BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

1550551553555556585

Comments

  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    The E46 has been a fairly reliable platform. If you do not plan on doing any maintenance yourself, you should find a good indie, though. Whatever you decide to do, do not bring it back to the dealer once it's out of maintenance - not only are they significantly more expensive than good indie shops but their work is not nearly as good. Last time my friend's '01 325ci came back from the dealer, they had forgotten to put the engine oil cap back on...
  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    I agree with you Keith. I bought the wife an '05 325xi last November and we are very happy with our decision.
    It would be nice to have the power of the '06 but the looks aren't doing it for me just yet. Maybe it will grow on me.
    The E46 is a classic design that looks great and continues to garner compliments.
  • dave51dave51 Member Posts: 1
    I just bought a 2000 328 and can't get the adaptor for my radar detector to work. I was told I needed a European adaptor and I could get one from the BMW dealership. They told me they didn't carry them but Radio Shack did. Radio Shack told me they didn't carry them and I should ask my BMW dealership. Does anyone know where I can get one of these? Thanks.
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    So... when are we gonna hear about One Lap?
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    I followed the entire thing on a daily basis here:

    http://www.absolutepuppies.com/

    Awesome job Brave! ;-)

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    Welcome back Brave! Sounded like a great time, sleep deprivation and all. :)
  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    Get all the stickers off the car yet?
    Nice job by the way. I followed your journal and it sounds like a lot of fun if not a lot of sleep!
  • ximbriximbri Member Posts: 7
    Hello!
    I've been reading this forum over the years researching and dreaming of getting my first BMW. My turn has come! I recently purchased a 01 330i with PP, SP. Silver with 'M' wheels. :P

    I have a quick question about my sunroof:
    When I push the roof button to open the roof completely (double de-press, not press and hold), then press the button to close the roof completely (again, double de-press, not press and hold), about 2 inches before the roof seals the roof will 'bounce back' and reopen half way. If I press and hold the button to close the roof, the roof will shut completely.

    The dealer replaced the motor and then told me the cassette for the roof needed to be replaced and was not covered by the CPO program; hence the cost would be somewhere in the $1400.00 range...Yikes!!!

    The roof does not leak and does close completely, but was curious if anyone had heard of this before? Is it a program issue that I might be able to 'wipe the memory' or 'restore the factory default'?

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks ya'll!!
  • socrasocra Member Posts: 4
    Recently I ran over a tire while driving on a freeway. When I got off the freeway to check the car, something yanked and found out that the cable to the front extra fan has been pulled out. A mechanic guy happened to be there and told me that the cable end was missing a connector plug. I was told that the extra fan was for the air condition so I have not turned on the AC since then. Moreover, since I ran over that tire, my steering feels loose and much more easily swayed on freeways, Any advice on how to get these things fixed? thanks~
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Thanks, guys. I don't know what to say except I keep smiling all the time when I think about One Lap... Thanks for following our daily journal - it makes our efforts all worth it. It was tough to keep up with it. My co-driver Eric did a great job: he typed up most of the journal on a blackberry with his feet firmly pressed against the floor to counteract all those forces that want your body moving with them at high speed. Our One Lap article should be in the next Roundel. It was a memorable week. A lifetime full of memories really. Thanks to those who helped us with the event and especially those who contributed to our charity BooksForSoldiers.com.

    Christo
  • tootsie1tootsie1 Member Posts: 27
    Thanks so much for solving the mystery for me RWORELL. :) It bring up an interesting programming question to me that I am curious how others have decided. I have bluetooth with a Motorola Verizion phone. I remember when the BMW programmer was connecting it, he thought it should also have voice activation, then after about 5 mins gave up and said bring it back for a more thourgh programming session, such as auto door locks, day times lights etc..(auto headlampps so don't know if I need daytime) have any of you gone back and customized these features more, and have any of you gotten your phones to be voice activated.. when my phone is handheld, (not in the 325i) it can do voice dial, etc, but do not know how that would work in the car? Which features have you activated? I like the rain sensor and am anxious to see that feature in action, though of course saleperson and others say it is more trouble than it's worth for fear of not turning it off before a carwash..

