BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

15859616364585

Comments

  • gurumikegurumike Member Posts: 442
    These types of problems are usually more a result of incorrect application of products. Lots of common sense will ensure no such results. Always use a very clean sponge when you wash the car. Always read the directions before using polish/wax and have the correct applicators for their use and removal.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Thule has a roof rack mount system that bolts into special receivers concealed under the four plastic popup plates in the rain gutters of the E46 cars. I have seen this system and it is brilliant, not one piece of the rack system comes into contact with the finish of the car.

    Simply popup the four covers, bolt on the two cross bars and then secure the bike carriers fore/aft over the cross bars. I have the Velo Vise Fork Mounts for the rack system for my old Passat, and the whole thing cost less than $400 (plus all of the locks and add on goodies).

    Hope this helps.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • mfeldmanmfeldman Member Posts: 140
    So I guess your getting the fix?
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I forgot to mention to those of you interested in the steering issue that (per BMWNA) the Production Date is the date your vehicle goes into production. I kept thinking that the production date is the date the vehicle was completed - that was incorrect.

    platypus - My car's production date was 3/21, not 4/1, as I had stated. 4/1 is the day it was completed.

    For those of you trying to determine if your vehicle has the old or new steering - you have to go by the production date. Any vehicle that went into production on 4/1 or later will have the original heavy steering from prior year models.
  • thedeepdarkbluthedeepdarkblu Member Posts: 106
    Where did you get the information on the steering revision?

    Gurumike: can you confirm that cars produced after 4/1 will indeed have the old "heavy" steering?
  • gurumikegurumike Member Posts: 442
    I'm not quite 100% sure that it's the exact same as it was before, but it's near enough.
    Again, I'm less than 100% on this but I almost want to say that it's cars with a production date, as specified by BMW when the car shows "produced but not shipped", of 4/1 and on that have the new (old!) steering. i.e. week 13 cars that were showing 4/1 prod date I think have new steering even though they were scheduled as March cars. And on the topic of production date, BMW's production date means the date the car was finished. The majority of the production cycle (the parts coming together to result in a finished car) occours that day. Prior to that, steps such as frame, painting, and platform assembly take several days (clearly painting and baking the car is a time intensive part of production). The interior and such like (incl. options and steering rack) all come together quite quickly once the painted shell finds itself on the production line.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    BMWNA, E46 forum, friends, dealer.

    As stated, "My car's production date was 3/21, not 4/1, as I had stated. 4/1 is the day it was completed." This info was verified by both my dealer and BMWNA independently. They use different tracking systems.

    Don't get confused - if your car went into production in March, you will have the old steering, regardless of whether it was completed in April.
  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    Summarizing all of this and adding what I've learned independantly, I THINK this is where we're at...

    pre-June 2000 production date cars had old (good road feel and heavy weight) steering.

    cars with production dates from 6/1/00 through 1/15/01 have what BMW thought was an improved steering, but in fact was much lighter and had far less road feel and more on-center slop than previous cars (the 1/15/01 date was confirmed with Aaron of BMWNA).

    Cars with production dates from 1/16/01 through 3/31/01 had some type of improvement which seems to have improved road feel, but was still very light and 'sloppy' on center.

    Cars with production dates from 4/1/01 have the old (pre-june '01) steering which has good road feel and is heavy.

    Anyone with a car built between 6/1/00 and 3/31/01 can get the steering retro if desired.

    if anyone cares to correct or add to this, feel free.

    if anyone feels like beating the tar out of me for even attempting this, have mercy.
  • gurumikegurumike Member Posts: 442
    If your cars production date (you'll find it on the drivers door jam, by the tire pressure guide - Hey! Let's do the tire pressure debate again!!!) says 4/01, that counts as an April car and therefore has new (old!) steering. That should provide closure for anyone who is unsure due to having a production slot in the grey area (end March prod week). Of course, if it says 3/01, it probably doesn't.
  • drcrdrcr Member Posts: 87
    Thanks for the info. I don't know if I want to deal w/ a roof system. I'm sure I will scratch something taking the bike on/off. Also, I don't think I want to leave a rack on or have to mount it each time I ride.

