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I'm spending $40,000, $50,000 or twice or three times or more for a car, I would like to have a more accurate estimate than: "CR no longer recommends the 3-series". That information does not help me determine the reliability of my next BMW. Since it will not help me, why even use it in the first place? I don't think it's a proper analogy (although I understand why you might have used it), comparing a JD Power survey to the last 30 years of medical information regarding smoking. Obviously the use of statistics are all around us. Most uses have a degree of interference on our lives that we might take pause over. I'm not arguing the usefullness of the JD Powers/CR surveys, I'm saying to me they are not useful. As a matter of fact, I know a number of people who do not use these surveys in the buying process. People only seem compelled to respond when there is an issue.
Let's agree to disagree about this, and get back to the subject of this discussion.
Thanks.
I just bought a 330i and I also purchased a 2-yr extended warranty for $1700 which would cover me for 6 years total. I will likely only be putting 8,000 miles on the car per year and I do plan on keeping this car for at least 6 years and maybe more. I have owned American made cars up until now and extended warranties has served me well. What do most BMW owners do? I still have time to back out of it. Please help. Could really use some advice. Are there lots of repairs on this car after the 4 yr factory warranty expires?
Carol
Also any visual changes? Will the front headlights change similar to the 04 coupes? And will the ugly black molding along the body finally change to match the body color?
Any links or pictures will be appreciated.
thanks.
- Most cars are hatchbacks. An Audi A4 Avant would be considered fairly spacious by French standards. SUVs are almost non-existent, although I did see a Cayenne.
- The French government does not want you driving by yourself. On a 100-mile trip from La Rochelle to Bordeaux, we had to pay 10 euros (~$11.5) in tolls EACH way . That's on top of the 1 euro/ltr (~ $4/gallon) of gas.
- Most 3-series are diesels. The 320d seems to be especially popular. I saw a couple of 330s and they had German license plates. No 325s. I guess they are not economical enough and not fast enough. I'll keep mine, though.
- A car similarly equipped as my '01 325 stickers at ~ $38-39K. I paid ~ $31.5K for mine here in the U.S. We have no idea how good we have it here in the U.S.
- The 3-series compact is hideous. From any angle...
- The new 5-series compact is hideous. From any angle...
- I was surprised to see that the average French driver does not use directional signals on the highway more than the average U.S. driver.
- Rotaries are everywhere (just like in GB) and they work great. No waiting for the green light - traffic flows beautifully. We should have more of these in the U.S., although the one that I've seen in the Boston area (on Rt.2 in Concord) is a nightmare to most drivers who just freeze up at the sight of it.
The following come from reviewers who have driven a ZHP:
http://edmunds.com/new/2003/bmw/3series/100261369/roadtestarticle- .html?articleId=100429&tid=edmunds.e.roadtests.content...BMW*
"It's firm in a way that enthusiasts will savor, but poseurs will grow tired of quickly."
"Adding the Performance Package to a standard 330i bumps the price by a substantial $3,900, but for those who have held out hope for a 3 Series sedan with Motorsport character, it will be money well spent. The additions are subtle, but the car's abilities are not. It's not cheap, but when it's 6 a.m. and you're flinging it through a corner like it's never going to let go, $40 grand doesn't seem like much."
http://caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=6- 978&page_number=1
"Our Performance-package 330i sprinted to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and covered the quarter-mile in 14.3 seconds at 97 mph.
The quickest 330i test times we've recorded prior to exercising this enhanced edition came in our first instrumented encounter with the 3.0-liter 3-series back in December 2000: 0 to 60 in 6.1 seconds, the quarter in 14.8 at 95 mph. "
Huh, some hypothesizing, or people who have actually driven the car.
