BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

div2

My nine year old likes some of the Fast and Furious cars but he hates the cars that are all show/no go. He also thought that I should buy an EVO RS, but when I told him we'd have to sell the Club Sport he said "No way!" And speaking of all show/no go: Some moron in a coffee canned/stickered/spoilered Dodge Daytona(of all things) challenged me at a "Stoplight Grand Prix" yesterday-I trounced him. With my 4.0L Jeep Wrangler. My son is still laughing about it. I just hope he remembers not to mention it within earshot of my wife...

erickpl

sounds like you and i have the same cars.
I have a Wrangler, a Grand, and a 3er.

-Paul

div2

Great minds think alike, I always say;)

memphis10

What is a club sport?

div2

See:

http://www.318ti.org/companion/models/318tiCS.html

I special ordered my Club Sport in 1995; it's Bright Red with limited slip, Premium Sound, and NO sunroof. In addition, all Club Sports were fitted with M3 mirrors; they were the only non M cars so equipped.

kyfdx

Other than your obviously rare model... what would you look for, if you had to buy a used 318ti? Year? Any special options? Any year to avoid?
 
I didn't realize how many of these were sold with automatics, until my son started dragging me over to look at every one we see in a parking lot.

regards,
kyfdx

div2

The ti is actually the most reliable of all the E36 variants. The power window regulators can fail at higher mileages but replacement is an easy DIY job. Rear shock mounts fail; replace them with the ones used on the E46 M3. The front ball joints can also be suspect. The climate control cables can come loose but are easily reattached. The 1995 resonds better to chip tuning and other tricks as it is an OBD I engine. Any year ti can pick up a bunch of HP by fitting a Downing Atlanta Supercharger(or simply dropping in a six cylinder). My car has 97000 miles on it and so far I've replaced the front brake pads, the sepentine belts, and and a couple of the belt idler/tensioner pulleys. It's the most reliable car I have ever owned.

brave1heart

I am amazed that you could special order the ti with a limited slip. Couldn't even do it on 40+ grand 330 ZHP these days...

My 2 1/2-yr old is CRAZY about cars and already knows all cars on the street that he's seen here and in Europe. His favorite by far is the Mini!!!

blueguydotcom

My niece (23 months) always wants to take her daddy's "fast car" (a 3 series) and not my sister's "green truck" (a SUV). Give her a choice and she'll say, "Take daddy's car. The fast car."

That kid's gonna be a speed demon...and I'll gladly oblige with toys for that kinda thing.

soverypoornow

Just to throw in my two cents on 318ti reliability. My wife has a '99 318ti, which is pushing 100,000 miles and we've had very little other than routine/typical maintenance. Only things out of the ordinary have been a faulty air bag light awhile back and she just recently had a vacuum hose replaced. She loves her car.

lee700

My experience with new 325 and tires: The one I wanted had Bridgestone (Firestone) tires on it. I told the dealer I was not buying a BMW with Firestone tires on it. Some of the 325's on the lot had Michelin tires and the dealer exchanged them. The car handled TOTALLY different after the exchange. BMW needs to wake up and drop the Firestone tires on their autos. Oh by the way--Firestone just had another recall--belts separating---again.

kyfdx

Mine came with Sport package and Bridgestones.. I like them fine... and much better than the Continentals.. Bridgestone has been making tires for a long time.. Original equipment on cars that cost 3 to 6 times what a 3-series goes for. Did you quit taking Tylenol or using Johnson and Johnson products forever, after they had their problems?

regards,
kyfdx

memphis10

I had the Pirelli P6000 tires when I bought my car. Traction is OK and tread life quite good. I have the 17 inch performance tires and after 16K miles, there is stil a lot of life left on them. By the way, don't knock on the Bridgestone. Remember what the Ferrari, Schumacher, Bridgestone combination has done this year.

div2

Back in 1993 I put Bridgestone Expedia SO-2s on my M6. The next year I won the Touring Sports class at the O'fest'94 auto-X. I know how BMW selects their OEM tires and there is simply no way that they will spec two brands that have markedly different handling characteristics.

mrp

Hello All...I'm close to purchasing a new 04 330i with performance package AND leather. My color scheme is jet black w/black leather. My question is which trim looks better with black/black? Is it the silver cube or the black cube?? I hear conflicting opinions. What do you think?! Thanks.

riez

mrp... Does your dealer or any other dealer have ones for you to look? Know anyone who does near you? [Having own 1 black car out of about 25 cars in the past 20 years, I won't ever get another black exterior again. Always looks dirty. Full-time job just to get it to look decent.]

m4d_cow

the silver cube gives some contrasting color on the black interior, while the black cube just blends in with the interior
its all about taste, personally i prefer the silver cubes, bacause the black(ext)-black(int)-black(trim) looks too dark and just doesnt feel right to me
again, its all personal taste, id suggest you go to the dealer and see it for yourself.

hcramer

Why is the premium package on the 2005 325 XI less than on the 2004, and does it not include the moonroof?
Thanks for your help.

