after 10 days of "produced, not shipped", I called my salesman. He told me it is on a ship and scheduled to arrive in NJ 7/29. A 325 I/ auto, orient blue, gray leather, sun roof and d. Can anyone verify?? Also, where can I get info on an alarm? $529 from dealer! Any info on tinting would also be appreciated.
My 325Ci /auto/orient blue/sunroof/nav is on the Rigolatto, scheduled for NJ on 7/29, so it's probably the same ship as yours. What part of NJ will yours be shipped to? I'm expecting mine about 8/2 or 8/3 in South Jersey....good luck with yours!
I have a 325i and if you have been following this board, you'd know that I'm big on performance. Once broken in, the 325i manual has more than adequate power for everyday spirited driving. Just look at the 0-60 numbers - the Maxima is at 6.6 sec and the 325i is at 7.0 sec. You will not feel this difference in everyday driving and will be so blown away by the car's handling and inspiring feel that you will soon forget about your dilemma. Another great thing about the 325 is that you can drive it at 10/10-ths most of the time - very gratifying IMO. As far as acceleration at ANY speed, let me just say that no car (except for a close run with a CLK) has managed to outrun my 325i. I've driven a lot of different cars and short of a 911, the 3-series is the most inspiring car to drive.
What are they? About $60k sticker plus at least $15000 for those not on the list 2 years ago at a dealer who would even sell them at sticker (whether you're on the list or not!). 4.6 to sixty, even quicker than our M3 (and the Benz is an automatic!), but for nearly twice the price of a 330i ? I can't see it.
I sold my 2000 Maxima for a 2001 330i. It was an automatic and I felt the car had great power until I test drove a BMW 325i. I agree with braveheart, the BMW begs to be driven. The real wheel drive, offers a more precise driving experience and the power is available across the spectrum. The maxima, lost its charm rather quickly for me. I went for the 330i because of the great lease deals BMW was offering, otherwise I would be in a 325.
Find a decent dealer and test drive and your mind will be made up. Also, the resale value probably is stronger on the BMW. I got creamed selling the Maxima, practically had to give it away.
Guru mike, what you say makes sense. Yet with this affliction we have about cars, one always wonders about the few cars he hasn't driven. I've owned (purchased is a better term ) 18 cars in 20 years. There is comfort in knowing that many on this board will easily beat my track record in that regard. Thank goodness for understanding wives.
Thanks for your comments gurumike, brave1heart, and carpevino. I am still so torn about the horsepower thing. I guess I have to give it some serious thought. Maybe I should spend the extra 4-5k for the 330i to get a little more horses.
carpevino: Do you feel the same way about driving the 330i as you do the 325i? I too would have to get an automatic (can't drive a manual).
Only you can make yourself happy, but really there is no comparison between the Maxima and the 325i or 330i for that matter.
Don't get so caught up in the horses of an engine, horses and torque alone do not make for better performance from one car to the next.
If you've got the extra $$$ and you have to go auto, then go with the 330i. If you can really tell the difference that 1 second can make (none really, unless your racing) then the 325i auto straight line acceleration will disappoint you, but it's handling won't.
I was debating this horsepower issue with my friends the other day. Though I'm not expert, I'd say there is much more to a car than the hp, e.g. handling, braking, built, and even the look.
If everyone goes for more hp, (and size for that matter), the Ford Crown Victoria would have been the best selling car for the past decade...
I've got your answer, now that you described your plug. The BLACK 3-wire plug is for the optional speakerphone (that's the slotted black plug in your trim panel). I originally made same mistake. But when I saw that it wouldn't fit the tansmitter I kept looking. I'll bet you DO HAVE ANOTHER WIRE up in the headliner and it's the correct white plastic one. I had to look WAY OVER to the right in the headliner to find it. Try one more time and I think you'll find it.
I just recently purchased a used 1999 328I automatic with 46K miles. I love the car except for one annoying thing. When I take off from a dead stop (or almost dead stop), I get this hesitation from the transmission annd then a jerk from it. I did a little searching and found something info about the car may be starting out in 2nd gear.
Has anyone else notice this or had problems similar. Is so, what is the fix. The dealership tells me that everything performs to specs.
