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330i sedans have chrome trim, and 325i sedans have shadowline trim (black).
5-series cars come with chrome trim, unless you order the SP, then you get shadowline trim.
The distinction is not so apparent on white or silver cars, but is very noticeable on the darker colors.
Not quite the home stretch, but we're almost there. Can you taste it yet?
The 5-series SP comes with "shadowline trim"?!?!? How do explain this - is BMWNA saying that "shadowline trim" is sportier than chrome?
Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen a reference to "shadowline" in the 3er literature.
All 3ers (325 and 330) have an "inner" black strip immediately surrounding the glass of the side windows. The difference is in the second "outer strip" - chrome for the 330 and black for the 325.
Shadowline is just a fancy marketing word for black that BMW employed on the 5er. They figured that buyers who opt for the SP would want a more discrete look. But then it gets better - on the 5er order sheet, if you order the SP, there is a "shadowline delete" option. This is a no cost sleection that gives you chrome treatment.
Why BMW didn't offer shadowline for the 330i SP beats me. It would be more consistent with the 5er.
Fun, huh?
What color's your car?
Bmw323is - how do you sign up for the driving schools -- through the CCA? Do you need to be a CCA member? Might be another perk for signing up. I am doing the Ultimate Drive this weekend, so it'll be a good taste (530i and 740i), but I'd really like to go to a BMW driving school. I'll check BMWCCA's web site for more info.
I am pretty sure I am going to do a home equity line of credit to finance this car. I checked out lendingtree.com for bids. DeepGreen Bank has offered me a line of credit up to $64K at 6.1%. There are some other requirements, but they are very doable.
The best part is that the interest is tax deductible and the payment changes with the monthly balance (just like a credit card) so I can pay off a big chunk with a bonus and watch my monthly payment plummet.
I think this is a great deal, and I recommend any home owners that are looking at financing to explore it with DeepGreen Bank. Sure beats the 7.5% financing my dealership was offering me.
Thought for today (and every day) - it only costs a little bit more to go through life first class, but it's always worth it.
Subaru WRX. Firstly, Brave, why can't it just go directly from Subaru ---> Scoobie-Doo ??!!
Second, that car rocks! Materials used in production (interior, specifically) and other aspects, such as the computer controlled electrical system in the BMW, are clearly superior in the BMW but then that's part of what the extra ten large goes to on my 330i. But to drive ? Well, people, let's just say that frank69 in his M3 would be able to keep up, on a dry day and only after a day at driving school! (may-be you've already been, Frank!
Wash my mouth out.... To be honest (watching the demerits come flying at me) had the lease on the WRX been the same as or lower than the 330i, I would likely have ordered a WRX instead!!! Incredibly, despite being $10k more expensive, the BMW has a cheaper lease payment. I can't see writing a bigger cheque each month to drive a $25k car than a $35k one.
Okay, now start knocking me......!
He loves it. It satisfies his every need, and makes him feel cool in a way that he never has before in his whole life. That car was perfect for him.
I, on the other hand, love cars -- love thinking about them, looking at them, driving them and even buying them. I could never, ever buy a used E36 328 when there's a new E46 330 on the market. Even if the car hadn't changed, I have a hard time imagining shelling out $30K+ for a used car. Every scratch, ding and rattle would eat at me.
Like Gurumike said, it costs a a little more to go through life first class, but it's worth it. If you demand perfection, you have to be ready to pay for it.
330 = luxurious performance for $36K
I think each is best suited for consumers whose age would be one year for each thousand dollars (ie. 25 y/o for the WRX, 36 y/o for the 330).
black ext trim - plastic. have not verified but it looks so plasticky would be shocked if metal. i think the chrome strip on the 330 is not painted plastic, though - no way!!
denright - 6.1% equity loan?!? doesn't get better than that. it's like paying less than 4% after-tax. great deal - i'd never want to pay it off!!
alp - i hate wasting money. my point was that if the h-k adds anything at all to the overall sound and getting midbass is on top of that yes - i'd seriously consider it. but it sounds like the h-k would be a $675 waste if i went with aftermarkets - no way i'm wasting that money. i can live with it. i listen to the engine sound most of the time anyhow and i only crank up the stereo (very loud at that) only when i'm not varying speed (cop or something), which rarely happens. not a biggie...
plat - i can see why someone with a fast car like a 540 6-spd would want a less conspicuous package. as far as the 3-series, it appeals to a younger (by roughly 10 years) market segment that still needs more distinction on their cars. kind of like the way you often see saturns, geos, jettas, or whatever with pretensious but useless spoilers, you know what i mean? that's why it's called a spoiler - it spoils the lines of the car :O)
Dan
per bimmer.org (amoung others), the Seiman fans are considered bad and the Bosch are good.
I called the dealer and he indicated that my car (to be picked up friday) has the Seiman brand fan. The dealer said that the item may be recalled in the future but has not been recalled. As a result, he can't replace yet.
I called BMWNA and the rep is going to contact my dealer to "address the problem with the service manager" and get back to me b/4 friday.
Question:
If they do not replace the fan, should I refuse delivery? If I threaten to they may replace it in the best interest of the sale and cust serv.
I don't want to have the experience of overheating and potentially damaging the engine or have to consistantly watch the temp gauge
drcr
I was using the term shadowline to refer to the area where it is at . Of course, there is no such thing as "chrome shadowline trim"!
