BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

selm

Maybe your right, but it is an under utilized whine being coupled with front wheel drive. My wife drives a Passat, and I have never understood why it isnt RWD. VR6 is a great car though especially bang for the buck.

shipo

Hmmm, I've had one VR6 and two BMW I6s, and while I really loved my VR6, I prefer both the sound and smoothness of the BMW mill. That said, the VR6 was a wonderful engine to sit behind for the four years that I had it, it will always be one of my favorite motors. :shades:

Best Regards,
Shipo

brave1heart

Those are all nice sensible choices. No car on the market provides more value than the somewhat overlooked Toyota Avalon. Spacious, quiet, powerful, and luxurious - all at a price lower than an overpriced, under-optioned BMW. The gold lettering will truly complete the driving experience and aesthetics. May I also add that your wife is one smart lady and a caring, loving mother. Best luck to you all with these great new automotive appliances!

nmrt

yeah. the vr6 is great. almost took me by surprise to learn that not all 6-cylinders are this smooth. but yes, it is being under utilized by linking it to a FWD. my 1999 vr6 has 160K miles on it and it still sounds great and easily achieves 115-125mph. but the car not the engine is dying which is why need a 3er. cant live without a 6cylinder.

highender

is offering 2005 325i and 330i for under wholesale...

$27,000 for 325i....new....

get them while it is good...

NO this is not a joke..

webby1

Well...this is where the fun begins....which model Conti do you have ?
I assume you have CV 95 or CH 95 or / and what size ?

My car (2004 330I) came with Conti 205 50 17 and the ride was perfect.
I did not care about taking corners at high speed but wanted perfect tracking, no vibration, smooth and quiet ride on highway but did not want to change from touring tire to winter tires every year so I got Pirellis P Zero Nero M & S in 225 45 17 and it rides like crap !

Rough ride and not tracking as well as the contis.
I gave the contis to my son...he has 2005 320I and now I want the contis back.
I will give him the Pirellis.

So much for reports based on Tirerack. I think the confusion is that all the reviews do not specify the exact tire size they are reviewing and most of the time incorrectly matched with suspension.

Regards,
Webby

jim302

My neighbor has a 1994 325i with an automatic transmission. He tells me that there is an "A" and an "M" they he can select on the transmission. He doesn't have an owners manual to tell him about this function. Would someone tell me what the "A" and "M" are used for?

Thanks,

Jim

amt7565

Currently seems like the 2005 330i models are going below invoice because of that $4200 incentive. So, yes it is wholesale price I guess!

Does anyone here know the wholesale price list of a 2005 330i?

Thanks.
AMT :P

psyran

On my 740iL the A indicated the automatic mode, the M allowed "manual" shift and does not allow the car to shift automatically. So basically you can put the car in Drive 1 and movup the gear pattern witht the automatic gear shift lever. This is different than the steptronic.

beta23

I am going to college in a year up north somewhere and i have 2 choices for a car. I can either take my dads 2002 BMW 325 xi or buy a new 2005 Mazda 3 sp23 sedan (both are the same cost for me). The BMW has 45000 miles on it with no major problems and my dad is a conservative driver.

Which do you think i should get taking into consideration: reliability, utility, performance, safety and value in 5 years from now.

selm

Personally, I would take the 325 xi because I think that BMW holds its value better, drives better, looks better, and feels safer to me. When you say "costs the same" are you taking into consideration insurance, gas, repairs, etc.? If you are just saying that the monthly payments are equal the BMW will be much more expensive. Let us know what you decide.

kyfdx

A brand new Mazda 3 vs. a 3 yr old 325xi with 45K?

I'd say over the next five years you will be much better off financially with the Mazda.. It has a 4 yr/50 warranty.. And, the model you are looking at is a really nice car, though I'd rather have the 5-door.

I really don't think the BMW will depreciate any less than the Mazda.. Assuming both cars are about $22K? The Mazda will be just as quick, not quite as good in the turns, most likely more reliable... utility and safety should be similar.

I love BMWs, but I wouldn't recommend one that is heading out of warranty for a college student.

regards,
kyfdx

selm

If they are indeed both 22K then I agree. But if the mazda is 22k and the BMW is more like 15k because dad will give a break then I might re-evaluate.

I also come from the perspective of attending the University of Southern California also known as the University of Spoiled Children where it seemed like everyone had a BMW or Mercedes.