Now the suspension, gear changes and engine mods...well that's a must. And I actually don't like the look of the recently (2002 I believe) changed 3 series frontend. The pinpoint fog lamps and smoothed fascia aren't as agressive to me as the 99-00s. so that one cosmetic change, I do like.
i paid for the first service outside scheduled maintenance (at around 45K miles), and i had to replace front pads, front rotors, rear pads, rear tires, and do the regular oil change. the total bill was $1400, which seems excessive. now, of course, that means that i don't have to brake work for another 40K miles conceivably, but i wonder when i've got to worry about the water pump, the timing belt, and the rest of the other parts that are going to wear out.
i've had one problem with the electrical system so far--the dealer had to replace an actuator that controlled the keyless door entry on the driver's side door. i know that german cars in general are notorious for electrical issues down the line, but i guess i'm wondering what else i'm in store for.
i love the car and am keeping it, but now it's being relegated to leisure use because it's just an expensive car to maintain--too expensive to keep as a daily driver when my annual mileage is about 30K.
thanks for all that respond.
- under original warranty, all scheduled maintenance labor and parts are covered? oil, wipers, brake pads, etc?
- where can I find - other than the dealer- what the original warranty covers?
- Does the original warranty transfer to me?
- Will BMW sell an extended warranty to a non-dealer pre-owned BMW?
Thanks!!
FWIW, I just got my car back from the 45K mile service last Tuesday. $252 total w/ $195.71 of that being for the actual BMW Oil Service. Not too unreasonable but I wish I had checked the list of services before taking it in since I could've done much of the stuff myself.
- There should be warranty info with the car.. check the leather owner's manual case.
- warranty should transfer
- to the best of my knowledge, BMW doesn't sell extended warranties.
thanks for the info about the timing belt!
With just a hint of sentimentality, my Euro Delivery 330i is being put up for sale. Still love the car, but I really missed the top-down feel that my old Z3 gave to me, and I really can't justify having two cars for myself (especially since I take public transportation to work!) As for a replacement, the Z4 just hasn't grown on me, and the 330Cic, although nice, after a test drive felt more like a cruiser than a sports car.
So, I recently picked up a car I've always wanted to have - an E36 M3 convertible. It's a completely different animal than the 330i - much less refined and more raw. Took it out on the twisties along the Nothern California coast and all I could say was, "Wow!" Plus, there's room for both kids in the back. ;-)
I know I'll be dealing with all the maintenance issues that coincide with owning a five-year old, out-of-warranty BMW, but maybe it'll compel me to become more of a DIYer.
Cheers!
ksso, pissed after reading a review online...
1. 50 miles into the trip on the highway the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. When I shut down the
engine, removed the key and put it back and started the car, the
"Service Engine Soon" light didn't come on again. It did happen one more time and the same trick did it. What should I do? Do I need to take it to the dealer.
2. The steering seems to be pulling slightly to the right. It is
noticeable on the highway.
3. The steering seems to be over boosted. It might be just my feeling but can it be changed.
4. The wind noise at speeds around 80 - 85 mph is quite high. I am comparing this to my friend's MB C240.
Overall, I love the way it drives. Still need to get used to the clutch. I am still in the nervous phase trying to figure out if everything is working the way it is supposed to work. The FUN factor is the highest in the BMW and I guess I will enjoy it even more once I get over the 'break-in' period.
CCCXXV (NY) T
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
The repair will be done under warranty but since this is my only car and I have to get to work, I have to rent a car (my dealer would not provide a loaner -- only for scheduled service they said). I've written to BMW USA asking for a possible reimbursement but am expecting the typical corporate response of not taking responsibility.
Has anyone sued BMW USA for such reimbursement? If so, what happened? I realize the amount will be minimal and the cost of the suit will be more than the reimbursement but I'm ticked off at my near monthly visits to the dealer.
For that price you are getting a new car, warranty, etc.
The real keys to leasing:
The lowest sale price possible. If the car has an MSRP of 36k and you're buying it for 33k, you won't have to pay for that three thousand dollars.
Highest residual possible. This coincides with the MSRP. If the car runs 36k and the residual is 50%, then you're going to have to pay 18k (plus Money Factor) over 3 years. If you negotiate a sale price of 33k, then you must pay 15k (plus MF).
