Back in an 3-Series...Worth the Wait

S

squarehat

Member
#1
Messages
34
Likes
0
Location
Ohio
#1
After 3 years with Lexus (ES), I'm back over to the BMW side (I previously had an E36 318i). After driving E46s belonging to friends and colleagues, I knew my next car was going to be a 3. Just picked up a Titanium Silver/black 325iA with the Premium Package/BMW Assist. (I wanted SMG, but was told it was very hard to find on an E46 sedan, especially with it being restricted to the 330i for this model year) Absolutely love returning to the BMW driving feel after 3 years in the softer, larger ES, especially in the steering feel. The thick, multifunction 4-spoke wheel is great--and so is the fact that it can control my iPod (that was the one dealer-installed option I had put on prior to taking delivery.

I've been lurking around for a bit, I'm glad to see that people have been getting the Verizon V710 working (the saleswoman said it should work, provided I make sure I have the latest firmware from Verizon installed). I noticed the owner's manual makes no mention of how to use BT, though there is an insert card in the owners manual binder with some BT codes. Is there a BT activation FAQ somewhere on this board?

I'm taking the car by the dealer this week to get a few things programmed--key memory, auto-locking, and enabling DRL's. Do the DRL's use the inner high-beam bulbs at reduced power, or are they the low-beams? Most BMW's I see don't have them active, but I think they are a good safety feature on overcast days.
 
S

squarehat

Member
#6
Messages
34
Likes
0
Location
Ohio
#6
Thanks, guys. I lost the sync cable for my digicam :(, so I'll have to borrow one from a friend to take some pics.

I've heard that the SMG used on the Z4/325/330 is very different from the one in the M3. I think the M3 version is made by Getrag (vs ZF for the Z4/3 Series) and features much more advanced computer logic (not sure if it is also used on the 5/6 Series). That was something that always made me wonder about the SMG--if it is as wonderful as it sounds on paper, why is it such a rare option (particularly on the sedan), and why is it appearing on a delayed basis on the E90? I wish I would have taken the salesperson up on the offer to test drive the one SMG- equipped 3 left on the lot, a 330CiC, but I knew at that point that I was going to get the Steptronic anyhow.
 
Average Jae

Average Jae

2
#7
Messages
1,869
Likes
0
Location
Mo town
#7
welcome aboard Steve!!

and good choice on not getting the smg. from everything i've read, the smg i, found in regular 3ers is pertty bad. the smg ii found in m3 and smg iii found in the m5 are another matter altogether. so i wouldn't worry too much about it. i think you'd be sacrificing way too much comfort w/ the smg and not too much performance gain by going that route, esp in a 325.

altho i'm more of a manual person, steptro is a nice automatic. and while i hate the DLR (because you can turn the light on yourself when you think you need to and somehow makes your car more "saturn like" i only say that because i really hated the stupid saturn commerical w/ everyone going, 'your lights are on!') its your ride, you customize it the way you want to.

enjoy the ride and smooth shifting steptro will make you forget all about the smg i.

btw, for the sync cable, just buy yourself a multi flash based media reader. just plugging in the media into the reader to act as a drive is much easier and some cases way faster (if you get usb 2.0 ver) than a sync cable.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top