Newbie questions on the 325/330 Ci

pardi · Mar 21, 2004

Hi all,

I'm from Canada and new to this board. I am looking to buy a '04 330Ci next month, but I just have a few questions that I hope someone here can answer...

1. What is the redline on the 330Ci? In the catalogue, there is a picture of the instrument panel showing 6500rpm, yet there is another showing 6000rpm. Last week I so happened to test drive a 330xi and I recall it had a 6000rpm redline.

2. Trunk: I know the 3-series coupe doesn't have a large trunk to begin with. There is a picture of the trunk on bmwusa.com, and I see very large and bulky sidewalls extending from both sides...

http://www.bmwusa.com/NR/rdonlyres/8ECEB071-E554-48D1-BCC9-7107052ADE7B/0/0433_08.jpg

Yet in all other pictures of the trunk I've seen on the web, I don't see this at all.

I'm wondering if someone here can kindly post pictures of their 2004 models. Needless to say, the large sidewalls is a big turn-off for me.

3. What is that button with the speaker icon beside "DSC" in the center console?

4. If there is anyone from Canada, I'd like to know if Canadian dealers has packages for rust proofing, and if so, how much? Anyone know the invoice price of the 330Ci in Canada? The car will be financed... is there anything I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance! [:)]

pardi · Mar 21, 2004

wrt trunk...

Compare to this: (no bulky sidewalls)
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/...001/luxury_coupe/01.bmw.330ci.cargo.350-d.jpg

rjp325i · Mar 21, 2004

Redline on a std 330i engine is 6500 with the ZHP option it is 6800. Don't Canadian cars have 6 year rust protection std as the US cars do? The coupes have fold down rear seats std., the sedans have it as an option for added room. I have not found trunk space to be a problem. Usually it is the size of the trunk opening that hinders bulky items being loaded. The button with the speaker icon controls the spacial effect (on or off) on the HK sound system.

pardi · Mar 27, 2004

Thanks, RJP.

After doing a lot of research, I learned that the reason for that huge sidewall in the trunk is because of the cd changer! IMO it's just crazy for it to eat up so much space.

As for rust proofing... yes, Canadian models also have 6 yr perforation warranty -- but since I intend to keep the car longer than 6 yrs, I need to worry about this. Also, since you don't live in Toronto, you can't imagine how much road salt we get in the winter. [bigcry]

More questions (sorry guys, the search function doesn't seem to work)...

1. I am not getting power seats. Now, do both driver and passenger seats go to the front with one-touch (to allow rear passengers to get in/out)? Also, do both seats have a "memory" ? i.e. will they return to where they were before, or would I have to readjust everytime they go back to upright position?

2. What is that little box thing on the roof? Cabin temp sensor?

Thanks again!

codex57 · Mar 27, 2004

pardi said:

I have a manual seat. There's no one touch thing. THat's why you get power seats. You manually lift a lever which folds the seat forward to allow the passenger to get in. I think the power seats don't do that either. I actually prefer it that way. The G35 does that, but it goes so slowly that it's infuriating to me. And the G35 doesn't have memory either so once you do that, it screws up the seat position.

The little box thing on the roof is the antenna for the BMW Assist and cell phone I believe. The shark fin looking thing.

pardi · Mar 27, 2004

Thanks. So do the manual seats on the 330ci return to their original position?

No, I'm talking about the little box thing INSIDE the car on the ceiling... not shark fin. There is one right in the middle of the ceiling ...

BTW I just came back from the dealer and signed the deal! The car will be here in May!! I can't wait!!

jrt67ss350 · Mar 27, 2004

The little box in the middle of the headliner is where the motion sensor goes if you install the BMW alarm system. As far as I know, that's the only thing that goes in there.

As far as the seats go, I would think that if you don't get power seats, that the seats will flip back to their original positions after the rear passenger gets in. My '87 coupe's manual seats retain the seat positions after flipping the seat back after loading rear passengers, so I can't imagine that a new coupe wouldn't have that feature.

pardi · Mar 27, 2004

jrt67ss350 said:

I hope they do come with that feature.... it's a pain in the neck if I have to readjust them everytime they flip back like what I'm doing now on my car (and on my previous car)!

[:)]

codex57 · Mar 27, 2004

I just went to the garage and tried it. It's pretty cool. It flips forward but the seat also rises up and forward to give you even more space to get in. Then you just flip it back and it will go back into the original position. Don't have to adjust anything. I imagine the power ones do the same thing cuz I'm pretty sure my friend's car has the same lever.

pardi · Mar 27, 2004

codex57 said:

You mean you just discovered that today?! j/k [:p]

Thanks guys. Finally a relief for me! I can't wait for the delivery of m car! [driving2]

bmwrocks · Mar 29, 2004

pardi said:

3. What is that button with the speaker icon beside "DSC" in the center console?
QUOTE]

The speaker button engages some digital signal processing into the HK system to enhance the sound field inside the car. It seems to center the sound such that it seems to emanate from the center ceiling area of the car.

