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Car Forum / BMW Cars / August 2005

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330xi 6 speed 2002 / 2003

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BMW - 25 Aug 2005 01:28 GMT
is this a good choice to replace my 540?
I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
hence the 6 speed... how good are they for durability?
i drove a tiptronic 2002 the other day... no fun, and is it possible it was
made in the USA?
I would prefer a german built car, the last thing I want is more trouble
than my e34 is presently giving me!
I am in Canada, so it needs the cold weather package, what should I know
about that car?
Would I be better off for some reason without the X and just a regular 330i?
ALL input is appreciated!
THanks
fbloogyudsr - 25 Aug 2005 03:43 GMT
> is this a good choice to replace my 540?

It depends.

> I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
> hence the 6 speed... how good are they for durability?

Are you asking if the 6 speed transmission is durable, or the whole car?
The answer is that the transmission and the engine is very durable, assuming
you change oil at least as often as recommended.

> i drove a tiptronic 2002 the other day... no fun, and is it possible it
> was made in the USA?

Again, are you asking about the auto transmission?  Are you asking about
a 2002 330xi?  Or are you asking about a 1970's 2002 model.  Please
learn how to write.

No 3 series cars are made in the US.

> I would prefer a german built car, the last thing I want is more trouble
> than my e34 is presently giving me!

Your e34 was made in Germany.  It is probable that any E46 3-series sold
in N. America was made in Germany (all LHD and some RHD's are made
in S. Africa.)  So I don't know why you think getting a 3-series made in
Germany is important.

> I am in Canada, so it needs the cold weather package, what should I know
> about that car?

Which car?  A 330xi, an e34, etc.  The cold wx package is just a set of
options on a car, not a car itself.  It consists (in the US - don't know
about
CA) of headlight washers, heated seats, ski bag.  None are realy all that
important for driving in the snow (although IMHO no leather/leatherette
equipped car should be w/o heated seats.)

> Would I be better off for some reason without the X and just a regular
> 330i?
> ALL input is appreciated!

If you want to put big tires, lower it, or other mods, buy a 330i.  If you
want ultimate grip in snow, buy a 330xi and put on snow tires.  I have
Michelin Pilot Alpines on mine and it's amazing.

Floyd
BMW - 25 Aug 2005 05:18 GMT
> Again, are you asking about the auto transmission?  Are you asking about
> a 2002 330xi?  Or are you asking about a 1970's 2002 model.  Please
> learn how to write.
>
> Floyd

I appreciate your input, except for the insult, BTW, do you know of a 1970
2002 with a tiptronic tranny that I could have been driving the other day?
I didn't think so, it was clear what I was asking. No need to be an a.s.
fbloogyudsr - 25 Aug 2005 06:21 GMT
>> Again, are you asking about the auto transmission?  Are you asking about
>> a 2002 330xi?  Or are you asking about a 1970's 2002 model.  Please
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> 2002 with a tiptronic tranny that I could have been driving the other day?
> I didn't think so, it was clear what I was asking. No need to be an a.s.

I'm not, and I wasn't.

I do appreciate clear questions; IMO yours were not, evidently due
to your lack of knowledge about things that are obvious/evident to
many of the posters here.  You're lucky some of the other regulars
didn't get to you first, if you don't like me you really wouldn't like them.

BTW, if you know how to google these groups, there have been
many discussions about the xi models and snow tires.  I've posted
in most of them so you an search on my name to find most.  330xi
is also a good search term.

Floyd
fbloogyudsr - 25 Aug 2005 06:23 GMT
"BMW" <1@1.com> wrote

One more thing; roadfly has had quite a few discussions about
the xi cars, also.

Floyd
zerouali - 25 Aug 2005 10:53 GMT
>Your e34 was made in Germany.  It is probable that any E46 3-series sold
>in N. America was made in Germany (all LHD and some RHD's are made
>in S. Africa.)

