Three Stupid Questions

BEEMIN · Oct 27, 2003

Hi all,

I have three questions regarding my car and rather than go right in and potentially make a fool of myself at the dealership, I thought I'd make a fool of myself here first....

1. I have an 04 330i PP and that comes with power seats. Why don't I have an adjustable lumbar support? Is that only on some special package? Kinda annoyed about that.

2. I thought that the memory settings on the power seats were also supposed to retain the position of the side mirrors. Mine don't. Am I wrong or are they broken?

3. I'm getting a lot of noise coming from my passenger seat. If I reach over and hold onto it while driving, it stops. So I'm guess it's from the vibration (brilliant deduction, I'm sure). However it's fairly loud and the seat is shaking pretty badly. I'm wondering if it needs tightening. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any comments on the above. Try not to make fun too badly - wouldja? [:o]

samlee4444 · Oct 27, 2003

My guess (although I'm sure there are better experts out there .[???1] ) is that you don't have the premium package. Premium package gives you lumbar and memory settings for the side mirrors.

If the noise is like a ticking noise when you go over a bump, i think that it's that a major issue...fittings/fasteners on the upholstery moving around a little, but if it's like vibrating/shaking sound...dude..that doesn't sound good and should be taken in for a look

Bryan330i · Oct 27, 2003

1. The PP-performance package does not have lumbar. Who knows why? [???1]

2. Mirrors and seat should both change as far as I know.

3 Take it back and have them fix 3 and explain 2 to be sure it works.

No lumbar is [8]

Why did they not just include that as well? Who knows.

Tom · Oct 27, 2003

Sam is right, the power lumbar comes with the Premium package.

Memory should adjust your seats and mirrors, did you set it yet?

MyHarley · Oct 27, 2003

My car is currently at the dealership to replace the railing assembly for the passenger seat as well.......depending on the weight of the person in the passenger seat determines the extent of the rattling......the lumbar support is in my premium package..........as for the mirrors I thought that came from the memory key...........[???1]

BEEMIN · Oct 27, 2003

Yeah, found the perfect setting over the weekend and programmed my memory number 1. Then, screwed it up (including the mirrors) and then pressed the number 1. Everything came to the right setting except for the mirrors. And the manual (yes, I actually consulted it) made it sound like the side mirrors were part of the memory setting.

Why the hell isn't the lumbar support included?!?!?! I mean, I paid god knows how much more so that I could have a performance package and they don't include lumbar?? (Hey, I just turned 30, my lower back ain't what it used to be, you know??? [;)]

)

I guess I'll have them look at the passenger side chair. When my husband sits in it while I'm driving it's nice and quiet.... could just use him to weigh it down - cuz I'm sure not going to let him drive... [}:)]

Wadula · Oct 27, 2003

BEEMIN said:

30???

geez you´re an old fart. ever thought of getting a buick? [hihi]

j/k!!!!

yeah definetly get all stuff done. it´s warranty and those are supposed to deliver a flawless car. if they don´t get them to work. for the mirrors,i am almost positive that they should also be part of the memory. it´s no embarrasement to ask the dealer. how should you know?

MyHarley · Oct 27, 2003

Hooray, another female to the board...........am I the only one that didnt know that????

MyHarley · Oct 27, 2003

BTW, the seat rattle due to the railing assembly will only get worse in time.........it becomes looser and looser (is that a word)........

mhawman · Oct 27, 2003

BMW's option combinations defy logic at times. Option combinations are usually dictated by marketing or technical issues - but that certainly is not the case with BMW. I have a 330i ZHP on order and the optioning process drove me absolutely nuts. I am moving from an Audi A4 where the option combinations have pretty clear motivations behind them.

Some 330i frustrations:

1) cloth only comes with the ZHP performance package - why?
2) premium package is not available with ZHP (though some options are individually)
3) no lumbar support with ZHP
4) only a subset of the full line of exterior colors available for ZHP
5) why no autodimming mirror available on the ZHP?
6) why no rain sensing wipers and auto headlight control on the ZHP?
7) only all season tires (no perfromance version) available on xi
8) SMG not available on the ZHP

The ZHP seems to have a marketing identity crisis. Is it for the performance purist that does not want some weight-robbing convenience? The modest increase in performance from the ZHP certainly doesn't suggest this. Since the ZHP is the most expensive option and contains some enhancements exclusively, then is the ZHP 330i considered the top end of the line? Not having some of the key options like lumbar support doesn't support this.

