BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

kyfdx · September 2005

I'm betting that sometime in the next month, you'll see more choices for RF winter tires...

At least that is what I hear from the BMW specialist at Tirerack..

regards,
kyfdx
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selm · September 2005

What about the non-winter tires? (I live in San Diego).

blueguydotcom · September 2005

17s on a 325 in San Diego...wheel and tire insurance is usually gonna be money thrown away. We've got decent roads (save for la jolla).

The 18s on my 03 were impossible to replace a few years back. I paid major bucks at a dealership to get one tire as everybody was out of that specific tire. Two years later I can find my replacement tires for 1/3rd the cost at tirerack and get them delivered and mounted within 2 days.

Don't sweat it. By the time you'll need tires they're be plentiful and far cheaper.

ximbri · September 2005

Hey 330blast!
Thanks for the posted reply! Mine seams to have 'fixed it-self'. I haven't noticed a problem for awhile now. I did get a quote from BMW of Bellevue $1400.00!!! They told me the entire cassette needed to be replaced. I told them I would just leave the roof shut...but seams to be working fine now. Thanks again! :shades:

ximbri · September 2005

Thanks to you too kyfdx!!!

dave330i · September 2005

"The tires arrived yesterday and are sitting in my garage. I noticed there are 3 colored lines running around the tire. What are these lines? Second, I know these are directional tires but is there supposed to be a left and a right? Both tires are the same so these lines would be running on the inside of 1 tire and the outside of the other. "

No left or right. Just which direction they need to rotate. I believe the color lines have to do with wear, but I can't remember now.

"Other than aesthetics is there any reason not to run a mis-matched set of tires (fronts vs. rears) since the fronts still have several thousand miles worth of life left in them? "

I would recommend against using mis-matched tires. Odds are they'll try to fight each other. I had a friend who did that with his Boxster. He had them all the same real quick.

nsandh1 · September 2005

I am negotiating a price for a new 2005 330Ci with auto, premium, sport, cold weather packages and xenon.

MSRP $43,620
Invoice $40,220 per dealer ($39,990 per edmunds)
Dealer incentive $3800 through the end of the month

The true invoice I should negotiate from should be $36,420 correct?
I live in the Chicago area and the best price I got over the phone from several dealers was $37,820. I said I wanted to come in and negotiate the price some more, but he said that was the lowest they could do. After calling 7 dealers there were only 4 cars in the area with the equipment I wanted. What do you think a good price should be considering the 2006 coupes will be coming in a few weeks? Does anyone know if the $3800 incentive will continue into October or maybe even go up?

Thanks

bdr127 · September 2005

I think the dealer making 3% ($1400) on that car is rather fair, especially since BMW doesn't have holdback. It's a heckuva nice car for that kind of money ($37k). Yeah, you might go for $200-$300, but otherwise I think that's a fine price.

capriracer · September 2005

" noticed there are 3 colored lines running around the tire. What are these lines? "

Those lines are so it's easy to see if a stack of tires are all the same - prevents mixups in shipment. They are put on during the manufacturing process.

nyccarguy · September 2005

You're back? Haven't seen you in a while :surprise:

paule · September 2005

Frankly, I've never been impressed by people who think that short tire life is a sign of driving prowess.
Shoot Doug, you're making me feel bad with that comment.
I went down to Bondurant a few years ago for a four day school and blew out a tire coming around a corner.
I still have a piece of the tire as a momento of how hard I was driving the car!

nsandh1 · September 2005

Just an update.... I was able to bring them down to $37,200 + TTL.

dave330i · September 2005

"You're back? Haven't seen you in a while "

Been really busy.... I need to change my forum id though. I wonder if 99Mcoupe is taken.... :confuse:

nyccarguy · September 2005

Sweet!

dave330i · October 2005

Yup, and enjoying every minute of it.

Need to replace the rear tires soon though. They are almost to wear bar.

matwags · October 2005

I have a 2002 330i, 36000 miles, warranty is up 11/05. I am considering extended maintenance or extended warranty. Anyone have experience with BMW or outside programs and costs?

alibajalajaula · October 2005

Blueguy:
Which Kumhos you installed in your zhp, the ECSTA Supra 712 (lowest priced at Tire Rack) or the ASX ? How much driving quality you gave up compared with your previous ones? How about noise? I was just about to replace'em with Michelins PS2 but I am rethinking due to the wallet syndrome.

blueguydotcom · October 2005

ASX I believe. Ride quality is fine and so is noise (sa-03s were louder). They're not as sticky as my original RE40s but seem to hold better than my SA-03s (at least my traction control doesn't kick in as often). I've had them for 6-7 miles and the tread life seems way better than either of my bridgestones. I have a feeling these will easily last me until I need to return the car in May of 06.

rhmass · October 2005

I have been driving RWD 3 series with winter tires and had absolutely no problems in the past. I have an xiT that will serve as our primary transportation this winter. I am wondering if I can get away from getting a set of winter tires this time around. Putting the winter tires/wheels on and off twice a year has become quite tedious for me. Anyone with xi model living in area with quite a bit of winter snow (such as northeast) care to share your experience, if one can get through the season with the OE all seasons tires? Your experience may help me to make a decision which I should make soon. Snow is only a few weeks away. Thanks in advance for your idea.

