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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
#22031 of 30250 I don't like the 2003 BMW face-lift, do you? by mg330ci
Feb 24, 2003 (12:43 pm)
I don't know, the surgical facelift (literally) that BMW did to the 3 series is not of my liking.Following extensive surgery, BMW just inverted the turning signals from left to right and viceversa, so now it points up (smile) instead of down (mean?)
Do you guys like the Joan Rivers (post facelift #237) look of the 2003, or the previous appareance of the 2002 model?
Of course, this is just my personal opinion! (it is funny to analyze how this companies completely change the look of the car by doing this "complete extensive redesign" which means just switching the turning lights in betwen!)
#22032 of 30250 DVD navigation system--recommendations? by dusterbuster
Feb 24, 2003 (2:32 pm)
Hi everyone,I currently have a 330i on order for European Delivery in June. One option that I've been waivering back and forth on is the Navigation system. I've never had navigation in my cars, but I've heard good things about them in general. It would be great for road trips and finding my way to new places around town without always getting on the computer and printing out maps from mapquest.
My concern with ordering the BMW Nav system is (1) cost ($1640 invoice price), and (2) relatively lackluster reviews by people, esp. in comparison to other brands like Toyota/Lexus and Acura.
Any recommendations or thoughts either way regarding the BMW navigation, in particular the current DVD-based system, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help everyone!
#22034 of 30250 Dusterbuster by cecilt1
Feb 24, 2003 (3:06 pm)
I had the nav in my '00 323. I bought it when I lived outside of DC. It was great and very detailed. I moved to a more rural location and I never used it. I loved the screen and the displays. I thought it made the interior look much more luxurious as well. It moved the climate control down to the little eyeglass cubby hole which looked nice.In all honesty, it was kinda of a pain to use. If you put in directions and knew the way but wanted to "test the system" it would sometimes send you a different way that would be longer. To me it was easier to call to get directions on the cell phone then try to enter the address while driving. I would want it if I bought a used BMW to let the first owner eat the cost. I would not order the option if buying new.
#22035 of 30250 fedlawman by nyccarguy
Feb 24, 2003 (5:00 pm)
Many of the "old wives tales" about convertibles don't really apply to the 3 series. Yes it will get hot and all of that, but BMW designed the coupe first as a convertible and then added the roof further along in the design stage. Unlike Toyota which has ASC chop the roof off of a Camry Solara so it's chassis is about as still as a wet noodle. The 3 series Convertibles have long been praised for their excellent structural rigidity and lack of cowl shake.As for coupe or convertible: when I was considering the 3 series last year, I was going fo a coupe all the way. But I was 26 and single at the time. I ended up choosing a Honda Prelude which is actually less practical then the 3 coupe.
#22037 of 30250 Convertible by bkassing
Feb 24, 2003 (7:21 pm)
I had a '98 BMW 323 and have just ordered an '04 330.I disagree:
" -The seats get dirty very quickly and the sticky sap from the trees must be continually wiped off.
-Convertibles are very hot in the summer so get used to sweating a lot.
-The top will rattle after a few months.
-Both of my convertibles developed leaks where the top meets the windows.
-There will be a lot of wind noise.
-Don't remember if there was a higher insurance premium."
A. Put the top up when you park under a tree (and everywhere else; why leave it down; it's autamatic.
B. Well of course it is, there is no top. But if you get hot, put the top up and turn on the AC.
C. I had mine two years. No rattles
D. Duh. Of course there will be wind noise....it has no top.
E. I don't think there is any insurance diffference.
Convertibles are great. There is some overall firmness being that there is no top. However, it is a BMW. It's plenty firm.
It does cost more. ;(
#22038 of 30250 Convertible--bkassing by denk
Feb 24, 2003 (7:40 pm)
I never dreamed anyone would take my comment about wind noise to mean when the top was down, so to clarify, I was talking about wind noise when the top was up.#22039 of 30250 by locke2c
Feb 24, 2003 (8:20 pm)
I think I'd rather have a real roadster. It's not as if the 3 series trunk or rear seat are voluminous to begin with, take away some of that for the top and the side braces...Of course, the Z4 is pretty... ah, different. But I would've sprung for a Z3 without reservation.
-Colin
#22040 of 30250 dusterbuster - NAV by ipatty13
Feb 25, 2003 (3:01 am)
I was in the same boat as you on my recent ED purchase. Nav or no Nav? Is it worth the 1640? Will I use it enough to justify the cost? Is it really that inferior to Lexus' system?In the end, I decided to get the nav, and I bet every car I buy in the future will have a Nav. I'm not saying I am in love with the BMW NAV, but it can be very practical, and it super improves the car's interior, IMO.
Ask yourself this (if you're financing some of the price): is it worth the extra 35-ish dollars/month? I can still answer that question affirmatively.
The best way to analyze it is to see how many people out there with the nav are saying it is NOT worth it? I think you'll find that an overwhelming majority (including myself) say they are glad they have it.
In other words, just bite the bullet and order it
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