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Comments
Personally, I like the sport seats a long with the rest of the package, so obviously I won't be a candidate for such a swap, however, if I were in your shoes, I'd tell my salesman that I'll pay him an extra "C"-note if he quietly asks around and finds someone who would be interested in a swap.
Best Regards
Shipo
Well I turned the key and something didn't sound right. Call me a nervously nelly but when the car is shaking violently, tach's bouncing and the service engine soon light is lit, maybe there's a problem. I turned the car off, tried again. uh-oh. Just drove it the night before and while it's felt like a totally different (slower, less responsive, poor gas mileage) car since my inspection 1 service 2 weeks ago, this was decidely worse. Way worse. Still the past two weeks people have asked, "What happened to you car, it's really rough." I had no answer. I still didn't. But there was now no denying the car was running like absolute garbage.
Drove to the dealer, dropped it off, got a rental and then took out a 330i e90 with sport, premium, 6 mt. 41k msrp. I wouldn't get the premium package though...nothing on it really interests me.
Exterior...ho-hum. Not nearly as nice as the original e46s but a step up from the face-lifted ones. I guess. Car doesn't seem bigger inside or out. Lines are decent but the car's got half the flash of the 5 series. Doesn't matter, I don't buy for looks.
Got in and some things hit me. 1. The wood was cheapo looking garbage, but I expected that as all wood in cars looks downright pimp-like to me. Lack of tilt in the center console toward me I found totally offensive. I'm driver, and EVERY button is mine, mine, all mine, not yours. It's none of the passenger's business and furthermore the cockpit feel in the car is gone.
Where the heck are the window controls? Oh that's right, they put them on the door. Lame. like the new door armrest - much more comfy. The center console's better in some ways with a socket in it but I use my cupholders currently to hold me cell. Split on the new center portion. Some good, some bad. Can't see the radio display at all with my Maui Jim's on. Otherwise the interiors like a variation on BMW and it's certainly not any roomier (noticably) than my e46 in front. Backseat...I don't care.
Hit the start button. Argh. This is just stupid. If I pushed a key in, let me twist it and get going. Leave the Knight Industries Two Thousand hokum for S2000 drivers. If the car had the smart key, yeah the button's great. Otherwise, forget this stupid two step process.
They shrinked the side mirrors even more!!!! The e46 had near worthless side mirrors, the e90 might as well not have side mirrors. What were they thinking? do they honestly think these cars have good visibility? I've gotten used to the poor sight lines in my E46 but this is insane. The oval premium package mirror doesn't help either...driving almost as blind in this as I did in Audi's A3.
Engine's quiet. docile. Clutch pickup is smoother than my e46. Stick shift seems smoother, more targeted too. But the throws are exceptionally long. Uncomfortably long. I think my performance package had a different shifter.
On the road the car's planted. It sticks like crazy and the engine unlike any other e46 I've ever driven has power the whole time. no more peakiness, it's just pulls in one strong, linear fashion. Zipping up the hills of El Cajon the car carves like a surgeon's knife. It's far more sure-footed than my E46 and revs more smoothly. I'm rocking through the twists and the car's not getting at all fidgety and doesn't seem to understeer as much as my car. 30 mph corners flash by at 80. The car holds the line - these are run flats?! how is this car so smooth on 18s? Voodoo. BMW brought a witch doctor to Bavaria to work on the suspension. Wow, almost perfect symmetry between the engine and chassis.
Brakes felt fine. Switchgear is odd at first but overall the driving impressions were nice. Not sure if anything else can match this for 2006. I may dislike some odds and ends but the way the car feels when moving...well it's better than my e46. Get the car a decent muffler - some growl would be nice - and short-shift kit and I'll be a happy camper.
BTW, still no word on my e46 or what's wrong with it.
>>How did you mange to do that?
Well some people on the forum seem to be even getting $1000 over ED invoice so So I think with some patience you should be able to get a good deal.
>>>"I thought there is no ED option in Canada"
Actually there is! ...the savings are just not as great (after adding PST/GST and a bunch of other fees) as ordering from here in the states. (And btw: I live in the states, just in case if you haven't noticed by now).
