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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

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Comments

  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    If you go the MB route, I hope you get the SLK. It looks a thousand times better than the MB coupe/hatchback and it's supposed to be a lot of fun to drive.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    If the seats are firmer than my living room sofa and they're only 6-way, then I don't want it.

    Good, I say.
  • genie1genie1 Member Posts: 398
    The 230 is for my kid brother. I don't think it would suit me as much as my 3er does.

    :)

    The SLK on the other hand...maybe in a couple of years. I saw a burgundy one at the dealership that looked really sharp. It even "fit" me. And not all cars do that.

    Impractical as heck (not much trunk space, no back seat) and only driveable with the top down for a couple of months here. And I don't even like convertibles all that much.

    But I would like one.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I thought it was 100 mph or 4,500 RPM's. The 325 manual does about 95 mph at 4,000 RPM's (4,200 @ 100 mph), so I think the 330 would be going at least 5-10 mph faster at the same RPM level. Keep in mind too that you're not supposed to accelerate abruptly during the break-in. And remember to vary your speed so the cylinder walls won't end up being too thin. All of these are guidelines, not something that's carved in stone. BTW, if you do get an opening on the autobahn, you'll feel like you're standing still at 100 mph when everyone else flies by going 30-40 mph faster. Keep your eyes on the rearview mirror seconds before you switch lanes.
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    "almost continuous construction projects."

    that was the NJ Turnpike.

    SLK: Fun little cars. Good friend of mine owns one in dark red. Had to rag on her a little for getting it automatic though. :)
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    You said that "I would consider it as an option when its time to trade. (A used SLK would be nice too)". One drawback with the SLK: according to some poll I read, people find it the sexiest car on the road. Imagine all the accidents you'd be causing with the roof down and some sexy top. OK, I'll stop right here.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    We drove together for about 10 miles and every time it was safe to do so, we'd just floor it and run together. I couldn't believe my puny 325 could keep up with the big 7. He'd gain maybe a couple of feet at first but for the next 40 mph up we'd be neck-to-neck. When we slowed down for the tolls, I honked at him and we gave each other big thumbs up. Needless to say we both had two huge grins on our faces. A BMW camaraderie of a sort. So I dug out the numbers and here's what I found on the 740IL:
    282 HP
    310 lb/ft torque
    4,288 lbs weight
    15.2 lb/HP power-to-weight
    0-60 6.9 sec

    The 325i's power-to-weight is 17.7 lb/HP so it's even more amazing that it could keep up with the 740IL. I guess having the manual helps, especially because I could keep the RPM's above 4,500 and the 740IL auto tranny might have been upshifiting too early.
  • genie1genie1 Member Posts: 398
    Now I'll have to get one...

    in traffic stopping red?
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    get the darker red. Looks much better than the bright one.

    My friend and I once talked about how she ended up with the chick magnet, while I got the plain Jane (at least in CA).
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Halter top works best. I assume you were asking about the color of the top, right :o)
  • genie1genie1 Member Posts: 398
    was perfect.

    It'll look great with my skintone.

    And cars are guy magnets too you know.
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    I'd be attracted. ;-) It's called Fire Mist Red. Really cool color.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Your friend with the SLK does deserve some harassing. It's understandable why you'd want to borrow the SLK but having to deal with the auto tranny would be a pain. Ahh, well, priorities, priorities...
  • ccotenjccotenj Member Posts: 610
    considering he probably has 4 times the drivetrain losses that you do, yea... hp at the wheels v. hp at the crank...

    also, power to weight is important, but so is coefficient of drag (a lot moreso than you might think)... dunno what it is on the 7er, but i'm willing to bet it's lower on the 3er...

