BMW 3-Series 2006

odessit

I think you can. It depends on your state’s laws. I am in NY and here we can order personalized plates assuming the personalization you want is not already taken. You just pay extra each year on top of usual registration fee. Check your DMV website or simply call them.

thr61

$799! I thought it was something like $450.

Are other people buying this protection and, if so, what are you paying for it?

Thanks. I will need to make my decision in the next 3 or 4 days.

bdr127

Every place has a different plan and every place sells theirs for a different price. Find out what your dealership is selling and what they are selling it for....

saigonboi21

bought it for $450- i believe this is their cost??

kruntal

I just cleaned the brake dust off my E90 with Simple Green. Guys, it works like a charm. It's cheap. It's non toxic too. Try it before you plop the $ for P21S (sp ?).

dl7265

Is that a 3 year ? how many wheels/tires will they replace ?

DL

saigonboi21

it's 5 years- i think the maximum coverage shall not exceed $4000. It used to b unlimited til like a month ago. STill worth it to me. It's like exchange $450 to get $4000. ^_^

planoml

I'll have to try that. I've been using P21S for everything. The wax is great-wipe on wipe off. Just like buttaa. I will probably keep using the P21S wax, but change the wheel cleaner and the other stuff.

davidd3

I just took delivery of my new 3 a few days ago. My first Bimmer. Haven't cleaned the wheels yet, but would probably want to do so on a weekly basis.

I am not familiar with Simple Green, but I'd like to give it a try based on your strong endorsement. Where can I buy it and how much does it cost?

I am also not familiar with P21S. I gather that P21S may be some expensive wheel cleaner recommended and sold by BMW?

aloitoy

Hi all,

Just bought my first bimmer, 325i, took delivery a few days back. A few questions:

Can the rear seats fold down completely?

Secondly, is there anyway to add on the remote starter after I took delivery of the vechile?

Lastly, I was not offered the tire/wheel protection package by the dealer. I have the sport package. Has anyone had to use this insurance yet?

Thanks,
Adam

blingnbags23

You know what I wish this car had on it? Some sort of sideskirt protection...like possibly a clear strip of adhesive plastic that covers the top edge of the painted plastic which is most vulnerable to potential "nicking." haven't scratched the paint yet, but I feel like one of these times that myself or my passengers clip their foot on them getting in or out, damage will be done. I'm EXTRA careful getting in out and out, but still. Just a thought. It's such a shame when you see cars in excellent condition with scratches on the sideskirts.

I only mention this because I noticed that my wife's G35 has this, and it's great, you can barely see it and the paint underneath is totally out of harm's way from shoes or any other object entering/exiting the car. When BMW called me with their customer satisfaction survey, I mentioned this, and the lady said they had had several requests for something like this as well, so I wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of kit available to do just that. Maybe you guys have some info on something already available?

Thanks,
JB

corvette

1. If you have the folding rear seat option, or the Cold Weather Package, your rear seats will fold down.

2. There will not be a way to add the Comfort Access option if you didn't get it from the factory.

3. I would be very leery of any sort of warranty or protection package that is not underwritten or endorsed by BMW North America (not just the selling dealer). See the messages about Warranty Gold in the Warranty board for the reasons why.

Enjoy your car!

aloitoy

Thanks for the heads up!

kruntal

I picked up a spray bottle of Simple Green from Wal Mart last week, I think it was under $4. Used up about 1/3 of it on 2 cars (8 wheels total) last weekend.

From what I hear, you want to keep away from acidic or alkaline solutions - you need a balnced pH. I haven't measured the pH of Simple Green, but from what I see in these boards, they are OK.

Good luck with the new one. Mine just turned 1 month. Loving every second in it.

davidd3

Thanks.

Glad to hear that your first month has been so enjoyable.

corvette

It is a degreasing agent and will probably strip natural (carnuba) waxes. It can also dissolve the Cosmoline rust protection if you use it on the body panels. Kind of like washing your car with dish detergent. It's probably not good for synthetic polishes either.

The P21S wheel cleaner is a mild wheel cleaner. I like it, but it's expensive. I have used a spray bottle filled with a strong concentration of car wash soap and water, plus a wheel cleaning brush for the spokes with good results.

desi1

Hi,

Although everyone has their own preferences, what exterior color and trim combo is the most awesome with Terra Leather on a 2006 330i?

Toledo, OH, is not a big city and the only BMW dealer within the 50-mile radius has 1 330i on the lot - a silver demo with Black leather!!

Would really appreciate your thoughts and comments.

