Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Best Regards,
Shipo
I am considering getting a 2002 325xi. I'm just looking for some general feedback as to thoughts/experiences anyone has had with the car. The all wheel drive is important to me which is why I chose the xi model. I'd also appreciate some thoughts on the ongoing automatic/stick debate. I can't decide what I want, as I drive in rush hour traffic every day and currently drive an automatic which makes life easy. But then the driver's side of me is screaming "How can you get an automatic BMW???". So I am somewhat torn. Also, I'm interested in hearing any experiences you've had with dealers in the Southwestern CT/Westchester County NY area, who's good and who's not? Additionally, if I special ordered this car exactly as I want it, how long would it take to arrive? And lastly, any reliability concerns with this vehicle? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks...-Dan
Listen to the driver's side of you! My $0.02: The I-drive-in-traffic-therefore-need-a-step thing is a bit of a cop-out. If you are an experienced stick driver then working the clutch/gas/stick becomes second nature and it doesn't matter whether you're going 2mph or 100mph. You should have heard the belly laugh from my German-born BMW salesman when he told me how often he hears that one since moving to the States, because in Europe you'd never hear an excuse like that.
If the people using that excuse can truly drive a stick but choose to buy the ultimate driving machine with an auto, then I must conclude they're doing so in order to have one hand free to diddle with a laptop/PDA, make a sales call on the cell phone, sip coffee, shove an Egg McMuffin in their mouth, put on makeup, check hair, reach around and break up the fighting rugrats, wipe drool off the baby, etc. Let's not blame it on traffic.
So unless a person drives an auto for one of the above reasons, the only remaining excuse that still holds water with yours truly is "I just can't drive a stick" and even that one can be worked around with some patience and effort.
Don't miss the Indianapolis F-1 race on Sunday!!
FYI, for the folks in the Boston area, BMW of Peabody, Gallery (Norwood) and FMW Natick seem to come out best with customer experience. Universally, it appears that Herb Chambers experience is not good, but my test drives went without incident there.
If you live in a north-west Boston suburb, I would suggest you try Tulley BMW in Nashua, NH (not to imply anything is wrong with Peabody). Although my salesperson is not longer there, the business and sales manager were cordial and competent. I continue to be impressed with their service center (recall fan came within a week).
drcdrc,
The combination of the electronic throttle, tight drive train (even AWD) and standard transmission is quite easy to drive in stop and go traffic. I typically don't accordion drive with everyone but rather run the car at some 'average' speed between dead stop and jack-rabbit starts trying not to leave too much room between me and the car in front (i.e. annoying drivers behind me). At idle, the car moves _very_ slowly in 1st without bucking, pulls smoothly from idle and returns smoothly to idle. With a good CD, it is almost enjoyable.
@90/ hour, 225 bucks for the install, which is how much circle BMW wants for the alarm....
they quoted me 525 bucks for the alarm and installation at my dealer....
I guess its time to find a dealer willing to program it if need be....
thanks for the input!
-Ken
Tulley BMW in Nashua, NH is a good choice but keep in mind that the state transfer may be hassle if you live in Mass. One more thing: avoid BMW Norwood like the plague. I had a bad experience with them.
DSC: I am getting in the habit of switching it off (electronic braking included) often lately and every once in a while I'd go find a nice isolated back road and toss the car (325i SP) in corners just to slide it. It's so difficult to slide it for more than a couple of inches... I'd pick up a lot of speed and then toss in the corner and think "Oh, here we go" anticipating the slide. This thing just exits the turn with high speed, perfect oversteer at the exit and refuses to slide.. Unbelievable...
If you haven't already, check out the F1 drivers' comments at http://www.bmwnation.com/home.html. Select "News" in the top boarder and then "Motorsports" at the top left. In the next page's left boarder, choose the top article F1: US GP Preview.
It is interesting that the Mischlens are a risk factor. Ralf S. claims that his 3rd place performance at the Italian GP was caused by tire blistering.
Best Regards,
Shipo
shipo - it sounds like you're having a blast. One of the things I love about the 3-series is the way they convert oversteer to understeer on the way out of the corner. The car is very forgiving - even if you realize that you're exiting the corner way too fast and need to let off the gas to reduce the oversteer, the car is perfectly composed and never loses its balance or much speed either. The only time I've been able to slide it for more than a couple of inches at a time is on wet roads and man, what a blast that is!! I'd think that it would be easier to slide it with the 328 and especially the 330 engines because they have a lot more power than the 325, though.
dave330i - autoxing is what hooked me up on the 3-series. I've wanted one for years but I had not pushed one to its limits of adhesion till one of those Ultimate Driving Experience events that they organize. They set up a short circuit (about 16-18 secs a lap) and I was so amazed by the car's handling that I knew I was getting one. It was just a matter of deciding when. Great stuff... I'm planning on autoxing with BMWCCA next spring.
Good to see that some of the regulars are still around.
I'll plan on moving ahead with the retrofit given the positive feedback, and let you know how it turns out.
The Ultimate Driving Experience is coming to the SF area. I know I'm going to go check it out.
- tire pressure recommendation
- how much gas do you carry
- do you have to wait all day to get out on the track for one minute, etc.
Thanks
There are better dealerships than BMW - especially Lexus. But we love the cars; the donuts you get while shopping for the car and bringing it in for maintenance are nice but a lot less important. All luxury dealerships tend to be stuck up, especially with younger buyers. You think BMW dealers are stuck up? Try Cadillac and Jaguar. If you love driving and can afford a BMW, do get one. If you think it's overpriced, VW is a good substitute - I had a VR6 for 4 years before I got the 325.
Also I like the way the lower grill (where the fog lights are) stands out on the 330cibetter because it's painted silver rather than black. Has anyone heard of painting it?
Any cool sites to get aftermarket goods for the 3series?
I'm getting a sweet deal on the 325 or I would go for the 330.
Thanks!
Ron
I love the car!!!
Our course was quite long (ave time was mid 60s), so we had 6 runs total (2 timed practice, and 4 real). If you enjoy watching cars race, it's pretty fun event. It's amazing to see some of the better drivers blast through the course.
I had no problems being smooth at low speeds, but as soon as I tried to speed up, what a mess.
Ride with one of the experienced drivers during their practice. You can see what they do, and try to do it yourself.
Have experienced driver ride with you during your runs. This time he/she can point out stuff to you.
Walk the course. It's easy to get lost in the sea of orange cones. Try to memorize the course, and find the best line.
Try to think 2 turns in front of you. If you only worry about the turn in front of you, you'll most likely screw yourself up for the one after (easier said than done if you're complete novice).
That's about it. If more experienced autoxers on this board have more to add, and any corrections to my points, feel free. I'd love to learn more.
The psi needs to be that high for low-profile tires so you don't end up cornering with your rims, is that the idea?
How about the amount of gas that you carry - what is the minimum safe level that you should take?
How fast do you go in the fastest section of the course?
Is it a full-day event typically?
Bob's pretty interesting to watch on a track, too. During "instructor time" at the spring driving school, I was in the passenger seat of a modified mid-90s turbo Audi A6 (serious HP, capable driver). Bob passed us. In a 4-cyl Z3 with a stock engine. Yeesh.
He and his co-driver Jim run an excellent independent BMW shop in Broomfield called Bimmerhaus. Probably the best place in the Denver area to get your 3-series aligned. I'm going out to 2nd Creek Sunday to, uh, evaluate the job they did on my M3.
I think someone on this board mentioned 1/4-1/2 tank of fuel. I think I'm leaning more toward 1/4 tank. You don't want too much loose weight in the back.
I'm not sure exactly how fast I was going (hard to keep track of speed & the course at the same time). I was in 2nd through out the course (other than start), and from the engine noise, it sounded like I was hitting 40 to 50, maybe.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to drop me an email.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
bmw323is, Have you ever damaged any part of your 3-er while autocrossing? Does anyone offer "private lessons" for those who may not want to suffer the embarrassment of a newbie run through the cones while everyone watches?
Everyone else, In poking around at the SCCA.ORG, I can't seem to find many BMW 3ers mentioned. How well do these generally fare in their class?
http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/nationals/2001/results/index.html
It's incredible... driver skill seems to make the biggest difference, especially among amateurs. You have Neons pulling in better times than Vipers and S4's.
http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/nationals/2001/results/index.html
It's incredible... driver skill seems to make the biggest difference, especially among amateurs. You have Neons pulling in better times than Vipers and S4's.
Somehow, the Vipers and S4s getting beaten by a Neon doesn't surprise me. Surely it's much harder to properly "modulate" all that power at relatively low speeds?
I want peace man!! Sorry about my last post directed towards you. All I was doing was trying to foster a healthy debate about the German v. Japanese cars. I love Bimmers, and hope to get a new one soon. (All I have ever had was used). I would really value your opinion, and the opinion of others here regarding the merits of the Bimmer, particularly since the Japanese cars are hot on their heels!! I love cars too, man, so let's make peace before Pat comes back in here.
I wouldn't worry too much about looking foolish on the course. I know I did, but at leat I'm making an effort to becoming a better driver.
brave1heart, ha...yeah, I guess that would work both ways wouldn't it?
Now really showing my ignorance... Someone I was chatting with today claimed that a 3-series would run through tires, particularly on the rear, faster than his Maxima SE would. That seemed wrong to me, if only because 2 wheels "pushing" would seem to get as much wear as 2 wheels "pulling". Am I missing something?