BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

nyccarguy

div2: I know you're kicking yourself for that one. I guess if the car has made it that far along, then it is a sign that it is well maintained and should last.

 

kyfdx: Some of the asking prices do seem a bit high for a 6/7 year old car that is almost 2 body changes old and stickered for low $40K at the time. Asking prices for used E46 M3s are ridiculous too.

nyccarguy

I also check the ROUNDEL classifieds every month as well.

ctbeemer

This message is for owners of 2004 330xi models. I just had a bad experience. The bolt that secures the differential which also controls the 4-wheel drive mechanism came off. The car is less than a year old. The wheels locked up on the highway (I was going about 45-50 miles per hour..it was snowing)and the car stopped dead. It was like someone pulled the emergency brake. Luckily I didn't hit anyone nor did anyone hit me. As far as I know, the car is not being recalled. It is now fixed, the part went back to Germany this week. Anyone else experience this?

shipo

"...the part went back to Germany this week. Anyone else experience this?"

 

If the part was indeed sent back to Germany, it is a good bet that your incident is one of VERY few, if not the only one so far.

 

Best Regards,

Shipo

m4d_cow

parts sent back to germany, means its a serious problem despite being a rare one

ajb723

My current 330i lease ends in 3/05. I'm interested in the new 2006 330 though it may not be available until April or May. The dealer will, of course, extend my lease if I request. The other car I'm considering is the Mercedes 320 CLK. I like its looks over the BMW but most reviews suggest its performance is not as good. Any advice?

m4d_cow

imo unless youre a hardcore driver the CLK is still quite good, true it doesnt handle as sharp as beemers, but comparable to others.

memphis10

I have a 2003 325i and I had experienced the first problem after having the car for over 1.5 years. I opened the door, got into the car, and when I tried to close the door, it wouldn't close. I kept trying to close it but the door latch wouldn't engage and the door would just bounce off. Infact, the locking system inside the cabin didn't work and neither did the one on the key. It has happened to me twice since then and it happnes in the morning when it is cold outside. It works fine the rest of the day. Has enyone experinced this or is there a TSB out there on this.

pg48477

Looks like the look on the door remains in the closed position when the door is open, happened to me few times (not on BMW). I just moved it to the right position.

dhanley

This has happened to me when some ice got into the handle and made the handle remain in the "open" position. I reached outside and popped the handle back down.

gordonwd

I usually leave my headlight switch in the "Auto" position, which I thought was working well. But today I was driving around on one of those really clear winter days: -2F, totally clear blue sky, brilliant sunshine. I mean, it could not be much brighter out there. Of course I couldn't tell if my lights were on or off while driving, but I was surprised when I pulled into a parking space and saw by reflection that they were on! Anyone have an idea of why the auto control would turn on the lights on such a bright day?

tslbmw

This could be a stupid question, but are you sure they weren't your DRLs?

gordonwd

This could be a stupid question, but are you sure they weren't your DRLs?

 

Not a stupid question at all, but I don't have the DRLs enabled. I did get a response on another board that made sense. With the way that the sensors work they could have been fooled, especially on a winter morning with the sun low in the sky and no clouds at all to reflect light back down. The windshield might also have been frosted up in the area where the sensors (on the back of the mirror) look out & up. In the afternoon, after I had posted my message, it was still clear with the sun a bit higher and the lights did not come on on my way home.

tslbmw

I'm glad you figured it out, that makes sense. I do have one question, why would you choose to disable your DRLs?

Kirstie_H

Don't forget tonight's member-to-member chat - it's open mic night, so come and discuss whatever's on your mind.

 



 

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

 

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

 

kirstie_h

gordonwd

I do have one question, why would you choose to disable your DRLs?

 

It's one of the standard memory settings on the car whether to have DRLs or not. I simply don't care for them. So as long as it's optional, I opt not to have them :-).

tslbmw

Gotcha. I understand that it is part of the memory settings. . .I just think they are an excellent safety measure. . .but, to each his own.

 

However, I do wish that my DRLs could be my Xenons at a lower power!:) It's all about the look.

ru777

I think having the xenons turned on instead of the DRL is more "cool" and also SAFE.

 

Safe because DRL's dont turn on rear lights. During incliment winter weather it can be a disadvantage.

 

More than anything -its all about the look. LOL

Ru777

tslbmw

Well actually, to follow that point, the reason I don't like to turn on my Xenons everyday is b/c I was worried that I would "burn" them out faster. And since they are more expensive to replace, I only use 'em at night.

