View Poll Results: Which car would you recommend?
#1 2002 Acura TL Type-S
67.86%
#2 2002 Audi A6 4.2
25.00%
#3 2000 Audi A6 4.2
7.14%
#4 2001 Audi A6 2.8
0
0%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

Getting a new car... (Well, used.)

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Old 03-10-2010, 12:21 PM
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If they haven't been very accommodating about a simple PPI, they are trying to hide something
Old 03-10-2010, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by TheMirror
Its cool dude, I'm 40 and I'd love to have a RSX-S....there just isn't enough headroom in the things for me so its game over.
If I could find a clean 92 GSR, I'd take it in a heartbeat.
Old 03-10-2010, 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Type34
Superior


The only airlines that fly Boeing's out of Denver with every flight are Southwest and Continental, and Southwest is by far the worst airline that flies in and out of Denver.

Originally Posted by ineedmyfixofacura
Umm... thanks for that.
You're a perfect example of that, so you're welcome. You exemplify the stereotype.

Originally Posted by vas25tl
If they haven't been very accommodating about a simple PPI, they are trying to hide something
They keep having other people test driving it is what they have said. We're going to see if they will let us take it in Friday and we're looking to close the deal Saturday if it checks out.
Old 03-11-2010, 03:24 PM
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Hey guys, looking at another car. I found a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT, it's got 120,000 miles but the price is within our new expanded price range. Would buying a high mileage Subaru be a bad idea? Especially with this being the turbo model I'd hate for there to be issues in the near future with the turbo.
Old 03-12-2010, 03:36 AM
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Damn...120k on an '05 is pretty high. Do your research before committing to that, especially if you can find something lower mileage.
Old 03-13-2010, 11:49 PM
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Well I bought a car... Let me just say it's none of the ones mentioned in this thread. I'll post pictures tomorrow or Monday.
Old 03-14-2010, 12:08 AM
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I bet u bought a 86' HOnda Accord, with a goat shit brown interior, running 100 proof jack daniels and custom slowness switch with VTAK?

Lmao, I love Johnny Ricer.
Old 03-14-2010, 01:13 PM
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And there she is gentlemen, my 2001 BMW 330xi!
Old 03-14-2010, 02:18 PM
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A nice choice... good luck with it
Old 03-14-2010, 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by ineedmyfixofacura
I bet u bought a 86' HOnda Accord, with a goat shit brown interior, running 100 proof jack daniels and custom slowness switch with VTAK?

Lmao, I love Johnny Ricer.
and I love sore losers. Grow up.

Originally Posted by 2000TaffetaTL
And there she is gentlemen, my 2001 BMW 330xi!
Car looks great! price/mileage? I've always liked the styling of this generation 3.
Old 03-14-2010, 02:52 PM
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Enjoy! The links below will be of importance to you.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...aramCat=E46328
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/
Old 03-14-2010, 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by AMAN1
Car looks great! price/mileage? I've always liked the styling of this generation 3.
The car has 117,000 on it, it was owned by a good friend of my dad's who owns a German car shop and he took great care of the car. We paid $8500 out the door for the car. It really helped that my dad knew the guy quite well!
Originally Posted by TheMirror
I've already signed up for E46fanatics, thanks for the links!
Old 03-14-2010, 05:52 PM
  #93  
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Great choice! Congrats
Old 03-14-2010, 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by TheMirror
And if you ever need parts...

www.autohausaz.com
Old 03-14-2010, 07:19 PM
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Congratulations on the purchase! Way to go on the sport package, makes a huge difference in comfort. I love those seats.
Old 03-15-2010, 12:21 AM
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Thanks guys! I have to say I'm amazed at the condition this car is in, and it's a lot of fun to drive to boot! It surprised me how advanced this car seemed feature/technology wise compared to my old TL as well, but I do still miss that car. I always thought people were just saying how nicely BMW's drive because of the brand, but this car handles well and it seems quicker than my TL though that may just be me.
Old 03-15-2010, 05:00 AM
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Very nice!! Here's to many years of trouble-free driving!

You got any mods planned?
Old 03-15-2010, 10:19 AM
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Congrats Taffeta! I've owned two E46s as well in the past and as long as you stay on top of your maintenance you'll be fine. Drive safe!
Old 03-15-2010, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by PortlandRL
Very nice!! Here's to many years of trouble-free driving!

