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Comments
Key to the issue is that not all tires/wheels are made exactly alike. Some are out of round or otherwise "imperfect", etc. Normally, the "best" ones are put up front. So when you put the rears on the front, it often ends up changing the driving dynamic. Nothing to do with car. But the owner blames it on the manufacturer or dealer.
Would be nice if every tire and car dealer had one of those ultra sophisticated analyzing set ups. Thinking it is something like the "Hunter 9000". Then you could see exactly how they differ.
My attorneys are free.
Regardless, I don't worry about getting screwed on a lease return because as most people point out BMW has a great reason to be very lenient when any customer returns a lease - that's a probable second-third-repeat buyer. Good CRM (and BMW is showing they have an idea how to treat leasies with great deals and free maintenance) involves retaining profitable customers. Frequent/repeat leasers are a windfall to any company. Happy leasers are the best customer to have. Not only will they buy again, they'll tell others to do so.
I can't count how many family and friends with Bimmers have commented after driving my car that they're now thinking about BMW. There's a reason they're a growing company even in a recession...
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2000/bmw/3series/10588/options.html?t- - id=edmunds.u.tmvmipmake.tmvpricetable..1.BMW*
Check it out and come back with any specific questions.
Also, I found someone in this forum just remove (and buff/wax etc.) every 6 months, how often do you guys clean the tree sap.
BTW, scipio1, finally I bought a X5 at Claridge instead of a 325t (I will persuade my wife to buy a new series when it comes up later). Weatherford doesn't give me a good impression though.
Thanks
Paul
I got a couple of quotes, $450-500 installed, a bunch of outrageous quotes, $600-899(!!!) and a few in the middle. Claridges gave me $425, installed. It's still overpriced relative to buying it online ($240ish vs $300 MSRP for the alarm) and then doing most of it yourself, but I was gratified by the relative reasonableness of the quote. I hate dealers that play games with that sort of stuff.
Which X5 did you get? We're looking at one maybe in a year or two.
BTW, what is your idea about tree sap?
Thanks
Speaking of nav, I just ordered the Navman iCN 630 for the 330. I'll let you know if it's worth taking a look at if you really want to add Nav; it's newer and slimmer than the Garmin Street Pilot III Deluxe.
I thought nav was a gimmick until it came with the M3. Now I swear by it. The Garmin and Navman seem to be at least as good as the BMW integrated for less than half the price - I'd prefer to have it built in because I wouldn't have to juggle it with the radar detector, but this seems like a more than reasonable compromise.
I got the Navman for $815 from GPSExplorer.com, and really liked the experience of buying from them. They're offering the Street Pilot III for $769 ($669 after a mail-in rebate).
http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/garminspiii.asp
http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/navmanicn630.asp
If you look at the reviews, they have the two units side-by-side for size comparisons. Also a good comparison is at:
http://www.autonav2000.com/Compare/NavMan-vs-StreetPilot.html
I was still undecided until I talked to the reps at GPS Explorer. I chose the Navman because it's (1) newer (2) smaller (3) magnesium cased and prettier (4) better screen (5) faster route finding (6) when i read the manuals, it looked like the mountings were better for an inconspicuous mounting below the dashboardline (the Streetpilot I handled at Fry's was HUGE, and I can't imagine putting it on the dash all the time) (7) the speaker is integrated into the base unit.
Things that worried me (1) Garmin is $160 cheaper after rebate (2) they've sold a lot more units, maybe better support? (3) will navman be around long term? (apparently they're fairly reputable and NavTech is the one that provides the maps anyway, but still) (4) Garmin looks like they update a lot more
The GPS Explorer people, Dan and Lynn, were really great about walking me through the advantages and disadvanatges of both. Also, they said that despite how new the navman is, the Navman is winning more orders now and is selling very briskly despite being a bit more expensive.
http://www.autonews.com/article.cms?articleId=44189
Hopefully they will get back to work soon!
Windshield or dash mounts are available. I ran my cigarette adapter behind parts of my dash so you really don't see it too much. Something to consider and you can get a mobile setup for less than 500.
