When You Should Spend $7. Or $1. 50,0. 00 On A BMW Sedan. Hello, my somewhat wealthy friend. You’ve worked hard in your life to earn your riches. You deserve nice things.

Things like a 2. 01. BMW 5. 30i. You’ve earned it. Go on, get it. Oh wait, you’re not somewhat wealthy—you’re stupid wealthy? Fuck everyone. Get an Alpina B7. Here’s what $1. 50,0. BMW sedans. There is no disputing it. Place a regular driver in a regular BMW 5 Series—an all new car for 2.

Owner's Manual for the Vehicle. With a quick reference guide for your convenience. Complete coverage for your BMW 3 series (Excludes M3) (see years and models covered): Routine maintenance Tune-up procedures Engine Repair Cooling and heating Air.

Series, and the experience is virtually the same. Big comfy throne for a chair. Same BMW interface. Those neat and nifty and extraordinarily nerdy gesture controls to make the radio louder or quieter. That’s almost what makes the 5 Series so good.

The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36. BMW 1 Series Workshop Manual Covers: Up To Mid-Year 2017This BMW 1 Series workshop manual allows you to search repair procedures, servicing information, technical.

You sit there and you think, “Oh, thank GOD I didn’t buy the 7.” Because if you did, you’d end up just looking like a showy dunce who likes to spend money. But when you add Alpina into the mix, things get a little more interesting, and a lot more expensive.(Full Disclosure: BMW wanted us to drive both the BMW 5 Series and the Alpina B7 so bad that we asked for them, and they said, “okay.” We picked them up from their garage here in New York, and both of them came with a full tank of gas.)What’s The Difference?

They both come from Germany, they both have turbocharged engines, and they’re both built on the same modular platform. They both feature gesture controls, which allow you to wave your hands in the air, much as you would if you didn’t even care, to turn the volume up down. They both also feature a regular volume knob.

They both have extraordinarily comfy seats. They both have at least one BMW badge, somewhere. They both have heads up displays so large, it’s as if all 4. Waldseem? I’m not one to make moral judgments. You gotta make peace with your own deities.).

They both accelerate to literally some miles per hour in literally some sort of measurable time. They’re both about 2. They both will get you to where you going. Really, if all you care about is the basics, along with some hyper- tech and some safe, conservative, reserved style and class, there’s no reason not to get a BMW 5 Series. It makes a car like the Alpina B7 kind of pointless. But that’s where it all ends.

Whereas my BMW 5. Big 7—which is what the “B7. Eight cylinders, containing 4. V. 6. 00 horsepower. A top speed electronically limited to right around 1. The B7, like the 7 Series it’s based on, features carbon fiber in the chassis, too, just to make sure that what looks to be an elephant can truly dance.

It’s vast in size and scope, with its long wheel base allowing nothing but the most sophisticated, discerning passengers to recline in the big rear thrones, massaged by nothing but the finest air bladders. The bladders are synthetic, BMW claims, but I have a sneaking suspicion they come from animals so fine mere mortals like you and I have never heard of them. They shit gold. Alpina badges are everywhere, even in the electronic instrument cluster. They remind you that this is no “ordinary” BMW. It’s rarer even than a vaunted “M.” In fact, just inside the door there’s a little manufacturer’s note that this is actually no longer a BMW, not by the German government’s definition, anyway. How To Install Themes On Bb Bold 9000 on this page. In fact, Alpina claims it’s changed: The adaptive steering. The adaptive suspension.

The dampers. The wheels, obviously. The turbos. The exhaust, so now you can almost, sometimes, if you’re just whispering amongst yourselves, consider it “loud”The intake. The steering wheel leather, which now comes hand- stitched in Alpina’s traditional blue and green. The intercooler. The pistons, now made by Mahle. The transmission, which Alpina lets you switch around not by paddles, but by buttons on the back of the steering wheel (though you can still specify paddles, if you really insist upon it)The very heart and soul of the beast itself.

And it’s got neat little white stitching on the brown leather, too. I didn’t have that in the 5 Series, no siree. Which All Adds Up To A Nice Recipe, If Your Budget Can Stretch. If you strip away all the Alpina bits, and just leave a regular 7 Series, you get a very good, very competent, very luxurious car.

