BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

mark_325i

I was originally unhappy that my 325i came with Goodyear eagle rs-a tires, but they have turned out to be decent. I have 15k on the car and they are not showing much wear, and the car handles great.

I guess that I was prejudiced against the goodyears because they also come on chevys.

kyfdx

Almost every tire manufacturer makes poor, fair, good and excellent models.. I have three sets of tires for my 3-series.. Bridgestone, Michelin and Goodyears.. I can't really complain too much about any of them.. The Goodyears are winter tires and they are excellent.

regards,
kyfdx

qali

I checked Tirerack and all the OE tires that come on the 325i get average to good marks through the user surveys. However, most get average to low scores on snow traction. I guess if I get the 325i, I will be buying a set of 4 winter tires as well.

m4d_cow

theyre doing good on overall, including snow tractions, but it doesnt work well under heavy snows since theyre all terrains

kyfdx

If you don't get the sport package, I'd at least give the all-season OEM tires a chance for the first month of winter.. Depending on your local conditions, you may get by... But, I have winter tires, and I love them.. The difference is incredible.. I think the key on a 325i, is getting the best winter tire you can buy.. and by best, I mean the best dry road tire. If you get Blizzaks, get the H-rated LM22, or get Goodyear Ultra Grip which even come V-rated.

regards,
kyfdx

post #27000!!

mark_325i

I put a set of Dunlop Wintersports on my car and it was unstoppable in the snow. Very secure, and the dry-road ride was good, too. Picked up a set of oem BMW wheels on ebay and the snows from tirerack for less than $1000. The bonus was that the wheels came with a brand-new set of contisports, so I have another set of tires in storage.

kyfdx

Good advice there.. Look for a used set of OEM BMW alloys, instead of steel wheels, and your car handles well and looks good all year round.. Thats how I ended up with a brand new set of Michelin Pilots for mine.

regards,
kyfdx

Crevels

I see that most of you are getting a set of OEM rims for your dedicated snow tires. I have to get 2 sets of rims this year, one for a 330cic and another set for an M3. What's the general feeling towards replica rims. It appears that a full set of OEM 68 style wheels is running around $800 where a replica set is about $550. Because these are going to be for snow tires only, is there any major drawback to using the replica rims?

kyfdx

Long term, they'll turn "yellow". Quality is debateable.. they may be fine, but you "know" the OEM will be okay... Then, you have weight issues.. The replicas are usually heavier. M68 wheels are problematic for snows, because they are staggered, and ideally you don't want wider wheels in the rear for snows.

I have a 325i, so I bought M68s that came with a brand new set of tires.. I put the winter tires on my style 96 stock wheels..

If you have a 330i, look for style 44 or 96 for your winter tires.. You can usually find these for $400-$600 a set. A LOT of style 44s for sale... '04 325i sport has style 119 in 17 X 8, which look great.

regards,
kyfdx

Crevels

Thanks for the thoughts. I've got a CIC with the optional 18" rims (Style 71) and the M3 has the standard 18" rims as well. I haven't seen anybody make an 18" snow tire, hence the need for 17" rims. I didn't know if there was any drawback for the replica rims vs. just buying a different brand of rim. I might just get a set of Mille Miglia rims with snows from TireRack. .

kyfdx

I think that would be a better choice than the replicas.. Keep in mind, regular 3-series wheels won't fit the M3, at least from what I've heard. Different offsets. I still vote for 17 X 8 OEM wheels.. 119,96 or 44s... Or even 17 X 7 off a non-sport 330i. Not sure of the style numbers for those.

regards,
kyfdx

P.S.: style 71s are great looking.. by coincidence, I got my M68s off someone's 330Cic.

mark_325i

what are you thinking

Crevels

You are correct regarding regular 3-series wheels on the M3. They won't clear the brakes. TireRack has almost 40 different rims for the CIC in 17", but only 5 of them will fit the M3.

kyfdx

Hey...it is either the M3 or the convertible.. give the guy a break, he's got it tough!!

(just kidding)

memphis10

Installed the Rouge clutch stop yesterday. Took 2 minutes to install. Shifting is a lot quicker with the stop but I still have to get used to it. It looks like BMW designed it for a clutch stop and then used a plastic cap to hide it. Why else would you have a 17mm threaded bore hidden by a flimsy plastic cap. Has anyone else installed a clutch stop and any adjustment tips.

kyfdx

Do you have the CDV also (clutch delay valve)?