Well, I spent a good part of the day washing and waxing my 323. I'm fanatical about keeping my jet black car clean, and I do enjoy taking care of it (it's great therapy for me). I had owned every color of car with the exception of black and white and decided to buy the black knowing the effort that would be needed. It is more effort, however, than any other car I've ever owned. Oh those wheels! A half hour to wash them and another half hour to wax them. Does anyone know why only the German cars produce brake dust like that? Softer pads to improve braking, I suspect. If so, there are other cars that outbrake a BMW - do they have the same problem - Corvette, Porche? Would harder pads reduce the dust? I know about the dust guard products - I don't really want to use them though. I take my car to the track occassionally and don't want to chance disk overheating and warping.
But when a black BMW is freshly washed and waxed, it's absolutely stunning. What a beautiful car. It's worth the work - I get ooh's and ah's from everyone that sees it.
I also have a couple of comments about cleaning supplies for anyone as anal as I am. Meguire's Gold Class wax does give a wonderful shine, but it is somewhat difficult to apply and remove. And it only lasts for a couple of months at best. Next, I'm going to try Zaino products. Lexol conditioner works great on the leather. I use it sparingly and just wipe it on the seats - takes about 15 minutes. Mother's Back-to-Black works miracles on the black trim on the bumpers and doors. Even if you're careful, you get wax on the trim and the Mother's product works great for removing it (so does peanut butter, but that just doesn't seem right).
One last tip - after you finish buffing the car use the same rag and wipe down all of the windows (don't put wax on them, just wipe them off with the rag). Wipe the inside wood/aluminum trim too. Then put the rag under the front seat for quick touch up on the inside of the car when you need it. Most good waxes now have fruity scents and it will make the inside of the car smell good.
I wish that I could afford an M3, Maybe in a few years or so. I always wanted a new Trans Am, and since 2002 is the last year, I said what the heck, I'll test drive one. It immediately turned me on, it's really wild, very fun to drive, looks kinda like the Batmobile. 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, The 335 HP LS1 Corvette motor shoots you like a rocket. It has awesome handling, redesigned T-tops made by Porche, A killer stereo, Leather Sport seats, and the WS6 Ram Air package. Alot of bang for the buck. :O)
It should take around ~10 days for your car to be boarded on a ship, ~2 weeks for it to come to the east coast depending on where it's headed, and 2-3 additional days to make it to your dealer. A week and counting for me...
Hey, on BMW Owner's Circle, my 325i has been en route since 7/13. I called BMNA this Friday TWICE, because I was getting two different stories. The first rep told me that car had not yet been shipped! ...and it's been at the port of exit since 6/18! So I tried to call my dealer, and he wasn't availible. I called another BMWNA rep, and she told me that it has been shipped with an estimated 7/28 arrival in South Carolina on a ship with a name starting with a M-I-something or other. What gives? I guess I should just try to contact my dealer again to get confirmation, no? Do the dealers know more detailed information on the status than BMWNA or what?
BTW, it's really nice to see some more owners introduce theirselves on the owner's board!
My 2-cents on a couple of previous questions / comparisons.
brejtinlj:
On the $33,000 question of a 98 M3 or a 99 328i - - If you're hell bent on one or the other, I would go for the M3. A (now) 3-year old 328i for $33k is a horrible deal, even if it only has 12k miles. I'm not basing this upon any knowledge of the used car market in your area. Rather, I'm basing it upon being able to get a brand new 2002 330i loaded for no more than $35k european delivery (w/dealer that discounts). Surely if you have $33k to spend, you can figure out a way to spend an extra $2-3k for a new car that is quite a bit more powerful and will be worth at least $8-10k more in three years (when the 328i is then a 2-owner 6-year old car).
The 98 M3 at least has the uniqueness of an M-series and won't depreciate as much. I still don't think it's a great deal though.
licoeur:
As others suggest, I wouldn't get hung up on comparing your Maxima's 222 horsepower to the 184 of a 325i. I have a 190-hp. 1995 Maxima (5-speed SE) and it is quicker than the 222 hp. 2000/2001 Maximas. My Nissan dealership also sells BMW's (VOB in Rockville, MD) and they admit that Nissan's horsepower ratings for the 2000/2001 Maxima are inflated - especially compared to BMW's.