Harvey

kyfdx

The moonroof is included in the base price now.. it is standard... which is why the premium pkg is cheaper. The base MSRP is higher to reflect the added content... I think if you added premium package to base MSRP, the '05 is just slightly higher.

regards,
kyfdx

richjenkins

Get the Silver Cube. Black cube looks pretty much like the rest of the car.

alan1111

I'm 6'4" and considering purchasing my first 325. I love the car and this is the only thing holding me back. Is anyone out there my size with this issue - cramped front seat space? TIA

jazevedo

I just bought a 330 and I'm 6'4. I don't know what you're used to, but to me there is plenty of room....I have the sedan (not sure if that makes a difference). You'll have to go sit in one and play with the seat controls, but I don't even have the seat all the way back and I'm comfortable. Putting the seat as low to the floor as possible really helped and gives plenty of headroom.

Although I've been crammed in a mustang for the last 7 years so maybe I'm used to smaller spaces....

soverypoornow

I'm 6'4" and drive a 330i. I'm fine with it, although sometimes people comment how I look crammed into the car. I just kind of think guys our height get used to being crammed somewhat into cars.

I have the seat all the way back and as low as it can go, then I raise the power front thigh section a bit and it seems to work quite nicely.

jamesspot

I'm 6'5", 195 lbs, and fit very comfortably in my 330i sedan with no moonroof. With two passengers, the right front seater gives up the legroom, but I can move my seat up enough to fit an average sized woman or child behind me for a short drive.

The 2005 BMW 3 series all have moonroofs. If you desire the most headroom you can get in a 3 series, hunt for a solid topped 2004 sedan before they are gone.

kdog

I just bought a new BMW 330i. Any suggestion on how to properly break in the car and allowing how many miles before I can really enjoy the car? What speed should I stay under? Thanks...

shipo

Ummm, read the manual. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

kdshapiro

Yep. I second shipo's reply. Do exactly, or less, but no more, than what's in the manual.

div2

I third that. And then read the manual AGAIN.

m4d_cow

theres no such thing lol buy it and drive it the way you want it

vimaln

Hi,

Other than price, what is the difference between Jet Black versus Black Sapphire Metallic paint on a 325i.

Like...
(1) Is there visible difference
(2) Is one shiny than the other
(3) Is one long lasting than the other

Or is there any other difference.

Thanks
vimal

307web

http://news.com.com/BMW+puts+iPod+in+driver%27s+seat/2100-1041_3-- 5341081.html?tag=nefd.top

This is not just the glove compartment adaptor that has been out for months.
BMW will start making 3 Series with actual iPod controls built into the steering wheel soon.

bmw323is

Jet black is solid black and sapphire is metallic (little specs of silver). From a distance they look very similar. From up close you can see the difference. I have jet black because I'm too cheap to pay for a car's paint (like ordering a big mac and having to pay extra for the bun). Sapphire black will hide dirt and scatches a little better. Both are wonderful to behold when clean and freshly waxed.

kyfdx

Ditto....looks better up close, hides dirt and scratches better.. I would consider Sapphire, but not Jet Black.. But, that is just me... it costs $475 more.

regards,
kyfdx

tenet1

One more thing...Metallic Black almost looks deep blue when seen closely under bright sunlight. It looks really cool.

But just yesterday I saw a extremely clean Jet black on the Beltway and it looked stunning. Jet is a great color if you are going to wash the car and wax it yourself all the time. I wash my car every 2 months at the car wash and couldn't be happier with my choice of Silver.

white6

It actually has little specs of blue metallic in it, hence the "sapphire" name. Your salesman should have a small painted panel that you can examine; mine did.

kyfdx

The website has been updated with the information on 2005 models.

Crevels

Another difference is when in certain lighting, the car appears much more blue than black. My wife just bought an M3 in Sapphire Black and when we went to the dealership to see it, we both immediately said "It's blue". It doesn't have that true black color to it.

kyfdx

I think that is the "Sapphire" part of it. I think the metallic part is actually blue.

Crevels

I agree, but sometimes its REALLY blue. If you want a black black, the Jet Black is the way to go. But if you want something that appears to change colors in different light, the Sapphire Black is really nice. Sometimes its black, sometimes its blue, sometimes it even has a hint of purple in it.

