw1 Member Posts: 116
    Wondering why we should buy from a country that spits on Americans. I won't anymore nor will I travel to their country. Same goes for North Korea and France. Lets support our friends! Any comments?

    Paul
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Are we going to stop drinking French wine? The Japanese bombed us in 1942, maybe we shouldn't buy their products. We had a bloody war with England in the 1700's, maybe we shouldn't associate with them.

    Most importantly maybe we should stop using Middle Eastern oil.

    Where will it end?
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    From my travels, I can say that it seems to be a Love/Hate type of thing. Generally speaking, they seem to hate our government, but like us, that is, except the Parisians. In Paris, it seems that anti-American sentiment is the National Hobby, and the National Sport is who can generate the best anti-American rhetoric. Generally speaking of course. ;-)

    My wife and I are going to a wedding in Paris this April, I suspect that IF there is any activity in Iraq by then, this trip should be very interesting. Then again, I have a wedding to go to in Nairobi in early May, and that is (if I am not mistaken) primarily a Muslim country, that visit could be even more interesting.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    Anyway, I began despising the French over two decades ago...
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Paul has been posting on the G35 board for sure, but I'm not sure of the mentality of: If another country will do, is doing, or has done something, let's boycott them. That would eliminate every country on the earth and put us back into isolationalism.

    Plus we are discussing the cars not politics. :)
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    I stand corrected.

    Kenya is primarily a Christian country, 70% of the population in fact, followed by 24% of the people who follow indigenous religions, leaving only about 6% of the population as Muslim.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • rghesselrghessel Member Posts: 122
    We Americans need to stop pretending that we have The Only Way. Despite the rantings of our President otherwise, the rest of the world is not "irrelevant" just because they don't agree with our foreign policy decisions...
  • sopecreeksopecreek Member Posts: 203
    All I see/hear/read these days, pretty much everywhere, are about war and other grim stuff. This is one of few places I divert to from all those. I am sure they are important topics that affect our lives and I do follow them closely, but let's keep this board off those topics. Maybe somebody should open a new discussion title outside.
  • djocksdjocks Member Posts: 124
    Have I mentioned that I love my 330i ???

    The one and only time I have ever made a purchase on the considerations of international affairs is when my wife and I bought 2 oriental rugs for our living room. I decided to buy the less expensive machine made variety to save money but also because of a special I saw on child labor in third world countries and the making of rugs! I am so happy with my BMW and I apologized if I seem ignorant to the supposed affiliation to the sad affairs internationally and the beautiful road runner I have outside my work right now. I just do not make the connection.

    To make a somber note, I do not want to make everyone jealous but I just found out that a friend of mine was able to schedule a tee-time at TPC sawgrass next Wednesday when we are on vacation in Florida!!

    I know none of you needed to hear that but, new BMW, 1st kid on the way in late August, playing sawgrass...I am kind'of excited right now and I am trying not to get bummed out by everything else!
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    This is a car discussion board and indeed we need to leave the politics for a more appropriate venue - outside of the Town Hall.

    Thanks.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    As I was scanning you last post, I briefly got excited. You see, in addition to being a fan of BMWs, I am also a Mopar fan, especially the cars from the 1960s and early 1970s, so, when I saw your reference to "... the beautiful road runner I have outside my work right now...", I initially thought you meant big "R" as in "Road Runner", a Hemi if you please, not little "r".

    Have a good time in Florida, and rest up, you are going to need it come this August. ;-)

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    http://www.aatuning.com/supercharged/E46-330isupercharger.asp
  • abcnycabcnyc Member Posts: 101
    Interesting. The supercharger parts have a 1 year warranty, but I wonder if the rest of the car will hold up. I'm pretty sure the M3 has some enhancements to handle the 3.2 liter 333 HP engine.
  • linardlinard Member Posts: 59
    My good friend just got a 2003 330i Sport and loaded with every single possible option for a total price for 44,000, anyway, it's been in the shop for more than 20 days now, actually, it went back in today as it spontaneously shed it's rear bumper which has never been hit or otherwise repaired. Anyhow, the navigation system module has been replaced, the car has been in 6 times as it won't start, the engine dies in traffic, and the electronics are always on the fritz. My question is, BMW is not accomodating him at all, he's not quite at the lemon law mark but he's close. What recourse does he have? The car has about 10,000 miles on it.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Why limit the boycott to french fries, french kissing, and sauerkraut? Stay away from those mean Belgian waffles too :o)
  • mschukarmschukar Member Posts: 351
    heaterjohn-

    It appears that nobody answered your question directly, so I'll chime in.

    Yes, all season's should work for you all year round, but you will sacrifice both summer and winter performance. It's your call.

    My 325i with sp handles wet conditions very well. I back off a little, but I've NEVER felt out of control in this car!