    I'll have to look into it when my car arrives
    Week 18 prod

    drcr
  • mrpeltynmrpeltyn Member Posts: 21
    Okay so I've had my 325i for all of 5 days and I love it, but...I had the windows tinted by the dealer as part of the sales agreement, and I now notice a few small scratches in the tint on the front & back passenger side windows! It seems it must be from when the windows are opened fully into the door and must be getting scratched by the motor/caliper on the way back up. It's only been 5 days, and I'm worried what it might look like a month from now. My problem is that I got a very good deal one state over. Do I have any recourse? Can the local dealer (who I did not do business with) be ordered to fix this because it was part of the initial sale (thus a BMW issue), or is it a dealer-specific problem? Help GURUMIKE or anyone with knowledge...thanks!
  • drcrdrcr Member Posts: 87
    FWIW: My first guess would be that you would have to go back to the dealer where you purchased the car. The dealer probably paid a "subcontractor" to do the tint. The dealer would probably go back to that same one for the fix.

    drcr
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    That is my understanding exactly as well.

    Just a note on the production date: your summary is assuming that this is the date the car went into production, as BMWNA refers to it, not the completion date, right?
  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    My understanding is the same as yours. Production date refers to the date production started, to the best of my knowledge.
  • emilykemilyk Member Posts: 49
    is the new 5er absolutely hideous?!?! Wow, if the 2002 3er has changes anything like that of the 5er, I am counting my blessings that I ordered when I did.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    on this. I like the traditionally rectangular headlights housing shape - this triangular stuff is horrible. And that grill - it's so small and ugly it looks like Hitler's moustache or something. I like bigger grills - they give the car more personality and distinction. I hope the 5er never makes it over to production in this shape.
  • bgritzbgritz Member Posts: 139
    "Current plans are to run today's 3-Series through to 2006 when it will be replaced by the all new model, codenamed E90"
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    It's pretty original and funny, I actually like it. The only thing is I don't know if I'd punish my baby with initials like BS, you know. LOL...And that guy who spent his whole life looking for the Giant Squid - that's one brain they should definitely send over to MIT for research... LOL...;
  • tcn2ktcn2k Member Posts: 277
    The 5 series rear is ugly!
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    The new 3er, Hmmmm, glad I have a 1999.

    The new 5er, Hmmmm, guess I will not replace my 3er with that.

    The new 6er, Hmmmm, I like it, I guess I gotta start saving my pennies.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo

    P.S.

    Brave1heart, a belated thanks regarding your kind comments, were it that they were only true. Some days I feel like a mental midget who is about as useful as ticks on an old hound. ;-)

    By the way, when are you getting out of the computer biz and starting your writing career? You will do very well.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    You guys are much too kind to my writing endeavors. Sometimes I think most posters go like 'Aaaah, here's more crap from that brave1heart guy, I'd better move on to the next post. This guy should be locked up in a room with the Giant Squid guy - they seem to be related anyhow...' Well, if I ever make it as a writer, you are all getting complimentary books signed personally by me. You'll get to keep all 50 or so published copies. I know my wife will make sure to buy any remaining books just to make me feel good. It's all about perception.

    The 6-series looks very promising; I agree that of all new models this is by far the most intriguing one. Bold move too, especially after the 8-series flop. Hope you get it.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    That's a great movie - that scene in the beginning where the sergeant goes 'Private ... do you suck ...?' 'Sir, no sir' is one my favorite ever - that's a classic.

    Hey what are you gonna do with your username when you get a 330? Hello, this is alpine325 talking to apline330 - picking up the megaphone - GET THE KLEEN WHEELS, you hear me, your little squit?
  • micgamicga Member Posts: 56
    Question concerning the 3yr/36k maint warrenty. Now if I have this right, it will cover your first oil change (12-15k) and your inspection I (30-35k). Is this right? What is done during the oil change visit besides the oil??

    Also, does anyone know where I can get A BMW front plate online besides Circle BMW??

    Thanks
  • max63max63 Member Posts: 76
    I dont know about you guys, but when I see the new five I think it looks alot like the new honda civic - Scary!
  • burrsrburrsr Member Posts: 255
    Boy, if the new 5-er (hope it's a 5-error) looks like that, I'm not sure "moving up to a 5-series" would be moving up at all...a two-year-old 540i may be just the ticket in a few years. Of course, once the general public sees that 5er, the demand for two-year-olds may skyrocket. Let's hope someone in Munich really steps back and LOOKS at the thing before signing off on the final design...
  • mfeldmanmfeldman Member Posts: 140
    I concur. The new 5 looks hideous.

    On another topic. Does anyone with the sport seats find that the cushion side bolster puts uncomfortable pressure on the left leg when resting the foot to the outside on the dead pedal. Ithought I was crazy or hypersensitive due to my sciatica, but a coworker just mentioned the same thing. Has anyone else experienced this or noticed it soften up over time?