You got any mods planned?
I'm planning to hold off on any mods for a bit, the car is in such nice condition that I'd hate to do anything at this point. I probably will try and get tail lights that have the white instead of the amber, but other than that I think I'll leave it stock for a while to come.
Originally Posted by nokiaman
Congrats Taffeta! I've owned two E46s as well in the past and as long as you stay on top of your maintenance you'll be fine. Drive safe!
That's very good to know, my dad's friend with the shop has said just bring it to him every couple of months and he'll look over it for free, and if there is anything that needs work I'd be paying for parts only! Pretty sweet deal if you ask me, he ever will give me a loaner car!
Old 03-16-2010, 02:37 AM
  #100  
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Congrats...and another Steel Blue E46 to boot!


I have an '03...and you're right, I thought the BMW hype was just that...hype...until I drove it. And mine is a 325i...I imagine the 330xi (AWD) is that much more fun to drive. Hopefully you have the Harmon Kardin stereo, I have the Alpine and am shopping for a replacement I recommend the M3 lip spoiler (installed mine after the pics below). You can get a quality lip spoiler quite inexpensive via eBay...


Old 03-16-2010, 04:07 PM
  #101  
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Originally Posted by Type34
Congrats...and another Steel Blue E46 to boot!


I have an '03...and you're right, I thought the BMW hype was just that...hype...until I drove it. And mine is a 325i...I imagine the 330xi (AWD) is that much more fun to drive. Hopefully you have the Harmon Kardin stereo, I have the Alpine and am shopping for a replacement I recommend the M3 lip spoiler (installed mine after the pics below). You can get a quality lip spoiler quite inexpensive via eBay...


Very nice looking 3! I really like Steel Blue, it never seems to look the same under different sunlight, it's quite cool actually. I kind of wish I could have gotten a 330i, but the AWD is much more useful here in Colorado.

I'm trying to decide whether I ought to put in black floor mats, I like the contrast between the tan and the black so it's very appealing to me... Thoughts?
Old 03-16-2010, 04:21 PM
  #102  
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Very nice pickup. I was getting all excited with you mentioning a Legacy GT. Then it was high mileage.

But the 330xi is very nice. I like that model of 3, before it got Bangled and Idriven to death.
Old 03-16-2010, 06:46 PM
  #103  
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Originally Posted by 2000TaffetaTL
I'm trying to decide whether I ought to put in black floor mats, I like the contrast between the tan and the black so it's very appealing to me... Thoughts?
I have the grey interior, but I also put in black floor mats. Better contrast and black is obviously easier to keep clean.

And as others have mentioned, here are some good BMW sources:
http://www.e46fanatics.com
http://www.e90fanatics.com
http://www.bimmerforums.com
http://www.bimmerfest.com
Old 03-16-2010, 08:34 PM
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Well, just had my first surprise on this car... I opened to hood to check the oil level because the light had come on for a few seconds, then when I went to close it the passenger side grille fell out. It looks like someone tried using silicon glue to keep it in place because all of the clips that would hold it in place were busted off. Oh joy! I still love this car it's a blast to drive I just need to get a new grille now.
Old 03-16-2010, 09:39 PM
  #105  
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Congrats!! Nice car, always loved E46.

Time to upgrade to after market black grille...
Old 03-16-2010, 11:16 PM
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lucky you. good luck
Old 03-17-2010, 01:53 AM
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Congrats on the 330xi. Should check if the tranny was made by GM of ZF. If its a zf tranny*I think,* you should look into alternative trannies in the future like the 2nd gen TL. If you got a GM then your all set. The only hard thing to do on the xi's is putting in headers as you needa take out your axles and just a pita to do.
Old 03-17-2010, 04:42 AM
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Maybe a look at Dinan performance?
Old 03-17-2010, 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 2000TaffetaTL
Well, just had my first surprise on this car... I opened to hood to check the oil level because the light had come on for a few seconds, then when I went to close it the passenger side grille fell out. It looks like someone tried using silicon glue to keep it in place because all of the clips that would hold it in place were busted off. Oh joy! I still love this car it's a blast to drive I just need to get a new grille now.
It's a pretty common problem actually. Used to happen to the pre 02 7 series all the time. Used to piss me off when I'm trying to sell a 740iL, customer shuts the hood and the damn grill flies off.
Old 03-17-2010, 08:00 PM
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audi vs acura

I had a 2002 Audi A4 and loved it except for the numerous electrical problems. My car was under a 4 year warranty with free maintenance so I didn't have to pay a penny. Gas gauge went and they replaced the whole instrument cluster (no charge). If you buy an older A6 you would pick up the tab. The 2004 A4 cluster would have cost me $800 and A6's would have been $1000. As grat a car as the Audi is, I think you would have less headaches with the TL.

