325i questions...

[Johann]

My dad is looking at ordering a 2003 325i. Some questions:

-Any differences between MY 2002 and MY 2003? Dealer claims the only difference is the free schedule maintaince is 3 years vs. 4 years.

-Any changes for MY2004?

-Is Steel Grey still available for order? If not, is it being replaced by Sterling Grey or Silver Grey? How do these colors compare to Steel Grey?

-How does leatherette compare to leather? We sat in a Steel Grey/Black leatherette in the show room, and drove a Silver/Black leather car. Other than the nice leather smell, I couldn't tell much of a difference without actually looking at the window sticker... although it was hard to compare as the showroom was dimly lit.

Does leatherette smell plasticky or get even more stickier than leather in hot weather? How well does leatherette wear? I'm guessing probably like vanadium-hardened steel.

Jonathan

[ObD]

Most of your questions can be answered by using the Search feature of the board on the upper RH corner. Figured I'd get this in before the resident 'Fest Hun welcoming committee add their acidic .02 ;)

[Magna]

i think leatherette is great. at first i thought i wanted cloth, but the leatherette looks better. the leather is not of good quality, look at some used cars with leather and you'll see what i mean. i hear the higher end leather from BMW is better though, i.e. the leather in the M3 and M5. if i could do it all over again i might have gotten harmon kardon, but at that time there was rattle issues, i would still get leatherette. hope this helps

[bmw325]

One suggestion-

You might want to try special-ordering a cloth interior. The cloth will be more comfortable than either leather or leatherette, and more durable than the cheesy BMW leather. It'll also help quiet down the somewhat noisy (rattly, sqeaky) e46 interior. This is especially important if you opt for fold-down rear seats.

Anyway, just my .02.

[richard]

I think leatherette is great. Most people comment on what nice leather my car has. As far a how hot it gets, I'm a poor person to ask. I live in the Chicago area and hate cold weather. My car is black on black and I have no problems with it being hot. After freezing 7 months out of the year I feel there is no such thing as too hot.

[Johann]

Originally posted by robg
One suggestion-

You might want to try special-ordering a cloth interior. The cloth will be more comfortable than either leather or leatherette, and more durable than the cheesy BMW leather. It'll also help quiet down the somewhat noisy (rattly, sqeaky) e46 interior. This is especially important if you opt for fold-down rear seats.

Anyway, just my .02.

Thanks... he wasn't planning on ordering the fold down seats.

Jonathan

[Mystikal]

Originally posted by Johann
Thanks... he wasn't planning on ordering the fold down seats.

Jonathan

BTW, the E46 is actually VERY quiet. Because of that you may hear an odd squeek or rattle, but that's only because there is so little other types of noise intruding. The first thing I said to myself when I test drove my car was how amazingly quiet it was. It all depends on what you're used to.

My car doesn't squeek anywhere, at all. :dunno:

[F1Crazy]

MY '03 free maintenance has been extended to 4 years/50K miles.
Premium Package on '03 325i comes with auto dimming headlights and rain sensing wipers, some cars have 3rd headrest in the back. That's about it.

[Bill97Z]

What the heck are autodimming headlights? Not something I think I would want!

[Mystikal]

Originally posted by Bill97Z
What the heck are autodimming headlights? Not something I think I would want!

LOL...

[F1Crazy]

:lmao:
I meant autodimming mirror and auto headlights.
You know that!:D

[elbert]

I actually like the leatherette--basically no maintenance involved. With leather, you should condition it regularly. Otherwise, over time, it will dry out and crack.

The bad thing about leatherette is you don't get that great smell. If your olfactory nerve is shot, you can tell the difference if you look closely at the grain pattern.