By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
I'm pretty sure an entry-level BMW is going to be my next car, but I'll have to wait and see what the 1/2 series looks like before I choose.
I'm sure we'll keep each other posted over the coming months...
2. I'm flying out on Saturday, land on sunday, pick up the car monday, fly home monday. I have no interest in seeing or driving around Germany. I'm doing it purely to save money.
Good luck on your purchase.
Despite my preferences for cd changers ,I still did not cancel my test drive(hopefully within 10 days).
Page 2 lists the prices you want to shoot for. Start with that price, add 1000-1500 for dealer profit, then add options.
Here's where my knowledge doesn't compare to most on the list...I can tell you the engine revved effortlessly... the acceleration, even on the auto I drove, was impressive... the car just plain wanted to GO GO GO! The only other BMW I have driven was my old, old 320i that I had in college (don't even remember the year, but I like to say it was the year before they started making "the ultimate driving machine" -- great car, but...) and an uncle's 530i (wow). SO, yes, it was great, esp. compared to my Chrysler. Tight brakes, superb steering, excellent acceleration. I even had the chance to check on the quick braking when somebody from the opposite lane decided to try to merge with me (without even asking!) It was my first time to drive and really think about a RWD car, and I don't think I'm exaggerating to say that I could feel the difference in maneuvers and acceleration(esp. when I got back in my Concorde when the test drive was over...ugh)...
My impression is that this is definitely a driver's car -- the interior is somewhat austere, but not in a bad way, just in a functional way. I also drove an X3 and my kids liked that better (but not me...) My kids said they liked the panoramic roof (of course) and the fact that "the back seat makes you feel more 'at home' - it seems more like a front seat" - in the words of my wise 9-year-old... So, yes, true, but the X3 is not the car for me to DRIVE...the 330i is...I should say that the one I drive was auto, non sports package, and it was still way great...and for pure fun, it just blew away the Volvo S40 T5 that I drove last week...(i am not sure about that one anyway because of the very very small backseat)...
Now, I still have more driving to do...particularly because I still am waffling between this and an A4. After all the chat about the bad A4 leases, it's worth noting that the Audi has the price advantage on the BMW, at least for the time being... More drives next weekend, but I wanted to share my experiences...
TFL (Thanks for listening for those of you who are bemoaning the use of abbreviations on the other forums ;-)...
Scott
Whomever asked about order time . I ordered on 03/26/05 I. think it was in 112 at that time other words about to be produced. According to the K -line, (new carrier for BMW besides Wallenius) its schedualled to arrive at Charleston, SC tomorrow."yipee" How long to be prepped and trucked to Dallas ,Im guessing a few weeks.
im surprised Shipo did not sniff me out on the acronyms too. I have to admit driving and typing in my "company car" we have come up with quite a few. I have to catch myself during normal conversation.
DL
When you gentlemen refer to the 1/2 series, are you referring to the a rework of the 5 series? Just curious as to whether the 5 series will receive a rework like the 7 series?
Thanks
I hope they don't change the 5 - it's now,/I> the best looking car in the BMW line up by a long shot. why wouldn't i buy one? i don't like big, tubby cars. regardless of its appearance, I don't buy cars based on looks.
If any one cares Autobahn has 4 E90 on their online inventory. They have 16 good quality digital pics of all cars.A Artic/beige and jet black/beige 325i. And a purple(sorry) 330i, and a T. Silver 330i Manual Sport. Im thinking im glad I ordered the Walnut looking at the poplar trim. Ill just have to see it in person though.
DL
DL
Yup! ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Luckily BMW/Audi are introducing smaller models to offset this supersizing trend .
If you want plush luxury/electronics definitey buy a M35.
All depends on your preferences.
Refer to Consumer Reports and JD Power results and you will find out that VWs have nothing in common with BMW 3 series . Dont pigeonhole all German cars into one unreliable category!
(1) when (if at all) might we see some incentives the 2005 convertible?
(2) would these incentives only apply to cars on the lot or can you order one?
(3) would these incentives also apply to european delivery?
(4) how long will BMW still take orders on a 2005 convertible?
Thanks for your help.. this is a great site.
Joe
Saw and sat in the 330i yesterday at Stevens Creek. No option for test drive until the next day or so. My goal is like yours to get a fair deal; however $1000 over invoice I think is going to be impossible unless you are looking to take European Delivery.
If you are looking to order one here in the Bay Area, what I might think is possible is if we join forces to strike a deal. We both scout out a couple dealerships that are interested in receiving a multiple order deal ( the more of us the better ) and try to shoot for 3 - 4 % Dealer Profit above invoice cost plus shipping, fees and taxes. This obviously will not work as effectively if we have trade-ins.
Let me know what you think. Also anyone else in the Bay Area ready to put an order in during May please reply as well.
Thanks
p.s. I can't add very much of a review since I never got the car rollin but I will say it looks a lot better in person then print. In addition, I did not find the car to be large in any way, in fact I can't tell the difference in size from the previous version. The seat was the Premium leather and felt just right. The stereo sounded great and the overall design of the interior did not look cheap to me. The only negative in my opinion was the lack of view out the rear window. I was already aware of this from the previous version but I am sure I could get used to it.
I still need to sit and drive the sport version 330i to verify comfort of those seats but bottom line, I am getting one asap!
Not yet but I own an 03 330i perf package. While my car is fun it's anything but small, light, nimble or quick.
considering getting the 2005 while it's still available.
If you like it more, now's the time to get one!
