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29 December 2005, 08:07 AM

I thought that was a decent trade.......

Jacqui's 1989 BMW 325ix has a broken strut on one side, the fill line leading to the gas tank leaks, and the catalytic converter is in need of replacing. The air conditioning doesn't work, and the sun roof doesn't open. So, with several thousand dollars of repairs needed, we decided to say goodbye to this:

And say hello to this (dealers photo):

It's a 2001 325xi, so the newer version of BMW's all wheel drive 3 series car. This one is an auto transmission, but has the Steptronic shift so you can drive it as a standard if you want. Jacqui really wanted a standard transmission, and we did drive one yesterday, but the car wasn't in very good shape even though it has 10,000 less kms on it than this one does.

Since this is the 4th BMW we have bought from this dealer, we used some leverage and got the price down to where we wanted. The colour is quite nice - called Steel Blue - and at least something different than the grey we have had on our other 3 BMW's.

We hope to pick it up Saturday!

dina · 29 December 2005, 09:53 AM

Great car.

Best of luck with it. I like the color

mailman · 29 December 2005, 11:50 AM

Nice car Al. Best of luck with it.

JJ Irani · 29 December 2005, 02:22 PM

My favourite colour, Al. Congrats, Jacqui, on the new BMW....drive safe and enjoy every exhilirating moment behind that wheel!!

Uncle-AJ · 29 December 2005, 03:31 PM

Nice motor Al, congratulations.

padi56 · 29 December 2005, 07:18 PM

Nice BM one of my favourite colours,but think now the body shape is like a lot of cars out there now.

29 December 2005, 11:20 PM

That's a hard decision to make Al, but a sound one in the long run. I wish we had made a similar choice since I've dumped over $5,000 into our '94 Camry over the past four years, and it's likely not worth more than $5K now.

Man I hate that car.

Anyways, Bimmers are nice cars and that one looks great!

We have the tiptronic transmission on my Passat and while it ain't no manual, it's a whole helluva lot better than straight auto. No clutch replacements either.

And I'm sure the 4X4 abilities will serve you well in your area. I actually wish we had some 4 wheelin' ability now since it's been freezing rain for a couple of days.

Congrats and enjoy!

BruceS · 29 December 2005, 11:39 PM

Nice car

Earl · 30 December 2005, 12:23 AM

I think you got a good deal ...... The wife must have been in pretty good shape !!!!! j/k Nice looking car there ;o)

30 December 2005, 01:23 AM

Thanks guys! We really like this little car. It's always tough to decide when it's the right time to stop spending on the car we have, and I actually wish I had stopped a year ago. We did the brakes on the car, replaced all the headlights, and bought 2 new sets of tires in the past year. I will not get my money back on those items, but we sold the car to my mechanic at the dealership (also our good friend) who has looked after it for the past 10 years. We only got $1,000 for the car, but at least I don't have to deal with the hassle of advertising it and selling it. I do have a spare set of tires that I will sell as well, so maybe we won't doo too badly on it overall.

The new car is great to drive. The steptronic is a fun option, and will come in handy in the winter. The car is surprisingly quick considering the small 2.5 liter engine, and all the weight of the all wheel drive components on it. It's a 5-speed auto, and BMW changed the gearing on the "xi" models to give the car more get-up and go with the added weight, so I am very happy with it's performance. It's only 184 bhp but it goes pretty well with 175 lbs-ft of torque. Of course it's loaded with all kinds or airbags, traction control, power everything, great sound system, etc.......the only thing my wife wanted but didn't get was a heated steering wheel like I have on my 540, but they don't equip any 3's with those from what I can tell (she has circulation issues in her fingers in the winter - Reynaud's syndrome so the heated wheel would have helped that).

So, she is quite happy and I think it's a decent Xmas present.

baseballduck · 30 December 2005, 02:11 AM

Congrats on the new Bimmer Al. I must say that steptronic tranny is good fun. My mom has it on her Mazda 6. It's convenient when you want to get taller shifts out of your car.

Tyler

Gedanken · 30 December 2005, 03:35 PM

Nice set of wheels, Al! The colour wasn't inspired by Zoolander, was it?

Anyway, would it be possible to have a heated wheel fitted on as a modification?

30 December 2005, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Nice set of wheels, Al! The colour wasn't inspired by Zoolander, was it?

Anyway, would it be possible to have a heated wheel fitted on as a modification?

LOL James! We loved that movie........

Not sure if there is an aftermarket mod for a heated wheel, but I'll check into it - good idea....

31 December 2005, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon

LOL James! We loved that movie........

Not sure if there is an aftermarket mod for a heated wheel, but I'll check into it - good idea....

You can always get a 540 heated wheel placed into the 3 series. The bolt pattern should be identical. But I would hate to see what a replacement wheel (and airbag) would cost, let alone the labour to instal it.

