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Comments
I doubt the mileage of the PP is going to be different enough that they'd do this.
- Mark
I'm moving to London and will have to sell my 325 and get a new car. I'd like to hear what you guys would buy. Its a chance to get something not available in the US.
My discussion is called "Best Car for the U.K."
1.They don't seem to get it right, it is not as smooth as the 5-speed.
and
2. The 6 speed is confusing and you end up in 6th instead of 3rd, etc (I assume you get used to it eventually, and becomes a no-issue)
How can you spend this amount of cash and get plastic? (although is good plastic and a lot of people like it) COuld be an issue at the time of resale!
On the other hand, the Leather BMW provides in the 3 SUCKS! the cheapest quality available (probably good if you have kids!)
SO I dont have an answer, is a loss-loss situation for the BMW consumer.
Two keys to great manual transmissions. Good shifting action and not overly heavy clutch action. Honda is well known for this. My old Infiniti G20t was bliss to use. Second, matching the individual gear ratios chosen and the final drive to the engine's output curve. BMW is well know for this.
I often wonder if some of the issue isn't the fact that many great 5-speeds are tied to smaller engines (often 4-cyl) and many of the original 6-speeds were tied to big engines (often 8-cyl--BMW's 4.4L & Camaro/Trans Am/Corvette's 5.7L or even BMW's 12-cyl, in the 850CSi). Seems like it is a lot easier to make a manual seem smooth, creamy, and easy to use in a small lower output engine.
But not all 5-speeds are necessarily better. The Tremec unit--e.g., used in V-8 Mustangs--hasn't been known as an extremely smooth or light to use unit.
I disagree. Give an example then of leather seats that you felt did NOT suck?
I disagree. There are always going to be sacrifices or the car will be out of most peoples price range. BMW chose to provide "plastic" seats as an option so I could spend the $1400 on a sports package and get better seats (regardless of the covering) and other features that make the car more enjoyable than having the best covering a cow could provide. I prefer to have the option of getting the features I enjoy rather than haveing BMW jack up the price with options I don't care for.
-murray
It was so quiet when I initially bought it and I am a bit puzzled about why the engine noise has been increasing. Is something I didn't do on my part to let this happen? Have you had a similar experience on yours?
Thanks,
Michael
I guess is all relative.
Some will believe BMW is doing them a favor by charging you $1400 less and providing plastic seats, other will consider that BMW is already charging those $1400 in the $36K+++ they are already paying, thus, pocketing the change.
Is up to you to give the appropriate values to what you want, and what you can get out there from others.
I am from the second group if you haven't noticed, what type of buyer are you? is the question you have to ask. IT IS YOUR MONEY!
The leather is okay, not great, not terrible. It's clearly better leather than other cars I've owned with leather. Not as nice as the 7 series or Lexus 430 coupe though.
I'd rather have leather than cloth anyday. Cloth does not fare as well as leather as the time goes on.
So is it worth it? You decide. At any rate that is what BMW is all about. As our friend riez says, choice, choices and then more choices. Choice up in price, choices lower in price and then some.
But one thing is for certain, you can pick the suspension option, and then you get to choose between a superb sports sedan and an awesomely superb sports sedan.
One of the smaller reasons I decided to just pull the trigger on the M3 is because the leather on the M3 is beautiful. There is alot of it too.
Some friends of mine are probably going to go with a loaded Audi A4 because of the interior styling on the bimmer with the leather being a prominent shortcoming. Of course as long as they were being shallow, I reminded them of the totally uninspiring exterior of the A4. They agreed but felt that the $6k price difference justified the lack of pizzazz on the A4.
I would take a leatherette 330 anyday over the A4 because the drive is what is important to me. I still think that BMW could give us some better leather for the money we spend.
FWIW: The M3 leather is great, but the M5 leather is out of this world. The dashboard is leather in the M5 too.
BTW: The cupholders on the M3 are out of this world.
Sign me up.
This past weekend my battery went dead (still not exactly sure why) and after jumping my car, the radio prompted me for a code. Since I can't find the Radio Pass for the life of me, my local dealership informed me that I can take just tell them the serial # and they can get me the code. So, now all I have to do is get the darn thing out.
Thanks.
Also when are the 04 models coming out? is it out yet? I've seen one today and it looked real nice. But again, the dealer did not know anything about it.
I now drive Lexus GS300 which has 225hp and 220tq. I haven't test driven the 325Ci but it only has 184hp and 176tq. I'm assuming that this car will feel weak since I'm used to 225hp. But I'm on a tight budget now and not sure if I should be getting the 330Ci instead?
Can I get some input as to how 325Ci drives and feels like on low and high speed. Does it have ample power and enough pull to make u feel excited about driving?
Thanks
Drive the 325 5 speed. I've never driven a GS300, but the BMW with a stick shift will probably feel faster than the Lexus with auto.
Anyways, thanks for the posts.
By the way, will there be lots of difference b/w manual and auto tranny on a 325? Does the auto on 325 feel weak compared to the stick?