I have enjoyed this thread because I drove a protege in college

andywuwei

Just bought a 2003 330i with 20k miles on it. Love the car!!! Because the nearest BMW dealer is 50 miles away from me, I don't think I can visit the dealer once a week to have my car washed. In town there are some auto car wash services offered by gas stations like BP or Shell. However, I am worrying about whether these auto car wash shops is safe to the paint or not. Can you experienced Bimmer guys give me some advices?

Thank you!

Andy

beta23

Thanks guys, the only thing about money is the trade off value in 5 years, i think they will be about the same. Im leaning towards my dads car because i think its much safer in the snow (xi) and its a BMW.

kyfdx

I take my Honda CR-V through a Shell car wash, but I sure wouldn't take the BMW through it.. Although, I doubt your BMW dealer does much better at it.

I do take the BMW through an automatic car wash, but it is a detail-oriented place where they take 5 minutes to hand-dry the car and wipe off any missed spots, etc.. It is in a not so nice area of town, but when you go, you see nothing but $30K+ automobiles there... I just asked around to get recommendations and found this place. I suggest you look for someplace like that..

Now, most Bimmer guys will suggest you do it yourself in the driveway... Which is great if you have the time and enjoy that sort of thing... It is not for me..

regards,
kyfdx

andywuwei

I really appreciate your comment. Looks like I'll try the DIY thing. I did not enjoy washing my old Toyota but I might feel differently with my BMW. :-) Thanks again.

Andy

kyfdx

Hint: If you didn't like it before, I wouldn't bet on it....lol..

andywuwei

Well, let's see.

andywuwei

Forgot to ask some other questions. This is my very first BMW, so I have a lot of questions.

1. Does the factory warranty and free maintainence program cover alignment?

2. Do I need to do anything except for following maintainence indicator which currently shows "inspection 14000 miles"?

3. Do I need to do tire rotation every 5000 miles (which I suppose is not included in maintainence indicator)?

4. Do you guys only use BMW car care products as told in users manual? Things like BW Car Wax, BMW Wheel Cleaner, BMW Rubber Treatment, BMW Glass Cleaner, BMW Premium Leather Car etc. If not, can you recommend some good substitutes for these BMW products?

Thanks in advance. I may have other questions later on and for sure I will post here.

Andy

dl7265

OMg, second to driving theres nothing more relaxing and rewarding than hand washing your Bimmer.It's such a small car you can do a better job in less time than driving one way to car wash., door sills ect...Plus it helps you notice and new damage ,dings, ect that might need attention. Then again if your in snow belt i understand.

I would not recommend the BMW products, just get some Meguiers and u'll be fine. One thing unless its very dulled from being parked outside, tree sap ect, dont use the cleaner wax, its more harsh than what you need.I would recommend their rubber treatment however for the window surrounds, but your 330i has chrome...
Oh get you one of those soft hand mittens for washing, can find at target. But use another sponge or something for the underside or wheels. Don't want all that grime being spread across your paint.

Enjoy it,
DL

div2

First off, many of the BMW car care supplies ARE Meguiars products.
Here's an edited version of a message I posted here back in 2002:

I recently switched to a "cheap, quick, and dirty" method that provides very good results with a minimum of cost and effort:
1. Clean wheels with BMW Wheel Cleaner or Eagle One 2N1
2. Wash using BMW Car Shampoo(don't forget the door jambs!)
3. Remove bugs with 3M Bug/Sap Remover
4. Remove tar with Sonax Tar Remover
5. Rinse thoroughly
6. Dry with Absorber, touch up with 100% cotton towels
7. Clean glass with Turtle Wax Glass Cleaner and microfiber towels
8. Vacumn interior and hatch area
9. Clean/treat interior vinyl with Vinylex
10. Clean/treat leather with Leathermaster cleaner and preservative
11. Treat door seals with BMW Rubber Care
12. Wax with Meguiars NXT Tech Wax
14. Remove any wax from black moldings with Sonax PVC Care
15. Apply Zymol Protectant to all black moldings and the fixed antenna.
16. Apply Armor All Original to tires.(Yes, I always thought it was junk too, but they've changed the formula-it no longer turns tires brown or leaves a greasy fake shine)

If I'm cleaning the engine I do that first using Simple Green and a low-pressure spray nozzle on the water hose. All underhood plastic and rubber is then treated with Zymol Protectant.
If I want the maximum shine on the paintwork I go with Zymol HD Cleanse and Carbon Wax. In either case I use Meguiars Final Inspection or Zymol Field Glaze to remove bird droppings, etc., between washes.
This regimen was good enough for the Club Sport to nab the "Best Import" trophy two years in a row at a local car show a while back.
FWIW, www.carcareonline.com is an excellent online resource. Hope this helps!

hgeyer

I installed the BMW iPod adapter into my 2002 E46 today. It took about 2 hours, but it works really well, and does a good job of integrating the iPod with my stereo (it utilizes the CD Changer option of the radio).

