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Comments
Consider their recent choices:
Best overall car: BMW 530i
Best sporty car: Subaru WRX
Best sports car: Honda S2000
Best family sedan: Accord/Passat
Best small sedan: Honda Civic
Best green car: Honda Civic Hybrid
Most versatile: Vibe/Matrix
Best small SUV: Toyota RAV4
Best mid-sized SUV: Honda Pilot
Best pickup: Chevy Avalanche
Best minivan: Honda Odyssey
Not a dog in this bunch. CR is not an end-all to the car buying process, but as the only publication which accepts no advertising, the only publication which buys their test cars on the open market (instead of being given "ringer" press cars), the only publication which actually tests things like bumpers, and the only publication which compiles comprehensive reliabliity data, it is highly valuable information in the car buying decision.
- Mark
For example, CR does report problems per 1000 data in general, and they have shown that cars have been getting more reliable every year. That means that each manufacturer has to improve their models every year simply to maintain there position. If they don't, then as other cars get better, their model will slip.
So BMW has to match the quality improvements that Kia and Hyundai make, since their improvements move the average up as well. This means that the E46 3 series, which I believe started out better than average, has slipped in relative measure since it was first introduced, simply because the average car's reliability has improved and BMW has not made any dramatic changes in reliability.
CR even makes this point when they list NEW for reliability of redesigned models.
On the other hand, keep enjoying your car, I cannot think of better psychotherapy after a long night on call than one of these bad boys ;-)
I suppose that the car for me represents a high priority. I am actually a very frugal individual -- i almost never buy lunch, i skip starbucks, my wife and i usually split a meal at restraunts, we usually do not get wine at restraunts, etc. Everyone has those things that make them happy...i like starbucks, food, and wine, but I do not like them enough to spend that much money there, so i just skip it and then everytime I turn the key, I appreciate the small sacrifices like that.
I have also been shaped by my profession somewhat -- life is precious and frequently much shorter than you expect so I think that you should live every day to the fullest.
more later...
Enjoy the car. I'm always happy for nice and successful people.
http://home.attbi.com/~bernhard36/honda-ad.html
Notice the subject line; it says 'One "Take"', I did not say "Take One". In fact, this video was take 606. Wow.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I also do not have a high speed internet connection so shipo's post took me about 15 minutes to download. Were the tires rolling up hill there at the beginning? -- pretty awesome ad though.
Anecdotal reliability reports:
'91 Honda Accord - (Sold 106k miles) Engine Mount and Radiator replaced at 65k miles
'94 Honda Accord - (Sold 99k miles) Radiator replaced at 62k miles
'95 325i -- (Sold 100k miles). Passenger seat (electrical) broken--$750. CR in 4/2002 rated the '95 3 series as a best buy for a used car.
'00 Maxima - (Has 68k miles) Glove box latch broken at 60k miles (no abuse --cost $300)
'03 M3 -(11k miles) -- it is due now for its first oil change. Only problem was right daytime running light burned out about a month ago and was replaced.
I of course do not include routine items like brake service or changing belts or tune-ups in the above list.
In my experience I have not noticed a significant difference between the Japanese and the German cars that I have owned. When cars have over 60k miles it seems that about once a year or so you take it in and you get a bill between $500 and $1000 for various items related to routine wear and tear. I have never had to deal with electrical gremlins or catastrophic problems of any sort.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Here my question: What is the reason for the document if the only ramification is a drop in performance?
Secondly, my original contis have 18,000 miles and the outside treads are all but a memory. I keep the tires inflated to 30, 35 (front/rear) and check them monthly. Question: Am I taking corners too quickly or improperly inflating the tires? I'd love to hear your opinions.
One year with the car and loving it.
ButMyWife
Best Regards,
Shipo
By the way, it seems that my battery is barely starting the car. My car is 3 years and 3 weeks old. That is not long enough for a battery to last, IMO. I don't remember if bateries are covered under warranty - my free maintenance ran out less than a month ago - go figure! If I can't get a new battery under warranty, I've heard good things about the Interstate batteries. And I've heard complaints about BMW batteries. Any thoughts?
Best Regards,
Shipo
I think that by Frugal, I am focused in where I spend the money. I like the bimmer and did not think twice about spending the money for it. I think that a better word my be that I am Utilitarian -- I try to get the most "Utils" for every dollar I spend and so if something doesn't have enough "Utils" for me then I just skip it. Everyone is different and I think part of enjoying life is determining what has the most "utils" for you.
BTW: I took no offense whatsoever at what you posted.
FWIW: When I am out with friends I actually enjoy ordering wine since it adds so much to the atmosphere and since it is usually pretty easy to finish a bottle when at least 2.5 people are enjoying it.
Shipo: I love the counterbalance technique that you describe--I did not think about that. I knew that you would have the answer though.