    FWIW, I passed by a junk yard while traveling south of Indianapolis this week and saw a 325i with the front end smashed in. Indianapolis has had record snow fall this year so I was curious if it had winter tires. The next day I noticed the car had stock rims. Hmmm, I wonder if winter tires would have saved the front end?

    -murray
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    Ouch. Sounds like your friend got a bad seed. It depends on what state you live in. Your profile says you're in California. California's lemon law says that a problem must be fixed within a "reasonable" number of repair attempts, and generally with serious driveability issues, such as the engine dying in traffic, it shouldn't take more than a few attempts to fix it to qualify, though it does vary on a case-by-case basis. If the dealership and BMWNA are not satisfying your friend, you may want to consult with an attorney that specializes in lemon laws.
    California: http://www.californialemonlawattorneys.com/
    Other states: http://www.lemonlawamerica.com/
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Murray is correct in saying they will work all year round. Being able to work all year round, is different than feeling like your car has dependable handling in deep snow conditions.

    Given this winter so far has been pretty brutal, I can say my 330i all-seasons have been working all year long, but the handling is terrible in the deep snow of the last couple of months.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Now that I have experience driving on snow with two BMWs and three types of tires, I will offer my "Subjective" analysis on how well they work on snow, on a scale of 1 to 10.

    2002 530i - Michelin Pilot Primacy - 2 (Summer Tires)
    1999 328i - Michelin MXV4 Energy Plus - 5 (All-Season Tires)
    2002 530i - Michelin Arctic-Alpin - 10 (Winter Tires)

    So, will all season tires work for the full 12 months? Ummm, sorta.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • bluebeastbluebeast Member Posts: 258
    Have your buddy get a edmunds id and log on to keep us informed.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    "Ummm, sorta."

    Well I think that accurately sums up the whole RWD winter tires vs. all-seaon tires debate quite succintly. Don't you think so also? :)
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Good point, I hadn't thought about it that way. ;-)

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • bgt1bgt1 Member Posts: 50
    2003 and already with 10k miles? Did your friend buy it brand new? Wonder if someone before her owned it and just drove it into the ground? Or it could just be a "lemon".

    I recently bought a new 2002 330i and its perfect- no problems so far. [cross my fingers]!!
  • bluebeastbluebeast Member Posts: 258
    2003, 330i, PP, SP, Xenon, Auto for $41k + and you have to still buy floor mats !!! Talk about trying to milk the cow till the very last drop, sheez.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    I haven't paid for floormats since 1990.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Have your friend get to Edmunds and give more details. These things are frustrating. I know someone who bought a Japanese car, it malfunctioned about a mile from the dealer after pickup. The owner "nearly" totaled the car (but was okay after the crash). No new car, insurance paid to fix it.
  • tenet1tenet1 Member Posts: 354
    It amazes me that there are people out there that get sucked into believing that you have to pay for floormats. The sales people must either think that the buyer is really ignorant. In all my car purchases over the years this issues has never even been raised.
  • bluebeastbluebeast Member Posts: 258
    It's not listed as standard equipment, but as an option. So, your saying that they will be in the car when I purchase and that they're free and I'm as dumb as a stick?
  • seivwrigseivwrig Member Posts: 388
    The floormats are part of the bargaining process. Now that I think back. My wife had to pay for floor mats in her Nissan Altima. I got no floor mats in my Ford Ranger. I got two set of free floor mats in my Bimmer. Go figure.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    I'm flabbergasted why anyone would buy the PP and an automatic? The minimal HP gain over a regular 330 is dulled by the slushbox.

    -Colin
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    locke2c is right. Drop the PP and the step and you have a reasonably priced car for what it has to offer. Although my 325i SP was 10 grand less than the 41K that you came up with, it will run with a 330 step any day, not to mention that it's a lot more fun to drive.
  • bluebeastbluebeast Member Posts: 258
    Premium Package, not Performance Package.
  • tenet1tenet1 Member Posts: 354
    Didn't quite mean to say that.

    I know that if a salesman asked me to pay for floormats for my Bimmer, I would laugh at him and walk. We all know that this floormat thing is another way to make an additional $85. Maybe I have just been lucky that the dealers I have dealt with have never even brought it up and I never thought to either.

    My salesperson told me that no customer ever has to pay for floormats at their dealership. She said that these come packed from the factory in the trunk of the vehicle. I guess there is room to make $ if someone was truly greedy.
  • djocksdjocks Member Posts: 124
    I agree with the majority. I would never get an automatic in a BMW. If I were getting an auto I would probably opt for an SUV but if I was dead set on the bimmer anyway I would get the 325 with steptronic! Heck, the cars performance is sacrificed without the 5 speed already and you get the handling and finish of a 3-series still. My pops has a 325ci with a 5-speed and it is an absolute blast to drive. I have a 330i and the power is noticeable but I must admit that the 325 is still a fantastic car.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    I got the steptronic. The car is still a blast to drive and I don't have to shift sitting in traffic, which I do for most of my commute (sit that is).
  • bgt1bgt1 Member Posts: 50
    I guess there are two trains of thoughts within the bmw group.

