New 325Ci in Swiss Alps

[komodo]

Ooh, pretty factory.

[kpaul]

One of the smarter things we did was to get mapping software and a GPS unit for our laptop before starting the trip. My flight happened to connect through London, so I was able to get an English-language version of Microsoft's AutoRoute for Europe and a little Navman GPS unit. Worked like a charm. It took a couple minutes to synchronize signals, then it would display within a couple meters of accuracy anywhere we went (except for tunnels and occasional poor readings in downtown areas where the signals were blocked by high buildings on all sides).

We tried it out first in the VW we rented to get from Frankfurt to the BMW factory in Munich. Eventually we switched the location of the Navman receiver unit to the back window, and ran the cables up the center of the car so they weren't in the way.

[kpaul]

BMW says they don't want you running the engine over 4500 RPM for the first 1250 miles, so we scheduled our first days to be in mountain areas, where the speed would be less. Although in retrospect, winding mountain roads are a whole lot more fun when you can use the full range of the engine for downshifting, etc. But I was blissfully ignorant of what I was missing, just getting used to the feel of the car.

[komodo]

*drool*

[VeLoCiTy318]

thos pics r awesome...i admit i am very jealous

[Sector9]

Here's another cool one they took in austria i think, going 100 mph. And before you all start going crazy and thinking i'm making it up, i'm Eric the other son.
P.S. Sorry for image hugeness, but much smaller and you couldn't see the car very well

[kpaul]

The picture was from either Germany or Austria, and we were trying to catch a reflection of the car in the plexiglass barriers they often have on bridges. Since it was taken through a closed car window, you can faintly see the outline of our laptop on the left side of the picture, and the hanging camera strap nearer the center. Focusing on the car reflection, you can just make out the camera taking the picture. The black blurs are bird stickers we often saw on large glass surfaces, supposedly to keep real birds from having an abrupt halt to their carefree flight. Thanks for the post, Eric!

While I'm here, I might as well add another picture. The one below is from Vienna.

Ken

[spiff325is]

could feel the limiter start to kick in about 135mph

I didnt know an E46 had a limiter that started at 135...

[kpaul]

According to BMW's US spec sheet, the maximum speed of a stock (US market) 325Ci is 128mph. The German site, however, specs a European 325Ci at 240km/h (almost 150mph). My car is clearly a US market car (note the shape of the front license plate area in the bumper, for instance), so I suppose I should be glad I did even 135. In any event, I can only report my personal experience, but it was consistent on the five or six occasions that I reached that speed.

By the way, spiff325is, you've some some great pictures of a great car. As if I needed any more reasons to buy a BMW, I like the prospect that it won't be junk in a couple years. I could be totally happy with a 1989 325. Do you like your short-throw shifter?

[spiff325is]

yeah man, the SSK is awsome.

people always talk about how they misshift and mess up their car. well thats dumb, ive never mis shifted in my life and i drive hard.

my car keeps up very well.

just do a normal oil change and wash it 2-3 times a month with an occasional once a month full detail(vaccum, wax, leather conditioner, armorall..etc..).

but my car keeps up awesome, I love it. ijust have some minor things to do(new rotors/pads, rear shock mount), and im dreading that im might need a new clutch soon.