Info on 330 C o n v e r t i b l e

[Docem2003]

Here is a summary of some info on 330 Conv...

1: No blue tooth till 9/2004 for the Conv......
2: Sirus Radio is now available (even if you have the navigation system)
3: You will lose one speaker with the HK system in the Convertible (totaling 11 speakers instead of 12). There are 3 speakers in each of the front doors... you only see two speaker covers on the outside but the cover with HK on it is actually covering two speakers (a midrange and a tweeter)... there are two speakers in each of the sides in the back and one subwoofer in the trunk.. With the sedans you get two subwoofers in the trunk totaling 12 speakers. The HK sound system is O.K.
3B: I would not buy any extra subwoofers or speakers for the car… unless you wan to spend about $1k…. as you will need to get good dampeners for inside the doors and where you install the new subwoofer…If you don’t everything will rattle.
4: With the auxiliary audio input you will have to pay about $150 in labor to install it, if you have the navigation system. $40 if you don’t have the navigation system. I paid $150 but it is well worth it…. The sound is excellent.
5: When you buy the alarm, you can NOT get the motion detector for the convertibles. This actually sucks for as expensive of a car as a BMW convertible. Apparently the motion detector attaches in the center of the top (which the convertibles lack). I got the alarm, mainly to protect my personal belongings inside the car when the top is down. However, the alarm will NOT offer such protection since it has no motion sensors for inside the car. Paid $330 (installed by the dealer)…
6: A Wind deflector is a MUST. It makes a huge difference. I got mine from BMW of Cleveland via the internet (total cost $350 which includes shipping) Mine has the reflective "BMW" on it. (You can get it without, if you choose to....same price). 1-888-879-1269
7: My Xenon light went out after only 600 miles on the car. There is condensation in the casing. The dealer is replacing the whole unit. Kind of sucks....
8: If you buy the Jet black, be ready for waxing and carwash every other day....
9: I have the special 18" wheels on my car... Great for going around corners at 60mph.... but you will feel every single bump on the road... a very sporty feel to the car and it looks great..... If you get a flat you will have to pay $300 per tire... You can not repair these high performance tires.
10: Finally, in my opinion the service department at BMW of Fremont SUCKS......
[driving2]

 

[fantom]

Thanks for the info. You've answered a couple of questions I had.

 

[TheBry]

Thanks for the info Docem2003 -- great observations as usual.

If it's any consolation, you got a great deal on the AUX install. Although I had mine added to the Due Bill for delivery of my car, I noticed it costs $280 in labor at BMW San Francisco to have the feature installed, so you got a bargain.

Also, thanks for reaffirming my decision to go with the new for 2004 "Silver Grey Metallic" color. I really thought long and hard about going jet black. It looks so classy. I just didn't like the idea of having to wash the car so often to keep spots off. As it stands, it really doesn't matter because I get so much brake dust on the wheels I'm still washing the car more often than I'd like to.

One question about Sirius... does it display song data, etc. via the NAV? That's an option I might be interested in having. I'm also interested in BlueTooth, and am bummed it's not going to be widely available until September. I guess I can wait.

 

[aNoodle]

Cool observations. Most people don't talk about how much those tires are going to be to replace.

How many miles do you guys get on those ultra-low profile tires?

 

[BRC]

Did anyone buy the wheel locks? That is something like the alarm that is hard to beleive they aren't included on a 50k car.....

 

[Docem2003]

Couple of other things:
1: When I bought my car the salesperson told me he could throw in the alarm for a discounted price of $495. Said normally it would run about $700. It did not sound right so I said NO. Then I changed my mind and took my car to the service center (after I had bought the car) and asked the service department to install the alarm. I was ready to put up a little fight to get the discounted $495 price. The service dept told me that the total price including installation was $330.
2: For the Sirius, the interface is the same as the Navigation system (so thought the service rep). i.e. the stations will be displayed on the same screen as your nav. The price is $400, BMW of Cleveland will sell it for $335. The catch with Sirius and convertibles is that YOU HAVE TO DISABLE THE BMW ASSIST in order to install the Sirius....The service rep said when blue tooth comes out for the convertibles, he was “pretty sure” it could be installed along with Sirius.... (I asked him that since I know Bluetooth and assist cant be installed at the same time either).
3: The extension for the Cleveland BMW is 132... 1-888-879-1269 ext 132.... Ask to talk to Kip. He is very knowledgeable. This is an actual BMW dealership. So all parts are dealership parts. And if you buy anything from them. Any other dealer can install it for you… as they are all BMW parts… Or better yet get a price from the Cleveland BMW and then call your local service rep an ask them if they will match the price.