BMW 3-Series 2006

jagg

Thanks to this wonderful board, i'm ready to finally purchase the 330i (once I find a good dealer in South FL). Here is what i'm considering and I have a few questions:

330i Sparkling Graphite Metallic/Beige interior with poplar trim
Automatic transmission
Comfort Access
Satellite Radio
Sport Package

Does this look like a good configuration?

The BMW website lists this car as $43,190, which seems very high to me. I'm considering a lease and don't want to put down more than $1000. At 42 months, it lists it with a $666 monthly payment. Does this seem right?

I'm willing to drop the sport package as i'm not sure it really adds anything that is crucial. (I test drove 2 and the sport one was more enjoyable). Any recommendations on whether to keep the Sport Package?

My last question is the dealer told me that the October production will have true 'keyless access' so you don't have to actually put the key in the car. I'm willing to wait for that, but want to order the car now. Does anybody know anything about a new October production run and how to order one specifically from it? Thanks for any help.

tcn2k

I have black leather, which product is the best to use on these?

planoml

I was just about to say that. It would make sense, as it's not being offered in the US and they used the 3.0 engine in teh 325.

johann8

I just picked up a XM Roady 2 and wonder how others have mounted the antenna on the car. Can I put it on the dash?

I don't want to spend the coin for a custom install and I don't fancy wires snaking around weatherstripping and dangling in my car like an old CB antenna.

Ideas?

bdr127

For one, I'm getting a different price on that car you configured.... Second, a 36 month lease will give you a lower monthly payment, if that is a consideration. As far as that payment is concerned, yeah that's about right (bmwusa.com asks for your state, so I think that number includes tax.)

corvette

I have heard several complaints on the Volvo boards about the PBR pads losing a significant amount of braking power in the rain. Have you found this to be an issue on their BMW pads?

shipo

While I haven't heard of any complaints about PBR pads losing significant amounts of braking power (nor did I notice any when I used the Original Deluxe pads on my 530i), my bet is that those who've complained about it are running one of the pads that PBR sells for racing applications.

As a generic statement, I have over the years noticed any number of higher performance cars momentairly suffering from sharply reduced brake performance when driven in the rain. In every case as soon as the water is shed from the disc and the disc is then brought back up to temperature, BANG, the brakes come back on line like RIGHT NOW! Having said that, my bet is that BMW added their new "Brake Drying" feature to the new 3-Series expressly due to the performance of their brake pads on cold, wet rotors.

Best Regards,
Shipo

thr61

I am just wrapping up a deal and will be signing tomorrow. We went over the signing costs and everything looked fine except for a $725 acquisition fee. I thought that this fee was $625 through BMW finance? Did it go up in September with a new program? Or is it a way of them recouping the reduced money factor and purchase price I negotiated?

I hate to stall at the last minute and really want to take delivery, but it is annoying.

Others' experience here?

Thanks.

calif65gm

Well you're really just talking about Comfort Access (keyless access). If you order now, it'll be Oct. production anyways, so you don't have to be concerned.

calif65gm

The base lease acquistion fee is $625 or something like that, so your dealer is marking it up $100. Lot of people actually have paid more than the $725 before.

muck

Is the rear turn signal on the new 3 series red or yellow? It is hard to tell from the bmw website.

dl7265

i don't "think" they are available yet for the E90. I thought i heard something like December.

DL

corvette

In the US, it's red, unfortunately. At least it's a separate bulb from the brake lights. Nations with modern driving regulations require amber, not red.

muck

Is it possible to change the red turn signal to amber or yellow on these bmw's? I've done this in the past on my cheap american cars. I know some bmw's have yellow turn signals. I really don't want a vehicle with a red turn signal. Yellow or amber is so much better at night.

aloitoy

Hi all, I recently purchased my 325i without the rear distance control radar. Living in the city this was a mistake on my part. Is there anyway this can be added on by BMW? Secondly I'm aware that there are several aftermarket units that do this as well. Lastly has anyone had experience with tinting windows professionally? Do dealers get involved in this at all or is this an aftermarket add on as well. Any recommendations or reviews?

ps. Love this place!

carnaught

Can't help you with the other issues but window tinting in places Las Vegas are especially a must. Check your local Yellow Pages and check price and if there's a lifetime guarantee. Large car dealers often use these independents to do their work and then charge up to 100% premium. This was confessed by my salesman to me. I ended up getting my recent car's tinting by one of these independents who does high end cars (Ferraris, Lambos, etc.). It cost me less than half of what the dealer wanted and was done in a timely manner with excellent guaranteed for life work.

corvette

The non-US models use the same shape of taillamps, so you should be able to import a pair of OEM taillamps from overseas and replace the factory ones with them. The parts are probably hard to come by because these cars are so new.

shipo

No luck there either...

