I agree with tboy, this car is a toy for me, and understand that it may get pricey to fix but if I find the right man to service this special car. wink, then it will be well worth it.
Need some car advice - BMW cars
- Thread starter sarak
- Start date
Read through this thread, the responses are rather rubbish, as usual. If you want BMW buying advice , try BMW forums, you'll be better off. Not from a Johnny forum.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/
http://www.bmwboard.com/
From my experience, you don't need the AWD on the 330CI. You will have more fun overall. The car has enough grip on the wheels that the AWD system is not neccessary unless you are trying to drive like you are insane when its wet and snowy, but then the AWD might not be able to save you. The AWD system is heavy, so it's like you're always driving with a full house of passengers.
The traction control sometimes need to be turned off in order to get you out of the snow, else it will cut off the power to the wheel and your wheel will just spin while the car remain stationary. After that, I will turn it back on.
During winter, you'll need a set of good winter tires. That will run you ~ $1K(plus 2 times of mounting and balancing per yr. For BMW 3 series, you don't need to do the tire changes @ the dealers, which will cost you $200). If you have separate set of rims for the winter tire, then you can just change it yourself. If you want the car to look good, the rims are not cheap.
The car is very reliable and ride well. There are a couple of common problems with BMW. Check out the forums to see what they are and make sure the car you are looking at is either already have the part replaced or free of those signs. If u get the car from a bmw dealer, you will get extended warranty. If you found a car privately, take it to BMW dealer and pay for a full certied inspection (The same one that the BMW dealer do before they sell you a BMW certified pre-owned.) It costs about $200-$300 for the inspection.
As for buying wholesale, if the guy you mention is able to help you, you might try, else forget about it. From what I understand, buying from wholesale is basically auction and you don't get to inspect the car till after you bought it.
You can also try to buy it from US. It will save you quite a bit if you have the time and knowhow to do the research. BMW included mainatance can be performed @ any BMW dealership through out N. America. (BMW use to request the CDN owners to sign a doc that they won't sell the car to US for at least 3yrs from the date they bought the car. I don't think that's the case in reverse from US)
For service, there are not many good independent BMW mechanics in Toronto, IMO. There are 2-3 in downtown I know of, but not sure about their quality of work. The main thing with BMWs nowadays is there are many electronics components that you really need someone that works on the current models in order to make sure he knows what the he is doing. I will bring the car to the dealers to service, though you might purchase the parts online to save some $ if you have the time.
Lastly, I personally won't even turn my head a little when I see a 3 series BMW. There are so many out there that they are just a small car. This is also the reason why they actually don't hold the value as good as other people tell you. With a 330CI, even after you added the M sports package + a 2 toned BMW Individual interior, still, you will only attract the attentions of boys that are in their puberty (so any BMW is still a dream car) or men that mentally are still in that stage.
Buy it because you like how the 3 coupe ride, the safety, the comfort and the look. If you buy it for attention, I would imagine you'll be better off spending just a few bucks on some tight T-shirts, and you will achieve a better result.
There is no bling factor, whatsoever, currently with any BMWs. Partly due to the design of Chris Bangle, mostly because BMW is too profit oriented, that makes the car just not special.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/
http://www.bmwboard.com/
From my experience, you don't need the AWD on the 330CI. You will have more fun overall. The car has enough grip on the wheels that the AWD system is not neccessary unless you are trying to drive like you are insane when its wet and snowy, but then the AWD might not be able to save you. The AWD system is heavy, so it's like you're always driving with a full house of passengers.
The traction control sometimes need to be turned off in order to get you out of the snow, else it will cut off the power to the wheel and your wheel will just spin while the car remain stationary. After that, I will turn it back on.
During winter, you'll need a set of good winter tires. That will run you ~ $1K(plus 2 times of mounting and balancing per yr. For BMW 3 series, you don't need to do the tire changes @ the dealers, which will cost you $200). If you have separate set of rims for the winter tire, then you can just change it yourself. If you want the car to look good, the rims are not cheap.
The car is very reliable and ride well. There are a couple of common problems with BMW. Check out the forums to see what they are and make sure the car you are looking at is either already have the part replaced or free of those signs. If u get the car from a bmw dealer, you will get extended warranty. If you found a car privately, take it to BMW dealer and pay for a full certied inspection (The same one that the BMW dealer do before they sell you a BMW certified pre-owned.) It costs about $200-$300 for the inspection.
As for buying wholesale, if the guy you mention is able to help you, you might try, else forget about it. From what I understand, buying from wholesale is basically auction and you don't get to inspect the car till after you bought it.
You can also try to buy it from US. It will save you quite a bit if you have the time and knowhow to do the research. BMW included mainatance can be performed @ any BMW dealership through out N. America. (BMW use to request the CDN owners to sign a doc that they won't sell the car to US for at least 3yrs from the date they bought the car. I don't think that's the case in reverse from US)
For service, there are not many good independent BMW mechanics in Toronto, IMO. There are 2-3 in downtown I know of, but not sure about their quality of work. The main thing with BMWs nowadays is there are many electronics components that you really need someone that works on the current models in order to make sure he knows what the he is doing. I will bring the car to the dealers to service, though you might purchase the parts online to save some $ if you have the time.
Lastly, I personally won't even turn my head a little when I see a 3 series BMW. There are so many out there that they are just a small car. This is also the reason why they actually don't hold the value as good as other people tell you. With a 330CI, even after you added the M sports package + a 2 toned BMW Individual interior, still, you will only attract the attentions of boys that are in their puberty (so any BMW is still a dream car) or men that mentally are still in that stage.
Buy it because you like how the 3 coupe ride, the safety, the comfort and the look. If you buy it for attention, I would imagine you'll be better off spending just a few bucks on some tight T-shirts, and you will achieve a better result.