Also, it's none of my business, but if you "can't drive a manual" because you haven't learned, it might be worth trying. I encouraged a friend who recently turned 50 to learn and he has since treated himself to a new 540i 6-speed (traded in his 528i automatic). He's loving life! I apologize if there is another reason - another friend had to give up his Porsche a couple of years ago because of disk problems in his back that made shifting painful.
With my experience, BMWNA has been right on the money, since it's updated daily by the company. Believe the 2nd rep you spoke to...she probably knows better, dealers don't tend to know anything until the ship is actually back on land at a port. Try http://www.wlna.com/vescols.htm for your ship's exact info
Unfortunately, my 325i was manufactured in SA, and the rep told me that schedules are a bit different there....I'm not even sure how to query the ship schedule...I think the website you provided is for German-manufactured models...thanks, anyways....
I think I am in the same boat as you both. My 325i is completed (status 155) so now I am a bit excited.
I hear you both are calling BMWNA to check status. Could you give me a number I can call to get my vehicle status?? It seems they may know more than my dealer (who is even unsure of where it is coming from.) I suspect my vehicle may be coming from SA as well.
Unfortunately, my 325i was manufactured in SA, and the rep told me that schedules are a bit different there....I'm not even sure how to query the ship schedule...I think the website you provided is for German-manufactured models...thanks, anyways....
1-800-832-1117 (option 3 to speak to a rep unless you know an ext., try Tammi at 7634...she seems to know a bit more than others, otherwise she'll definitely find out for you and contact you). If you want to know whether your car is coming from SA, check your VIN. If you don't have it, check BMW Owner's circle -> edit profile....I think. If the 11th alphanumeric of your VIN (from the left) is an 'N', your vehicle was manufactured in SA and will be shipped from there, obviously. Otherwise, if it's some other letter, check e46fanatics.com FAQ to decipher it to a German city. The BMWNA rep told me the ship name and est. DOA. Does anyone else who has confirmed an 'en route' status have a ship name?
The wlna website gives shipping routes for all over the world, but you're right, not in SA...so I'm sorry I can't help you out there. And Tenet1, you have to call your dealer and get your car's identification/production #. Don't let them tell you they don't know what that is either, you can only get it from your dealer so talk to a manager who does. My salesperson was clueless...well anyway, once you get that #, sign up with the Owner's Circle program on http://www.bmwusa.com/welcome.cfm?code=Home and they'll tell you the car's present status. Good luck! And for anyone out there who wants to know where their car is coming from and has the VIN: (from e46fanatics website)
Hi all. Took delivery of my steel gray metallic 330xi (PP, CWP, CD, gray leather) yesterday at VOB BMW in Rockville, MD. Close inspection revealed a small ding in the rear bumper, and a couple small scratches on the front left black rubber bumper molding. Obviously, these are small imperfections resulting from the shipping process. The dealer agreed to repair them within the week.
I ended up getting a great deal. I paid $1500 over invoice, including floor mats and wheel locks. I also got the alarm installed before delivery for $425, so it is covered by the full manufacturer's warranty. Final price, excluding tax and tags, came out to $38,900. Including Maryland's 5% sales tax and the federal luxury tax, final out-the-door cost was $41,017.
I had my old car, a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT (yes, this is a big trade-up for me), appraised at CarMax a few days before. They offered me an insulting $4300. I concluded that I would probably end up selling it through the paper, but brought it to the dealership to see if they offered me something acceptable for a trade-in. I wasn't optimistic.
VOB offered me $1200 more than CarMax, $5500. This number is $1500 less than I would get in the paper, but this way I can cash-in the remaining value on my extended manufacturer's warranty -- probably worth several hundred dollars. Thus, I traded my old car in for approximately $5500 + $300 (warranty refund) = $5800. For the $1200 difference, I was glad to avoid the hassles of selling throught the classified ads.
Driving away from the dealership with my precious new toy, I was in heaven. My wife and I went right out and drove the entire way around the Capital Beltway -- approximately 65 miles. FUN!
First impressions... this car is FAST. Effortlessly fast. It is so smooth, so buttery that sometimes you don't even realize how fast you're going.
Accelerating from a stop, first gear presses you back into your seat with an impressive burst of acceleration. Shifting into 2nd as the Tach approaches 4,500, the burst of new power is just as impressive.