Is anyone interested in these nav postings? If so I'll follow up when I've had a chance to play with it on a daily basis, otherwise I can shut up
Many people lease because of business reasons, and they have a driving profile that fits the leasing programs exactly. For them, leasing is far cheaper than owning.
Lisa - you can put down multiple security deposits, search for posts by blueguydotcom for more information.
If you make ten security deposits ($6500), it would lower the payment to approximately $580+tax per month. (I think that would be the way to go)
However, the multiple security deposit program changes at the end of the month, so if you are ordering, you may be too late for that.
Hope this helps,
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
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If you look at the spare tire well from underneath, the front of the car is 12:00, look around 10:30 deep with a flashlight see if you see what i saw. Below are links to the pictures I took. Scary.
It seems as though the BMW can't handle its own torque? You can only hear the clunk noise when there is torque on the "rear assembly". Please let me know what you think and if you find something similiar.
http://www.partydot.com/bmw/pic01.jpg
http://www.partydot.com/bmw/pic02.jpg
http://www.partydot.com/bmw/b4.jpg
These pictures are with the rear right tire off and 70K on my OD.
bmw@partydot.com
"Strikes by metal workers in eastern Germany are affecting production of carmaker Volkswagen. Large chunks of Germany’s proud auto industry were paralyzed Monday, as strikes in the eastern part of the country meant plants in the west could not continue production. BMW told some 10,000 autoworkers to stay at home.... As the strikes entered their fourth week, some western car plants on Monday were forced to halt assembly lines as eastern parts makers failed to make key deliveries. BMW closed its 3-series production lines in Regensburg and Munich plants indefinitely, affecting 10,000 western workers.... With the lost production costing BMW an estimated €38 million ($44 million) per day, the company has said it may rethink its planned investment in eastern Germany. BMW is currently building a plant in Saxony near Leipzig that, when completed, will employ around 5,000 people."
Wonder if the SA and other plants will make up the difference?
Whats the story with Carsdirect.com? Do they sell cars or are they an unbiased source of information (if there is such thing as unbiased-I mean do they wanna' sell or just infor).
Some of their prices are not consistent with Edmunds. Are these prices a good negotiating tool or will this enfuriate a salesman because the numbers are impossible in real life?
Its good.... I can see how some cars sell near invoice and how otheres dont. It did make sense according to my prevous experience and others in these forums (i.e TSX at MSRP and IS300 and G35 close to invoice).
The point is that it would be easier to be able to walk into a delership and just say "Hey lets not waste time, I know (according to Edmunds, Carsdirect.com and other buyers)you will sell at invoice and thats why I'm here. If you will sell at invoice then lets make a deal"...kinda' conversation. But I know this is just wishfull thinking...or is it?
Also there has been lots of conversation about both carsdirect and the TMV on our Smart Shopper board, so you might want to poke around the discussions over there as well as this one.
The keyword search (left side of the page) might be helpful, also.
: )
The Volvo s60 (198 hp) is listed near MSRP at Edmunds and Under Invoice at Carsdirect.
This is a significant difference in price. As I look at a 3 Bimmer and visit these websites I ask myself which one is accurate and if I can really use them as negotiating tools since I do not really have a "friend" that will let me know previous deals that were favorable for the client.
regards,
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
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Does the costumer buy online.. hope not.
Do these numbers help us clients negotiate or is it a turn off that wil piss a sales man?
Check it out.
It is my understanding that with carsdirect, yes, you do buy online, and somehow they get the car to you - but don't take my word for it. The people who know all about this stuff are over in SS.
I'm not trying to run you off, please don't misunderstand -- you are asking excellent questions, and the answers are available to you over there.
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
I know there is supposed to be a list of incentives in this website but I cannot understand all of them and are they up to date?
Another way, I guess is to visit ea. manufacturers website independently...right? (i.e Volvo has what they call a marketing Support of $4,500). I know BM's have one but I am not sure.
It is clear, detailed and provides all the info I should need, including Cash to Customer (Rebates), Markting Rebates from Manuf to Dealer (something they may deny...I guess), Financing and Lease Deals.