29 December 2005, 08:07 AM	#1
---- Guest Posts: n/a	I got a new car for my wife.... I thought that was a decent trade....... Jacqui's 1989 BMW 325ix has a broken strut on one side, the fill line leading to the gas tank leaks, and the catalytic converter is in need of replacing. The air conditioning doesn't work, and the sun roof doesn't open. So, with several thousand dollars of repairs needed, we decided to say goodbye to this: And say hello to this (dealers photo): It's a 2001 325xi, so the newer version of BMW's all wheel drive 3 series car. This one is an auto transmission, but has the Steptronic shift so you can drive it as a standard if you want. Jacqui really wanted a standard transmission, and we did drive one yesterday, but the car wasn't in very good shape even though it has 10,000 less kms on it than this one does. Since this is the 4th BMW we have bought from this dealer, we used some leverage and got the price down to where we wanted. The colour is quite nice - called Steel Blue - and at least something different than the grey we have had on our other 3 BMW's. We hope to pick it up Saturday!

29 December 2005, 11:50 AM	#3
mailman TRF Moderator & DATE-JUST41 2024 Patron Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: . Watch: 126610LN Posts: 35,370	Nice car Al. Best of luck with it. __________________ JJ

29 December 2005, 02:22 PM	#4
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,320	My favourite colour, Al. Congrats, Jacqui, on the new BMW....drive safe and enjoy every exhilirating moment behind that wheel!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

29 December 2005, 03:31 PM	#5
Uncle-AJ "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Real Name: Adrian Location: Bolton, UK. Watch: Daytona 116520 Posts: 6,844	Nice motor Al, congratulations. __________________ A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure.........Segal's Law Member #10

29 December 2005, 07:18 PM	#6
padi56 "TRF" Life Patron Join Date: Jun 2005 Real Name: Peter Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng Watch: ing you. Posts: 52,318	Nice BM one of my favourite colours,but think now the body shape is like a lot of cars out there now. __________________ ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder

29 December 2005, 09:53 AM	#2
dina "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Dina Location: utica Posts: 1,392	Great car. Best of luck with it. I like the color

29 December 2005, 11:20 PM	#7
Atomic Guest Posts: n/a	That's a hard decision to make Al, but a sound one in the long run. I wish we had made a similar choice since I've dumped over $5,000 into our '94 Camry over the past four years, and it's likely not worth more than $5K now. Man I hate that car. Anyways, Bimmers are nice cars and that one looks great! We have the tiptronic transmission on my Passat and while it ain't no manual, it's a whole helluva lot better than straight auto. No clutch replacements either. And I'm sure the 4X4 abilities will serve you well in your area. I actually wish we had some 4 wheelin' ability now since it's been freezing rain for a couple of days. Congrats and enjoy!

29 December 2005, 11:39 PM	#8
BruceS "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Sir Daft Location: Cornwall, UK Watch: Too many Posts: 2,464	Nice car

30 December 2005, 12:23 AM	#9
Earl "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Who Me? Location: Northern Virginia Watch: out Posts: 4,616	I think you got a good deal ...... The wife must have been in pretty good shape !!!!! j/k Nice looking car there ;o)

30 December 2005, 01:23 AM	#10
---- Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks guys! We really like this little car. It's always tough to decide when it's the right time to stop spending on the car we have, and I actually wish I had stopped a year ago. We did the brakes on the car, replaced all the headlights, and bought 2 new sets of tires in the past year. I will not get my money back on those items, but we sold the car to my mechanic at the dealership (also our good friend) who has looked after it for the past 10 years. We only got $1,000 for the car, but at least I don't have to deal with the hassle of advertising it and selling it. I do have a spare set of tires that I will sell as well, so maybe we won't doo too badly on it overall. The new car is great to drive. The steptronic is a fun option, and will come in handy in the winter. The car is surprisingly quick considering the small 2.5 liter engine, and all the weight of the all wheel drive components on it. It's a 5-speed auto, and BMW changed the gearing on the "xi" models to give the car more get-up and go with the added weight, so I am very happy with it's performance. It's only 184 bhp but it goes pretty well with 175 lbs-ft of torque. Of course it's loaded with all kinds or airbags, traction control, power everything, great sound system, etc.......the only thing my wife wanted but didn't get was a heated steering wheel like I have on my 540, but they don't equip any 3's with those from what I can tell (she has circulation issues in her fingers in the winter - Reynaud's syndrome so the heated wheel would have helped that). So, she is quite happy and I think it's a decent Xmas present.

30 December 2005, 02:11 AM	#11
baseballduck "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Tyler Location: Pinehurst NC Watch: Explorer 214270 Posts: 1,018	Congrats on the new Bimmer Al. I must say that steptronic tranny is good fun. My mom has it on her Mazda 6. It's convenient when you want to get taller shifts out of your car. Tyler __________________ Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet. Member #84

30 December 2005, 03:35 PM	#12
Gedanken "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: Sir Location: Melbourne Watch: F-series SD Posts: 8,589	Nice set of wheels, Al! The colour wasn't inspired by Zoolander, was it? Anyway, would it be possible to have a heated wheel fitted on as a modification? __________________ You buy a Casio to make sure you're on time; you wear a Rolex because you don't have to be on time.

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