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Comments
1. Where can I buy a decent sun shade for my 325i.
2. What are the basic cleaning stuff I need to buy.
Thanks
i don't want to mess with the guy's paycheck or bonus, but i also want to get things done right the first time. this seems like the best way to do it.
BMW seems to be pretty good, though. toyota, on the other hand, is AWFUL.
I have considered and passed on Mercedes C230K sports sedan, G35 sedan, Acura TSX. Checked into the 530i because of the incentives but there are not many left at the dealers.
Now down to either a 2003 330i (there are some incentives on these) or a 2004 330 Ci. I must say the new 2004 coupe is a gorgeous car. I definitely love the styling on the coupe over the sedan but the conservative voice in my head keeps saying sedan both from a resale and practicality point of view. The sedan is fine although I am not a big fan of the headlight trim or the black molding around the car. From what I have heard these will not change on the 04 model (if anyone has heard different please let me know)
The dollar difference is probably around 2-3K because of the dealer incentives on the 2003 330i's.
I am leaning 60/40 towards the coupe but am having many sleepless nights over this decision.
I'm sure many people have wrestled with this choice and I would like to know what tipped the scales and if you were happy with your decision.
thanks,
future bmw owner
Should be a bigger difference than that. Outfitted with the sport, premium and xenons the 2004 ci is 41k, while a 2003 330i with incentives and same options comes out to 37k invoice and thus even if you're bad at negotiating a 36k price. that's a 5k difference.
I'm sure many people have wrestled with this choice and I would like to know what tipped the scales and if you were happy with your decision.
I never wrestled with it as the coupe to me is impractical and it didn't offer the performance package.
Go with your first instinct. I had a 2001 330i. It was a great car. I loved the coupe, but thought the sedan would be more practical. Well, needless to say, I know have a 2002 325ci that I adore. I agree, the coupe is great looking. Do I miss the 4-doors or even the engine? Absolutely NOT!!! The coupe is classic and the sedans are everywhere.
COUPE COUPE COUPE,
Stacy
This was at Shelly BMW in Buena Park, CA. They gave me a free Saturn for the day, since I bought my car there & they had Enterprise Rentals right there on the premises. Ntime time I might take my car to another dealer & just pay for the rental on my own if need be. Nothing to do with the quality of service, just the traffic to get from the dlrship to work was too much.
There's a local dealer in SD that gives people Corollas! I see their "courtesy" cars all over. I'm always amazed at dealers that hand people cars of a totally different class. Supposedly the dealer I bought from gives people Bimmers. You'd think BMW would just demand that like Infiniti...oh well.
Anyway, I had dropped my car off for the clunking steptronic TSB and the SA asked if anything else needed to be addressed. I said the only thing was a minor squeak around the driver door window.
When I got back (with the Camry that I now should shudder to recall) my car was ready. When I got in, I noticed that the black plastic rocker panel cover appeared wet. I then noticed that whoever lubed the window seal sprayed the lube all over the place -- windows, steering wheel; you get the picture. I went back in to the SA (and the place was closing up for the day) and asked what had happened. He came out and looked and went nuts. They wanted to keep the car, detail it, fill the tank, etc, etc, etc. I was shocked. I was not happy at all, but it also was not another 9/11. I said that I would clean it up myself, but that they should let the mechanic (or whatever) know that there is a better way to lube the door seals without greasing up the entire car.
To end this drawn out story, I was called several times by the SA and his boss, and each time they offered me stuff. They seemed to be amazed that I was not going postal. I guess that they are used to dealing with people who freak out about everything, like getting a Corolla loaner.
I figure that life is too short for that crap.
I love driving my car but hate the baggage that comes with it. Lately if people ask in person what kind of car I own I now say, "Just a car." If pressed, an Accord.
I would never freak out or be rude if presented with a car I dislike (most vehicles) as a loaner. I'd accept it and walk away. It'd be mentioned on my service card, but at no point would anyone there know that I was displeased. The decision to hand me a Civic came from someone with purse-string control, someone above the SA or clerk working service.