    Thanks again for your response AW. really appreciate it.
  • rworrellrworrell Member Posts: 149
    Glad I could help you out! The features I really like are the rain sensing wipers (like you) and I also have mine programmed to lock the doors when driving off automatically. I have my key programmed to unlock all doors with one press of the remote, but my wife's key programmed to unlock only the driver's door with the first press and then a second press unlocks the other doors. More convenient for me, more safe for her. Amazing and wonderful cars, really.
  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    I'll take a stab at this one. Generally power sunroofs with a "one touch" feature have some form of anti-pinch sensor. These can work in a couple of different ways but generally if they see an "obstruction" they will stop and reverse.

    Since you can hold the button continuously (this function will override the pinch sensor) that allows you to completely close the sunroof.

    I would take a look at the track that the sunroof rides in and you may be able to spot the reason why the sunroof won't close with the one touch feature.

    My guess is that there may be a small rock in the track or the metal is bent up a little bit. Take a look at the track at the point the sunroof stops and retracts and see if you can find the problem.
  • mikeczymikeczy Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2002 325i. This morning I found that I couldn't insert the key into the steering column. Can anyone help? I'm sure it has something to to with the steering lock. I can turn the steering wheel. It's a Sunday, and I would hate to wait until tomorrow to call the dealer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
  • grantchstrgrantchstr Member Posts: 371
    Has a feature on the new 325 and 330 BMWs. The conclusion is that the basic model with the leatherette but with no bells and whistles is the "Best Buy". Apparently the add-ons are annoying as well as expensive.
  • fsetterfsetter Member Posts: 3
    I thought I saw a mention of this with earlier discussions (speculations) about the new 3 series (E90) .... that is, the new coupe when it is launched might have a retractable hardtop. Does anyone have any info on this?
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    the basic model with the leatherette but with no bells and whistles is the "Best Buy."

    Gotta agree.

    $26,000 ED invoice for a 6-speed E90 is a no-brainer. Does anyone really NEED xenons, leather, logic-7, etc?

    The only thing better would be a $23,000 ED invoice 2-series coupe. Same power, same options, less weight = more go. My fingers are crossed!
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Yes, I need xenon and leather. :P Okay maybe don't need but I sure prefer and I definitely prefer power seats.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    Anyone familiar with the tilt sensor function on the BMW alarm? Will a false alarm be triggered if you park on an incline, or slanted to one side? Or is it OK as long as the angle of the car does not change while the car is parked and the alarm armed?
  • gordonwdgordonwd Member Posts: 337
    I'm not familiar with the unit, but it seems like it would have to work that way or else nobody in San Francisco would be able to arm their alarms. ;)
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Good point. But you are assuming they can find a place park in the first place. ;)
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I am not familiar with what triggers the tilt sensor but I know that my OEM alarm goes off often if I am parked on an incline at work, especially if it is windy... Slanted to one side has not been a problem. I replaced the hood sensor but no luck... Try parking in a different direction in the same parking lot to see if that makes a difference.
  • bodble2bodble2 Member Posts: 4,514
    You all raised good points!
  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    Well, I finally got my schedule in order and got to a CCA driving school. They let me video tape it, but it didn't go too well...

    http://www.gvc-bmwcca.org/Movies/DrivingSkool.mpe

    :)
  • grantchstrgrantchstr Member Posts: 371
    My new 325xi --- the trunk doesnt open when I use the requisite part of the electronic key. I have to insert the key and turn it. Surely, like on my Volvo, you should be able to point click and "viola"? Is this a warranty item, its a bit petty but when you have arms full of groceries its a pillock.
  • 530ir1150r530ir1150r Member Posts: 263
    Check the position of the key hole against your owners manual. BMWs trunks can be set to open with a push of the key or not open.
  • potemkinpotemkin Member Posts: 195
    To unlock the trunk on my 325i I need to hold the button down for a second or two.
  • gordonwdgordonwd Member Posts: 337
    If the car is locked, you have to press the key twice to unlatch the trunk (the first press opens the driver door; the second opens the other locks). I am also assuming that you realize that, in any case, unlocking the trunk does not actually "release" it or "pop it open" like it does on a GM car or something. You still have to reach under the bar above the license plate and depress the latching button to actually open the lid.
  • gordonwdgordonwd Member Posts: 337
    I like keeping my cars looking nice, but I'm really not anal about it. For example, I am careful about where I park it at the mall, but I'm not one of those guys that parks way out in the boonies either. So I am almost surprised that after more than a year of ownership, I got my first noticeable scratch in the paint the other day :cry: . With my previous A4, I think I had it a month before I scraped the right front bumper against the protruding cylinder head of my BMW motorcycle when pulling into the garage.