And that’s all pretty neat and fine, were it not for the 5 Series, which really does feel just about every bit as good and lovely as the 7, as long as you’re not eight feet tall with consistent NBA contract demands to sit in the back seats wherever you go. If you can only afford a car that’s $7. BMW, I suggest the 5 Series. But if you can afford a car that’s over $1. Alpina B7. Despite its 4,5. And when it all gets too fast, when it all gets too scary when not even the B7's ionized perfume dispenser can calm you beating heart, your spine pummeled into dust by furiously inflating and deflating bladders, massive platters masquerading as brake rotors behind the gorgeous 2. Alpina wheels haul you back into humanity’s normal dimension.

It’s sort of all astounding how it does it. But Not Everything Is Perfect With These Bavarian Wonders. BMW’s self- driving system is still pretty crap. It snakes, it slithers, it forces you to constantly put your hands on the wheel. It’s silly and pointless. Please Insert Adobe Cs3 Design Premium To Continue Installation here. Don’t use it. It’ll get better, but it’s not good now. The steering, while vastly improved and much more direct than BMW’s early iterations of drive- by- wire tillers, still doesn’t provide much by way of feedback either, even if you shove it all the way from Comfort Plus (which can be earnestly compared to feeling like you’re driving along a road paved with the backs of particularly plump dogs) all the way into Sport Plus, which is like the Sport mode in many cars, but also, Plus.

So Should You Actually Get Either One? This is one of those weird questions. It’s not like “oh, should I get a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic?” This comes down to an even deeper question about what sort of person you are. Even beyond the silly, entirely, completely inconsequential question of how big is your wallet?

Maybe it helps that I can’t really afford either of these cars, despite my vast blogging riches. But do you want a car that gets you quietly and confidently to your destination, reserved in intent and purpose, to wow only those that get close enough to for you to show off your nifty finger- twirling radio tricks?

Or do you want the sort of car that hears about rising income inequality, the death of the American dream, and any semblance to an end to rent- seeking and says, stoutly and resolutely, that to hell with all of it, I’ve made my way in this world, and I deserve to be rewarded with nothing but the sensation of buttery- soft cow peelings repeatedly shoved forcefully into the back of my head? I know which one I’d take. But I’ll need the money for it somewhere.

BMW E4. 6 - Bimmer. Wiki. Contents. 1About this Wiki. E4. 6 Summary. 3Buying an E4. E4. 6 Manuals. 5Maintenance. Add- on Compatibility.

Audio. 8Brakes. 9Electrical. Engine. 11. Fuel System. Interior. 13. Navigation.

Exterior / Body. 15. Performance. 16. Steering & Suspension. Transmission. 18. HVAC - Ventilation & A/C / Climate Control. Parts? 2. 0OTHER See also (M3, Bentley Service Manual, Other Useful Info)2. External links. About this Wiki. The E4. 6 Wiki should be used as a tool to help all E4.

Check out the discussion forums at Bimmerfest and E4. Fanatics or Bimmer. Forums. E4. 6 Summary.

What is an E4. 6? Each BMW body style is assigned a two digit number preceeded by .

The E4. 6 is the body style for the following models (USA model listing except where noted). EU only). 3. 18i - sedan - 1. EU only). 3. 20i - sedan - 2.

EU and Canada only). Ci - coupe - 2. 00. Cic - convertible - 2.

T - wagon - 2. 00. Ci - coupe - 2. 00. Ci - coupe - 2. 00. Cic - convertible - 2.

T - wagon - 2. 00. T - wagon - all wheel drive - 2.

Ci - coupe - 2. 00. Cic - convertible - 2. M3 - coupe - 2. 00. M3 - convertible - 2. The 2. 00. 6 3 Series sedan and 2.

Series coupe are the new body style, the E9. Coupes get titanium front spoiler trim. In order to comply with these regulations, starting MY0. BMW sold Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (SULEV) in these four states.

There were no AWD SULEV models. For ordering purposes in the four states mentioned, these three SULEV vehicles had their own model designations. The alarm display and button in the middle console remain unchanged. It's only offered with a manual transmission and NOT offered with the premium package. Additionally, all 3. Ci Convertibles for September production must be ordered with ZPP - premium package. It will only be available when the Premium Package is ordered.

SA 4. 26 or Aluminum . If the Premium Package is ordered and SA 4. Myrtle Wood trim (as before). Cars equipped with Navigation are now pre- wired for Sirius. SMG or Sequential Manual Gearbox will become available for most rear- wheel drive 3 Series models beginning October 2.

It will only be available in conjunction with the sport package. SMG will not be available in conjunction with the Performance Package or all- wheel drive models. These features were previously only available with the Premium Package (ZPP). Styling 1. 19 replaces Styling 9. New wheel replaces Styling 7. The goal is to point the light in the direction the car is traveling.