Flash forward 4 mos, purchase a new porsche and it needs service after only 2 wks(that's a whole different story)! No loaners available then either so they call up the local rent-a-car place and they show up with a corolla! I almost laughed. I asked the rental gal if anything else was available and she offers up a tahoe, which I accepted.
When I'm shopping for a car, one of the first things I ask a dealer is about their service dept since I know that inevitably I'll be there. They ALL say, sure we give out BMW's or porsches but I've yet to receive a comparable loaner and even get nearly laughed at when I ask my SA.
Funny how things change once you "write the check" and they're no longer trying to kiss your a**
take care
fo
325 that has 37,000 miles and I am thinking of giving it to my neice as her first car-So I went to BMW Manhattan for some estimates--don't have them yet. But I want 325 automatic with Premium Package or Sport Package (which is better?) and heated seats, leather interior and probably Orient Blue Metallic--anyway what are the kind of numbers I can expect for a lease and does anyone love their dealer in the NY metro area and who are they?
I claim the same thing. Others make remarks about how I shouldn't take it to near redline so often.
Two additional questions: Is there a replacement part number for a panel that is scored? Is there a part number for a panel that isn't? (In case I have a mishap removing the plastic, or want to remove UGDO in the future? )
Thanks.
-Mark
Thank you for letting me vent.
geez, something must be terribly wrong with the world....
ksso
That cracks me up about the cost. I pay $100 more per month for my BMW than I did for my 19k Jetta. People act like I must be shelling out a gand a month on it. Uh, when you get a money factor of 0.0003 and a residual of 58%, plus 3-4k off msrp, the payments are quite doable.
A friend just bought a Highlander for 31k and after showing me the car had the nerve to comment, "I didn't pay nearly as much as your fancy car." Huh? What does my car have to do with her purchase?
People are strange...
The 3er is actually a very affordable car, at least in 325 form. I paid a LOT more for my Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the perception about the badge is that it is a high price car. It really isn't. My 325xi is my lowest cost to insure, even lower than my Honda Civic Si.
When people ask me how I can afford it, all I say is, "Have you priced one or seen what the monthly payments and/or insurance cost? It's not what you think." and leave it at that. I don't feel I have to justify a thing to anybody when it comes to things like that.
If people have issue with what I drive, I would suggest they need to reevaluate their issues and worry more about themselves. Life is too short to worry about the Joneses.
-Paul
She likes driving fast, loves the snow and wants to get up to Big Bear without owning an SUV.
Also, while I live in soCal, I also live in mountains where we get snow. I live at over 4000 feet, and when we get snow, we get the REALLY wet stuff.
-Paul
ksso
-Paul
ksso
-Paul
I used to have a Saab 9-3, and certain people associate Saab with Snob until I politely educated them and mentioned to them that it was $75 - $100 a month cheaper to lease than an Accord or Passat (at the time), was a blast to drive, the hatchback provided me with as much utility as the SUV I had turned in, and it got great gas mileage.
I do have to admit though I love telling people that I drive a FWD, 4 cyl, Honda. Many people don't even know what a Prelude is (they think of the 80's with the flip up headlights).
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
sad as it is, more than bmw name raising eyebrows, i often joke with my friends that the true color of racism the world over is "green" haha
ksso
In the coming years BMW as well as other manufacturers will produce more entry level vehicles at lower prices. Witness the $25,000 Mercedes and the upcoming BMW 1 series. So the public perception will change.
As one time one had to really be well off to purchase a luxury car. Many years ago people paid cash. Now with the advent of creative financing such as leasing almost anyone can afford a entry level luxury mark.
Socialism and collectivism is envy in action.
i actually couldn't care less what they give me. the first time it was a chevy malibu. the second time it was a chrysler sebring convertible. the third time it was a nissan sentra. the rentals are basically whatever they have in stock at the time.
it would be nice for BMW to do the infiniti thing--get an infiniti loaner when you bring your infiniti for servicing. then again, this is my first BMW, and so i'm used to having to pay for my own rental, so maybe my expectations are low!
At Circle's website you can search their Auto Accessories by selecting Universal transmitter in the Category box. They had a panel part numbers listed. Or call and ask their parts guys.
Glenn