Guru: Although I agree with you that it is preferable to try and go first class in life, I disagree that it is always only a 'little more'. In my experience, it usually is a "lot" more! In any case, I think if one buys a truly "certified" pre-owned vehicle there are 2 things that should apply: 1.) The vehicle should be geniunely in good condition (mechanically and aesthetically) and in some cases, actually is virtually indistinguishable from a new vehicle on the same lot. That was the whole idea behind starting this concept. Even if the car in question was not "perfect" looking, the malfunction/damage described in the post is unacceptably high to call that vehicle a truly certified car.
2. Regardless of point (1) above, the buyer should ALWAYS make sure whether the goods are in decent shape before signing on the dotted line! It does not appear that that was done in this case, at least was not done thoroughly.
veekay1
I feel good - ta-da-da-da...
Is there any way to verify (by VIN, production date, model, etc.) whether the aux fan is Seimens or Bosch? Surely there's a way.
Do you have a manual or step?
The problem has been described only on manual transmission cars so far. The step cars have 2 fans.
Thanx for your insightful description on Euro delivery in response to my query. I would like to know why you went to a DC dealer? I too am in Texas, albeit down the road a piece in Houston and just wondering if the DC deal was that significant in savings. Would you mind forwarding your contact name and number so I can follow-up on that?
Thanx again! Stan
He bought a 1991 750il with 126K miles for $13000 a few years back. Nice car, 12 cylinders, but totally impractical, and he started having problems with it right away. I think he kept it for 18 months or so. I guess he liked it and it probably worked out OK for him.
But it's not for me. I like to think about what I want, research it, get the best price I can, place the order for the car. I like knowing that the car was built for me to my specifications. I like being the one who "runs in" the car, knowing that it's been done properly.
I seriously doubt that I would ever buy a used car, and I generally think that you get what you pay for. There is some depreciation associated with a new car, obviously, but used cars tend to be more hassle and you have to pay for maintenance sooner. I'm willing to pay up front for convenient and trouble-free transportation.
I have Grey interior, because I want strong contrast between interior and exterior while still keep both colors in the same color series, Grey only comes with leather trim though. Black exterior does require extra attention, it will not hide any smear or finger print, it is also the worst color
to have dings or dents. I have prepared for all these troubles mentally way before ordering.
I was told by at least 3 people about the troubles that Glove Box Mounted CD changer could have, 2 of them mentioned about the mechanism that hold CD's, (take a look of 3 series accessory page in BMWUSA.com), unlike trunk mounted version which comes with a CD magazine, this thing takes 1 CD at a time for a total of 6.
Guru: changing sensors at the VPC makes sense (nip the evil in the bud!..another thought for the day!)
ccchen: thanks. did u also order without seeing the sapphire color first or were u lucky enough to find it on the lot and check it out first?
Also, wouldnt the warranty cover and CD changer malfunction?
veekay1
drcr
Contact Joern Esser at Passport BMW in Maryland (301-702-6407). Tell him "Mike from Texas" referred you. He's very knowledgeable about the ED process, and the savings were significant compared to what I found locally.
If you're looking to go in November, it would be for an '02 model. Pricing hasn't been released yet, so I'm not sure how specific a figure he could give you.
If you still decide to buy in-state, then you should try Garlyn Shelton Imports in Temple. They were the only Texas dealer who offered me competitive pricing back in March when I ordered.
Good luck!
The CD changer is covered by 1 year warranty if you install it after acquiring the vehicle, unless you are willing to pay big buck ($795, quoted by my dealer) up front and have it listed in your invoice, then it will be covered by 4Yr./50,000 miles warranty. I ended up buying it from circlebmw for $400 without tax and installed myself.
-John
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt1907a.shtml
Did you by any chance take into consideration the cost of money? i.e. $1000 up front and $1000 24 months down the road are not exactly the same. A lot of the new vs. used caculation hinges upon the cost of money. In an environment with low real interest rate, buying new makes a lot more sense than in an environment with high opportunity cost for money.
Jim
Colors: A while back my fourteen year old and I were in a Lexus show room looking at a 'Spectra Blue Mica' IS300. He says, "Awesome color, don't you think?" I hesitate. He notices my hesitation and says, "Yeah, I guess it's a younger guy's color, isn't it." This ranks right up there with the time he was complaining that he couldn't make bacon one time when our power had gone out. My wife says, "You can make bacon on the gas stove, you don't *have* to use the microwave." He looks at her incredulously; He's never seen bacon cooked any other way. She says, "That's the way we used to do it when we were kids." On hearing that I knew I had reached a new phase of life. My fourteen year old's take on BMW's Steel Blue: "That's not blue, that's ... lavender!" I like the Steel Blue, but he had a point. It's only a few shades from lavender. (By the way, I didn't know about this connection between color and gender; I need to brush up on my Spanish).
New vs Used: If you're hung up about scratches and other wear and tear, buy new. If you really want a certain color and a certain set of options, buy new. Or if you want to treat yourself well, buy new. On the other hand, BMW's Certified Pre-Owned program provides a very nice extended warranty and seems to me like a great way to get into the 'next step up' BMW, if you don't mind sacrificing the things mentioned above. (A local dealer has a beautiful blue M3 convertible, '98 with 6,000 miles for $47K ... very tempting) One more benefit: no tortuous wait for the baby to be born and find it's way to your hometown. Which is more economical? I think either if you buy and hold for, say, four-plus years; neither if your trading cars every two or three years.
peter80. Get the new 325, if those are your choices. $47k for 98 M3 cabrio, and you call that tempting ??!! I call it about ten grand heavy !!
The 325, IMHO, is the best car you can buy for around $30K. Performance, handling, feel, SWEET inline 6 (no one does these better than BMW), materials, style, etc. All of these factors along with how you FEEL when you drive it will eventually lead you to the 325. You won't be unhappy.