PS: I have a 2006 TSX (bought new) and have had zero problems with it.
Old 03-17-2010, 08:19 PM
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I opened to hood to check the oil level because the light had come on for a few seconds, then when I went to close it the passenger side grille fell out.
Sux that happened. EBay has replacement grilles quite cheap. Make sure you select 99-01 as my E46, for example, has a larger grille (02-05).
Old 03-17-2010, 10:25 PM
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check out ddmtuning for parts btw.
Grill:
http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p...d=86&parent=78
Old 03-18-2010, 12:03 AM
  #113  
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infiniti I30/I35/Maxima
Old 04-02-2010, 02:59 PM
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Well, almost three weeks I've owned this car... Anyone care to guess how many times I've had to take it to the shop? Four. Took it in to two different shops because I could smell burning oil coming through the heater, had one tell me it's the valve cover gasket and another tell me that it was residual oil. Turns out it was residual oil, I pulled the valve cover off after I got conflicting reports and there were no leaks to be seen, and it was clearly recently replaced. Took it in another time because I had notice the warning signs of a CV boot tearing, sure enough it was. Then finally I took it in today because the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. We ran the codes and it came back what I thought it would be, the MAF sensor was dirty so I just took that apart and cleaned it...

Needless to say this car has been a bit more trouble than I would have liked, but every time I let the I6 engine do it's thing it puts a smile on my face. To be honest my biggest complaint are the tires the car came with, they are the absolute worst all-season tires I've ever had, and needless to say once I can pick up some 18" ZHP wheels I'll be putting winter tires on the stock 17" wheels. After having the car almost slide into a wall the second week I had it this car will be a garage queen when it's supposed to snow.
Old 04-02-2010, 03:34 PM
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Its cool dude, you'll get these little niggles sorted out soon enough and it'll run like a champ.

Look at it this way, if you had gotten any of those Audis, your problems would be thrice what they have been so far. Glass half full.

-Mirror
Old 04-02-2010, 04:04 PM
  #116  
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its alright man.

you will get those things taken care of and be very happy with your bimmer.

my gf had 04 325i sport for like 5 years with no problem. it was VERY fun to drive..
Old 04-03-2010, 03:21 PM
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It's funny because I read most of the posts in this thread to see what would develop and all this time I was like why doesn't he pick a E46 BMW. Low and behold I go on to page 3 and there it is.

Congratulations on the new ride, it looks exceptional for that many miles, especially the interior there are few signs of wear.
Old 04-03-2010, 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
Dude, those Audis will maul your bank account like a chocolate covered poodle in a polar bear tank.
Old 04-22-2010, 05:04 PM
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I figured I'd give another update, had the car a little over a month now. I have already come up with quite the to-do list, but nothing too bad, just stuff I'd like to do myself so I can gain the experience. I'm planning on changing the VANOS seals in the next week, from what I've read the stock ones degrade fairly severely over time and can cause a huge loss in low end power, I'll be going with some that are highly recommended on E46Fanatics. I'll also be ordering clear front turn signals and clear side markers next Friday once I'm paid, and hopefully get some taillights soon with clear rather than amber turn signals.

My mom will be in Europe for three weeks coming up in May so I've decided to take the car into the shop and have them change the oil, transmission fluid and filter, and differential fluid. I figure anything I can do to keep the car running in good shape I will, I've heard horror stories about BMW's when you get behind on the maintenance. I'm also going to have the shop look at my brakes, it seems the passenger rear brake likes to stick or something after the car has sat outside over night, it will squeal when I first start moving until I brake hard a couple of times from low speed.

As far as if I have any regrets over the purchase, only a few. Every time a hear a new noise I think to myself, "I wonder how much that's going to cost". I also kind of regret getting a 330xi rather than a 330i, I'd put winter tires on it either way and while AWD is great, I have a feeling it won't be too long before I have to satisfy that need for RWD. I was a little on the fence about the color of the car as well, thought it might be kind of girly (and maybe that would explain every other 3-series in my color being driven by a woman, almost), but I have come to really like the color, when the car is clean it looks amazing. I could still go for Jet Black or Bright Red but for now it's alright.

Oh, I was also thinking about getting the license plate Subawho if it's available, since Subaru driver's tend to think they're the best being AWD here in CO, figured I could poke a little fun at them. Thoughts?
Old 04-22-2010, 05:21 PM
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I wouldn't do the subawho license plate. They will probably think you are poking fun at their performance not awd system.


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