armand · October 2005

This will be my first winter with my XiT too but I have have 4 Quattro's and never put snows on them and had no snow problems.

grantchstr · October 2005

I live in the N East and snow is a big problem as its cleared infrequently in my town. Worse still, the snowploughs often can't get down the hill where I live. Last winter I put Nokians on my Volvo 60 and they made a huge difference and I will be doing the same thing on my new 325xi. As I have previously posted on this board, Nokians are the ONLY all season tires also classified as "snows". So you dont have to fuss with changing them back and forth twice a year.

dave01282000 · October 2005

I have a 2004 330i which has developed a rather funky, mildew type smell coming from the vents when the climate control is on. When the A/C is also engaged the smell dissipates somewhat but is still there. I am rapidly approaching the 15,000 mile service; will they be able to do some sort of cleaning in the vents at that point? Has anyone ever experienced this in an E46?

thanks

Dave

sunilb · October 2005

I've heard of this before... there is a tsb out there for it. The guys at the dealership can (IIRC) can clean the vents with some industrial-strength Lysol and that should alleviate the problem for a while (I'm not sure it's a complete fix).

The other thing I've heard is to shut off the a/c and let the fan blow for a few minutes prior to shutting off the car (i.e., so just shut off the a/c a few miles before you reach your destination).

brave1heart · October 2005

This is a common problem with E46 cars but luckily, it has an easy solution. Run the AC at the lowest temp setting and highest fan setting for a few minutes, open the microfilter cover, pull the filter out, spray antibacterial Lysol directly in the opening where the air is sucked in, switch off the car, put the filter and cover back on. No tools required, it's that easy.

dave01282000 · October 2005

Thanks for the advice. I'll give the lysol a shot and try to remember to kill the A/C early from now on. I'm guessing the previous summer in the Texas humidity had something to do with it?

will follow up

Dave

325irav4 · October 2005

You must have noticed the improved steering and braking with the winter tires. All wheel drive won't help these. I think the improvement is so great that winter tires may well prevent fender-benders and pay for themselves.

brave1heart · October 2005

Once you do it, you won't have to switch off the A/C early. It worked for me at least.

bdr127 · October 2005

1) Yes, the second service appt will be Inspection II.

2) Some BMW Centers have loaners, some do not. Every center's loaner policy is different. Most centers that have loaners do so only if the service will take more than a couple hours. I'm not sure how long the Inspection II takes...

3) Subsequent service appts alternate between I and II.

kyfdx · October 2005

It might be semantics... but...

The first time you go in (around 15K miles) is an oil service..

The second time you go.. (around 30K miles) is Inspection I (1) (one)..

Inspection II (2) (two) is the one that occurs around 60K miles..

regards,
kyfdx

sunilb · October 2005

Inspection II does not cover brake fluids at most places. Per the owner's manual, it covers the following:

1- oil change
2- microfilter change
3- air filter change
4- inspection of various components of the car

Outside of #1-3, there isn't much in the way of hardware/fluids that gets changed.
The coolant flush is once every 4 years and brake fluid flush once every 2 years, but not included on any "Inspections".

If it's a manual tranny, then tranny fluid and fuel filter should be changed before 100K miles.

gordonwd · October 2005

In my area, loaners are available from most of the dealers, but only if it's the dealership where you bought the car. I've gotten a loaner even when all I was having done was an oil change.

kominsky · October 2005

"...and brake fluid flush once every 2 years, but not included on any "Inspections". "

It is included in the free maint. program, though. My dealership didn't realize this (me either), and they charged me for it. About a week later, I got a check in the mail from them refunding the amount with an apology from the service manager.

sheepdg · October 2005

Register on BMW Owners Circle WebSite. You can download your cars manual as a .pdf and review the complete maintenance and service requirements for your vehicle (if you're into reading).

alibajalajaula · October 2005

Kyfdx:
You're on the money. Indeed, the SA confirmed me today that the first appointment (circa 15K) was the oil change (my wife took it since I was out of town, that's why I didn't knew). Ergo, the second one (this one) becomes Inspection I (1). My clock is little over 25K.
What bother's me a bit according to your response is that Inspection II @60K would not be covered by the 4YR/50K free maintenance. Is that the case?

kyfdx · October 2005

Correct.... not covered..

Depending on how much you drive.. and whether you plan to keep on doing your maintenance at the dealer... You might consider buying the extended maintenance plan.. Takes you out to 6yr/100K for around $1000.... If you think you'll hit 75K before the six years, it will pretty much pay for itself..

regards,
kyfdx
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sheepdg · October 2005

BMW Maintenance Program upgrade from 3Y/36k to 6Y/100K is @ $1,400. 3Y/36K to 4Y/50K is @ $400.

Extended Warranty from 4Y/50K to 6Y/100K is @ $2,800 (for non-M3).

For Maintenance Extension, the car must be under active coverage (no lapse).

