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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • sandeckisandecki Member Posts: 29
    I can't figure it out from all the available sources. Is BMW's Jet Black a nice color or is it
    better to go for a metallic?

    Thanks.
  • denrightdenright Member Posts: 285
    Thanks for the kind words. Now if we can only sell our current house in time to close on the new house...

    You know what's funny? When I woke up this morning, I didn't even expect to look at houses, let alone put in an offer on one.

    There is a decent chance we won't have our offer accepted. Two other offers are being submitted by two other potential buyers, despite the fact that today was the first day this house was put on the market. As a consequence we bid $6,000 over asking price. Ouch.

    The good news is, if our offer isn't accepted, I get to buy my 330xi. I view this as a win/win situation.
  • veekay1veekay1 Member Posts: 180
    sandecki:
    go for metallic!! There are posts on bimmer.org from 5/17 thru 5/20 i think that lean more toward the black sapphire metallic; people say its gorgeous, and i think so too!
    it may be a high maintainence color, but hey, there are just too many silvers and blacks out there ! Good luck!
    veekay1
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    You are right, you can't lose. Just wanted to say that I'm not entirely surprised at the turn of events. You know it's usually wives that decide when to buy a house, which one to buy, and oh yes, definitely what color everything will be painted. I'm glad you didn't fight that battle, I waved the white flag on similar issues long time ago :o) So yeah, you woke up thinking you were buying a Bimmer and at the end of the day you end up with a house 10 times the price. Funny but very real. It all starts with that casual "You know, I saw on my way home the other day that they were having Open House next street over. I know we're not looking but it's such a nice day and it'd be nice to take a short drive and just be outside..."
  • jasonkureejiijasonkureejii Member Posts: 210
    I just pondered over one of Edmund's comparison tests of luxury coupes (included the 330Ci) while I'm waiting for a compile to finish, and one point was mentioned that I've heard before about the leather...that is, how much difference is there between the leather and leatherette under not-so-close inspection (leather was about the only aspect of the car that the editors disliked)? I love leather and didn't think twice about it, but I do recall asking the local dealer whether it was the leatherette, because the quality seemed to be so...rough? I mean, comparing it to a couple of Lexus models I've test-driven...there was no comparison. Just made me think, I guess. I couldn't even remember whether other German cars were the same, i.e. Audi or Mercedes benz...just wondered if anyone else had any thoughts on this???
  • frank69mfrank69m Member Posts: 63
    Jet black and all the other colors should be a clearcoat paint. It isn't however, a metallic paint. BMW has a new sapphire black that is metallic.
  • tchootchoo Member Posts: 93
    I just ordered a Jet Black. Frankly I've never seen a Sapphire Metallic Black. How different is it from Jet Black? On the BMW website it looks like charcoal gray. I've never seen one in a dealer either. Does anyone have a picture of Sapphire metallic black?
  • frank69mfrank69m Member Posts: 63
    My 330i that I want to get rid of is Sapphire black. If you shine a bright light on it, you will notice little shinny silverness in it. It looks great. sorry I don't have any picutres. They have only offered this black after March 1st. Tchoo, why didn't you get a sapphire metalic black? Did you get a 325 or 330
  • cccmdcccmd Member Posts: 9
    I live in louisiana and will be purchasing a 330i in the late summer. Any suggestions on dealerships/salesman I should deal with?

