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Re: the feature changes, ouch! I like the sound of the CD, bi-xenons, rear airbags and natural brown leather (hopefull similar to the baseball glove leather on the Audi's) and these option changes make my decision between '01 and '02 that much harder.
The clear lenses on SP I don't feel too strongly about because I think a splash of yellow looks very nice on most of the body colors. However the apparent narrowing of the headlights the change on the "corner of the eyelid" from triangular to oval is something I really wish they had not done. Platypus, I'm actually comparing your ED pix to the new ones from BMW and those little yellow corners on yours just look SO much better. Anyone think there's a chance there will be a backlash against the new '02 styling as there was with the boosted steering and that BMW will give in and go back or offer a retrofit? Yeah, I figured not.
I almost wish I had gone ahead with my planned May purchase so that I wouldn't have to be dealing with this right now! I know, I know...life is real tough when one of your biggest worries is choosing between an '01 3er and an '02
I am searching for information concerning tint material that blocks infrared radiation. Although many websites feature tints that block the uv portion of the spectrum, few tints appear to block infrared radiation with minimal darkening of the windows.
I have learned about two different products that block infrared radiation without a significant penalty in window darkness.
The first is vkool. Their website does not have a valid e - mail link, and I understand that there have been problems with delamination of the film.
The second is Solar Zone cool steel 70%. Evidently, Mercedes uses a similar product that is incorporated during the manufacture of the window glass. From the outside, it has a slightly green - yellow appearance.
Bottom Line: I am seeking positive feedback about infrared blocking films - especially when the tinter is charging $550 for five windows - yikes!
As I've posted earlier in the week, V-Kool is at http://v-kool-usa.com
Huper Optik, http://www.huperoptik.com is the another manufacture that makes IR and UV reflecting tints. They use a ceramic coating vs. metal coating. They seem to have a bigger selection than v-kool.
Let me know if you find more info. I haven't found an installer that uses it yet.
I prefer the '01 styling for the reasons I mentioned in a previous post, but I'm probably biased since I just got my car.
What colors are you leaning towards?
Whatever choice you make, you're right - life's not that bad when your troubles are which 330i to buy. ;-)
M3 Frank
330i - Steel Blue w/ Sand leather
Steptronic
PP
CWP
Xenon
Navigation
CD Changer
At the moment I _think_ we've narrowed it down to steel grey and titanium silver. However, if BMW offered the anthracite grey available on the 5er or the Z3 sterling grey, I'd take those over steel grey because I think they look a bit classier.
Oddly enough, I was not in the market for a BMW when I first started shopping to replace my 1995 Passat GLX. Initially, I wanted a 1999 Passat GLX with a 5-Speed, and VW obliged me by eliminating the Manual Transmission for 1999 only. After a few letters to VWOA and VWAG, and receiving the usual circular double speak in response, I set my sights further a field.
After reviewing several small to mid-sized sedans with available 5-Speed transmissions, I found that the 3-Series was just a little smaller in the back seat area (I need to schlep my two kids around) than the Passat (surprising), a WHOLE LOT more FUN to drive (not surprising), got better gas milage (surprising) and a three year lease was only $25.00 per month more expensive (very surprising). Suddenly, I would not have gotten a new Passat even if it was available with the equipment I wanted.
Lochness,
I live in the NYC area and have a 1999 328i with just the standard issue all season tires and I have no problems at all driving the car in all but the worst/deepest of snows. One item of note, in really the slippery stuff and moving up a steep incline, do NOT turn off the DSC, you WILL spin if you do.
Best Regards,
Shipo
dantlo Jun 18, 2001 11:15am
Hope this makes it easier to find.
What you may not realize is that each post number is actually a link to that particular post. If you want to reference a post made earlier, the best thing to do is to right click on that link (which is the post number), choose "copy" and then "paste" that link into your message.
When you post, it will appear as the "dantlo" message in my post above. Any reader can then just click on that and go right to the post.
No messing around with "Go To" or absolute vs. relative post numbers!
(I did run into a problem, though. I tried to link several of the posts that bmwagonmaster found and got that silly "no words longer than 115 characters allowed" message, when of course nothing was that long. The only thing I can figure is that more than one link with no text in between caused that. I figured that the starting point is good enough to find the rest of the messages, at least I hope so.)
I just thought I'd pass this on - maybe it will be helpful in the future.
Pat
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At the moment I _think_ we've narrowed it down to steel grey and titanium silver. However, if BMW offered the anthracite grey available on the 5er or the Z3 sterling grey, I'd take those over steel grey because I think they look a bit classier.
My wife and I have driven over 100 miles around town over the past two days -- the car is an absolute pleasure to drive with the top down. On sunny weekend days, the choice between the Z3 and the 330i is a no-brainer: Gretl has not been driven all weekend. Can't wait until the 1,200 break-in point, although tooling around at 2,500-3,500 os fun, too.