It seems that you are leaning towards the auto. Though many on this board live and die with the stick, I for one really love the step. I have driven a manual for most of my life and if I was the only driver, I would get the manual to save some money. However, I am always in manual mode in the auto and can derive almost as much from this than from a manual (let the flames begin), and then cruise in auto mode when I want a peaceful drive. The 325 auto is by no means underpowered compared to a 325 manual, it just may seems that way since you are likely to shift at higher rpm's in a manual. The auto mode in the automatic is designed for maximum feul efficiency. Put it in manual mode and you can do whatever you want with regards to shifting.
Somehow BMW manages alot of bang per hp that comes out of those engines- dont let those #'s fool you.
When pushed hard and using a manual, the 325 and 330 both have approx the same speed and performance ie- 330 is maybe 1 sec faster on 0-60 but thats it. And who really floors it from a standstill to 60 all the time anyways??? :P
But, the difference I felt with the 330 was the more available low end torque on the engine. Im sure I would have been happy with the 325 but enjoy the more power I get (or maybe just feel) from the 330.
But most of the time I take the lazy way out and just drive it in the sport mode. I was thinking that the SMG which I think will soon be an option on the 330 might be an interesting choice. You can put it in an "auto" mode but it's still a manual, if that makes sense. I was in an M3 and in that mode it takes care of the shifts but you still get the lurching and jolt of a stick. I kind of liked it but wondered if I would get tired of it. It's kind of an automatic but without the smooth transition. As for the paddles, I wonder if they become intuitive like a conventional clutch and stick or would it become like step to me where I fool with it once in a while and then just get lazy. If I got lazy with the SMG and kept it in pre-programed mode would I just have a less smooth automatic?
I would appreciate any input from those with SMG experience. Do you think it's here to stay or just a limited toy for the ultra exclusive cars?
However, I think BMW finance leasing program can't be beat.
leasing a 39K 330ci was less expensive than the lease on a 32K Honda S2000 for example
I'm considering a 330xi. For current owners, can you share with me what you like LEAST about your car? (I know there are so many things to love about the car, I find it more useful to hear the gripes).
Comments from those with or without the AWD option are most welcome!
1. the arm rest- its not standard and it does not hold much. comes with the premium package. 30k+ car and an arm rest is not standard??
2. cupholders- are too small and the second one is located too far back and if you have an armrest, the armrest covers the second cupholder.
3. if you are a tall person and have to have the drivers seat way far back, it makes for a tight ride in the back seat.
4. the car gets pricey with all the options, etc. You have to hunt and work on it for a decent deal.
5. having to find a place to park in the parking lot where i feel i WONT get door dinged! ok, maybe that is less than a complaint and more an obsession!
But, overall, these complaints are VERY minor and I dont regret my purchase one bit!!
Also, about getting tires installed at the dealership, does anyone ever had to order them from somewhere else and ship them to the dealship for installation. Would a BMW service department go for that?
Thanks.
I wouldn't have the dealership do anything with tires - the tire dealers are optimized to change them much more quickly and economically. You can mail order and then get them mounted, but you're usually just better off shopping a few tire dealers and driving a hard bargain. Many will match prices with internet outfits like Tire Rack and Discount Tire, once you account for mounting and balancing.
Again, I'd steer clear of the dealer for anything to do with tires. They don't even handle warranty claims because your warranty for tires is with the tire mfg, not BMW.
- Mark
Check out this website for more info:
http://www.bmwgroup.com/e/nav/index.html?http/www.bmwgroup.com/e/0_0_www_bmwgroup_com/7_innovation/7_2_aid/themen.shtml?7_2?7_2
I'm skeptical about the black interior. I'm in VA and my current 323i has the tan which I love as a combo. Will I fry to death in the VA heat/humidity with black? It does have aftermarket window tinting except on the front windshield to help but VA doesn't allow much tinting on the front driver and passenger window so it may not fly here with the police.
Has anyone had bad (or good) experience buying a car a Perillo? Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. Unfortunately, geographically they are the only realistic choice I have for future service (so I'm drawn toward them for the purchase...)
all in jest,
-Colin
I am hot natured and Houston is hot. No problem with the black interior -- it might be different if you were driving a convertible.
Black is also good because it decreases interior ambient light, increasing your ability to see outside the vehicle and it makes it much more difficult for people to see into your car when you are driving it. In Houston, this may help you dodge a bullet if you cut someone off in traffic. They might break a window or something, but the chance that they will pop a clean cap into you is much less with a black interior.
It looks cool too.
It is the modern age -- your air conditioner will take care of you.
NERD -- Look way up on this thread and you will find a very detailed message about the VIN meanings (use the search tool).
SMGII on the M3 is a completely different transmission than the SMG on the upcoming 330 and the current Z4. They can only be compared in concept only. I went with the 6sp and love every single shift even in the traffic jams of Houston. The clutch action is good for your left leg.
I bought 1 1/2 years ago and ended up going out-of-state.
2. Leather not up to $$$
3. Buttons activating the map lights for the driver came out of a Yugo
4. Restrictive CD player
mmmmm..... I think thats about it.
Regarding what can be improved, then I have a long list, but those are items that are at least equal to the competition.
Oh yes, of course, the price ;-)