Here's my question. After putting everything back together, I now notice that the red anti-theft light on my radio blinks when the unit is turned off. I cannot recall if it always did this, or if I need to reset the security features of the radio due to its temporary removal.

Any thoughts?

andywuwei

Thank you very much! I am going to prepare a long shopping list... ... :-)

BTW, do you guys have any idea about the first 3 questions I posted?

Andy

dl7265

Find out who serviced you car, if you don't allready know. The brake fluid should be changed every 2 years.If it hasnt been, Id do that right away.

Do you have Sports package? offset tires ? Determine if they can be rotated or not.

I won't get into additional oil change debates ect....

Good Luck,
DL

nyccarguy

Best of luck to you all in your new vehicle endeavors. Brave1heart: which minivan did you get? I hope you continue to post here as your knowledge is appreciated. div2: The Avalon is a car packed with crazy amounts of features for what it costs. I'm suprised you won't be looking at an X3 as your SUV. The Escape is actually a pretty decent riding truck. I can't see you pussting up with the headaches of owning a Trailblazer.

venture

I picked up my 325i on Friday and am enjoying it immensely.

The dealer did not give me the valet key, just the two regular keys. :mad: Isn't this something I should have? I am in central PA and they got it from New Jersey so it's possible that the NJ dealer didn't give it to them.

Assuming I should have it, and I see no reason why I shouldn't - can the dealer make one, or can a local locksmith make one? I am also assuming there is nothing special about it as far as any electronics.

I'm going to call them as soon as they open today to see what the story is, but thought I would ask here if anyone has any experience with this item.

Thanks

gordonwd

>I now notice that the red anti-theft light on my radio blinks
>when the unit is turned off. I cannot recall if it always did this...

You just must not have noticed it before. It should always have done this from day one. It indicates that the standard anti-theft features of the radio are activated.

gordonwd

This is unbelievable, kyfdx! How can you possibly "bond" with your Bimmer if you don't wash it carefully by hand ? I do take mine through a drive-thru in the winter months (but definitely avoid those gas-station washes!), but starting now thru next Fall I'll do all my washes by hand.

In fact, yesterday was my first hand wash of the season, and I was very pleased that my 325i came through the winter with no surface surprises. All too often, cleaning off the accumulated grime by hand reveals a couple of paint nicks or door dings, but none this time. And, having sold my BMW m/c before getting this car, there were no scrapes on the right front corner from pulling into the garage too close to that cylinder sticking out to the side. My previous A4 had a couple of unfortunate boxer-induced scars .

shipo

Hmmm, check your manual, it should list the number of keys that you should receive with your car. With both my 1999 328i and my 2002 530i I received four keys with the following characteristics:

2 - Master Key with remote control unit.
1 - Door and Ignition key (useful for valet parking as this key won't work in the glove box or trunk).
1 - Spare key made of plastic to be kept in your wallet or some such location.

FWIW, I just checked the manual for the 2004 3-Series sedans and oddly enough, it is only showing three keys, the two Master keys and the Spare key, they are no longer including the Valet key. Go figure.

Best Regards,
Shipo

venture

Shipo,

Yeah - I was looking in the manual. That's what turned me on to the fact I didn't have one. You are correct. Two master keys and one spare key (they don't say it's plastic, but the dealer did). They do say it is "not for constant use". I went through the glove box and all the manuals looking to see if it was in there. It isn't.

I called the dealer and they are going to have one made and mail it to me.

Thanks - I was just wondering if I was the only one.

hgeyer

Thanks for the reply.

One last question. Should the anti-theft light be blinking while the car is running, but the radio is turned off? I don't seem to remember it doing this, but I may have never noticed.

div2

Check out the date that brave and I posted our messages

reellaw

Any one have experience with the SUV three series? If so what is feedback. What are the differences between the 325 2005 version and the new 2006 325?