    -Chris
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I hadn't thought about the coefficient of drag but it makes sense - especially at higher speed, right? What % of HP do you think is lost at the drive wheels due to the torque converter?
  • ccotenjccotenj Member Posts: 610
    because the 7er is heavier, it in all likelihood has a bigger contact patch with the tires, which would cause more friction as well...

    i'd have to hunt down the drivetrain loss on that... i'm sure it's on the web somewhere... plus bmw makes just about the most efficient manuals in the world...

    -Chris
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    done
  • ccotenjccotenj Member Posts: 610
    yes, drag is a squared function of velocity...


    this explains it pretty well...


    -Chris

  • genie1genie1 Member Posts: 398
    "I know I'd be attracted. ;-) It's called Fire Mist Red. Really cool color."

    And sight unseen too. Do you know what you're setting yourself up for?

    :)

    (It must be my magnetic personality)
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    She claims she got it as automatic because she didn't want to learn how to drive a stick in a ~50k car.

    We used to have a lot of fun "racing" each other to work on those rare occasions.
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    I already know you have great tastes in cars. What else is there? ;-)
  • genie1genie1 Member Posts: 398
    You do know I can't drive a stick shift yet, right?

    Me thinks that might be a deal breaker, non?

    I am planning on learning next year, though.
  • derprofiderprofi Member Posts: 250
    Gents, thanks for clarifying the break-in thing. I got the 85mph limit out of Platypus' ED write-up from some months back, and although it's what he was told at the delivery center, it still seemed a bit on the low side. One other interesting thing I noticed was that after reading his write-up I remember thinking "Wow, how did he ever drive that car enough to pass the break-in period?" But now that I'm starting to plan out our route, I'm seeing we might hit 1000 miles within the first week alone.

    Genie1, on the C-Coupe vs. SLK question you've got my vote for the roadster. We just did a weekend trip in our 2001 and by the time we had 2 small bags, 2 mid-weight coats for evening, and our little soft-sided Costco cooler loaded up, the trunk was pretty much at capacity. With the top up, it's another story. I regularly get 3-4 weeks worth of groceries for 2 in there. As for the available months of top-down driveability, it all depends on how cold you mind your ears getting :) For me, as long as the outdoor temp gauge shows ~40F or above, I've still got the top down. Heated seats definitely help.

    I know it's off-topic, but I just can't say enough good things about the hard-top convertible mechanism. It's like owning 2 cars, and ours still turns heads whenever we work it in public. I would say that BMW would do well to add a similar top to their roadster, but I'm sure the extra weight of the mechanism might offend purists. The only real downside to our SLK is that it's a Slushtronic, a compromise reached with my S.O. who paid half. The agreement was, however, that the next car would be stick and that the "compromise" would be for her to learn how to work 3 pedals. WOO HOO! But like Dave330i's friend, I'm not sure I want to teach her in our new 330. My Nissan SE-R is in mothballs for that very purpose!
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    At least you're willing to learn. Plus, someone has to drive the minivan/SUV. ;-)
  • ccotenjccotenj Member Posts: 610
    is quite cool...

    1) yes, it would add considerable weight to the car
    2) when it breaks (as it inevitably will, just like the power top in my 325 inevitiably will), it's going to be mucho dineros to fix.

    as far as break-in speed, something else to consider besides breaking in the engine, and that's "breaking in the driver"... i wouldn't even consider going over 100 mph in a car (any car, not just a 3er) for at least 500 miles or so, because i would feel that it would take me at least that long to learn the dynamics of the vehicle... this is especially true of someone who is going from a fwd to a rwd... things happen real fast when you are travelling at triple digit speeds...