    Finally, I'm surprised that there are no plans for a 4 door M3.
  • gurumikegurumike Member Posts: 442
    .... which, in the case of the one shown, is from the British Autocar publication (sad that I can tell by the type face) is a very tongue in cheek mock up that I believe is a reflection of some one at BMW's idea of humor. Rest assured that any final body style with looking quite different. The front end treatment will be, at least, close to that shot, the back totally different.

    Window tint problem. Although the work was done by a third party, your contract lies with your selling dealer and they are, therefore, the only entity who may resolve the problem. It kinda sucks but, for any yet-to-place-orders folks reading, this is a good example of the importance of doing business locally! The local dealer will usually (read that a few times before posting to the contrary!) match any deal. I'd feel inclined to wait at least a few weeks before concluding that this will be a problem (bearing in mind that I've never seen your window or that tint problem).
  • deepdarkbluedeepdarkblue Member Posts: 33
    Though I know the present 5 is due for a makeover, it better not be replaced by that new monstrosity. I couldn't get over how much the front looks like a Pontiac Grand Am and how much the back looks like CRAP! I may have to upgrade to a used M5 in a few years instead of aiming for a new 540i sport. If that thing is someone's idea of a joke, he/she is a sicko.
  • deepdarkbluedeepdarkblue Member Posts: 33
    Kudos to someone with a good sense of humor in naming his vehicle! I'm sick of morons who give cheesy "tough" names to their cars. I saw some guy who named his Jeep Wrangler "Black Wolf." How about "Dork."

    I have never (until this board) contemplated naming my vehicle. This is probably due to the fact that I've owned two Accords (tantamount to naming a loaf of white bread. Yeah, it's a staple, but it doesn't feed one's sense of creativity).

    Redundant, but I've ordered a 325Ci in Steel Gray Metallic w/ Black Leather w/ SP. For some unknown reason, "Lena" comes to mind. Feedback from those of you w/ experience in naming your vehicles, please. Is it tradition to give 'em feminine names (like warplanes)?
  • ds2k1ds2k1 Member Posts: 101
    Yeah, why DON'T they make a 4-door M3? I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I just can't take the smaller quarters of the coupe.

    As to naming, it seems to me that the relationship between man and machine warrants a feminine name (naturally, the relationship between WOman and machine would warrant a masculine name, IMO). The sensual experience of maneuvering Claudia around, the way she handles, the aggressive feline howl of the engine, all remind me of a long, nubile, sultry woman (again, I'm sure women posters would have a slightly different take on this). And since she's of German heritage, well, you get the picture. Without getting too off color, or too excited, I'll just leave it at that. And with that said, it's time to saddle up and drive home. I can see out my window that Claudia awaits anxiously (just wouldn't sound or feel the same if I'd named her Fred, now would it?).
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    My wife has just read her first message on this board, and it was yours. She found your post quite funny and asked me if I could send a post back to you for her.

    Kathryn says that Lena has the image of a very beautiful, sleek, smooth and intelligent woman, she approves.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • deepdarkbluedeepdarkblue Member Posts: 33
    "...Lena has the image of a very beautiful, sleek, smooth and intelligent woman..." It's the very image I had--a perfect description.

    I can just picture Lena now (Slap! Okay, the car). Her gray shimmer and smooth curves don't scream, "Look at me!" (like a fire-engine red Ram Air Trans Am, possibly named "Roxy"), but she definitely won't be ignored. And you can bet I'll take care of her. Thank God I'm single right now, b/c I think any girlfriend might have a tough time w/ the amount of attention I know Lena will get.

    It's official. Lena will be arriving from Germany in July. Talk about your mail order bride. Shipo--thank your wife for me. Her feedback was all the confirmation I needed.
  • jon_shaferjon_shafer Member Posts: 7
    It's a great name, and she's a very pretty girl too... :)
  • deepdarkbluedeepdarkblue Member Posts: 33
    Serendipity. 'Nuf said.
  • kelfkelf Member Posts: 83
    I thought I heard that the 6 series will be on a shortened 5 platform. Does this imply that it wiil be somewhat smaller than the current 5s? Does this make sense ( especially when they are trying to make the next model little more roomy )
  • alpine325ialpine325i Member Posts: 209
    Lena is a great name! I also agree with the image of Lena as described by Kathryn, and "99 luft ballons" sung by the group "Lena" :o). as for the Jeep Wrangler, "Black Wolf" LOL! classic dork move! I know "Baby Squid" is silly, but for some reason it works for this car, don't know why, at least you approve, I feel better now. The funniest is when I'm going to pick up a friend to go to a billiard tounament and they say: "are you taking the Squid?" Deepdarkblue sounds like a good title for a movie :o)
  • deepdarkbluedeepdarkblue Member Posts: 33
    "99 Red Ballons" was actually sung by "Nena", I believe (yes, I am a product of the 80's), but close enough, eh?

