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Comments
http://www.bimmer.org/3series/messages/messages/82671.html
If you can't access it try www.bimmer.org. It was posted today and desribes the problem and what BMW is doing about it.
www.properautocare.com
add123
"I ordered my 325Ci in April and took delivery..." deepdarkblue - 7/5/01
Take Care
The brake dust is killing me (I seem to be cleaning my wheels every two days just to keep 'em looking nice). Can you tell I'm a bit anally retentive?
I just received my alarm from Circle BMW. Anyone install one of these suckers? I'm gonna try it this weekend, and I'm wondering if it's worth it to save the $260.00 my dealer is going to charge me. Help! Any advice is welcomed.
two things:
1. can u tell me step by step how u posted ur pics? i cant seem to do it using the Edmunds guide!
2. DO NOT INSTALL THE ALARM ON YOUR OWN...JUST SAW A LADY AT THE DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK WHO HAD A VERY MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THEY ASKED HER....."WHO INSTALLED THE ALARM".....and of course it was done by someone else....and they said her warranty was voided! IMHO, not worth the trouble....get it done by the dealer!
Shipo, I know what you mean about sweets and pregnancy. My wife gained over 10 lbs in just the first couple of months of her pregnancy but now she feels much better and she started swimming regularly, which helps a lot. Just as long as she's healthy, that's all that matters. Hey, "congratulations on MY pregnancy?" I haven't figured how to do that but thank you anyhow.
e30ragtop - you should find platypus' ED write-up from the second half of April. I really wanted to do the ED and the only reason why I didn't is b/c I couldn't find a dealer who discounts the 3-series under the program while I could get a decent discount on U.S. delivery. Platypus' contact is Joe(??) at Passport BMW in MD and he was able to save a lot of money that way, not to mention the fact that he was able to take his family on a great vacation to Europe. Habitat1 has a good point that the program is more popular with 5-series buyers who are on average older than 3-series buyers, better-traveled and like to travel in style. Also, they get a deeper discount on the 5-series through the ED program.
Shap1 - Thanks for the heads-up on the rear seats. I totally agree with you and Shipo that the E46's rear seat space is adequate and more than enough for two baby seats. We'll start with one (if we're lucky, that is) and see how it goes.
Guru - It is very important to educate the sales force. Cutter seems to be a very high visibility dealership and people will expect the best service from you guys. In my professional world, you can't get away with lies and especially inadequate knowledge. All consumers would be happy to hear "Well, I'm sorry but I don't know the answer to this. I will find out for you and let you know." Also, you and Jon are sophisticated Internet users and you may want to start a mailing for the salespeople so they are in the loop and don't end up selling a product they don't know well. Just a thought, take it at face value.
M roadster test - I can believe it was last. C&D staff has always been a huge BMW fan and they won't be making this up. The roadster's platform is fairly old, not rigid enough by comparison, and the motor has too much power for the car's weight. It's still a lot of fun to drive but again, it's not necessarily better against great competitors like the SLK320 AMG, Boxster S, and the 'Vette. We all like the sophistication of BMW's but the 'Vette has gotten much better over the years and as the numbers show, it was the best-handling, accelerating and stopping car of the bunch. I like the looks of it; it's really the American version of Porsche (from a different angle).
carpevino - Somerville is not a great area - where are you staying? Drop me an e-mail if you need more detailed info and especially if you need company for a beer or two. What am a saying, I mean for a glass of vino or two. Yes, please e-mail web site - I'll be interested and will likely be a small tiny client. Bottom line is, it's all part of this board's brotherhood and I'll be happy to give it a shot.
330iwaiting - That's a good deal - congrats!!
deepdark - thanks for the pics - Lena is a looker, all right. I'm guessing you'd marry her if you could :0) The Star 44 wheels look just as good on steel gray as they look on my car's Orient Blue exterior. Isn't it funny that some people thought it was a 330? Awesome car!! Matching polo shirt too? I'll have you believe I was wearing a matching polo shirt when I picked my car and we even look a little alike judging by the pictures. Congrats again - you're a happy man.
Fan recall - I asked if you all think that it's worth doing it even if you haven't encountered the problem but fall in the recall category but unfortunately no one responded. Is there any mileage past which it's safe to say you don't have the problem?
I noticed today that the Shtroumpf has picked up some more growl over 3K RPM's and that sound is addictive. Let me just say that I did not turn on the H-K once during the whole trip from Boston to Albany. I still had the best music.
In a way I'm envious of your long drive to work. I find myself extending my 2.5 mile drive to work just to get some more time behind the wheel.
carpevino - Thanks for info on sticky pedal. I have that problem and look forward to a solution.
Someone was asking the other day for advice about driving stick. I was thinking about this as I drove home last night. I have been driving stick for about 10 years, and I think my best piece of advice I would give someone learning to drive stick is to not be afraid of the gas pedal. If you are revving slightly (like, above 2000 or 2500 RPMs) when you engage the clutch, you won't stall. So, don't be afraid to give it the gas, especially going up hill.
