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Thanks for the info "KV007".
Does anybody out there have the "black sapphire metallic" paint. I am getting one with gray leather and myrtle wood trim.
Also, does the car come with any alarm system and/or security system or is that a dealer installed option?
Thanks in advance for the info.
Veekay1
The lady said this is fairly common among higher end dealerships. I told her I could MAYBE understand if you bought from a local competitor....but I did not think it was fair to the people that move from another part of the country...Why penalize them? She agreed, but said that was the way it...(PS I have heard bad things about John Roberts)
I went out to the BMWUSA site, and found "Locate a BMW center" I chose a state (Texas and Louisiana), printed it, and started at the top of the list calling. Hope any of this rambling helps!
I have a 2001 325i 5-Speed (US Spec) with a severe stalling problem. I have an underground parking stall that is very difficult to maneuver into. Everytime, I backup, the motor dies. It doesn't buck, it just gracefully dies, and there isn't a damn thing I can do to stop it from dying. Even if I quickly disengage the clutch when the RPM begins to dip, the motor continues to loose revs until it dies.
This always happens when I backup and on rare occasions, it happens going forwards. I live in Brussels, and if you've every driven there, you know you take your life into your hands everytime you have to dart through the traffic circles. The last thing I need is my car dying on me when I need to be accelerating.
I've taken the car to the local dealer, but they been totally useless in resolving this problem. They connect their computer to the OBD port and it tells them everything is OK, even though their own people have difficulty driving the car.
Has any of you experience a similar problem? If so, what did you do to resolve it?
Larry
I bought the 330xi. Great to drive! Unfortunately, after having it for 6 hours, the temperature guage redlined hot, and when I shut off the engine...Steam, antifreeze, the whole 9 yards. Dealer said that never happens. The BMW Emergency Road Service took my call and promptly had a flatbed tow truck dispatched to take the car 60 miles back to the dealer. Don't know the damage yet, or when it will return. But the emergency road service works.
Anybody have a similar problem???
Thanks Steve
kv007 - I would pay money not to get the wood trim. I think it looks oldish and pretentious and certainly does not belong in the Ultimate Driving Machine. I like the aluminum and black trim much better. Again, just my personal opinion - you should go with whatever makes you happy.
A note on the auto-dimming mirror: my wife's Audi A4 has that and it works great for protecting your eyes at night. The problem, though, is that it works a little too well. You can't tell a police cruiser from the rest of the traffic even when he's right on your tail. With my style of driving, I'd be getting speeding tickets every week if I had the auto-dimming mirror in my car. It all depends on your driving style.
I really don't care about rain-sensing wipers either - why is it so difficult to reach over by an inch and turn your wipers on when you want to? Having said all that, you know how I feel about the Premium Package. I'm glad a lot of other buyers are getting it, though - it bumps up BMW's profit margins pretty well, so they can afford to give discounts on the stuff that I really care about, such as the Sports Package : O )
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I bought from a dealer outside of Atlanta but BMW of Nashville has treated us well enough that we even feel a bit guilty for buying elsewhere. They always offer a loaner without being asked and even picked up and dropped off the car at our home (~20mi from the dealership) when they weren't able to complete a warrantee repair on the original visit due to them having ordered the wrong part.
The dealership is very involved in the local chapter of BMWCCA with one salesman being a club officer and the GM, and sales managers attending a few meetings per year. The dealership even hosts ocasional club meetings at the dealership and arranges for catering, too!
What really impressed me was when the salesman, who's the CCA officer, offered my HER 528i when I was waiting for my car's alarm to be programed even though she was well aware of where I'd bought the car.
I just wish I'd joined the club and met the folks from the dealership before I bought elsewhere. The dealership has defintely earned the couple hundred bucks I saved by going out of town. Too bad all dealerships aren't this good.
I've actually had really good luck so far with the dealer in Temple. John Roberts in Austin refuses to pass along the 5.9% financing offered by BMW, and insists on adding 1.0% to the rate. The dealer in Temple agreed on 5.9% without any haggling, and offered $1200 off MSRP versus the $745 John Roberts offered. Note that this was their initial offer!
