I drive my 330 convertible mainly on weekends and only when the weather is nice. I don't drive it during the week mostly because I carpool 4 kids in the mornings and there aren't enough seatbelts.
I got the car in June 03 and it has just turned 15,000 miles.
I've been having battery issues (gone thru 4 batteries in 2.5 years) and BMW says it is because of how often I drive (or rather don't drive) the car. They say the battery is becoming sulfated by sitting so much, and gave me a battery tender to "fix" the problem.
I find it hard to believe that I'm the only one who really only drives his bimmer on the weekends, so I'd like to run this little poll.
How often do you drive your car?
And, if you answered "once a week" or "once a month" have you had battery problems?
I drive mine on weekends only...not because I have another daily driver, but because I travel out of town durning the week for business. It's always nice getting off of an airplane and having my baby waiting for me for the weekend though!:thumbup:
I only drive mine on weekends as well... and not every weekend at that. I've had my Bimmer just over 2 years and 2 months... and just turned 7,500 miles. Because of the weather I haven't driven it in about a month! And I've never driven in the rain.
I've heard about battery issues with these cars, but I haven't had any problems (knock wood) with my battery so far. Even as little as I drive. In fact, just starting it up today I was wondering if I was going to have a low battery (this was one of the longest sitting periods) but it started right up. She will be getting a work out this weekend at Bimmerfest.
Maybe it is just us "convertible" guys/gals. :dunno: I do drive mine more than just weekends but it does sit for quite a bit of time during the New Englands winters. Mine is an '01 with 55K on the odo. No major problems to report and only replaced tires (A couple of times :angel: ).
I drive my 330 about once a week. I'll drive it more if I am going to a friend's house for example, or for longer trips. It is usually out on the weekends. When I have to go to places that involve lots of door dings (the grocery store, or anywhere in Boston for example), I take the beater. The 330 will be taking a few hundred mile trip to Orange Co (NY) this weekend.
My car has just under 12,000 miles in 2 years 1 month, and I have not had any battery problems, knock on wood! As an aside, I have had sulfated batteries with motorcycles over the years, and the battery tender works well to prevent that. I also went to a BMW gelcell battery in the K bike and that and the tender has helped for the over winter storage. I wonder if an Optima battery or similar would work better in a car that sits for periods of time, provided it fits in the battery compartment.
My problem too. Makes me sick that I drive it mostly on the weekends. But I take the subway (Metro) to work, so no need during the week, other than the occasional evening errand (my wife gets most of the groceries). 8500 miles in 3.5 years (and 1000 of those during ED).
I had teh same battery issue. But only once. Totally dead, but it was the middle of summer. There was supposedly some sort of issue with the AC system not fully shutting off if you turned off the car with the AC still on. I forgot to turn it off, and two days later car was completely dead. Dealer claimed it was because I don't drive enough; I suspect it was really the AC issue (which supposedly was fixed through a software update). Haven't had a problem since, and I try to make sure I drive it in cold weather some to make sure it at least gets a little love.
I agree 100%. One of the reasons I bought a Bimmer was because they seem to be the ultimate jack of all trades. I went from owning 2 cars (a weekend/track car, and a daily) to owning 1 Bimmer that does it all. It's extremely comfortable for long trips, and daily commutes, offers excellent cargo space and amenities, yet it can still hold it's own at the weekend autocross or HPDE. I've joked with my friends and called it "the ultimate compromise" ... Not quite a pure bred sports car, not quite grocery getter. I love it!
As I said, I carpool kids into school (45 minute drive, bumper2bumper stop+go highway traffic) and need seatbelts and room for 4 kids. A 330 convertible isn't the vehicle for that.
Plus, our 94 Corolla gives me 30+ MPG, has Sirius and cold AC, and doesn't mind eating up the commute miles.
Voted other. I tend to drive it about 4 days per week, M-F, but rarely take it out on the weekends. If I go out on the weekends, it's usually a family thing or a run to the hardware store, which equals either the SUV or the beater.
Daily driver here!!! To be honest nothing gets me going in the morning til i take this curve to work at about 75mph(35mph is the posted speed) then my heart starts beating and i end up at work with some sort of high.
Daily driver here!!! To be honest nothing gets me going in the morning til i take this curve to work at about 75mph(35mph is the posted speed) then my heart starts beating and i end up at work with some sort of high.
Daily driver here!!! To be honest nothing gets me going in the morning til i take this curve to work at about 75mph(35mph is the posted speed) then my heart starts beating and i end up at work with some sort of high.
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