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BMW 3-Series Sport Wagons
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Comments
The other issue you mention is the new model in 05. As we all know,this is par for the course and no matter when or what you buy,it will always be replaced with something bigger,better,faster,etc.
Will the new model be better? Technically,yes. Will it be a better car? Maybe.. time will tell.
The thing with BMW and Mercedes as well is that even after 10 years,they still look good. The design is timeless with a very classic design.
I personally chose to lease my 325 wagon for financial reasons.
Good luck!
Since you mention you in Florida, I'm wondering if the problem may be related to the amount of humidity there. Just speculating. Others here may have more to add.... Good luck, and please keep us posted on your situation.
Revka
Host of Hatchbacks & Wagons
inclination sensor on station wagon?
Thank you!
The one big plus for me getting the 3 series was that I was able to get the all-wheel drive and living in Toronto this winter,It has handled most impressively.Definitely a good decesion.
Now,the question of size..
I have 2 teenage kids and they never complain back there however,if you need to carry 3 passengers in the back more than ccasionally,then this is not the car for you.
Since the cabin is quite narrow,and the transmission hump is quite large,it makes for a rather awkward position for the middle passenger.
I have seen pictures of the new 5 series wagon and it is absolutely stunning and to my eyes better looking than the sedan. I have no doubt that it will be quite spacious inside however,it may still be a while before it's introduced to North America and most likely will not have AWD if that's important to you.
If cost is not a factor and you can wait a while,I would suggest going for the 5 series unless you can try to get the older model. Some say it's the best BMW ever produced.However,you will not be dissapointed with the 3 series wagon. Go and test drive and you will see what I mean.
By the way,it's been 8 months since I picked it up and the honeymoon is still not over.
Good luck!
Thank you
These are definitely not Toyotas or Hondas but they fair no worse than most European cars. In fact,BMW probably has the best reliability record of any European manufacturer except perhaps Porsche. As far as buying a car the first model year,I don't really put much credibility into this myth.
The engine and transmission is the same one they are using in the old 5 series and they simply don't break. The electronics is probably the biggest issue with these cars but again,that would be the case in any modern day car.
Good luck!
How about some comments that will help me choose. I'm sick of Toyota's and Honda's and want to try something different for a change.
325xiT, I can tell you I haven't been shelling out maintenance and repair bills as you had feared. the Sport wagon visited the dealer only once for oil change with another regular service dure in March. I am surprise dyou are considering between the 325xiT and the Volvo wagon. The latter is larger in size with quite different handling dynamics, in my opinion.
I agree, comparing the XC70 and the 325xi does seem kind of strange. However, my spouse has a bad back and of the few SUV's and Wagons with full power passenger's seats, these two are the ones she finds most comfortable and adjustable to her needs "on-the fly".
Re: reliability, based on a combination of personal experience and research Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus seem to have consistently the highest dependability and reliability. Volvo and BMW both appear to be in the next tier and the relative reliability of these two brands was just one of the many selection criteria I'm attempting to assess.
Good luck with your wagon hunting.
It can't be much. I doubt it is more than 5 or 6 inches.
It's a road car, so if the idea is to power through accumulated snowfall, it'll snowboard just like any other sport sedan or wagon in a big dump.
How does the C240 wagon compare to the BMW 325 wagon as far as features, performance and price on 2WD and AWD models?
I know the C has at least a couple more years its body style, whereas the 2005 BMW will be the last year before redesign or replacement by the SUV model.
I may go to Europe next year for a month with 2 friends and a wagon would be nice to have for everyone's luggage if we decide not to use trains.
Does either have a better navigation system? I checked a couple years ago and they were still using CDs instead of DVDs, so you couldn't play a music CD and use the navigation system at the same time. Very archaic.
When the car gets shipped back to the US, I assume I would be able to carry two mountain bikes inside by laying them on top of each other on their sides (with a blanket between them to prevent scratches)instead of using a rooftop carrier. Is this possible with the rear seats folded down?
I have 17" wheels, by the way.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Also the rear defrost automatically turns on when the heat is on, meaning again I have to turn it off each time I drive. Again, annoying.
Is there a way to do these adjustments myself? I hate to have to go to a dealer and pay that kind of money for something so silly. Technological overkill in the extreme, yes?
