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BMW 3-Series 2006

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 528 of 702

#5270 of 7013 Re: [davidd3] by shipo

Dec 08, 2005 (10:29 am)

Replying to: davidd3 (Dec 08, 2005 9:33 am)
In 1998 I test drove two early E46s, one with SP, one without. I wound up with a very early production 1999 328i, non-SP. A couple of years later Brave1Heart of the 3-Series (2005 and earlier) discussion and One Lap of America fame and I swapped cars for a day and a half. He had a 2001 325i SP equipped very similarly to my 328i so that I could re-experience the SP and so that he could re-experience driving the car with more power.
 
Given that we had both learned to wring the most out of our cars by that time, I was absolutely delighted with the added handling offered by the SP setup, and very under whelmed by the "nearly as powerful" engine in the 325i. Brave on the other hand was very under whelmed by the suspension and tire setup on my 328i, however, he posted something to the effect that "The extra torque of the 328i could be addictive." I guess that's why my rear tires were so much further gone than my fronts on that car when I traded up to the 530i, with SP needless to say.
 
The thing is that now on the E90 one cannot order the SP without getting a staggered wheel/tire setup, which is something that I would not want on any car. "Not want staggered tire sizes? Why not?", you say. Well, it is my opinion (and my opinion only) that the stagger was put in place by BMW for two reasons, 1) to reduce/eliminate throttle induced oversteer, and 2) because many buyers think it's "Cool". My take is that for those of us who actually like being able to steer the car with the gas pedal, the staggered setup is actually a detriment to the cars' handling abilities, and due to the stagger itself, the tires cannot be rotated. I know, I know, BMW does not recommend rotating your tires. Yeah? Well, too bad for them. The non-staggered SP tires that I had on my 530i had gotten so loud and noisy by 12K miles that I was nearly forced to buy new tires, even though there was plenty of usable tread left on the factory set. Instead I rotated them and instantly noticed two things, 1) the noise went away, and 2) whatever handling capabilities that I lost (if any) were only able to be explored on a race track (and I don't track my car).
 
So, with all of that being said, if I was to order a new E90 with the SP (highly likely if I do in fact order a car), I will most probably drive the factory set of tires until they either get too noisy and/or until there is only about 5mm of tread left (just above the replacement minimum for the return of a lease car), and then buy a complete new set of same sized wheels and non-RunFlat tires (and a can of tire goo). Hmmm, since the factory rubber on a 330i SP is 225/40 R18 on the front and 255/35 R18 on the rear, I'd probably be inclined to order four 17x8 BBS RZ wheels and four 235/45 R17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s to shoe them with (this package is currently available at TireRack for about $1,600 with shipping, only about $500 more than a new set of OEM Run-Flat rubber).
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#5271 of 7013 Re: [shipo] by davidd3

Dec 08, 2005 (11:10 am)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 08, 2005 10:29 am)
Shipo,
 
I intend to revisit the SP decision next time around - about 2.5 years from now. Before then, I hope to have an opportunity (as you did) to get some quality time behind the wheel of someone else's SP.
 
This time around (my first BMW) I balked at the $1,600 ante for SP. I say "ante" because I now realize that with SP there are also additional costs (as compared to non-SP) during the ownership of the car. Winter wheels/tires are a must, depending on where you live. (Turns out I ended up going that route anyway, even though my car came with all-season tires.) The non-rotatable staggered size performance tires will wear out much sooner than the rotatable same size all-season tires. Also, it will cost more to replace 18s than 17s.
 
Regards,
 
David D

#5272 of 7013 Re: [davidd3] by shipo

Dec 08, 2005 (11:18 am)

Replying to: davidd3 (Dec 08, 2005 11:10 am)
That post of mine wasn't directed at you, we all know that you'll pop for the SP next time around. Rather it was there as kind of a fount of information regarding some of the side issues of getting the SP. Personally I think BMW would do well to take a peek over Audi's shoulder and notice that the SP (on some cars) can be had with two different types of rubber and the choice of a few different wheel styles.
 
Were it me, I would offer the SP package and then ala-cart the wheels and the rubber, allowing you to pick from say three different wheels (with a one sized 17", a one sized 18" and a staggered 18" option), and either summer or all-season tires of the appropriate size.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#5273 of 7013 Re: [shipo] by gotrojan

Dec 09, 2005 (1:41 am)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 08, 2005 11:18 am)
1. What is tire fee?
 
