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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

5349 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 467 of 536

#4656 of 5349 2003 BMW overheating problem by lwyse

May 04, 2010 (10:45 am)

I have a 2003 BWM 330 that recently overheated for no apparent reason. I had added water to it 2 days prior to the overheating incident. My mechanic told me that the ext warranty company needed my authorization to cover costs to tear it down, in case it wasn't covered by them. He also warned me that they may try to say it was caused by "negligence" on my part so they can avoid paying the claim. The only problem he found so far is a crack in the resorvour (which IS a covered part). Has anyone heard of overheating problems and causes? I couldn't find anything on TSB.gov (technical service bulletins). H E L P!!

#4657 of 5349 Re: 2003 BMW overheating problem [lwyse] by roadburner

May 04, 2010 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: lwyse (May 04, 2010 10:45 am)
Well, you shouldn't have to add any coolant at all. There was obviously a leak somewhere. How did you know it was low on coolant? Did the car overheat in traffic or at highway speeds? Was the system bled in the correct fashion? Is the cooling fan operating properly? How about the t-stat? Cars simply don't overheat "for no reason"...

#4658 of 5349 Re: Electrical problems [upstatedoc] by upstatedoc

May 05, 2010 (5:30 am)

Replying to: upstatedoc (May 04, 2010 8:55 am)
Well this is embarrassing but I'll post it anyway as a teaching point. My car had the above symptoms for a while, well it turns out the guy who installed my laser jammers damaged the main "bus" cable which controls many of the cars functions. After working on it for many hours, BMW replaced the cable and only charged me $120. I think I'll bring them coffee and donuts tomorrow.

#4659 of 5349 Re: Electrical problems [upstatedoc] by xeye

May 05, 2010 (5:59 am)

Replying to: upstatedoc (May 05, 2010 5:30 am)
This is interesting. My auto detailer in Natick, MA also installs alarm systems, stereos, radar systems, etc. When I asked him about installing a better alarm system in my 2011 335i instead of the factory alarm system, he told me that he doesn't touch most European brands especially BMWs as the electrical/inter-component system uses fiber optics and can easily be damaged by installers unfamiliar with the complexities and nuances of the system. The recommendation came straight from his alarm system regional sales representative. You should consider yourself lucky that BMW even did the work let alone charge you far more for the repair.
 
One interesting comment that he related is that an alarm system, on the average, only delays the thief stealing your car by 3 minutes and doesn't deter anyone from a "smash 'n' grab". With the engine immobilizer in the Bimmers, (theoretically at least) the would-be thief would have to tow, drag or put the vehicle on a flatbed truck.

#4660 of 5349 Re: Electrical problems [xeye] by upstatedoc

May 05, 2010 (7:03 am)

Replying to: xeye (May 05, 2010 5:59 am)
Yeah, I looked into getting a Viper car alarm at Best Buy and was told by the Tech that they don't do BMW's.

#4661 of 5349 Car alarms by nyccarguy

May 05, 2010 (10:12 am)

Are simply a waste of money. If someone really wants your car, they're going to take it. When's the last time you called the cops when you were walking down the street or to your car in the mall pkg lot and heard a car alarm going off?
 
Never?
 
Exactly!

#4662 of 5349 Hey xeye... by nyccarguy

May 05, 2010 (10:16 am)

I know you're getting rid of your 335xi ('08?) for a new '11 335xi (I hate the X drive badges on the cars & much prefer the xi monkier). How come you are ditching your current 335xi? How many miles are on it? What are they offering you on the trade? I know you keep your car in immaculate shape.

#4663 of 5349 Re: Hey xeye... [nyccarguy] by xeye

May 05, 2010 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (May 05, 2010 10:16 am)
Well, now you're asking me to second-guess myself as to why I would trade-in a perfectly fun fully paid-off 2007 335xi with ~28,500 miles and take on a new payment of a couple hundred a month!
 
Now that you mention it...
 
It started when I went in for routine service for the 30,000 mile check, basically just an oil change and they gave me new wiper blades. It was about 7:15 AM on a weekday and I wasn't properly caffeinated! I was sitting having a double cap when someone in a loosened tie came up to the espresso bar (this is a classy joint! - BMW of Sudbury, MA). He turned out to be the dealership GM. I asked what was new in a turbo and described my car. He worked up some numbers that didn't immediately depress me. I went away but stayed in touch. (Isn't that how it invariably gets you into trouble with cars and women?!) Within a couple of weeks of e-mails, he put me in touch with a sales rep who, surprisingly, was quite pleasant.
 
