My First BMW - 3 Series Convertible

Yes, I'm considering a New BMW. The dealer is actually about 45 mins away. Would also like to know what people in the snow belt think of the rear wheel drive in the snow. Also is synthetic oil the only oil used in these cars? As opposed to regular oil?

While I'm not a huge toy fan I do induldge in travel. I own two beach homes and cruise up to 3 times a year. So I really don't want for anything. I appreciate all the feedback. I find it all very helpful.

Put four good snow tires on any car in the snow belt. Your BMW so-equipped will be far safer in the snow than anything wearing only all-seasons. Some (not all) FWD cars with snow tires will be better in the snow than the BMW, at least in some respects. Most FWD cars will be far more difficult to bring back from a skid. (One exception to that rule: for drivers who react to any loss of traction by standing on the brake and then freezing, most cars will handle about equivalently :->.)

Yes, I'm considering a New BMW. The dealer is actually about 45 mins away. Would also like to know what people in the snow belt think of the rear wheel drive in the snow. Also is synthetic oil the only oil used in these cars? As opposed to regular oil?

Most BMW dealers will pick the car up at your house, leave a new (or newer) BMW for you to use while they have yours, and return your car when they are finished with it. Ask your dealer if they offer this service. If they don't, ask the one next closest to your house.

I live in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. I change to winter tires in November. (All four wheels as a BMW willl swith ends on you if you only install two). There are very, very few places I can't go when it gets nasty outside. If it's so deep that I am plowing snow - that's another matter. I stay home then or take the wife's 4WD.

All BMW's now use 100% synthetic oil.

While I'm not a huge toy fan I do induldge in travel. I own two beach homes and cruise up to 3 times a year. So I really don't want for anything. I appreciate all the feedback. I find it all very helpful.

Single grade oils are available but you may have to make special orders for them these days unless you want 30W petroleum.

Does the manual say that a non-detergent oil must be used? Detergent oils are good for engine oils because they keep combustion byproducts in solution but they are bad for gear boxes because they foam very easily. Thus, a lot of industrial equipment (my old lathe for instance) specifies 30W non-detergent motor oil for gear boxes.

Your local Red Line dealer is probably Samsonas Motorsport in Utena,

--scott

Nedavno Scott Dorsey napisa:

I think I will not change gearbox oil than.

No, nothing about non-detergent oil. Just not to use multi-grade oil.

:-)

Thank you for your time.

Why did I think you were in Lithiuania? Yeah, the closest is probably Poland, which isn't all that close. Closest dealer for Royal Purple is in Italy, at

Really, try the synthetic gearbox oils. I think you'll find it's more smooth when cold. Although, I'll tell you that it got down to 23'F here this morning and my car was shifting a little stiff at first until the transmission warmed up.

--scott

If you can afford it, and you get good one with a good dealer support then you'll be happy. However, most people's BMW owning experience turns sour when something goes wrong and the dealer turns out to be incompetent. ..and the sourness is usually proportional to the money that you've spent on it. It seem to be that BMW dealers rely on their customers having more money than sense.

In terms of maintenance they don't require anything special. Just oil changes and periodic inspections.

Very few people on a budget should be considering a brand new car.

Same here - 22oF and my Redline MTL filled E46 5 speed did not want to go into first. Slowly shifting into 3rd while idling, then going into 2nd and finally shifting into 1st worked like a charm with no further difficulties.

Tom K.

Nedavno Tom K. napisa:

I'll try that.

Nedavno Scott Dorsey napisa:

The closest dealer is in Greece. Not that it makes any difference.

I'll try and find someone that may be traveling soon to Greece to bring me some. Thank you.

Nedavno Scott Dorsey napisa:

Perhaps I can try some brands that are present here.

MOBIL. You have LS 75W-90:

We also have Valvoline, Castrol and some other brands. Any thoughts?

These are gear oils more for things like the diff. The LS contains friction modifiers for LS diffs. I would have thought that the transmission would take MTL or ATF. Surely import duty can't be all that much can it? When I ordered redline in the UK it sounded like the guy was just working from his garage at home and I couldn't find Mobil synthetic anywhere.

I put redline in my E36, noticed no difference, and a little while later the gearbox failed. I fitted a used gearbox and put regular oil in, again noticed no difference in shifting.

Nedavno adder1969 napisa:

You are right. I just tried to find manual transmission synthetic oil on Castrol and Valvoline site (brands that are present in Serbia), and I couldn't. Only ATF and gear (diff) oil.

Anyone with a link?

I recently bought an item at eBay for US$50 (plus US$20 for shipping). When it arrived I had to pay US$45 for customs and taxes :-( It is not linear (I would not pay $450 for $500 item), but it's too much.

It would be much cheaper to go to the shop and ask if they can get what I want, but only for brands that are officially present here.

:-( I am more and more convinced that I should not change my gearbox oil. It's only when I get into fast traffic from a parking that I wish I can slip into second gear more easily :-)

I've driven allot of rear wheel drive in snow (WI). With rear wheel drive it's easier to skid, or spin out in a corner, but it's also easier to control a skid if that happens.

You might want to find an empty parking lot to cause and recover from some controlled skids to get a feel for how to steer out of a skid with rear wheel drive.

You won't be driving through deep unplowed snow, not enough clearance, but I've have no problem driving my e30s and e36 (90's 3 series) in a few inches of snow.

If available on the model you are looking at you could consider limited slip differential, or all wheel drive for better starting and hill climbing in snow and icy conditions.