SS

bdr127

I saw a black sapphire/terra leather 325i yesterday.... looks nice.

kdshapiro

I only use dish detergent. If it's good for Marges' hands.....

rick_reno

I've got Sparkling Graphite with Terra on mine. Dealer hadn't seen one like that when it came in, told me he was ordering two more based on the customer comments who saw it while they were waiting for me to come over and pick it up. I wasn't sure about it when I ordered it - but found some pics on the net of one in Germany and liked it. I sitll like it.

nyccarguy

After washing your car and drying it thoroughly one day, I'd reccommend waxing your wheels. The wax will serve 2 purposes. It will make the wheels easier to clean in the future. The wax will protect the clearcoat on your wheels so the brakedust doesn't eat away at it.

johann8

Have an old (99) 323i sedan (40,000 miles) and like it (but it is getting old....odd squeaks and stuff) and a 2000 New Beetle (32,000 miles)......oh, and a 10 month old baby.

Space is getting a bit tight in the 323 and the New Beetle is only for the solo parent running errands....too cramped a back seat to buckle/unbuckle a car seat.

By the time you toss in a Mclaren/umbrella stroller and a few bags of groceries etc, the thing is crammed and the back seat of the 323 is not that great either. I am 6'2.

Would the 325 xit wagon be an improvement over the 323 sedan? I am not prepared to go for an SUV or van yet........unless I hear that a wagon such as a 325 won't work. Do I have to get a Sienna or MDX to be a parenty with a spouse and one kid?

The 5 wagon is sweet, but also comes at 50K+ price tag (too rich for my blood now).

Other ideas if the 3 wagon won't work?

Thanks,

Johann

ivan_99

If you’re positive you’re only having one child (i.e. snip snip) then I would think any vehicle will be large enough…even the sedan.

If you must have more room and the 3 wagon doesn’t do it you can check out other manufactures…if you’re prepared to leave the BMW family. Wagons such as the Passat are fairly large and still have the style and refinement you’d expect, Mazda 6 wagons are pretty cool too (wagon & cool ?!?).

If you suspect the family may be growing, I’d hold on to your current vehicles until you “need” the large one…then bite the bullet and go for a mini-van. That is my philosophy, one large family vehicle, one small one for me to toss around.

planoml

I second that. Waxing the wheels is the best way to go.

blingnbags23

I third that. Waxing the rims makes it much easier to get the nasty black powder off, as well as providing protection to their finish.

Guys, have you had any problems programming your garage door code with your car? I sat in my driveway and unsuccessfully tried to program it for like 30 minutes... Any suggestions? Maybe I'm just doing it completely wrong. Thanks!

JB

shipo

Waxing, cleaning, waxing, cleaning... I wish I had enough time to do that on a consistent basis. Sadly, I don't. Instead, I cheated and put cleaner pads on my car and solved the problem permanently.

Best Regards,
Shipo

topspin628

I previously had an 02 330i auto, PP, SP and loved it. My job changed and so did my commute so I switched to a Lexus LS 430, opposite end of spectrum. My situation changed again and I am getting a bit bored and considering going back to my "first love" the 3 series. Here's my questions: I would love a convertible with stick and test drove a pre-owned 03 330i with 5 speed. The stick was fair to good but a bit notchy. Then I tested the new 3 in auto (only one they had) and was really impressed with the improvements. The car did not have sport package but felt glued to ground. The sound of the engine was awesome and it was really quick. Is the 6 speed in the 05,06 cic (old body) appreciably better than the 5 speed? I understand that the stick in the new 06 330 i has been greatly improved. Any comments or experience with that? I can wait for the new ci if I have to. Do you think it would be worth waiting for?

Thank you for any and all comments.

legar

Anyone have any experience with a RWD 3-series in the snow? Had many problems with my CLK320 which had traction control and all-weather tires. I heard that if you put winter tires and sandbags on the car it will drive just as well as a front wheel drive in the snow; is this true?
AWD is NOT a solution for me, I want RWD.
Any feeback would be greatly appreciated.

topspin628

With Blizzacks my 330 was like a little tank. No problems whatsover. (no sandbags needed).

kdshapiro

Yes, like all cars even FWD without snows, it stinks. Do yourself a favor get AWD or put snows on.

shipo

"I heard that if you put winter tires and sandbags on the car it will drive just as well as a front wheel drive in the snow; is this true?"

No, it's not true. Why? The sand bags will ruin the the wonderful winter traction a winter tire equipped RWD 3-Series would otherwise have. Just fetch yourself a 3-Series and a set of "Snows" and you're good to go.