There is no bling factor, whatsoever, currently with any BMWs. Partly due to the design of Chris Bangle, mostly because BMW is too profit oriented, that makes the car just not special.
Critic like the new 3-series. Balanced car that performs great. 3-series account for over 50% of BMW sales. I can never seem to find comfortable driving position for extended driving.newguy27 said:
Just because you can afford to buy it does not always mean you can afford to keep it.
Look at the overall cost of ownership.
Great car, you will love driving it.
Look at the overall cost of ownership.
Great car, you will love driving it.
This coming from a guy with grammar that is worse than a grade 9 highschool student?MarlboroLights said:
Remember my friend: those that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones....DOH
For proper care of winter tire, it's a MUST to keep them on dedicated rim. Even so call touchless tire changer cause wear to the tire, weaken the rim fitting area during changeovers. You cannot get a pair of decent winters for ~$1K to fit bimmers, even at broker price.MarlboroLights said:
as echoed in this thread already, I will not touch a BMW because i own one and I know of a guy who fixes these. This guy used to work for Town & Country BMW and now has his own shop in the Durham region.
Make no mistake about it, there is no free lunch here. A BMW is unlike any other make of car to fix, and even if you go to a non-dealer mechanic like mine, you are looking to pay $60-90 per hour (vs. $110 or so at the dealership). These guys know that they are good and should be rewarded for their specialist skillset.
IMHO, BMWs are good in their early years and their design is indeed quite stylish. But these cars are not of high quality. There are lots of breakdowns of even the little things which can cost a fortune. If you want a sportscar of about the same price, etc., consider a Porsche Boxster. (I will not get into a debate into whether a Boxster matches a 330i/ci, but I'm sure Porsches are much better made than BMW's.)
Another way to look at it is look at the second hand market of older BMW's. The resale values are worthless because no one wants to touch these.
Make no mistake about it, there is no free lunch here. A BMW is unlike any other make of car to fix, and even if you go to a non-dealer mechanic like mine, you are looking to pay $60-90 per hour (vs. $110 or so at the dealership). These guys know that they are good and should be rewarded for their specialist skillset.
IMHO, BMWs are good in their early years and their design is indeed quite stylish. But these cars are not of high quality. There are lots of breakdowns of even the little things which can cost a fortune. If you want a sportscar of about the same price, etc., consider a Porsche Boxster. (I will not get into a debate into whether a Boxster matches a 330i/ci, but I'm sure Porsches are much better made than BMW's.)
Another way to look at it is look at the second hand market of older BMW's. The resale values are worthless because no one wants to touch these.
Save your money and buy an inexpensive used car.
Put the extra 4 or 500 a month into an investment account
Put the extra 4 or 500 a month into an investment account
"You cannot get a pair of decent winters for ~$1K to fit bimmers, even at broker price."
Yes, you can. Buy them from tirerack.com
Highly recommend if you need new tires. Much cheaper than anywhere in Canada.
Yes, you can. Buy them from tirerack.com
Highly recommend if you need new tires. Much cheaper than anywhere in Canada.
Well boys, I did it, thank you for all the great advice but my heart was set on that 330 coupe. My friend Craig called me yesterday and sent me to someone at BMW Autohaus and we found what I wanted. I will be picking it up next week and will post a picture of me and my new ride for you guys to enjoy. Least I can do for all the help and great advice. wink
sara
p.s kisses to craig, see you next week. xoxoxo
sara
p.s kisses to craig, see you next week. xoxoxo
Yeah, tirerack has good prices, but it is located in the US....I can see ALL kinds of headaches importing tires into Canada from there....MarlboroLights said:
Sarak, well, good luck on your new toy....enjoy it. Least you bought it from a dealer which is always a good thing when compared to buying it wholesale...
Can't wait for the pics, might I suggest a bikini (preferably a thong) and a shot of you checking under the hood? wink wink lol
Coming from someone who works with cars.....I couldn't agree more Japanese high end vehicles are MUCH better than German cars, and when you factor in the price you really win when you buy Japanese! My choice Acura 3.2TL much better for the money than any 3 Series BMW! I hope you can get your money back as I offered my advice a little bit late LOL!Phiber Optik said:
Ditto. And then install on rim, balancing, what a hassle. May as well 1 trip to good tire place in GTA.tboy said:
rather off topic, my choice goes to VW Golf GTI with 2.0 Turbo and DSG. That little thing can beat a 330 easily... about 10k cheaper too.
sarak if you buy used, don't buy anything north of 100k's--BMW's are notorious for having computer problems after 100k's and it ain't cheap to fix.
I've owned two 3 series BMW's myself and I highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it.
The cost to buy and maintain are higher than an average car but not as much as you'd expect since BMW's are very well made and reliable, you'll likely have less problems than average. Also, resale value is higher so depreciation is less.
A BMW is a car that is capable of lasting 20 years and getting 500,000 km or more on the engine without any major engine work, if the car is properly maintained.
If the price is a problem, I would consider a used one, provided you get it thoroughly checked out. Also, the 330 is a real autobahn burner. Maybe consider a 3 series with a lesser engine. You'll still get a quick car and all the luxury, quality and image that goes along with BMW ownership.
Happy shopping!
The cost to buy and maintain are higher than an average car but not as much as you'd expect since BMW's are very well made and reliable, you'll likely have less problems than average. Also, resale value is higher so depreciation is less.
A BMW is a car that is capable of lasting 20 years and getting 500,000 km or more on the engine without any major engine work, if the car is properly maintained.
If the price is a problem, I would consider a used one, provided you get it thoroughly checked out. Also, the 330 is a real autobahn burner. Maybe consider a 3 series with a lesser engine. You'll still get a quick car and all the luxury, quality and image that goes along with BMW ownership.
Happy shopping!