Either way, it's a pain in the rear to keep clean.

Crevels

Two questions regarding snow tires. I just bought one set for my wifes M3 and I'm in the process of buying another set for my 330cic.

1) Is there anything I should do when storing the snow tires to help them last longer. It is a good idea to just stick them in the corner of the garage out of the way, or will the heat build-up in the summer make them brittle or such?

2) I've got a lead on a set of staggered 68-style rims. Is there any problems with using the staggered rim setup for snow tires? I can't put 225/45-17's on all 4 rims, can I?

kyfdx

1) If you have a basement that is dry and cool, that is a better place to store them. It depends on how much you drive, but usually your snows are worn out in three winters anyway, so you don't keep them around that long.. that may not be the case with a convertible, though.

2) I got M68s for my 325i and put the snows on my stock 17" sport rims (style 96s). You can put the 225/45-17 all the way around on the staggered rims, but they won't look exactly the same front and back and my leave your back rims more susceptible to curb rash.

I suggest style 44 or 96 for snows.. both are 17 X 8 and take 225/45-17s.. Or, the stock 330i or 330xi wheels are 17 X 7 and take 205/50-17. These would give you the best snow traction.

regards,
kyfdx

Crevels

Thanks for the response. The thought of lugging 8 tires through the house into the basement doesn't sound appealing. I'll just put'em in the garage and give the rodents a place to live.

You had said before about the 44's. It's just that this set of 68's fell into my lap at a great price. I know the narrow 205/50 would be better in the snow than the 225/45, but what are your thoughts on a set of 16"? TireRack is actually recommending 205/55-16's. I'm just afraid it will look strange, especially going from my 18".

m4d_cow

well id say the sapphire black looks rather greyish under sunlight, i think its because the metalic specs have either grey or blueish color.

kyfdx

You might check with your dealer.. The 16" fit okay on the 325i, but I don't think they clear the brakes on the 330...

I have Goodyear Ultra-Grip GW-3 winter tires in 225/45-17.. They are V-rated and really did well in the snow this past winter.. I wouldn't want to go down to 16", even if I could.. I might feel differently if we had a LOT of heavy snow.

If you are getting the M68s cheap, go ahead and give it a try.. I know for sure the 225/45-17s will fit... If you don't like the way they look, you won't have any trouble selling the M68s after the first winter, and then you will have 8 months to find another set of wheels..

I wouldn't want to look at 16" wheels on my car all winter, if I was used to having 18", that is for sure.

regards,
kyfdx

vimaln

Ok... This may sound odd...but lemme ask anyway.

How much will it cost to repaint a BMW 325i with a different color.

Say I buy a 325i now, and then after 6 months I did not like that color and want to go for new color, how much will it cost to repaint(like factory) the whole car. Good quality, same as new car.

kyfdx

I'm guessing $6K-$8K to really do it right.. and it still won't be like new.. Give me a little while, and by tomorrow, I'll get someone to post an answer here, who knows.

shipo

Given that a repainted car plumets in value, it would be cheaper for you to sell it and buy one in your (then) current color of choice.

Best Regards,
Shipo

kyfdx

Ahh.. you beat me to it.. Forget the loss in value for the repaint.. Trading is probably cheaper than painting, even if the old car kept its same value. Are you having difficulty deciding on a color?

Mr_Shiftright

I'd agree, VERY expensive and, to be blunt, not a wise move at all.

The only way I could justify painting a new or nearly new car would be if someone gave it to me for free and it was a hideous color (I think BMW has a kind of Army green that might qualify). Otherwise, you'd pay at least $5,000+ for a decent paint job, probably more, and at the same time decrease the value of the car by perhaps 30%, so you instantly lose $5,000 + 30% of book value.

Seems pointless to me.

kominsky

I store my winter package in my garage. I keep them on a few small pieces of 2X4 to keep them off the concrete and to allow some airflow. Is this necessary? I don't know but I feel better about it.

TireRack does offer a 16" wheel that fits over the 330's brakes. Italia something-or-other... My understanding is that it was made specifically for this application and it's only 16"er I've heard of that will fit.

I have 225/45 Dunlop WinterSports, mounted on Style 44's, on all four corners of my 330Ci. I'm a little torn on what I would do, if I had it to do over again. Although the 225's have gotten me through everything I've asked of them, I think a narrower tire would be more confidence inspiring. In hindsight, I think the 16" package from tirerack would offer a better snow driving experience... but, out of the 3 - 3.5 months the tires are on the car, less than a dozen days are spent driving in snow. On dry roads, the 225's are probably a MUCH better choice.