Second gear is so powerful, the engine so willing that I have accidentally let the tach exceed 4,500 in this gear two or three times before realizing it. I have to be careful in this gear, as I could easily take it straight up to 6,000 RPMs if not paying attention. A big no-no during the break-in, but my salesman told me not to be overly anal and take the break-in instructions as general rules, not as ironclad laws with grave repercussions.
Highways cruising is clearly this car's core competence. I have found myself passing other cars on the Beltway, accelerating up to 80 mph, and then looking to shift up upon passing the other car only to realize that I am already in 5th gear. That is, 5th gear has so much punch that it FEELS like I down-shifted for additional power when I didn't!
Driving on winding back roads at 6 AM this morning (after spending 10 minutes installing the wheel locks) I realized for the first time just how capable this car's handling is. Zipping through curves and corners, this car grips like it resents even the slightest body roll or yaw.
The "stiff" new-old steering is heavy without being cumbersome. The feel of the road is viceral, instinctive. I am pleased with this change relative to the testers I took out in April.
The AWD is imperceptible, and I have found the car's feel to be almost indistinguishable from a RWD vehicle. Switching off the DSC, the rear will readily swing out on turns like I would expect from a RWD pony car. The 62/38 torque distribution is a marvel -- BMW's engineers have created a vehicle with the safety and reliability of a AWD family car and the thrills of a RWD sports car. I am incredibly impressed.
The interior appointments and overall impression of this vehicle is that of an iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove. It is masculine and capable, but it also presents it self with the refinement and quality details of a top-level luxury sedan.
I could not be more pleased at this point. I am crossing my fingers that there are no nasty surprises waiting for me -- no sticky gas pedals or malfunctioning fans.
Ok, that's it. Thanks for reading this incredibly long post. Cheers!
Thanks for your continued support. I just about tore the darn thing apart, but I FINALLY found the wire. It was shoved up behind what I assume is the motor for the sunroof. Shesh, they could make these things a bit easier to find! Anyway, it works like a charm, so thanks again.
And a week from tomorrow the body shop will begin to make the repairs due to the rear end collision. Soon, back as good as new, I hope!
unboringuy: Glad to hear it, buddy. That's the beauty of this Board--helping each other out. Now YOU can advise future posters who will (eventually) have the same problem!
Remember, no full throttle acceleration or engine speeds over 4,500. I'd recommend 3,500 max for first 500 miles - the car will still go plenty quick enough !!!
One other point for Steptronic drivers. I read, some time ago, some one had posted that they recommend making an effort to use manual shifting as much as possible in the running in period "to use different engine speeds". Please, ladies and gentlemen, it is my strong advice that you AVOID manual shifting for anything other than necessary "show yer buddies" operation and then only briefly. We want to use different engine speeds, sure, but all driving situations will allow perfect running in conditions. The point is, we just don't want you going on a 300+ mile trip where you might be able to set the cruise at 65 and leave it. In the real world, even a long trip such as this would likely encounter a great variety of engine speeds - especially when it's brand new and you have to do that thing where you accelerate with no fuss up to 90 or so mph and then slow to normal speed (or not) - because you can!. So please, when running in, leave it in "D" and drive it "NORMALLY".
Congrats Denright! Great post and I know the exhilirating feeling of driving a great car.
Has anybody tried Zaino on a white BMW? I've been thinking about using Zaino on my 325i but I have no clue if using Zaino would make a difference on a white car.
I'm just curious. I don't know if I can ask but, What do you do? Also how do I go about having you check on my car. Its a 325i black/grey/pp/xeon/HS/CD. I called they said it was status 160, I'm wondering how much longer my wait will be. Do you need my production #.
I know what you mean about that 2nd gear! That one gave me the hardest time during break-in
Speaking of which, my car now has a tad more than 1500 miles on it, and while I haven't redlined it yet, I have been trying out different shifting points.
OMG does the engine sound sweet at 5000-5500 RPMs! It's just amazing!
I agree with what you're saying about using the Step's D mode during break-in -- this will give the necessary variations in engine speed under normal, transparent driving conditions. I had recommended using the Step (which is just auto with a different "user interface") during break-in for the following reason: you can supply engine-braking back-pressure, which is good for ensuring tight piston-cylinder sealing. Under normal D driving, the tranny will simply remain in a higher gear or relax the torque converter during deceleration, which uses NONE of the engine's braking. In M or even Sport, you can hold a gear (or Sport will hold it for you) during deceleration, supplying engine-braking. That's the only reason I mentioned it, and it's probably not a big deal either way.