    thx
  • denkdenk Member Posts: 75
    I have been reading posts on this board for several months now and have found them extremely informative. It is surprising how much of the stuff on this board is not known by the BMW sales people. In the Chicago area the BMW sales reps at several dealers I have visited are the most arrogant, boorish jerks one could imagine. In spite of them, I had decided to order a 325xi if I could get the right price. Then, I learned that the new Jaguar X Type was on display at a local dealer and went to check it out. The styling is great in my opinion and the list price is within about $50 of a comparably equipped 325xi. The interior of the X type is nicer, the horsepower about 10 more than the 325, trunk space significantly greater than the 325, battery is under the hood instead of in the trunk,dual exhaust. So now I am back to square one. Car buying used to be easier it seems. If there are any BMW buyers out there who can recommend a dealer who is willing to negotiate, please post their names. I doubt there will be any discounts on the X-Type for quite a while.
  • dsabedradsabedra Member Posts: 7
    Does anyone know if K&N Air filters are available for 2001 3 series yet? I have been looking for one for my 325i but haven't see any yet. I have only seen K&N air filters for previous models.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I thought I'd seen somewhere that the K&Ns are the same for E36 and E46, or at least for all models during the last 3 years; not entirely sure. circlebmw.com should have the filters; you can also check knfilters.com
    Are you thinking of putting in just a K&N? If so, do you have any worries about the exhaust not being able to handle the increased airflow? Are you concerned about microscopic particles making their way to the engine? I am wondering how good the K&N filter alone is w/o a change to the engine management chip. Let us know if you have these answers, please.
  • dsabedradsabedra Member Posts: 7
    Thanks for the info I am not sure how the exhaust would handle the increased air flow, but I will find out and post it when I do. I have heard great things about K&N air filters. Their Website is sorta weak though. I'll keep ya posted when I know.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    It sounds like you really liked the X Type better but decided to settle for the 325xi because you should be able to get a better deal on it. I have not seen the X Type yet but the automotive reviews have been very positive. Just about every review that I've read sums it up as being very close behind the 3-series or almost as good performance and handling-wise. It's quite possible, although I have 2 big problems with the X type:
    1. I can't get past the styling. It looks too much like an oversize Contour and it also reminds me too much of the Taurus. The lines are much too busy and I think C&D that expressed it best by saying that the styling is messy and the lines show a lot of uncertainty about the design.
    2. It's a Jaguar. Never been a fan of the Jaguar cars image: snobby, stuffy, expensive. Jaguar cars after the '60s have not been quite the performance cars that German cars have been. See, luxury, that's a whole different story - I think they are in a league of their own.
    Anyhow, can't help you with Chicago area BMW dealerships but thought I'd give you my two cents on the X type.
  • breaking80breaking80 Member Posts: 8
    Anybody satisfied with the bra on his/her E46? Which brand do you own? At this point of the year, I'd like to get one for protect against the stones and the bugs.
  • dsabedradsabedra Member Posts: 7
    Thanks for the info I am not sure how the exhaust would handle the increased air flow, but I will find out and post it when I do. I have heard great things about K&N air filters. Their Website is sorta weak though. I'll keep ya posted when I know.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    It protects very well and it still looks appealing. I like it best when it matches the color of the body but I'd settle for red too :o)
  • alpine325ialpine325i Member Posts: 209
    The K&N air filter for the E46 is about $40. I was trying to find the website that had them, but no luck yet. When you don't need them they're everywhere, but when someone asks, I can't find them! :o) I've always used K&N filters on other cars I've owned. By itself, you will get 42% more airflow and will notice a little difference in accelleration and the sound of more air flowing through your exhaust, overall better breathing and a little more snap when you push the gas pedal. The BIG difference is when you add a software download, or a computer chip, and a free flow exhaust system, or just a performance muffler. Then the car becomes a different animal, MORE of that quicker accelleration, way more air, better shift points (automatic trans), and just more lively and fun to drive. :o)
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I think last time the K&N filters came up you found them at the Circle.

    I agree with everything you say RE. K&N filters and mods. I just wanted to add that unlike HP, which may be rated highest at, say 6,000 RPMs, the mods you are talking about improve performance at ANY speed. That improved performance may not be necessarily reflected in the HP rating because that, again, is just a peak number at a typically high RPM level and not necessarily very usable throughout the rest of the torque band.
  • merckxmerckx Member Posts: 565
    As a rule,German leather finishing seems to stress longevity;this makes the leather seem perhaps a bit rough.Leather in the high-end Japanese seems to stress initial qualaties.They often have a "buttery" finish that is wonderful to behold on the test drive.But I have seen enough old BMWs and Mercedes to believe that these leathers will still look great at 80,000 miles.So I would not be concerned about the quality.
  • aaa330iaaa330i Member Posts: 63
    You're in luck. There are a few dealers in western louisiana that will sell for $1500 over invoice. Call around.
  • laflealaflea Member Posts: 4
    I live near New Orleans and I bought my car from Moss Motors in Lafayette. I E-mailed all 5 dealers in the state and Richard Foard came back with a good price and the 5.9% financing. I ordered a 325I and it took about 5 weeks to get it.
  • aaa330iaaa330i Member Posts: 63
    Since we both ordered from Garlyn Sheldon at around the same time thouht you'd be intrerested in knowing I called BMWNA for a status update and they said mine waas a week 23 car scheduled for production in the beginning of June.
  • frank69mfrank69m Member Posts: 63
    ARE the items at circleBMW.com genuine BMW Parts? If so, how can they sell it for cheaper? I'm guessing the dealer charges retail, right?....Braveheart or Alpine, can you or have you purchased items from here and have asked your dealership to install the items? Will they do it?
  • jasonkureejiijasonkureejii Member Posts: 210
    Thanks for the info...I called in the day after I put a deposit down and BMWNA told me ~June 22nd for mine, I guess. Hey, BTW, what kind of finance rate did they quote you, regardless of whether you will finance with them or not. I'm already preapproved with my own credit union (which is very convenient) at 7.50%, but they expect the rate to decline sometime in June. I think Garlyn Shelton quoted me 6.9%...
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Yes, they are genuine parts. Their items typically have part numbers that are the same as part numbers that the dealers use. They give away some parts at cost (alarm is a good example) for promotional purposes. I have not just yet bought anything from them (will buy the trunk net) but I did call them for the alarm and I was very impressed with their service. I call 3 dealers in the Boston area and they were all going to install the alarm from circleBMW.com.
  • denrightdenright Member Posts: 285
    Well, our offer on this house was trumped by another one -- this despite the fact that yesterday was the first day this house was on the market and we bid $7,000 over the asking price.