2) If there were incentives, they only apply to cars delivered while the incentives are in effect.. whether ordered or on the lot..
3) ED cars usually only get lease or finance incentives.. no cash incentives usually apply.
4) I'd think they will take orders through May for July/August delivery, but you should check with a dealer.
regards,
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
DL
If you rev the G35, the TL, and the new A4, you can tell the engine volume is loud and that it's gearing up for something. It almost comes across as obnoxious and boisterous, almost announcing: "Look out, I'm speeding down the highway and none of you can catch me."
The new 3 series on the other hand has a more subtle engine sound. Still an aggressive growl, but not something that makes you wonder whether you should rev your car that high. It's smooth, it purrs, and it says "I'm going to pass you and you can't do it anything about it". It's a confident growl. That's the best way for me to describe it.
What dealership did you go to?
None. BMW obviously didn't want to upset the european contingent, so they made the 3.0L with the 2.5L name perform just like the european 2.5L. With valvetronic, it's easy.
"I think the whole CARB thing caught BMW by surprise, and the cheapest, best way to fix the problem was to substitute the de-tuned 3.0 liter engine..."
I doubt it. I think it's just a simple matter of economics. There's no real reason for the 2.5L to be cheaper to produce than the 3.0L ( both with the 3-stage intake ). So, why not just give every 3-series a 255hp 3.0L? Well, then they couldn't have a higher margin car to sell in they bread-and-butter entry level cars.
I think fedlawman is right. I'm positive a ECU flash could recover most of the horsepower the 325i is lacking. What could the intake account for, 10hp? It's a 2 vs 3 stage, not a BMW vs GM manifold. Furthermore there is ZERO reason a more restrictive manifold would produce a torque deficit at low RPM. That usually HELPS low-end torque.
Now, that doesn't mean a 330 might not be a better buy, especially as all the extras it has are things i'd want to get anyhoo.
And, I don't think you'll be able to "flash" the 325i 3.0 litre to recover most of that horsepower... In contrast to your opinion, I think the different intake is responsible for almost all of the diffference (though my theory is that the numbers aren't as far apart as they say). They chip the current 2.5 litre engine now, and only get a 7 HP boost vs. stock.
And, by cheaper.. I didn't mean the 2.5 or 3.0 litre engine was cheaper to build... Just that it was cheaper to install a de-tuned 3.0 litre than it was to make the 2.5 litre CARB compliant, once they realized that it wouldn't pass..
regards,
kyfdx
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Jay-I was with you, till you said the Maxima sounds great.
3-Stage induction system (330i engine only). BMW 6-cylinders have long had a 2-Stage system, with one intake-path length for lower rpm, and the other for higher rpm. By providing an additional "middle" stage, this system further optimizes torque and power delivery.
Alright, that sort of implies that the 325i will have a 2-Stage induction system, however, further on in that same document I found this:
Significant differences between the 325i and the 330i engines are as follows:
o Whereas the 330i engine has the 3-stage induction system, the 325i unit has a single-stage intake manifold.
Okay, so I hosed up that little factoid. Sorry gang. Having said that, the task of developing an aftermarket three stage tuned intake manifold to replace the single stage unit on the 325i has got to be hugely expensive. Compound that with a fairly limited potential market (as in no were near as large as BMW's market), and the development costs per unit are going to be prohibitively expensive. After all, it's not as simple as copying the BMW design because I'm betting that BMW has that one all locked up with patents all over the world.
Say what you will, think what you might, I believe that it's a pipedream to think that some aftermarket house is going to be able to market a new intake manifold for the 325i for anything under several thousand dollars (my bet is that $3-$4k would be more reasonable).
Best Regards,
Shipo
Generating the same torque/hp as a smaller engine because of an intake difference--none. HP alone is conspicuous.
"In contrast to your opinion, I think the different intake is responsible for almost all of the difference"
Sorry, but that just doesn't make sense. For HP, maybe, but not the torque figures. In roundel there have been several articles describing how more restrictive intakes HELP low end torque.
"They chip the current 2.5 litre engine now, and only get a 7 HP boost vs. stock. "
Not the same thing, is it? The new "2.5L" is making substantially less torque per liter than the old 2.5L and it even has the new fancy new valvetronic system.
174lb-ft / 2.5L = 70 lb-ft/L
184lb-ft / 3.0L = 61 lb-ft/L
Now, if you're saying that it's possible that the actual torque/hp figures of the 325i could be higher than stated, that could indeed be the case. Let's wait and see. But if torque/hp ARE really the figures stated, it's obvious that a tuner could increase it by more than 7 hp.
dave
That's all I got.
If what I’m guessing turns out to be correct, then tweak what you will in the software, you ain’t gonna make much of a change.
Donning my nomex and heading for cover. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Shipo
I'm, sorry shipo, that still doesn't make sense. The "2.5L" is only getting 71 hp/L along with 61hp/L. While that's not bad, many simpler engines are managing to get both more torque and hp per liter.
You guys seem to be arguing that BMW can't build engines as good as FORD for crissakes.
dave
It looks great, with the curves of the new BMWs, without the ugly rear end.
As for the drive, it is fast, if not neck-breaking. Overall, I thought the ride was softer than expected, but the car feels VERY SOLID. In the few sharp turns I took, it seems to have that automatic stabilization, which makes it feel like you're not taking a sharp turn, and I'm not sure I like that.
Overall, this is a great car, and I'm sure they'll sell gazillions of them. It raises the bar again on all its competitors, with the technology and safety features. I'll probably hold off until at least the summer when the heat is off.