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BMW 3-Series 2006
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Im not sure what reliability issuses your concerned about now,a RWD Inline 6 is good as it gets. No CV joints, Turbo ect..
I purchased a early model E46 (1999 323i Sport)and it was a model of reliability. The only reason it was sold as we had other needs at the time. The current owner has 116K on the clock with no major problems. Thats the reason I was not concerned purchasing one of the first batch of E90. Honestly by comparison most modern cars ( kia included) are pretty reliable.
Im with you on paying for the fold down seats, but at least its offered( see Lexus IS)
Good Luck
DL
DL
Wow, I guess luck was on your side. According to a survey of owners conducted by Consumer Reports(?), BMW (as a brand) is one of the manufacturers with the highest percentage of problems (~30% more)on the 1st MY compared to 2nd and 3rd MY. In another word, the 1st MY might have 3 problems while the 3rd MY only has 1 problem.
At any rate, I'm not here to knock BMW. I'm interested in a 3Series, and my next question is: do any of you new owners of the new 3 still own the E46 (esp. 330 w/sp)? If so how are they different and similar? Pros and cons?
While I've still not warmed up to the new body style, I might just overlook it in exchange for better drive and ride qualities (again, with sport package).
Best Regards,
Shipo
I am so disappointed that the new 3 doesn't have LED taillights. But, I feel quite sure they're coming. At least by 2008, when I buy mine.
I like the LEDs so much on the coupe. I just can't believe BMW let this technological opportunity pass it by on a brand new design.
I got to thinking about this recently when I walked past a Honda Odyssey MINIVAN and noticed it has LED tails. And the new taillights on the '06 Honda Accord are LEDs. Come on, the Accord has LEDs and the wonderful, beautiful 3 does not?! :confuse: Adaptive, Bi-Xenon headlights and no LED tails. What was BMW thinking? The 7 has LEDs and I think the 5 does, too (?). The new IS, the TL and the G35 all have 'em.
Oh, well. Good things come to those who wait.
Thousands of messages I wrote a review to compare My former E46 and current E90. In brief, the car is better in every way, even though I still would have preferred a "dipstick" along with the electronic one.
Good Luck with your decision.
DL
The car has never stalled on its own so I never mentioned it when I got the Inspection I.
The CR reports only compared 1st MY to subsequent MY's, and, in general (for some brands) it's true that the vehicles produced in the first year is more prone to problems than those of subsequent years. It's probability--chances--not reality, so not everyone is affected.
My '03 TL-S has turned 40,000+ miles w/o any problems, but I wouldn't claim it to be reliable (not yet---I keep my car 8+yrs), and the model of all Acura products. Others are not as 'lucky' as I am with their TL's. My other car: '03 Maxima SE also just turned 42,000+ miles and had it fuel cutoff sensor replaced (under warranty). I still wouldn't call it unreliable and the representation of all Nissan products. For now it seems to me that the Maxi is more troublesome than the TL-S (by 1 problem). However, it is irrelevant(to me) because I keep my cars for more than 3 years (8-10). I'll make my own final judgement in a few more years.
Again, since some of you BMW owners have had great experiences with your cars (even for just 3yrs or less), I would hope for the same kind of 'luck' for myself.
Are you being sarcastic?
Seriously, what's are the advantages of the LED tail lights?
Of course.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00950138000-
It's small and lightweight for easy transport, and it's only $40 right now.
First, my 328i and my 530i called out a 100 Nm (~74 lb-ft)torque spec for the lug bolts. Then you alert me to the fact that BMW has upped the spec to 120 Nm (88.5 lb-ft), and now you go and provide a link to a BMW tire changing kit with a torque wrench permanantly set at 130 Nm (~95 lb-ft).