BTW, I posted a couple of months ago about a rattle that I could hear with my left ear which seemed to be coming from the left rear door. Sure enough, the wood panel bracket contraption had broken so the dealership fixed it. No rattle!
ButmMWife
back to the 3 series though. The 2 M3s they had there (1 coupe, 1 convertible) had the optional 19" wheels which I think don't look as nice as the 18 inchers that come on the car. Loved the Imola Red w/ Black leather interior.
They had a Red/Black 330i with performance package. What a mean looking car. I love it.
For the first time in a while I can say that I like the 3 sedan better than the 3 coupe. They had a 325i & 325CiC next to each other, both with SP. The wheels on the SP 325Ci are new (for '04 I guess) and they don't look nearly as sharp (imo) as the style 44 (?) wheels that originally came with the E46 328i SP and then the E46 325i Sp until now. I really like the 325i with SP wheels. They had a Silver/Black w/ 5 speed on display. No matter how many Silver BMWs I see, they're all still pretty cars.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Dan
I ahve a question about a possible problem. For the past few days my a/c (fan) has been acting up. It comes in and out as I am driving. I am not talking about the fan blowing stronger and then weaker. I am talking the fan stopping blowing all together. I look at the auto-climate and it is half way up but the fan has stopped blowing. Even when I raise the fan speed I still get nothing. Sometimes it comes in a few minutes later and then goes out again. Other times it goes out and does not start again unless I shut off and restart the car. Has anyone had this problem? Is it a known problem? I own a 2001 325i about 23K miles.
Thank you for any information.
Last Saturday, I packed up the family for a drive to the in-laws to celebrate Easter. I tuned in Tom and Ray Magliozzi, who fielded the following call from Kathie in Washington, paraphrased below:
Kathie: "I have a disagreement with my boy friend. When did it become acceptable to drive up behind someone and flash your high-beams to get them to move over. He says that this is how people drive on the Autobahn."
Tom & Ray: "He must be one of those BMW drivers (he actually was), and he is a moron. While he may wish that the car in front of him would "vaporize", it is he who should be vaporized." "You need to dump him."
The exchange was quite funny and can be heard at
www.cartalk.cars.com/Radio/Show/
(click segment 6)
Unfortunately, these statements only perpetuate the type of stereotype of BMW drivers that I try to live up to. It also provided for 3 hours of "I told you so" from my wife.
look under headlight. I used to know of a better link, but can't seem to find it right now.
Its not law but these guys seem to have good intentions.
BTW, according to some of our German friends, there are 3 lanes on the autobahn. Right lane for slow moving cars, middle lane for passing, and left lane for BMWs. Supposedly, some people will hesitate to cross a street if they see a BMW coming their way, as they feel that the aggressive BMW driver won't slow down or stop. Stereotypes are pretty much the same whether you are in Germany, or US.
The service guy laughed because my first oil service was due at 11k miles -- he said most are 14-15k miles. He knew I have been driving it for all it is worth.
They replaced the windshield wiper inserts too.
Of course all of this was free, but it is interesting that 1 BMW oil service equals 3-5 oil changes at Jiffy Lube. I love that. It represents a significant environmental advantage too since it decreases the amount of waste oil by 60-80% over most other vehicles.
Enjoy.
http://www.cccbmwcca.org/ and check out the classifieds...
-Paul
-Colin
http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/events/2003/autocross.asp?page=rules
I'm becoming more frustrated at the problems I've had with my car. I still love the drive and the look of the BMW. Here is a list of problems in my 3-year history.
4,100 miles - replace clutch bushing (noise), aim headlights (poor factory aiming)
7,700 - replace power steering pump (leaking)
9,200 - seat belt noise (not fixed properly)
11,400 - thermostat recall
16,200 - seat belt noise (not fixed again - broke B pillar trim in process - gave up trying to fix)
17,900 - passenger front window stuck in down position (replace regulator)
21,900 - replaced ventilation fan limit switch (fan went crazy)
24,000 - engine noise - determined to be defective fan (serpentine) belt
25,300 - dead battery (or electrical problems?)
So what does everyone think? Too many problems for a high quality vehicle, or am I just making too big of a deal? I've owned 8 new cars in my lifetime, and this one is close to the top of the list in problems (also the best in many other ways).
My BMW wasn't covered by warranty so I had to pay for all sorts of stuff out of pocket.
-flashers- we have strict speed limits in this country, just because you like to speed doesn't mean we have to give you the right of way.
This means they build the cheapest car and sell it for the most money. Hats off to BMW marketing.
***
In most of the country it is against the law to drive in the left hand lane, even if you are going over the speed limit. The left lane is supposed to be used for passing only. The "left lane Richard" should be tarred, feathered and ticketed.
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