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I probably added maybe a quart of straight anti-freeze. Interested about mixing it with water though. I've never done that.
One thing to remember is to NOT use the heater initially. One, you essentially just get cold air for first 5 minutes or so anyway so it isn't doing much for the front windows or interior temperature. Second, it bleeds heat from the car's engine, making it take longer to warm up.
Better solution: Dress warmly. Wear gloves. Carefully scrape windows off from outside. Never use windshield wipers to remove ice or snow. AND (most important?) buy a BMW with both heated seats and heated steering wheel! My wife is jealous of my 540i6's heated steering wheel. She wants one so bad in her 323ia. But ya can't get in 3 Series.
Go RAIDERS!
I recommend that you check your owner's manual to determine which antifreeze to use. BMW uses the red, at least that is what is in my wife's 325Ci.
If you want to convert a vehicle to the red antifreeze, I would confirm that the manufacturer approves its use. Then, ensure that the cooling system is flushed thoroughly before adding the red.
When I bought the stuff at the dealer, I confirmed that there is only one type of anti-freeze for all BMWs (I was aware of differing types, but unfamiliar with the details).
Plan to call BMW soon. Any body else experience the same?
He talks with David Turcotte, techncial director of Zerex. Turcotte does point out that if you just drain coolant or use a hose, you might really only get up to 60 percent out. Best machines might only get 85 percent out. So as Bedard writes, "Old coolant 'hanging up' in the system is a real concern."
Bedard point out the different types "the old technology, a.k.a. 'conventional', a.k.a. 'inorganic,' is green in color" versus "one of the new types is 'organic acid technology,' or OAT. It's orange." Mentions that GM pioneered it. Ford used it in some models for a while but has since "backed away from it" and that "VW, Audi, and Porsche are OAT users, too, but most others have resisted."
Bedard then points out that there are other types. Or as he says, "most new cars use a 'hybrid' antifreeze that's formulated with both OAT and the silicate inhibitors from green. It comes in too many colors to pretend this type is color-coded."
Bedard then follows up in his July 2002 C&D column titled "Dr. Turcotte writes a few coolant prescriptions." Talks about OTR long-haul truckers using Extended Life coolant. Racers using "Racing Super Coolant". And discusses the current state-of-the-art material: G-05. It "started off as an 'exotic European fluid. VW changed to it early, followed by more companies, include Mercedes for both gas and diesel engines." In America, DC (2000) and Ford (2001) now using it as their "long life" coolant. Interesting discussion about the proper proportion of water and anti-freeze. America's 50/50 mix called "a one-size-fits-all solution" since any American car might travel to Arizona in summer and Alaska in winter.
On the dash and door vinyl I use Vinylex, which is also a Lexol product. I use it about 4 or 5 times a year, for cleaning, otherwise I just use a damp chamois to get the dust off.
On the rest of the interior, I usually just use a damp chamois. But I keep my interior very clean. If you are needing to get dirt off, you can use any mild soap or Simple Green on a damp clean cloth. Use as sparingly as possible to remove any dirt. Then wipe with a clean water-damp cloth. Be careful if you have wood trim so that you don't scratch it.
Also check out carcareonline.com - everything you ever wanted to know is there.
Anyways, i would hate to read through all the chats again so can someone either graciously give the post number or resubmit the cleaning regiment?
This will probably help answer a lot of people's questions on cleaning and use of alternative products other than BMW stuff. thanx all.
1. during the winter, I've been bringing the car to the soft brush car wash.
2. I wash the car with zymol car wash in nice weather.
3. I wax it every 3 months. If the car is gritty I'll use something like Mothers' Cleaner wax. If the car is not gritty after the wash I'll use a pure carnuba wax such as Megiuars Yellow or Kiwi.
4. I clean the windows and chrome trim with Windex.
5. Use Lexol cleaner and conditioner on the leather as needed.
6. Use Windex to lift grease/dirt from the carpet when needed.
7. Vaccum frequently.
8. I clean the underbody of the car with the hose and the wheel wells with a soft brush with dish detergent. I clean the tires with dish detergent and then put on a foam shine product.
9. I clean the rims with dish detergent with a follow-up of Windex if needed.
That's it. Although I like my cars to look spotless, this is not an antique show car. It is a modern car with a very good paint job, that should stand up to intended uses/cleaning of the exterior.