I don't suppose the ever growing diameter of our wheels is what's causing the "Spec creep". :-/
Best Regards,
Shipo
- 303 aerospace protectant for tires, vinyl, weather stripping and wipers
- P21S bodywork conditioning shampoo for washing the exterior
- Klasse high gloss sealant glaze for polishing the paint and protecting the wheels. (I know of Zaino but don't have the time to apply so many coats)
- DP Gel Wheel Cleaner
- Leatherique rejuvinator oil for conditioning the leather
Are these good products or am I reading too much in detailing websites? I am confused with the leather protection since there are so many products out there. Some sites recommend using a sealer like mink oil while others recommend against it. Also, I don't want something that will change the leather smell that BMWs have or the color.
Also, has somebody heard of something that dealer offers called Xzilon? Supposedly, BMW warantees the car finish against bird droppings, acid rain, etc. for about 5 years.
If this is not a topic for this forum, please don't hesitate to suggest where to get my questions answered.
Thanks,
dom1
Use clay, polish (when needed), and good carnauba wax.
Check this website for good advice and products...
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1001&SKU=11131
The LED’s light up quicker.
A few years ago when I purchased a G35 the brochure had a little calculation where it showed that the LED’s illuminated .00x something quicker than a regular bulb and at highways speeds (65mph) it translated into the person behind you being able to see the lights come on 10-15 feet sooner.
Don’t think they burn out as quick.
You can see them in sunlight easier.
I think it’s more the “cool” factor than anything else.
The outside temp is right in between the spedo and tach. The temp and clock are always showing right there, and right under that is a section where you can rotate between avg gas mileage, miles 'til empty, avg speed...
regards,
kyfdx
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PS Interestingly, BMW didn't adhere to its usual nomenclature convention of the last 2 numbers denoting displacement--in this case very understandable! I imagine the company feels a tad uneasy about this. After all isn't quality engineering all about optimizing a given engine rather than purposely compromising it to create a cheaper horse for the stable? it seems almost as if BMW is taunting us with the 330 merely because its more desirable--it's obviously no more expensive to make!
Oh, did you mean engine temperature or outside temperature? Maybe I misunderstood the question?
alpine white, beige leather
premium package, cold weather package, automatic
$38,595.00
36 month lease, 15,000 miles per year, $23,542.00 residual
$4370.22 down
$555 per month
...i think it is high...any negotiating tips?
That's a great price. I've read in other forums that the system does not guarantee your paint for 5 years, but rather than the dealer will apply it free of charge, up to 5 years. Do you know if professional application is a must? I have not been able to find retail prices for it in the web.
If you paid less than $100 then the warrantee is a non-issue or you, but for us the less fortunate, we want to make sure that it is guaranteed if it costs around $800. I read that applying any wax, sealant, compound, etc. will void the warranty.
Also, is it true that the Xzilon finish does not give the car the same quality finish that you can get with other waxes and/or polishes?
Thanks for the info,
Dom1
The clear coat layer applied above the paint layer at the factory is PERMANENT. It is there to protect the paint surface for the life of the car. The actual amount of paint on a cars is minimnal.
The stuff that you are taking about the dealer applying is nothing more than a synthetic wax that you can buy and apply yourself.
Klasse is a good example of a high quality polymer/silicone wax - and you shouldn't use the stuff.
You shoudl keep a good layer of carnauba wax on your car at all times. Wash you car by hand with gentle soaps (designed for cars) and your wax will last for weeks.
Don't pay the dealer for that junk.
The 330i has a highly tuned three runner intake manifold that optimizes the rhythmic turbulence of the intake manifold so as to optimize volumetric efficiency (greater amounts of air and fuel in the combustion chamber before the spark event) in the combustion chamber. The 325i was given a single runner intake that is only optimized for midrange power and torque, thus preventing it from attaining the peak torque numbers (lower end) of the 330i as well as preventing it from the high rpm horsepower peak of its 3-Series sibling.
Best Regards,
Shipo
P.S.
The following two links are to threads discussing this very topic.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef13c75/3772
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef13c75/3747
I have been seeking for solution for a couple of days. Your presentation is really helpful and I appreciate it.
