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Comments
The benefit of the armrest is that it still slides like the original, but the ugly "slot" in the middle is replaced by a smooth leather panel... also, the European version opens up to reveal a storage space inside, which the original does not do.
The cupholders are actually easily removable and fit into the little sliding panel above the hazard button. The Armrest itself is a VERY easy install that took 10 minutes....
[See next message for helpful links]
I am in San Antonio. When is the get together? I belong to the local BMW Chapter and they have get togethers regularly. I have yet to go to one, but they always sound fun.
Stacy
[cupholder]
http://www.cup-holders.com/main.html
http://www.bimmer.org/5series/messages/archive/msgsy2001w17/61328.html
Hope this helps....
Enjoy!
-- regards,
My vehicle is better than yours because....
Brag about your ride on Tuesday, May 8, 5-6pm PT/8-9pm ET in the new News & Views Weekly Chat
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
My vehicle is better than yours because....
Brag about your ride on Tuesday, May 8, 5-6pm PT/8-9pm ET in the new News & Views Weekly Chat
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
I'm Ken, 01 steel blue/gray/black 330cic SP PP Xenon, clears, and piece of crap HK... up and down 580 in California during the commuting hours...looking forward to seeing any one on the board on the freeways... honk.
Gonna do the BMWCCA drive clinic next weekend offered thru the GG chapter. Has anyone done one yet?
Also..Anyone in the Bay Area have a Snell Helmet they wanna loan for a weekend?
It's 90 top down degrees in this neighborhood today. :-). Remember when we were cranking up the heat with the top down a couple months ago? Now it's the air conditioner doing the trick with the top down! :-)
Randy
February and built on April 3rd. Sport Package, 5
Speed, leather, lumbar support, in-dash CD.
I had ordered the Xenon lights and they were on the bulid sheet but where not installed. My cost
was reduced by the amount of the option and the dealer through in a BMW CD changer and no cost.
It's Orient Blue and the with the sport package wheels and gray leather interior it looks great!
I have received many compliments. My friends wife
who I wouldn't consider attuned to cars fell in love with it! I special ordered the vehicle
with the convenience package without having
to order the moonroof. It took some doing,but
in the end I got what I wanted. I payed $2400 less
than the MSRP. The dealer, Northwest BMW of
Owings Mills, Maryland was super and I would recommend them.
Where can one order the Eurpoean Armrest from,
as I don't particularly care for the slot either?
See my photos of Jeff's BMW 330Cic at PhotoPoint
Stacy- I'm not sure exactly when the get together is but I'll post more info as I get it.
Randy- You need to repost your pics to or let us link to them again also, in fact everyone post some pics:)
Jeff--will post pics again. Just in the process of changing accts at photopoint.
Black Leather Heat -- (sounds like the name of a movie) -- I park in a garage at home and underground at work, so I can probably make do with a sunshade and top up when I need to park outside.
I was really hesitating betweent the 330i and the 330cic, in part because of the price. I have found dealers willing to go x amount above invoice for the 330i, but no deals on the cic. But it looks like from the bmwusa web site that the price of the cic (as I configure it) dropped by about $700 when they added the HK to base (or something else). I think I can justify to myself the 7k difference between the cic and the i. After all, I'm single and always wanted a convertible. My older brother totalled my Dad's red MG before I was old enough to drive and I have "had issues" ever since.
In any case, this is my current layout: please feel free to comment:
330cic (steel grey/black/black), manual
sport pack, premium pack, cold weather pack, xenon, and in dash CD.
I am thinking about the parking control feature, but think that is a bit of overkill in a cic. Thoughts?
Also, I'd purchase a windscreen and possibly the bmw car phone (although I'd only be getting it for its integration into the car (and hands free feature)) -- is it worth it in a covertible? Anybody?
Sorry for the long message, but I am so happy that I reached this conclusion that I just had to share and the members are the unexpected beneficiaries. Thanks again. I'd be interested in comments.
Good luck!
The xenons are worth it if it's not a deal breaker, get them if you can afford it, otherwise the halogens are pretty good.
When I asked about the cell phone feature they told me it was $1800.00 WAY too crazy for a dumb cell phone. Get a $100 phone at Best Buy and buy yourself the $30 handsfree set. Thay way you can carry the phone around also. With the windows up and the radio down my handsfree set works fine. The radio drowns me out when I talk to people and the wind is a little much with the windows down.
Jeff
CONS: Very Expensive. A regular cell phone fits nicely in the sun glass compartment and the hands free headset with voice activation cost a whole lot less and work just fine.
