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BMW 3-Series Sport Wagons
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Comments
Would the 325 xit wagon be an improvement over the 323 sedan? I am not prepared to go for an SUV or van yet........unless I hear that a wagon such as a 325 won't work.
The 5 wagon is sweet, but also comes at 50K+ price tag (too rich for my blood now).
Other ideas if the 3 wagon won't work?
Thanks,
Johann
Speaking of ground clearance...have any 3-series wagon owners had issues/problems...with dirt roads, rutted roads, potholes, steep driveways, flooded streets, parking lot obstacles, etc.?
Thanks!
Another question for all Bimmer owners. Just got Sapphire Black exterior. Am thinking about going for the $699 "Touch of Class" protection offered by the dealer. Is it as good as they say? Does it beat cheaper non-dealer competitors? Is it worth it? (I am not a waxer...so would love to get something to keep the exterior as nice as possible...for as long as possible.)
Thanks a lot!
Thanks
Burt
Good luck.
Gilgorm
Burt
That said, the new A3 is a great car and I test drove one right when they came out. My issue with it is the front wheel drive and the price... it's terribly expensive for what it is.
The A3 feels faster than the wagon, but I personally find the wagon more satisfying to drive. We really are happy with our new wagon, although I would have preferred to get a 330 rwd model with sports package instead of the 325xi model. My only complaint is that the cargo area is a little small, but it's a great car. We did euro delivery, so I got it for a few thousand more than the A3 would have been.
We cross-shopped the xc70 and I personally like the size of the xc70 better, the engine and transmition are garbage (especially for the price). The cargo area is definitely smaller in the BMW, so you need to factor that in your buying choice. The 325 feels much faster and more responsive than the xc70 did, but you might find something like the v70R more satisfying.
We have been really happy with the 325 wagon so far... but there was a review on jalopnik.com that basically ripped the car so to each their own.
And it doesn't take long for the differences to come out. DSG with paddle shifting is standard on this Audi as is the firmer sports suspension (some would say too firm). Put the car into "S" as opposed to "D", and the car abandons any pretention that it is anything other than a sports car.
The A3 gets compared to small sporty wagons because there are no hatches in the US market that offer its combination of performance and refinement (and high cost). But this is no wagon (reviewers liken this A3 to the TT coupe, not the A4 Avant), and that can be good or bad depending on your needs/wants. There is a lot more than just size and cargo space that distinguishes these cars from each other.
The only place where I've found the 3 series wagon in the SFO Bay Area is Weatherford in Emeryville/Berkley. I drove a manual with premium but no sport package. There was also an auto there. Was expecting a firmer ride with better road feel. Guess I would have to get the sport package. The other places I've looked are in the north bay. What shocked me is one of the other dealers said 80-90% of the cars are leased?! Seems like most of the other used wagons I've come across were originally sold/leased on the east coast then shipped out here after the original lease. Not sure how large the market is for these. I can't find any other alternatives for this price and below when cross shopping.
This is my first time I am buying/leasing a car. I am looking at 2004 325ci coupe. I came across a sublease for this car. Carfax history looks clean. I want to know if I have to have a mechanic or a BMW dealer inspect it before I sublease the car. The manufacturing warranty is still active. It will be great if I get good advice on this.
Thanks in advance
Abitha
BMW 3-Series Wagons (323 iT, 325i, 325xi, 328i & 328xi)
How's about this instead:
BMW 3-Series Wagons E36 and later
Or simply this:
BMW 3-Series Wagons
Thoughts?
Best Regards,
Shipo
I like badnews' suggestion, 3-Series Sport Wagons - what do you think?
Best Regards,
Shipo
Does anyone know how the cargo-carrying capabilities of a 3-series sedan with fold-down seats compares to the sport wagon? Sometime in the next several months, I intend to find out, but thought I'd ask.
I think we've established that the printed material is in error regarding F/R weight distribution, but I'm not sure that's been verified.
Happy new year!
What I do care about are the handling & other BMW features. As they know in Europe, BMW isn't all about power & 0-60 acceleration rates.
I realize that's a hard sell over here.
Mrs. Shipo is leaning toward fetching a new 328xi Sport Wagon this summer via the European Delivery program. We're thinking an Arctic Metallic 328xi with a 6-Speed manual, Gray Leather, Walnut trim, Xenons, PP, SP, Heated Seats (hate headlight washers), Logic 7 audio, iPod, HD radio, and Park Distance Control (her current rear bumper is looking a bit ragged).
I'll keep y'all posted on how the ordering process moves along and how we like the car, both in Europe (where we're going to drive from Munich to Paris to Madrid and back to Munich), and here in New England.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
This past year was a weird season for snow/ice/rain and the traction advantage was very apparent to me. The trade offs were worth it from my point of view.
Regards,
OW
If I'm not mistaken, i-drive is an option on the 328's, one I'd take a pass on, BTW.
". . .run flats (craps)."
Absolutely agree
"Give them few months and the new economy will wake them up."
On what planet? Certainly not this one. Hide and watch. BMW certainly doesn't have a corner on the market for arrogant dealers, but they do participate. The sheep line up day after day, so why not?
Drove a 2007 328i last night. Sadly the car had the steptronic transmission and the premium package. Sitting in the front seat everything to fall to hand as it had in my 330i. With one glaring problem - no shifter. I put the car in drive and took off.
Wow, the car's butt drags off the line. It was like a giant sat in trunk and he was pressing down with all that gravity would give him. This sensation never left me during the entire drive. The engine felt under-powered for the car's heft. Sure it was silky smooth as BMW's inline sixes tend to be, but there was zero aggressive torque, just mild linear power.
I had 18s on my 330i; this car had 16s. The 16s absorb road irregularities much better than the 18s (prior to switching to normal tires). Bumps hit and disappeared. No sudden suspension jolts with the 16s.
Of course, the softer suspension also contributed to a mushy, less urgent ride. Wow, spooky how much the car understeers too. Corners and undulating hills passed with the front end plowing ahead. No fear though, as the car always felt squished to the ground, never in danger of rotating that seemingly heavy backend.
Rear visibility seemed rather dismal too compared to the sedan or even my wife's A3. It was night and the car was saddled with that lousy auto-dimming mirror so what's already a small portal out of the car, seemed even more muted. Why cars offer autodimming mirrors I'll never know. Regardless, from the front the view felt like my 06 330i; front seats on though I had a fun-house feeling about the car.
Nothing creaked or sounded untoward at any point but overall the car lacked any nimble-ness or urgency. I couldn't push it. The faster I went, the more I felt the engine was underpowered and the suspension unwilling to let me play hard. With time could it get better? Would I find the ability to rotate the car some for corners? It didn't happen during my 15 minute jaunt through the hills. Just a staid ride.
The car just felt blah. I didn't love my 330i but it certainly felt more responsive and alive than this car. What a difference a few more HP, 200 fewer lbs and ZSP can make.
I always assumed when my wife had a kid I could move to a 3 series wagon and it'd be good enough. That doesn't seem likely now. For less money I'm thinking a few other wagons might be available with more fun. Maybe I'm wrong and I'm destined to just stick with sedans...