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I am going to purchase a 3'er convertible in the next month or so and by my math, the apples to apples comparison of the 325cic to the 330cic works out to exactly $3000 (MSRP on the BMWUSA web site). I test drove both the 330i and the 325i (the dealer didn't have any manual convertibles in stock). I drove the 325i first and was amazed at the car. I drove the 330i next (both had the sport package) and couldn't believe the difference between them. The 325 was an awesome car with great handling and poise. The 330 took this and added a whole lot of vroom. Yes, the difference in price is mostly in the engine. Unfortunately, in the 325 convertible I'd have to get the premium package for the power top which unfortunately comes along with a lot of extras (BMW make this a stand alone option please!) that I *don't* want. The fact that this is standard on the 330 greatly narrows the price gap between the 2 cars.
There have been a lot of live and let live posts attached to this argument and I think that that is the best take on it all. When I see any other BMW on the road, I will feel a kinship and know that the owner and myself share a passion totally unknown to most people.
Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion on a sesame seed bun.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Shame on you guys!!
Everyone go to your room for a time out!!
this comparison stuff is just dumb. I'm in sales and one thing you learn is that buyers buy for buyers reasons. It doesn't matter why. You will drive yourself crazy tryng to figure out why and rationalizing it. Why do you think therapists make so much money?
Can't we all just get along?
Remember Friday is group hug day
Thank You
While sales of the Chevy Metro were sluggish last year, in 2001 the Metro came back with a bang!
Backfiring aside, the 4 cylinder powerplant works up a
sweat to produce a healthy 103 Horsepower, with 18 ft lbs of torque.
Available only in automatic the transmission almost telepatheticaly
downshifts to overtake roadcones, dead mammals and seniors riding lawn
tractors.
Brakes are provided only on the front wheels and are controlled directly by
the pressure of the driver's foot through a small hole in the floor, rubbing
against the spinning wheel. This however means that only one of the wheels is
braked resulting in the car pivoting on it's axis-GM designers suggest that
it is better to hit an oncoming obstacle with your rear and makes insurance
claims easier as the Metro driver can prove he was "hit from behind" in a
frontal collision. GM is also the first Detroit manufacturer to include among
the many safety features a prayer mat which is contained in the trunk.
Drivers are recommended to use the mat before starting the car for the first
time each morning. Also, a nice touch, is the inclusion of a compass to allow
drivers to face Mecca while in prayer.
THE DRIVE
Following improved safety ratings by the automotive media Chevy has this year
introduced seats for the driver and passengers, replacing the commodes from
last year's models. "We felt that drivers soiling their underwear on the way
to a business meeting or trip to the opera was not part of the "Ultimate
Driving Experience" said a spokesman. Thoughtfully though the Metro airbags
when deployed (as they surely will be) drop into the driver's lap a fresh
change of Jockey underwear and a set of rosary beads.
Accelleration is (eventually) attainable as one presses the pedal all the way
to the floor and then waits for the powerful motor to leap forward. We
measured it at 14 seconds (GM claims only 12.5 sec on the track) and then the
car moved forward.
The auto shifted smoothly through the gears as we applied throttle-1st, 2nd,
3rd, back to 2nd, 4th, suddenly into reverse as the airbags exploded and the
clean underwear dropped down from the visor-too late in my case. I cranked
the handle on the window to let in some air but the window fell into the
doorwell and smashed.
Now on the road, trailing parts of a bush from the driveway(the steering has
rather a lot of play) we headed South along Collier Boulevard on Marco
Island, Florida.
The sound of the stock A.M radio was ample enough to drown out the
encouragement of passing motorists (some of it sounded like expletives but
above the steady whine of the engine I could not be sure) and the vomiting
sound from the passenger seat.
I flicked on the air conditioning and the car ground to a halt. We reccommend
that if driving in a hot climate (ie anywhere south of Alaska) you drive for
a while and then stop to turn on the air conditioning. While stopped you can
toss a coin to determine who drives next.
