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I drove both the 330Ci and 325Ci. Mistake on my part maybe, I drove the 330Ci first, so the 325Ci definately felt under powered. Although I should be getting 325 when I think about my budget, I just can't feel the ultimate driving experice as I did on the 330Ci.
So I'm kinda leaning towards the 330 and got an offer from the dealer at $41,270. 330Ci silver, premium, sport, bi-xenon, and steptronic. I think this is about 6.6% over invoice. Do you think this is a good deal or should I try to bargain more?
One more thing, I just found out that 3 series does not come with the alarm and it cost about $650 to get it installed. The saleperson recommanded LoJack at the same price. Do most people get the alarm? If so, at what price?
Or does anyone know any good BMW dealers in Souther California?
Please advise.
First three digits are manufacturer's code (e.g., WBA=BMW AG, WBS=Motorsports).
Digits 4-7 are the model code (my '98 540i6 is DE53; my wife's '00 323ia is AN33).
Digit 8 is the restraint system identifier (e.g., both my car is 2=seat belts and dual airbags; my wife's is 4=seat belts, dual-stage advanced front airbags).
Digit 9 is a check digit.
Digit 10 is the model year identifier (e.g., W=1998, Y=2000, 2=2002, etc.).
Digit 11 is the plant code (e.g., B & D=Dingolfing, A=Munich, E=Regensburg, N=South Africa, and L=Spartanburg). Mine is a B and wife's is N.
Digits 12-17 are the sequential production number.
Hope this helps.
I see that my 2003 325i is being built in Rosslyn. I have read that it is among the best car assembly plants in the world. I ordered the car on 1/11/03, and it is scheduled for production on 1/31/03. My wife took delivery of her 2002 325Ci eight weeks after ordering it; it was built in Regensburg.
Also says "Standard on all 3 Series models this March are Adaptive Brake Lights". Goes on to say "A new option, Adaptive Headlights" will be available (they turn with the steering wheel). And finally says "And in all 3.0-liter models, a crisp-shifting six-speed manual transmission is now standard."
Think it interesting how MY2004 is being pushed so early. E46 platform is winding down.
But if BMW is going to do anything do the following, this is my wish list.
1. performance - make it abundantly clear BMWs come out of the factory with class leading performance and no room for after market tuners. Put a super-charger in as a factory available option on all models. In addition, increase the redline for the engines to about 7,000 rpm.
2. offer an LSD as an option
3. offer SMG as an option
4. kick up the options on the stereo system a notch
5. maybe, offer a better type of leather for the interior
Unfortunately, these tend to raise prices, make the cars more complex & nearly impossible for DITY work, and make it harder to keep them for long periods of time (say 10 years or 200K miles) while staying within a decent budget. [I can't imagine how much it might cost to drive and own a new 745i from 100,000-200,000 miles. So much to go wrong. So much that is so expensive to fix. Will many of these systems last 200K? Would you want to own one out of warranty?]
I'd much rather see BMW keep its civilized performance image. Give me LSD over iDrive any day. But if BMW wants to sell a million plus cars a year worldwide and hundreds of thousands annually in USA, then they have to offer what their major target markets want. Too bad too many Americans want luxury and image over the ultimate driving expereince. Is there any way to re-educate enough potential buyers with money?
That's why I would like to see BMW add more power while making the engine, drivetrain and all car components absolutely bullet-proof. Add the SMG, LSD and I'll be a happy camper.
You'll then be able to take that car to 200K.
As for BMW marketing, it's a race to have the most sophisticated cars on the market. The electronics on the 7 series may be extreme but I think they had their best year ever with the new 7. By keeping their image as the number one technologically advanced company with the top of the line 7, this trickles down to all of the line.
Where it ends, I don't know but let's face it, most of the people driving 7's lease them and will turn them 3 years later with less than 50K on them. So any long term reliability issues won't affect them.
I recall some discussion on a service bulletin regarding this problem but my search uncovered only an inquiry from TENET1 about 9 months ago.
Anybody remember anything about this?
Still loving the car (except the buzzing)
ButMyWife
last March that has finally seen snow this winter. While it seemed stable enough if you drive it carefully in slippery conditions, it didn't handle the icy condition as well with our other RWD BMWs with a set of dedicated winter tires. We keep the AWD wagon in the garage whenever we have snow storms which have been more than usual this year. My advice is to pick up a set of good winter tires. Then you won't have any problem going anywhere with your 330xi. A very worthwhile investment in my opinion.
The window sticker also shows plant of origin. That is written out, not in code.
Dr. Nelson, I'll have to remember this in case I see a grey M3 cut me off in West U. Talk about cut off, I got off in an intersection by a Porsche 911 Carrera S4. If my truck only had enough power, I would have gunned it and let him slam into the side of me. He should have turned right and made a u-turn. Nobody told him to get in the turning lane.
There are days that I wish my Ranger was a Hummer H2 with cow bars on the front.
Oh yeah, my Bimmer is at 22K miles and still going great.
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi
By the way I punched my last 7 digits numbers in the VIN Decoder. It assumed my car was manufactured in August 2001 while BMW's internal production log confirmed the car was end November 02. It has a DVD NAV which was not available in 2001.
