BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

kyfdx

I'm sure the steering wheel is now leather.. check out the steering wheel on the 330i Sport.. it should be similar...

coby03

Just the steering wheel? How about the rest of the Alcantara?

kyfdx

Oh... I have no idea.. I thought you were just worried about the steering wheel...

I'm sure if the alcantara is gone, then the substitute will be leather... I don't think it is likely that they will substitute cloth or vinyl... Isn't that the only interior option on the ZHP now? Alcantara or leather?

dl7265

Hey Walt. what color interior do you have on your Steel Blue ?I located a CWP package car Orient Blue/Sand. The Sand had several "scuff" marks all over just from the prep guy...So not so sure about it now.I did find a out of State Center that had a ton of CWP car's to choose from...A road trip might be in order...

Thanks,
DL

div2

I've got a reservation for Cleveland on the 15th. If I decide to go, I'd be driving from Louisville. What time will you be in Cincinnati? I probably won't go unless a driving slot opens up.

islander71

My 02 330i's OEM ContiTouring tires need to be replaced soon. I have put just over 40K miles on them. I have not been displeased with them, though I am curious to hear what others are driving on and if you are pleased or not. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

driver88

Shipo or other knowledgable owners, I have a 325xi that turns a year old next week and suddenly this week my key stopped working remotely for the car. I can only open the doors now by putting the key in the lock. Have any of you heard of this happening before? I travel quite a bit and only put on 7000 miles this year, but just drove the car 2 hours today thinking the key might have not been charged but it is still dead. Any advice on how to remedy this? I am taking it into the dealer next Friday but would like any other thoughts so they don't tell me its my problem and I have to replace the key. Thanks!

Jason

kyfdx

I have black leather... I'm not real wild about the sand... It just seems awfully light to me... But, I bought mine used, so it isn't like I got to pick everything out...

kyfdx

I live in N.KY, just about three miles from downtown... So, I can be in Cincinnati just about any time I want...lol.

My reservation was for 9:00 AM... So, either I've got to get up really early, or go up the night before and get a hotel..

What time are you scheduled for?

kyfdx

I can't imagine the key not being under warranty... and if it is a key battery, that might fall under the maintenance plan...

Seriously, the only thing I've ever had to pay for was extra oil changes between intervals...

dl7265

Cool , I have not seen that combo before!Why don't every one list their vehicle colors/options on their profile?

DL

kyfdx

Hey.. I guess I have a driving slot.. My confirmation is good for me and a guest.. I wonder if that means the guest gets to drive also?

If it does, I may have the solution to your problem...

kyfdx

Date: April 15, 2005
Activity: The 3 Drive (exclusive for CCA members)
Location: Pier at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
751 Erieside Ave
Cleveland, OH 44114
Arrival Time: 9:00AM
Confirmation Number



Remember to bring your BMW, and arrive as early as possible. The first
100 registered attendees will enjoy a photo opportunity, complimentary
lunch and a gift. Plus, if you are among the first 50 cars to arrive,
you will receive preferred parking.

______________________________________________

Now, it doesn't say anything about a guest on my e-mail, but that is what I was told over the phone.. I guess I'll have to call them back and ask....

regards,
kyfdx

div2

My e-mal just shows me regitered for "See the 3" and "Celebrate the 3" so right now it looks like I'm not getting behind the wheel:( Lemme see what I can do...

dl7265

Walt, same for me. BMW "used" to ask for your guest information, perhaps that has changed... IF they tell you something different let us know.

DL

amt7565

I like to know if puchasing a 330i with the sports package will have a louder road noise because it has performance tires.

Thank you.

amt7565

DL-
Have you made up your mind yet to get that Ci you have been planning on? Remember I mentioned that we 2 should go together and get 2 at the same time?

AMT-

kyfdx

Actually, the summer tires that come on the sport package are marginally quieter than the all-seasons...

But, some high performance tires have increasing noise as they wear.. Yokohamas are known for this and Continentals to a lesser extent..

My 325i with Sport seems to be a little quieter with the summer tires, than with the winter tires..