CORNERING AND BRAKING The manual suggests that you do neither. Should you
come to a bend in the road at speed the manual advises that you try the
brakes and IF they stop you, suggests you turn around and return home
(slowly). I found it rather disconcerting, upon reading the manual, that when
I came to the page marked "BRAKING WHILE MOVING" the only information was "GM
does NOT reccommend braking in this vehicle".
I took their advice.
486/100, Win98 (computer for my 4 year old)
K6-2/500, Win98 (computer for my 7 year old)
Pent/133, SCO UNIX (Informix server)
K6-2/500, Win2K Server (CORBA server)
K6-3/400, Linux (Sybase server)
Athlon/1000 Win2k Pro (development platform)
PIII/600 Win98 (Wife's Laptop)
PIII/800 Win2K Pro (my Laptop)
I still think that the Mac tastes pretty good. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
How's this for a pisser: OC says my car is at the dealer, but my dealer says he hasn't seen it. The car left NJ on Wednesday. There is a maximum of 8 cars on each truck. Even if this guy is dropping off one car at 8 different dealers, I can't believe that it takes 3 days to drive from NJ to Maryland.
I called BMWNA and I was told that it is 'very strange' that the dealer says he doesn't have the car. Usually, the dealer updates his inventory into BMW's system, so the system status is supposed to be not just an estimate, but based on actual dealer input, sort of like a FedEx package that gets scanned when it's delivered.
I don't know what to think at this point. I'm sort of wondering if my dealer is messing with me or if he honestly doesn't know what's going on. He also got a little bit testy with me, which I don't like. I told the guy that BMW says the car is at the dealer. He tells me I can come down there and look around if I want, but that he doesn't have it. Jeez, I wasn't trying to be obnoxious, I just figured for sure he had it based on OC, and was surprised when he said he didn't have it.
Gurumike, what's the deal?
I don't know how the feed they squirrels. How do they do that?
Oh, for the record, Pat, BMW's rule!!!
Lobs - I think the math is too simple for me to have made a mistake on it. I think the reason we are coming up with different numbers is that the more optioned out you get the 2 cars, the less the differential is. In my case, I am only getting the SP, metallic paint, and xenon. Since destination charge, dealer markup, metallic paint, and xenon are the same price, we only have to take a look at the differential of invoice, SP, and the sales tax. This works out to:
325i: $24,450 + 1,275 = 25,725 x 1.0625 = $27,332
330i: $30,750 + 1,020 = 31,770 x 1.0625 = $33,755
That's a difference of $6,423! I came out with a slightly lower figure before because I was using the European Delivery numbers. There's a smaller differential there. If I'm doing something wrong in the calculations, I'd like to know it. I also realize they only apply to me. I agree with shipo's earlier comments about the differential.
I fear it might quite awhile as I just placed my order on this past Tuesday (5/29).
Thanks.
Brave1Heart - The suspense is killing me. Yesterday before you went to bed, you asked which Accord was quicker to 60 than 7.0 seconds (325i stick). I commented that the Type R, not sold in the USA, is the quickest Accord I'm aware of, managing 7.1 to sixty. So what is your answer ????
PS - NO MORE PRICE COMPARISONS, PLEASE !!! Let's debate something more constructive.
Thank You
I don't have a problem with people asking the questions. In fact, I am happy to answer them. In addition, I don't blame anyone for not wanting to dig through 4000+ posts just to find out "What is the BMW Owners Circle?"
This is simply meant to be a constructive post to let you know many of the questions asked have been answered countless times already!!! (Probably even this post I have written!)
I write this as I am about to reply to someone about how long a car takes to arrive at the dealership once it has been shipped...for the fourth time!!!
Best Regards,
Shipo
Now that your car has been shipped, you can call BMWNA and ask for the name of the vessel it is on. Then you can go to www.wlna.com and track that ships schedule to the VPC. My cars journey from Bremerhaven to Charleston took 14 days.