    -Chris
  • parnolaparnola Member Posts: 141
    I see you have the same car I'm close to getting - 325i 5-speed - test drove it this weekend and was satisfied with the performance considering the price jump to the 330. Also was pleased with the suspension (thanks for the post last week offering guidance in moving from a Lexus). Any particular options you really like, wish you had, etc? Thanks!
  • 01passatv601passatv6 Member Posts: 5
    Drove one fri. in santa monica 4 door with auto, prem and sport pkg, it was sluggish, frankly. I had driven a 323 coupe last year with a stick and LOVED it - it was a dream, the auto was nothing particular to write about IMO. Next car, if a 3 series, must be a man tranny to make the experience worthwhile. I suppose this is obvious to this group of enthusiasts.
  • topspin627topspin627 Member Posts: 67
    I've seen some references here to ultimate driving experiences or schools. Can someone tell me what these are and where one would find out more information about them. Thanks.
  • bmw323isbmw323is Member Posts: 410
    Topspin, the driving school I referred to about 50 posts ago is BMW's. You need to join BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA). Their web address is: www.bmwcca.org. Annual dues are $35, and that provides a monthly magazine (Roundel - very nice) and a local chapter newsletter (and many other things). Each local chapter runs local driving schools which include a car control clinic and a day at the track.

    The Ultimate Drive is a special event that travels around America. BMW sponsers this event which raises money for research and treatment of breast cancer. It is by invitation only. I think you can find out more on this at BMW's web site.

    Both are fun, educational and will further enhance the love affair between you and your four wheeled friend.
  • 328guy328guy Member Posts: 2
    SOMETIME AGO I READ ABOUT 2 OR 3 TYPES OF COATING THAT ONE CAN GET DONE. I HAVE HAD HAND WAX DETAILING DONE, BUT IT SEEMS TO LEAVE A FILM ON BODY [JET BLACK] AND EVEN IF I USE MY "DUSTER" IT LEAVES MARKS FROM THE WAX. ANYONE KNOW THE TYPES OF COATINGS.
  • denrightdenright Member Posts: 285
    I agree 100% that any performance oriented driver MUST drive a manual. Otherwise, you are half passenger while the auto tranny does half the work and loses a l;arge percentage of your torque.



    The 325 auto seemed sluggish to me too when I was test driving. The 330 auto was better, but still disatisfactory. The 325xi sportwagon manual was even too slow for my taste, due to extra weight (approx. 400 lbs.) from the wagon and AWD.



    I drive a 330xi manual sedan, and it is a dream. Go manual, and, if you can afford it, spend the extra few grand for the extra "oomph".

  • twoof1twoof1 Member Posts: 308
    "I agree 100% that any performance oriented driver MUST drive a manual."
    That is pure HOGWASH. That statement is the kind of arrogance that owners of other makes despise about BMW owners. Try driving in southern California traffic all day and then tell me how great a manual tranny is. Jus because I bought a step tranny, does that mean that I am not a "performance oriented driver"?
    Please... give me a break.
    Remember opinions are like.....belly buttons, everyone has one. Your opinion is based on ignorance.
  • tenet1tenet1 Member Posts: 354
    I got the Auto/Step on my '01 325 because my wife drives this car as well and prefers automatics. So I thought that I wouldn't get the full performance out of this awesome car. I have driven stick since I learned to drive so it is second nature to me.

    After getting my car over a month ago, I pretty much drove it in Auto mode for a few days and though that Step would be a useless half-manual. But after taking a few turns at a higher gear than neccessary, I decided to check out the step and started using it. Boy, was I surprised and instantly hooked!! Driving the car in Step mode is really a pleasure and the overall handling and performance is completely different from when the car is in Auto. Now, after 1600 miles I only drive it in Steptronic mode.