Denright -- congrats on ending the torturous wait.
I'm sitting in my office anxiously awaiting to pick up my new 330i. I got the luxury pkg, cd player, metallic paint, and steptronic for $38,500. I probably could have done better, but I had better things to do on Saturday. Plus, I did get to choose the colors that I wanted which was a big bonus.
I will say that the 330i beat the S4 (my other choice) hands down. The steering on the Audi is lame, the back seats are practically non-existent, it felt more sterile, and it was 2000K more expensive.
Driving to work in my 330xi for the first time this morning, I sensed a very different driving style in myself. I am much MUCH more careful with this car in traffic. Whereas I used to weave in and out of dense city traffic in my Pontiac with nary a concern, I am being rather cautious with my new baby. I suppose once I have gotten more comfortable with my new toy, I will become less timid.
The Harmon Kardon sound system is far better than the posts on this board led me to expect. The subwoofers really thump, and I think the 10 other speakers do a fine job in the mid and higher ranges. Then again, I am not exactly an audiophile. At the very least, I can tell you that Metallica and the Offspring sound great to me on this system.
As great as the car's acceleration is, the braking feels even better. The short stopping distance is really confidence inspiring.
The leather upholstery is not buttery or particularly pliable, but it makes me suspect that it will wear far better than a softer leather over time. It feels more like my old biker jacket than my wife's Italian leather coat. It is masculine. I like it.
After ordering back in April, I was worried that I would regret not getting the sport package, and even considered specially ordering sport seats without the rest of the sport package. After taking delivery and living with the car for a few days, I don't think I will have even the slightest remorse. The non-sport seats are actually incredibly comfortable, and the bolstering is actually very impressive, more than sufficient to keep me glued in place in tight turns. Cosmetically, I prefer the non-sport fascia, so this was never a concern. I am convinced that I made the right decision for me -- thank god. I would hate to have even the slightest regret about how I had the car configured.
Finally, to touch upon a recent topic of conversation, the headlight liner is titanium, and the window moldings are as well. I think they look sweet.
I'm new to the group but wanted to share news about my new 330xi.It's Black Saphire with Tanin Red leather seats and aluminum trim-a real beauty.I got it with the Sport package and Steptronic tran.This is the best driving car I've ever had,and I've had many different cars.The power and handling are superb,with great sticking around corners.With the AWD(38/62),you can take off without any wheel spin.Quality all around is great.I haven't seen any/many postings grom others about the xi.Comments?
I also just took delivery of my 330xi. I have posted a couple long posts about my impressions of it in the last 30 messages. You might find them to be fun reading. Specifically, see posts 7681 and 7694.
Last time you checked (11 days ago) my car was status 112 (priority one). Would you, please, check if it's 150 now? I check the order tracking every week, hoping to find that darn red dot on the "scheduled for production" line but it's been "on order" for bleeping ever. I am going nuts.
Do you know how long it takes for the car to be built once it gets to 150 status? I know it takes about two weeks to arrive to the dealership, right? But how long to be built?
Ordered on 05/11
325xi (Tulley, Nashua, NH) T-Silver AWD Step Fold down rear CD in dash HK Wood trim
Ok, now that I have finally taken delivery, can someone who has owned one for a while recommend a cleaning, waxing and leather-care regimen to keep my toy looking its best?
I know everyone talks about Zaino products. Where can I buy this line of products? Will they have them at Trak Auto? What specific Zaino products should I get?