Thanks

shipo

You wouldn't perchance be referring to the BMW X3 would you?

We don't get much traction on the X3 around here, you might want to ask over there.

Best Regards,
Shipo

brave1heart

I posted that April Fools' "announcement" on 3 boards and amazingly, a few people fell for it ) My wife couldn't believe that anyone that knows me at all would fall for it but I think a lot of people scan the posts too fast and don't pay too much attention. It's all soundbytes these days...

For the record, unless my car gets stolen or totaled or something, chances are I'll still have it in 15 years. It may not be recognizable as a street car any more, though ;o)

shipo

While we are on the subject of the April 1st posts, did anybody happen to click on the "TurboVan" link that I posted in response to Brave's prank posting? Man that thing goes like stink. ;^)

Best Regards,
Shipo

blueguydotcom

I read it and figured you'd been beaten down. The mighty fall too. The april fool's thing never clicked for me as I don't usually look at dates.

pat

I fell for it and I was quite sure you had totally lost your mind, but given my role here, how could I possibly say that? :-) I made a dumb post and someone else here tipped me off (he can identify himself if he chooses, but I'll never betray him!) so I quick-deleted it.

That was a VERY good one. And since this is the second year in a row I have gotten burned by a Fool-ish prankster, I have decided to take April 1st off from now on!!

lenunbiased

i'm a newbie, hope it's okay to post this here...

want advice on whether this is a pretty good deal. '05 325i, auto, leather, nav, power seats, metallic (we want the nav, and don't care about the rest).
MSRP: 36,290
Invoice: 33,588
dealer: 32,288 (which strangely is exactly what carsdirect prices it at)

good deal, or could I do better with some more looking / negotiating? this is the color we want inside and out, so that's worth something to me (certainly a couple of hundred bucks vs. a color we're less interested in).

thx in advance.b

blueguydotcom

Personally, given the impending arrival of the e90, I'd press. Well, I'd press anyway. $300 over invoice less the 2500. I wouldn't settle for anything over $600. The car's a lame duck at this point ( I own an e46 too, so no offense intended). They want the space opened for the e90.

Don't let on this is the exact car you want. If you say it's exactly what you want, well they know they've got you. Play it off that car has features you don't like - like nav, leather, auto, etc.).

kyfdx

That looks like $1200 over (invoice - $2500 incentive)...

That is a good deal.. I'd say there might be $700 more room at the most, but you won't get that at every dealer..

If this is the car you really want, don't lose it over a few hundred... Try hard for $200-$400 more, but grab it if they won't budge..

regards,
kyfdx
(who wasn't fooled for a minute by brave1heart)

EDIT: Well there you go.. It isn't worth it, but it is.. As you can see, this is all just our opinion...lol.

lenunbiased

Thx much for the feedback. I'll push a bit harder and see where we get. Agree not worth losing it over a few hundred, but sounds like you think there might be more room there.

again, thx.

shipo

Well, I guess that's my queue. It was me that tipped Pat off.

Best Regards,
Shipo

dl7265

From numerous post Ive read about advantage, Id want to know what invoice price they are referring too.

DL

nyccarguy

I'll be the first to say...good job (brave & div), you got me (obviously). I never pay attention to April Fool's. I did catch Howard Stern last year though. It should have tipped me off that brave would NEVER drive a vehicle with a slushbox. He said a few years back when we had stick vs. auto arguments as well as SP vs. non-SP arguments that thaty'd have to pry the stick from his cold, dead, hands before he'd drive a car that's an auto (words to live by IMHO).

dl7265

Well, I happen to be listening to ESPN radio saying Rose was going to be on the HOF ballet.(obviously a prank) . So I promptly went to work and wrote a letter of resignation. Unfortunatly news travels fast and I had to do some explaining....

DL

brave1heart

nyc - Given the choice between walking and a slushie, I'll take the slushie ;o)

Pat - now that sounds great. I think we should all have April 1 off so we have sufficient time to plan more elaborate pranks ;o)

paule

So I was changing over the wheels from winter to summer for the first time the other day and I came across a little surprise. BMWs apparently have lug studs instead of lug nuts!

I've never seen that before and found it somewhat interesting. Some of the things you discover working on your own car......... :shades:

amt7565

Not sure here either.