John Roberts is also trying to screw me on a lease. I can't figure out HOW ON EARTH they are calculating payments so high. They calculated $735 per month for a 330ci coupe, steptronic, sport, premium, xenon, in dash CD. $41,245 total with floor mats. The $735 payment is based on $3000 upfront costs total. They offered a money factor of 0.00365, which is probably part of the screw job, since it appears BMW is sponsoring a much lower money factor right now. Of course, I don't know if this applies to the coupe.
In any case, my ONLY reservation about buying out of town is the lack of loaner car. That can be a major pain, I'm sure. But is it worth $2000 to $3000???? I just don't know....
Reason: the price of 17" rims and snow tires is almost double that of 16". I was quoted ~$1700 US (~$2700 Can) for 17" rims and tires (brand was not mentioned). I'm sure that I can get a better deal but the point is that the 17"crs cost a lot more.
1. I ordered a 325i. Does this come with the chrome exaust tips like on the 330? If not, any idea on where I could buy them seperately and have them installed?
2. What's the deal with the fog lights on 3 series BMWs? It seems to me that the rectangular shaped fogs come standard on the 325 and the round fogs come with the sport package. Also, different round fogs come standard on the 330 while even another different set of round fogs come with the 330 sport package. Is this about right??
First, the effective APR is 5% which you are not likely to get on financing a purchase. Second, BMW and the dealer are both contributing to reducing the capitalized cost by a total of about $1,800 in addition to any other deal you can make. Third, the sales tax in FL is only the down payment and monthly payments rather on the purchase price. Fourth, you can make extra months refundable security deposits which reduce the effective APR to as low as 2.88%. This gives a yield on your deposits of about 20% per year.
(My payments go down by $53.50 per month x 36 = $1,926 return on $3,150)
None of these are available with purchasing.
I am getting a 330i MSRP $36,585 with $2,500 down and extra refundable security deposits of $3,150. My payments are $319 per month for 36 months.
The residual is 65% of MSRP. At the end of the lease, if I buy the car, I will be paying approximately what the retail price would be at that time. I will have saved a lot of sales tax and will have saved a lot of interest.
There is no difference in any other automobile costs such as insurance.
I am turning in a Z3 coupe on a two year lease for which my payments have been $209.62 on a $39,770 MSRP car. My purchase option would be $29,060. This was another BMW lease program which was unbelievable.
Please tell me where I have gone wrong!!
Where is the downside in my deal?
I have, in the last 18 months, had this thing in the shop 3 times for rear differential problem, 3 times for water leaks into interior, 5 or 6 times for rattling windows, 5 or 6 times for airbag light, and 2 times for squeeking seats. I know all the folks at the dealership service center. This car has been out of service for about 40 days in the past 18 months.
Sorry BMW, you have lost a die hard fan. I will sadly sell this summer.
Looking forward to shopping the IS300, hope they come out with a manual soon!
They refused to budge on price. When the salesman found out I was calling around other dealers in TX, he suggested that I would not receive the same level of service or a loaner, etc...
Well, I purchased my 330i from Fred Brown in Bryan/College Station and have since had it serviced at the BMW Center in San Antonio.
(I dealt with Fred Brown and Shelton in Temple...I was very pleased with the level of attention from Fred Brown. Shelton was not as eager to please.)
The sales department and service department are separate entities. I am completely happy with the service department. No complaints yet and they will give loaners as long as you schedule it in advance.
As for John Roberts, I have not heard good things regarding their sales department. Your story is not surprising.
If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.
My car still puts a smile on my face every time I get in it. Couldn't be happier.
Stacy
It sounds like you made a great deal on your lease of the 330. Could you please list a complete detail of the deal you made? It would be helpful to know exactly which options you got, the MSRP, cap cost, down payment, total drive-off, and any other features. I would love to make a similar deal! Thanks!
Thanks
Veekay1
I picked up my new 325i last December. From the begining, I noticed that the car idles rough some times, usually in the morning. I took my car in for service in Feb. and when the car was checked in the afternoon, everything was fine. I have been puzzled by this and I determined to figure out how to make the problem repeat so I can show it to the service manager.