Hope that helps.. the main thing to check with the sport package, is that you like the seats.. I think they are the best part, but some people just don't fit them well..

gordonwd

Can someone tell me just what the @#$^! this "Alcantara" stuff is, anyway? From the way people talk about it on their ZHPs it seems like it must be like gold or something. "Hey, baby, want to see my Alcantara?" :-)

kyfdx

Synthetic suede.. IS300 had it in combination with leather on a lot of their cars....

blueguydotcom

I've got a zhp but I got mine with leather, so only my wheel and brake/shifter boot have that goofy stuff.

dl7265

I think at the risk of loosing vehicle we are looking at ,we may wait at least til 23rd to see what the E90 prices will be for certain OR perhaps to see if April incentives will increase again. While I don't think the 330i would increase much more , the 325i might. There are still several centers that may have E46 on the ground when E90 arrives.

Worst case synario I think I finally located a Center that will do base MF ect on a "5". I contacted the one center will billboards claiming lowest prices (im sure you've seen) and was barely offered a discount of the incentives...

Ill let you know. Have you located a vehicle your interested in ?

DL

kyfdx

Going through Louisville on vacation on a Tuesday morning in a few weeks..

What are your feelings on Lynn's Paradise Cafe?

Thinking of stopping there for breakfast.

And, to stay on topic.. I'm going in my car. Possibly even my 3-series.

regards,
kyfdx

amt7565

Thanks.
I am a pretty conservative driver, so I am not sure I will like the seats. I have not tried them yet.

Just wanted to make sure there was not too much raod nois.

paule

I'm looking for recommendations as to which dealer offers the best deals on OEM carpeted floor mats.
Pacific BMW seems to have a decent price at $91. Anyone know of a dealer offering a better price?
I'd prefer to just purchase them off the internet but I'm not adverse to making a phone call either.

nick250

I posted this in the Problems and Solutions forum, but I did not get any responses. Perhaps someone here has an explanation/solution to this.

My Dad passed away a few months ago and I have the option of keeping his 2001 330xi auto tranny. I took it out for a long drive the other day and loved the car but I found the throttle tip in so sensitive that it was a pain to launch smoothly from a stop and to maintain a steady speed on the highway. I did a search on this forum and did not come up with any ideas on this problem. It was something I also noticed on a RWD 330i I took out for a test drive a few years ago. Am I the only one who has had this problem? Is there a fix? TIA

kominsky

Performance driving, mid-east style...

http://www.alr7al.net/matrix/mqa63/HG5/al-mustshar/2.wmv

http://www.alr7al.net/matrix/mqa63/HG5/al-mustshar/3.wmv

http://users.on.net/~avanharen/pajamaricers.wmv

shipo

"Am I the only one who has had this problem?"

That's not a problem, that's a feature! ;-)

Seriously, the 3.0 liter mill on your 330xi has very nice throttle response, it just might take a little getting used to if you have historically driven cars with lower power to weight ratios. Having said that, the drive by wire system of the 330xi (assuming that it is the same one as on my 530i) does seem to enhance the throttle response a big. This has the net effect of giving you a greater percentage of power at the initial stages of the "Press the Throttle" event.

I suspect that one of two things (if not both) will happen if you continue to drive the car:
1) You will get used to the throttle sensitivity, and it will become a non-issue.
2) The drive-by-wire system does "learn" the driving habits of its driver, and as such it will adapt itself to your style over a period of a couple of weeks (if I remember correctly).

Best Regards,
Shipo

shipo

Hey Dude! You forgot one: ;-)

http://www.alr7al.net/matrix/mqa63/HG5/al-mustshar/1.wmv

Best Regards,
Shipo

530ir1150r

Lynn's is interesting, but I see it more of a lunch or dinner site and is not too convenient southbound. Have you ever heard of Whistlestop in Glendale, just south of Elizabethtown?