Seivwrig - thanks for the info.
jean7of9 - Don't know if you've seen the posts, but a lot of folks are beating up on AWD BMWs, asserting that a good set of snows on a RWD does as well if not better. I personally find this hard to believe (maybe I'm just trying to justify my choice of a 325xi), but perhaps chalk it up to context. While I am sure that snow tires are invaluable in . . . snow, AWD has benefits in other slippery conditions where snow tires are no help, like rain and otherwise wet roads, wet leaves in the fall (I drive to work on twisty, tree-lined roads that can be treacherous in the fall when wet leaves abound), etc. In all, I don't see how AWD can't improve all around traction in wet conditions. What is your experience so far?
BTW, I also plugged my VIN into the VIN decoder, and it said that my car was produced in May of 2001. Obviously an error, right? BMW's Owner's Circle says I'm scheduled for production around 1/24/03, and I hope to be driving it at the end of February.
First, mine has the tan interior and even with the black dashboard it still looks very classy, especially with the wood trim. I thought, too, it would be an eyesore, but looks really good.
Second, Ive heard black is much harder to keep looking clean than tan- thought it was the opposite but people ive heard that owns the black tells me otherwise.
Third, In Texas (im in Dallas) it gets so hot here, interior and exterior color can make HUGE differences. Yes, a/c does the trick but stepping into a black/black car or a white/tan car, you WILL feel an intial heat difference.
Just my $02.
what's the great mystery here? there is a limit to how much traction a pair of driven wheels has. that limit is reached sooner when the axle does not have limited-slip capabilities; basically when one wheel starts spinning you've lost nearly all the driving torque to the other wheel. traction control can help this by applying the brake on the spinning wheel. if you don't have traction control you can do it yourself if you're stuck-- but since you're applying all the brakes you may not go anywhere. (might be worth a try if you're ever stuck though.)
if you're on board with me at this point, just translate that to another axle. you have two more driven wheels fighting for traction. more is better.
on dry tarmac though, there's plenty of traction. the AWD system's weight just hampers performance. and what others are saying is that with real winter tires their BMWs are driveable. I'm sure that's true, given my ex-wife's Miata is very capable with snow tires (as long as it doesn't high-center).
however I choose to drive a beater '93 Taurus SHO that only cost me $1000 more than a set of winter wheels & tires, plus I protect my M3 from salt and other drivers' mistakes.
-Colin
No doubt, color is a subjective issue; so all of us have to assume that each one has made the best choice for him/herself.
I let the issue rest and the sound just went away after 1 or 2 months. At the time, when the sound reared its ugly head, I would just rev the car a bit higher to let the "growl" take over.
I have not had any trouble keeping black leather interior clean. The dashboard does show dust, but that just gives me an excuse to clean it..I feel better that way.
Cutting people off: I like to think that I very rarely cut people off in traffic. I am guilty of "exhibition of acceleration" however. I just love the sound of my engine roaring. People around me may think that I am just some testosterone laiden man who is trying to draw attention to himself. I actually am a little embarrassed if people notice me in the car, but I cannot get enough of the engine roar. I take it to the redline in 1rst and 2nd every chance that I get.
I have not noticed many rattles in the new car, but the engine tends to drown them out.
Transmission has VERY noticable hesitation when
shifting to next {higher] gear. Most evident when starting out on cold days. Previous cars: maxima, lexus ,infinity, acura, etc. did not exhibit this pause. Is this normal? Or, should I return to dealer. Thank you for comments.
a SILVER 330xi...which was immediately available as I wanted (with the exception of no xenon).
Silver was a very close second choice to my first choice which was the steel grey (which would have to be ordered).
Now I'm panicking...should I have ordered the steel grey with xenons and waited for 2 months?
Putting aside the "get what you want" arguements, any opinions about silver vs. steel grey?? Think silver would be MUCH better at not looking crappy in our salt-infested (chicago) climate...
I love the seats, but could take or leave the "aerodynamic package" and and wheels and the 3-spoke steering wheel... Are there any disadvantages to the run-flat wheels on the (2003) sport package? Wish I could just get the seats...
After a miserable winter with his 03 SL-500 my next door neighbor got a ML-430 for winter. For those who will claim that he does not know how to drive please hold on to your guns: He is a racing driver/trainer and test driver for an F1 House. At last, around me there are lot of amateurs and professional car racers who race every week-end, almost every one has either a truck or an AWD car for winter beside his 540, Z8 or 745. Last month an F1 Grand Prix Champion attended a charity event at a ski resort in my town, he was driving a truck.
ButMyWife
http://photos.yahoo.com/jonneandbrian and then go to the nurburgring folder
-nobee
Is it worth it to buy the 325xi verses the 325i
Yes, I sometimes wish I had the sports seats and the wider tires but one, I dont care for the look of the 3 spoke as opposed to my 4 spoke steering wheel and two if the sp for the 330 makes the suspension even more stiff, I dont think id want it anyways. Its stiff enough as it is!
I do not want to purchase a new bmw to find out next year the exterior look will be different.