Yes. I am just as paranoid as you. There a few owners somewhere around here whose 325i was manufactured in SA. Apparently, they've been producing the 323i/5i since they've been on the market ('99). I have not heard of any problems out of the ordinary yet and hope none come up anytime soon. There was a discussion in both the problems board (it's short, so you should be able to pinpoint it) and this board (by chance, I pinpointed the discussion when using 1000 as the relative index for Msg# in the upper right side). You make what you want out of it. I eventually got tired of feeling paranoid about it...BMW has to qual the plant, and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't want a backlash of unsatisfied consumers if it wasn't up to par. The plant has been there since '72 or something, and more recently has been manufacturing dealership loaners and such before they decided to start manufacturing the 323i/325i models (most likely from consumer demand for the model). I may be wrong about some of this, but this is how I took all the info I've gotten about SA models. It's a BMW and should in any event be identical to one maunfactured in Germany. I'm not saying I'm overjoyed about it, but, hell, only time will tell. If anything, talk to your dealer about it. I'm sure he could give you a better clue. I'd like more info on the matter, too. If you find anything else to lead me to believe (consumer reports, quality reports, an outright declaration from some other dealer, etc.) that it will be a poorer quality model, then let me know. For now, I'm just going to consult my dealer and sit tight.
Comments
Can anyone verify?? Also, where can I get info on an alarm? $529 from dealer! Any info on tinting would also be appreciated.
My 325Ci /auto/orient blue/sunroof/nav is on the Rigolatto, scheduled for NJ on 7/29, so it's probably the same ship as yours. What part of NJ will yours be shipped to? I'm expecting mine about 8/2 or 8/3 in South Jersey....good luck with yours!
Find a decent dealer and test drive and your mind will be made up.
Also, the resale value probably is stronger on the BMW. I got creamed selling the Maxima, practically had to give it away.
carpevino: Do you feel the same way about driving the 330i as you do the 325i? I too would have to get an automatic (can't drive a manual).
Don't get so caught up in the horses of an engine, horses and torque alone do not make for better performance from one car to the next.
If you've got the extra $$$ and you have to go auto, then go with the 330i. If you can really tell the difference that 1 second can make (none really, unless your racing) then the 325i auto straight line acceleration will disappoint you, but it's handling won't.
I really need you opinons and advice on this subject. Thanks...
Jon
If everyone goes for more hp, (and size for that matter), the Ford Crown Victoria would have been the best selling car for the past decade...
Does anyone know the address to order the alarm along with detailed instructions to install?
Has anyone else notice this or had problems similar. Is so, what is the fix. The dealership tells me that everything performs to specs.
thanks.
rodney
But when a black BMW is freshly washed and waxed, it's absolutely stunning. What a beautiful car. It's worth the work - I get ooh's and ah's from everyone that sees it.
I also have a couple of comments about cleaning supplies for anyone as anal as I am. Meguire's Gold Class wax does give a wonderful shine, but it is somewhat difficult to apply and remove. And it only lasts for a couple of months at best. Next, I'm going to try Zaino products. Lexol conditioner works great on the leather. I use it sparingly and just wipe it on the seats - takes about 15 minutes. Mother's Back-to-Black works miracles on the black trim on the bumpers and doors. Even if you're careful, you get wax on the trim and the Mother's product works great for removing it (so does peanut butter, but that just doesn't seem right).
One last tip - after you finish buffing the car use the same rag and wipe down all of the windows (don't put wax on them, just wipe them off with the rag). Wipe the inside wood/aluminum trim too. Then put the rag under the front seat for quick touch up on the inside of the car when you need it. Most good waxes now have fruity scents and it will make the inside of the car smell good.
Happy cleaning!
Based on your experiences, do you know how long until the car is now shipped out to the US?? How long have some of you waited??
Thanks
BTW, it's really nice to see some more owners introduce theirselves on the owner's board!
brejtinlj:
On the $33,000 question of a 98 M3 or a 99 328i - - If you're hell bent on one or the other, I would go for the M3. A (now) 3-year old 328i for $33k is a horrible deal, even if it only has 12k miles. I'm not basing this upon any knowledge of the used car market in your area. Rather, I'm basing it upon being able to get a brand new 2002 330i loaded for no more than $35k european delivery (w/dealer that discounts). Surely if you have $33k to spend, you can figure out a way to spend an extra $2-3k for a new car that is quite a bit more powerful and will be worth at least $8-10k more in three years (when the 328i is then a 2-owner 6-year old car).
The 98 M3 at least has the uniqueness of an M-series and won't depreciate as much. I still don't think it's a great deal though.
licoeur:
As others suggest, I wouldn't get hung up on comparing your Maxima's 222 horsepower to the 184 of a 325i. I have a 190-hp. 1995 Maxima (5-speed SE) and it is quicker than the 222 hp. 2000/2001 Maximas. My Nissan dealership also sells BMW's (VOB in Rockville, MD) and they admit that Nissan's horsepower ratings for the 2000/2001 Maxima are inflated - especially compared to BMW's.
Also, it's none of my business, but if you "can't drive a manual" because you haven't learned, it might be worth trying. I encouraged a friend who recently turned 50 to learn and he has since treated himself to a new 540i 6-speed (traded in his 528i automatic). He's loving life! I apologize if there is another reason - another friend had to give up his Porsche a couple of years ago because of disk problems in his back that made shifting painful.
I hear you both are calling BMWNA to check status. Could you give me a number I can call to get my vehicle status?? It seems they may know more than my dealer (who is even unsure of where it is coming from.) I suspect my vehicle may be coming from SA as well.
Please let me know. THANKS
The VIN consists of 17 digits.
Digit Value Meaning
1,2,3 Manufacturer
WBA BMW AG
4,5,6 Model
AM3 323i
AM5 328i
BM3 323Ci
BM5 328Ci
AV5 330i
BS5 330Cic
7 Country
3 United States model
8 Restraint System
3 or 4 Dual, de-powered airbags
9 Check digit
10 Model year
X 1999
Y 2000
1 2001
11 Assembly plant
F Munich
K Munich
C Dingolfing
F Dingolfing
E Regensberg
J Regensberg
12-17 Serial number
6 digit serial number
Do you know if there are any differences in the car from those built in Germany? I am probably being paranoid now.
Coolbret - thanks for your info. I do have a VIN and Prod #, so it should help when I call.
I ended up getting a great deal. I paid $1500 over invoice, including floor mats and wheel locks. I also got the alarm installed before delivery for $425, so it is covered by the full manufacturer's warranty. Final price, excluding tax and tags, came out to $38,900. Including Maryland's 5% sales tax and the federal luxury tax, final out-the-door cost was $41,017.
I had my old car, a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire GT (yes, this is a big trade-up for me), appraised at CarMax a few days before. They offered me an insulting $4300. I concluded that I would probably end up selling it through the paper, but brought it to the dealership to see if they offered me something acceptable for a trade-in. I wasn't optimistic.
VOB offered me $1200 more than CarMax, $5500. This number is $1500 less than I would get in the paper, but this way I can cash-in the remaining value on my extended manufacturer's warranty -- probably worth several hundred dollars. Thus, I traded my old car in for approximately $5500 + $300 (warranty refund) = $5800. For the $1200 difference, I was glad to avoid the hassles of selling throught the classified ads.
Driving away from the dealership with my precious new toy, I was in heaven. My wife and I went right out and drove the entire way around the Capital Beltway -- approximately 65 miles. FUN!
First impressions... this car is FAST. Effortlessly fast. It is so smooth, so buttery that sometimes you don't even realize how fast you're going.
Accelerating from a stop, first gear presses you back into your seat with an impressive burst of acceleration. Shifting into 2nd as the Tach approaches 4,500, the burst of new power is just as impressive.
Second gear is so powerful, the engine so willing that I have accidentally let the tach exceed 4,500 in this gear two or three times before realizing it. I have to be careful in this gear, as I could easily take it straight up to 6,000 RPMs if not paying attention. A big no-no during the break-in, but my salesman told me not to be overly anal and take the break-in instructions as general rules, not as ironclad laws with grave repercussions.
Highways cruising is clearly this car's core competence. I have found myself passing other cars on the Beltway, accelerating up to 80 mph, and then looking to shift up upon passing the other car only to realize that I am already in 5th gear. That is, 5th gear has so much punch that it FEELS like I down-shifted for additional power when I didn't!
Driving on winding back roads at 6 AM this morning (after spending 10 minutes installing the wheel locks) I realized for the first time just how capable this car's handling is. Zipping through curves and corners, this car grips like it resents even the slightest body roll or yaw.
The "stiff" new-old steering is heavy without being cumbersome. The feel of the road is viceral, instinctive. I am pleased with this change relative to the testers I took out in April.
The AWD is imperceptible, and I have found the car's feel to be almost indistinguishable from a RWD vehicle. Switching off the DSC, the rear will readily swing out on turns like I would expect from a RWD pony car. The 62/38 torque distribution is a marvel -- BMW's engineers have created a vehicle with the safety and reliability of a AWD family car and the thrills of a RWD sports car. I am incredibly impressed.
The interior appointments and overall impression of this vehicle is that of an iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove. It is masculine and capable, but it also presents it self with the refinement and quality details of a top-level luxury sedan.
I could not be more pleased at this point. I am crossing my fingers that there are no nasty surprises waiting for me -- no sticky gas pedals or malfunctioning fans.
Ok, that's it. Thanks for reading this incredibly long post. Cheers!
And a week from tomorrow the body shop will begin to make the repairs due to the rear end collision. Soon, back as good as new, I hope!
Denright: Welcome to heaven.
Remember, no full throttle acceleration or engine speeds over 4,500. I'd recommend 3,500 max for first 500 miles - the car will still go plenty quick enough !!!
One other point for Steptronic drivers. I read, some time ago, some one had posted that they recommend making an effort to use manual shifting as much as possible in the running in period "to use different engine speeds". Please, ladies and gentlemen, it is my strong advice that you AVOID manual shifting for anything other than necessary "show yer buddies" operation and then only briefly. We want to use different engine speeds, sure, but all driving situations will allow perfect running in conditions. The point is, we just don't want you going on a 300+ mile trip where you might be able to set the cruise at 65 and leave it. In the real world, even a long trip such as this would likely encounter a great variety of engine speeds - especially when it's brand new and you have to do that thing where you accelerate with no fuss up to 90 or so mph and then slow to normal speed (or not) - because you can!. So please, when running in, leave it in "D" and drive it "NORMALLY".
Thanks!
Has anybody tried Zaino on a white BMW? I've been thinking about using Zaino on my 325i but I have no clue if using Zaino would make a difference on a white car.
Boelke
Also how do I go about having you check on my car. Its a 325i black/grey/pp/xeon/HS/CD.
I called they said it was status 160, I'm wondering how much longer my wait will be. Do you need my production #.
Thank You
Josh
Speaking of which, my car now has a tad more than 1500 miles on it, and while I haven't redlined it yet, I have been trying out different shifting points.
OMG does the engine sound sweet at 5000-5500 RPMs! It's just amazing!
My gas milage also seems to be improving.
1st tank = 20.2
2nd = 22.5
3rd = 24.9
4th = 26.2***
***still on tank 4
Denright -- congrats on ending the torturous wait.
I will say that the 330i beat the S4 (my other choice) hands down. The steering on the Audi is lame, the back seats are practically non-existent, it felt more sterile, and it was 2000K more expensive.
The Harmon Kardon sound system is far better than the posts on this board led me to expect. The subwoofers really thump, and I think the 10 other speakers do a fine job in the mid and higher ranges. Then again, I am not exactly an audiophile. At the very least, I can tell you that Metallica and the Offspring sound great to me on this system.
As great as the car's acceleration is, the braking feels even better. The short stopping distance is really confidence inspiring.
The leather upholstery is not buttery or particularly pliable, but it makes me suspect that it will wear far better than a softer leather over time. It feels more like my old biker jacket than my wife's Italian leather coat. It is masculine. I like it.
After ordering back in April, I was worried that I would regret not getting the sport package, and even considered specially ordering sport seats without the rest of the sport package. After taking delivery and living with the car for a few days, I don't think I will have even the slightest remorse. The non-sport seats are actually incredibly comfortable, and the bolstering is actually very impressive, more than sufficient to keep me glued in place in tight turns. Cosmetically, I prefer the non-sport fascia, so this was never a concern. I am convinced that I made the right decision for me -- thank god. I would hate to have even the slightest regret about how I had the car configured.
Finally, to touch upon a recent topic of conversation, the headlight liner is titanium, and the window moldings are as well. I think they look sweet.
Do you know how long it takes for the car to be built once it gets to 150 status? I know it takes about two weeks to arrive to the dealership, right? But how long to be built?
Ordered on 05/11
325xi (Tulley, Nashua, NH)
T-Silver
AWD
Step
Fold down rear
CD in dash
HK
Wood trim
Thanks, Mike.
I know everyone talks about Zaino products. Where can I buy this line of products? Will they have them at Trak Auto? What specific Zaino products should I get?
Any and all comments appreciated.