WBA BMW AG Germany
EW3 E46 330 Xi
3 US Spec
4 Dual Air Bags/Manual Seat Belts
3 Check Digit
3 2003
P Regnesburg
Cannot determine build date
Jean
Have you experienced a whining sound coming from the drivetrain when cruising at steady speeds? This is another issue I need to have checked out.
Pictures are at the bottom of the page. While I've never cared for the new headlights, the back is really growing on me. I'd love to see a Silver Gray in person (the new color).
It's due in April.
Mind you, it's only the convertibles and coupes that are geting this facelift (to match the sedan restyling of 2003).
Someone else said they expected the base price to increase by $700.
- Mark
It's one of those things that I just noticed one day and wondered if it had always done that and I now just noticed it? Was it a new clunk? It's been awhile since I had an auto trans, maybe all auto trans clunk like this? Then I drove my wife's 318ti auto. No clunk. 2,000 miles to go to first service, I'll check into it then.
Thanks.
I see you live in Corona. I use Savage BMW in Ontario for all my service and they are a great group. I have had no trouble making an appointment and arranging a loaner (however I have purchased 2 cars there) MOST dealers will set up a loaner car for you if you meet some or all of the following criteria (up to the individual dealers discretion)
1. You bought the car there.
2. The service is warrantee work.
3. you make a service appointment well ahead of time to schedule the loaner.
I think in general older cars even though they bring a premium dollar for service are not given preferential treatment when it comes to handing out loaners.
If you call Savage, ask for Brian Wolverton. Tell him you got an excellent referal from the internet and he might just hook you up with that loaner.
However, due to 9/11 at the time, the ship with my car was routed to SC and came through the VPC over there. So, depending on where you are, the car will be shipped directly from SA to one of the VPC's in the East coast or the one in the West coast (not sure of this one).
This is actually, a very intelligent algorithm, as if the AC or heather starts blowing air full blast at engine start, this air will be extremely cold and actually make you feel uncomfortable.
On the other hand, I'm pi$%* off with BMW for making the map light buttons so cheap. They are getting stuck every time I press them, on the overhead console @#$%^&*
In the summer the air blows plenty cold, in the winter it's plenty hot.
Does anyone have any pictures of a black 3 series with tinted windows that they care to share?
Thanks
Also the tint may keep out sun a bit, but I also think they cause a bit of the greenhouse effect in the car. And a dark car with a dark interior, watch out in the summer. Ouch!
The 5 series discussion has a couple of posts with some opinions on black cars.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291815279
-Colin
Does anyone have any pictures of a black 3 series with tinted windows that they care to share?
Thanks
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-Colin
Comparing to similarly priced and similarly equipped new 2003 Audi A4 3.0 AWD.
Regards,
bibest
325i manual:
1.00:1 5th x 3.15:1 final drive = 3.15 overall
325i automatic:
0.74:1 5th x 3.46:1 final drive = 2.56 overall
330i manual:
1.00:1 5th x 2.93:1 final drive = 2.93 overall
330i automatic:
0.74:1 5th x 3.38:1 final drive = 2.50 overall
And you end up with their respective EPA fuel economy estimates of 20/29, 19/27, 21/30, and 19/27. (The 330i manual is actually the most fuel efficient according to the EPA.)
The AWD xi's have their own ratios.
Hey, speaking of service...thx to this board I knew enuf to check the oil on my new baby after 5-6k, sure nuf it required a top-off. Now I hear there's red & green anti-freeze, potentially not compatible...the knowledge base grows. Like Martha Stewart says, it's a good thing.
Bushie did well last night, even I have to say. Back to cars, Eva (that's my baby) was wonderful on a 3-day trip to Mammoth (about 700 mi. RT). What a difference driving in a BMW, fatigue wasn't even a factor. Both me & my companion noticed it. And having a large open sunroof driving through the desert at night, mmmmm-nice!
In my brief experience, or 92 Mitsubishi Eclipse, 95 Honda Accord and 02 Honda Oddysey will blast you with cold air until the heather warms up, regardless of how high you set up the temp setting.
That is way, to me, the way the AC works on the BMW was a pleasant surprise.