[Carlman]

I was hoping to have lots of cool photos by now but no such luck... been too busy.. I have kept it fairly clean, though.

I have been pretty much in heaven since I bought it.  This is by far the best car I've ever owned.  What's nice is since it was a car I hadn't been drooling over for months (or years) and didn't expect to buy so quickly, the 'newness' is still very alive.

The car continues to impress me with the well-thought-out-ness of it all.  It is technically excellent.  Then, the actual visceral experience of driving is so emotionally gratifying that it all comes together in harmony.  Hmmm... This all sounds like what I said before I got married...    However, if that's any indication, this will surely be a nice, long relationship. So, needless to say, I'm completely stoked.

As to mods... I plan on replacing the wood trim with silver/aluminum trim... because I'm more of a metal guy than wood.  The only other thing I may do is put a short-shifter on it.  That will be a while, though... maybe a Christmas present?

The audio system is 'adequate'.  I put a really nice system in my wife's car that blows it away...  And when I drive her car, I get the itch to upgrade my own... But, that's way far off if it even happens...

Anyway, I have had one minor issue that's being checked out now... there's a squeek and rattle/thump on one rear wheel.  I have a feeling the dealership left something loose when I asked them to check the alignment.  I'm learning the tricks of the dealership as I go.... They have loaner cars... but only if you're willing to make an appointment weeks in advance... because they're all taken... hahaha... So, to me that says they really don't have loaners.... and/or aren't willing to make other arrangements.  I find that quite humorous.  This is my second dealer experience... let's call these guys 'Performance' Dealership.

The first dealer experience was I decided to check out 'Leith Dealership'... All I needed was my NC safety inspection sticker.  My service advisor was full of it.  He laid on the 'customer service' speak heavily.   Then they took 1 and a half hours to do the inspection... After Mr. Smooth told me it would be 45 minutes... which I thought was a bit long since it's usually only 15 minutes...  When I finally got my car back, Mr. Smooth service advisor didn't apologize... but was sure to shake my hand and said thanks.  The icing on the cake was that I got a letter TELLING me to give them all '5' marks on their evaluation.  They said '5' was the best and anything less was 'failing'.  I was outraged.  I'm getting told what to say about my crappy experience.  I haven't gotten the follow-up call... and don't expect it.  If they do call, I'm sure it'll be the usual stuff where they ask, "Where you greeted with a smile?" and "Did they explain the benefits of BMW service?"... etc... No questions about the actual point of going there... I've taken quite a few of these surveys and they rarely ask anything about the actual point of my visit, quality of service, or confidence in their work... etc... I mean, while I was there, I saw employees driving the cars like they stole them... I bet that's not a question on the survey... ha!

Sorry for the long answer... I'm loving the car.  It's awesome, the right car for me, and is just perfect.  The dealerships are the same as any other... I just hope I don't have to spend much time there after today.  We shall see....

[fabaudio]

Carlman

 Congratulations! Did you get a 2 year old or go for broke?

[bubba966]

Glad to hear you're lovin' your 325. I'm not surprised though...

As to mods... I plan on replacing the wood trim with silver/aluminum trim... because I'm more of a metal guy than wood. The only other thing I may do is put a short-shifter on it. That will be a while, though... maybe a Christmas present?  

The audio system is 'adequate'. I put a really nice system in my wife's car that blows it away... And when I drive her car, I get the itch to upgrade my own... But, that's way far off if it even happens...

Put the UUC Motorworks short throw shifter in there. You'll be glad you did.

And who cares about the audio system in it. When I'm driving my buddies M5, I never ever even put his faceplate on (I do leave the radio on in my truck though). I'd much rather just listen to the car. That's much more fun. Granted an E34 M5 does sound a slight bit different than an E46 325, but I'm sure your 325 still sounds pretty good.

[Hantra]

Man I know what you mean about the dealers.  It's so ghey that they promise you a loaner, and then you find out you have to make an appointment WEEKS in advance.  