    I like "Baby Squid." Original and funny. And most importantly, it has its own meaning for you.

    I was just talking to my roommate about my name choice. He drives a Reddish Burgundy VW Passat. He said, "Hmmm...I would name her Beatrice." I was like, "Que?" Then he explained that it comes from Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." He liked Emma Thompson's portrayal of her in the movie. Good explanation, but I still think of "Aunt Bea" from the Andy Griffith show or "Bea Arthur" from the Golden Girls. The name might work for a cream-colored Buick Park Avenue.
  • alpine325ialpine325i Member Posts: 209
    You're right, Nena, good call! I am also a product of the 80's. The land of pastel clothing and Pac Man. Beatrice = Bea Arthur, LOL :o)
  • denrightdenright Member Posts: 285
    "the bimmer."

    Just call me Mr. Imagination.
  • bevo27bevo27 Member Posts: 2
    Did you get a lot of wind noise on your Jetta? Or did you have the ferring (sp?)? I ask because I had a Thule rack on my Grand Cherokee and it sounded like a windstorm over about 60mph. I considered adding the ferring, but didn't like the fact it had "Thule" plastered on it. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do when I finally get my car in a couple weeks. Thanks for your help.
  • bgritzbgritz Member Posts: 139
    We put a Yakima on our '01 Pathfinder and it howled like a banshee from 60 mph and up. I added the fairing and it is nearly as quiet as the naked roof.
    I know what you mean about the Yakima/Thule advertising on the fairing, but you can flip the Yak's so that it is black on the front w/o the name.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    ds2k1 - "The sensual experience of maneuvering Claudia around, the way she handles..." - man I was getting sweaty, this was too much like those romantic books ;o) Your wife must be VERY understanding...How much longer do you think she'll put up with that :o)

    Lena is beautiful, great choice.

    Actually, my wife started the whole naming thing at home. I'd just give her those looks like 'Oh, whatever' but then I got to like it over time and it's a lot of fun now. Yep, even our recina plant has a name. Her old Jetta was dark green and was called Praton (means Spring in French), my Jetta was called Blue Enigma (or BEe as I used to refer to it), her A4 is called 'Happy' and my 325 is Shtroumpf Muscle. I'm beginning to lose track of all the names in the family and we don't even have kids YET!!

    kelf - It is my understanding that the 6-series will be on a shortened 5-series platform. Room in coupes is not as critical to buyers in that market segment; people that buy coupes do not typically intend to have a lot of passengers in it and space is therefore less critical for them. A shortened 5-series will be lighter and therefore quicker - that's something the typical coupe owner would care more about. Hence the standard sport suspension on the 3-serie coupe. I suspect it will also be a little wider for better handling.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    I did not get the fairing, however, if I did more that a couple of drives per year with the rack on, I would have. On the Passat the wind noise was mildly annoying, not enough to cause me to pop for the extra $50 buck or so.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • thedeepdarkbluthedeepdarkblu Member Posts: 106
    Has anyone else had experience w/ tinting their 3-series? A guy here in Virginia quoted me $269 for side and rear tinting for a 325Ci, something called Millenium Tint, which is a full metal film with no reflection.

    I'm wondering if tinting holds up over time and if, indeed, the 3-series is notorious for scratching the tint. Any feedback would be helpful.
  • burrsrburrsr Member Posts: 255
    Actually, my wife's family has ALWAYS named their cars. I found this a bit odd at first, but grew to enjoy it. Gives them a more animate feel, like, "Should we take Gretl or Logan to the store?" or "You're going to wash Gretl AGAIN!?"

    Gretl implies a strong, self-assured German woman, and since she's gray, the "GR" allusion (is that the correct literary term?) made it stick.

    Although most cars seem to have feminine names, some do not. For example, my father in-law has a large Mercedes sedan named Leroy that seems fittingly named. Also, most trucks and SUVs probably deserve masculine names (except RAV4s, maybe), and some cars can ONLY have feminine names (VW Beetle or Cabrio, for example)...
  • denrightdenright Member Posts: 285
    I call mine "the Jeep".

    Mr. Imagination strikes again.
  • burrsrburrsr Member Posts: 255
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    You asked for a reminder of the two questions that we couldn't answer yesterday:

    1. What is the redline on the 325 and 330, respectively?

    2. Are there brake differences (size or else) between the 325 and 330?

    Thanks.
  • gurumikegurumike Member Posts: 442
    I'll be back at work in a few hours, all shall be revealed.
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