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.
Comments
When I think of cars not to mess with, I think of 911's, C5 Corvettes (looks and build quality are another story, though), Ferraris, etc.
I think the beauty of the 330i, M3, S4 is that they look normal, but have great performance.
Best Regards,
Shipo
A He Or She?
An English teacher was explaining to his students the concept of gender association in the English language. He noted how hurricanes at one time were given only female names, and how ships and planes were usually referred to as "she". One of the students raised her hand and asked
"What gender is a computer?"
The teacher wasn't certain. So he divided the class into two groups: males in one, females in the other, and asked them to decide if a computer should be masculine or feminine. Both groups were asked to give four reasons for their recommendations.
The group of women concluded that computers should be referred to as a masculine because:
1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
2. They have a lot of data but are still clueless.
3. They are supposed to help you solve your problems, but half the time, they ARE the problem.
4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited a little longer, you could have had a better model.
The men, on the other hand, decided that computers should definitely be referred to as feminine because:
1. No one but their creator understands their
internal logic.
2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else.
3. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later retrieval.
4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.
Surely you mistakenly put these models out of order!
One phrase I recall from a reclining buddy, casually blowing pungent smoke rings was "BMWs are for Sissys-they are a girl's car-real men drive Audis and Opels!"
I put that ridiculous remark down to (a) the fact that the gentleman's dad drove an Opel and (b) the fine "tobacco" grown by the Bushmen of Zimbabwe.
I did not enter an argument- I knew better, even then.
I am not a champion for the "women's cause" if there is such a thing (and I think NOT)- I think women can think for themselves. There is no reason why a woman shouldn't consider performance as a priority when shopping for a car and no physical reason why a woman couldn't drive as fast as a man (if speed on the road were the sole reason for driving).
I see many women driving BMWs in Chicago-it's a pretty safe bet that half of all car drivers are women
and that they make buying decisions based on the same criteria as we manly men. They want a good car to drive. Savvy manufacturers take this into account.
"BMWs are for sissys"-that irrational remark came back to me when I got my 325i. "I don't care!" was my inward response-"This is the car I want to drive!"
I see the matter of "feminine cars" has reared it's head-all so subjective-like the "colors" debate. If I had a spare Rat's [non-permissible content removed] at the minute, I couldn't give one. I choose the "femenine" Fern Green and Sand Leather with some frilly Myrtle Wood trim-Frank gives me the finger on a daily basis-but my car looks purdy sweet to me-handwashed twice a week, clean carpets-just the thing to pull up to the opera in, dressed to kill.
Also just the thing to go scampering over hill and dale in Michigan on the weekends.
I see a heated debate between Brave1heart and Mike McBride-in fact, Brave has asked me to be his second in a dawn duel next Monday. I don't do mornings very well unless there is some Starbucks High Octane and a Krispy Creme on offer.
It's a storm in a teacup I hope-as markinAtlanta says- BMW owners ( I paraphrase) should have some class. I read of the olde days when 2002 owners used to flash their headlamps in recognition. Those days are long gone-all I get is the finger.
The fact that we have BMWs to drive surely says we are all smart MEN and WOMEN.
Can't we all (sniff!) get along?....
And while you're at it...what's your fave cruising music?
Keep 'em comin!
OK Gang, it is starting to look like we may have to move the "Friday Group Hug" to Thursday this week. Peace.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Perhaps Elaine summed it up best: "A man's body is utilitarian, like a Jeep. It's for gettin' around. Simeon." On the other hand, "A woman's body is a work of art." I liken these analogies to the coupe and sedan. The coupe's long, smooth lines are more a work of art; the sedan's lines are, relative to the coupe, more utilitarian.
I guess it's also ironic that although most of us find the 3-series decidedly masculine, most of us have also chosen feminine names for our cars (myself included).
- Two doors & four seats (gotta take the wife and kiddies along you know)
- Built in the good old U.S.A. between 1955 and 1956
- 300 cubic inch Boxer 6 with a 1 barrel updraft carb
- About 145 HP (still enough for a top end over 120mph)
What is it?
Best Regards,
Shipo
First, I do think the A4 is a great car. I said so. I thought about buying it--really the only contender w/ the 3 IMHO. Great lines, sporty, refined. But not quite as aggressive looking as the 3. Let me revise my statement and say that the A4 is "less masculine" in appearance than the 3. Let me further say that THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION. When it comes down to it, you drive what you wanna drive. Just as long as it's not a Pontiac Aztec.