>Again, are you asking about the auto transmission?  Are you asking about
>a 2002 330xi?  Or are you asking about a 1970's 2002 model.  Please
>learn how to write.

Seeing as you were so picky with the OP it's only fair to point out your
above comments are nonsense ;-)

As the OP pointed out, a 1970's tiptronic? I think not.
If ALL LHD 3 series are made in SA, how can it be probable that a 3 series
sold in America could be made in Germany? Do you drive RHD in America all of
a sudden?

What was it you said, please learn how to write?
J Strickland - 25 Aug 2005 17:41 GMT
> >Your e34 was made in Germany.  It is probable that any E46 3-series sold
>>in N. America was made in Germany (all LHD and some RHD's are made
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> If ALL LHD 3 series are made in SA, how can it be probable that a 3 series
> sold in America could be made in Germany?

That tripped me up also ...
Malt_Hound - 25 Aug 2005 17:55 GMT
>>>Your e34 was made in Germany.  It is probable that any E46 3-series sold
>>>in N. America was made in Germany (all LHD and some RHD's are made
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> That tripped me up also ...

I think he had a little rectal/cranial inversion and meant to say "all
RHD 3 series are made in S Africa..."

But I agree about the "picky"ness.  "Those who live in glass houses...",
and all that.

--
-Fred W
My Toy Sale:
http://users.adelphia.net/~fredwills/
fbloogyudsr - 25 Aug 2005 19:04 GMT
>J Strickland wrote:
>>>>Again, are you asking about the auto transmission?  Are you asking about
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> But I agree about the "picky"ness.  "Those who live in glass houses...",
> and all that.

Both of my houses exceed the Super Good Cents prescriptive requirements
(23% IIRC) of glass to wall ratio! ;->

Floyd
Malt_Hound - 25 Aug 2005 13:05 GMT
> is this a good choice to replace my 540?
> I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I would prefer a german built car, the last thing I want is more trouble
> than my e34 is presently giving me!

Those two factors are not necessarily related (Made in the USA =
troublesome).  The place of manufacture is not as important as the
design.  Witness the Hondas and Toyotas made in their US plants are
generally accepted to be among the most reliable in the world.

> I am in Canada, so it needs the cold weather package, what should I know
> about that car?

You *need* the cold weather package, huh?
Does that mean you *need* to have warm buns or that you *need* to have a
ski-bag pass-thru from the trunk, or perhaps you *need* to have high
intensity headlight washers?  Because those are the three items that
make-up the "Cold Weather" package.  It adds $1000 US to the price of a
new car for features that nobody *needs*.

> Would I be better off for some reason without the X and just a regular 330i?
> ALL input is appreciated!

Depends on what you value most.  If you want better traction in the
snowy Canadian winter, then get the Xi.  If you prefer better handling
and performance in the summer and are willing to give up a little
traction in the snow go for the 2WD version.  Either way (2WD or AWD),
living in the "serious snow" zone, you should swap the tires and wheels
in winter for some real winter tires and you'll do just fine.

--
-Fred W
J Strickland - 25 Aug 2005 17:42 GMT
>> is this a good choice to replace my 540?
>> I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> "serious snow" zone, you should swap the tires and wheels in winter for
> some real winter tires and you'll do just fine.

Oh the joy of living in Southern California -- I never have to swap my tires
or prepare my car for a new season.
Malt_Hound - 25 Aug 2005 18:04 GMT
>>>is this a good choice to replace my 540?
>>>I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> Oh the joy of living in Southern California -- I never have to swap my tires
> or prepare my car for a new season.

Oh, but think of all of the fun you're missing, Jeff.  Dashing thru the
snow... over the river and through the woods...  Nor'Easter blizzard
being stranded at home by the fireplace...

And I've never once been terrified the hillside was going to slide down
on me, or an earthquake or wild fire was going to destroy my home.  ;-)

Every location has it's pluses and minuses.

