Luxury Lounge

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 30, 2008 3:47 pm)

Congrats not for you new car (you've forbidden that from us) but for your happiness! OTH, nice car color indeed.
 
As for the RFT, I'm glad you've got them so you will be able to tell us your experience with. Despite of all the bad commentaries on RFTs which are populating the forums as a mantra, I've to tell I am satisfied with them after 13,000 km.
 
I wish you nice drives, and good success coming from your wife's driving effort!
 
Regards,
Jose

Replies to this message:
• hpowders (Oct 31, 2008 3:04 am)

Replying to: jlbl (Oct 31, 2008 12:17 am)

Thanks a lot Jose for your kind well wishes for me and the new addition to my family.
 
I bought a run flat warranty just to be on the safe side. It covers all run flat replacements for 5 years and rim replacements too.
 
My wife takes her first driving lesson today. Tomorrow I will let her practice on the VW for the first time to help re-enforce what she learned today. I'm sure she will learn well. She already told me I won't be seeing much of her as she intends to spend most of her time shopping at the various Tampa malls!
 
I will post my experience with the run flats. The steering on my new baby is better than on any of my 3 previous BMWs. Wow!
 
Jose, this was my small effort at trying to reinvigorate the American economy.
 
I must thank you again for your genuine good wishes!

Replying to: pat (Oct 30, 2008 12:44 pm)

Just be aware that the prices are specific to localities - in the link you cite, it's for zip code 92626. I could never get that price in my area.
 
Me, neither! It was like drawing blood from a stone just to get $4K off my 550i! No way they'd give me $8K+ off a loaded 335i sedan.

Replies to this message:
• louiswei (Oct 31, 2008 7:41 am)
  • tayl0rd (Oct 31, 2008 8:46 am)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 30, 2008 3:02 pm)

Replies to this message:
• hpowders (Oct 31, 2008 5:18 am)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Oct 31, 2008 4:42 am)

Thank you for your good wishes!
 
Since I have the Sport Package, the vehicle has the rather expensive 17" light-alloy double spoke wheels. I read over my Safe Guard tire and wheel warranty and nowhere does it say the tires must be run flats; so, yes, eventually replacing the tires with "real" tires (LOL!!) is a distinct possibility. I had the good sense to purchase, rather than lease, so the tires can be anything I want.
 
Thanks again for the kind words and advice!

Replying to: tayl0rd (Oct 31, 2008 4:27 am)

Replies to this message:
• tayl0rd (Oct 31, 2008 8:46 am)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 30, 2008 5:22 pm)

Replies to this message:
• hpowders (Oct 31, 2008 8:25 am)
  • dewey (Oct 31, 2008 9:29 am)
    • hpowders (Oct 31, 2008 9:44 am) and 3 more...
  • jimbres (Nov 01, 2008 5:22 am)
    • hpowders (Nov 01, 2008 6:03 am) and 9 more...

Replying to: jimbres (Oct 31, 2008 7:55 am)

Thank you very much for those kind words!
 
Well, after one 20 minute drive in the 328i, there are some obvious differences that stand out-the 328i seems to be quite a bit heavier than the 1993 and 2002 325i's, yet achieves the same or better mpg (according to the mpg readout), a tribute to BMW being IMO, the best producer of engines on the planet.
 
The steering is much tighter and requires more effort than the 2002 version, which is fine with me. Others may go for the adaptive steering which I hate.
 
The acceleration from rest is quite a bit better in the 328i. One of my major complaints experienced in my 1993 325i and 2002 325i vehicles with the inline 6 was the disappointingly weak low-end torque that really had no place in one of the world's best sport sedans. BMW has finally fixed the problem and the acceleration from rest is now entirely adequate.
 
The radio (HD version) is too complicated and confusing to program and use, and the accompanying instruction book doesn't help much. The 325i radios were relatively simple. Of course the sound is now fantastic! Before it was barely adequate.
 
IMO, the car has too much technology, much of it confusing and not very user-friendly. BMW would do well to eliminate some of it and cut down on the mass of the vehicle. None of the various user booklets help matters much. When I'm driving, the last thing I need is to be distracted by difficult to use technology.
 
As far as the inline 6 engine is concerned, the 328i represents a major improvement. As for the rest of it, I'm not so sure.
 
Every year C&D reviews the 3 Series and calls it one of the best vehicles on the planet. They concentrate on the driving experience and don't mention or seem to care about most of the technology. I will be doing the same.
 
Thanks again for your kind words!

Replies to this message:
• dewey (Oct 31, 2008 9:29 am)
  • hpowders (Oct 31, 2008 9:44 am)
    • dewey (Oct 31, 2008 9:49 am) and 1 more...
• jimbres (Nov 01, 2008 5:22 am)
  • hpowders (Nov 01, 2008 6:03 am)
    • tagman (Nov 01, 2008 7:22 am) and 3 more...
    • jimbres (Nov 01, 2008 1:04 pm) and 4 more...

Replying to: louiswei (Oct 31, 2008 7:41 am)

Sor-RY! I meant "loaded" as in "very well equipped." The 3-series option list isn't exactly extensive. You can get Premium, Sport, Cold, Nav (?) as far as packages go. If it has Premium and Sport, it pretty much has most of the options already.
 
But anyway, I suppose you're right. I always assume that people in the "luxury" segment won't cheap out when it comes to the goodies. Take out Nav and it's ~$6K+/- off. Still a big discount.