Finally earlier this month, I found out the if I turn off the heated seats, the engine speed fluctuation will be gone. That's why I always have this problem in the morning (I always use the heated seats in the morning) and don't have this problem in the afternoon when it's warm outside so I don't need the heated seats.
I took my car in again this morning and show the problem to a service manager. He admitted at that point that there is a problem. However, he just called me back and told me that a technician took a look at the car and determined that this is normal. He also said that all 2001 325i's have this problem. I am very anooyed by this minor problem and I don't believe this is normal.
What should I do?
Thanks for your help.
if you are looking for a deal in S. CA.. Although I agreed to pay several hunderds
higher than $1500 over Invoice, I ordered it at end of Feb., that was the best price
I can find.
I've ordered Rear Airbag for my 330i, the price is for both side. Eddie told me that I
have to sign some sort of "Release of Liability" form in order for dealer to activate it.
Apparently, it is more harmful to small children than without it.
Still debating on whether to activate it now or later - My daughters are 11 and 12,
60lbs and 75lbs. Anyone knows about the recommended weight of real passenger
for rear airbag being activated, please post some info.
-John
16"ers will NOT fit on a 330. The disks are too large. Check TireRack.com for snows. Last time I looked, they offered a set of tires/wheels for the 330's for $1,360US (not cheap, but better than the $1,700 you mentioned). That package was ATP alloys (look like the e36 5-spoke m3 wheels) and Blizzak LM-22 tires.
"Vehicles with optional rear side airbags are delivered with the airbags deactivated. Contact your authorized BMW center if you wish to have the rear side airbags activated. BMW believes that side airbags, when used with safety belts, outweigh the possible risk of injury and can help save lives and prevent serious injuries. However, a child sitting in the rear seat not properly restrained may place his or her head on or near the side airbag. This could cause a serious or fatal injury if the bag deploys. BMW RECOMMENDS IF YOU INTEND TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEAT, DO NOT ORDER THIS OPTION. ALTERNATIVELY, DO NOT HAVE THE SIDE AIRBAG ACTIVATED."
The part in caps reads just like that in the brochure - in caps. I figured that my two year old would be in her car seat every time she gets into the car (a rule we follow), but I just didn't feel comfortable with the rear airbag option after reading this.
There is no mention of specific weight-height info. with regards to this.
BTW, I am not familiar with a preparation center in SC for 3 Series cars. If you are east of the Mississippi, I believe your car arrives (and is prepped) in NJ. Seems like my car sat on the dock for a week before it was prepped. But it only took about a day to get to my dealer in Ohio.
Hopefully the repairs will be made tomorrow and my car will be back in my hands. I certainly enjoyed the 6 hours I had the car.
I thought you might be interested in checking it out:
http://www.bimmer.org/3series/messages/messages/83864.html
By the way, I'm sorry the car failed on you only after 6 hours. As I'm waiting for my 330xi(it'll arrive on the NJ port tomorrow), I have to admit the problem that you had with your 330xi did put a scare on me.
I truly hope it's not a common problem for the e46 cars.
Thanks for the confirmation about the 16"ers. It looks like I'll talk to a local tire shop to see what they have. (I gave the dealer's quote in the previous msg.) I tried to find winter tires and rims on tirerack.com but failed to find them. The rims were all oriented towards performance. Since wide tires are worse than narrow ones in snow and slush, I hesitate getting wider ones. There were lots of 225/45R17 rims but no 205/50R17, which is the standard size for the 330.
ANY INFO WOULD BE WELCOME!
orient blue/black/aluminum! hope it looks good.
thanks again!
I'm not sure if I've mentioned that the xenons are absolutely great!! They illuminate much better at night and are very easy on your eyes. Similarly to airbags, the xenons will be standard on all new cars 4-5 years down the road because they are a great safety feature and undisputedly better technology than the regular lights. Not to mention they look like a million bucks too! Well worth the $500, to me at least.
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But I am going for the 325xi, which is usually not found sitting around on the lot; so I guess i have to wait for the customary 8 weeks: I am told May production for June delivery; dont have a VIN # or Prod # yet (shall have later this week).
Cant wait!!
Thanks!