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josh - i use the lexol products too.
-Chris
That said, there may not yet be any discount on a 2003. Here in Houston, most people have to pay MSRP to get the car now. It may be different in other places.
A word on the lexol my brother tried it on a leather chair in his home and it was removing the dye, the chair was burgandy and supposedly of high quality, i guess id keep the lexol to the cars..
DL
Actually, I bet that in our notoruosly litigious country, If anybody damages its BMW engine due to a low oil level, he could sue BMW for BIG BUCKS, as their instructions for measuring the oil level do not match the actual car.
Quick poll
1.How may people in this board have actually read the instruction manual.
2. How may people in this board have actually measured their oil level.
and
3.How may people in this board have actually noticed this discrepancy.
A4 and Brakes: I test drove 4 different 2002 A4's, with various engine/drivetrain combos. The one thing they all had in common was brakes that were noticeably inferior to the BMW's I drove. That factor, along with the subjective "feel" and intangible rush of the Bimmer, was a major part of my decision to go with the 325i over the A4.
More Brakes: Neither my '99 Nissan Maxima, nor my mother's 2001 Nissan Altima, has what I would describe as a "touchy" brake feel compared to my Caravan or pick-up. I did not notice this sensation with the BMW (I may just be used to it?).
vkwheels: My personalized plate (now, you're going to be disappointed - it's not creative, it's pretentious) is "PIERCE 1". I've had it on various cars since 1990. I tried in vain to get "PIERCE 2" and "PIERCE 3" for my other car and truck, but they have both been taken in PA for over 15 years. Go figure? I had to settle for "2 Pierce" on my Van. Given the status of "P...2" and "P...3", I consider my personalized plate to be priceless. I once threatened to walk out during a lease signing, when the dealer said I might not be able to transfer my plate.
I may be e-mailing you on the exterior car care issue after I get the Bimmer. Electric Red will glow like the sun, and I'd kind of like to keep it that way.
www.raceschool.com. It is held at Willow Springs Raceway north of LA.
They also have some driving schools. The pro there has experience in BMW's (according to the web site). Maybe we should look into doing something like that with this school. Would it be better to try to coordinate something here or deal with the BMWCCA groups around here (Fresno and LA)? Anybody here be interested in doing that with their 3er?
-Paul
2) Yes
3) Yes. My service manager said to use the 2 notches as the markers to measure the oil level.
2. I measure the oil but not nearly as often as I should.
3. Because I didn't remember what the manual said, I did not notice the discrepancy and used the 2 notches as the markers.
Thanks.
Ron
I had the dealer's service manager show me the full mark on the 2.5L engine. He showed me that "full" is at the upper end of the short (about 1/4" long) plastic section between the two teardrop-shaped plastic sections. That's where the level has stayed since my wife took delivery of the car 4K miles ago.
Go to Tirerack.com (I can see the link just to the left of your message). You should be able to get a set of wheels and tires for around $600.
-murray
It feels like butta'!!
If anyone is suffering from the "sticky pedal" syndrome, I highly recommend you contact your dealer for the fix. My receipt shows 2 parts as follows (this is for a step equipped car not sure if it is the same for a stick)
35-40-6-762-480 Pedal Module
35-40-6-756-720 Adaptor Plate
BTW: Does anyone know why they switched the shift pattern on the step tranny from '01 to '02?
On my '01 325 you push forward (up) to upshift and backward (down) to downshift. For some reason they reversed it on the '02's. I had a 325ia loaner today and darn near killed myself.
It is so counterintuitive to push up to downshift and down to upshift.
Any ideas as to why?
but yes, a normal automatic goes forward to shift up so I can see how the rest of the Normal World would be confused by what you describe.
-Colin
Now most might say a Bimmer is unlikely to get stolen, would have to be towed ect... i did see a 2002 Infiniti that somone coded a key for somehow my guess is worked for a dealer. mayb more likely a carjacking situation, basically it gives a good chance for the thief to get caught and also most cars are stripped at later time and might save your car.
If i ever bought another Honda or GM product id get one for sure. The alarm adds motion detection and a siren is all i think ? anyone ?
good luck
DL
-Paul
I am in negotiation with some dealer for a 2003 325i. They told me there is a Group Dealer Advertising fee for $200 on each car. I never heard about that and I told the dealer that the advertising fee should have nothing to do with my special order. Anyone has such experience?
The $200 MACO advertising fee is kosher and many here on the board living in larger metropolitan areas have paid it. It is actually listed on the dealer invoice.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I'm trying to control my costs. I want the all wheel drive and CWP because I live in the NE. We don't get a ton of snow, but this will be my only car and I drive 45 miles each way to work.
I’m thinking about not getting the PP. I plan to keep the car for at least 100,000 miles. Will I regret not getting the power seats and the sunroof? I am not concerned about the loss of most of the other PP items, e.g., rain sensing wipers, auto mirror, wood trim, auto headlights, computer, etc.
I have never had a car with a sunroof or power seats, so I don’t think I’ll miss these. I’m not as concerned about the lower resale value as I plan to keep this car for 5 to 6 years.