It seems that the E90 is the first European car that I can remember that does not have an amber turn signal, even when sold in Europe. I say this because the pictures in the various European publications and web sites all seem to have the exact same look to the rear taillight assembly as is sold here in the States. So, unless there is some kind of a stealth amber signal that shows through the red veneer, we gots what they gots.

Best Regards,
Shipo

planoml

Just as well, as I just remembered that brakes are covered. I'll just wax the wheels, and elbow grease the rest for another four years, or a new car.

By the way, last weekend I spotted a brand new (dealer tags) silver E90 near Stonebriar. We both stopped at the light, & I noticed that the front end was smashed out. Poor thing-hope it wan't yours'.

ascii2121

I got my new 330i (PP, SP, and CP) a little bit more than a month ago, and I notice a similar problem with the brake. When I stepped on the brake, the car did stop. However, a very short moment later, I noticed that it slightly oscillated forward and backward (just once). Not sure if this is normal. Does that sound familar to other people here?

saigonboi21

i wasnt paying to it at first but i just noticed yesterday (had the car for 2.5 weeks) that the steering wheel kinda vibrates. Is it supposed to?? I was on the freeway and it was"trembling" a little. I thought maybe cus it's a sports sedan. Is this normal??? thanks

corvette

I think the amber rear signal is required in Europe. I remember someone on another board saying that their car was delivered with one signal that blinked amber and one that blinked red.

shipo

Until I checked earlier this afternoon I thought that Europe required them as well, that said, I took a pretty close look at the German version of the E90 on the internet and I'll be darned if I can figure out where the amber turn signal lives or even if it exists.

Maybe one of our European contributors will help us out on this one.

Best Regards,
Shipo

carnaught

I've noted the same thing. It has happened seemingly when my foot eases off pressure on the brakes.

nyccarguy

People still use those? I thought I was one of the only ones left.

dl7265

Ouch, no i live near there tho. I am now starting to see some E90's on the road. Saw a SG other day on Mcdermott wondered if it was yours. How many miles you got ?

DL

greasykid1

Use Lexol products.

pegasus4

Funny you should ask.... I take delivery tomorrow ! My 330i is Arctic Metallic w/ Terra interior and the poplar wood. Should be very unique and sharp ! I am stoked to say the least. Hope I sleep tonight .....

best wishes,
MG

supershot

Hey, The question I have is, Do I need to put 4 snow tires on or just the 2 rear wheels? Any thoughts??

carnaught

Sounds like a great combination. The poplar would looks great and should especially be nice with the Terra interior.

Let us know what you think and safe motoring.

div2

You must fit four winter tires-that's assuming you want to be able to steer your car...

expertbi

I have the same question as I live in New Jersey. I have heard that snow tires do not give you the same ride as all-season radials? Is this true? And do snow tires on an i-drive give you the same traction as a front wheel drive?

amir

i want to know that when will the production start on comfort access.and how long it takes to get the car once its ordered. and is $45000 out the door a good price for a 330i.including tax
sport
premium
auto
mettalic paint
comfort access

shipo

"I have the same question as I live in New Jersey. I have heard that snow tires do not give you the same ride as all-season radials? Is this true?"

It depends on the winter tires that you pick. I used Michelin Arctic-Alpin tires (since replaced by the Michelin X-Ice) and they rode as smooth or smoother than any All-Season tire I've ever driven.

"And do snow tires on an i-drive give you the same traction as a front wheel drive?"

Errr, I'm not sure what iDrive has to do with anything regarding traction, iDrive is the Nav and Vehicle Configuration System and has no bearing on anything to do with how the car drives or the traction that it is able to get from its tires. As for a RWD BMW being shod with a good set of winter tires versus a similar sized FWD car running on All-Season tires, the BMW in this case will easily be able to out perform said FWD car in all phases of winter driving.

Best Regards,
Shipo

manybmws

Can't the dealer still install it?

calif65gm

Not sure where you're located and what kind of tax rate you have, but $45K might be slightly high based on your options.

Comfort Access started production the 1st of Sept. Once you order it and depending on your location (East or West Coast) 6-8 weeks for delivery unless the dealer is able to find an unsold car already on a ship.