In essence you drove a "prototype." In September, the cars will begin to come with "comfort access" which is similar to the smart key. So the button is there for a reason. A shame that the first e90's don't have it yet.
Been driving 3 series for 13 years and very disappointed with the poor side mirrors in what is supposed to be one of the ultimate driver's cars. I can't imagine these mirrors being even smaller.
-Paul
I don't understand why this feature is delayed until September at all.
MADE IN CHINA
Definitely possible especially when you consider that German Auto labor is the highest paid and compensated in the world.
Please read the article below:
http://www.reuters.co.in/locales/c_newsArticle.jsp?type=businessNews&localeKey=en_IN&story- ID=8358556
The only BMW I have driven that has good side mirrors is the X5.
Must be a stressful job to be a car designer!
Given my unabashed appetite for bangles and bongles, I'll most probably order the Premium Package in addition to the (mandatory) Sport Package (and probably Nav and Satellite Radio (and maybe even Heated Front Seats to please Mrs. Shipo)). Having said that, I'm glad that you found the driving dynamics pleasing, especially how flat the torque curve is. Point taken on the length of the shifter, however, given that I'm pretty sure every recent BMW model has had a "Short Throw Shifter" kit offered on the aftermarket, I certainly don't see that as any major deal breaker. As for the smaller mirrors, hmmm, my main use for them is to watch out for fast approaching rear traffic (which in my case usually means the local constabulary), I'm hoping that they'll be sufficient.
Regarding the "Run Flats": Did you get a chance to drive the E90 over any railroad tracks (err, well, at least there were still railroad tracks in SD when I lived there thirty years ago) or any other bumpy surfaces to see how they felt?
To all,
I was playing with the "Build Your Own" feature last night and on a whim I clicked on the "Terra Dakota Leather", and errr, ummm, it has me thinking. As a rule I'm a "Black/Black" kind of guy (unless there is an option for a black metallic that is), so without even thinking about it, I always click on the Black Sapphire Metallic paint and the Black Dakota Leather. Now that I've seen the web image of the "Terra" color I'm thinking that I might deviate from my customary ordering scheme and get it instead. Have any of y'all had a chance to see what the Terra looks like yet?
Regarding the checking of the engine oil: Somewhere on the BMW site there is a FLASH demo of the dash panel, including how to check the oil. Personally, I like the new way WAY more than pulling out the stick. :P
Best Regards,
Shipo
I am also looking at the Infiniti and as far as convenience/interior goes they have done a better job...but then I look at the front of that car and it reminds me of a newt. Or a little Japanese kid. So I have to go 3 series with warts.
The Camry has better side mirrors. It's disappointing. It just shouldn't be.
My 2002 lease is up Aug. 2nd. I will extend it 1 or 2 months to get the comfort access assuming I decide to live with those small side mirrors.
despite my snarky remark on post # 2411, I can understand your frustration!
Design should be functional, especially when your safety is concerned.
It is kind of sad that in the past German car companies were known to design their cars based on "Form follows Function". Unfortunately today with the help of Mr. Bangle, functionality takes a back seat to the all-important idea that a car should be styled to make a "Statement and show Atitude"---safe rearview mirrors be damned!!!!
Driving across Florida about a month ago, I almost met my demise because of that damned small left side mirror. I was going around 75 in the middle lane and signaled for the left lane to pass a slower car in front of me. Nothing in my mirror. Started my move when a flat-bedded redneck just missed me from behind and I swerved back to the middle lane. Of course the idiot was tear-assing from lane to lane doing around 90 hogging the highway like it was his own private playground but the side mirror gave me no chance. There is a big blind spot on the left side which just shouldn't be. I have no problem with the right side mirror though.
You just expect better from BMW. When I almost get killed, you know, it sort of bothers me and yes it can be a deal-breaker.
On the positive side, I can't think of any other car I would have rather been driving when I needed to make that desperate emergency move than the BMW 3 series I was driving.
So it almost gets me killed and saves me from getting killed. What a car!
