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
That was before the html buttons beneath the post box debuted, but it will give you the general concept. Once you get the hang of it, you'll see how to use the IMG html button to reduce a bit of typing, but what ends up in the post box is all the same.
I am strongly thinking about buying a 2006 BMW 325i during the next few months and wanted to ask you all a few questions and take a careful decision based on that.
- I live in Mountain View,CA. Is the BMW of Mountain View the best Dealer or should I try Stevens Creek/Pleasanton?
-Which is the best month to buy a BMW 325i?Does BMW have independence day sales events this year?
-I plan to buy a car with STEPTRONIC Transmission. I've read in forums that this is a problematic component in BMWs. Is It True?
-Is a Sports Package Necessary? What are its advantages/disadvantages ?
-Is there a catch to their 4yr/50K warranty thing?How much will I roughly have to pay up per year on maintenance?Everyone in my family is discouraging me from buying a BMW because of it being expensive to maintain,(they say) even during its warranty period.
-After owning it for four years,I plan to sell my car back to the dealership(maybe for a trade-in). Is this a good viable option?Will they accept a 4yr old car if its in a good condition?
Any other tips you have for me will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Beemer Newbie.
And NO, it wasnt heavily discounted, jus somewhat, still cost more than a new 325i yet less than the 330i with more power and handling that makes it a true adversary on the roads_
Can you ask it to stop moving so you can get a clear picture? I have the same problem with my children, but my BMWs are well behaved and tend to sit still when being photographed.
The GPS device is a reciever, not a transmitter.
One thing to note though, the GPS fucntionality might not work properly if the car is parked in an underground garage. The GPS signal is very weak.
BMWs are hard to steal. Not possible to use traditional methods to jinx the key slot. Possible way to steal it is to tow it/flatbed it and then scrap it for parts. Another harm is break-ins to steal your stuff.
I spoke to my Insurance agent and he mentioned that they seldom have reports of BMW thefts. He did mention that, if you do go clubbing downtown, then there are issues, but he did not tell me what issues- if they were stolen, if so how or broken into. When I got my bimmer last month, my Insurace rates went up only $19/month (from an Accord). For the G35 it would have gone up $35.00.
AMT-
I trust you will enjoy. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
I'm heading home with it in a couple of hours. I've decided to detour along the CA coast just a little...
Best dealer to buy from = the one who will give you the best deal. Period.
Steptronic = I have no idea if it's unreliable. Sorry, won't drive a slushbox.
Sport package = drive cars with and without it. If you like it, it's the better option. If ya don't like the slightly harsher ride, then pass on it. There are no disadvantages to the sport package if you like it.
No catch on the warranty. You will pay for tires. That's it. The first 50k/4 years the car will cost you nothing in maintenance.
I think trading in a car is silly but many people like to do it because they refuse to put forth the effort to sell the car privately and make a 2-3k extra on the sale. Do what you like. But I don't like the idea of a dealer making so much profit off me.
Drive the car, make your decisions based on your gut.
Hey, I got a Union-Jack for the ti. Doesn't that count.
Right now I'm seething with homicidal envy over fedlawman's 325is.
Every time I think I can live without it, you post those darn pictures!!
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Also any recommendations on phones? Im thinking between the razor and the motorola 551, Ive got a Cingular plan, and i can out of a contract. I currently do have a bluetooth phone but the ophone is leterally falling apart.
Ok all, Take it easy on your car this weekend. Picking mine up in less then 1 week. Cant wait
I just customized a 2006 325i model
Exterior:Jet Black (comparing this with Black Sapphire Metallic..which is better and long lasting??I guess BSM)
Interior
Black Leatherette
Aluminum Trim
Packages
Sport Package $1,600
Options :
STEPTRONIC automatic transmission $1,275
Premium Sound System $1,200 (Is this any good? I am disappointed that there's no bose..its something called Logic 7)
Destination Charge $695
Price as configured $35,070 on the bmwusa.com site (how much should I aim to bargain for ?Cars Direct has this at $33,192.Is there any hidden cost involved with them? )
Appreciate your help!
-Beemer Newbie
Also, I can;t seem to get on carsdirect.com. website. Itr gets me there but when I click on "see our price" link its a blank page. Anyone know why?
Uh no. do you have any idea how great of a stereo you can toss into a car for $1200?! The logic 7 (harmon kardon system) is not really all that great and certainly not worth $1200.
When bose stereos become good in cars? "No highs, no lows, must be a Bose."
Motorcycles are small - surely you can fit one next to a little E30 in your garage.
I'm finally home after about 14.5 hours of driving. I actually hit pouring rain in the Siskiyous after dark, and I admit to missing my TSX's HID headlights around those curves. It was a little hairy, but I made it home in one piece.