    Well, again I did it myself. I had the car pulled out into the driveway so I could get the mower out to do the grass. Cutting alongside the car, the mower made a sudden lurch as I was turning it and I could actually feel the handle scrape against the car as it swung around :( .

    It's a deep scratch through the clear and color coats, but the good news is that it is confined to the right rear door handle. If I decide it's worth fixing, it should be fairly cheap since they can just mask off the handle and paint it instead of having to paint an entire body panel. Of course, since it's on the right side of the car and I rarely see that side, I might just let it go.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Of course, since it's on the right side of the car and I rarely see that side, I might just let it go.

    I could never do that. I'm psychotic about scratches on my e46. I saw a swirly scratch on my hood from across a parking lot one night - the first time the car had been driven in weeks - and about had a nervous breakdown. Someone visiting my home while i was away on business (parents, housesitter, family electrician) obviously placed something on my hood that moved a few inches. The scratch is only visible from certain angles and some claim they can't see it. Whatever...it's there and it makes me feel queasy as I look for it now.
  • mschukarmschukar Member Posts: 351
    My ’02 325i w/SP had developed a steering wheel shimmy when I apply the brakes, but only >50 mph and only during light braking; no shimmy at lower speeds or during heavier braking.

    Is this a warped rotor or are there other things that would cause this? How would the rotor get warped? I’ve changed from winter to summer tires, but I always use a torque wrench.

    Finally, is this a safety issue? Is it something I should have taken care of soon or can I put it off for awhile?

    Thanks
    -murray
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    How many miles on the rotors? How many miles on the pads (if different)?

    It is a safety issue if it is too severe.

    As for what caused it. Speculation here; I've noticed that on both of my BMWs, as the pads age, I've had a single set of pads on both cars that wore in such a way that the caliper ended up slightly canted or tilted when viewed from the plane of the rotor. In the case of my 328i, the metal backing was actually starting to grind on the rotor (which caused a hot/hard spot severe enough to cause me to do a brake job), however, due to the tilt, the wear sensor hadn't yet been engaged.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • kgakga Member Posts: 23
    It could be a problem with rotors but my guess it’s a problem with control arm bushings (because it’s > 50mph).
  • mschukarmschukar Member Posts: 351
    The car has 35k miles on it with no previous brake work (unless I missed something on the scheduled maintenance).

    One other question, should this be covered under warranty? I’ve had the car for 3 years and 3 months.

    Thanks
    -murray
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Hmmm, 35,000 miles. Sounds like it's time for a brake job to me. IIRC, said brake job should be covered under the BMW maintenance plan. I'd call my dealer and ask.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • tcn2ktcn2k Member Posts: 277
    I doubt very much that a car of this size would cause such a noticeable warping. Especially when you have a large rotor service ratio to the car's weight. My 325i had about 42k when i changed the first brakes. I did all 4 since the rear was worned close to even with the fronts. You might have them check the brake pressure balance of the rear vs. the front if it's indeed warped.

    I never had warped rotors in my life until i got the Grand Cheerokee. The front warps about every 10k miles. Seems like the rear brakes are applied with 5 percent pressure.... :(
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    I got a LOT of miles, even more than 42,000 before I changed my brake pads on my xi. Lots of highway miles.

    As for the Grand, you need the new design calipers that don't build up heat as much. Even with the older calipers, I got 63,000 out of my factory pads/rotors on my Grand. :)

    "Oh, you wanted me to slow down?" hehe :)

    -Paul
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I've had this issue with my front brakes a few times but only due to track driving without dedicated race pads. Here's what you should do:

    1. Isolate the issue to front and/or rears. Get the car up to 40-50mph and VERY lightly apply the e-brake. If there's no shimmy, it's definitely the fronts (very likely!)