    Basically, once you figure out when to shift with Step (and get used to the fact that there is no clutch), it is as good and much smoother than manual. It is probably one of BMW's better options if you are on the fence b/w manual and Auto.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Glad to hear that I was able to help. My '01 325i has the sport pack, sunroof, xenons, H-K stereo, CD (standard now), heated seats, and on-board computer. Exterior is orient blue, interior is black 'ette. Total came to < 31.5K + I put in the BMW alarm for ~ $400. I'd get the exact same options if I had to do it all over again. The black interior looks very sporty but you may want to consider a lighter interior if you go with a dark exterior. I personally thought that the gray interior was a little cold-looking and boring and the beige interior was too far on the yellow side for my taste. Besides, I went for sport in my 325i and black interior fits the overall theme best. The SP is a key contributor to the car's overall sporty feel but it's not something I would recommend to every buyer. The roof is huge and I like a lot of light in my car (no window tint for me), the xenons are great (especially for safety - see and be seen), the stereo is reasonably good, the heated seats are a must for cold climate (Boston), and the OBC is essential for monitoring your fuel consumption and average speed. For me, the premium package and especially leather were a rip-off and included a lot of features that I was frankly not interested in. If you get the car with a manual (and what a manual it is!!!), and pass on the premium package and leather, the car is actually very reasonably priced. Good luck, shopping for it should be fun!!
  • ccotenjccotenj Member Posts: 610
    shifting isn't exactly an olympic event... sitting in traffic isn't any more fun with a slush v. a stick...

    -Chris
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    autos make perfect sense. The cars were never fun to start with, so why bother. For the 3-series, the manual gave me the most joy. Full auto made it feel like a Lexus. Step's little better, but no challenge.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I've never regretted having the manual even in the heaviest traffic... I guess you either like shifting for yourself, or you don't. We're all entitled to opinions, though and should never forget that what unites us is our love for the 3-series... Having different flavors of the same ice cream is fine. I would not think any less of auto tranny owners but I do feel like they are missing out on fun.
  • derprofiderprofi Member Posts: 250
    I always found that once I "get to know" the particular car I'm driving, shifting manually totally becomes 2nd nature and I don't even have to think about it, traffic or no traffic. Of course auto drivers can still be "performance oriented" but there is no denying that it's a significant compromise. I say that based on my own experience with the "Touch Shift" in our SLK (which leaves me very unimpressed even in manual mode) as well as the noticeable difference in peppyness I felt on a back-to-back 325i stick vs. auto test drive. Something like SMG/SSG is really the only form of no-pedal-involved shifting in a production car that does not compromise performance.

    Still, an auto Bimmer is one heckuva lot better than no Bimmer at all! It will still handle like a dream, look fantastic doing it, and be loads of fun. I do think the Steptronic folks are missing out on loads of extra fun they could be having, though.

    Now that makes me wonder... What's an auto-only driver to do if they want to learn stick but don't have a friend/parent who's willing to teach them? Is that the sort of thing a driving school will help you with? Just curious...
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Anatomy of a gas cap induced Check Engine light.

    A week an a half ago, I filled up with gas and my ear did not detect the proper Gas Cap closure sound (mere citizens cannot pump their own gas here in New Jersey), I made a mental note to check it when I got to work, however, I forgot. Saturday night, I was returning home from a meeting in NYC and my &#147;Check Engine&#148; light came on after about 15 minutes of driving, at that point I had a little more that a quarter of a tank of fuel left. When I got home, I checked the cap, and sure enough, the attendant had put it on slightly cocked so that it "Felt" tight, but when I started to loosened it, it simply fell off, I then put it back on properly. Starting with the fill up the next morning, here is a chronological list of events until the light turned itself off:

    00.0 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    25.1 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    50.1 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    52.0 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    53.2 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    71.7 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    91.4 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    93.0 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    99.5 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    99.6 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    99.7 Miles - Start Car - Light On
    99.7 Miles - Start Car - Light OFF

    I do not know whether it is the miles driven or the number of restarts that finally causes the car to turn off the light, this is my third loose cap event in three years and this is the shortest number of miles that I have driven, but maybe the greatest number of restarts before the light was extinguished.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    how about becoming a valet driver, and learning on someone else's car? ;-)
  • twoof1twoof1 Member Posts: 308
    Don't get me wrong, I drove a stick Z3 2.8 for 2 years and loved it. I am a "Performance oriented" driver no matter what I drive.
    The point is twofold.
    1. The general arrogance that serious drivers ONLY drive a stick.
    2. While the Step is a compromise, it is far and away the best slush box I have ever driven. The Step mode is so far superior to my Volvo V70 T5 "Geartronic" mode that it isn't even a contest. While the Volvo has 250hp with a high pressure turbo, the "Geartronic" is slow to respond and abrupt on downshifts.

