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[2] I can't form an opinion on this subject.
[3] The only projected changes would be extremely minor like maybe a few different colors or juggling some options & packages. The 3 series sedan just received a facelift for 2001. Don't expect anything huge though.
[4] I have no idea about the navigation system.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I had my 330i through 2 3" snowfalls last winter. With the DSC feature on, I was very pleased with the handling. Keep in mind that the base 330i comes with all-season tires that grip fairly well. If you get the sport package, the performance tires will not work for you in the winter.
Road noise - this took some getting used to, having come from a Volvo and previous to that, a Lexus. The 325i is quieter if the performance difference between 325/330i isn't what is driving your decision.
I am driving around a 626 in Chicago these days on business and it doesn't have the sporty sound to it. But, it also grunts while revving up and is annoying in my opinion.
Now, I think I might need to take a little drive since I haven't had my bimmer hit for the day. Thanks to everyone here for all the helpful info, and for welcoming me to the community!
BTW - steel blue 330, black 'ette, power seats (a waste of money according to my husband, but hey, it's my car!!), ski bag thingy, rain sensors, auto (again, not my choice - but my husband says I drive a stick like a maniac and he was concerned about my safety) no packages, but in Canada the car comes with bi-xenon, moonroof, etc. - I LOVE IT!!!!
Howard
given the experience you've had with your dealer so far, i'm not sure how forthcoming they would be with that info... although it's worth a shot.
good luck.
-Chris
NYC : unfortunatly soon after adding the additional equipment BMW raised the invoice 1%. That said, i configured a 2002 Sport and found it about 300 less than my 1999 with simular options.
I sill see a few of the 99's with those nasty OE hubcaps ACK. i know those folks were steaming when BMW added 16" wheels standard.
DL
canadian gal: Congratulations and well said. Enjoy your car!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I would liken the difference to the one most people experience between a 325i step vs manual. I needed an auto, so I didn't even bother to drive a manual (so Dave, I guess I'll blissfully never know what I'm missing).
One other thing, for every one manual shifter who can burn through the gears like a race car driver, and make their transmission last 150,000 miles, I'll show you ten who jerk, stall, grind gears, and burn up the clutch by the end of the warranty.
Howard
Sorry to have mislead you, but my neighbor's vehicle doesn't have backup sensors: it wasn't a technology failure, but pure driver laziness; if you prefer, call it driver neglect.
Insofar as obesity, I'm of the opinion that elements of our culture probably accentuate the condition. In looking for likely contributors, does not our "ride everywhere" Car Culture appear to be a contributor?
Personally, I added 10% to my body weight within a year after I moved out of the city and started driving everywhere in Suburbia, instead of walking. YMMV.
-hh
re: having our cake and eating it too. hey, i have no problem with that, as long as they are *options*, not *standard*. someone wants to "accessorize" their bimmer, more power to them. just don't make all of us buy it that way.
-Chris
One other question, the sport package says it comes with 17" all season tires but reading through some of the previous posts it sounds like i would need snow tires too?
thanks again.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I actually turn the music down on purpose just to listen to the car revs as I accelerate
If you are going to spend 6h a day commuting bumper to bumper, and in traffic lights, then, perhaps you are better of an automatic.
Actually, accept the fact that you would be better of with a Lexus (Mark Levinson stereo, 0Db interior noise levels).
Get a Lotus Elise for the weekend :-)
Me, I just enjoy shifting for myself
So is there a significant difference between engine noise/music in a 325ci vs. a 330ci? Is it really noticeable? I really admire BMW power and handling, but prefer quiet interiors... since I like listening to music in the car. I'm trying to decide between the two, before heading to the dealer. Thank you for your help. =D
Jeff
Best Regards,
Shipo
Shipo: If there was any 540xi or 530xi, it would be in my garage right now. After three years of wonderful experience with the MB 4matic I would not buy other than AWD. By the way you have a nice car. What wax do you use?
Jean
Also, can anyone tell me if fog lights are standard equipment on the 2001 3 series? If not, are they part of the PP. In 2000 they were part of the SP.
I firmly second everything canadian_gal said. I let my brother drive it tonight for a bit. I didn't go with him. I almost got as much pleasure watching my car drive as I do driving it. It's just a friggin' beautiful car.
Gushing complete.
Thanks, I use Klasse, both the All-In-One and Sealant Glaze.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I'll live vicariously thorough your 330 until then. Again, congrats and enjoy!
ButMyWife
Thank you so much for your thoughtful responses, Shipo, Jean, and Bmw323is. I really do appreciate them, and they will help me make my decision. I think the 3.0 liter engine is awesome, but realize it is a little louder than what I'm used to. I'll see what the other board members think, but I'm beginning to lean more towards the 325ci at this point. The cost difference between a 330ci and 325ci is about $3300 for me, which I can manage, but is it right for me? I'm wondering what the other board members' opinions are. I would like to go take another test drive, but my academic schedule has become very demanding lately, and I really can't seem to get the salesperson (nice guy though) to stay quiet. Thank you again. The 5 series is a fantastic car, but I think I'm a little too young for a family sedan, just yet.
