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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

30250 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 11:51 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 1112 of 3025

#11111 of 30250 BMW Advice for BOSTON by ncbmw

Nov 10, 2001 (2:34 pm)

I am strongly considering getting a BMW to replace my trusty 1991 4-Runner.
 
At this time, I have two simple questions:
 
1) Whose the best dealer in the Boston area?? I like honest and informative.
 
2) Are there any options best taken afterwards? (eg, adding a premium stereo aftermarket, or better getting the factory premium deal).
 
3) Okay, one more. If MA has a tax free holiday in Late November/ early December, do you think it will apply to cars????
 
Thanks,
 
NC

#11112 of 30250 Thanks for the link, Allano by mschukar

Nov 10, 2001 (3:26 pm)

This quote sums up my point of view well:
 
Four-wheel drive helps get cars going. When it comes time to brake or change direction on low-traction surfaces, the extra mass of the driveline becomes more of a detriment.
 
-Murray

#11113 of 30250 mschukar & the tire article by allano

Nov 10, 2001 (3:42 pm)

What caught my attention was under What About When the Snow Melts: "their tall, soft tread blocks feel squirmy and imprecise during the transient maneuvers. They also tend to wander more in cross winds and on crowned pavement." My area of the country has 80% dry payment during the winter mixed with 20% greasy snow and hard pack. I wish the highway department would apply sand rather than salt.
  The other part was in "So What's the Bottom Line". "Folks who live in hilly places that get snow may need the climbing capability of four-wheel drive." And then at the end of that section: "unless snow or ice covers your roads many times in a winter, the snow benefits of winter tires may not outweight their drawbacks on dry pavements".
  So using snow tires really depends on weather conditions in your area and how much slipping you can tolerate.

#11114 of 30250 Please read the whole article, by allano

Nov 10, 2001 (4:15 pm)

I think it really presents a lot of factors in a way that allows the reader to choose the combination of drive and tire which best fits his (her) condition.

#11115 of 30250 ncbmw and dealers in Boston Area by allano

Nov 10, 2001 (4:40 pm)

Brave1Heart posted a commentary of dealers in the Boston area in message #9659 (Enter 10157 in the Msg# box at the top of the page). If he does not mind, I will repeat part of that message here:
 
"here's my (Brave's) short takes on the Boston area dealers:
BMW Peabody - best overall
Herb - too crowded, hard to negotiate
Gallery in Norwood - crooks
Gallery on the Cape - OK but more expensive
Foreign Motors West - did not make it over there
Nashua Tulley - heard good things but state transfer (registering the car yourself in MA) may be a pain."
Brave recommends Mary Galvin (hope I got the name right) of sales at BMW of Peabody.
 
I bought from Tulley (Nashua) in February and had an exceptionally good experience: friendly, no pressure, and an above-average dealer discount without any "take it to my manager" theatrics. Unfortunately, my salesman is no longer with Tulley. If you are so inclined, ask Jim O'Brien (BMW Sales Manager) for a sales person who would be straight forward. He talked to us a while before assigning a sales person and seemed to want to match us with the right one. Tulley's BMW service center has been first class.
 
And as far as the tax free day(s), I thought I heard over the radio that cars were excluded; but I nothing sounds real at 6:15 in the morning. I believe the tax-free days proposal is just a Jane Swift thing to get re-elected.
 
Alan

#11116 of 30250 Allano by mschukar

Nov 10, 2001 (4:57 pm)

I agree, winter tires feel a bit "squirmy" on dry pavement. I guess I'll live with that during the four months I have them on. Winter tires probably make BMW handling merely average on dry pavement.
 
You left out a section in the middle of the summary that you quoted: "Almost everyone else will most likely be better served by using winter tires. Acceleration takes longer, but in an emergency, the handling behavior and improved lateral grip of two-wheel drive and winter tires -- in the slippery stuff -- are the safer bets."
 
I guess we're both reading into the article what we want
 
Too bad we can't try all the combinations of AWD, 2WD, winter tires, summer tires and all season's under all the conditions. Other than that, the article provides at least some well rounded insight.
 
-Murray

#11117 of 30250 mschukar by allano

Nov 10, 2001 (8:48 pm)

< I guess we're both reading into the article what we want >
I did that on purpose. With a balanced position presented by both you and me, I was hoping to encourage people to read the whole article and draw their own conclusions.

#11118 of 30250 David by dl7265

Nov 10, 2001 (11:14 pm)

Check out Moritz BMW in Arlington, should discount as well as use BMW loaners and a valet service with in 50 miles i belive, u wont be using it much but beats the ford contour or what ever u get from enterprise,
 
Good Luck,
DL

#11119 of 30250 This may be a little late, but.................... by shawn325i

Nov 11, 2001 (7:01 am)

how about lowering the seat to gain more HP??
 
Doesn't that work???, I think I've read that somewhere "SportsCars R Us"

#11120 of 30250 Yeah, me too... by jrct9454

Nov 11, 2001 (7:13 am)

...let's chip the seat. That ought to make it go faster. Covering up the air intake and removing the mirrors would work wonders, I'm sure. Wouldn't want to miss any opportunity to humiliate those pretenders out there, whomever they are...

Messages Page 1112 of 3025

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