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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 724 of 3026

#7223 of 30250 Clear up time..... by gurumike

Jul 03, 2001 (3:52 pm)

burrsr - Saloon is English for sedan. Coupe in English is coupe with a "grave" (it think that's right?!) on the e, so we pronounce it "coo-pay". This whole "iS" badging system takes a little understanding. The badge originated in around 1989 in Europe when BMW introduced the then brand new 1.8 DOHC 16 valve engine. It was only available in the two door car, the 318iS. The sedan soldiered on with the older single cam 8 valve unit. Okay, so originally, the "S" part of the badging for BMW was for the "S" in sixteen. BMWs first "full production" main stream car with 4 valves per cylinder. Previously only the M cars had had four valve technology. Now, here's where much confusion has arisen. In the USA, the marketing department were very influential in the way things were going to be. And much as it pains me to admit it, we saw one of the only examples of BMW throwing the old rule book out of the window. They decided that they would call all two door hard top 3 series in America "iS". No one really knows that it ever stood for anything specific. But it sounded appropriate. So in the land of advertising and sales, you could say that a car company actually called it's models some thing different for reasons limited solely to try to sell more cars. Like may be, for some people, the name 325i wouldn't be exciting enough for some one considering a two door car such as that. I remember, around the time I was finishing college, seeing these new shape (E36, back in 1992/93) 3 series two doors driving around badged as 325iS. We lived near one of the US air bases and some of the personnel had had their cars shipped over and registered in England while they were there. As a car buff then, I remember being totally confused by this "wrong" badge. Up until 1999 MY, only the 318 was ever an "iS" (wait, is there another manufacture copying that moniker right now, just both letters in capitals???). So a two door coupe 3 series with a six cylinder 2.0 or 2.3 or 2.5 or 2.8 was only ever a 323i, for example.
I think H.Q. in Germany made some compromises but decided world wide recognition was paramount and as such E46 saw "iS" replaced by "Ci". Both two door three series can be "C" - coupe or convertible. Plus the badge is universal so there won't be any confused Mikies running around their home town bewildered.
 
cynic - there are no delays on AWD cars that are sold orders. There was a lot of confusion regarding delays on AWD product, but they are getting built with in a week of their estimate, if they're marked as "Priority 1" sold units. If you give me your cars description and city/state ordered, I'll look it for you.

#7224 of 30250 dl7265 re: clears by platypus

Jul 03, 2001 (4:15 pm)

dl,
 
I haven't put clears on yet, but am planning to. Where are you at? I'm in Austin. Do you need a complete set of new ambers? My car has less than 1500 miles on it.

#7225 of 30250 Shawn33 325i by parump

Jul 03, 2001 (4:27 pm)

Shawn,
 
This is a difficult question to answer because the response is so subjective. Some drivers enjoy the torque and response from a more powerful engine - clearly the 330i is stronger than the 325i. However, some drivers do not use the power curve and driving characteristics for maximum benefit of speed and acceleration. To achieve maximum performance of the 325i engine, the RPM should be above 3K (my guess).
 
In my opinion, the 325i is plently powerful enough for my regular driving needs. In fact, it is probably too powerful - just ask the Highway Patrol Man who paced me last week traveling 70 MPH in a 55 MPH zone.
 
My suggestion is to enroll in a driving school course as the first step. BMW Canada offers wonderful classes that are not available to us in the lower fifty. After completing the class, you should able to decide the HP question for yourself.
 
Remember, some Canadians elect to purchase the 320i and some Europeans, the 320d. They believe that these cars provide sufficient power.
 
I hope that these comments are helpful for you.

#7226 of 30250 First Impressions. by elroyxx

Jul 03, 2001 (4:37 pm)

Just got home from dealer. Everything was flawless. I'll post more later but here are the hightlights:
 
1)Perhaps most important, 5.9% financing even though the program was to have ended on Saturday.
2)I'm having a tough time deciding which is more fun, driving it or looking at it. OK Driving is more fun, but man what a beautiful machine. Both inside and out. I got chills when the dealer popped the hood and I could see the motor.
3)The sound. Enough said.
 
2 negatives (not related to the car at all)
1)too much traffic in Mpls. to get a good feel for the pickup and handling. I'll have to go outside the city tomorrow to find some twisty turny roads.
2)the goof ball that decided to merge into my lane without looking. (The ABS works great.)
 
1 extremely minor complaint thus far is that there is little room to store stuff like CD's etc. I'm sure I'll get over that.
 
More to come later
J

#7227 of 30250 snooky2x by bmwagonmaster

Jul 03, 2001 (4:46 pm)

See gurumike Jul 1, 2001 10:04pm. May explain why it's hard to get a "deal" now. Hope this helps.

#7228 of 30250 by drew_

Jul 03, 2001 (5:03 pm)


Topic: July 3rd: "Ford & Firestone - Major Malfunction... or Media Monster?"

#7229 of 30250 Snooky2x "getting taken" by kiski

Jul 03, 2001 (5:09 pm)

The Cincinnati dealers appeared to be holding firm when I ordered my 330i. Only one of the two dealerships would really negotiate and I did not want to purchase the car outside of my living area. The best I could do on a steel blue/gray, CWP,PP,SP,zenon, step, cd was $2k over invoice and a .021 money factor. (I have bought 18 new cars in the last 17 years so I usually know what I am am doing.) While I congratulate all those who did better, I just decided to be thrilled to finally get the car I have been lusting after for 22 years.
 
I went to school in CA but lived in PA. After my freshman year in college, a good friend's parents were moving from Boston to San Francisco. They had two 320i's and asked if we wanted to drive the cars across the country for them? Stupid question, right? It was the most fun week I can remember from those college days and I have been hooked on the car ever since. At this point, if you did the best you could, why drive yourself crazy about the deal?

#7230 of 30250 Conertible pricing by gurumike

Jul 03, 2001 (5:41 pm)

Convertibles sell at MSRP. If you got $500 off a car that wasn't an over-optioned, cancelled order, in stock and we need to sell it to anyone who's a taker so we will discount it, then you did good.
If you paid sticker, you got what would usually be described as "the best deal". If you paid over sticker, call me next time!

#7231 of 30250 advice please by pal12

Jul 03, 2001 (5:46 pm)

After waiting for almost 14 weeks my 325xi will be ready for pickup this weekend. Unfortunately, I have to be out on business for two weeks. Is it reasonable to ask the dealer to hold on to it for two weeks?
Thanks for your help

#7232 of 30250 Happy July 4th and Drive Safely by mfeldman

Jul 03, 2001 (5:48 pm)

Messages Page 724 of 3026

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