Jeff
On BMW music, again, IMHO, the engine purrr! is addictive and improves your driving senses and performance, particularly when driving a stick.
Don't get me wrong, at the beginning, I accidentally almost passed above 4500 rpm because could not listen to the engine (YES, it is not that loud anyway) due to the moderate stereo music volume I was listening to.
If you are 5'8''. you cannot be an NBA center, if you are 7'0'', you cannot be a guard.
If you wand 0 noise interior level (lexus trademark), perhaps you are looking at the wrong car and will be unhappy with a 3 series BMW.
When discussed with BMW representatives, these were the facts:
This new model will expand our line in order to be more competitive with our Japanese and some European rivals:
Buttery soft steering to better appeal north American taste (as compared to European BMWs).
Nice muffler restriction to decrease interior noise to 0db with a 3.0 liter engine and 190Hp
Only offered in Automatic transmission with simulated manual shifting by buttons in the steering wheel.
Buttery soft suspension, again for better appeal to north American buyers. This new and innovative suspension makes you feel like driving in a magic carpet.
Increased size and rear room.
New, low friction tires for silent riding and better mpg.
When asked what the letter L was selected, the answer was " L for BMW leisure series"
Price has not been disclosed yet, but will be competitive with the new models from the japanese competition.
When asked for a last remark, the german representative claimed "This will be the Cadillac of all BMWs"
I'm experiencing some withdrawal today though as my husband borrowed my car to drive to a golf tourney 2 hours out of town. I warned him that he better not park anywhere near another car or he is dogmeat! I'm stuck driving his 5-speed SVT Cobra today - hardly in the same class as the 330!
I have already used my zaino so of course it is raining today, but the car looks great.
Enjoy your new car, and remember, they say it gets even better after the break-in period - hard to imagine anything better than this though!
This is pure speculation, but since Audi offers many cars in its lineup with Quattro, Mercedes-Benz plans to offer 4matic in the C-Class, S-Class, & of course the new W-211 E-Class (Shipo do I have the internal designation right?), that BMW would offer the E60 with DSC-X (maybe the new 7 series too).
Shipo as far as your observation about it being hard to shift your 530i by ear because the car is so smooth and quiet, I feel the opposite about my Prelude. Shifting by ear seems to be way too early (my car having a 7400 RPM redline and all). I know it is an apples to oranges comparison, but just though I'd throw in my $.02
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Canadian Gal & SoVery: congratulations!! Are you going to continue hanging out around here?
Tranny & Fitness: very amusing discussion. Pictured a hard body gracefully emerging from within a gleaming 3 or 5 series. For some reason he was driving without a shirt, so his 6-pack abs and toned pecs were on display... Just a little fantasy! ;-)
MINI: Red with white top and tan interior would be great! If it came in a purple or violet color, that'd be good too. Yes it is soverysmall. Can't imagine my mom trying to get into it.
Off the lot, i crank it, this car has so much HP and torque that i was just in ahhh as it presses my back into the leather seats. You can easily spin the wheel just a bit during cornering before the dcs kicks in. What a ride!
At 80 i can pass another car easily without haveing the rpm go above 3500 rpm. Amazing vehicle. I saw an brand new acura 3.0 cl pulled up, i cranked it and blew his vehicle into my rear view mirror. What a joke!
At the end of the day, i got my 325i back, i was glad to see my little baby again. The power is enough for an average joe like me, but now i understand what most people are talking about when driving a 330. The price for that much power is too much for my taste, but hey, if i can afford it; i'd do it.
I just got back from london and paris this week where 3 series was at every corner. BBC at the hotel, showed the 3 series rated the highest. Third best selling country for bmw 3 series is in the UK. They tested the 318i, which is the same as the 325 and 330 but with 4 cylinder engine. Rated best vs. other competitors. So interesting to me to see 3 series with steering wheel on the right side in the UK.
The interior noise can be decreased substantially for the 3.0l engine but technically will never go down to 0dB while the engine is running at idle. Just for reference the noise level of an A4 3.0l at idle is 50dB while an ES-300 is 47dB. BMW will not be able to reach 47 dB without substantial redesign to the engine and cabin. By the way the level of A4 3.0l at 60 MPH is 73 dB while Jaguar-X 3.0l is 74.
The main reason for the success of Corolla during the last ten years is that Toyota are using the same multilayer alloy of Lexus on their Fire Wall at a hefty price. Aston Martin found it cheaper to use Electronic Noise Cancelling Wave emitted through the speakers instead of re designing cabin and engine.
Shipo: Do you have the data for BMW? It is hard to find any such data from BMW or MB.
Jean
Best Regards,
Shipo
BTW, a couple of weeks ago he had a couple of convertibles in the showroom. Both had the special cinnamon color leather seats. Wow!
mg330ci - lol, that was a good one.
allano/bmw323is - all true. In addition, the sport package was reduced by $100 to $1,400 with the '01 MY model.
dan__2 - The G35 couple looks great on the pictures I've seen so far. I think it will be a viable competitor for the 3-series coupe.
jmestas1 - what do you want a BMW for? Because "BMW seems to be #1 on everyone's list" is not a good reason.