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BMW 3-Series 2006
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Really? Good to know.
But, I would encourage you to use 17" for the snows... cheaper than 18" (tires and wheels) and you can use a tire that isn't quite as wide, which will help with traction....
A little less likely to get dinged up, too, I suspect. Any thoughts on winter tires (brand/model)? Better winter or AS, do you think?
However, I can't find them on Goodyear's website any more, so they may have been discontinued....
I like the H-rated and V-rated winter tires for 3-series, because, after all, you will be driving on dry roads at least 90% of time, and you'll want to be able to use the superior handling of your car..
So... The Dunlops and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 are both good choices, along with the Michelin Artic Alpins..
Models change about every other year, so there may be something new out soon, as well..
regards,
kyfdx
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When I got my G35, I could have had any color with no extra charge. I picked black. In the case of the new 3 (and the old ones too), you can choose from only white, red or black at no extra charge. I picked Sparkling Graphite, for an extra $475. Go figure. I picked black one car too late. I love black, but I wanted a change. I came close to getting white. Thought I might tire of red. I wasn't going to do it, until I figured out that it didn't add a heck of lot to the monthly payment on a lease. I'm only paying for 40% of the $475, which is peanuts over 36 payments. So I rationalized that I should just get whatever color I like the best, extra charges be damned. Yet another rationalization!
The whole run-flat deal is definitely problematic... also, the TPMS system has to be dealt with, as well...
I'm going to guess that a lot of people will be running normal winter tires, even though they don't have a spare.... Of course, you'll have four other tires you could use for a spare, though not much of a place to store it..
It will likely be October before you'll start to see a lot of availability of run-flat winter tires..
regards,
kyfdx
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I did a very careful perusal of the E90 Owner's Manual and have yet to find anything that suggests that one cannot mount GetsFlat tires on an E90. It seems that Run Flats are recommended but there were some oblique references to cars not so equipped.
My take on this whole thing is that (per the manual), if you make sure that you reset the TPMS each time you make a change to the tires (meaning something as simple as adding some air to any number of the tires), you should be good to go.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Not sure what is involved with re-setting the TPMS.. hopefully, you don't have to buy new sensors every time you swap out....
You can always throw one of your regular tire/rim in the trunk as an emergency spare, if you want to go that way..
Chrysler Crossfires don't have a spare.... and they use regular tires...
regards,
kyfdx
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I thought about getting black, too -- but every tiny scratch shows! That's the case with my current car. Still ... nothing looks better when polished than black!
IIRC, it is a simple push of a couple of buttons. I'll check the manual when I get home and report back.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Some use the ABS system to measure differences in rotation (I think this is the way BMW does it). Some actually put some kind of sensor on the tire/wheel assembly itself..
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Any leads on your next ride? Nothing that I have driven has been a "wow" experience in this space. The E90 3 has been the best so far, with nothing else left to drive (the IS250 was under consideration until I saw it's performance numbers, way too slow). My second choice at this point would be the A3, but with an aftermarket suspension, tires and stereo.
I guess that I should go with the 3 and hope for the best. At this point, I see no other sport sedans with manual transmissions worth consideration (that I fit in).
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor monitors tire pressures while the car is being driven. The system reports any significant loss of pressure in one tire in relation to another. If a tire loses pressure, its rolling radius changes, and this in turn alters the speed of rotation. This change is detected and is reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat tire, the system must be initialized for the correct tire inflation pressure.
Note:The system must be reinitialized each time a tire inflation pressure has been corrected or a wheel or tire has been changed.
As for resetting the system, the manual gives the instructions for the iDrive reset, which is via a menu, however, not a word on how to reset the system if you don't have iDrive. Hmmm, that's weird.
Best Regards,
Shipo
2005 530i SP AT
2006 750i SP AT
2006 325i SP AT
I currently have a 2003 530i. But I was dissapointed with the 530 supplied for this drive. The engine in that car is just not enough and I found the suspension a bit jarring and abrupt. Also, when pushed the tires on that car just don't cut the mustard. I felt that my non-SP 530 does much better with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on 17" wheels. The interior of the car did not at all feel like a step up from my car.
The 750 was a great ride. I think the interior is very nice. The controls would take some getting used to. But the ride is very luxurious. And when pushed it takes off its Cadillac ride and gets down to business. The juxtaposition of handling vs. luxury is amplified here to the nth degree - probably more than other BMW product ever made.
Th 325 was the biggest surpirse to me. The new 6 in combo with the new chasiss is well executed. The fun factor is a 10 even with the smaller engine. The interior is a much better execution the the current 5. You just can't help tossing this baby around. The convertible should be a hoot. If anyone is looking to spend $35K on a car you have to drive this if you are an enthusiast. Homerun for BMW. Hopefully this will generate enough revenue for them to get them to the next 5-series design
Based on these rides I would recommend to the BMW designers that they:
1) Put the new six in a 7-series i.e. 730i.
2) Upgrade the 5 interior a lot in 2008 re-do (closer to 7-Series) along with a re-styling to the front end bumper - take the "frown" out
3) Get out performance packages for the 3-series ASAP
4) Hurry up with the 3-series hardtop convertible.
5) Put a bigger sunroof in the 7-series - like the 6-series.
All in all a fun experience that you folks should take advantage of without a salesperson along for the ride
Pretty good info, from a mini-van driver... :surprise:
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Incedently, the general speedlimit in Western Europe is 80 mph. I stuck to that, because I was driving in an unfamiliar car, on unfamilar roads. I also had my family with me. The other issue that we overlook is that the views are very distracting. It's funny that you say that you are not accustomed to driving fast, yet you will be driving 100 mph. I think most of the board members have speeding problems-we need professional help.
This was my first ED. One of the agreements with my wife was that I would keep it under 80. I hope to do another ED soon, & will probably do the same. On the other hand, if you don't have any earthly responsibilities, don't mind going to jail or worse; get a ZHP and drive out of the parking lot at 155 & don't lift your foot until you reach your destination. Best of luck mate!
My wife and I will share the car, and my preferences could be different than her preferences in some instances. How to cope with that?
http://home.att.net/~texhwyman/autobahn.htm
Best Regards,
Shipo
1. What were the impressions any of you had when and if you test drove the 330i behind the 325i. This is something I am looking to do, but before I do I would love any input, and the choices many of you made.
2. Anyone know when the smart key option comes available to do away of the key fob?
Thanks,
djocks
2. I heard that the smart key option will be available on cars built when production resumes in September.
My feelings about these two cars remain the same. If you are intent on having xenons, logic7, and the other goodies that come standard on the 330i, you might as well get the 330i and benefit from the greater HP and larger brakes. If you could care less about the extra frills and want the most bang-for-the-buck, the 325i with 6-speed and SP is the way to go.
The last day, you can sleep late, because you can drive back to Munich at 155 MPH...
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Would I be able to purchase "regular" tires that are not a run-flat type of tire and replace the OEM equipment. I'd keep the same size but just make the tires non run-flat tire.
This could have an impact on whether I purchase the car or not. I believe BMW should have made these run-flats part of a "tire package option"; not as "standard" equipment. I may not want the "harsh" ride that comes with the run-flats. Also has anyone gotten any good deals off the MSRP? Thanx
As for what's better looking, well that's in the eye of the beholder. Not a coupe guy. Think they're bland and oddly shaped.
Here's a wacky idea, go drive it for yourself. Only you will know if the ride is too harsh.
Did anyone order an idrive on the 2006 3 series and what is their opinion ? I heard some bad stories about it when it was introduced initially in the 7 series.
Is there a lot of difference between the ride quality between a 330i with a sport pkg vs one without a sport pkg.
Thanks for the answers.
But, the style 162 wheels are fantastic. Has anyone tried to order the 162's without the sport package? It does not show as an option, but they will obviously fit, since the 196's are the same size.
Thanks.
Setting aside any subjective feelings about the look of the two cars or owning a coupe vs. a sedan, is there any reason to get the 2005 rather than the 2006? Am I missing something?
Any ideas about the relative discount or any upcoming incentives I should expect when comparing the two cars?
Finally, for many vehicles buying a sedan with a manual will have a very negative impact on the re-sale value. Is that historically the case with BMWs?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Who are you buying the car for? If you're buying for yourself and you enjoy a manual, why worry about the next buyer?
BTW, dealers will tell you autos resale for more and have more takers. It's true. You also pay more uprfront for an automatic. Also, there still are manual lovers out there. I always find a home for my manuals...and rather quickly.
If you're talking about trade-ins, I'm no help. I don't trade in. I'm not going to give away thousands on a car.
I think, never look in the trunk of a new 3 so not sure, that vehicles equipped with run-flats do not have a spare or a location for a spare.
So if you switch to a conventional tire, you won’t have a location to carry a spare (which I think is required).