You'll see some of this option segregation with brands such as Mazda where they try to create two distinct version of a car - one "luxury" and one "sport". I'd dare say that all BMW owners are looking for both.

My two cents

bmwrocks · Oct 28, 2003

The option combos do seem very odd for the ZHP equipped 330. There must be some reason for it though. I firmly believe BMW thinks things through and doesn't just slap their cars together in a hurry from a design standpoint.

Although in self-contradiction of what I just said, the new 7 series had vast software bugs in its i-drive system.

But in BMWs defense, when you design a car with the complexity of the 7-series, it is amazing how well they perform overall.

As long as you understand everything you get (or don't get!!) when you order a ZHP then I guess the choice is yours.

What is the motivation for getting the ZHP option? Is the performance really that much better than without it?

After all you could get all the wonderful BMW options if you didn't order ZHP and just add on performance parts later to give the desired effect?

MrElussive · Oct 28, 2003

Beemin, you should be able to get the seat tightened pretty easily if you take it at the dealership. Seat rattling is nothing uncommon.
Beemin, are you hot?

BEEMIN · Oct 28, 2003

BMW rocks - yes, the performance package is worth it. (and that's putting it mildly). And I didn't have to do anything after-market. The car is gorgeous (forgetting the power, handling, and extra engine growl for a moment) and incredibly responsive. I recommend it to anyone who can truly feel a car (and cares). Having said that, I'm still a little bitter about the lumbar support.... [mad]

All - Okay, I'll take the car in to the dealership to get my seat tightened. Was hoping to avoid it cuz it's almost an hour's drive.

MrElussive - My husband certainly thinks so. [^]

Cheers!

MrElussive · Oct 28, 2003

Whoops, forgot you were taken, Beemin.

Any woman rocking a 330i PP is hot in my eyes.
(unless she's obviously not).

elvis46018 · Oct 28, 2003

lumbar support is gone due to the 10 more HP.

Rebeka · Oct 29, 2003

You can have it all (almost)!

I just ordered a 330i with ZHP. If your dealer is willing to call BMWNA, many of these frustrations can go away.

I got leather. I think the "no leather" is a bad rumor started by a misprint on a BMW website or something.

Almost all options are available individually for $200-400 each. Have your dealer call BMWNA. I think Myrtle trim is the only one not available individually, and that would be so wrong in a ZHP. (So would the two exterior colors they don't let you order, IMHO.)

I got that. Option code: 488

Yes, but you get to select Imola Red! No other non-M 3-series will have that color. I got selected the silver gray with black leather interior. I still have doubts and time to change my mind. Thoughts? Imola Red just looks so good, but I like the silver gray's understatement.

Ordered that. Option code: 431

This is now standard on all MY2004 3-series including the ZHP.

Sure, but performance and x don't really go together. I think the Audi S4 (with four wheel drive) only beats the ZHP by a fraction of a second, and its got a lot more horses!

Yeah, this sucks.

BTW, I also ordered the rear sunshade: Option 415: http://www.bmw330ci.com/330ci_sunshade.htm

MrElussive · Oct 29, 2003

SMG is not available because BMW gives you a special short-throw six-speed manual transmission. Plus, it would add a hefty $2,400 or so to the pricetag. [:0]

mhawman · Oct 29, 2003

Rebeka,

I think you just made my day! I was so bummed that I could not get the lumbar support in the ZHP. It was almost a deal buster becasue I am coming from an A4 with sport seats and the power lumbar.

I am calling my dealer tommorow with the option numbers you gave me. Hopefully it is not too late.

As for color. I also went with the silver grey. I think it looks super with the 18 inch wheels. Very understated classiness.

Thanks for the help

Mike

Average Jae · Oct 31, 2003

imola red is hot!! no offense to those w/ black or silver bimmers, but man, they are a dime a dozen. (silver was the most popular color in 03.. or soemthing, and black is well classy.) but imola red means business. i love it.

as for the xi having all season tires only.. erm are you missing the point of the awd? they made it for winter driving to compete w/ a4 and such, summer high perf tires + anything resembling snow = $0k+ tin can on the ditch..

sucks yours didn't have lumbar suppport, neither did my 03.. but if yer really looking out for your back, wth you doing getting a sports sedan? second vote for the buick!!! [:p]

mhawman · Oct 31, 2003

You miss the point with the all-season tires on the xi. The xi should at least have the option for performance tires, then you get snows for winter. My A4 came this way and the handling is far superior.

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