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Comments
The rain sensor is a bluish 2"x4" section on the inside of the windshield where the rear view mirror is attached to the glass.
It's funny that most of the car rags still praise the BMW manual. I think they do it because they are just happy BMW continues to offer manual transmissions on all of its vehicles.
as far as performance cars go...guys who are taking their cars and pushing them to the limit aren't about subtlety. that's why you don't find the ferrari and porsche units to be gates that you can easily push around. when you're pulling corners really fast in a switchback, you're not going to be gentle with the clutch and the stick.
then again, a ferrari is not an everyday driver.
to each his own, as i said. i like the honda for everyday driving, but i don't think it feels more accurate than the BMW. then again, maybe i just like a notchy shifter!
http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY- &Store_Code=RE&Category_Code=OCTSL
Anyone have any experience with them? Any thoughts?
Tim
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
BMW may sell a tad more sticks than most makes but every dealer will do his darnedest to talk you into a Steplazyic. Step onto a lot and 95% of the cars are autos backed up by salesmen logic: "If you buy a stick resale will be lower." Duh, you mean forgoing a 1200 dollar option will mean I'll make 1k less on my resale? Gee, I guess I should buy the automatic, be bored with my car, spend more now and have a few hundred bones extra on resale. Solid logic. Sheesh...
Get what's fun for you! These cars are toys. We could all get by with some banal Taurus or Malibu for 20k less. But we don't.
The bmw top is triple insulated. The car is slightly less quite than a hard top. Thru one Chicago winter, I thought the car stayed as warm as a hardtop. Windows up, no drafts, wind noise is negligible (see below). (Caution: the sun can get intense and the breeze will mess up your hair:-)
drawbacks:
1)the interior will get dirty quicker
2)uv protection is needed more often
3)negligible cowl shake (no b pillar)
4)blind spots with small rear window
5)when top is up, billowing noise in
rear from top with both front
windows down. (with ragtop won't
drive that way often)
6)some (common to ragtop) rattles
7)cloth top needs yearly cleaning and
protectant
8)many car clubs will not allow rag-
top in driving schools etc. autox
works tho.
I hope this helps... GREAT BOARD FOLKS!
to me, a big part of the BMW experience is how the car responds. when i'm doing 80 to 90 mph on my way to work--i start work at 5 a.m., so the freeways in LA are actually relatively clear at 4:45 a.m.--i like to be able to know that i can get some more power out of the car to pass up the guy who is barely awake and doing 55 mph in the fast line by dropping the clutch and going to fourth gear.
when i'm driving through malibu canyon on the way to get some sushi at nobu, i want to be able to feel I'M the one driving the car instead of pushing the steptronic up and down.
the guys who like the honda sticks...well, if you like that kind of action, then the BMW just might not be for you. they are worlds apart. it's like trying to argue than blue is a "better" color than red.
for those who are having problems shifting from first to second gear or second to third gear, maybe the much forgiving honda stick is a better fit. the BMW stick is not as forgiving, but i find that it's a good unit.
and, yes, i've spent plenty of time behind the wheels of other cars, and so i have a pretty good sample of what other cars feel like. in the end, it's pointless to argue about what is "better" or worse...to me, it's all about personal preference. and lots of guys like the BMW sticks. i'm one of them.
Go blue!
Eli undergrad, BK'94, MBA from the Dark side
It's just that there are lots of better feeling clutch/tranny combos out there.
I have given some serious consideration to the SSG transmission (electonic clutch) that will soon be available across the 3-series line (if it isn't already) and I sometimes wonder if BMW engineers haven't been given time to improve the manual clutch because BMW is utilizing them on the SSG instead.
I bought this car because it's so much fun to drive and have never regretted it. I love it. However, that doesn't mean it's perfect. Especially, the more you drive it. You start to notice those very small things and want to improve them. IMHO a short shifter is a logical upgrade to this outstanding car.
Tim
Presently faced with an opportunity to swap my 03 Accord V6 Coupe automatic (12k miles) with an 00 323CI automatic (54k miles). Price is vitually a wash, and so the switch would be financially painless.
Given an ownership scenario for another 2 years (about 40k miles' worth) on either car, I was wondering about:
1) Maintenance & repair cost
2) Depreciation / resale
3) Ownership satisfaction independent of 1) & 2)
Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks !
Are they fun? Yep. But if you're not someone who wants to pay steep repair bills or if you prefer your cars are rock solid, stick with the Japanese cars.
BTW, I own a 3 series and it's been fine so far (I've a list of little problems with it but compared to my Jetta it's a rock) but the more I own this car the more inclined I am to get rid of it at the end of the lease. Quite frankly, I'm not impressed by BMW build standards.
Much thanks for your inputs thus far, Karl, Ken & George.
Any more additional comments would be appreciated !