Good luck.

amir

i am ready to buy a 330i.with sport,premium,auto,comfort access,mettalic paint. the msrp on this is $43390. how much discount should i ask for?

calif65gm

Invoice about $39,730 with your specs, depending where you're located. $1000 over invoice is very reasonable and a lot of people have gotten $500-$750 but it depends on the area too.

Good luck!

shipo

Well I'll be dipped. A red taillight that blinks amber. Cool. I'm guessing that those Euro Taillight assemblies will become quite popular here in the U.S. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

adhaneku

hi there,
i was planning on buying the 330i, but one of my friends suggested i had rather wait for the all wheel drive. I was wondering if it really makes a significant difference, as i live in chicago.

Thanks,
Anish

planoml

Glad it wasn't your's. You should have seen the look on the poor lady's face. My car has the EU plates on the front-hard to miss. At about 3,000 miles. So, I've only put on about 1,500 since the re-delivery in July. I live 5 miles from my office, & don't drive it every day.

mooselook

I'm considering a 2006 325i when my current lease expires. Being a little concerned about RWD for winter driving, I'm thinking I would want to get mounted snows. With the run flat tires, I believe that the 325i has a system to warn the driver if one of the run-flats fails. If I were to mount run-flat snows on non BMW wheels (Tire Rack package) would the warning system be inoperative?
Thanks!

****Mooselook****

shipo

"If I were to mount run-flat snows on non BMW wheels (Tire Rack package) would the warning system be inoperative?"

Nope, it will work just fine. Unlike some manufacturers that use a telemetry unit in the valve stem of each wheel, BMW uses the OBC to calculate a relative difference in tire RPMs to determine if a tire is going flat.

Good luck with your new 3er.

Best Regards,
Shipo

expertbi

Shipo,

Thanks for your response. I almost went in for an xi in April but did not get the color and options I wanted as they had started shipping the new 2006 models. Now they do not have the xi in the 2006 models - so was wondering how the RWD would do in the snow. Your answer has given me more confidence in making a RWD purchase - however I still hear some current 325 owners saying that they should have gone for an xi as they have problems especially on slopes. I am almost there but not there as yet....the Volvo s60 is posing stiff competition to my BMW decision (which is coming from the heart).

corvette

A red taillight that blinks amber. Cool. I'm guessing that those Euro Taillight assemblies will become quite popular here in the U.S.

I am trying to resist the temptation to waste money on mods for this car... I might have to spring for that, though. The original Jetta IV's had a reddish surround around the amber bulb, so it looked similar (IIRC, later models had a crystal-clear surround around the amber bulb).

shipo

I suppose it depends on the inclines that you need to negotiate. I live in the hills of southern New Hampshire, my street is a 7.5% grade and my driveway is closer to 10%, and I had absolutely no problem getting up my street and driveway with anything under eight inches. Beyond that however, my 530i became a snow plow due to its low ride height and was essentially worthless, something that only happened twice in three years, and only lasted until the plows came out (not too long around here as they are more than capable of dealing with fairly frequent 20+ inch snow falls, usually coinciding with lots of drifting). Having said that, my car was completely unable to climb either of the two driveways on my street that easily exceed 20% as well as another that is well beyond 25% with even an inch of snow covering them. Of course I don't feel too bad about that because the folks who live at the top of those three driveways park their cars (1 Dodge Ram 4x4, 1 AWD Volvo wagon, 1 Jeep Wrangler, 1 Jeep Cherokee, 1 Ford Exhibition 4x4, and 1 Ford F-250 4x4) on the street when the snow is (or might be) flying.

So, the question is, "Do you live on the top of a mountain?" If so, hold out for an "xi", otherwise save a little money and get an "i" and some good winter skins. ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

moneyb24

I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a way to install sirus seamlessly (as when it is factory installed to work with the OEM tuner) into the 330i without having purchased the $75 sat. preparation option. I really want satellite but I want it to be integrated. I need to listen to H. Stern.

mooselook

Thanks, Shipo.
You just eliminated one worry, which moves me one step closer to the 325i.
Regards,
****Mooselook****

shipo

Any time. ;-)

div2

The Artic Alpins on my wife's E39 are shot, so I'm going to try the Nokian WR this time. The WR is an H-rated all season tire that also meets the severe winter service requirements. I'll still wait until early December to fit them, but I'll probably leave them on a little later than I would if they were strictly a winter tire.