PROS: Works with steering wheel controls. (Love those steering wheel controls for the radio and CD!!!)
Speaking of controls, the automatic garage door button under the mirror is pretty cool. Easy to do.
Parking Sensors: They're annoying (my brother has em in his X5) and once you get a feel for your car and judging distance (like hitting a curb or two) you'll probably turn it off. My sensing distance in this car was more about the front than the back so wouldn't help me anyhow. What this car really needs is a long antenna that projects out in a parking lot when you're backing out of a parking space and you can't see a damn thing coming because of that lovely big blind spot when the top is up. No sensor for that one. :-).
Xenons: Have em. Talked into them. Think they are very over rated in my opinion and would probably not get em again unless they included or thrown in.
Regrets: Not getting the seat warmer.
Lee, As I've said before, I think that everything you select on your car is such a personal choice from the exterior color to the sport package and if there's one thing I would suggest that would be to test drive a car for longer than 10 minutes, even if it's not exactly your model but has similar features as in parking sensors etc, and see how it works for you. If you're thinking about xenons, go test a bimmer at night. Do a comparison of visibility with the xenons and one with the standard high quality BMW lights. Who cares if someone else thinks they're cool. See if you like driving with them. If you want to compare sound systems, bring a CD and don't sit in a parked car and listen to it. Take it out for a drive with the top down and the music on. See if you can hear the difference or if it makes a difference. Good luck and just know that whatever you end up choosing....this is a fun car to drive!
randy
Temp hit 97 yesterday and it was fine as long as the car was moving, but the stop lights were a killer with the heat rising from the road and sun beating down on the top. Biggest complaint.... I think the cup holder should have a cool coil built in so the dang water bottle doesn't cook.
Thanks again for all of your help.
oh, our car has sportspremium package, parktronic, xenon, steptronic auto, the upgraded stereo, heated seats.
Thanks for your input.
by the way, I am in Southern California.
Check out message #12 above...
Pacific BMW (www.pacificbmw.com) is a good place to order it, as the post in the link suggests...
Just make sure you get the correct color to match your interior.. give them a call, and they can set you up right! And installation is a snap.. just follow "Agent99's" very detailed instructions...
Good luck
We are in the process of getting one going here in the BMW Owner's Club. If you know other Z3 owners interested, please let me know!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
- The obligatory X-brace from the M3 lightweight
- Gen-u-ine Motorsports strut brace
- Porterfield R4 pads for track work
- MechTech turbo kit (max 6 psi boost)
I've owned a few Brit sports cars and decided that instead of having a "beater" with 4 seats and a fun car, I'd meet all my needs with one vehicle. For me, the M3 was close to ideal. I can take it to driver's schools and track days and beat on it like a rented mule, then turn on the A/C and drive home. I get about 22 mpg in suburban driving.
I've been bouncing back and forth between selling it and buying a cheaper "real" track car, or keeping it and slowly mutating it into a monster. After last weekend's school, I'm leaning towards the "monster" scenario.
I did buy the rubber winter ones from BMP or Bavarian (I plumb forgot which. Oddly enough I can describe the steps involved in changing the water pump, and how to fabricate the "special" tools involved. Shows you how screwed up my priorities are).
Had the dealer call me a few weeks ago advising he got an allocation on an uncommitted 330Cic due to a dealer trade so I decided to take it and I will take delivery again at the Spartanburg plant in early June. New car will look a lot like Jeff's (thanx for the pix, Jeff) -- Titanium, Tanin Red leather, Black soft top, Xenon, Hot seats, PP, HK, removal of changer from old car and installation in new car as part of my deal. Have driven the 325Cic and 330Cic -- and was thinking of the 325 (just because of the difference in price) when the dealer called on the 330 and I decided without much hesitation to pull the trigger. I don't think I'll be disappointed.
I have just adored my 323 -- it's for sale now and whoever gets it will get a flawless car which I have been as happy with as any car I've ever had in my life (it has 12,500 miles, was garaged all winter and is still showroom perfect -- never a problem, never a service issue, never a hiccup). I do, however, agree with the posts about the anemic nature of the HK system. It is, for sure. I have the factory Bose system in my '01 MB E320 Station wagon and it absolutely blows the socks off the HK system -- there is just no comparison. The HK, to me, is the only shortfall on this wonderful car. Even still, I have to admit I would take the BMW convertible -- either the 323, 325 or 330 -- over the MB SLK or even the Boxster (which I owned in 97-98) any day of the week. Dollar for dollar, feature for feature (especially if you have kids who have to ride in a back seat), the BMW is the best value of all of these otherwise wonderful cars.
I have been so pleased with BMW quality -- seeing how they build them at the plant will make a believer out of anyone who is able to see the process. I highly recommend delivery in Spartanburg for anyone considering a new BMW purchase (any BMW model can be delivered at Spartanburg if requested through the dealer).
Last but not least, this is a great message board -- good job, Karen. Keep up the good work.
Best wishes to all ...
Denis
Thanks much!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
Hey 'vert owners, I just posted a message on the convertible board about the latest antenna attire (doesn't work for sedans :-( . Too lazy to do a cut and paste so click on over and check it out. Sometimes it just feels plain out cool to be tacky and know it. :-)
Have a great weekend!
randy
Thanks much!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
One of the reasons I came to the Owners Club board, besides the free coffee and freshly baked muffins(thank you Karen) is the lack of posts regarding MSRP and is the HK stereo worth the money? etc.
Here we have made our choices. But why BMW?
I came late unto the family and came here thus:
1977, trip home, friend had a BMW 2002. This was in Britain where they make cars that have a problem starting when it's raining-not just locally-problem happens if it's raining anywhere on Earth when you want to drive somewhere. Car was "peppy" and muscular.
Same trip home-visited uncle-no see in a long time-needed to run errand. Uncle gave me keys to car-BMW 5 series. Drove like a low flying airplane.
I lived in London, had company car (Ford) so no need to buy Bimmer (also no cash!)
Fast forward-1997 met a friend (on the Internet) who invited me to his house in Chicago. Found he had a BMW hatchback (318/316?)a 530iT (1994) a 635csi
(88) and a Z3. When I asked him later, "Why are they all BMWs?" he looked at me quizzically and exclaimed "Because they are PERFORMANCE cars!"
To hammer home his point he slowly poured his glass of bourbon over my head and I felt foolish for asking the question and wet at the same time.
I got to drive all of his cars (bar the hatchback) over the next couple of years and they all had one thing in common-they drove beautifully
and they started in the rain.
Fast forward to July 1999 and I am in Germany for an opera festival and I meet a German lawyer who has a 1998 BMW 750iL and he offers me a drive.
I drove out of Bayreuth and onto the autobahn and sailed along at 125mph, one hand on the wheel, the other hand turning down the stereo to listen to the sweet snarl of the engine. The car had a navigation system and a German lady's voice guided me back to Bayreuth though I was all set to drive to Munich. Heavenly drive!
So when it came time last summer to look for a car, to commute to a lakeside cottage far from Chicago there was really only one name that figured prominently in my search-BMW.
All I read, in Edmunds and the automotive press steered me toward the 3 series but what really clinched it for me was a drive around the back of a dealership in Grand Rapids where they had 5 severly crashed 3s waiting salvage-all 5 were mangled in front but the passenger compartments were perfectly intact and the front doors looked as new.
I want to drive fast-and I want to drive safe: that's why I drive BMW.
Now-where is everybody?
randy
Have you looked into the BMWCCA in Boston area? It's a lot of fun to hang out with people who really love their cars or should I say...their bimmers. :-). Donna checked out the club near her in Florida but not much happening there.
Using the Cal Duster mucho too. I have several. Can't resist with the double set at Costco for about 12 bucks. Such a deal! :-). I figure when they get too grungy, I'll toss em. Too bad they can't be used on the canvas top but the tape roller works pretty well for that for removing lint and dust. I've found that I really need to vacumn the top every couple weeks to keep it really clean. Try tapping yours with your hand and see if you get a little dust cloud. That fine grit stuff isn't good for wear and tear putting the top up and down. Well, off to do my duty.
Still love my 90 M3! This car always puts a smile on my face when driving. I always worry that I am being too hard on my engine, but it just loves to sing at the high rpm's!
And handling? Do you even need to ask?
Obi
1990 BMW M3 Alpinweiss II
Then sign me up!
I didn't care for Garlyn Shelton. Maybe it was because I was a female, but I felt they didn't treat me seriously. I went with Fred Brown in Bryan/College Station. They ended up finding the exact car I wanted that was already on the boat. They did a dealer switch and I had my car. I told them what I was willing to pay and they agreed. I also had them throw in floor mats and a window tint.
Was very pleased with the service. I still get notes in the mail from the salesman thanking me for my business.
Stacy
330i