From there, it depends on several factors as to how quick the vehicle arrives at your dealership (ie how many other cars must be processed, how many other cars are going to YOUR dealership, etc) I would add another 7-14 days for this stuff.
Therefore, I would say you have an outside chance of being in you bimmer by the end of June, but would count on 1st part of July to be safe! Hope this info helps. Good luck!
I know ... seems like a loooong wait !!!
The European Accord Type R would really be badged as an Acura if it were sold in the U.S. and as you pointed out, even that "Accord" is only good for 7.1 sec 0-60. Believe it or not, there aren't TOO many cars (models maybe - that's different) out there that would do 0-60 in 7 sec flat. Those that have the engine and power-to-weight capabilities would typically be purchased with an auto tranny (96% of U.S. market!!!) that would push them over 7 sec. And as you said once, it's better to drive a car at 10 out of 10, right?
As far as pricing comparisons, I don't see a problem if people want to continue discussing these, as long as it helps them make a better-informed decision. It would be nice if we keep it civil and friendly, but just discussing that is not wrong. Edmund's is a shopper's site for the most part anyhow.
MadMax
Best Regards,
Shipo
* The main difference I noticed in driving the 2.5 and the 3.0 is the torque down low. To really drive the 2.5, you have to keep the revs above 3500. To drive the 3.0, you just jam on the gas anywhere in the revs. Thus, the 2.5 has a Honda -ish sensation compared to the 3.0 because of the relative lack of torque down low. But both are really adequate as far as driveable, fun power.
I think a discussion on the Owner's Board for FAQ's is a terrific idea and would be very helpful. Shall I ask Karen to create it for you?
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
I guess it makes sense, when you look at how much further the journey is geographically....but nonetheless, I know you must not be pleased.
I am sure guru can add/correct any information I might have mis-stated. good luck!
Which BMW 325 auto will beat an Accord six cylinder 0-60?
Your answer is here
Other magazines' results are similar.
BMW's website claims an 8.1 0 to 60 time.
If you bought your BMW for what it's intended for, you'll be delighted.
However, if you bought a 325 for it's sprinting prowess, you'll be disappointed as you watch the Accords, Tauruses, and Grand Prixes pass you at each light.
And be thankful Honda doesn't offer a stick in any of its Accord sixes in the U.S.
Dana S. Livingston
Manager, Town Hall
Edmunds.com
Dana S. Livingston
Manager, Town Hall
Edmunds.com
Thanx a bunch.
jnscheong
Now if I can just figger out how the hell to get to Lafayette!
Ooops......sorry Nurse Ratchett......how the HECK to get to Lafayette!
Hey, I hope you get your car soon - you seem really excited and enthusiastic about it
MadMax
So have at it! :-)
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
As for the Grand Prix, it comes only with an auto and has a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds, faster than a 325 stick and auto. You won't need your rearview mirror if you decide to race him, since he'll be if front of you.
http://www.cars.com/carsapp/national/?srv=review&act=search&mkid=40&mdid=379&yr=1998&x=14&y=17
If you've ever been to a drag strip you know nobody uses a manual.
It's funny how facts make for a "weak argument".
Really, the Taurus and Grand Prix were just picked at random. After all, it isn't the Ultimate Dragging Machine.
Stacy
Now if I can just figger out how the hell to get to Lafayette!
Ooops......sorry Nurse Ratchett......how the HECK to get to Lafayette!
"It was a bubba-mobile -- red, loud, fast, lacking in certain graces, totally out of place in effete Washington circles."
"On one level, it's all silly stuff, an ode to varooming adolescence. "
Come to think of it, I'd be laughing so hard as I see them take off, they may beat me by MORE than half a second.
BTW, I've never been to the dragstrip. I do mostly everyday driving except for my entertaining foray into go-carts on Monday nights. Those only go up to about 45 mph tops. The new ones go to about 65 mph but I haven't tried them yet. I'll make sure to post their 0-60 time when I do
My specs:
-- '00 328i
-- 5-speed manual (it's more fun to drive, not necessarily faster)