If driving the 325 doesn't demonstrate to you how it "will beat the outback", then the BMW probably isn't for you.
-murray
Guess your not married. Either way I drove the outback and I amgoing to buy the 325xi. Now, for a 325xi wagon, leatherette, heated seats, metallic paint, powered seats & moon roof. What should I be paying. dealer is giving me a 470/month 15k lease with taxes included. out of pocket is 1st pymt, security pymt, bank fee 525, mv 224, cap cost reduction 500. any help out there lease rate dies tomorrow. What if I wait?
Does anybody have a solution for this? Try a new product? Let it dry overnight?
I live in north CA, and find that BMW's AWT to be far superior in handling to Subaru and Audi, and especially Volvo and Mercedes - forward balanced ones. It is not as good off road, but it still handles deep snow Tahoe trips better then many SUVs.
AWD helps not only in snow and rain. Yeah, yourdrag racing time will take a slight hit - but in a curve it is far more stable and easy to handle for hard driving then RWD and FWD.
I have yet to test drive a 3-series BMW, but I am told they are tight on leg room. Any hope of a lengthened "L" version?
Is the 5-series any better? I might hold out for the new AWD 5-series if it is substantially roomier than the 3-series.
Any other feedback on the other makes I'm consdidering would be welcome.
Thanks
I don't have a wagon, but I do have a RWD 325i with sport package.. and, just today, I drove a 330xi as a service loaner.. in the rain..
All newer 3-series BMWs have stability control.. Getting them to skid in the rain takes some real work.. The AWD models don't seem to have any advantage in wet-weather handling over the RWD. In fact, the extra weight from the AWD, and the higher ride height make the AWD handle a little worse...
And, add about 0.5 seconds on your 0-60 run for AWD... plus there is a gas mileage penalty..
Unless you need AWD for winter weather, stick with the RWD models... The manuals are noticeably quicker, but probably hard to find in a wagon..
regards,
kyfdx
P.S.: I live in the midwest.. I have winter tires on my car... My wife drives it to work every day.... snow and all... No AWD needed..
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Keep in mind, if you buy a new(er) BMW, all maintenance will be included, and can be extended up to 100,000 miles. You'll just be responsible for the tires/rims and inbetween oil changes. Subaru sometimes offers maintenance coupons, but the rest is really up to you...
Kyfdx, just curious. You said that you have a rwd bimmer, live in the midwest, and with snows haven't had any problems??? I've heard (which is why I went with the xit) that bmws are notoriously bad in the snow. During one of the blizzards, I had a loaner rwd wagon with a sports pkg. I got stuck. Well, what few cars didn't?
I had a blast driving the rwd wagon when the snow cleared, though. It was much lighter, and I could really feel the zoom-zoom from the rear.
On the other hand, the greatest pleasure I've had driving my own car is in really bad snow, and ice. It was a totally joy to drive it back from Philly, and watch everyone else struggle as the snow outbeat the ploughs through the Turnpike. It was like glue to the road, not one skid!!! On another night I even snuck out in the middle of real nasty ice to test it. No prob., either....
Otherwise, it's not as fun these days, and most certainly, the gas mileage on this car has been pretty similar to that of a thirsty suv.
I also have the sport package... I wouldn't venture out in a dusting of snow with the stock tires...
But, with the winter tires, it does great... Not as good as AWD, of course, but better than most FWD with all-season tires...
The most limiting variable is ground clearance... When the snow gets up to the front spoiler or sidesills in parking lots, you are in trouble..
regards,
kyfdx
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I'm looking for a way to tie down a pair of touring kayaks, these are sitting on a Thule rack with standard straps around the belly of the kayak which works great for local trips below 35mph........
I don't see a way to tie down the front and rear of the kayaks so we can take these on the freeway. I know I should have checked this out before purchasing this car.........
Come on BMW this is a Sport Wagon, not a shopping cart, put some way to tie stuff down, why even have the roof rack.........
Any ideas would be great, before I start hacking.
I'm considering a 2001 or 2002 325xiT, but haven't driven one yet. Do you know if the accelerator pedal location problem (too far left) was fixed for '01 and/or '02 in the 325xiT? I have an on-again off-again sciatic nerve problem that acts up if I drive a car with a poor ergonomic arrangement like you described. I appreciate you bringing that problem to our attention.