The car is more comfortable on the highway than I expected. Cabin noise wasn't bad, and even with the M3 springs, Koni's, and 225/45-16 ES100's, the ride was almost compliant.
Oh, and that M20...wow, what a thoroughbred!
I can send you about 40 more photos if you like...LOL!
Seriously though, thanks to everyone for the comments. Not that I need validation, but it's nice to know that there are other "not quite classic" BMW fans out there.
Next club lapping day is July 10th (I registered before I even bought the car)!
My wife just looked over and asked "What's an is?"
"Ummm, it's an older coupe" was my answer
This is how my 2003 330i works - and I assume this is true with the 2006 - but you may need to confirm.
I like the light flashing...as I believe it is a strong deterrent to theft.
Let me know what you find out!
Jeff
DL
DL
thanks!
Being an online community, we'd rather that information be shared with everyone right here. Anywa, it's not a good idea to post your email address - you open yourself up to all kinds of abuse by spambots and others who would use it maliciously. You can make your address available to registered users by making it public in your profile, if you'd like.
I can delete that message if you want and you can repost minus your address - just drop me an email if that's what you'd like.
I was curious if anyone had any info on the expected tire performance in the snow of the tires on the new 3-series with and without sport package. I was hoping to do without the expense and pain of the change over.
btw, I test drove a 325i 6m and BMW is simply amazing. The new 325i is as fun to drive as my present 330i. How do they do it?
djocks
The whole feature is yet another great part of the idrive that the critics never learned to use before stating their opinions. You can also program the idrive to allow you to call up and scroll through the phonebook entries with a button on the steering wheel, which makes things even easier. Between the navigaiton, phone and satellite radio, I'm a big fan of whole set up. (By the way, just note that setting up your phone with the car is tricky ... it's actually very simple, but it's not described well in any manuals, etc.)
I'm a big fan of the razr. It's very well made. I have an unlocked version that works with my T-mobile. Don't know the motorola 551.
Where does it say we are not suppose to like the looks of the car you drive.
The e90 is a fine drving car...but IMO it looks bloated and the rear end is hideous.
I own two BMW's; including a much hated by some; Z4.
However, I don't care what people think about the looks of my Z4. I care what I think.
To you the E90 probable looks great. Terrific. You can own one if you choose.
But, why is it hard for some people to understand that looks can be improtant to a person's buying critieria?
I think it will perform similarly in snow.. meaning, you'll still have to switch out for winter..
Just my $0.02
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Ditto.
Where does it say we are not suppose to like the looks of the car you drive.
Where does it say you should? I've never been really enamored with the looks of any car I've owned. Shrug.
I own two BMW's; including a much hated by some; Z4.
However, I don't care what people think about the looks of my Z4. I care what I think.
Actually, I think the Z4 is really bad looking. But I've looked into replacing my e46 (post-facelift version, so it too is rather ugly) with a Z4 and it's still an option. Appearance be damned...
To you the E90 probable looks great. Terrific. You can own one if you choose.
No, I think it's a step back in appearance from the e46. It reminds me a lot of a buick. totally without verve or style.
But, why is it hard for some people to understand that looks can be improtant to a person's buying critieria?
I can't fathom that. Sorry. The exterior isn't what will get me to buy a car (many super sexy looking cars I'd never own) or will get me to avoid buying a car (I've owned a Protege, Jetta, e46 ZHP and not a one is attractive on a visceral level).
I drive cars on the inside.
Why? If the car gave you total driving pleasure, what more could you ask for?
The Elise is one mugly car but supposedly it's more fun than oil wrestling Salma Hayek and Halle Berry.
Anyone who buys a car for handling and nothing else is quite one dimensional in the way they experience the world. I love a good handling car. I love a car I find visually pleasing. I love a car that is comfortable for my long commute. I hate bringing a car in for service and being robbed by the frequent need for gas, repairs or the ridiculous prices charged for reg. maintainance . So reliability and value are elements of how many people select their car. something unique to my experience is the desire for a quiet interior as i have to use time wisely and conduct business during my 2+ hour daily commute.
I chose an Acura TSX. It gets a 10 for handling, its still a pleasure after 53,000 miles, every time i get in. It gets a 6 for acceleration, I wish it was faster. I find it as a handsome car with understated good looks. It has actually grown on me. it was maybe a 7 when i bought it and its more than that now. The value and ergonomics are both strong 10's (the only complaint was ambient noise level which changed when i replaced tires).
Anyway, as you said, to each his own. Happy motoring.
10 :confuse: :confuse: :confuse: Wow, to each his own. I wouldn't even give that to an M3.
That's what i love about my adnoh imagibest. No need to ever put gas in.
dave
mike