    Sheesh.

    Oh well. At least I get to get my Bimmer now. =)
  • aaa330iaaa330i Member Posts: 63
    I didn't ask for finance rates since I'm paying cash.
  • frank69mfrank69m Member Posts: 63
    ARE the items at circleBMW.com genuine BMW Parts? If so, how can they sell it for cheaper? I'm guessing the dealer charges retail, right?....Braveheart or Alpine, can you or have you purchased items from here and have asked your dealership to install the items? Will they do it?
  • carguy5000carguy5000 Member Posts: 146
    Nice looking car, but I have to agree w/Braveheart...the car DOES resemble a Contour, and, just like the S Type (and LS for that matter), there is a serious lack of room behind the steering wheel.
    Quite frankly, after burning it up all weekend in a new C5, all else is REALLY quite dull!! (Something about no roof, six speeds to choose from and Borla exhaust had a major influence on me making this statement!)
  • gurumikegurumike Member Posts: 442
    You and the Beamer (I don't like "Bimmer", sounds too close to bummer!) are clearly meant for each other. Let's do an update on your order, give me the specs and dealer/state...
  • midtowneastmidtowneast Member Posts: 49
    Circle Bmw has a good price on the alarm but Pacific Bmw has better prices on just about everything else. The pacific site is not as user friendly as Circle's you have to use searches to find the parts.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    You're buying a 35K car in cash? Man, that's ludicrous. Maybe you'll never need credit but if you never finance, you'll never establish a good credit history. My wife's always been paying cash like you and she never financed anything. Not a big surprise she got rejected for her A4 loan even though she's never been late with payments and makes a good living. I had to cosign for her. I can't believe people are so cheap they won't pay 5.9% interest and make their lives easier and their credit history better. Maybe you have good reasons to pay cash (horror stories from your grandfather about the Great Depression) but you should reconsider if you still can. Look at it this way: you can borrow at 5.9% and buy municipal bonds at 10%. Those are almost as safe as gov't bonds. That, of course, is if you don't want to try real stocks and/or index tracking securities, which usually perform better over a long enough period.
  • jasonkureejiijasonkureejii Member Posts: 210
    I'm the one asking about finance rates...
  • denkdenk Member Posts: 75
    Thanks for your comments. I tend to agree with both your comments. We'll see how things develop. Maybe I'll still find a non-alien, earth-based BMW dealership.
  • aaa330iaaa330i Member Posts: 63
    ...I have a great credit rating. Up till the last year or to, I've always had loans for cars. It's just been recently that I've been in the position to be able to pay cash for things.

    Basically, the only payments I want to have long term (other than utility) are my mortgage payments.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I hope you find one. As far as Jag dealerships, they've always been notorious for being snobby and stuffy. I've heard they've improved since Ford bought them - I've definitely noticed a more civil attitude at auto shows but it may take them many years to realize that the world has changed and a lot of people want class w/o mass.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    That's a personal choice and I can respect it. I want to emphasize, though, that financing with good terms is preferable regardless of whether you can pay for the car in cash. It's about investment decisions - as I said, borrowing at 5.9 and investing at 10 makes sense regardless of how much money you have in the bank.
  • denrightdenright Member Posts: 285
    330xi, PP, CWP, in-dash, steel grey metallic, manual, week 25, bound for VOB BMW in Maryland.

    Ordered April 28, 2001.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Good call on Bimmer vs. Beamer. I like Beamer better too. Beamer as in beaming with joy from driving the car. Man, let me tell you - I always thought that my old Jetta VR6 handled pretty well. That's until I bought the Beamer. I don' even feel that safe in the VR6 any more, not the way that I drive. Once you get used to the Beamer's handling, it's tough to go to any other car.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Brave1heart,

    I am still here, although due to family needs, spring time and almost 1 acre of property needing to be groomed, kids baseball and ballet, not to mention that I am in the process of launching a new business venture, I have been forced into "High-Speed Scan/Lurk" mode. I even manage to fit in a little driving here and there. ;-) Given the demands on my time, I may not be able to be fully conversant until sometime this fall. I will of course be checking in on a semi-regular basis.