530ir1150r

I am not sure about BMW automatic transmissions, but others learn the way you drive and adjust to your style. Drive the car for a week and see if it improves.

tenet1

Maybe it is what Shipo is referring to but it could also be a sticky pedal issue. Many 2001's including mine had a pedal issue where you would depress the pedal and it would not go in too smoothly and then when it did, you got that twitchy (non-smooth) response that you are referring to. Definately not a smooth power delivery. Anyhow, BMW issued a TSB on this and fixed replaced the pedal for free for all owners that complained about it. I did and the difference is night and day. Maybe you should start there and see if the feeling improves

nick250

Hmmmmm it could be the adaptive function of the transmission since my Dad was 91 when he purchased the car and as a consequence was a conservative driver.

nick250

Good information tenet1, thanks alot. I will contact the local dealer and see if I can arrange for "the fix".

Nick

kyfdx

Nope.. haven't heard of the Whistlestop.. But, coming down I-71 to I-65, Lynn's is only about one mile off I-65.. Plus, we'll be hitting Louisville around 0830, so that is a good time for breakfast..

In addition, we're taking the W.KY Parkway, so we might be getting off before Glendale.. I'm tucking this info away for future reference, though.. Thanks!

regards,
kyfdx

div2

Both places are good; Lynn's is a bit more off the wall.

kyfdx

Thanks.. off the wall is good..

For those that like to play along..

http://lynnsparadisecafe.com/

kyfdx

I called back the 3acrossAmerica people today..

Even though the event is called the "3 drive", nobody gets to drive...

I was inquiring as to whether my guest would get to drive also... and.. got that info..

Hopefully she was wrong, but it doesn't sound like it.. Long way to go for a sneak peek and a free lunch..

regards,
kyfdx

blueguydotcom

No doubt. I'm only going 10 miles but I'll be ticked off if I can't drive the damn car. That's the only reason to go.

kyfdx

Give them a ring.. I'd be interested in what they tell you..

tenet1

Here is the TSB number: TSB 35 01 02

Below is a link from a prior search I had done. See if this matches the issue you are having
http://www.bmw325i.net/sticky_pedal_fix.shtml

530ir1150r

I may have confused myself. The Whistlestop and the Depot are both in Glendale and are across the street from each other. One is open for breakfast and one is not open till 11:00.

Continuing west through town goes to US 62, west on 62 goes to White Mills, the first WKP exit.

Louisville on weekday mornings is still backed up at I-71, I-64 & I-65 at 8:30.

paule

It's all fun and games 'til Johnny loses an eye!
Maybe our troops should take their Humvees down main street Iraq and try that! It looks like a good way to take out some insurgents.
Crazy..........

erickpl

brave1heart addresses this sticky or notchy pedal and the fix. Had it done on my 2002.

-Paul

venture

Are those of you looking at the '05s finding that the dealers are selling either at, or below invoice?

I'm from PA and the dealers in Pittsburgh and other large cities seem to be at invoice or slightly under, but the smaller dealers seem to think it's an odd idea. :-)

kyfdx

325i has a $2500 dealer incentive.. 330i has a $4200 dealer incentive..

Any purchase price should be well below invoice..

bmwfrevr

so anybody with E90 prices!?

kyfdx

You can access all of the information through bmwusa.com now...

It looks like the "3 drive" is a parade, where you get to drive your 3-series around town behind the new car.. woohooo

shipo

That is kind of funny, if in fact that is what turns out true. My confirmation says something like "Don't forget to bring your car...", ummm, well, my car went "Bye, bye!" last night, and as such, all I have is a Green 1998 Dodge Caravan to drive to the event. Somehow I'm suspecting that the folks there wouldn't appreciate my van in the parade. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

kyfdx

Yeah.. goofy.. anyway, for Cleveland on the 15th..

0900: 3 Drive... just for CCA members, see the car upclose, drive in a parade.. free lunch

1200: See the 3.. Just an unveiling for the general public that signs up, I guess.. see it, sit in it, etc...

1800: Celebrate the 3... Dinner at the Sheraton or something like that... reduced rates if you want to stay over.. for CCA members and BMW sales center guests (regular customers, I guess).

Hmmm.. what date do you go, Shipo?

regards,
kyfdx