Just to clarify the seat-forward feature: The mechanism to tilt the seat forwrd for easier entry into the rear (WOOOOHOOOO!!!) is independent of the adjustment mechanisms....therefore the seats never leave their preset positions so they return to them......

Felicia68 · Mar 29, 2004

bmwrocks said:

pardi said:

Actually, the speaker button kicks on the sub woofers.

pardi · Mar 29, 2004

Felicia68 said:

To be honest, I didn't notice much difference (let alone increase) in bass when I tried it on my friend's '04 325i last week. I was using an audiophile grade jazz CD, playing a track that had a fairly solid bass line. With that "speaker icon" button on, the highs were slightly extended and overall it created a matrix surround effect (thanks to DSP).

Then I sat in another friend's 325ci w/out HK right afterwards, and to my surprise, it didn't sound a lot worse than the HK.

That's why I ended up not going for HK because to me paying C$950 is simply not worth it.

RocketM · Mar 30, 2004

Pardi,

So in the end, what option did you select for your 330ci? I've noticed you are from Toronto. Myself is from Toronto too, and I am planning to get 330ci as well. I like your input. Currently the dealer is offering 4.9%. Did you take advantage of that? Mind I ask what type of discount you get from the dealer? Did they throw it winter and summer floor mats for you? I was told that the car must arrive before April 30th in order to be validate for the 4.9% rate. As for the HK, I am planning to get it. Any input is welcome.

bmwrocks · Mar 30, 2004

Felicia68 said:

That may be true, but it also engages some DSP. I thought the subs were always on.....

pardi · Mar 30, 2004

RocketM said:

Call me cheap, but I selected no options on my 330ci. You probably can't find another 330ci in Toronto that is as basic as mine. [:)]

That's why my car has to be a special order. All the 330ci they have in stock across Canada already come with at least SP and/or PP.

They don't even have a 330ci with just HK, or else I would have taken that (though I'm totally not impressed with that HK system myself).

Yes, 4.9% if delivery date is before the last day of April (and remember it's 3-yr and 4-yr only). My car will be the April production batch so it will arrive some time in May, so I don't quality for this promotional rate.

I got a fairly decent deal on the 330ci but they really killed me on the trade-in price of my RSX. I got about 2% off MSRP on the 330. Unfortunately I do not know their invoice price.

RocketM · Mar 30, 2004

Pardi,

If I have known you are about to buy the car, I can try get you 2.5% off. Apparently I know this saleman, he is willing to give me 2.5% off. Well 0.5% more. For me, I am looking at 330ci, metalic black, sport pakcage (or M package), (SMG or Tiptronic), Electric Seat w/memory, Auto Dim MIrror, and HK Sound System.

pardi · Mar 30, 2004

RocketM,

Too bad I have already signed the deal, but thank you anyway! Actually, do you mind telling me which dealer you'll be getting your car from?

I asked if they had a 330ci (same colour) in stock with the least number of options; they said they had one with SP. If I have the money to burn, I would've gone for that because I like the sport seats. However, SP will add another $3000 for me ($1900 + tax for SP, plus 17" snow tires which are mandatory in winter). I personally don't care so much for performance tires, so for me, the only real benefit of getting SP is the sport seats, but I can't justify paying $1900 just for upgrading the seats especially when they are still manual seats. Besides, my original plan was to get a 325ci, so my budget was already stretched quite a bit in getting a 330.

RocketM · Mar 31, 2004

Pardi,

I am planning to get my car from Downtown BMW. Btw, which dealer did you go to? Hmm.. I am right now debating a 325ci Convertible for 330ci. I've noticed the lease price is pretty close somewhere $150 bucks difference per month. It might sound a lot for other people, but someone was telling me that everybody should at least drive one convertible in their life time. I want to hear your suggestion. I myself really like convertible, but don't know if there will be extreme high maintenence compare to the standard 330ci coupe.

pardi · Mar 31, 2004

RocketM:

I bought mine from Town & Country mainly because I live in that area. I don't want to have to drive half an hour for an oil change everytime.

About convertible... a few years ago I was seriously considering getting a roadster myself. But as I grew older, I noticed the inconvenience of a 2 seater. Trunk space is also a concern as I go camping several times a year. That's why I got the 330ci instead of the Z4 2.5 considering the price difference is only about $2000.

Of course, the 3 series Cic is a different story. At least you've got the back seats. If you really like a convertible, go for it! [:)]

But frankly, the weather in T.O. isn't perfectly ideal for convertibles. IMHO It's either too hot or too cold, an there just isn't enough time in a year to really enjoy a convertible. I have driven the new SL500 and a M3 convertible before, and although it's cool (need I say more?!), I think you'll only enjoy it if you take it to the countryside. T.O. is simply too crowded, and honestly you don't want yourself to be the centre of attention on the street these days...

Newbie questions on the 325/330 Ci

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