If you're really trying to keep your costs in line, might I suggest getting a 325i (sans the X)? You'll save yourself the $1750 they charge for AWD and get yourself a set of winter tires & wheels that will get you anywhere you want to go any day of the week. Just a suggestion.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
rpope - it is to "...open all of my windows using the unlock button on my key, so that on a hot day it's a little cooler by the time i make it to my car. "
Press unlock once to open driver door
Press unlock 2nd time to unlock other doors. To lower the windows and sunroof, make sure that you hold the button down when you depress it the 2nd time. Any slippage and it wont work. The button will have to be held down for atleast 5 seconds for it to work. REMEMBER: Hold the button down the 2nd time it is depressed.
Hope this helps
kp40m - drop the X, get snows. AWD is for wimps (just kidding, erickpl). Not, not really kidding... OK, I'm kidding ) The snows are cheaper and better than AWD - that will allow you to control costs and the car will likely be more reliable long-term without an AWD.
upshifting/downshifting - I also find it a lot more intuitive to shift back when upshifting because at that point you are glued to the seat and it's tough to move your body forward...
dem's fightin' woids! hehehe
If you have your heart on the xi, go with it. I have mine w/o the PP. I don't miss the sunroof (work in the Mojave desert) and live in the mountains (intense sun). The wood trim I got thrown in, as did I the center armrest (std for 2003). I do miss the power seats as I'm 5'11" and my wife is 5'1". But it is workable. How are you for the SP? That is another area, though I wouldn't get a BMW without it... a subjective choice.
You are saving costs by not getting a metallic paint and the manual, so that is a plus. Have you considered a 2002 or a 2003? You might save a bit there, but who knows. If you are concerned about being able to finance, don't be afraid to shop around for a deal that works for you. There are several places on the web to get car financing (some here have used them and gotten good rates/payments). You might also consider ED, which again, many on here have done. You can save quite a bit, which would cover the cost of the trip. You can save there by doing a short one (picking up, driving a bit, then returning). Others on here know MUCH more than me about that, though I plan to do it for the next BMW I buy (unless it's a Z4 or one of the new 6 Series coming out in 2004).
Regardless of what you choose, good luck with getting it and enjoy it!
You can see my xi at http://community.webshots.com/user/skimblz_ if you want.
-Paul
2002 325xi
SP, CWP, 1/2 PP
xenons
Oxford Green/Natural Brown leather
tint, XM radio, universal transceiver
What exactly do you mean when you feather it? Does it feel 'notchy' almost like there are predefined stops along the travel of the pedal even if moving the pedal just a tiny bit?
-Paul
I've had my car for 2 mos & while I'm not sure if I'd describe the pedal as notchy or sticky, sometimes it is difficult to gauge just how much gas to give it to get moving without jumping forward. Never had this feel in my previous cars, nor in auto transmission rentals over the years.
Hey maybe that driving school is more than a good idea it is downright mandatory!
Be sure when you talk to your service advisor that they understand there is a unique ordering process to get these parts and they must have the VIN when ordering. Mine did not show up the first time I had it scheduled to install because they did not order it properly.
Brave,
Try holding the remote button down after the 2nd time you depress it. This should open the windows and sunroof.
Is there a TSB or some type of document number I can point them to for the pedal and seat belt tensioners? Shipo?
vk, I'll definitely keep you posted if I end up doing something like that. I'm not sure if the driving school lets you use your own cars, but I hope so. I'd love to have my 3'er on the Streets of Willow Springs! Got any pics of your new baby?
-Paul
by getting in and out of the car. Eight thousand of the miles are highway miles put on between Tucson and the midwest which leaves about 5,000 miles of any frequent getting in and out of the car..
I took to the dealer today and he told me BMW leather is known to have problems and that the factory rep would never ok replacement of the back leather because the wear was not bad enough. I took issue with him and he told me to come back and see the rep who would be there tomorrow.
Am I being unreasonable? Could I have wear like this with only 12,500 miles?
I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me and also would like to know if anyone else has this problem. By the way, the car has the premium package and not the wider sport package seats. Hope someone can help before tomorrow.
Thanks.
by getting in and out of the car. Eight thousand of the miles are highway miles put on between Tucson and the midwest which leaves about 5,000 miles of any frequent getting in and out of the car..
I took to the dealer today and he told me BMW leather is known to have problems and that the factory rep would never ok replacement of the back leather because the wear was not bad enough. I took issue with him and he told me to come back and see the rep who would be there tomorrow.
Am I being unreasonable? Could I have wear like this with only 12,500 miles?
I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me and also would like to know if anyone else has this problem. By the way, the car has the premium package and not the wider sport package seats. Hope someone can help before tomorrow.
Thanks.
-Chris
I'm sure a lot of the wear is from ingress/egress, that is to be expected. But with such a new car, something else may be aiding in the premature wear.
-Paul
maybe a "tad" unreasonable... you aren't saying "how much" it's wearing...
as far as "bmw leather is known to have problems"... ummm... hogwash... it ain't what jag leather used to be, for example, but it sure beats the garbage that most of the japanese cars use...
-Chris