    The first is that its a sports car/sedan and you should get the 5 speed, and get the sports package to make full use of the "sports" in the car.

    The second is that its a luxury car that has auto wipers, headlights, auto dimming rearview mirror, etc and to get the auto trans if you already have auto everything else.

    I guess I fall into the second category. my 330i has all that auto stuff and I love it. It feels like a true luxury car. I can jump in it and pretty much not mess with anything except for steering and throttle!

    Plus, the engine is big enough that when I am in the mood to "sport" around in it, I just throw it into sports shift mode and the shifting point on are it are enough to make a difference and have fun driving. It really likes to rev more and higher in sports mode.

    fyi- the steptronics is just strange. I prefer the sports mode- the shift points are pretty much when I would do it myself anyways.
  • billherrmannbillherrmann Member Posts: 108
    I have a 330x1 w/steptronic. The first three upshifts in D are very 'notchy'. Dealer says transmission is normal. Shifts in S mode are much smoother. Is this, also, your experience?
  • gobucsgobucs Member Posts: 17
    I just had the BMW alarm installed in my car. I went to test the motion detector and the tilt sensor, to make sure they were programed correctly and I can not get the tilt sensor to go off. How hard do I need to push on the car to get the alarm to go off? Thanks
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    Try to jack it up while the alarm is activated. I have the alarm as well and I have never been able to get the tilt to go off.
  • tenet1tenet1 Member Posts: 354
    Kd - you are not in the minority but the majority. There was a time when I swore against autos and always drove a manual. If I was the only driver of the car, an auto would be out of the question. But, life brings sig others who drive as well. I really do enjoy the step and even though it is not an SMG, the manual mode is quite fun to drive and I use it 80% of the drive. When I have enough money to buy "my own" car (i.e. when the wife has "her own" BMW, we currently both use the BMW and an SUV), I'll make sure that it is a manual. Though this board will ridicule auto drives, I dont see anything wrong with it and by no means does it feel underpowered. I have a hard time driving slow in this car. So maybe the auto is a blessing.

    billherman - I think I know what you mean. The times that I have driven in D mode, I noticed that the 1-3 gear shifts can be notchy/hesitant but not something that warrants attention. I think that the D mode is not meant for aggresive starts. I cant judge how bad your experience is though.
  • mg330cimg330ci Member Posts: 162
    Ok, here is my situation:

    My 330 has summer tires.

    My old clunker with all seasons is what I use when it snows around here?

    Well, tomorrow early in the morning I will be driving approx 100 miles and the forecast is predicting Wintry mix-light snow.

    I don't trust my old beater for this trip and have to take the Bimmer! (big smarta%&* I am didn't plan for this situation, my wife's minivan is also unavailable)

    Has anybody being driving on summer tires on lets say, up to 1 inch of snow? If so, is it reasonable, or No way, I should not do it (by the way, it is very flat around here)

    How about icy conditions?

    Please advise me, Yeah or Nay, any comments appreciated!
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    My 530i (equipped with Michelin Pilot-Primacy tires) was almost totally worthless in weather conditions similar to what you are expecting.

    My suggestion; rent a car for your trip.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • bgt1bgt1 Member Posts: 50
    Im not sure if 'notchy' is the word id describe. To me it feels like "D" upshifts or downshifts at less than optimum times and therefore I seem to feel it more when it shifts. Maybe that is what you are feeling.

    "S" mode seems to be smoother to me. Maybe it is because of the way I drive? dunno.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I drove my 325i with summer tires in 2-3 and more inches of snow last year. Braking was horrible but the DSC does a good job of keeping the car stable. As long as you drive flat roads and you are very alert, you will be fine. Keep a good distance between you and the car in front of you and be careful with downshifts - it's easy to get the DSC to kick in abruptly because of the greatly diminished traction of the tires. Also, it will depend on the type of summer tires you have on your car. My Contis did much better than other summer tires (esp. the S03s) in the snow. I'm glad I got snow tires this winter but I would not hesitate to take my 325i out with ContiSports in 1-2 inches of snow on a flat road. And chances are, even if you get any snow, the highways will be all cleared.
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    What does the "T" in 325it stand for?
  • seivwrigseivwrig Member Posts: 388
    T is for touring AKA station wagon (US)AKA Estate (UK)
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    Thanks.
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