I recall green being a favored racing color in Britain. There is still an auto race track behind the house where I was born in Ireland- I have many memories of that-but it is mostly overgrown with weeds today (sob!)
Colors are immaterial-as long as your foot is connected to a BMW inline 6,BMW anchors, riding on a BMW suspension, carrying a tank of Premium unleaded-life is sweet.
readily available gas stations. I have run out of gas a couple of times over the years - typically when I miscalculated the remaining fuel in the car. BMW recommends that you fill up way before the gas tank is depleted but I know I'll be cutting it in close and I needed to find out how much reserve there was (if any) relative to the trip computer's calculations. I was really curious to find out if the engine would gasp for fuel as soon as my trip computer's remaining fuel rings zero. That would be typically Germanic as far as punctuality and after all, I was thinking, we are dealing with the Ultimate engineers here. I could see them going "Ha-ha, out of fuel, my poor friend? The computer told you many kilometers ago to fill up and we even put on the bright yellow light there to remind you. You deserve to die here from freezing cold for abusing this beautiful piece of machinery so recklessly!!". The suspense was really building up as the estimate showed 1 (ONE!!) stinking mile remaining. I was at a light and the green seemed to be taking forever to come up. So I finally went through the light, pulled over at the gas station and breathed a deep sigh of relief. The tank swallowed 16 gallons exactly out of the official 16.6 gal capacity. I thought there must be more air left in the tank and topped off once. It went down too. Then I topped off a second time (another bad habit that refuses to die) and the gas came pouring out from the tank making a big mess in the process. When all was said and done, I had attempted to fill in 16.1 gal of which the last 1/10 didn't make it in. Evidently, the marketing people had managed to squeeze a gram of mercy from the BMW engineers and they gave drivers fuel for another 10-15 miles after the trip computer shows zero. To which I respectfully say "Thank you, Engineering Gods I shall never again be stupid enough to wait till the computer shows zero and I shall never again top off gas in a BMW."
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. I had to run out to an Audi dealer (trying to get in touch with my feminine side, but it didn't work)! [:))
Anything you can tell me ,and as much as you can tell me would be greatly appreciated.
Curious as to the what the driver looked like (expecting to see a kid), I pulled in front of the car and lo and behold, a young, white, girl. My first RiceGirl sighting!
Then I noticed the licenseplace: "Muffy"
Had to chuckle at that one.
http://www.riceboypage.com/
good luck!
veekay1
veekay1
That should answer most of ur questions.
Briefly, I would summarize the BMW story as follows (based on my own research over the last 4 months):
A masterpiece of design and engineering
Best road handling and braking in class
Excellent interior with most luxury amenities known to man (either standard or available)
Adequate power and performance
Above average overall reliability
All wheel drive capability
Outstanding driveway appeal(!)
and much, much more in terms of intangibles......(including a great owner community such as this board right here!)
veekay1(325xi/sapphire/gray...crossing the pond as we speak!)
Yours is a beautiful new car and I would hate to have it marred with crappy Taiwan Tin. Tell them genuine BMW parts ONLY!
I know it sucks seeing your car like that, but in the grand scheme of things the most important thing is that you didn't get hurt. Good luck!
I'm new here. I bought a brand new 325i 4dr sedan in late March. It's got a 5-speed manual tranny. I had to order direct from the factory with the options I wanted. Dealership told me that 95% of all BMW coming into CA have AUTO trannys. I absolutely love it. The combination of power and luxury is outstanding.
Now that the euphoria is sort of wearing off. I want to know if I got a "good" deal. I paid $1500 over dealer invoice (not MSRP). Got it with the Premium Package, Leather, Fold-down rear seats, Fog lights, and the single CD player. I also got a 10% discount on BMW accessories (Seat vests, Mud flaps F/R, Locking wheel lugs, Vinyl trunk mat). What's the consensus?
The second question is about brake dust. How do I keep the stuff off the wheels for a longer period of time? Do those "KLEEN WHEELS" work? Is there a polish that prohibits the particles from clinging to the wheels?
Your helpful responses are greatly appreciated.
Sounds like you got a great car at a great price.
Bmw323is - thanks for the CCA info. I will likely join. Another great perk is the fact that membership entitles you to rebates on the next purchase -- $500 to 1,500, depending on model line ($500 for 3er), rebate from your negotiated price. I think you must have been a member for at least a year prior to purchase date.