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did it really short circuit, or never worked at all? Might be a simple explanation for something they screw up on.
In my case, the fan was defective and the problem came to light quickly because I was stuck in stop and go traffic for 2 hours.
I do think that BMW is aware of the problem, but I don't think they are trying to cover it up. Keep in mind that the folks who answer the phones at the customer service line are in Columbus, OH, and I don't think that they get all the information.
My dealer contacted the service hotline, and purportedly was told that BMW is aware of a bad batch of cooling fans, and that they were planning on issuing a service bulletin (not a recall). I'm just passing on what I was told.
So now, I'm driving a 1999 323ic loaner. It's not bad, but I really can't wait to get my second new 330xi. And from what I've seen (6 hours prior to repair and 6 days after repair) it's a fantastic car. I wouldn't be concerned about the xi at all!
Base - $26,990
AWD - $1750
Auto - $1275
Moonroof - $1050
Xenon - $500
GPS - $1800.00
Metallic Paint - $475
Destination - $645
Total : $34485.00 - MSRP
Dealer gave me price at $32985.00 (i.e $1500 off the MSRP).
Is this a good price or should I negotiate more?
Thanks
If you pick up a 325i with sport package only, does it come with power seats? A few reviews I've read say yes while most never even mention it. A sales rep I've been talking to at VOB in Rockville MD, Dave Milligan, says no. What's the final answer?
If sport package seats indeed have power, do they have memory?
Danke!
Regarding car alarm, my dealer quotes me $650.00. Will it be necessary since the car won't start without the right key? Thank you.
Meg
Can't help you on the alarm question.
Although I have never owned a BMW, I have owned many sports cars in my life, including a Porsche 911SC. So I consider myself a driver that first and foremost appreciates performance and handling in a car beyond all other aspects of a car, including image. After reading many articles and opinions regarding the unique “road feel” and driving experience that a BMW provides its owner, I have become quite passionate about the prospect of owning a BMW. I want to experience the same pride of ownership and driving experience that you people experience from these cars. Accordingly, I am planning on European Delivery of a 330Ci next summer (2002), as I will be returning home to NC from my work assignment overseas at that time, so my air fare will be company paid. Because of that, ED seems like a financially attractive proposition and a great experience, especially since Century BMW in Greenville, SC, says that BMW makes them sell under ED program at 7% less than MRSP (including all options) for the 330Ci.
Anyway, we are totally open to ideas and opinions on options and colors at this time. I’m particularly perplexed about whether to get the HK option or not. I hear of so many complaints about it; and yet, so many people also rave over it. Also, we would really like to hear more about other people’s experiences with ED, especially in terms of the options that you can purchase at the factory in Munich (such as the “M” steering wheel) and the interesting sights/trips people have made while in Europe. Thanks for any responses ahead of time. Sorry for such a long posting.
megrdh - The Exx denomination is geek-speak for platforms (chassis). This is the foundation of the car and determines its structural rigidity and handling characteristics. Interestingly enough, until the '30s, car manufacturers used to provide pretty much just the chassis platform, engine, transmission, and steering; third-party shops would build the cabin and "dress up" the car the way the buyer wanted it. The main difference between the E36 and E46 is that the newer E46 offers improved structural rigidity with better handling characteristics; it is also longer and wider than the E36.
motorcity3 - it seems that the two Detroit-area dealers use cartel-type tactics to keep prices higher than what seems to be average for the country. In your situation, I'd seriously consider platypus' plan - ordering the car at any dealer that would do business with you and having the car trucked to your local Motor City dealer. I wouldn't go through this hassle for a couple of hundred bucks but if you are saving $1,000 or more compared to the $500 discount you are currently getting, it may be well worth it.
Regarding Euro Delivery - have you read the information at www.bmwusa.com? Look under Virtual Center. It still doesn't answer all the questions I have. For example, I've heard some talk about free hotel accommodations and free tours of the museum and plant, but there's nothing about that there. I've also read other posts wherein people said that they were able to get a small discount on the fixed DE discounted price.
rworrell - thanks for answering megrdh's question. I've been wondering about that too.
...and btw, you won't find a better deal than the one I got from Deane Wingard at Taylor BMW in Augusta, GA....it's my 3rd purchase from him...and he's a pretty kewl guy 2. It's been well worth my 3 trips to Augusta.
As far as whether or not you NEED an alarm, I would consider it additional insurance...I believe the alarm would have sensors in case someone tries to break in, etc.
Actually, I got a $760 discount on my purchase and the 5.9%. Although it might not sound like a great deal I thought it was good because I did not get too many options on the car and I only had two BMW dealers to choose from here in the Detroit area. I could go to another dealer outside the area, but the dealership that I purchased from told me that they only give loaners to customers. So I stuck to my area for the purchase.
If any one out there has any updated information about this, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Hope this helps, Take Care
I am unable to decide between BMW 325xi and Audi 2.8 Quattro. They both have almost the same horsepower and BMW has less torque. Price wise they are the same and not much of a difference. I am planning to give my wife a gift between one of these car. I am not sure which is a better car (ie. driving, feel for the road, problems, etc...)
I know you all are very experience drivers with these kind of cars and I am not. I will need some help from you folks, if you can give me your comments or feedback
Thanks
Ajay
I haven't driven the 325, but I own a 330i and test drove both the A6 2.8 and 2.7T. The 2.8 will be more luxurious than the BMW, no doubt. It will have a softer, cushier ride with less road feel. It will have more storage space and will seat 4 or 5 much more comfortably than the Bimmer. The Quattro technology is fantastic and if your wife plans on driving much in the snow, you'll appreciate having it. No doubt, the A6 is a very nice ride, if a bit subdued.
The 325 is more of an enthusiast's car and is a good deal quicker than the 2.8. It will deliver a much sportier ride and convey the road to the driver much more thoroughly. If she plans on having 3 passengers with any frequency, the Bimmer might feel a touch cramped. Without having any idea what your wife is interested in, it's impossible to say which car she'd prefer. The Bimmer will clearly be the more exciting car to drive and will undoubtedly retain its value better. Additionally, if you plan on leasing, the Bimmer may be a better deal precisely because they retain value so well. You can simply get a lower payment on the Bimmer than on a comparably priced Audi because the residual value is higher. The Bimmer also has an AWD option which, the consensus seems to be, is a pretty close rival to the Quattro technology. And the safety features on the smaller 325 clearly make it Audi's equal in that department, despite its more dimunitive size.
If you were to bump up to the 2.7T, now you're dealing with a serious car. My decision came down to the 330i and the 2.7T. As mentioned earlier, I went with the Bimmer because it frankly drove much better (for me, that meant sportier). The Audi was very smooth and comfortable, but just not the driver's machine that the Bimmer is. When I drove the Audi 2.7T, I thought, "Hmmm...nice car, but something's missing." When I drove the Bimmer, I thought, "Hmmm...how do I wipe this ridiculous smile off my face so that the salesman doesn't realize how in love with this car I am?"
To sum up, if comfort is your wife's thing, get the Audi. If she really likes to drive and wants something a little sportier, and doesn't mind sacrificing some comfort and storage space, get the Bimmer. Both cars are pretty sweet rides.
You might also want to visit the A6 chat room and get an Audi owner's opinion; quite a passionate group, they are.
Good luck.
Am I missing something? Is it really possible to lease a 330i for only $359/mo with very little down? Someone out there please enlighten me!
Thanks, all!
Oddly enough, one of my buddies over there had an E430 5-Speed with cloth (as in your "open and rough texture" type) seats. While I prefer leather, the very subtle plaid inlay (the bolsters were still leather) was very tasteful.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Meg
Kominsky - I take it from your post that on any 330's in the future, the HK is included at no additional price. If I remember right, BMW likewise included other items in the 325/330 model that were previously just options on 323/328 models. Any ideas on what might be thrown in for the 2002 model year? Power seats, maybe? Question: does the HK include a CD player??
Postoak, I am trying to learn as much as possible about ED, and yes, I have read BMWUSA's site on it. That was what really whet my interest on the idea. I was aware that you had to pay for the car one month before pickup, however, I assumed that I would have either a bank or CU loan in place to cover it. Now you have me concerned that I will have to turn to BMW for financing. Thanks for the info - I will check on it with my bank to confirm the bad news. Has anybody on this board gotten a bank loan for ED??
the CD player.
MB has always had a plaid design cloth interior aside from their traditional MB-tex and leather on higher end models. I think it used to be offered on Sport models as well as Sportline models and I do believe their cosworth 190Es have the plaid interior. I think its got to do with racing tradition as in the SLR racing cars of the 30s. Its actually quite nice on a W-124 Sportline sedan I have driven.
Not too sure why market preference/perception of cloth on high-er end cars is skewed.
micga - I understand your frustration with the S.A. build posts on this board. The only argument against buying BMWs made in S.A. so far has been that the continent has 25 mil AIDS victims. Talk about an irrelevant old-timer argument?!? We could also have all PC components be made and assembled in the US but would anyone prefer to pay 4 grand for a PC that now costs < 2? I welcome BMW's efforts to do whatever they have to do to control their costs as long as they don't compromise quality. Short of shipping delays, there is absolutely no evidence of quality issues with S.A. Oddly enough, this board seems to be the only one worried about S.A. build issues.
oracle_xml - let me start by saying that in spite of what you think, claiming to be buying a luxury car as a present for your wife doesn't sound as cool as it would in India or Pakistan for example. There's no need for that, focus on the car. My wife is making six figures like me and would laugh in your face for saying that. As far as the Quattro, go for the smaller 1.8T, which similarly equipped is about 5 grand cheaper than the 2.8 and still has enough oomph. Fully loaded, it would be about 28K and still a great present. I think you were looking for a comparison of the 325xi vs. the A4 2.8, not the A6 2.8, right? The A4 2.8 would be almost a full second faster than the 325xi from 0 to 60. The BMW is still the driver's car as far as road feel, although the A4 is thoroughly enjoyable to drive too.
postoak - Read previous posts to find out about the advantages of the SP. If you are very uncomfortable driving a Bimmer with SP, maybe you should be looking at a Lexus or some other car with cushier ride. There are enough poseurs buying BMW's for the image already. What you like is what ultimately truly matters. Get what you like, not what other people tell you is cool.
To me,just getting the 5spd.shift makes the car plenty sporty.
Often,just going through the gears with all the windows down and going rather slow is how I like to enjoy a fine car.
Just to get this straight:
Does the maintenance cover the full cost of getting your car serviced when you bring it in for the scheduled maintenances for 3yr/36,000 miles? Does that include things like oil/filter changes and everything else involved? According to the BMW website they will also replace things like brakes pads and rotors in case they wear faster than BMW specifications. So, am I correct to assume all this since I purchased a new 2001 BMW?
I made the choice that it wasn't worth the extra 5K, at this time -- but that doesn't mean I won't go for the extra power the next time!
Just to get this straight:
Does the maintenance cover the full cost of getting your car serviced when you bring it in for the scheduled maintenances for 3yr/36,000 miles? Does that include things like oil/filter changes and everything else involved? According to the BMW website they will also replace things like brakes pads and rotors in case they wear faster than BMW specifications. So, am I correct to assume all this since I purchased a new 2001 BMW?
It looks like the cloth seats are out since as described they sound like just the kind I don't like.
SP - I don't have a "problem" with the SP since compared to what I'm driving now (Miata) the 325I even with SP seems sorta soft. My only reason for trying to avoid getting it is cost. If the wheels were the main reason people liked it I could easily pass as I am not big on upgraded wheels and the standard ones look fine to me. I guess I'm going to have to drive a non-SP and decide but based on my testdrive of the SP, I'll probably have to go with it to get something like what I'm used to.
Now for another question:
Do the 325I and the 330I have different body styles? I assumed they would look the same but I'm seeing some 3ers that look better to me than others.
PS: Yes, if anyone whose done an ED was able to get financing through a bank or CU, please tell us how that worked.
One small question...Is the car horn a beeper or a honker?