For Warranty Extension, the car must be under active coverage and you must be the original owner. Vehicle inspection is not required and the policy is transferable for a $50 fee.

motorcity3 · October 2005

Hello everyone. I know that there have been a number of postings about this but I would like to bring this up again. My Continentals OEMs are about 27K in, and I am ready for a new set. However, I am getting a ridiculous amount of road noise in the cabin. Is that common? Not only it is loud but it is almost a rythmic sound. Last time I was at the dealership (about a month ago) they told me that my tires are causing the noise. It seems strange on how much road noise I am getting from these tires. Is this common? Thank you.

dave330i · October 2005

Many tires get louder as they wear. What you're experiencing is normal.

rshaw11 · October 2005

I have a 2002 325i sedan with 27,000 miles and the dealer recommended I replace the tires soon. I don't necessarily following everything the dealer says, but the tires are starting to look warn. Any recommendation for new tires? I don't push the car and want something that's quiet. What does BMW put on their new 325's now? Thanks for all suggestions.

blueguydotcom · October 2005

tirerack.com

brislance1 · October 2005

I had Continental tires on my 03 330i. The tire noise was so bad at 10,000 miles that I purchased Michelin Pilot PS2's. No noise now! Well worth the price of nearly a grand. Check out the Pilot's at Tire Rack. Good luck.

rshaw11 · October 2005

I just took my 325i in for it's first Inspection I at 27,000 miles. The dealer said the brakes were warn and replaced both the pads and rotors. This seems like low mileage for brake pads; now I know why all the brake dust forms. But why replace the brake drums? When I've replaced pads on other cars, I usually just have the drums resurfaced. I'm able to do this several times before needing new drums. Can BMW rotors be resurfaced (I'm talking after the warranty expires)?

bdr127 · October 2005

Can BMW rotors be resurfaced (I'm talking after the warranty expires)?

Generally speaking, BMW rotors aren't machined or resurfaced.... They just do new ones.

Of course, when you have the nice BMW free maintenance, you realize it's pretty sweet getting all the pads and rotors replaced!

brave1heart · October 2005

There is nothing special about BMW rotors. You probably could machine them but a new set of Brembo or Power Slots is ~ $100 shipped, so you might as well replace them. As far as frequency of replacement, I usually get 2 sets of pads out of a set of rotors. The dealer prefers to replace pads and rotors at the same time but the pads do wear out faster and there is no need for it.

akv25 · November 2005

I am looking to get a tire(winter) and wheel package from Tirerack. I have a 330i w/ 205/50 R17s. Tirerack as well as my local BMW dealer recommends 205/55 R16 Bridgestone Blizzaks.

Does it matter wether I get 17s or 16s? A local tire dealer in town says that the bigger the sidewall, the better it is in deep snow? Tirerack has a similar explanation on the website. It makes some sense to me but I am not entirely convinced? Any real life experiences from members? Also, will the speedometer show the right speed with the 16s?

Thanks!

kyfdx · November 2005

There are very few 16" wheels that will clear the brakes of a 330i.. Tirerack used to have them, but I've heard they are out of them now...

Unless you know for a fact that the wheels they are recommending will fit, I'd stick with the 17" and the 205/50-17...

regards,
kyfdx
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venture · November 2005

I installed the winter tires on my E46 this afternoon. It took about an hour. Shipo was correct (I think it was Shipo) when he said to use the BMW jack and bolt wrench. Easy!

I torqued each bolt to 83 lbs/ft.

Now the question - should I re-torque the bolts again after a day, a week, or so many miles? I never did with lug nuts and was wondering if these are any different.

I haven't been around wheel bolts since my Dad had his '59 Buick.

shipo · November 2005

"Now the question - should I re-torque the bolts again after a day, a week, or so many miles? I never did with lug nuts and was wondering if these are any different."

I always retorque my wheel lugs after a few hundred miles, and have almost always found at least one lug per wheel that was significantly less tight than my target torque. Said another way, "Yup, re-torque 'em!" ;-)

Best Regards,
Shipo

venture · November 2005

Thanks Shipo, I'll do that.

It was sort of funny. I installed the back two, took the car slowly out of my driveway and for a very short, slow drive. The whole time I was listening for any unusual sounds, wobbling, or signs the wheels were about to fall off.

Did the same thing after installing the front two, but that trip was totally uneventful also.

I expect I can change them back in the spring in way less than an hour now that I have a routine.

I found a screw in the left rear Conti today after detecting a loss of air pressure so I decided to put the Michelin X-Ices on today. It gives me a good reference point since it is November 1st anyway.

I'll see tomorrow if the tire can be fixed. It's in the tread, but it's right at the outside edge. If it can't be fixed safely, maybe I'll have them use the spare and use the repaired one as a spare. Maybe not.

Decisions decisions.

Thanks again

drogers372 · November 2005

I keep having a Brake Light Circuit warning come on in a 1994 325is. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and what i might do to rectify it. Any help would be appreciated. I already have replaced the drivers side lense that had a short in it and the socket where the short was taking place. Thanks

BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

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