So I come home to find this.........(Pix added!)

[AzNMpower32]

After getting tired of having nothing to do on the UVa campus, I decided to come home for this weekend. As expected, the train was 2 hours late and I got back to Union Station quite tired. I was glad to see my parents and I'm very happy to be hime, but I must say, the biggest surprise was..............

My parents had traded the Civic for 2006 BMW 325i

So according to the window sticker here's what's on it:

Titanium Silver w/Black leather
Automatic
Sport
Premium
Cold Weather
sunshades rear and rear-side
PDC
Comfort Access
Logic7
Active Steering (eekkk!)

VERY interesting is the fact, this is one of those South Africa assembled 3-series that leak into the US. So, we'll be the guinea pigs and see if there is a difference in quality and reliability.

Aite I'll edit more and post pics later.........

[xnsf]

hmmm...interesting

how did south africa assembled 3ers get into the states?

that 325 is almost loaded!

CONGRATS

[SANguru]

Originally Posted by xnsf

hmmm...interesting

how did south africa assembled 3ers get into the states?

that 325 is almost loaded!

CONGRATS

uhh... the 325i's have been produced there for quite a while already...

[trueX5er]

sweet! Post pics when you can!
I assume this one was used? Or was it sitting on the lot for a year?

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by trueX5er

sweet! Post pics when you can!
I assume this one was used? Or was it sitting on the lot for a year?

Yes, this one was CPO. It had *just* gotten in and my parents put down a deposit for it before someone else could get it.

[AzNMpower32]

Yay! I finally got some quick photos done this morning . The car hasn't been detailed so I didn't think it'd be worth it to do some fancy photoshoot.











Yes yes, I know the wood trim is less than ideal, but that's what happens when you buy pre-owned. I looked up how to get an oil change done on E90post, but at the same time saw all these neat mods. Sad thing is, I've already got some small mods planned. For example, I've already disabled the headlamp washers . Then it's the rear foglights possibly over winter break, maybe aluminum pedals? Maybe swap out the wood for aluminium trim? I might even switch the shift lever since I actually haven't warmed up to the shiny plastic trim on the lever. I know, I'm such a bad boy.......thinking of mods 2 days after I see it!

I'm still quite attached to the X3 yesterday, probably because I'm more used to it. But I like the "normal" steering on the X3, and I prefer the better throttle response along with the normal brakes. The knobs are bit overdone on the new BMWs; I prefer the old button-fest dashboard on the X3.

[trueX5er]

nice ride....I would add clear front signals to the mod list, but I know those are difficult...

[E61Silver]

It looks real nice hope you have fun driving it.

[vinuneuro]

Nice looking car Matt! Congrats!

Btw, why would you disable the headlight washers when you can simply not push the button that works them?

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Nice looking car Matt! Congrats!

Btw, why would you disable the headlight washers when you can simply not push the button that works them?

I believe that the headlamp washers work similar to the X3. If the headlamps are on and you pull the stalk for the windshield washer, the headlamps will also spray every 5 times. The button merely activates the automatic rain sensor, the same function as pushing the stalk up once in the older BMWs. The turn signals and wiper stalks are both electronic now.

I drove it a bit over the weekend and back to Charlottesville this evening. a couple observations:

1. The turn signal and cruise stalks are too close and similar in feel. I frequently hit the wrong one to do whatever I had intended. I might cancel the cruise while trying to signal for a lane change, and vice versa. The cruise stalk is a poor design; put it back on the buttons for the steering wheel!

2. The brakes work fine 8/10 times. The other two, the computer mis-guesses what I want to do and might grab onto the brakes as a function of the new brake features.

3. 30 miles to the gallon on the highway trip to Charlottesville, doing moderate (55-70mph) cruising. Great!

4. Sport seats are fantastic, but I'll have to coach my parents on not rubbing the side bolsters upon entry and exit.

5. The previous owner must've had kids. I wish we didn't have the ugly plastic carseat anchors in the backseats along with the special middle seat belt.

I will have to wait the long wait until I can go home and drive it some more! Maybe take advantage of the sport package