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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

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

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 1943 of 3026

#19419 of 30250 FOCL by leenelsonmd

Aug 10, 2002 (8:18 am)

mg330ci: A very useful link. One of the most useful I have seen lately.
 
seivwrig: As far as affording the M3 goes, it depends on perspective. I do not know how everyone else deals with this. I do not want to get a car that makes everyone think that I am some kind of financial lunatic. What sortof minimal family income do most people think is necessary to get say a 330? The car is about 43k. A reasonable family income 100k? What about an 57k M3? Some may say a 100k is necessary, others 150k, still others 500k. My wife and I were talking about it and some of the people that she works with make 350-400k and they drive a 1992 Ford Taurus or a 1993 Acura Legend. They view the car as a way to get from point A to B and they don't care. I do not feel that way. I live to drive the car. I love it and every moment behind the wheel of a beautiful car is wonderful. As I have said before it is like intense psychotherapy. For me a car is a very important part of life and spending more for it is worth it to me even though I am not the millionaire next door. I am very curious to see what everyone on the board thinks. Some of you are millionaires while others may be making 30-40k a year and live paycheck to paycheck, but everyone here seems to think BMWs are money well spent.
 
I will say this, if I end up with either a 330 or an M3, this is pretty much my only indulgence. Otherwise I consider myself extremely frugal--I take my lunch to work, I do not eat out much, I could care less about nice clothes or fine wine. My only vice is the car, and unfortunately this can be a most expensive vice.

#19420 of 30250 M3 or 330i by soverypoornow

Aug 10, 2002 (8:21 am)

Buying any car, particularly a BMW, is usually so much more an emotional decision than a practical one. I'm not saying an M3 is a better decision over the 330. What I am suggesting is that you should follow your dream at all times as long as it doesn't put you in divorce or bankruptcy court.
 
Personally, I wouldn't want an M3. But I'm just a sissy-la-la.

#19421 of 30250 leenelsonmd - by brave1heart

Aug 10, 2002 (2:23 pm)

I personally like the E36 M3 better than the E46 M3. The E46 is too big and too heavy for a sports car of that caliber, IMO. The E36 is probably a better track car anyway. There is also the question of practicality: for street driving, I've never felt like I've lacked power with my 325, let alone a 330. I've run against cars much much more powerful (a few AMG's come to mind immediately) and I typically come out ahead. It's about driving skills and guts (stupidity if you prefer) more than HP. You max out on speed way too fast, why get a faster car in a country that has ridiculously low speed limits and very harsh punishment for excessive speeding?!? The other thing about the E46 M3 is that if I were to get up to that price range, I'd definitely cough up a few grand extra and get a 911. Or even a loaded Boxster... I’ve driven the E36 M3 on a few occasions. I've only had rides in an E46 M3 and for feel alone, the E36 wins hands down. You just can't take a Miata, blow it up in size and expect that it will feel the same, you know what I mean? But if an M3 is a dream of yours, by all means, do get one. I could care less what anyone else thinks, as long as the car makes me happy. As far as income, 100 grand in TX buys you a lot more than 100 grand in San Fran, Boston or New York. What’s more important is disposable income and spending preferences. It sounds like you can afford an M3 - don't let the money stop you if you can afford it. You only live once. Live well!

#19422 of 30250 leenelsonmd & Brave1 by seivwrig

Aug 10, 2002 (8:27 pm)

You make excellent points. Right now, the most important things to me are God, my Family and getting a home. I enjoy my car but I would not let a car put me in the poor house. I am far from rich but my family income is above the national norm. I don't know if I would buy a car above $50K. Dream cars are nice but family and quality of life is better. Your very wise and I think you would make the right decisions. I think a nice cars should be earned like a reward. People drive cars according to taste. When I started shopping for a car, I started looking at the VW Passat GLX V6. Then I started looking at other cars in the high $20K range. The realism was that there are many good cars in the midsize sedan and near luxury models. I think there are a copy cars under $30K that can provide driving therapy. But one should live within their means. I enjoy drive my cars but I hate washing any car. On the same token, I don't feel that any detailer will do as good a job as myself. As far as happiness goes, only you can bring that to yourself not a material item. Brave make a very good point at the end of his last post. If I lived in NYC or San Fran, I would probably be driving a Geo Metro. $100K definitely goes a long way in TX. This might be part of the reason why so many people drive vehicles in the $25K to $35K range. A big medical center and a little oil does help too.