10 days to go until delivery (I hope)!!!
I'm finally getting my new 325i! I'm very excited about it, but I'm trying to figure out what my trade-in is worth... If anyone can give me some advice, I'd be VERY grateful!
I have a 1985.5 Porsche 944 with 72,000 miles on it. Any idea how much my car is worth?
It's Kalihari Beige, which is basically the metallic champagne color. It has a dark brown leather interior. It is NOT a turbo 944. It's in great condition with only a few minor dings from parking in parking lots. It has a few cracks in the dashboard. It has never been in an accident. It needs a new radio/cassette player, but the original is still in the car.
I'd really appreciate any advice you can give me about this, because the wholesale values I've seen have varied widely. The dealer told me that they usually use Galves wholesale pricing. I tried to look up the Galves price online, but apparently you need to be a subscriber in order to access the prices. (It's not really worth subscribing to look up one car!)
Also, if I were to sell the car on my own, does anyone have an idea about how much I should ask for it? I live in NJ, if that makes any difference.
Thanks for your help!
Regards,
Chloe
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1750196&a=13481064&p=51644498&Sequence=3&res=high
Early morning pic!
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1750196&a=13481064&p=51646074&Sequence=1&res=high
If you want to post multiple photos, just keep doing the same thing w/ a space in between each bracket. Hope this helps.
P.S. I'm also the one that inquired about advice on driving stick. I practiced a couple of minutes in a small, empty parking lot the other night. I got the car going okay, but did manage to stall once or twice. I think I let go of the clutch too much too fast. Anyway, I'm going to be more relaxed when I drive the bimmer because it'll be mine to break instead of my friend's car that I worry about damaging when I practice.
Finally, anyone got any advice on handling stop and go traffic and hills for a first time stick driver? Thanks.
OVERALL FEEL
The 330 is a model of refinement. Every aspect of the car reflects painstaking engineering and attention to detail. Even the effort and movement of the turn stalk controls were obviously designed to elicit a certain response from the driver. Everything ever written about the car is true; the ONLY potential design flaw is the lightness of the steering effort, which for die-hard enthusiasts, can be fixed by BMW.
The Z3 is an entirely different animal. Refinement is not top priority, nor should it be, given the car's intent. It's much more RAW -- the M-Roadster was even described as a modern Cobra in this regard. You hear every engine gurgle from the exhaust, even in higher gears. The muffler doesn't muffle much, nor does the sound-deadening material (or lack thereof), but the loud noise emitted is satisfying nonetheless. Ride is controlled but choppy feeling, due to the short wheelbase. The interior design is less flowing and more visually disruptive, but retro in feel. The level of solidity is is much less, especially given the lack of a steel roof, and the doors do not shut with the same closing-the-vault-door authority. In short, you are simply "roughing it" much more in the Z3.
There are obviously other evaluation factors (utility, space, etc.) but I focused on the ones I thought you'd all enjoy most.
PERFORMANCE
The 330's acceleration is best described as effortless. With the Steptronic, there is plenty of power on tap at the mere extension of your right foot. Gear changes are seamless and right where you'd do it yourself if you could, both up and down. Speed is deceiving in this car.
The Z3 2.5 offers nearly identical performance. With the manual and much lighter weight, the extra 41 ponies are not really missed. I'd guess that both cars clock 0-60 times within a couple tenths of each other -- probably both in the mid-to-high 6's (I've seen 6.6 published for each). The manual Z3 actually feels more responsive, even with only 400 miles. I guess it's the more direct linkage of engine and wheels (no torque converter) at work here.
STEERING
I never knew what I was missing steering-wise until I drove the Z3. Steering effort is very heavy compared to the 330. I have the lightest steering on the 330, which feels Lexus- or Buick-like by comparison. One finger can turn the 330's wheel, while a minumum of one hand is required for Z3 turns. Steering feel, on the other hand, is identical. Both cars communicate very clearly what the tire-road relationship is. On-center resistance is also much higher in the Z3, with very high sensitivity to steering inputs. Can almost feel go-cart-ish at times. Both cars' steering are excellent, though. Since the Z3, I am now considering getting the steering retrofit, it's such a night-day difference.
FUN
Given a sunny, 70+ degree day, and I'll reach for the Z3's keys every time. There's nothing quite like the wind-in-your-hair, shift-it-yourself, intimate feeling it elicits. The is possibly the greatest commuter car in terms of all around safety, comfort, performance, utility, space, etc. I'd choose no other car over it for, say, a 200-mile highway drive under any conditions (except maybe the xi in wintry conditions). Both cars are two of the most eye-pleasing and easily recognizable designs available today. Although the Z3's basic platform is aging a bit (due to be redesigned in 2003), its appearance is reminiscent of true classics.
Gretl's new sister's name is Grace, by the way.