Started the drive expecting the 325 to be underpowered, finished it feeling quite the opposite. The power feels very similar to the E46 330. The only downside was that I was left wishing I had ordered a 330 with stick because if the 325 is so good think how good the 330 is-maybe next time. All in all, the E90 carries the heritage very well.
where are you getting this information about $1000 over invoice on the E90's?? i'd sure like to know how to get such a sweet deal on cars that aren't discounted. from your posting, it would appear your information is 2nd or 3rd hand- maybe you're being hosed???
huge groceries
> So I think with some patience you should be able to get a good deal.
>
$200 saving may not be worth the trouble. If you have a dealer who is straight and helpful, I'd just go with it. A good relationship with a good local dealer could be worth $200.
> from my customary ordering scheme and get it instead. Have any of y'all had a chance
> to see what the Terra looks like yet?
>
I don't think any dealer has terra yet. They are all black or beige. But I think terra is available on some other models such as 645i already, so you can check it out. I personally think silver/terra is the sportiest combo on E90, especially with aluminum trim.
I'm not sure about the $1000 over invoice, but I've seen a number of people around here with invoice-plus deals on ED E90s. I myself am picking up a 330 (ZSP,ZPP,heated seats, metallic) in July at $1500 over ED invoice.
I put an offer sheet together by line item and faxed it to 10 dealers within a 100 mile radius. Two of them accepted, and that was enough leverage to bring my local dealer on board. I think you'll see this referred to as the Rizzo Method if you search around.
Best of Luck,
Terp
I was asking about the horsepower and torque curves for the 325i and 330i engines which I believe you described.
Thank you for your help.
I just came back from the local dealer, being Tulley BMW. They have a 06 330i, of the 3-pedal variety, with Sport pkg, available for customer test-drives. Overall I was very impressed with the performance. Yes, I wish for shorter throws but that can easily be remedied by using aftermarket products. The sound system is better than the DSP system in my car. Nice ride even considering the run-flats and 18" rims. The sport seats are comfortable but I prefer the ones in my car.
I still enjoy driving my 03 530i (3-pedal) with Sport pkg but perhaps in the next 6 months I will be looking to make a change.
Regards,
Chris
“The other Black Sapphire 530i in southern New Hampshire”
> I got mine done at $1000 over ed inv with local dealer. Email me if you want info.
>
Now I have a dealer who are offering substantially below that. If you are in the Bay Area and in market for ED, feel free to email me and I'll give you scoop. (I'm going with my current dealer since I already put the deposit and it's a matter of good faith).
Sat in the 06 again. Is it me or is the dash much higher in the e90s?
Upon seeing the outside I thought that if the car had a Mazda or Nissan badge instead of BMW it would just be ignored. If it were a GM product everyone would say that it was one more nail in their coffin. It is just plain nothing special. The lines of the car are almost random. Everyone seems to be straining to make this car attractive and it isn't. After all, Babe Ruth probably struck out a few thousand times and we consider him great in his field That is, no one is perfect including BMW designers.
One of the cars was a light blue (Ultramarine Blue?) which I really liked since I like blue and this is a good blue. One was a dark gray (Sparkling Graphite) which was just plain dark gray. It was a sunny day and yet it was nothing special. It thought the dark gray (Silver Gray Metallic) I've seen on the E46 was much better. The SGM is much more alive in the sun where it takes-on a bluish cast from the sky. The third car was black and it looked good, unfortuantly this is partly because it hides the car's lines. There was a red E46 with a Performance Package next to these three cars. It looked the best.
I thought the interiors looked great, just the way they should look. They were all one lump instead of two. (no iDrive) They appeared to be very high quality and well designed. The interior is plush and it is simple and straightforward. It says the car is for driving and doesn't fool-around. I only wish the same could be said of the outside.
Best Regards,
Shipo
They probably reset your OBC, and it will take as long as two weeks for you to retrain it to your style of driving.
Keep us posted.
Best Regards,
Shipo
While I might have a slight bias toward the 530i, $37k for a 02 seems a bit much. If that is the going rate, heck, I’ll put mine up for sale and buy a new 330i.