I've never actually replaced a Xenon. . .is this logic correct. And if anyone has, how much do they usually cost? Cuz if I'm wrong, I'm with ru777, I'll turn them every time I drive the darn thing. . .just cuz they look soooo cool!!:)

kyfdx

I don't know if the logic is correct or not.. but, this is the reason I give my wife for not using the auto-on headlights.. Even if you are leaving the house in broad daylight, when you start the car in the garage, the xenons come on..

 

I figure why turn them on excessively..

 

regards,

kyfdx

tslbmw

Exactly!

 

kyfdx, do you know how much it will run me to replace one of these puppies when one does burn out?

kyfdx

No.. but I hear they last a lot longer than halogens, and aren't as expensive as you would expect..

 

I have nothing to back this up...but... I wouldn't worry how long you have them on... burning them all the time would probably be okay.. I'm thinking it is the constant off and on that burns them up faster... Ergo, my distaste for the auto-on headlamp feature..

 

regards,

kyfdx

cartalk

Here are some approximate prices to replace the xenon bulbs (applies to a '04 330i sedan but perhaps the same for other 3-series models):

 

55w

H7:55W Excl. Xenon Low Beam

Osram/Sylvania $14.92

 

12v H-7 (55w) Long Life

H7:55W Excl. Xenon Low Beam

Osram/Sylvania $18.73

 

55w Silver Star

H7:55W Excl. Xenon Low Beam

Osram/Sylvania $28.42

 

A Xenon D2S Bulb runs about $125-$130

tslbmw

That's not bad. Is this something that I can do myself, or does the dealer have to do it and charge me an hours worth of labor for this 5 minute job?

cartalk

I would think the replacement could be done DIY. Xenons should last 10 time longer than halogens, or about 3,000 hours.

 

This is from the owner's manual regarding the xenon's:

 

"The service life of these bulbs is very long and the probability of a failure is very low, provided that they are not switched on and off an unusual number of times. If one of these bulbs should nevertheless fail, it is possible to continue driving with great caution using the fog lamps, provided local traffic laws do not prohibit this. Because of the extremely high voltages involved, any work on the xenon lighting system, including bulbchanging, should be carried out by technically-qualified personnel only. Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal injury."

 

Nothing like scare tactics potentially resulting in death to get you to go to the dealer.

 

These are the replacement instructions, also direct from the owner's manual:

 

"The lamps and bulbs make essential contributions to the safety of your vehicle. Therefore, proceed carefully when handling bulbs. BMW recommends that you have such work performed by your BMW center if you are not familiar with the procedures. Do not touch the glass portion of a new bulb with your bare hands since even small amounts of impurities burn in to the surface and reduce the service life of the bulb. Use a clean cloth, paper napkin, or a similar material, or hold the bulb by its metallic base.

 

A replacement bulb set is available from your BMW center. Before working on the electrical system, switch off the electrical accessory you are working on or disconnect the cable from the negative terminal of the battery. Failure to observe this precaution could result in short circuits. To prevent injuries and damage, comply with any instructions provided by the bulb manufacturer.

 

Low beams and high beams

 

Engine compartment, left side:

1 Low beams

2 High beams

H7 bulb, 55 watts

The H7 bulb is pressurized. Therefore, wear safety glasses and protective gloves. Failure to comply with this precaution could lead to injury if the bulb is damaged.

 

1. Turn the two release catches at the front to the left – see arrow – to remove the bulb holder

2. Remove and replace the bulb. Insert the new bulb as shown in the inset. When attaching the bulb holder, ensure that the lock snaps in place properly. When cleaning the headlamps, please follow the instructions in the Caring for your vehicle brochure."

ru777

execellent.

 

thanks.

Ru777

tslbmw

Thanks for the laugh. . . .death. . .dealership. . .death. . .dealership. . .

tough one!!:)

 

Thanks for the info.

tcn2k

Aren't xenon lights covered under warranty for the 4/50 plan? If so, turn them on and utilize them until you reach past the warranty, then worry about them.....

m4d_cow

do you happen to know how much a Hella 55w xenon cost? i certainly wont buy a silvania or worse, osram, i never had any good experience w/ those brands

kyfdx

just an FYI

cartalk

Again, these prices are approximate for the Hella H7 Xenon replacement bulb.