My light blue polo matched the titsilver w/gray leather nicely when I picked up. Not intentionally - honest!
I thought that BMW was prewired for the alarm. How would plugging in a BMW alarm void the warranty.
Thanks for the post on the sticky gas. Mine too. I'll make the call and hope to address when a solution is more defined.
Practice, practice, practice. Every car seems to have different points where the clutch releases and the gear engages. Starting in first from a complete stop is always the hardest. Every other gear is easy. Just b/c you practice on someone else's car doesn't mean you'll automatically be good at your BMW. They are different in the feel but the principle is the same. Stalling a car basically means that you are 1) letting out the clutch too fast; 2) Not giving the car enough gas; or 3) both. You have to find the point where the clutch disengages and you want to give it gas (don't rev!) just before then to keep the rpm's up but not so much that the car lurches forward. It should be smooth. When you continue to upshift, just make sure you don't let the RPMs drop too low when you press on the clutch. Try to match the RPM level you had while in gear, and the shift should be smooth as you release the clutch.
If you're on a hill, the worst thing you can do is panic. Stalling happens to everyone at first. If the guy behind you is honking, don't worry. Just brush it off. Seriously, it won't collapse his/her world. Most people understand, anyway. Just let off the clutch slowly and keep the rpms up. You can actually keep the car still by taking your foot off the brake and keeping the rpms up a little with the gas, all this while keeping the clutch engaged. Don't do this for too long (the duration of the yellow is long enough), or you'll wear out the clutch.
Anyone, correct me if I'm giving bad advice here, but these tactics seem to work for me.
roc50mg, don't worry. It just takes practice. Get out on the local streets and then make your way to the busier streets and freeways. You won't feel totally comfortable for a couple of weeks, but you'll be just fine. Just have the mentality that you're still learning, and mistakes won't bother you so much. I couldn't drive stick when I picked up my Honda (a friend drove it before I did--ouch!). But I had to drive to work the next day, so I learned quick. Once you get the hang of it, you'll NEVER go back. Trust me.
drcr
Muzzy325i
I put a deposit on a BMW 330i to lease, my credit went through and I was approved. Then 1 day later I decided leasing wasn't for me and switched to financing a 325i. They said the had to run my credit again and tried to talk me out of financing because they weren't sure, I'd get BMW's 6.5 rate. But I figured since I was putting down 20k and not really financing much it shouldn't be a problem since I was approved for the lease. The couldn't run it while I was there, they said it was a Saturday, and the backs were too busy.
On Monday the finale manager told me that I wasn't approved by BMW, and I would have to go with her bank (EAB) at 7.1%.
I thought this might be a lie because she wanted to make more money so I filled out the BMW credit application on-line and sent it to Hassle BMW in freeport, they told me I had perfect credit and was approved for BMW N at 6.5%.
I don't know who to trust, could Hassle be saying it just to get me there. I already ordered the car and put a 1k deposit down. Its on production week 30.
Please help I'm so confused.
Josh
With your right foot on the brake, release the clutch to JUST BEFORE the point of engagement. If the engine starts to bog, you've gone too far. Then when the light turns green, move right foot from brake to throttle and release clutch as you normally would. You will find minimal backward travel. This is because while the clutch pedal travels from the floor to engagement position, you are effectively in "neutral". Minimizing the "neutral" time in this manner minimizes rollback.
Also, I have found that in most cars' manual tranny's, for whatever reason, the clutch engagement point is closer to the floor in REVERSE than in the forward gears. Don't know why that is, but it seems universally true. Anyone know why this might be (Shipo)? Always been curious...
Or you can tell your sales that you get approved through BMW with a 6.5 rate and see her response.
I have a 330i, steel gray, 5-speed, SC, Xenon, moon roof, aluminum interior trim going to BMW of North Haven in Connecticut. It's been 182 since 7/5. I checked Wallenius' web site; they have ships leaving today (7/11) from Bremerhaven for the East Coast.
1. Shouldn't my car be on one of these ships?
2. BMW NA said it would go to New Jersey; someplace called Port Bayune. I thought Wallenius went to New York? The BMW NA agent didn't sound too swift; I think she was clueless.
3. What can I do to my car that won't void the warranty (it's a lease)? I'm considering aluminum steering wheel insert, aluminum shift knob, JL stealthboxes with an Alpine amp.
Thanks for any / all advice.
- MCC
Shipo -- I think my clicking noise at 15 mph is drive train related and will have it checked out.
Ok, here's the mistake. I accidentally left a wet chamois in my spare tire area for a few days. What is the best way to deoderize the trunk?
Braveheart: You'll love kids. Your warm spirit will only be strengthened. Last night my daughter and I took a flashlight miniglobe (earthball as she calls it) and I showed her how the earth's rotation causes day and night. It is our secret. Everyone else thinkd the sun is moving.
BTW, a Z3 that stickers for close to $35K can be had for closer to $30K. And technically, the Z3 is more my wife's car than mine.