Crevels

Actually I do have it tough. The M3 is my wifes, and I have to hear it all time time from her...my car is faster than your car. LOL. It's enough to bruise a guys ego. Now if someone just made 18" snow tires...

jim1395

have you removed your cdv, and if so what was the result. pros and cons? specifically does it help with the 1-2 shift? thanks

div2

I installed the UUC clutch stop along with their clutch pedal bushings and the Stainless RKII shift knob on my Club Sport. The mods made a major difference; it almost feels like I'm driving a different car. Highly recommended.

nyccarguy

Can you explain what "UUC clutch stop along with their clutch pedal bushings" do?

div2

The clutch stop allows you to reduce the clutch pedal travel. It stops the pedal movement after the clutch is engaged but 2-3 inches before the pedal hits the floor. As for the bushings, they replace the noisy and sloppy stock E36 pedal bushings. The UUC bushings render the pedal silent and eliminate any side to side movement.

memphis10

I haven't yet removed the CDV. I am just a tad bit worried about the warranty implications. But the CDV is definitely the spoiler when it comes to nice crisp and quick shifts. I feel it more now because of the short travel of clutch because of the clutch stop.

tcn2k

I have an 01 325i. My sunroof when open fully and closing, it would go half way and move back to the open position. I have to do it serveral time before it closes completely. I am assuming that there is not enough lubrication in the roof area, so it gets jammed and so it thinks something is in the way and moves back like a garage door opener. Can anyone recommend a good greese or lubrication product that won't wash away when water or rain comes?

vimaln

Hi,

Last month I went to place an order for a custom 3er.
The dealer, after a week, told me that BMW has stopped production of 2004 3ers.

He also told that 2005 models will come in september. But as of today, no information on the car. (Will the dealers not know anything about the new cars till they are delivered?)Is there any new model coming in 3 series this september, or the next new model is 2005 coming next year(March/september ?)?

-vimal

memphis10

2005 model will have the same body style as the E46 2004 model. The E90 the new platform and body style will be introduced as part of the 2006 model and will be available in fall of 2005.

kyfdx

Get a new dealer or at least a new salesperson.. The pricing and ordering info has been out for a few weeks.. '05s are being built right now.. The all new model won't be out until at least next summer as an '06 model.

regards,
kyfdx

vimaln

Hi,

My friend tells that the key contains memory setting like seat positions, mirror positions and the desired temperature (climate control) in the car. Is the last part (automatic climate control) true.?

Just say my desired temperature is 65 F and the outside temperature is like 80 F and after 4-6 hours, the inside temperature will be like 90 F or something like that.

Just say, from my work place(100 metres from car) I unlock the car, will the temperature go to 65 F after some time? Will the AC be running? Wont it drain the battery? What will happen say I have to stay at work for more time than I anticipated? Will the car shut down AC and lock itself after a while?

kyfdx

The A/C only works when the car is on.... I'm not sure if the memory is in the key or not.. but, there is a memory.. It is just a thermostat. When the car is running, it will run the airconditioner (or heater) until the desired temperature is reached..... IT WON'T RUN WITH THE CAR OFF!!

memphis10

You can program your key so that your cabin is cool and your seats are warm when you come back from your work place. You can also program your key to order Kung Pao chicken from your favorite place as you get off work. But you need to have the Nav installed for that.

vimaln

"You can also program your key to order Kung Pao chicken from your favorite place as you get off work. But you need to have the Nav installed for that. "

???????????????????????????????????

kdshapiro

It was very difficult to understand your original question. BMW does not have remote key starters. It does however remember climate, radio, seat positions for I believe 3 keys.

when you open the car with your remote, the seats move to their assigned positions based on your key memory. When you start the car, your radio and climate control settings set themselves to the whatever the last used settings were for that key.

vimaln

I am sorry my original question was not phrased appropriately.

But I think your last line answers my question. Correct me if Iam wrong.

The AC starts and cools the car interior to, say, 65F only when the engine is turned on. Not as soon as you open the car with your remote. Is that correct?

kdshapiro

"The AC starts and cools the car interior to, say, 65F only when the engine is turned on. Not as soon as you open the car with your remote. Is that correct?"