    2. Examine the surface of the rotors closely through the wheel spokes. Take the wheel off preferably and run your fingers lightly over the rotors to see if you feel any roughness in the rotors. Do you see any grooves? Send me a picture if you can. If the rotors are good, then it's the pads (possible crumbling). Both pads and rotors are covered and the dealer will replace them at no cost to you.

    In my experience, it's most likely the rotors (more precisely, uneven pad deposit over the rotors). Re-bedding the pads to the rotors usually takes care of the issue and so does more aggressive braking over a few days but preferably, do a standard bed-in: warm up the brakes, then do 5-7 aggressive slowdowns (not stops!) from 50 to 10 mph, then drive around for 10 min with minimal braking to cool the brakes. 90% of the time, this will cure the shimmy for cars that have not seen track use.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Grocery bags and scratches? Is this still the sports sedan 3-series board?!
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    As always, some people DRIVE their 3ers while others WEAR them... ;)
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    As always, some people DRIVE their 3ers while others WEAR them...

    As I'm on my 3rd set of tires in under 30k miles. I drive my car but like every car I've ever owned, I get it washed constantly, waxed every few months and do everything in my power to keep the car from getting a scratch.
  • tcn2ktcn2k Member Posts: 277
    Yeah, i got the new calipers on my grand, still does the same thing.
  • mschukarmschukar Member Posts: 351
    Has anyone tried these: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Fuzion&tireModel=ZRi

    They were recommended at my tire shop and Tire Rack seemed to have reasonable reviews for $103 tires.

    -murray
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    The Tirerack reviews are just OK. It seems to be a reasonably priced OK tire. You get what you pay for kind of deal. If durability is important to you, I had good experience with the Sumitomo HTR Z II. They will be even cheaper that the Fuzions and will last 30K miles or more. A little up in the price range I'd consider the Kumho MX, although nothing beats the Michelin PS2 for performance and luxury if you can afford them.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    I just switched to kumhos after ripping through a second set of bridgestones. much better tires so far.
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    What brave1heart said. Kumhos for value, the Michelins for best in class. I run the Ecstas because I am cheap and burn through tires pretty quick on the track.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I liked your stories about Yale Rachlin in the last Roundel. I read the magazine cover to cover. 'Twas the best Roundel I've ever read. I laughed over tears and a few times I came pretty darn close to crying. I felt like I know Yale so well even though I never had a chance to meet him. Mike Miller's words were so moving, I had to read them over and over again. You are lucky to have shared some special moments with the Master. Amen.
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    Thanks. Yale was quite a guy. Yale encouraged me to write my first article for Roundel. It seemed like he would be around forever. Jay Jones also has an nice column on Yale in this month's Bimmer.
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    I second that. It's the first time I've read an entire issue cover to cover (and in one sitting).
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    For Formula 1 fans -

    According to ITV, http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=33194

    "The seven Michelin teams had offered to accept penalties if the track was altered to alleviate their tyre concerns.

    They would have been willing to race without being eligible for points, or for the Bridgestone cars to be put to the front of the grid."

    So why not compromise and save the race by adding a chicane?! Ferrari would still get their 1-2, the fans would be happy to watch a full field, and everyone would go home happy. Instead, we get this charade... This lack of flexibility on Bernie's part is unfathomable and will only increase the likelihood of breakaway series in a few years. FIA screwed up on several counts: lack of willingness/ability to perform as a mediator, idiotic "one set of tires per weekend" rule, and stupid testing policies that limit teams and manufacturers.

    Michelin can only be partially blamed in this case. They had no data points from the new track surface at Indianapolis while Bridgestone did via its Firestone subsidiary in the IRL series. Because of lack of sufficient data, no Michelin tire would have been safe enough in a race of that speed and length. A chicane would have been the only graceful way out. Bernie and FIA should be ashamed of themselves. I doubt I'll ever lose interest in F1 (or GPWS or whatever they end up calling the new series) but I've lost respect for F1's organizers.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.