    ccotenj: I never asserted that driving in traffice was like an Olympic event. If however you drive the so. Cal freeways everyday like I do, you would quickly realize the advantage that a Step tranny offers. That does not make it better or worse than a stick. It just makes it more suited to my particular needs.
  • derprofiderprofi Member Posts: 250
    how about becoming a valet driver, and learning on someone else's car? ;-)

    LMAO Great idea! Of course now I'll be too paranoid to ever use valet parking again :)
  • streetracerstreetracer Member Posts: 134
    I don't own a 3 series, but just was looking at them a while back. I think with the 3.0L engine a stick is probably need to get the best acceleration. I drove a Z3 3.0 which is suppose very quick, and it was not. However, I do prefer automatics, and agree a SSG/SMG would be optimal. I see performance driving as about choosing the right combination, of acceleration, braking, and cornering to successful navigate a challenging road at high speed. I think how to send those inputs to the car is irrelevant. I also think a stick in some way takes away from the pure driving experience, as you now "controlling" the drive train as oppose to "commanding" the car. You of course want an automatic is aware of cornering and braking inputs, in addition to acceleration
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    It usually works if I give them a tip. Yep, just stand there and pretend you're working; I'll do the work for you and pay you so you don't have to park my car. The last time I let someone else park the car a couple of months ago, he walked around it a couple of times wondering what to do. I was about to go into the building as I saw that and when back to ask him if he could drive a manual. "Oh, yeah" was the confident response. I went into the restaurant an as I was waiting to be seated, I heard a car outside rev and then stall. I looked outside and sure enough it was my car. Aaaaargh, it's probably a good thing my wife pulled me by the arm. Maybe he was on the Valet Manual Tranny Learning Program too...
  • ashutoshsmashutoshsm Member Posts: 1,007
    Can't find a link to confirm this, but it was posted a few months ago (here or elsewhere).

    Perhaps someone in the know can confirm (or refute!) this.

    For me, if I bought a 3-series - this alone would tilt the balance in favour of the stick shift. In addition to the fact that its way more fun!

    Of course, knowing BMW, one would hope they tested the tranmission before approving its use in cars carrying their badge. Not something I'd worry about.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    "However, I do prefer automatics" - considering you cannot drive manual, in your case automatics would be better than taking the bus, yes. Good thinking!!
  • ccotenjccotenj Member Posts: 610
    oh, we've got a little bit of traffic here in new jersey, trust me...

    i look at it this way... shifting gives me something to do while i'm sitting there...

    -Chris
  • rpadillarpadilla Member Posts: 53
    Re: how about becoming a valet driver, and learning on someone else's car? ;-)

    Did anybody see/remember "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and the Ferrari?
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    I believe that it is indeed true that a division of GM makes the auto trannys for BMW. It is also my understanding that these are built to a BMW design and kept to within the tolerances that are set forth by BMW.

    In sort of a related situation, my brothers Father-in-Law just retired from Oldsmobile and he related a story to me about another transmission. This one was for a FWD application designed by GM and then built in two locations, the first was either in Lansing or Saginaw and the other was subcontracted to a Japanese company. After a while, the American built units started failing while the Japanese units just kept on running. After much research, it was discovered that the GM factory built the units such that all parts were within the design tolerance for size, shape and structure, whereas the Japanese units were built EXACTLY to spec, none of this "Plus or Minus" stuff, that is what made the difference.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • ccotenjccotenj Member Posts: 610
    shipo would be correct. i'm not sure about the wannabe manuals though. div2 will know, if you ask nice... :)

    -Chris
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