I wouldn't make the trade you are suggesting. The BMW has a fair bit of mileage. It will probably be worth a lot less with 96k in 2 years than your accord with 54k.
However, here's my general thought on comparing an Accord to a BMW:
An accord doesn't handle as well as a BMW. The 01, Honda, being made of lighter sheet metal is also probably less safe. The difference between the brakes is night and day. The BMW stops on a dime.
However, an Accord is great if you want a car you can drive for ten years, put 20k a year on it and basically start spending $200 a year in maintenance in year 5.
If you are thinking a BMW get new. The high residual values and supported money factors make leasing a 3 series pretty close to leasing an accord. Once you throw in the 4 year 50k free maintenance it's a better deal.
I 'd love to take a stick to work for a few days and see how it changes my commute (for better or worse).
I get the idea that the wind blowing through your hair may be a bit different than my picture (40 something male who aches for 2 days after tennis and now even after golf).
I do like the idea of grinning while driving with that freedom even if like you I can only use for 6-7 mos. I think the last few winters in NY have been equal or worse than Chic ago.
Do you have a stick? And if so, how is it in the chicago traffic.
How bad is the cowl shake?
Did you put on winter tires? I change my 330 i every year to a dedicated set.
And most important, can you fit golf clubs in the trunk.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Yep. Night and day. The 330i with sport package is a smooth car but it lacks the raw emotion of the ZHP. From the tighter suspension, to the more responsive gearing, to the throatier exhaust note, the ZHP is more like a wannabe M3 sedan. Tickle the engine over 4500 rpm and it's an absolute mindblowing gas to drive.
I recently road in a 330i and reflected on how it seemed so subdued and quiet. I'm used to hearing the burble of my exhaust I guess. I missed it during that ride.
My friends (several bimmer owners) call my ZHP the gray beast because it's more like a raucous critter snarling to get free every time I accelerate.
Oh my, do I love my ZHP? Let me count the ways...
I'm hoping to get an e30 m3 for track use next summer. The cowl shake is negligible, because of the A pillar reinforcement for rollover protection. Compared to say a sebring, its night and day. bmw did it right imho. I switch to blizzaks in wintertime. (Great traction/poor performance). Not yet tho,I had the top down today! I have a full size golf bag with kick stand and it fits in the trunk(only one bag). A longer than standard driver takes some fanaglin' to get in. Hey you can always hitch a ride with the guy who has the minivan...not! Tell'em you'll meet them there and then take the long way:-) A convertible/hardtop or auto/stick are both tough, personal decisions to make...good luck to ya!
Would appreciate any advice
thanks,
To me, the gamble was worth it to get into a 330. The driving experience is like night and day between the two cars. In fact, my wife's Odyseey cornered better than my old Camry V6 XLE!
I figured, worst case, the car is covered by warranty for the first four years. If things aren't looking good after that, I can reconsider other brands, possibly cut my losses, and have lived happily knowing I had the pleasure of driving one of these things for a while.
I'm an optimist though. The car has had zero problems so far, it appears to be built super-tight, and I anticipate not wanting to give it up when the lease is up in 2006.
Now I realize you are considering a used model, so you'll need to adjust your thinking accordingly. Personally, I decided that I would either go with a new BMW, or no BMW at all. I cannot speculate as to whether it will work out or for you though. If you are looking for guarantees (no idea if you are), then stick with a Honda... or better yet, consider a Lexus model.
I'm convinced that pre-owned BMW + extended warranty is the way to go if not brand new. However a warranty provider just advised that they won't cover used BMWs if coverage starts after the factory warranty lapses (will cover if odo reads 48.9k miles max).
Unless another warranty provider offers something better, I'll have to essentially self-insure (regularly put an amount aside for future M & R) or buy / lease new.
For everyone's info, some off-lease / pre-owned cars in Atlanta appear to be of outstanding cosmetic/mechanical condition even at 50k miles.
Thanks again for your inputs.
regards,
kyfdx
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That said, I suffer from lower back problems and found the sport seats much easier on my back than the non-sport seats.
I called my dealer to report it and a funny noise from the steering in tight turns. I told him my mileage was 50,400 and change and he talked to the service manager. They are going to go ahead and do the work as warranty work. I told them it would have a bit more since I have to take it to Ontario, CA to pick up my parents for Thanksgiving, and he said no problem.
They didn't have to do that. But it shows that building a rapport with the service folks can pay off. I have gone to them in the past and had complaints about service, but they were all valid complaints and professionally conveyed with fact.
BMW of Bakersfield (CA) has been great to me. Just thought I'd share that with y'all.
-Paul
Your red sounds awesome. Take a photo or two and post in the owners gallery!
Better nip that in the bud. You'll never see it again.
I keep telling her they should buy one of those fugly X3s next year. She can get her manual and still have a so-called family car. One kid doesn't take up that much space by the way...sheesh.