I have news for them.  If I know I'm bringing my car in WEEKS in advance, well I can find a freaking RIDE to work.  If I have an emergency, then I have to ride to work in the ghetto shuttle with the old man who can't drive.  I feel like I am in an after-school program or something.  Not a good thing for people who are spending this kind of money on a car.

It gets worse though.  When I was at the dealership buying my car, there was a BRAND NEW Mercedes S class being traded in.  I asked my boy about it and he said it was sa guy who had bought it 4 months ago, and went in for service yesterday for the first time.  They gheyed him in a GRAND AM for a loaner.  Think about that.  You drop $90k and you're pimping a GRAND AM to work.  He was pissed so he traded.  

Carl you have to go to driving school up at VIR once you get it broken in.  I think I am going to go for Oktoberfest.  Bill Auberlin will also be there and offering laps around the track for charity.  There's going to be a McClaren F1, and even a CSL there!!!  W00t!!!!!  

Check it out at http://tarheelbmwcca.org/   . . .

[Carlman]

Congratulations! Did you get a 2 year old or go for broke?

 Broke, Baby, Yeah!!!  It's brand new... had 13 miles on it when I picked it up in Boston and now has about 1500...

I got the car back today... it appears something wasn't tight, greased, or whatever with my parking brake.  They cleaned it up real purdy, too.  So, I'm happy again.

You are right about that intoxicating engine noise, Bubba... I can't get enough of it.  UUC is my friend.  I'm even considering the TSE3 exhaust system sometime down the road... I keep telling myself it's enough, it's perfect, don't mess with it...    However, their short shifter is on my short list.

B, I am so on the VIR thing... if the money is there, I'm there.  I'll check out the link.  

The dealer experience makes or breaks a car-ownership experience.  If you're treated well and have confidence in the mechanics, you will continue to own that brand of car.  I don't know why dealerships don't get that.

Life is good.

-C

[Hantra]

Dude. . .What was up with the parking brake?  Was it a squeak?  Curious b/c mine has ALWAYS squeaked when I got out of the car with the parking brake on.  E46fanatics seem to think this is prevalent with E46's, but if you got it fixed, then I am going to try.

Thanks,

B

[Jay S]

Carl,

I'm glad that you're enjoying your E46!  

I brought my E36 to Road America when it had 1500 miles on it...  

UUC may indeed be your friend.  If you want racy sonics (but with around town civility) then ask them about the Jim Conforti / Eurosport intake.  You'll get better responsiveness, quite a bit more top end power... and a spine-tingling yowl at 6-7k rpm.  You can also check out UUC's exhaust but I think you'll get more power from the intake.  

Have fun!

[lonewolfny42]

Carl,

Glad it worked out so well....as you say.... "life is good" !!! [/list:u]
So...when are you going to "loan me" the BMW..... [/list:u]

[Hantra]

UUC may indeed be your friend.  If you want racy sonics (but with around town civility) then ask them about the Jim Conforti / Eurosport intake.  You'll get better responsiveness, quite a bit more top end power... and a spine-tingling yowl at 6-7k rpm.  You can also check out UUC's exhaust but I think you'll get more power from the intake.  

Have fun!

Man the Conforti with the Shark only gets me 10hp according to Turner's dyno.  I mean if it makes it more responsive, well I'm all for that, but I won't be able to tell a 10hp difference.  Does the throttle respond better?

Thx,

B

[Marbles]

Carl,

Glad it worked out so well....as you say.... "life is good" !!! [/list:u]
So...when are you going to "loan me" the BMW..... [/list:u]

Chris, any time you want to come out and drive a land shark...a 70 LeMans convertible with an Olds 455 big block....come on out.  It's quite a thrill as long as the road is straight....and an even bigger thrill if there are curves....