Regards,
Chris
I have driven BMW's for 30 years and to me the new 3 series is the least remarkable, bloated, boring looking sedan they have every produced.
I couldn't beleive how bad the rear was until I saw it in person. THe truck is a half moon shape. There is nothing remarkable about the looks of this car.
And now with many people complaining about low end pep, it may not even be the
blast to drive everyone is relying on.
Your car arrives 6-12weeks later.
Much better savings this way.
Best Regards,
Shipo
>
European Delivery. Dealers are in the Bay Area, Approx 1 - 2 hours from you.
I quickly learned the error of my ways when the leasing manager over at Tulley took one look at my car and said, "Oh yeah, we're keepin' that one."
My response was, "Really? Why?"
"Mr. Shipo, do you have any idea how hard it is to find a nicely equipped 530i with both the Sport Package and a 5-Speed manual?"
"Well, yeah, that's why I placed a factory order in the first place."
Long story short, it was up on the BMW-USA CPO locater service two days later, listed at $36,999. Sheez! If only I had known. :P
Best Regards,
Shipo
I stopped by my center today to ask how long my vehicle that was at the VPC on 04/27th would be held hostige.Im told til the 10th and arrive at my Center on about the 13th..grrr. It was a busy lunch crowd and My SA was delivering a vehicle so he flipped me the key err remote and sent me off on my own in the Artic 325i. Entering the freeway I slid over to Step controls and made a Audi shifting error...opps. Well no harm done and now I can see the HUGE improvement over the former 170hp model. I took a peak down an noticed 85, whoa nelly... I then was able to drive thru a downtown area railroad track ect.. very smooth, solid and stable. Being of the short/wide persuasion I notice the new armrest window lifts are pretty far forward, almost a reach. Also the same finicky moonroof controls my 323i had. Im feeling better about the run flats and no traditional key, old habits die hard.
Now its just waiting.
DL
What coils are those? Are those the ignition coils or suspension? What's on your clock? Pardon my ignorance. I also have one like yours and want to be prepared. My e46 is approaching 20K ; just read you switched to Kumhos. What's your overall experience? Do they perform?
I just got sprayed by a very rude dump truck with pebbles and mud with some chemical that scraped portions of the hood, spoiler, and windshield.
Best Regards,
Shipo
f I can get 4% off MSRP for a 325xit I will be happy (Canadian invoice prices are not known--we are not as transparent as you fellows down south).
I will wait for the 325xit in November/December(wanted a 330xit, but reality bites me with only one choice). I read the official BMW figure for the 325xit will be 0-60 in 7.2. Not great but not bad for a AWD wagon, especially with the BMW tradition of lowballing their performance stats.
Thanks for the great write up on your E90 test drive.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Ignition.
What's on your clock? Pardon my ignorance. I also have one like yours and want to be prepared.
26k miles. Of course according to the bmw guys only a select group of 330is were made with the bad coils. Yeah, heard that from vw on my jetta 1.8t too.
My e46 is approaching 20K ; just read you switched to Kumhos. What's your overall experience? Do they perform?
Decent. Not as good as my original potenza REs. Not as bad as my S-O3s.
.
I just got sprayed by a very rude dump truck with pebbles and mud with some chemical that scraped portions of the hood, spoiler, and windshield.
Luck? No idea. Some toad scraped my windshield with something one day. Can't get the scratches gone. Shrug.
How do you manage to avoid that damage? For a second I thought of abandoning and jumping toward an e90, but my depreciation hit is too high. I'll get it repaired and hope to keep it for years to come. "
I honestly don't know what I'll do...keep my e46 (doubtful), get an e90 (not totally sold), get two cars - one for fun, one more serious. I have no idea where I will be in one year.
BMW kinda has a hard sell after that faux pas. I was on my way to drive the car's replacement and that happens?! Of all things, one of the same problems as the Jetta! Sigh...life is nothing if not amusing.
For the second time I sat in the E90, but this time it was a really sunny day. I also had my Maui Jim's on and could not see the radio controls. Poor planning on their part.
Regards,
Chris