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Comments
330 vs. 325 - They are both great cars. The 325 does not have the blistering fast acceleration that the 330 has but it is still reasonably fast for everyday spirited driving. Put it this way: no-one on the street has managed to intimidate me with my 325i. Someone mentioned in the latest Roundel that the price difference between the 525 and the 530 is only 3.5K and that the 530 outsells the 525. If BMWNA did the same thing with the 3-series, I am sure the 325 would not be outselling the 330 by a margin of 3:1. As far as the representation here, 3:1 may be just about right, no?
Brave: When they tested the 325i, what other cars were in the comparo? The biggest HP Japanese cars all seemed to come out since Jan 2001 (TL/CL Type S, G35, IS 300 - this one might have been around). You're right, the best handling car usually wins in mag tests - but I think there is much more to car quality than just handling or cornering feel.
Incidentally, I saw an early '90's 325 coupe (the kind I almost bought in 1991). Boy do they look boxy, even when compared to cars from their day. That, I think is where the new 3-series shines. It looks like a contemporary car, with great styling, excellent features, and great performance. I think that is what makes the 325i a great value. I'm not sure I consider a 330i a good "value". Great car, without a doubt, but with the 325 on the market, not a great value.
I've lurked through some 5000+ posts, I think - trying to decide on what features are most important to include! Everyone has me so excited about driving a BMW!
This is going to be my baby mobile (upgrading from an Integra GSR coupe), so I've decided on the '02 325i with HK and SP, silver/black'ette. I may live to regret not getting the STEP as a new mommy, but the enthusiasm for manual was so infectious here, and I just couldn't bear spoiling the performance of the car...
I'm looking forward to reading more about my car, and hopefully everyone will have patience for my newbie questions!
Thanks everyone!
Also, I have to decide whether to get the the Boomerang Security System. Any comments on that? Thanks!
Pearl
If the warranty is a BMW comprehensive (bumper-to-bumper) and zero deductible, great deal. But what are the exact terms? Deductible?
If 3rd party, I'm no fan. Usually too many exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions.
Bmw323is - I must admit, I took one of the cars off the lot (there were only two 2002s left on sight at the dealers) so I got "stuck" with the premium package. Apparently the 2003s will be out in a couple of months so the 2002s are hard to find (the 320s anyway). It may have been a line to get me to buy the car - but once I test drove it I knew I was hooked. So, I get it Friday! Can't wait. The first car I ever bought (a Jeep!) was ordered and I too waited and waited and waited. Heck, even this Friday seems too far away.
Thanks.
The V1 will warn you about laser, true, but this usually means that they have already checked your speed. I saw that officer pick off a car about 50 yards behind me and it was in a pack of about 10 cars (The highway there is 5 lanes each way).
bmwnorcal: go for the manual and have some fun.
Thanks.
No time soon, what with dealing with the move and all, I may get unburied enough to go Auto-Xing just about the time the snow flies. ;-)
MFeldman,
Actually the Fuji 2800 has more zoom when you compare "Apples to Apples". The Fuji 2800 has a 6x optical zoom and the Nikon 2500 has a 3x optical zoom. FWIW, I was able to get my 2800 for $275 from an electronics shop at 56th Street and 7th Avenue, I suspect that if you call around, you will be able to at least beat the $300 price tag.
Best Regards,
Shipo
My favorite quote:
This car flows over the back roads, like a liquid following the contours of the road. Instantly, you're a great driver.
I couldn't agree more!
-murray
p.s. Sorry, I can't get the link to work. Search for BMW 325 and click on the bloodwarmers review.
330i Step Runflat tires
G35
Cadillac Cts
Their pick in every single category ? G35.
Said the 3er is allmost 4 years old design and is looking tired ??
Admitted they set the 3er up to fail by putting runflats on it, and Step.
Said the only thing the G35 was lacking was the 6 speed it will get in a year and a half.Did they not notice all the tacky plastic dash ??
Most amazing stat was braking they got the G35 to do 60-0 in 110 feet. The 3er was 127 and Caddy 128. Sounds like nissan bought the guys lunch or somehting to me , o well
DL
Thought I'd have my ED deliery today, but it looks like a few more days. Something about getting stuck at the port (doesn't really matter why, I just want my car!) Dropped it off June 7th in Amsterdam and it apparently got on the Trinidad June 10th and supposedly NYC on the 21st. Still hopeful of getting it within a month I'm in a Toyota Avalon as a rental for what I thought was a week: reminds me of a Caprice I once owned, only lighter. I don't see the attraction at all.
