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kyfdx
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When I was looking to replace my Accord I was looking at a lot of stuff. I drove Acura, Nissan, New Accord, Audi & Saab before BMW. I also attached this stigma to BMWs -- expensive snooty foreign cars.
Then I drove a 325. I thought it handled far better then all the others. Maybe it's the weight distribution, maybe the RWD, but it just felt so rock solid.
Then I priced it, and when it came out less to lease than the A4 3.0, I got it.
Finally, BMW does a lot of things to make owning the car easy. Ultimate pay for one thing, is very convenient -- just log on and pay your bill the day it's due.
I did try to trade in the 323ia for a 325ixa earlier this year. My BMW dealer low-balled me on the trade. I got a lot more from the Lexus dealer, but they waited almost 3 weeks after I made my first/best/final offer before they accepted it. I didn't negotiate. I made them one offer and they finally took it. The BMW dealer treated me like he owned me. He didn't.
(Aside: Today I traded in my 540i6 to the same Lexus dealer. She was going out of CPO on 2/04. She had 79,200 miles. I didn't want to trade her in during winter, when midwestern dealers aren't looking for RWD manual sedans with summer-only tires. Got an '04 IS300 sedan with manual transmission and LSD. Right off the truck. They took my first/best/final offer. Tried to get an '03 from another city's Lexus dealer. They would only give me about $5K less in trade than my local dealer.)
Fact both cars were CPO didn't matter to the dealers, either Lexus or BMW.
I was at a red in the turning lane. Light turned green, a [non-permissible content removed] in beat down pickup truck beat me off the light. Did a schumacher and cut me off. Now on the entrance ramp, he rides in the left lane knowing that it will end. It was as though he expect me to blast past him. I did not jump onto the freeway because I was scared he would cut me off a third time. As I pass him, he flipped me the bird. My family had to witness this whole episode.
I have never experienced DWB, but if anyone has seen my photo they might think that I am a Black nerd. The most looks that I have gotten were driving in the UK when I did Euro Delivery. I remember explicitly the gawks that my brother and I got while driving to Ipswich (my hometown). It did look strange to African Americans, in a six cylinder 3er, driving fast, with strange license plates, left hand drive car and no military sticker on the window.
I know why people assume that BMW's are expensive, they have not shopped for one.
When my wife is driving, people will attempt to race her. I told my wife if you keep it up, you will get smoked my a Scooby WRX STi or Mitsu EVO or a Neon SRT.
I think there is some envy by others but I also think that some BMW drivers are insecure. Just drive the car, enjoy it and worry about what others think. They are ones getting fleeced by buying overpriced SUVs built on cheap truck chassis with a million and one options and customizations. I have seen many $45-50K Envoys, Expeditions and Suburbans.
I've test-driven both and with the current incentives I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger, but I'd enjoy hearing some feedback on any issues (ie, things that bother you now that you didn't notice during your test drive) that may have come up.
Thanks.
I picked the 325 over the 330 as I did not feel that the slight bump in acceleration was worth the big premium. I originally planned on getting a 5-series, but there was not enough headroom in it with a sunroof (I am 6'3", and the 3 has about an inch more headroom).
A really, really nice car!
jk
ksso
Bottom line, the car is fun to drive but my experiences of having to take car back to the dealer so often so early in the ownership experience is souring me a bit. I'm sure there are others on this board who've had no problems -- I'm not making any statements about BMW quality, just relating my personal experience with the car. Maybe if you prepare for the worst, you'll be pleasantly surprised if nothing goes wrong.
Nuff said. hehe
Love the car.
-Paul
Thanks!
God forbid someone read the owner's manual.
if i have to add oil every 4000 miles so that the engine oil light won't come on, then something is not right.
Thanks!
I've added oil twice in 7k miles (yes the oil light has popped on twice so far). Of course, I drive my car like a race car.
ksso
on second thoughts, dont eat my heart out cuz i used the word oil chamber... gawd knows what i was thinking....
ksso
-Paul
The handling of the car alone (with sport package) is worth the price of admission. Acceleration now seems much weaker than when I bought it (even with the 5 speed). However, it wasn't worth an extra $5,000 for the 328 since it had only 23 more HP in year 2000. Today, I would opt for the 330 over the 325.
I've had too many problems for a $33,000 car. Been to dealership for problems (not maintenance) about 8-10 times and I have more to get done prior to the warranty expiration. BMW has to address this or they will lose cutomers to Accura, Infinity, Lexus and others.
I still love the looks of the car - small but agressive. If I were in the market today, I would seriously consider the G35 based on the extra HP and better reliability at a lower cost.
All just my opinions as a longer time owner.
The side pockets on my car: empty.
Cupholders: empty.
Ashtray: empty (as it should be...).
Glovebox: Manual.
Console pocket: empty.
Always flipped up armrest: 4 IDs and/or credit cards and registration.
Not sure what people do with their cars that they need so much storage space...
Oh and my trunk is empty.
Also, any tips on negotiating? I recall you saying that you got yours for $400 over invoice. I would really like to swing a similar deal-- $400 over "cost" (ie, invoice less their marketing support of 1500 or 2500).