Best Regards,
Shipo

glaker

I had a heck of a time with my Genie openers and the directions for programming the universal opener that were in the BMW owner's manual. I called Genie on their toll free line and they walked me thru it step by step, staying on the line with me while I climbed the ladder, pushed the buttons, etc. The process was different than what was in the BMW manual! I'd make the call if I were you. It'll save you time and end the frustration.

ykm330

I just took delivery of my new 330i w/ PP, SP, and nav system last week. I was driving it these few days and notice that after my car comes to a complete stop, the car vibrates a bit after 1 or 2 sec, sometimes the vibration is noticeable, sometimes not. I am wondering if this is normal or not for the new brake system. Does anyone who's currently driving the E90 have this problem?

Also, my car's cd player (the one that comes w/ nav sys) cannot play some of the tracks from my self-recorded cds. Does anyone have his problem too? Thanks.

kdshapiro

I can't answer the question on the vibration, but as far as the disc player check what cd formats the disc player can take (in the owners manual). The E46 was pressed discs only, but most cd-r(s) played okay. On come of the cds I had the symptoms you describe. The solution was to get different media and reauthor the cd. This is not a BMW only issue. I've had this issue on a number of cars that have cd players.

odessit

Cannot say anything on vibration – my car does not vibrate after stop. It just stops. The breaks are a bit grabby but no vibration after stop. Well, unless there is 100 mph wind in the area
About the cd not playing in the car. Can you play them in any other cd players? In what format did you record your cd – mp3 format?

ykm330

Thanks, kdshapiro! I'll try your suggestion.

I recorded my cds in regular audio cd player format (I believe it's .cda, not mp3). They have been playing fine in my E46 325i cd player and all other cd players I've tried.

odessit

Ok, another question: when you record CDs do you finalize session AND close the disk?

kdshapiro

The answer for me would be yes. I use disc-at-once and finalize the session.

ykm330

Yes for me too. I finalize session and CD.

blingnbags23

Thanks for the info, I will do exactly that!

meangene3

i have an 2006 330, and i did not get the sat radio. I really regret it now and im considering getting an after mkt one installed. does anyone have any suggestions? I dont want a super cheap one, but I dont need the best available one etheir. I also want it to be somewhat subtlety installed, meaning stock looking, or removable. also, which is better? xm or sirius? I like football and baseball, talk radio, and a variety of different music. any help from someone in the know would be much appreciated

nyccarguy

Well, I'm probably biased because I'm a Sirius Stockholder :P I've had Sirius in my '01 Honda Prelude since April and I'm thrilled with it. I originally bought the Sat radio because Howard Stern will be starting on Sirius in January of '06. Sirius has so much great programming. I listen to everything from Alternative to top 40 to Hip Hop to 80s & 90s music to CNN. ALL of the music stations are 100% COMMERCIAL FREE. That alone is worth the price of admission. The sound is crystal clear. THat being said, in my area (NYC metro area), the reception isn't perfect and it does cut out more frequently than I'd like.

XM supposedly has better hardware which cuts out less. I have a friend who has Sirius in one car amd XM in another. He says the XM doesn't have as in depth programming as Sirius does. XM runs a few commercials on its music stations.

erickpl

If you want to maintain a factory look, you can do some kind of plugin that goes into the back. I had XM in my 2002 325xi. It was an aftermarket Alpine unit and the controller for it was installed in the front ashtray. Close it and you can't tell it is there. It was a RFmodulated unit but was soldered into the antenna lead. Sound clarity was VERY good.

I've listened to both. Both are very nice.

-Paul

planoml

Shipo, I was hoping you would comment on this. What brand of pads do you use?

erickpl

Is what he's used. I put them on my xi at his suggestion and have been VERY happy with em.

-Paul

potemkin

FYI: I copied my *.wma files on to CD-R's and they play just fine in my E46 325i with the single-disc base stereo system. I was squeezing ~30 albums on a disc, but then found out that the CD player won't play any tracks after the first ~259. Had to start all over again. Now I'm getting about 20 albums per disc.

is3ooguy

It was recently released that BMW (in Canada anyways) would be adding a 2006 323i to their line-up. My question is if anyone knows the specs on this engine? Or does anyone remember what they were when there was an E46 323i? FYI... for people in Canada that are interested it's going to start at only $35,200. A big discount over the 325i that starts over $40,000CAN

kyfdx

I'll make a WAG... that it is the 2.5 litre engine that is used in the Euro model 325i....

regards,
kyfdx
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odessit

Sorry if I am asking stupid question, but will it void the warranty of I put non-OEM pads?

shipo

No, however, given that BMW includes brakes in their Free Maintenance program, they might complain if you ask them to replace your PBR/Axxis pads once they've worn out. Then again, after living with clean wheels for that many miles, how could you possibly go back to OEM pads?

I made a note to myself a long time ago, "Never let a BMW dealership mess with my brakes." ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo