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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

1406407409411412585

Comments

  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    her: "I want a car faster than yours." :D
  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    Well it's settled... I have the most UNcool wife/s.o. on this message board. :-(

    I'm going over to hang out on the Ford Escort board until my self-esteem recovers a little.
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    quote: Your time is coming... :-)

    response: Suburban. :)

    My wife: "I wouldn't mind learning to drive a stick if it was a Porsche."
  • dave330idave330i Member Posts: 893
    Inform your wife that a Porsche would be one of the worst car to learn how to drive a stick.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    lol...she must be pretty good with the punches if she always gets what she wants :o)

    I'd honestly much rather be seen driving a minivan than an SUV as far as image is concerned. Although as far as driving pleasure, it doesn't get much more boring than a minivan.
  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    OTOH - my wife loves my Bimmer, but she wants a people hauler either a monsta' SUV or mini-van.
  • getz2getz2 Member Posts: 7
    I had no problems driving my E46 323i during the winter in chicago. Seems as if the roads are always fairly clear thanks to our infamous plow and salt-truck combo. The all-seasons were more than adequate for handling the snow and ice. Overall I was very impressed with its snow traversing ability, but if you have the sports package with hi-performance rubber, you might want to buy some blizzaks. I used to switch out the sp tires and rims for an extra set of oem 3-series rims and all-seasons that I bought off of e-bay for cheap.

    -Getz
  • sopecreeksopecreek Member Posts: 203
    yes, that's what my wife always says to me, too. She says she really loves minivan but wants me to drive it on a daily basis. It will never fly...
  • needashaveneedashave Member Posts: 91
    Life's too short...drive what you like and don't sweat the details.
  • mg330cimg330ci Member Posts: 162
    Can you say I am a car nut (hopefully not)

    Followed F1 (and Moto GP since age 12), never missed an F1 or CART race (thanks to VHS) subscribe to car mags and my garage is full of posters scavenged from races I have attended.

    AutoX for several years, and now, at the tender age of 36, decide to start my go-karting career.

    All my cars have had manual transmissions.

    Recently, was finally able to fulfill a long term goal of buying an "economically irresponsible" high performance luxury-sports car (330ci)

    So, after defining my self, I confess: I OWN A MINIVAN AND I LOVE IT"

    Probably the most intelligent purchase I have made in my entire life. I might regret some day expending the money on the BMW instead of saving it, investing it in a 529, you name it. But I will never regret the purchase of the minivan (never say never ;)

    This thing (Honda Odyssey) is reliable, has all the room in the world (I transport my kart to the track inside the van! and I don't thing the vast majority of monster utes can accomplish this task)

    The kids are hypnotized by the DVD player and last hours without even asking to go to the bathroom.

    Loading this thing is the easiest task, low access, wide door openings (remote controlled motorized), cannot be matched.

    It even goes 0-60 in 8secs (just in case)

    You can WALK back and forth inside the van!

    The 3rd row seat is not for midgets

    I can care less of the image I transmit when driving it. I can care less of what other people might think of me because I drive a minivan (I can care less of what people think of me when I drive the BMW)

    I cannot believe somebody who says, "I would never be caught dead driving a minivan" Why?

    I do not need to prove my manhood to anybody (you guys (and gals) can email my wife and ask ;)

    I only regret the need to apologize to the driver behind me, since I will be obstructing his view of the road, sorry :( and yes, the fuel economy of the wagons are better

    The chances of being caught dead in an SUV by the way are higher than on a Minivan ;)

    Come on, get over the stereotype, soccer dads, your stubbornness are denying you the enjoyment of the MOST utilitarian vehicle ever created! Have you guys ever driven one.

    You can always put a sticker in the back that says "My other car is a Bimmer" in order to get the thumbs up from your fellow drivers on the road
  • sopecreeksopecreek Member Posts: 203
    Very well put, but it's easy for you to say. You HAVE 330ci! In fact, I'd love to be in your shoes and be happy about driving ANY minivan :)
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    "The chances of being caught dead in an SUV by the way are higher than on a Minivan ;)" lol...

    The Odyssey has had great reviews in the press. I remember one tried to keep up with me on the highway once a few months ago and he was right behind me up to ~100 ;o)
  • ek01ek01 Member Posts: 37
    Does anyone know if the 2003's have the head protection system in the back seat as well as the front.
  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    It's amazing what the Odyssey can do on twisty road, considering the behemoth that it is. I caught up to a 911 driving through Delaware State Park in the Pocono's. Then he saw me, took offense (I'm assuming), and was OUTTA THERE! :-)
  • ddblueddblue Member Posts: 117
    Just installed my Dunlop Wintersport M2 225/45-17s a couple of days ago. None too soon, since I got stuck on a 2 degree grade at the nearby McDonald's in my nearly bald Contis. Embarrassing. At least ten guys walked by without helping (must've been thinking, "Let the jerk in the BMW sit there and rot."). Anyway, I was going to get 205s but did not want to buy new wheels. I'm keeping the Dunlop M2s on the 44s and then in the spring, will either get the new Kumho Ecsta MX or Michelin Pilots (235/45-17 F and 245/40-17 R). I'm gonna plant them on Style 71s from thewheelexchange.com. You should check it out.

    The M2s are sweet---I'm very impressed by the wet and dry traction. I have a friend with M2s on his 540i Sport, and he swears by them, as he lives a the top of a steep hill in NJ. He's had no problems so far.
  • ryokenryoken Member Posts: 291
    No head protection system in the rear. Rear side airbags are optional, though.
  • riezriez Member Posts: 2,361
    Does anyone here actually have an E46 3 Series sedan with rear side airbags? BMW didn't push and dealers seemed leery.

    I pulled out my copies of the glossy full-length extensive BMW 3 Series Sedan brochures for MYs 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. (I don't have a MY 1999 brochure.) None shows rear side airbags as an option. I tried to buy a new MY 2000 323i in CY 1999. I saved the option order sheet from the dealer. In MY 2000 "Rear Seat Side Impact Airbags" were a "Special Order" with a "$385 MSRP". My copy of the BMW 2000/2001 Fast Facts, which has a ton of detail, shows these rear seat side impact airbags as "Optional--Special Order". There is even a warning that the dealer should talk to the buyer about the ramifications of this option.

    I'm not sure these were offered after MY 2001. Thought they were dropped in MY 2002. Don't think you can get in MY 2003.

    They remained an available option in the E39 5 Series. For MY 2003, 5 Series has standard front and rear seat head protection with optional rear side impact airbags.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    I'd be grinning all day if I caught up with a 911 in the twisties while driving a minivan...The only thing better than that is actually passing him while my kids are waving at the driver :o)
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    In the end, it's the smart thing to do...You'll be happy you did it. My M2s have been getting better even after the first 500 miles.
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    My 325xi has them. I know they add a bit of weight, but in the end, it is about protecting the kids in the back seat (both are over 12 years old).

    -Paul
  • tenet1tenet1 Member Posts: 354
    Even though the bags are not listed in the brochure thay were listed in the dealer's option list when I ordered my 2001 325 a year ago (also for $385). I considered it since we have a little one, but were discouraged from getting it because our son was only 6 months old, and the bag would do more harm than good to a young child. I believe that the lack of space in the back, and the fact that young children are likely to be in the back, is a reason why BMW advises its dealers to talk to the buyer first to make them aware that rear bags are not safe for young children. My dealer said I could have them but they would come deactivated from the factory and the dealer could activate them at later date. I ended up not getting them.
  • mschukarmschukar Member Posts: 351
    A couple weeks ago, my 22 year old niece was driving at night in Minnesota in her Grand Cherokee (a gift from her parents). She was in the left lane on a 4 lane highway. She thought a car in the right lane was moving towards her so she moved to the left. She saw a bridge approaching which forced her back to the right. Somewhere in there, she lost control of the vehicle and it rolled several times. Fortunately, she escaped with little more than scratches. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

    The auto companies should be held liable for calling these road hogs "safer" than cars! The only "safety" these things have over cars is when you ram a Miata head on.

    People need to get over their vanity and drive cars that are safer for the occupants and other drivers. Perhaps we could reduce our dependance on foreign oil at the same time without drilling more wells!

    Sorry for the rant...
    -murray
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    That could've happened in any car, Murray. Usually you roll when the outside tires hit something immovable or soft and dig in after sliding sideways.

    Take her to an autocross to learn some car control skills, let her drive your 3er.

    Actually, I know someone who rolled a Miata now that you mention it.

    -Colin
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    locke2c - you'd have to agree that a Grand Cherokee is MUCH easier to roll than a 3-series, though. A couple of months ago, I was waiting at a red light next to a Grand Cherokee. Both lanes turn left. Light is green and the Cherokee driver floors it as he enters the turn. He was on 2 wheels for about 2-3 seconds and he must have been a good foot of the ground - that's how easy these SUV's are to roll over. He almost lost control and once his vehicles was back on 4 wheels, he was so scared, he almost came to a full stop. The look on his face was sheer terror.
  • mschukarmschukar Member Posts: 351
    Yeah, you're right; any car can roll, but in that situation, I'd rather be in my 325i with SP or winter tires than any SUV. I have to believe a Grand Cherokee is going to roll before nearly any midsized car.

    All of that extra steel doesn't do much good when you're bouncing the roof on the pavement.

    -murray
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    there's actually a rollover index some gummit agency came up with, but it's totally bogus. I'm not even going to waste my time finding it, but Autoweek (or was it Automobile magazine) analyzed and destroyed it a year, year and a half ago.

    anyway I certainly agree a Cherokee is easier to roll. unless you hit something firm or dig in the tires, a Miata or even a 325 is probably just going to spin.

    but the driver must be aware of the vehicle's limitations and tendancies. in a Cherokee, you've gotta use the vehicle's mass as it should be-- you try to stop in a straight line, you don't swerve much, and you just hit something in favor of getting way out of control. a Miata's techniques would be biased much more towards using handling to not even get in the accident.

    if you get off the paved road though, anything can roll.

    -Colin
  • mg330cimg330ci Member Posts: 162
    1. No doubt, 4WD will allow you to out accelerate any RWD car in the snow.

    2. The heavier SUV monster, even with 4wd (which on many brands only works up to 30mph) will not out corner a car with snow tires.

    3. God protect whoever is in front of the stupid useless vehicle when the time to apply the brakes in the snow comes! the larger mass and momentum will certainly keep it going.

    4. 4WD will NOT allow you to stop faster.

    5. You know what... they are right. An SUV is UNSTOPPABLE
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    One misty, drizzly morning I was driving to work in my 1993 Pathfinder SE-fitted with Pirelli Scorpion A/Ts-a real canyon carver..;). Anyway, there's an increasing radius downhill on-ramp that
    I always take-as our British friends would say-"rather briskly". This morning is no different, though I do notice that I'm really coming up fast on a Subaru Impreza; it's traveling @25 mph slower than the Pathy. As I get closer I see the Soob has a WRX badge. By this time we're both in the acceleration lane. Once he was moving in a straight the doofus Soob driver floored it, but he had a hard time pulling away since I was traveling quite a bit faster. What a loser. Then just about a month ago ANOTHER feeble-minded WRX pilot starts to tailgate my Jeep Wrangler-in the right lane of I-65. It turns out he's taking the same exit as me. I hustle around the off ramp with just a hint of squeal from the crappy Goodyear RT/S tires. I check my mirrors and sure enough, Soob boy has fallen waaay back. Jeez, why don't these jokers buy Kia Rios and be done with it??? FWIW, my wife took the Pathy out on the wet/dry skidpad at a CCA school and had a ball. The Pathy never lifted a wheel, but it REALLY chunked the front tires.
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    Yup, there's no substitute for good drivers ;o)
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    Well, I shouldn't admit this, but West Coast CCA member Dan Tackett and I competed in the 1994 O'fest autocross. I drove my chipped-M6 with euro exhaust(no cat) and he drove a Jag XJ6 he rented from Hertz. He equaled my fastest time :P Luckily, the guys in my class were worse than me, so I won first place in Touring Sports Class A while Dan took home the Gold in the Non-BMW class. Dan never lets me forget it, BTW.
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    I may just have to trade my Club Sport for this:

    http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021212/NYTH125
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,497
    ....is this the BMW 3-series board?
  • mg330cimg330ci Member Posts: 162
    Probably too strong adjectives for our civilized forum.

    I have always believe that you should drive what ever you like and want, and hope I did not offend any fellow board participant who drives one of those..... things 8-D

    That being said... My neighbor just borrow our minivan for the 4th time in 2 months because his Ford SUV doesn't have the room to do the job ;)
  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    While I would love to credit my driving skills for catching up with that 911, once he saw me coming, he left me behind in a quick way. I'm just amazed he wasn't moving a little faster to begin with. The roads through Delaware State Park are amazing. Perfectly paved, very few off-camber turns (which are abundant through most of area) and loaded with switchbacks, decreasing radii turns, highspeed sweepers, etc.

    Div, I'll take my Performance Pack 330i in Topaz! Sounds sweet! According to my agreement with wife,, only one more year before I'm ~allowed~ to start shopping again. ;-)
  • brave1heartbrave1heart Member Posts: 2,698
    The 330i HP seems to be the E46 equivalent of the E36 M3. Note that it was put together by the M division of BMW AG ;o) It looks great but I suspect the package will be ~ 5 grand and its limited availability will command MSRP.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    obviously they're trying to bridge the substantial gulf between the existing 330i sport and the M3.

    I doubt it'll perform overall as well as an E36 M3 though.

    -Colin
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    Well, I own an SUV because I live at the end of a half mile of undulatind gravel road-that neve sees a snowplow(Satch calls it a "Private Pro Rally Stage"). Otherwise I wouldn't own one. What worries me is that a lot of the same criticisms such as "need" and fuel economy can be leveled at car enthusiasts as well- Do you really "NEED" a three liter engine? Of course not; all you "NEED" is a one liter engine. Don't you care about our children's FUTURE??? Don't laugh- the safety geeks and their enviromental [non-permissible content removed] at Consumer Reports are already calling for horsepower limits as even base engines provide "adequate" power...
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    div2-- wait, that's logic talking. shush.

    it's a lot more popular to bash on SUVs than it is to drive an Insight. or even a Metro.

    -Colin
  • mg330cimg330ci Member Posts: 162
    Certainly, the huge escalate in HP we are seen lately,particularly in <25k cars reminds me of the 70s just before the oil crisis.

    It took 10 years for the 3 series to jump from 180 to 220 HP. Now, with the HP war we are witnessing, I wonder what will come next?

    To compete (by numbers only) and advertise 260HP like the G35, means the same 40H increase but in 1 instead that gradually in 10 years!

    The bigger heavier cars, on the other hand, need large amounts of HP to barely move, and the fact that the companies sale so many of those, is probably raising some eyebrows.

    10 years ago, a 7 sec 0-60 was exotic car territory, nowadays, the econoboxes easily match this, so the monster trucks.

    Live is good, but also cyclical. Venezuela is in strike, Sadam is playing cat and mouse with the world.= no oil... interesting

    Perhaps I'll be buying my car at the end of my lease if the HP curve turns around (scary)
  • seivwrigseivwrig Member Posts: 388
    All this talk of SUVs, econoboxes, exotics...reminds of the guy on Dream Car Garage. Driving (insert Dream Car here), "Do you need this car??? Hell No!!!, Do you want this car??? Hell Yes!!!)" I personally get a kick out of this, but this probably the thinking of the soccer mom that has traded in the trusty Toyota Sienna for a Texas size custom Ford Excursion with more televisions than in my entire house. Would I own an SUV, it depends. I find minivans to be more practical, especially when you remove the seats.

    From an earlier post, where I mention having a 330Ci as selfish. I think that maybe mg330ci asked if I might be jealous. The answer is yes. The 325i was as selfish as I could get. I have owned one coupe (when I was single). I also have a two seat pickup truck. When purchasing my 325i, I tried to justify to my wife that I have a truck with two seats, why can't I get a coupe? (I don't put the seat back for anyone, so a 325Ci/330Ci for me just as well have two seats. If you don't have any children, a 325/330Ci is a cool car to have. When you have children that as tall as yourself, having a coupe seems like a cruel joke. Hence the justification of the term selfish. O.K., let me have it. I think I have developed seal skin by now.
  • leenelsonmdleenelsonmd Member Posts: 208
    Driving the M3:

    with wife: "slow down Mario".

    with girlfriend: --no words, she just can't stop laughing and smiling.
  • hippo168hippo168 Member Posts: 115
    I just don't see why people want an SUV, even for soccer moms or whoever. Mini vans are much more practical, and much easier to get on/off. I guess it is because some people, esp in this country, think that bigger is better. (super size this, super size that, triple cheese burger, etc...)

    Now that Porsche has follow suit with the Cayenne, lets hope the Ferraris and Lamborghinis are not going to be next.

    And for all those HPs:
    Honda Accord V6 - 240HP
    Infinity G35 - 280HP
    Nissan Maxima - 255HP
    ...
    Porsche Boxster S - 258HP

    They are not in the same class, but something is still wrong.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    leenelson--

    is that post supposed to read like it's *your* wife and *your* girlfriend?

    sounds kinda first person.

    if so what's up with that???

    -Colin
  • kennynmdkennynmd Member Posts: 424
    I'm in the market to buy a 2003 325i in steel gray with prem. package, xenon, auto, and leather. MSRP is $35,095.00. I jsut started to internet shop and the best they offered was $33,805.00. What's the best anyones offered for an equivalent package? Also, how are car seats in the back of a 4 door 325i? Is it tight or enough space even with the seat all the way back?
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    LOL!!!
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Most people would find it difficult to afford an M3 when your ex-wife has the house, the kids and more than 50% of your paycheck.

    I mean his message title was "jokes" but it wasn't really funny...
    ___

    Kenny:

    It is scary that you can option a 325i that high, but obviously here at edmunds and other places (like autos.msn.com) you have the numbers at your fingertips. I'd guess you can get another grand out of 'em if they've had a bad holiday season and want to score a bit before year's end. If not, find a dealer that does.

    Regarding your rear seat question-- um, have you been in one? Internet price shopping is a tool but doesn't replace getting your hands on and all over a car before buying. But to answer your question, nothing but a small child can fit comfortably in the back with the seat adjusted all the way rearward. It's pretty tight.

    -Colin
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    LOL!!! Well, I dug through some of my back issues of Road & Track; I found a test of the 330i w/Sport Package in the July 2002 issue and a test of the E36 M3 in the 1995 Road & Track Specials issue. Now, I'll be the first to admit that test numbers will never tell the whole story, but I think we can agree that they can be useful when comparing a BMW to a BMW. Here are some test numbers, with the M3 result listed first:

    0-60 6.0 6.1

    0-100 16.0 15.9

    1/4 mi. 14.6 14.7

    60-0 120 ft. 129 ft.

    80-0 217 ft. 230 ft.

    Skidpad .87g .86g

    Slalom 62.8 mph 65.4 mph

    Fuel Econ 24.6 mpg 25.9 mpg

    These two cars are VERY close in overall performance-and that is before you factor in the extra 10 hp, the six speed tranny, lower final drive, and the more aggressive suspension/rolling stock of the 330i Performance Package. Methinks the Performance Package car will show a stock E36 M3 the fast way home. Is the E36 M3 a more entertaining and visceral type drive? Probably; much as the E30 M3 is slower but-IMHO-more beloved then the E36 M3. Of course you can always buy a clean 1995 M3 and really pump up the hp and nail down the suspension for considerably less than $30K. So you pays your money and takes your choice. And-since we're dealing with BMWs-neither choice is a bad one...
  • kominskykominsky Member Posts: 850
    Does it seem likely that the weight of this car will go up? If for no other reason, the larger tire/wheel combo would likely add a few pounds and possibly the heftier suspension could also add a couple. Wouldn't it be nice if they somehow managed to add all these goodies to the car AND knock a couple hundred pounds off?
  • nobeenobee Member Posts: 194
    Appears over 2900 vehicles including BMWs, bound for the U.S., are resting in the english channel...a moment of silence please..


    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/134596287_sink15.html


    -nobee

  • leenelsonmdleenelsonmd Member Posts: 208
    yeah, not too funny.

    I will keep the day job.

    HP:
    There certainly is a HP war going on. Cars are becoming awfully quick. I like that as much as everyone else, but it probably isn't that great for society as a whole because of safety and environmental concerns.
    I even wonder how much is enough. I can get to 60 in about 5 seconds, a 330 can do it in 6 seconds. That is pretty quick and after that moment is over you think to yourself -- now what to I do--I am cruising at 60-70mph, do I set the cruise control, or do I repeatedly brake and accelerate just to get a fix (or do I keep going till I hit 120mph).
    I had this conversation with a friend 2 days ago (he has a NOS equipped Corvette) and he thinks you can never have too much. What is the value in decreasing your 100mph to 150mph times? It is fun, but it may not be healthy.
    As HP increases exponentially we asymptotically approach the 3 second mark for 0-60mph. Does a car that goes 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds really feel that much different from one that does it in 4.5 seconds? -- At legal speeds, both vehicles probably create similar sensations for the driver. It is at the illegal speeds that the two cars will begin to diverge.

    Don't get me wrong--I am not trying to blaspheme the McClaren F1. The trend towards outrageously fast mass production cars comes with a high price tag--it may not be one that we are willing to pay. I would not be surprised at all to see HP limitations in the future.

    I the meantime I will continue to drive the most powerful naturally aspirated 3.2liter engine on the planet.
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