To start the A/C requires that the compressor turn. To turn the compressor requires that the engine is running. Everything else can be driven from the battery, but heat/cooling require that the engine be running. (I know you know that, I'm confused as to why there is any confusion about this???)

glaker

To me the interesting part of the question is whether the automatic setting turns the AC off and on as needed. I don't believe it does. If the temp inside is 80 and your auto climate control is set to 68, but the AC button is not depressed, I don't believe the car will automatically turn on the AC compressor and blow cold air, will it?

attilauy

I heard that they are planning to have a new 3 series ( or is it a done deal?). I hope this will not be like 5 and 7 series which look like a big slab of wood is dumped on the trunk. That design is one of the ugliest trunks I have ever seen. I still love my old 3 series.

shipo

It is true that on the BMW you need to actuate the A/C manually, and FWIW, I prefer it that way. Said another way, it drives me crazy when I rent a car that will not allow me to control the A/C system manually. If you want a no-brainer automatic system, leave the A/C on all of the time, the car will simply not engage the compressor quite so often.

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

Concur, I dislike the E60 and E65 as well, however, I actually like the exterior of then new E90 3-Series. The interior is another matter, gone is the canted center section of the dash in favor of the 5-Series style flat dash. :-(

In the end, would I buy a new E60 5-Series? No. Would I buy a new E90 3-Series. Hmmm, a definite maybe. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

kyfdx

At a local Mazda dealer:

'01 530i.. $16,900

Wonder how many miles that has on it?

shipo

I wonder how many trees it's been wrapped around. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

kdshapiro

One of the options of programming the 3-series is to have the A/C engage automatically. I declined that option. I figure it like this:

1. press button on remote to open door,
2. insert key, turn key, start car,
3. press auto, press snowflake.
4. Drive away, enjoy beer cold a/c

Hmmmm doesn't seem to onerous now? Does it?

riez

Check out the latest issue of Bimmer magazine, November 2004. See the article on "The aluminum-magnesium six" in the upcoming E90 3 Series. Excerpt:

"... top the scales at just 354 lbs., making it the lightest six-cylinder engine in the world, according to BMW. It's 7% lighter than its predecessor, the M54, while power output is up by 12% and fuel consumption is down by 12%."

Has both Valvetronic and Double VANOS.

258 hp at 6650 RPMs
221 lb-ft at 2500-4000 RPMs
Redline 7000 RPMs

kdshapiro

Let's hope the rest of cars ability to move on the road matches the seemingly impressive engine. I'll let the Subies blow by me as I wink at them while getting 27mpg around town.

kyfdx

We bought ours used, so whatever was programmed into the key is still there.. I'm almost positive that the air comes on every time I start the car... but, I don't get to drive it that much. It might be that it comes on to whatever setting it was on when it was turned off... I'll have to check it, next time I'm allowed to drive it.

shipo.. I think I'll call that dealership, just to find out.. How many miles would it take to knock $15K off the normal price?

regards,
kyfdx

kdshapiro

I believe it remembers the setting. If the a/c is on when the car is shut off, the next time the car is started with that key, the a/c will automatically come on.

However, the programming I was referring to is to have the a/c come on automatically when the car is started, then you can turn it off if desired.

elpablo123

Hi,
I went to the BMW dealer today and told the salesperson that I'd like the Laguna Seca Blue color (available for M3s) for my future 325Ci. He said that color is not available for this model, it's only available for M3s. But he told me I could do a special order (would take 6 weeks or more), which will add $2,500 to the final price of the car. My question is if anybody has any information on prices for special colors, and if this is a reasonable price.
Thank you.

kyfdx

It would likely take ten weeks or more... It takes nearly that for any ordered BMW.. special paint will probably take longer..

I have no doubt that $2500 is the going rate for a custom color... but, is it reasonable? I would just pick a color they offer.

regards,
kyfdx

ponytrekker

What about Kung Pao shrimp? And how many shrimp per order?

kyfdx

That all depends on how you set up the memory.. If you screw it up, you get shrimp fried rice..

div2

Just a friendly warning: Don't EVER use the word "rice" in Town Hall. It's offensive to the coffee can tailpipe/triplane aluminum spoiler crowd...;)

kyfdx

But, in this instance, I actually mean rice!!

Funny... BTW, my ten-year-old's new favorite car is the 318ti.. go figure..

regards,
kyfdx