2. How much is the tire insurance? What does it cover?
 
3. If I want 325i without SP but with 17" tires, how much will I have to pay?
 
Thanks

#5274 of 7013 Re: [shipo] by davidd3

Dec 09, 2005 (8:41 am)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 08, 2005 11:18 am)
Were it me, I would offer the SP package and then ala-cart the wheels and the rubber, allowing you to pick from say three different wheels (with a one sized 17", a one sized 18" and a staggered 18" option), and either summer or all-season tires of the appropriate size.
 
Sounds good. More choices the better. But then someone would have to start a new forum dedicated to tires and wheels.

#5275 of 7013 Run-flats by fedlawman

Dec 09, 2005 (10:19 am)

Isn't the E90 suspension tuned at the factory to soften the harsher ride of run-flat tires? If you're planning on replacing the run-flats with conventional tires, I'd avoid the SP and go to the aftermarket for suspension tuning.

#5276 of 7013 by buynewbimmer

Dec 09, 2005 (3:08 pm)

Replying to: gordonwd (Dec 08, 2005 8:48 am)
The dealers always order cars with "packages", but, for the E46 at least, there were a number of individual options that were in the book. One of these was the sport seats. So I have a 325i without the sport package, but with the sport seats. If you're willing to wait a while for your car, ask your dealer about the full range of options.
 
Thanks for the suggestion, but it’s my understanding – from the BMW brochures, Edmunds info and other posts here – that you cannot get the Sport seats in a 2006 325i/330i without getting the SP. By all means, if I’m misinformed about that, somebody please let me know.
 
But you’re right that it’s worth at least talking to the dealer about it; maybe they would switch them at the dealer or do something else to get it done.
 
When I set out a couple of months ago to learn all about these cars to make an informed purchase, I went back and read about 3-4 months worth of posts in this forum. There was a post several months ago from a guy who wanted the 330i Sport wheels, but not the Sport seats or steering wheel. He tried to order the car with only the Sport wheels, but was told that they came only as a package. I seriously considered contacting him to find out whether he wanted to do a trade with me once I ordered my car without the Sport package – I would take his SP seats, and he would take my standard seats. Ultimately, I decided it would be too much of a hassle (he was in the Midwest, as I recall, and I’m in California). Maybe I should reconsider . . .
 
Jim

#5277 of 7013 by buynewbimmer

Dec 09, 2005 (3:13 pm)

Replying to: davidd3 (Dec 08, 2005 9:33 am)
To me, the car already looks great and handles superbly, without the Sports Package. I have no doubt that the Sport has even better handling than the non-Sport, but I couldn't appreciate the difference in my brief test drive. I did, however, detect a somewhat harsher ride. I liked the seats and steering wheel. I liked the look of the larger wheels and performance tires, but I had concerns about those tires (wear out faster, costlier to replace, useless in snow, etc.).
  
I have no regrets.
 
It sounds like you went through much of the same thought process I’m going through; and you obviously have good taste in colors, etc. Your opinion – and the fact that you have no regrets, despite many of the same concerns – is exactly the kind of response I was hoping to get. And I hadn't even considered the additional costs, in terms of replacing the larger and costlier 18 inch tires down the road.
 
One possible solution I thought of, if I did get the SP, was to replace the low profile summer “performance” tires (once they wore out the first time, I guess) with all season tires that were not “low profile,” since the susceptibility to damage as a result of the low profile of the tires is one of my other major concerns. But then it occurred to me that, because of the larger diameter of the 18” SP wheels, you probably have to replace those tires with other low-profile tires. Otherwise, the larger outside diameter of the tires might rub against the wheel wells.
 
Anyways, thanks for your input.
 
Jim

#5278 of 7013 Re: To Sport or Not To Sport [shipo] by buynewbimmer

Dec 09, 2005 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 08, 2005 10:29 am)
Shipo, thanks for your thoughtful, comprehensive post about the SP v. Non-SP issue. At the risk of oversimplifying, it sounds like you’re firmly in the SP camp, other than your reservations about the staggered size of the wheels. No?
 
Any thoughts about the low profile tires issue and the fact that the car sits a bit lower? The warnings by the salesman and in the e90 brochure about how easy it is to damage the tires, wheels and suspension on rough roads have me thinking it's very fragile, and likely to scrape when pulling into driveways, etc.
 
Also, how do the summer performance tires handle in heavy rain?
 
Jim

#5279 of 7013 Sportshift by saigonboi21

Dec 09, 2005 (3:48 pm)

when you slow down, do you also shift into 1st?? or do stay in 2nd until you've completely stopped and then shift into 1st?? thanks

Messages Page 528 of 702

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