First time car owner -- any helpful tips/suggestions?
- Thread starter morello
- Start date
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Welcome aboard Comrade, I've got a 00 323i that I purchased in Europe and I'm the only owner. I would suggest oil/filter changes every 7.5K, if your wheels aren't staggered , I'd suggest four wheel alignments every 15K, rotations aren't really cost effective. Don't skip any Schedule I's or II's. Window regulators are unreliable, therefore expect to change a few, transmissions and clutches last a bit above 100K and lastly, Control Arm Bushings last between 40K and 80K. My bimmer has just over 202,700 at the present and I still love the ultimate driving pleasure. Take care of your ride and she will take care of you. Just my two and ahalf cents worth. Happy Motoring...[driving2]
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first off, congrats and welcome aboard.
as a fellow 03 330i driver, you picked up a nice ride.
tip #1 when on the highway, check your speedo, your car usually is going a lot faster than it feels.![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
tip #2 find a local bmw cca chapter, and find out about events they put together. taking your car to a track is a blast, and your smile will only get bigger. ^_^ but this the season is winding down, so you may have to wait until next summer..
tip #3, seeing as you live up in Canada, it'd be a really good idea to pick up a set of winter tires, with dedicated rims. i'm glad i did (i live in michigan)
enjoy ^_^
as a fellow 03 330i driver, you picked up a nice ride.
tip #1 when on the highway, check your speedo, your car usually is going a lot faster than it feels.
tip #2 find a local bmw cca chapter, and find out about events they put together. taking your car to a track is a blast, and your smile will only get bigger. ^_^ but this the season is winding down, so you may have to wait until next summer..
tip #3, seeing as you live up in Canada, it'd be a really good idea to pick up a set of winter tires, with dedicated rims. i'm glad i did (i live in michigan)
enjoy ^_^
Welcome to the board, Morello... lots of helpful people here. You're going to LOVE your car.
Welcome aboard Comrade, I've got a 00 323i that I purchased in Europe and I'm the only owner. I would suggest oil/filter changes every 7.5K, if your wheels aren't staggered , I'd suggest four wheel alignments every 15K, rotations aren't really cost effective. Don't skip any Schedule I's or II's. Window regulators are unreliable, therefore expect to change a few, transmissions and clutches last a bit above 100K and lastly, Control Arm Bushings last between 40K and 80K. My bimmer has just over 202,700 at the present and I still love the ultimate driving pleasure. Take care of your ride and she will take care of you. Just my two and ahalf cents worth. Happy Motoring...
[driving2]
Zchild... you're livin' large! 
I'm pushing 60K right now (my car is in today for Inspection 2) and am LOVING it. Have had the window regulator thing once (driver side front window) but have otherwise had no problems with the windows. Your post makes me wonder if the dealer is going to recommend new control arm bushings since I'm in the sweet spot of the range for replacement. We'll see. The good news is I've got the extended maintenance contract, so the Inspection 2 service is covered.
Zchild said:
Welcome aboard Comrade, I've got a 00 323i that I purchased in Europe and I'm the only owner. I would suggest oil/filter changes every 7.5K, if your wheels aren't staggered , I'd suggest four wheel alignments every 15K, rotations aren't really cost effective. Don't skip any Schedule I's or II's. Window regulators are unreliable, therefore expect to change a few, transmissions and clutches last a bit above 100K and lastly, Control Arm Bushings last between 40K and 80K. My bimmer has just over 202,700 at the present and I still love the ultimate driving pleasure. Take care of your ride and she will take care of you. Just my two and ahalf cents worth. Happy Motoring...[driving2]
I'm pushing 60K right now (my car is in today for Inspection 2) and am LOVING it. Have had the window regulator thing once (driver side front window) but have otherwise had no problems with the windows. Your post makes me wonder if the dealer is going to recommend new control arm bushings since I'm in the sweet spot of the range for replacement. We'll see. The good news is I've got the extended maintenance contract, so the Inspection 2 service is covered.
TheBry said:
Welcome to the board, Morello... lots of helpful people here. You're going to LOVE your car.
Zchild... you're livin' large!
I'm pushing 60K right now (my car is in today for Inspection 2) and am LOVING it. Have had the window regulator thing once (driver side front window) but have otherwise had no problems with the windows. Your post makes me wonder if the dealer is going to recommend new control arm bushings since I'm in the sweet spot of the range for replacement. We'll see. The good news is I've got the extended maintenance contract, so the Inspection 2 service is covered.
Zchild... you're livin' large!
I'm pushing 60K right now (my car is in today for Inspection 2) and am LOVING it. Have had the window regulator thing once (driver side front window) but have otherwise had no problems with the windows. Your post makes me wonder if the dealer is going to recommend new control arm bushings since I'm in the sweet spot of the range for replacement. We'll see. The good news is I've got the extended maintenance contract, so the Inspection 2 service is covered.
Thanks dude, yeah bimmer life doesn't get much better than this!! Believe me you'll know when its time to change out your Control Arm bushings, your car will be almost uncontrolable at speeds over 60mph especially on wet roads. My ride didn't get costly until after 100K. Happy Motoring...[driving2]