I'm struggling with the 325 vs. 330 debate. I tend to be somewhat thrifty... except for cars. And, unfortunately, I test drove the 3.0L engine and was really impressed (especially over the 2.5L)-- smooth revving and really spirited.
When given a chance by my wife, I convert every car I drive/own into a storage compartment where eventually I might not have space to put myself into the drivers seat. Lately, last 1 year, I'm free of this affliction and addiction... I do get serious withdrawals, but I somehow manage. On the other end of the spectrum is my wife's 3 series, which similar to blueguy is seriously devoid of any personal material that will help "humanize" and "personalize" her space... haha... but to her, that suits fine. Her other rules of course involve the total absence of food from her car, so even if there were no cup holders, it would not matter...
Oh, blue, thanks for telling us where your credit cards can be found...
ksso
Does anyone know the maximum tire width I can put on a 2001 325xi? Current 205/55/R16.
Only problem I've had so far is a design flaw in the post March 2003 3-series... that is, the re-designed HVAC panel. Some problem in the programming allows it to run almost a full amp of current draw after turning off the key if you changed any setting during that ignition cycle. I have had to jump-start the car twice now after it sat more than three days. Temporary fix is to turn the ignition back on after shutting off to reset the memory. Still no word on when or if a fix is coming. That said, I still enjoy driving this car very much. The other irritation (black wheels from way-to-soft brake pads) has been taken care of with a $75 set of Axxis Deluxe Plus brake pads. Three weeks and 600 miles and wheels still look clean!
Does anyone know the maximum tire width I can put on a 2001 325xi? Current 205/55/R16.
For me it was the end of the month (23rd) on a holiday weekend. Obviously this time of the month is great to buy. Sunday would be the ultimate day to make your deal. Someone suggested on another forum walking with your deposit check written out and knowing exactly how much you want to pay for X car. Make sure they have the car, then talk directly to the sales manager. Put the check down and give him your price (less than you're actually willing to pay), pointing out the manu-to-dealer cash. End of the month, end of the week, sunday and it's a 2003 model...you can get a sweet deal. If the manager won't play ball, walk. He knows you're a serious buyer, that's what the check is for.
I'm struggling with the 325 vs. 330 debate. I tend to be somewhat thrifty... except for cars. And, unfortunately, I test drove the 3.0L engine and was really impressed (especially over the 2.5L)-- smooth revving and really spirited.
Have you tried a TSX manual? If you can put up with the power of the 325i, you might be willing to save yourself a good 5k and snag the TSX. That's what I would have bought had I not purchased my 330i.
Same here. No food in the car. zip. Bring food into my car and it's not enclosed and in the trunk? Might as well call your next of kin.
Oh, blue, thanks for telling us where your credit cards can be found...
No, IDs and credit cards - Sam's Club, Costco, Best Buy CC (the only credit card) and an old student ID that's good through 2004 (and thus saves me dough at movies).
Feel free to take any of those cards.
I thought I was the only nut. My car has plenty of humanizing "junk" in it, but I have plenty of room for storage. Trunk maps and cds; glove box - manual; side pockets - cds; ash tray - coins; in-dash comparments - pens and garage door openers; coffee holders - travel coffee mug(1). Not sure where one runs out of room. Friend drives a car a few feet longer and he still runs out of room in his car. To some people, junk expands to fill the available space...no matter how big the space.
Writing it all down, it seems like a lot of crap to me! And, the car looks empty.
What else do you need in the car?
That said, it would be nice to be able to easily replace the ashtrays with bins of some sort.
ksso
From my invoice: "CODED LSZ PER TECH SUPPORT AND RECHECKED CURRENT DRAW. DRAW FELL TO 8 - 10 MA. MAX CURRENT DRAW IS 30MA. CURRENT DRAW IS WITHIN BMW SPEC."
The LSZ is the "Lamp control module", it was keeping the A/C control unit awake when the car was turned off.
I think in my case it is the rocking, sharp turning and braking of the car after just before turning off the ignition that triggers the oil indicator. If I take the time to close the windows and the sun roof before switching off the ignition, the indicator does not come on. Same thing if I maneuver the car more gently before stopping.
I keep the oil level pretty much topped up to avoid this annoyance. By the way, the oil consumption has decreased by a factor of two from what it was when new from about qt/3,500mi to qt/8,000mi.
Hope this helps
Many thanks,
Richard
- Left door pocket: napkins (for those unexpected spills), pen, telescoping baton.
- Right door pocket: sunshade
- Ashtray: loose change
- Cupholders: ceramic cigar ashtray, room for coffee
- Center Console: Sunglasses and case
- Changeholder: only good for jamming objects you have no need for ever again, including coins.
- Glovebox: manual, accelerometer, phone charger, spare bulbs, Leatherman Supertool, BMW touch-up paint
- Trunk: Windex, Meguiars Quick Wax, handi-wipes, rags, emergency flares, tire inflator, portable humidor and cigars, extra shoes, golf bag.
Okay, so I didn't buy a Bimmer for storage space (and I don't actually care that much). The trade-off for handling, refinement, and road-feel is more than worth it.