That said, I see no problem with testing the 330i w/step. As noted here many times, the majority of US buyers buy it that way, and the G35 was using automatic as well. I'll bet the vast majority of CTS buyers will be buying auto as well (although you don't say how the CTS was configured).
As I said before, I don't really consider the 330i to be a direct competitor of the G35 due to price differential. The 325i w/SP and PP is what most people will cross shop against the G35, IMHO, of course.
Just so you guys don't think I am incurably wedded to the convenience of step, when all of my kids are out of car seats (my youngest is 8 months, so no time soon), and my wife and I no longer have a need to share cars, I would seriously consider getting a two door 3-series with manual.
Having thoroughly shopped and/or driven an S60, Saab 9-3, IS300, and A4 (new model), and chosen the 325i over all of them, I could really relate to the review. Best of all, the 325i that won was red, just like mine will be.
This is the kind of thing the BMW fans whine about other maker's fans saying...give us all a break please. You yourself pointed out the weak tires, which surely limited the 330's braking ability. Regardless, it would have been nice to test the G35 without the sport package, since it doesn't affect the performance much, according to other reviews. That would have narrowed the gap in the braking and skidpad areas. It also would have fit better with the fact that they were testing automatic transmission versions of the cars, not looking for the ultimate performance numbers. They may have just picked the most commonly ordered models or something, I don't know.
1pierce -
If I remember correctly, the xi S4 WRX comparo used the stock all season tires for the wrx. not a "hard core" handling setup. weak stock tires are the number 1 complaint for the wrx, actually. Even without factoring in the price difference between the wrx and the xi:
"Its 225-hp six-cylinder engine is the least powerful of the group, and it's pushing around the second-heaviest weight. At the drag strip, it lost the sprint to 60 and through the quarter-mile."
"BMW has heard complaints that the base 3-series is too soft and in response has made the Sport suspension — but not the tires — standard on all 3-series produced after last March."
Not sure how "hardcore" the stock handling setup on the S4 is. CTS was auto, by the way.
There's no such thing as a perfect comparison test, but there does seem to be a significant number of positive comments about the G35 comparing well with the 3-series. I don't share your concern about the G35 dash looking plasticky, and also don't prefer the redesigned 3 series headlamps.
By the way, I don't plan to buy either of these cars, I'm leaning towards the WRX which has all of the performance and practicality, but very little expensive luxury bits, which I can live without. I like the 3 series a lot, and think that having the G35 as a competitor that's not a pushover should lead to better BMW's also. Plus, it may inspire BMW to reduce it's prices, or offer better performance at the same prices, which is good for everyone.
Would it work well to remove the chalky dust that covers my 325 after sitting in a parking garage for a week?
I think we were actually discussing (or at least I was) the relative merits of comparison tests involving cars that are not configured similarly, or are priced wildly apart. Very, very few people will cross-shop a 330xi and a WRX.
I owned a Subaru. They are VERY nice cars, with (IMO) an AWD system that is second to none (and far superior to BMW's, which is simply a marketing ploy to offset the sales bump of Audi's new A4 and the 4-motion Passat in this SUV era). But, as you alluded, there is nothing even remotely luxurious or upscale about them. Many of us who buy BMW's aren't simply doing it for the performance, but also for the character, luxury and prestige value.
By the way, I really like the G35. I don't think the dash is overly "plasticy" (maybe a little too overstyled). I've had Nissans, and they are very good cars. I still wouldn't buy a G35, though, because loaded up, it costs more than my 325i. And, IMO, I can't see spending more than or as much as what I spend on a BMW and ending up w/anything else.
Oh no!, my car isn't even here yet, and I'm already starting to turn into an "***hole in a BMW" as we called them in college.
robmarch - Auto-makers do not reduce prices, except if you're Lexus and your car is the IS300. They won't take away features either. They will provide more value for more cost. The cycle for automobile models starts 3-4 years before the start of the model year. While some things can be tweaked as you go, major enhancements such as re-designs and new engines require huge lead times and capital investments. Anything BMW is coming out with in the near future has nothing to do with Infiniti or the G35 or anyone manufacturer in particular. It has to do with what BMW saw as the future 3 years ago.