I am just curious about one thing: why does this MP3 player have to be iPod? I can connect any MP3 device through this AUX since no shuffling allowed on the steering wheel. Am I right?
Thanks!
Try posting your question here: BMW 3-Series: Lease Questions
Or, here: BMW 3-Series: Prices Paid & Buying Experience
regards,
kyfdx
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Not so obvious. First off, the intake header on the 330i is a fairly complex piece of engineering worthy of a small premium. Secondly, the base 330i has as standard features things that are options on the 325i.
Also, there are better examples of the "purposely compromising it to create a cheaper horse for the stable" phenomenon. The CPU in your computer for example. The least expensive Pentium processor cost the same to produce as the most expensive one in the line up.
It's like lauding the advantages of ABS, but yet there is not one study anywhere that actually shows an advantage to having ABS over not having it. Yet my insurer provides a discount and most of us would not be without it.
Carnauba wax is a natural product, and car waxes based on carnauba contain oils and other natural protective properties that "feed" your paint and allow it to breathe. I doubt that a synthetic wax possesses all of these traits.
So besides the natural benefits of using real wax to enhance the longevity of your paint (which you may or may not buy into, or even care about), natural wax has other benefits too. It shines deeper and glossier, protects just as well, lasts for 3-4 months (if you hand wash in between waxings), and is easily removed if needed (like if you get bird droppings or road tar and need to strip the wax and reapply it).
I guess it boils down to how much time you have/want to invest in washing and waxing, how much you care about how deep/glossy the finish looks, and how much you care about the long-term curing of your paint.
My best advice is to google auto detailing and do some research to decide for yourself where you personally fall on the effort vs. results scale.
I do know that based on your comments (and your own admission), you don't even know what clearcoat paint is, in spite of the fact that pretty much every car built in the last 15 yeas has it.
Call me crazy, but I would hesitate to take your anecdotal advice about a paint care product.
Maybe you could provide us with some info about Xzilon's ingredients, chemical properties, how it reacts with automotive finishes, and some of the independent testing that has been done. Web links please...
Zaino has a lot of web PR, but i tried to do 1/2 my hood in regular wax and 1/2 in zaino, and there was no improvement at all. IMO, save your money and time.
dave
The design seems to suggest you could get a major portion of the torque, at least, back with a chip. How much is open to question. I'd guess 1/2. So, perhaps 230 hp and 210lb-lt. IMOP, that would be the better part of the 330.
However, if you want xenons, better brakes, etc, just go with the 330.
dave
You can connect any MP3 player or other audio device via the aux-in port. You will need a cable that has 3.5 mm plugs on both ends. One end will go into the headphone jack of your MP3 player, and the other will go intot he aux-in port. You can find this type of cable at Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, or just about any other retailer.
Because it's almost 100% added profit for the dealership? I find it hard to believe that the dealership pays $500 per bottle, although they may have told you that.
Because it's almost 100% added profit for the dealership? I find it hard to believe that the dealership pays $500 per bottle, although they may have told you that.
Do some research and you'll find that each bottle costs about $500. It is true that the dealer gets some profit in selling the sealant. Of course they will make profit when they try to sell you things. My point is that if the clearcoat is permanent-ie it protects the paint for the life of the car- why would anyone want to sell you Xzilon? Say if the dealer just wants the profit and the Xzilon really does nothing, arent they afraid of being sued?? Once again Xzilon protects the paint and offers a piece of mind for 5 years. Like i said, of course the dealer will make profit off of it. THen again, i dont have to wax my car or even have to worry about the paint for 5 years. I only paid $80- so sue me. I would've gladly paid $500-600 for it; but why pay more when i can pay less?
ps. each bottle is enough for about 2 cars-depending on the size. So they make a few hundred $ profit. So even though it DOES cost $500 a bottle, they still make profit. It's very believable to me. hmmm how do i know this? because i actually looked up its cost when i still worked at the dealership.