Walked into the dealer with a friend 1/2 hour before my appt, wondering where they'd put my car. There was a Steel Grey 325Ci in the showroom, but for some reason, it looked too good to be mine. My salesperson walked up to me and said, "Whaddya think?" "This is mine?!" I asked. She nodded. Me and my friend flipped out. In a word, "Beautiful."
Several people came by and tried to get inside. I proudly (and courteously) stopped them and said, "This one's already sold." I quietly loved the fact that everyone who walked by it stared longingly. Something about the Grey on black combination that just looked stunning. The transaction was seamless, and I was out of there in less than 1.5 hours. She threw in mats, wheel locks and a nice key chain. Not worth a lot, but they go a long way as far as professionalism, in my book.
The car has been a dream and runs like "liquid poetry." I started the engine, and the 184 hp just growls. I know, it's no 225 like the 330, but it sounds powerful. I have barely made use of the sound system, and it's so much more pleasurable to hear the rumble of the engine. The shifter is like butter, and running through the gears is sweet. Power across the torque curve is very linear. It feels amazing.
The sport seats feel very comfortable (I'm 6'2" and 210). The interior is beautiful (black leather, high gloss black trim). I thought the black trim would look very '80s, but it works well, and the interior looks stealthy/sophisticated. I'm very happy with it.
Needless to say, the exterior is just perfect. I wouldn't change a thing. My friend noticed that everyone was staring at the car as I was driving. He said, "HTQ, or Head Turning Quotient is a 10." As I was driving home, everyone who pulled next to me just gawked, especially the guys who were driving SUVs. The SP wheels draw a lot of attention, and they make the car look powerful and very aggresive.
Drawbacks:
1. Not much storage space, compared to my Accord. Who cares, though. If I wanted space, I would've bought a minivan.
2. The high gloss trim attracts dust and fingerprints like Clinton attracts scandal.
3. HK upgrade is not very impressive. Rock and roll sounds a bit muffled (not very crisp), but jazz sounds wonderful. I know the sound system has had its share of critics. I'm not hugely disappointed, just now WOWed.
4. I can now no longer go back to anything but a BMW (sigh).
I'll be posting pics in the next week. I'll be the guy with the big goofy grin on his face.
Re: '02 pricing, what I've read elsewhere indicates about a 1.5% price increase, offset somewhwat by the fact that there's about 2.5% worth of extra standard equipment in there.
PS--Great story, deepdarkblue. Stahlgrau is a great color choice.
Make sure you go over the pickup checklist. It really helps you to calm down and be a wise buyer. Test drive it before you plunk down the dough. Look it over with a fine-tooth comb. I did find one problem--the right side mirror won't angle down when the car is in reverse. That will be fixed sometime this week, nothing urgent.
I'm about to head out the door again to take Lena for a spin. I've spent most of the weekend in the car. Already logged 200 miles.
You gotta give me the skinny on your car once you get it. Can't wait to share the JOY!
Faj -- I've offered my opinion on this a few times before. One of BMW's hallmarks and cempetitive advantages is its inline-sixes. Not getting one would translate (to me) to not taking full advantage of the BMW experience. All else is the same (handling, braking, etc.), but the 1.8 four is no different than any 1.8 four produced by Honda, Toyota, etc.; probably worse. No one on the planet does inline-sixes like BMW. Again, that's just MY $0.02. It may not matter to your girlfriend. But I'd certainly recommend spending the extra cash for the 2.5. You'll do well either way, but the 2.5 you will NOT regret.
JK
Better move quick if you want to get a special spec car ordered. We can modify a car on the spot so your dealer can too. Now's still a good time to get a 325, should be good enough supply available to get a deal at under 2 grand over. We sold every last 3 series we had in stock this week end! The 2001 supply is drying up fast. Anyone who thinks they might wait until August/September to "get a deal" will find there can't get one at any price!
I would have to say that I'm blown away by have extrodinarily good my new 3 series is. I've driven them for years but this is the first time I've owned one. It's even better than I realized.
M3 Frank
anyone else have this situation?? it seems that im getting the link but its not uploading correctly.
thanks.
JK
I'm sorry if I miss-let anyone into thinking that those are normal operating conditions for climate control -- they are not.
I bought my first BMW, a 1602, as one of the first cars unloaded on the West Coast when the 1600 was introduced in '66, when Hoffman had the USA franchise. Three others since then, all 3ers. I am also mystified at some of the negative reaction to the E46 from long-time loyalists, claiming the car is too soft, too refined, blah blah...what my 87 325is could have used was a good dose of refinement, thank you very much. You want hard-edged, the sport pack is there to give it...some of us want a real touring car, and the base suspension of the E46 is probably the best compromise between ride and handling on the planet.
Anyway, here's at least one vote for the '02...I don't think it solves any "problems" because I thought the earlier iterations were fine, but don't understand the vituperative reactions...
Does anyone know where I can get a folding type sunshade other than from BMW. From the dealer and circle BMW, there is letters on it which I don't want. Thanks in advance. Meg
Maybe you already tried this:
make sure the mirror switch is switched to driver side. Otherwise, the right side mirror won't move when in
reverse.
Hope it helps.