--
-Fred W
Toys for sale, Hey get your toys here:
<http://users.adelphia.net/~fredwills/>
J Strickland - 25 Aug 2005 19:29 GMT
>>>>is this a good choice to replace my 540?
>>>>I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
>
> Every location has it's pluses and minuses.

Well, I'll take Christmas Dinner of BBQd burgers by the pool over meatloaf
by the fireplace any day. Every location might have its plusses and
minusses, but I gotta say, my plus list is much longer than yours, and my
minus list is shorter.
Malt_Hound - 25 Aug 2005 22:11 GMT
>>>>>is this a good choice to replace my 540?
>>>>>I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
[quoted text clipped - 46 lines]
> minusses, but I gotta say, my plus list is much longer than yours, and my
> minus list is shorter.

So sayeth thee...

I actually love the winter months in a way.  There are lots of things to
do outdoors and the really nice thing is it is seldom crowded since so
many others tend to hibernate.  The cold really doesn't bother me, and I
love the snow, even to drive in, so long as it's not to or from work.
Luckily for me my commute consists of climbing a set of stairs to my
office, so I don't have to deal with those nightmares in any season.

The only really bad thing is the lack of daylight in the winter.  It has
a depressing effect that can't be dealt with in any way that I know of.
 I'm pretty sure that this is the reason that so many holidays are in
the winter months.  People trying to cheer themselves up...

But, still...  I lived in the Bay area CA for a half a year.  My
impression is that there are just too damn many people in your
(otherwise) lovely state.  Maybe up north further or east in the hills...

Signature

-Fred W
Toys for sale, Hey get your toys here:
<http://users.adelphia.net/~fredwills/>

MWarren - 27 Aug 2005 01:44 GMT
> >>>>>is this a good choice to replace my 540?
> >>>>>I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
[quoted text clipped - 55 lines]
> Luckily for me my commute consists of climbing a set of stairs to my
> office, so I don't have to deal with those nightmares in any season.

I also look forward to winter.  Our Summers here in New York (upstate) are
very frequently hot and very nice, and our fall is absolutely beautiful.
Winter is one of my favorite times of year, I love piles of snow on the road
and nice 'hills' to slide down.  Thanks, but I'll keep my seasons and you
can keep your one.  Lived in Mexico for a while, couldn't wait to come back
to where tires and weather will have to change.

Matt
dizzy - 26 Aug 2005 02:52 GMT
>You *need* the cold weather package, huh?
>Does that mean you *need* to have warm buns or that you *need* to have a
>ski-bag pass-thru from the trunk, or perhaps you *need* to have high
>intensity headlight washers?  Because those are the three items that
>make-up the "Cold Weather" package.  It adds $1000 US to the price of a
>new car for features that nobody *needs*.

That's true.  I live in the Great White North, and do not have heated
seats.  Sheepskin seat covers = problem solved.
Bear - 26 Aug 2005 07:42 GMT
dizzy@nospam.invalid dizzy says...

> >You *need* the cold weather package, huh?
> >Does that mean you *need* to have warm buns or that you *need* to have a
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> That's true.  I live in the Great White North, and do not have heated
> seats.  Sheepskin seat covers = problem solved.

I've got a bad back. The heated seats on my 740iL E32 are an absolute
godsend. The high intensity washers have gunged up though, as I'm told
combining 2 different strengths of washer fluid causes gunge to form.

I don't ski, ergo the ski bag is of no use to me ... anyone got any good
ideas as to what else it could be used for?
Signature

Bear
"The deep south? Isn't that the place where the black guys are really
lazy and all the white guys are just as lazy but they're mad at the
black guys for being so lazy?"

J Strickland - 25 Aug 2005 17:36 GMT
If I was in Canada, I'd certainly be looking to the 330Xi over the straight
330i.

> is this a good choice to replace my 540?
> I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive,
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> ALL input is appreciated!
> THanks
 
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