[lonewolfny42]

Carl,

Glad it worked out so well....as you say.... "life is good" !!! [/list:u]
So...when are you going to "loan me" the BMW..... [/list:u]

Chris, any time you want to come out and drive a land shark...a 70 LeMans convertible with an Olds 455 big block....come on out.  It's quite a thrill as long as the road is straight....and an even bigger thrill if there are curves....

Rob, Thanks for the offer....your purchase worked out well I guess....nice !!!!

Now how's that "big block" gas mileage.... [/list:u]
Top down....cruise on........... [/list:u]

[Marbles]

I haven't paid that much attention to it.  My best guess is about 15 hwy, 10 city, less if I get on it.  

It's worked out well....the car has it's problems, but I've solved most of the big ones.

This is going to be a VERY fun summer

[Jay S]

Hantra,

Its hard to dyno BMWs since the ECU adapts to changes which makes it difficult to measure the impact of a mod.  Jim had several lengthy posts on this about 5-6 years back and if you did a search for "Jim Conforti" and "adaption" then you'd get a bunch of links.  If you also search for "Jay Sala" and "BMW modification" then you will see what happened when I took mods off my E36.  You can also find some of my reports of what I noticed after I added my sharked ECU and my Conforti intake, but to me the impact of the mod was clearer and less prone to the placebo effect than when you are putting a mod on.  

Yes, throttle response definitely improved, as did engine smoothness, mid range torque and top end power.  I didn't use a dyno, but here's how I came to these conclusions:

- I could no longer feel a vibration through the steering wheel then the car was at idle
- I was not downshifting as often to 4th to pass on the highway, and was getting a bit of oversteer if I got on the gas as hard as I used to at mid corner
- With the intake, acceleration from 80-100 in 3rd produced a satisfying rush rather than noise and moderate acceleration; in general, 5500-7000 rpm became very usable.  

By the way, gas mileage also improved with the new ECU - my on-board computer indicated something like 1-2 extra mpg at cruise on the highway when I'd get an instant readout of gas mileage.  

Perhaps you can find someone selling a Jim C intake for cheap so you can give it a shot.  I ended up selling mine for something like $200 less than what I paid for it....

[Carlman]

Thanks for the mod tips and advice... I don't see major mods happening anytime soon, though... I want to enjoy it stock for the first year or 2... Once the mods start, it's all downhill.  I'd rather go FI than doing an intake.... It's thousands more to do but many times more power.  So, when the warranty is winding down, I'll be looking at a Vortech.

The ONLY things I'm changing this year are the shifter and trim.  And the trim is almost an even swap.... I'm selling the wood trim to buy the silver.

B, I didn't know the e-brake squeek/thump was a common concern until I went to the dealership and we did the ass-to-seat-up-down test.  I bounced in the driver's seat with the brake on and it squeeked and thumped in all of them.  However, releasing the brake got rid of the problem completely.  My problem went beyond that to when I drove (with the brake off) and it still squeeked.  They redid the rear brakes (new pads, grease, adjustments) and I have yet to drive while it was cold, when the problem was happening the most.  

When I picked it up last night, I swear it felt tighter than it ever has.  I'm just wondering if they tightened something else too...  I don't care because I love it.  This car so totally rocks.... and it's a 'base' model..    You know, BMW style base... cruise, electric everything, rain-sensing wipers, sunroof...     The ONLY thing I wish I could've gotten was leather because it breathes better.... that may have to be a future mod as well.  See, I don't need temptation.. I tempt myself.

So, the current plan is to wait on everything.  I have to start saving money for a lot of things.  On the audio front, I think a TacT/Butler combo is in my future... as are some sweet mods and driving schools... It's all just money!  ha.  Even if I continue to get good contracts it'll be a year before I can even start with mods.... and probably the same for considering the next big system.

I think I'm going for a drive now...  Wife's still asleep...  

BTW, mileage is still insanely good... My 'spirited' driving has yielded me the lowest to date, 24mpg... but I got 26 when I filled up yesterday... which was on a tank where I was driving as I normally would.  So far the highest was 31 (all hwy) on the way home when I was putting the initial 800 mile on it.  If it gets better (as it normally does), I will be thoroughly impressed.  As it stands, getting in the mid to upper 20's for mixed driving for this type, size, and performance is outstanding.