Lowest money factor possible. The mf is essentially your interest rate, so get it as close to zero as possible. A MF of 0.0003 is great - a bit less than 1% APR. An MF of 0.0051 is essentially loan sharking.
Low MF, low sale price, high residual value.
If you have 6k, put it in the bank or use a portion on the MF via BMW's Multiple Security Deposits and use the rest to make payments. Give them as little upfront cash as possible.
Reminds me of a girl I know who had 20k saved. She spent most of it on a new car, even though the dealer had 0%. Huh?! She felt payments were too much trouble. Good grief...
regards,
kyfdx
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Yeah, I am still around and enjoying my '01 325. It's been a great car so far - 52K miles and counting. It's been very reliable through the 10 or so track days and 14-15 autoX event that I've taken it to. I've put in sway bars, cold-air intake, front stress bar, and will be going with lower profile tires (same size rims) in a couple of weeks when I go on my third set. It's very slowly makng its way toward becoming a dedicated track car )
Check your tires' pressure if you haven't done so yet. The car will tend to pull toward the crown of the road. Does it always pull to one side?
The steering weight was corrected in the summer of '01 and that shut up most vocal enthusiasts. It will feel heavier if you have the sport package with wider tires.
Yes, there is more wind noise at highway speeds compared to luxury cars, such as M-B and Lexus. It's never bothered me, I don't know...
Tell me your question and I'll see if I can get an answer.
Picking it up Monday 15th and then touring the Bavarian Alps and the Rhineland.
2004 325 Ci
5 Speed
Sports Package
Cold Weather
DVD Navigation
Swivelling Xenons
Moonroof
HK
Wood trim
Gray Green
Sand Leather
Pardon my drool....
First stop-Hotel Admiral, by the banks of the Isar...anyone know it??
Norris, attending his first Oktoberfest and liking his beer
I thought the C230K sedan had a lot of pep for a 4cyl engine. I especially liked the clean interior and with the xenon option you get clears on the headlights. Some negatives are the engine doesn't sound as good as the bmw and the C230 looks a little stubby in profile. But otherwise a clean car.
Any feedback would be apprciated.
I drove the C230 Coupe a couple of times, nice enough car but the SC 4 banger isn't in the same league as a good I-6. Given a choice between a C230 and 325 I would take the 325. The real diff is when you break out of cruising mode and start working the gas pedal. The I-6 is so smooth reving.
Having lived with both cars for more than a year, I would judge the BMW the winner in any abstract comparison. It is an absolute blast to drive (just not in stop and go traffic), and I would give it the edge in quality over my W202 Benz. While the new C-classes are tighter and otherwise improved over the W202's (I have driven several), I think the 3er still wins.
Jmess and Blue are right. Drive the competition as much as possible, and the right choice for you will likely emerge.
Sounds like you've really become a driving enthusiast with your 325. I attended the BMW Performance Driving School in South Carolina earlier this summer and had a blast. They gave us the 330i as our "learning vehicle," and I had never realized just how far you could push these cars. Nothing like a driving school to really improve your skills and confidence behind the wheel.
Wanted to ask - are you running a dedicated set of tires/wheels for track/autocross events, and if yes, what are they? I'm thinking of taking my M3 to one of the BMWCCA driving schools out my way at either Infineon Raceway or Laguna Seca for some track time later this year. Wondering if I should get a different set of tires or not. I've heard that R-compound tires are the best for track purposes.
My car is completely stock right now, and I don't plan on doing much to it, other than perhaps a front strut brace, which I've heard does wonders to reduce the cowl shake in a convertible. On the other hand, lots of E36ers rave about the Shark Injector...
On the way back, I noticed that the steering was too tight --- i mean heavy, even when I was slow. No comparison to the Camry i used.
Is this normal ? I used to drive a Potiac Grand Am and the steering was like this too.