A complex algorithm uses car speed, wheel angle, etc. Of interesting note is the fact that when the car is not moving, the lights will not turn to the driver's side (this is to avoid potential blinding of oncoming traffic, e. The headlight switch must be in the . This aligns the 3. Ci. Now all rear- wheel drive 3. Sport Package Wheel. Sports Wagon Sport Package wheel.

Is it expensive to own? Given that the average E4. To some, a car that starts and runs and doesn't break down frequently would be considered reliable. To others, a . The E4. If you want or expect a car that will get you where you need to go (provided it is properly maintained), an E4.

If you want a car that you can abuse or neglect, or one that will be absolutely free of any sort of minor nuisance or defect, look elsewhere. Virtually all of the model's common problems are now well documented, and most are actually fairly easy to diagnose and repair. ALL 3. 23/3. 28 sedan/coupes).

Convertibles and Wagons of all years have least reports of failure. For all models, it is important to verify subframe and differential bushings are in good shape so there is minimal play in heavy drivetrain components which could further stress the subframe mounting area. The E4. 6 is not an exotic car per se, and does not generally require any special service techniques beyond any other typical import car, though dealerships and many third party shops will attempt to bill you as though it is.

Without question, you will save a significant sum of money by performing your own simple repairs and routine maintenance; meanwhile, paying dealership/shop prices for window regulator repairs and blower resistor pack replacements will make it difficult to justify the cost of ownership. If you intend to have a third party perform all work, you might realistically expect to spend 2- 3x this amount. If you are going to buy a used E4. Luckily, the E4. 6 had free maintenance until 3. BMW dealers. Any dealer should be able to provide the service history with just the last seven digits of the VIN. This is an extremely common failure and a clear weakspot on the E4. Sedans. Some owners had success asking BMW NA to cover all or a portion of the cost for this design defect even when the vehicle was out of warranty.

As stated in BMW's TSB, . CAUSE: Minor corrosion at the 8- pin rear lamp connector creates high resistance causing damage to the connector housing. CORRECTION: Repair the damaged wire(s) and replace damaged connector housing. Install additional ground wires to both left and right rear lamps. Symptoms include a . While BMW has a TSB for this problem, many have occurred out of warranty leading to arguments with the dealer (automotive lighting standards are Federally legislated, yet BMW refuses to repair this design defect once the cars are out of warranty).

This problem was not limited to US market as you can read here. When this occurs all coolant is lost within seconds and the engine will overheat instantly (remember, these cars have only a total of ~2 gallons of coolant). A much better water pump than the stock/OEM unit is available from EMP Steward, but it's pricey ($2.

Other items on the cooling system that should be considered maintenance items since they will likely/eventually fail are the plastic/electric thermostat and the coolant reservoir. Therefore, preventative cooling system maintenance replacing these items every 6. This was already the case with the M5. E3. 6, but it's much easier to repair on the E4.

M5. 4 engines since the timing chains do not have to be removed. This defect is mostly related to the Buna o- rings in the unit's control pistons which due to heat induced hardening allow excessive oil bypass, thus leading to less accurate control of camshaft timing. Fluctuating idle or stalling can also be signs of this problem.

Depending on maintenance this can already occur at 5. K miles. If this defect occurs, there is a noticeable rattle in the engine from the VANOS unit, often around 2,0. Repair is actually relatively easy and a true DIY for someone who has basic skills.

Replacing the Buna o- rings with higher quality Viton rings in the VANOS unit will fix the issue. Better yet Dr. Vanos sells complete rebuild and blue printed VANOS units that are even better than new OEM BMW units and Beisan Systems sells the above mentioned Viton seal/o- ring DIY kits. Cam sensors (intake and exhaust) on the VANOS unit are also prone to fail and as small as they are, they are expensive ($1. The exhaust sensor is usually the first to fail and that occurs often right around 1. K miles. It has been proven that ONLY OEM BMW sensors should be installed during repair since all aftermarket units are not that compatible and of lower quality. VANOS units on ZHP cars are especially failure prone for undetermined reasons. Common opinion is that this is related to the more aggressive camshaft profiles.

Most often the two rear mounting points below the trunk floor are affected. This occurs more often (but not exclusive to) on the early E4. BMW later improved the subframe mounting points in the trunk floor of the car and in later E4.

This problem seems to be so frequent in early E4. IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST! Repairs are very expensive and difficult since the rear axle and subfram have to be removed and the unibody frame and mounting points have to be welded. Recurring stress cracking often occurs even after a repair has been made. You can find more information as well as what it looks like in these threads: Thread 1.

Thread 2. Thread 3.