-C

[Hantra]

So it IS a common thing.  Let me know if yours doesn't squeak anymore.  I am going to snap on those bastards!  

Trying to talk my wife into buying me a ZHP steering wheel for the birthday.  After tracking the ZHP in SC, I NEED that wheel!  It just feels so good. . .

I think I might ride down in a bit and pick up that TacT to try out with all these amps I have.

L8r,

B

[Carlman]

So it IS a common thing.  Let me know if yours doesn't squeak anymore.  I am going to snap on those bastards!  

Trying to talk my wife into buying me a ZHP steering wheel for the birthday.  After tracking the ZHP in SC, I NEED that wheel!  It just feels so good. . .

I think I might ride down in a bit and pick up that TacT to try out with all these amps I have.

L8r,

B

My squeek still exists but only when the brake is on.  If you pick up the TacT, and feel like killing some time, let me know... I'd love to hear it in my room again.

BTW, I just got the call for the dealer review from BMW... They asked a few silly questions but also asked a few good ones... and wrote down (typed) all of my comments.  I read them a line from the letter where they are instructing me to answer the survey with all high marks.  Wow.  I still laugh about that one....  This was the one for Leith.  The latest experience was quite good.  *other than not having a loaner but it didn't really matter to me in this case.

[BikeWNC]

This is OT, but which TacT model are you checking out Hantra?

Andy

[Hantra]

Andy:

I'm looking at a 2.0S, but I'll be trying the 2.2 at my place to see if I want to buy the 2.0S.

[bubba966]

You are right about that intoxicating engine noise, Bubba... I can't get enough of it. UUC is my friend. I'm even considering the TSE3 exhaust system sometime down the road... I keep telling myself it's enough, it's perfect, don't mess with it...    However, their short shifter is on my short list.

Yeah, the sound (or lack of sound) while driving my buddies M5 is awesome. It's so quiet if you're stopped or at cruising speed which I find nice. Not much of the outside noises make it into the cabin. But as soon as you lay into the throttle, the engine lets you know that it's there. And that's a sweet sound... I still want to get an E34 540. And it'd be nice if the V8 in that sounded anywhere near as nice as the straight 6 in the M5 I'm used to.

Anyway, don't wait to throw the UUC short throw in there. It seemed like it'd be pretty easy to install (so easy that I got annoyed that I was having a dealer do it as it wasn't cheap to tow it to the dealer), so if you're at all handy with a wrench & socket it shouldn't be a big deal.

The faster you get that shifter in there, the faster you can start breaking it in. And the faster you can get used to driving it with the short throw. Because I'll tell you right now that the UUC shifters bushings are a good deal firmer & more precise than the stock ones (so much so that my buddy was missing a few shifts when he started to drive it again as he was really, really used to the old shifter. and he didn't drive it until after I'd broke it in and loosened it up a bit! ). And you'll want to get used to getting the tranny in gear quicker. Once the UUC was in the M5 I was having a bit of a hard time clutching as fast as I could shift the tranny. I'm sure with a slight adjustment to reduce a little of the over-throw of the clutch and some more practice it wouldn't be a problem.

As far as the exhaust goes, I don't see much of a reason to go with it if your engine is stock. It'll mostly just change the sound of the exhaust at this point. It'd be a bit more beneficial if it was supercharged. But that's a lot of $ to basically change the exhaust note. And it sounds like you're happy with the exhaust note as it is...

[ss397]

carlman congrats on yournew car. you have to drive one to get it. "the ultimatedriving machine" ia an apropos moniker. the BMW is a cruel mistress(like audio) so watch your wallet. on the plus side people routinely drive these cars for 300k miles with no major failures( especially manual transmission) but with the current electronic complexity it can still cost you.