#19423 of 30250 M3 by merckx

Aug 10, 2002 (8:38 pm)

I do respect them a lot,and would love to get my hands on one for the afternoon,but so much of the car's value has gone into suspension,engine,and brakes! And that's fine,but as much as I love cars,sheer performance has never interested me much-I'd much rather get a 5 series,or even consider the huge stretch to a 745i.
No one would look upon a M3 purchase as foolish,though.
But even though I'm a pretty sober guy,I'd really be concerned about my license with a M3.
They are pretty sharp,though...

#19424 of 30250 Euro Licence Plate Holder by hgeyer

Aug 11, 2002 (9:05 am)

About 2 months ago, I posted a question on how and where I could get a Euro plate holder for my 2002 E46 330i. I didn't think that this would be too hard, but after 2 wrong part numbers from Bavarian and 2 months later, I called BMW NA. To my surprise, they couldn't find the part either (it's obviously not a standard US part).
 
Well, after (i) my calling the Euro delivery center and (ii) BMW NA making several inquiries, I can report that there is a part number for this holder (51-11-7-030-592) for anyone thinking of putting this on their car. The cost at Bavarian was $13.50.
 
Part of the reason that this part is so difficult to find is that its description in the computer is "*BASE", which makes it nearly impossible to find in a query.
 
The part looks really cool, and for anyone doing Euro delivery, I would suggest that you snap off the plate holder (it's really simple) at Harms when turning in the car to bring it back with you.
 

#19425 of 30250 Looking for sheep skin seat covers. by ptrm

Aug 11, 2002 (10:35 am)

I am experiencing what seems like premature wear on the gray leather seats in my 2002 wagon. It is equipped with the sports package and has the sports seats - high bolsters- on each side of the seats.
 
Despite trying to be very careful when I enter and exit the car, the seat bolster on the driver's side is showing what I consider premature wear. The color is wearing off and some of the creases that have formed also show premature wear.
 
I have owned the car since new (10,545 miles and 9 months now) and have taken very good care of the car. I wash and vacuum the car 2 or three times a week and have been faithfully cleaning and conditioning the leather seats.
 
Does anyone have any similar problems with their seats?
 
At this time, I hope to have BMW replace the driver's seat and then I want to cover them with a top quality sheepskin cover.
 
What brands of sheepskin seat covers are the best?
 
Ptrm.

#19426 of 30250 Cringe!!! by butmywife

Aug 11, 2002 (11:13 am)

My 3er was scratched (keyed?) this weekend. It is about 18" long on the left, rear panel. I took it in to see what could be done and got two suggestions:
 
1. Have the rear panel repainted including the strip that connects with the roof.
 
2. Air brush (or some such method) a thin coat of touch-up paint directly into the scratch marks.
 
Anybody had either of these procedures done?
 
On a more positive note, congrats to JPIERCE26 and JCIVITELLO for their recent orders. jpierce26, you'll love the greygreen. I got mine with black interior. jcivitello, when do you leave for Munich?
 
Thanks, ButMyWife

#19427 of 30250 More cringe! by kdshapiro

Aug 11, 2002 (12:59 pm)

A bus that cut me off added insult to injury as it threw up a rock into my windshield leaving a small circular mark some few milliments in diameter.
 
Do I get it repaired and what type of repair? Leave it? Is it going to get worse? Is BMW going charge me for it at the end of my lease?

#19428 of 30250 Answers by bmw323is

Aug 11, 2002 (4:59 pm)

hgeyer - the euro plate looks nice. Are you worried about someone stealing it? Do you park outdoors or in parking lots?
 
ptrm - I've had my leather sport seats for 2 1/2 years with only minor wear on the bottom left drivers bolster. I just did my first cleaning of the seat with Lexol cleaner this weekend. I've treated the seats several times with Lexol conditioner. My seats are Sand not Gray. I've read that others have experienced more color wear with the gray compared to sand or black. But 9 months sounds awful fast to show wear. I know people buy seat covers and pay a lot for fine sheepskin, but then why dish out $1,450 for leather?
 
butmywife - sorry about the keying. My friends' BMW had the same fate in a Home Depot parking lot. My advice is to get it repainted at a body shop. You wouldn't want to spend money and still be able to see the scratch. Hopefully your comprehensive deductible is not too high.
 
kdshapiro - After 2 winters on the freeways of Denver I have several nicks and chips in my windshield. One was pretty deep so I had it repaired at a glass shop (insurance paid for full cost of $50 or so). I'm living with the others and they have not expanded. If you have a star chip where the glass is cracking, get it repaired quickly before the crack gets bigger or you'll be faced with a complete replacement and the full deductible cost.

Messages Page 1943 of 3026

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