 

HL78119 H7 Bulb, 12V, 55W, XENON Premium +50% $14.10

 

HL88970S H7 Bulb, 12V, 55W Optilux XENON White XP $16.89

 

HL88971S H7 Bulb, 12V, 100W Optilux XENON White XB $16.89

 

Assuming the life of the bulb is 3,000 hours, you would need to have them on for just over 2 hours per day, every day for four years for them to burn out before the end of the 4 year/50,000 mile period.

ru777

Hello,

At highway crusing speeds, for example 80mph, do you feel the 325i engine rev's high ? Is it above 3000 rpm ?

 

In the existing models the overdrive has a 1:1 (fake overdrive) ratio -but in the new 2006 model with the 6-speed transmission they have reduced the ratio to 0.85:1 (true overdrive!) -to reduce engine revs.

 

Appreciate your thoughts.

Ru777

m4d_cow

osram=silvania, really? i never knew that, ive used both brands for sure, both inside and outside US, both perform poorly

cartalk

OSRAM SYLVANIA in its current form was created in January 1993, when OSRAM GmbH acquired the SYLVANIA lighting and precision materials businesses in North America from GTE.

rparnell

Hi,

The revs are about right - that is what mine spins at. I think the 5 speed manual on the 325 is a "close ratio", as there seems little gap between the top 3 gears. Compared with some other cars the revs feel a bit high, but it has the plus of giving good acceleration at highway speed.

memphis10

I have wondered about the same thing but more at speeds of about 120 mph or higher. In Germany, they drive the same cars at those speeds for a few hours. That's 5000 rpm or higher. I guess the engines are designed for that. So cruise along my friend; 3000 rpm is not an issue.

330blast

Hello,

 

It's about to time to change tires for my 2001 330i. I am wondering if there is any particular reason I should bring my car to the dealership for the alignment. Or I can just take it to any tire store.

 

Thanks in advance for any leads.

ru777

Thanks -

 

Is it correct that the 5-speed manual transmission will rev higher than the 5-speed automatic transmission at the same speed ?

 

Since automatic has a 5th gear with 0.76 ratio.

kyfdx

The manual definitely revs higher.. But, I think this is true of almost every car..

brave1heart

I've had good luck with our local NTB shop. Their prices for standard alignment is comparable to the dealer's but much lower than the dealer's for a custom sports alignment.

mschukar

Personally, I use the DRL's because it adds a bit of safety and I can leave my Xenon's off a bit more.

 

-murray

mark_325i

Is anyone else finding this site pitifully slow these days?

kyfdx

Do you mean by number of posts? Or bandwidth slow?

pat

The main site, www.edmunds.com, is having response-time issues. I am told they are working very hard on getting it resolved.

 

The forums - here - are faster than they have ever been due to a hardware and software upgrade a month or so ago.

mark_325i

Going from the edmunds home page to the forums is verrrry slow, and sometimes it just times out. Moving within the formus is ok, though.

pat

Agreed - that's the part of issue I mentioned.

 

Some may be interested in following the Inside Line Feedback and Questions where these issues (and others) are being addressed.

swassdaddy

Just thought I would give you guys an update on my (err BMWFS's 325i) that I leased and was rear-ended back in November. Well, after 67 days, I finally got the car back last night. So far, no problems with it. It seems to drive fine (at least better than the Mazda 3 rental they put me in!). The grand total for repairs and labor was $13,540. They did end up totaling the lady's VW Beetle she was driving. The guy at the body shop said this was the worst rear-ended 3 series that he has ever seen that was not totaled (guess since its only 4, err 7 months old now). He estimates she was doing at least 40-50 mph.

 

Now today I got a call from her insurance company wanting to know if they can now close the medical part of the claim.

 

Glad I got my car back, only 30 months left on the lease. I will be back when its time to get another one!

kyfdx

The number one advantage to leasing.. thanks for the update..

asleepy

My 2003 325i manual with 19,000 miles has been experiencing a spike in the RPM during a stop. This usually happens after I've driven the car for more than 10 miles. The first stop after just getting in the car produces the normal, smooth 700 RPM. But on subsequent stops, the car would idle at 700 and then spike to 900, quickly drop back to 600 and back to 700 (the car has never stalled by itself). Clearly the engine is trying to adjust itself to the normal idle speed but can't seem to find it. This just started happening about a month ago. I am using the same premium gas as always and it has not been that cold here in California. Any ideas? Thanks.

sam23

Hey Guys...I am about to come back from the middle east after 1 1/2 years away fighting the war...I am consediring a 2005 330Ci convertible and 2005 M3 Convertible...Any recommendations? I live in Dallas, TX.

Thanks