I had been all over Edmunds and the BMW site, but could find no information on 2011s and they weren't taking orders for 2010s in Germany.
 
I figured that my 4 years free service would be up in August '11, and although it is still 15 months away, I decided that to wait might reduce the trade-in value more than I was willing to accept and didn't want to be in a bind regarding buying an extended protection plan (ripoff? comments?) or having no warranty. I decided I liked the idea of having no maintenance expenses despite a relatively small car payment ($200-250/month with any luck).
 
I figured on $26,000 trade-in value based on the high end of KBB and Edmunds. I was offered $25,000 and asked for, and received, a middle ground offer of $25,500. With the new ride priced at invoice less $1,840 Option Credit plus $750 dealer profit and the chorus of miscellaneous charges like TAX, it came out under invoice, as they say, OTD.
 
This is what I have now:
 
2007 335xi, manual naturally
Sparkling Graphite Metallic
Grey Leather
Premium
Sport
Cold Weather
Logic 7 Stereo (it was standard back then (*sigh*))
Park Distance Control (rear only)
 
This is what I'm getting:
 
2011 335i xDrive
6 sp MANUAL. I can't believe anyone would pay EXTRA for an automatic!
Tasmin Green Metallic (I read a comment that driving these days is like watching a B&W movie. I figured I'd add a little color. Besides, the bright red LEDs look cool against the green.)
Oyster & Black Leather
Premium
Sport (No M - the front looks like someone punched out the front teeth of the car)
Cold Weather
Harman Kardon Surround (the Owner's Circle web site doesn't show it as included but the GM swears it will have it - it better be there!)
Satellite Radio
Park Distance Control (rear AND front, this time)
Heated seats (Included)
Heated Steering Wheel (Included - that should be cool!)
Fold down rear seats
Dark Burl Walnut wood trim
BMW Assist
 
HD Radio is standard now (even on *ugh* Fords)
 
I think that's it. The car is at the Vehicle Prep Center in New Jersey and hopefully will be here by the weekend. That may be optimistic. The sad thing is that the first thing the car saw when the Prep Center wiped the wax out of its headlights was NEWARK!!
 
As for the xDrive stick-on, it sucks. I posted a few weeks ago that someone should tell BMW that it makes the car look like a Toyota, and these days, that is NOT a good thing! I say let it be a 335i, period. Let the guy in the other lane in a mid-winter snowstorm wonder why you're leaving him spinning when the light turns green! I feel no shame whatsoever when Lamborghini is putting 700 hp at all four corners in the new Jota. 0-100 km/hr in 3 seconds???
 
YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
 
Does this help?!

#4664 of 5349 was your 2007 still on the original set of tires? by Firebird_EOU

May 05, 2010 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: xeye (May 05, 2010 4:59 pm)
Let us know if the new turbo is better than the old...

#4665 of 5349 xeye by nyccarguy

May 05, 2010 (9:23 pm)

Yeah - thanks for the deatiled info. great story btw. When you get your '11, make sure you check their website to see what they're asking for the car. My guess is they'll ask $32,500 for it.
 
Your info helps me because I am a BMW nut. We currently lease a 2007 X3 (Montego Blue/Black Leatherette) which goes back at the end of July. When we return the X3, our stable will consist of a 2010 Acura TSX tech (black/black/sulushbox) which will become my wife's daily driver/family hauler & my 2001 Honda Prelude Type SH (Milano Red/Black/5-speed stick/120K+ miles). We are actually going to be New Englanders soon (Trying to buy a house in Stamford, CT). We're also going to be BMWless. Once the finances clear up, I'm going to start searching for a new ride for myself. Our new home will bring me further away from my job & by the end of next year, my Prelude will have close to 140K miles on it.
 
I've always wanted a 3 series. I can convince myself 7 ways from Sunday that they are too expensive & too small, but everytime I get in one it is like a magical journey. I love BMWs so much that I'd actually consider a CPO car when the time is right. The fuel pump problems & turbo failures really scare me away from the 335, although the acclereration is simply intoxicating. The 328i is a great car too, but their asking prices aren't that much lower than the 335 (used).
 
I'm also going to check out the Infiniti G37S Sedan & an FX 35 Sport (only automatic though).
 
What you got for ur trade will help me gauge what to offer for a CPO 3 series. Thanks again!

Messages Page 467 of 536

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