Thanks!
The ironic part is that I picked up the car from the same sales manager that had given me a price $200 higher than Cars Direct. He explained that he had to charge a $200 regional advertising fee to me and that Cars Direct does not?
I also tried Cars Direct last year to see if they could get me a better price for BMW European Delivery. I was very clear throughout the process that I was ordering for pick up in Munich Germany. I was constanly assured that the price I was given was for "Delivery of my European Car"
In the end, Cars Direct did not deliver and only the Senior VP even knew that BMW could be ordered for Munich pick-up.
My 2 cents
just kidding
ksso
My 02 cents.
Thanks
I used it today, it's both better and worse than the BMW nav system. It approaches turns one step at a time rather than two or three like the BMW. (Turn right, bear right, bear left rather than take the second exit etc.) The maps are provided by the same company, Navtech, but the experience is definitely a bit different.
There are also some mechanical differences. The recalc on the BMW is smoother and faster if you choose not to follow the suggested route. The Navman map scrolls, whereas the BMW doesn't. Stuff like that. One thing: the mounting is GREAT for windows, less useful for dashboards. I need to figure out the best way to mount it in a 330 (it's in our Civic right now), and I don't know if the suction will catch on the BMW dash.
I purchased a pre-owned certified 2002 325I sedan with Sport suspension low profile 17" wheels alloy rims on May 6th 2003. Today, I noticed that my right rear tire was low. I took the wheel in to patch and found out that the rim had a hairline crack which caused the tire to leak. I have not been in an accident and have only driven the car under normal driving conditions.
Frankly - I am shocked that this happened - so my question is this -
1)Do you think this is covered under the BMW warranty?
2) Has anyone else had this problem?
3) Is this a design flaw? Since I think that this should not happen to a rim.
Your comments are appreciated.
Fred
You sort of answered your own question fred. The fact that your 325i is equipped with the LOW PROFILE tires on SP equipped 3ers is probably what caused the crack. The low profile tire allows a car to handle better. One tradeoff of this is the fact that there is less air between the road and the tire. So if you hit a pothole or bump, you could crack the rim.
I don't know fopr sure, but I'll bet the cracked rim will NOT be covered under the BMW factory warranty. No manufacturer does.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
thanks!
I saw the titanium trim on a black interior M3 the other day, with the lower half of the M steering wheel swapped as well. It was niiiiiiiice. One guy at work has a black 330 with red seats and the aluminum. Also very spiffy.
My wife likes the stock M3 dark brushed "titanium shadow" metallic, but I'm awful tempted to get the titanium silver if I swapped the wheel as well.
Otherwise, you will have to have them install it. One piece of advice: CALL AROUND. You will be quoted anything from $400-ish to $900 (by less fair dealerships). MSRP on the alarm is $300. The rest is labor. You figure out how long it should take a tech to install one, and it sure isn't 5 hours.
My opinion is that you shouldn't give the time of day to the guys quoting high numbers. The factory alarm is PRE-WIRED and takes very little to properly install. $450 is a gift to the service department.
If you decide to buy online/mail order, the consensus seems to be to contact Cutter or Pacific, but remember to ask for the internet guy, otherwise you'll receive a highball quote too. By the way, get the BMWCCA membership. You'll get a discount on parts, a magazine subscription, helpful advice and once you've been a member for a year, a $500 rebate on any future 3-series you buy, new or CPO.
One counterargument I heard is that the BMW key-chip based immobilizer makes the car extremely difficult to steal with anything less than a flat-bed truck or towtruck, so an alarm isn't really necessary. People have become accustomed to car alarms, and so the BMW system is meant to stop the main threat, car theft, rather than the threat of car break-in, for which an alarm only offers marginal protection anyway.
I'm sticking an alarm in my 330, which did perfectly fine without one for two years. I just king of like the flashing red mirror bulb and the chirp-chirp as it arms. At $450, its a lot for a chirp and a light, but whatever.
The far more important thing to buy is wheel locks.