    Derprofi,

    You may be correct about a different clutch on the 330i vs. the 325i, they do have different transmissions from different makers. It only follows that they would have different clutches as well. As far as drivability, Brave1heart said it quite well; these cars reward drivers who shift in a more "Spirited" fashion. I too stalled my 328i a few times after I got it (my ninth consecutive car with a manual over 20 years), however, once you learn the clutch, it is a dream to drive.

    Denright,

    Happy birthday, I also had a birthday on 17-May, however, I've got a few years on you. Sorry about the house, I suspect that the BMW will not be too bad of a consolation prize.

    Jasonkureejii,

    I have the leather in my 328i and I have noticed that while it has a coarser finish when compared to my neighbors' Lexus, after 25,000 miles, it shows a lot less wear. Oddly enough, the only place where my car shows any wear at all is the leather covered armrest right where (you guessed it) my arm rests, and that is minimal at best.

    Frank69m,

    Having bought the "BMW Universal Transceiver" from PacificBMW.com, I can tell you that this was simply a discounted genuine BMW part. I suspect that Circle does the same.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Shipo,

    Good to hear that you are keeping busy and doing well. Not sure how you manage to do all of these things at the same time but you sound like you are on a mission. I wish you the best of luck with you new business endeavor. A writing career maybe? :o)
    I hope you find the time to stop by here as often as you can.
  • denrightdenright Member Posts: 285
    What you just posted -- it being tough to go to any other car one you're gotten used to the Bimmer handling -- is a common sentiment that I have heard. One of my partners bought a Bimmer when he was 30 (he's 56 now). Since that time he has owned only two types of cars: BMWs and Porsches.

    He currently drives a Carrera, but he is already begging me for a chance to drive my 330xi. =)
  • alpine325ialpine325i Member Posts: 209
    As Brave1heart stated earlier, they are genuine BMW parts at Circle, and your dealer should have no problem with installing them. I've bought some things from them. I like how fast the stuff came to my house. I bought a BMW car cover,European plate frame,wheel locks,fog light protectors,T-shirts, etc... good people, good prices. :o)
  • laflealaflea Member Posts: 4
    It's Bimmer for the 4 wheeled variety, Beemer for the 2 wheeled BMW. I don't want a bunch of mad bikers after us.
  • alpine325ialpine325i Member Posts: 209
    I was just curious as to how many miles are on your car? Does the car/clutch feel a little better or broken in more? My car has 4700 miles and feels a little quicker, and alot smoother. Everyone who has been in my car is amazed at the level of precision and handling,layout of controls,the amount of room for a compact sedan, etc...:o)
  • sweettea2sweettea2 Member Posts: 2
    Hi, I'm new to this board, just test drove a 323i this weekend and really loved it. Wanted to ask if there was a big difference between the leather and the "leatherette". I sat in both at the dealer and really could not tell the difference. Also, any thoughts on buying preowned versus new? I also test drove an Acura and the dealer told me that BMW's only last until 80K then you have to buy a new one. Any truth to this? I'm really leaning toward the BMW, just not sure which one! Thanks everyone.
  • breaking80breaking80 Member Posts: 8
    I'm happy with my black leatherette. I had trouble deciding between the leather and the 'ette but decided on the 'ette because I got it in black. I find that most people had trouble telling the difference in my car.

    Anyone telling you that BMWs only last 80k is a load of crap. There are plenty of BMWs still running before Acura even came about. Buying preowned versus new is a just a personal preference I think.
  • tgif888tgif888 Member Posts: 351
    I don't know about the 80K issue. But the 323i has some quality issue. Speaking of as a previous 2000 323i owner, I had the car for a year. The car just keeps giving me little problems here and ther. Passenger's side window motor is broken, sunroof rail is broken, ABS cover fall off, the check engine light keeps coming on once in a while. Although, all above problems are fixed under warranty. Imagine what if your car don't have any warranty?

    Finally trade the car in for an Acura TL Type S.

    Well, it is your decision. Maybe you will have better luck on the 323i than I am.

    About the "leather" and "leatherette". In my opinion, the leather seat is more soft and comfortable compare to leatherette. Of course, you'll need to spend more time to maintain the "leather" seat than the "leatherette" seat.
  • alpine325ialpine325i Member Posts: 209
    I have the Leatherette, I was told by my salesman and a zillion other people that the leatherette is supposed to last about twice as long and with much less maintenance. Example: I jumped into my car in a hurry one day, but forgot about the newly sharpened pencil in my back pocket, CRUNCH! but no hole in the seat! I used the eraser to clean off the black streak. The vinyl thats put into these cars is really tough and pretty thick. If I had money to burn I would have the leather, and a new M3! :o)
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