-Chris
Kumhos - I'm now up to about 2K miles and things are definitely improving. They are becoming more communicative by the day. I'm surprised at how long it took for them to break-in, but I'm now wholly pleased with them.
dafreak - if you're in the north-east, why not sign up for the bmwcca driving school at Watkins Glen in August. I'm sure there will be many BMW drivers who would love to admire your tail-lights. But be forewarned, they don't play fair... they use performance tires (instead of run-flat all-seasons) and many know how to shift their own cars.
kominsky...I would love to get on the track at Watkins Glen but infortunately I live in the midwest...My cousin has had the opportunity to race there many times in the NASCAR BUSCH series though and says its alot of fun...As far as the run flats go, it seems to me that Motor Trend shouldnt be blamed for something BMW has added to their cars wether it be an option or not...High performance tires or not it would not have changed the outcome...Let's be realistic now...In the slalom alone the G35 was over 5 MPH faster...In addition all the cars tested were tested with an automatic version...Fair play....I am sure they will do another head to head when the 6speed comes out though...That should be fun huh...???...I wonder who will win that match and what your excuse will be then...????...
i'm sorry, but a test drive isn't really enough seat time to compare cars... but then again, that's just my opinion..
in either case, this discussion belongs in the other thread... your cousin wouldn't happen to be the collins who drives the c5r in alms, would he?
-Chris
I got the xi because I wanted the AWD option. Audi was too much, VW lacked power, and my wife refused to look at Subaru because she thinks they're ugly. (I personally like em).
So I was 'stuck' getting a BMW or a new Jaguar. Uh, no Jag.
I haven't had the opportunity to try my AWD out but I'm hoping it will help us negotiate snow and hills. If the weather gets real bad, I don't want my xi out there anyway (too many idiots in the snow). I'll take my Jeep for that stuff.
Is it just me or does the front and back ends of the G35 look like a new Cadillac? *ducking and running for cover*
-Paul
I'll take the "slower" "more tired" car anyday with it's better nameplate, prestige and gas mileage.
fwiw, eagle...
-Chris
-Chris
kdshapiro...You just confirmed to me why many people buy BMW's...Fortunately for you you bought the car that met your needs...It is not however the better performer...lol...I don't even mind the prestige stuff because some people need that but you look desperate bringing up the gas mileage thing...
koominsky...I agree with you completely...Lets compare apples to apples then....Except in your post you want to compare an auto G35 against a 5 speed 330 (at least that is how I read it)...Let's just wait until the 6 speed G35 comes out and then compare the two side by side...At that point, if the G35 wins, will you admit that its the better performer...???...My hunch is you will admit it and then go buy one ...Either way, if you put the sport 330 auto against the G35 sport auto, the G35 is your winner...
all.....I am not bashing the BMW...It is a great car, and if not for it the other auto companies would have nothing to shoot for...I am sure BMW can reclaim their top spot...In any even, we the consumer benefit...
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/longterm/articles/66109/article.html
-Paul
Those who aren't interested in this debate shouldn't have to plow through it here when there is a much better place for it to occur.
Thanks.
Pat
Sedans Host
simply giving a heads up on the show to the Gentleman on our board
Lee :i concur wholeheartedly on the evaluation. i have allmost been rear-ended several times by a car following too closely that could not match my brakes performance, and they allmost parked in my trunk.I would say that the "other" car had the spongy brakes but i dont want to get jumpted on by another fellow poster ;X.
far as choosing the cheaper car, they leave off maintence cost and resale value. After said and done we know whats the real value.....
DL
Interesting note, over the years I have driven many cars with braking system well above the capabilities of the average car, however, my BMWs have clearly proven to be the class act of the bunch. As such, when I started driving my (former) 328i back in 1999, I found myself habitually glancing in my rear-view mirror every time I was forced to "Drop Anchor", ditto the 530i. I wonder if there are any statistics regarding the number of bashed back ends verses bashed front ends on BMWs, and other cars in general. I am guessing that our Bimmers are the "Bashee" much more often than they are the "Basher". ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo