I'm very serious about purchasing a 3 series, but...

[Crix]

.... the steptronic problem has made me very, very nervous. I'd like to find out if anyone who has purchased a 3 series very recently has experienced this problem.

Also, while I've test driven the 325i, I have not had a chance to drive the 325xi. Would like to find out how different the handling characteristics are and if there is any noticeable difference in power.

Thanks.

 

[Talk2USoon]

.... the steptronic problem has made me very, very nervous. I'd like to find out if anyone who has purchased a 3 series very recently has experienced this problem.
.

I took delivery of my 2004 cic on March 10 and was nervous about the possibility of steptronic transmission issues, but so far (knock wood) everything's as it should be.
I'd like to know how many 3-series were sold, vs. the number of those stating difficulties. If I had more faith in the mechanic's abilities at our local dealership, I wouldn't be quite so worried. Then again, I need to focus on the fact that worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of it's troubles. It only robs today of its strength.

 

[aNoodle]

.... the steptronic problem has made me very, very nervous. I'd like to find out if anyone who has purchased a 3 series very recently has experienced this problem.

Also, while I've test driven the 325i, I have not had a chance to drive the 325xi. Would like to find out how different the handling characteristics are and if there is any noticeable difference in power.

Thanks.

I understand your trepidation...but just to let you know, I never had any sliptronic bs. And apparently BMW has changed the deal so the new cars made after a certain point should be clear of the problem.

 

[Section_8]

I understand your trepidation...but just to let you know, I never had any sliptronic bs. And apparently BMW has changed the deal so the new cars made after a certain point should be clear of the problem.

Exactly. As I believe you'll find in another post here (locked I believe, but it did hold a few decent facts), BMW reported the problem did not stretch past 12/03 on any model that the reported steptronic problem was identified with.

So as long as you got a car that hasn't been riding the lot for *too* long, you should be ok. Check your car's build dates if you want a certain sigh of relief.

 

[Crix]

Great thanks for the responses

I did read the nicely written faq on the sliptronic issue, and I had a feeling that the ones built after 12/03 would be ok. My impression is that BMW probably moved very quickly behind the scenes to correct the problem at the factory and is implicitly ignoring that there was ever a problem.

Anyone have any impression about 325i vs. 325xi handling/power? I'm a former Audi quattro driver (1.8t) and know that AWD eats up some off the line power. Wondering what people think. Noticed in the spec book that 325i is 8.1 0-60 and 325xi is 8.8 (steptronic).

 

[TheBry]

No issues here... but, then again, I live in a warmer climate. The problem only occurred in colder conditions.

Talk2USoon... I took delivery of my 330Ci convertible just three short days after you did (13 March 2004). Our cars probably share birthdays ;-)

 

[bgonline]

Just found out...

No issues here... but, then again, I live in a warmer climate. The problem only occurred in colder conditions.

Talk2USoon... I took delivery of my 330Ci convertible just three short days after you did (13 March 2004). Our cars probably share birthdays ;-)

I just found out I have the sliptronic, and my BMW 325xit wagon is just over 1 week old. I'm shattered, to say the least. I'll be calling BMW tomorrow am to get it sorted out. I should have ordered a manual anyways... http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=77065#
http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=77065#

 

[Section_8]

I just found out I have the sliptronic, and my BMW 325xit wagon is just over 1 week old. I'm shattered, to say the least. I'll be calling BMW tomorrow am to get it sorted out. I should have ordered a manual anyways... http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=77065#
http://www.bmwboard.com/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=77065#

I can imagine a wagon might sit on the lot longer than a coupe/sedan, you may have an 'older' car with the problem.

What's your build date?

and..

*sigh*

Please tell us you're not another single post creation of LarryE's stalker?

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

(knock wood).

wow people do actually say this...when my dad did that when driving a few weeks ago i was like what the ....he tells me people say that and it is common, now i know people actually do say "knock wood" or "knock the wood"

 

[rjp325i]

I have a 2004 330i w/ZHP and steptronic with a build date of Nov 22. The car has 4200 miles on it with no problems. It has experienced temps into the mid 30s with no problems to date.

 

[TheBry]

My build date is February 2004. Convertibles don't sit on the lot very long (hence the "market value" mark-up). What's your build date, bgonline?

 

[codex57]

wow people do actually say this...when my dad did that when driving a few weeks ago i was like what the ....he tells me people say that and it is common, now i know people actually do say "knock wood" or "knock the wood"

Yeah, it's "knock on wood" and you're actually supposed to tap something wood with like your knuckle or something for good luck. Forgot the story behind it tho.

 

[deutsch100]

My 2004 330cic has a build date of Dec. 2003. I have the German transmission, and have had no problems. Granted I live in So. Cal, but I have driven the car in high 40s temps...and no problems. In fact, it is proabably the best auto tranny I have ever driven. It always knows what gear to be in, the shifts are crisp and fast and it is smooth as hell. Unlike all of our Mercedes...the trannies were smooth, but Mercs always have a hard time knowing what gear to be in. I hate that!!!

P.S. Hey Bry....did they charge your over sticker on your 04 cic??? I actually got a small (very small) discount. Besides from the Navi, we have the exact cars and packages!!! I thought us L.A. people got it harder than you SF folks!!!!!

 

[Talk2USoon]

No issues here... but, then again, I live in a warmer climate. The problem only occurred in colder conditions.

Talk2USoon... I took delivery of my 330Ci convertible just three short days after you did (13 March 2004). Our cars probably share birthdays ;-)

<<<<<

I bet they do! Mine was ordered Jan. 21st. How about yours?

 

[Talk2USoon]

wow people do actually say this...when my dad did that when driving a few weeks ago i was like what the ....he tells me people say that and it is common, now i know people actually do say "knock wood" or "knock the wood"

<<<<<

LOL! (laugh out loud) That's because I'm probably old enough to be your mom

 

[Talk2USoon]

Yeah, it's "knock on wood" and you're actually supposed to tap something wood with like your knuckle or something for good luck. Forgot the story behind it tho.

<<<<<

At *my age, my head suffices for wood
I don't know that I *ever knew the reason for doing it. Just did it because it's what *my parents "used to do".
Some folk tale started it, I guess.

 

[bgonline]

I can imagine a wagon might sit on the lot longer than a coupe/sedan, you may have an 'older' car with the problem.

What's your build date?

and..

*sigh*

Please tell us you're not another single post creation of LarryE's stalker?

Don't know LarryE, but I think the build date is 10/03. BTW, I resemble that comment about wagons sitting on the lot... I may not be racing that thing, but it sure is sportier than my wife's Chevy Suburban...

 

[TheBry]

P.S. Hey Bry....did they charge your over sticker on your 04 cic??? I actually got a small (very small) discount. Besides from the Navi, we have the exact cars and packages!!! I thought us L.A. people got it harder than you SF folks!!!!!

Nope... they dropped the $2500 "Market Value" mark-up, and went deeper under sticker as well. Didn't get as good a deal as $800 over invoice though. Mine was $2100 over invoice -- fully loaded -- and the dealer did throw in the floor mats and the AUX port adapter (but I had to pay labor).

And, for the record, I'm originally from Los Angeles. Born at Kaiser Sunset in Hollywood, lived in Rancho Palos Verdes until I was 21, then moved to West Hollywood and from there to San Francisco ;-)

 

[bgonline]

.... the steptronic problem has made me very, very nervous. I'd like to find out if anyone who has purchased a 3 series very recently has experienced this problem.

Also, while I've test driven the 325i, I have not had a chance to drive the 325xi. Would like to find out how different the handling characteristics are and if there is any noticeable difference in power.

Thanks.

Well, So far, so good... I stopped in to BMW service and they took down the VIN, checked it against their computer, and they ordered me a new tranny. No hassle, no other questions. My BMW has about 600 miles on it, and I have no other problems with it at all. That's service!

 

[bgonline]

.... the steptronic problem has made me very, very nervous. I'd like to find out if anyone who has purchased a 3 series very recently has experienced this problem.

Also, while I've test driven the 325i, I have not had a chance to drive the 325xi. Would like to find out how different the handling characteristics are and if there is any noticeable difference in power.

Thanks.

By the way - as for handling, it has been raining almost every day since I got my 325xi wagon. I can't get it to lose control around corners, skid, etc. It really is amazing... I would love to try that with a stick instead of an automatic to see how it handles.