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Comments
-Paul
fjm- I appreciate your wanting to lighten up everyone's day, but do you have to post this site in every BMW topic?
But you also get nice touches standard:
Nicer door trim inside
'Chromed' rings around the dash dials
Things like that. I know there are more, but that is what pops to mind.
The 325xi is by no means a slouch in acceleration. In our daily driving, we range from see level up to over 4,200 feet and in no cases does it suffer from poor acceleration. This is even with 2 adults and 2 teens in the car. Yes the 330 will do it faster, but if you are looking at the AWD option, does that bigger HP and torgue number really mean that much? It was mentioned that the Audi quattro was an option and it is. But in our recent snowfalls, we found that our xi handled BETTER than our SUV with the VERY wet snow and ice. Part of that is the lower CG, but at no time did the wheels slip while accelerating, braking, or turning - all while on winding mountain roads.
I presume most who buy the xi are doing so for safety and traction. If that is the case, those two magical numbers may not be as important. I was wow'ed by the 330xi and wanted one. But after driving the 325xi, I found it exceeded all my wants and needs quite well. The 330xi + me = tickets waiting to happen!
But the price factor, and discussions with the wife, decided the 330 was not for me. To each his own. If you really want the higher numbers, and the nice extras standard found in the 330xi, then go for it. You will love it! But if you want to be a bit more economical, the 325xi is by no means a compromise. You will love it too!
-Paul
I currently have a Lexus with a lease coming due and am thinking of getting a 330xi. I have loved so much having Navigation in my current car that it's become a must-have in my next one. (Please refrain from launching into tirades about the "navigation is a waste of money" debate...I agree, but I'm a gadget nut, so I'm prepared to shell out the cash...)
MACO: $185
Training & Systems Fee: $160
Preparation: $220
Floormats: $125
Detail: $82.5
Are these fees I have to pay or are they negotiable? besides, what is a MACO?
Thanks!
rghessel: I have the NAV. The current one is DVD based. It is probably not as good as the one in the Lexus, but it does the job. I would suggest checking one out at the dealer before you buy the NAV. If I still lived in Miami, I probably would not buy the NAV. My Nav works well in Houston until I get downtown. I think it has something to do with the skyscrapers.
I'd rather have something capable of better acceleration. You *can* make use of it.
If cars were just mundane transportation not many of us would own a BMW.
-Colin
But here are the numbers on the 520i and 525d:
520i: Displacement:2.2 ltr, Torque:210 N.m and Power: 170 bhp
525d: Displacement:2.5 ltr, Torque:350 N.m and Power: 163 bhp.
So the 520d, would have better torque, which you need for an estate but lacks the HP.
mseals: I guess what I meant was that people that cannot afford to buy or lease a 325 or 330 would be buying those 4 banger BMWs in droves. Even with four cylinders, it would still be a good handling car but the prestige of the badge would be gone. I think enthusiasts and kids care about HP and 0-60 times. I don't consider myself to be a BMW enthusiast. I wanted to buy a entry level European luxury car and that is what I bought. I could have easily been driving a Audi A4 3.0 or Volvo S60 T5 now. The BMW does handle better.
I do agree with seivwrig, go find a BMW tester with Nav and play with it for awhile. Decide for yourself. It'll get you where you're going, but it may not be quite as fun punching in the destination.
Riez: the 520i Touring article is in the 2/02 Bimmer and the 5er Touring comparison is in the 10/02 Bimmer. Also, for those interested. The most popular in Europe (in terms of numbers) Bimmer, the 318i can be found in Bimmer 6/02.
The difference is very minor and it is probably due to the fact that the 325 manual is geared more aggressively and runs at higher RPM's per equivalent speed.
so why send a boy to do a man's job?
-Colin
wants a 5.5L v12...
I think the problem with the C-230 is the sticker shock of the option packages; it jumps to +$30K really fast. If BMW can't keep the price of a well equipped 1 Series south of $30K they are going to have some real problems. A new Accord EX coupe with a V6 might not have the feel of the C-230 but it is faster and fully equipped for less money than a stripper C-230. A lot of first time buyers would probably pay a $2K premium for a well equipped BMW 1 series but not $4K+.
When I was car shopping I also checked out the C-230. After visiting two Benz dealers it was obvious that sales folks I dealt with didn't know how to sell the car or really want to sell it. They were much more comfortable showing me an E series than something that has a base price under $30K. I think BMW will have the same problem, unless they can convince the sales force there really is an upside to selling cars with much smaller margins; new BMW customers. The trouble with long term results, they often don't pay the bills in the short term. Sales folks tend to live for the moment?
A small, light RWD car is a GOOD THING. The 3-series has grown into quite a porker, regardless of how much you (we) love it and more importantly, how well it sells. An underpowered 3-series makes no sense and would not sell in any quantity compared to a light, small, and properly powered 1-series.
I'd buy one, provided Chris Bangle doesn't make it heinously ugly.
-Colin
Considering Florida laws, I was told that I would have to pay my insurance's deductible, and that I am not supposed to be penalized by higher rate, as the accident was not my fault. In addition, I will have to pay for rental, which will total about $1,500 out of my pocket. I am trying to find a way to get that money back, and as I do not know any attorney, I was wondering if there is an association or alike that helps to deal with victims of uninsured motorists... Also, the interesting thing was that although the guy sad that he "head a couple" to the police officer, he did not ticket him for DUI, just for reckless driving. I filed a complaint to the police department for that, and that is still being processed as most of them were on vacation during X-Mass and New Year holidays. Although the drunk guy got lucky for the holydays (for not being fined for GUI), certainly it was not Merry X-Mass and Happy New Year to me!
However, I wish all you people a Merry and Happy holidays and on!!!
Driving is a privilege and not a right, they say. I dont see that being put to practice.
Hope u'all had a nice holiday season, happy new year!
Either way, knowing that some jackass hit your car and will raise your rates while ensuring that your car will never be the same is bad enough.
I almost bought a TI, but decided not to for two reasons. The first was its poor power (torque) for its weight. The second was the ambivalent salesmen. The latter has also been an issue with the C230, which I experienced firsthand; comment further below.
- - -
[The 1er] will probably be priced over $20K and lacking in HP...I just don't feel good about this 1er but it will sell in the US because of the badge. As far as hatchbacks, how is the M-B C230 selling?
From what I've heard, the C230 started strong, then fell off. I suspect that the 1er will be similar: strong initial sales the first year, partly due to its badge, but falling off strongly due to inherent shortcomings. Which sounds like will be in the same mold as the 95-98 318ti: lack of power for the market niche. It seems that they don't understand that if you're trying to make a luxury hot hatchback that its got to have some "hot" in it :-) FWIW, I recall that the '95 TI had less grunt in it than my '84 VW Scirocco (8v 1.8).
- - - - - -
I think the problem with the C-230 is the sticker shock of the option packages; it jumps to +$30K really fast.
Absolutely. The only reasonably good value option on the C230 is the $750 wheel package, because of its underdocumented "other bits".
...After visiting two Benz dealers it was obvious that sales folks I dealt with didn't know how to sell the car or really want to sell it.
Its low profit compared to what they're used to. They're used to saying to a buyer "CD Player and Cellphone?" and the customer says Yup even without asking what the price is. Purveyors of the lineage of Hot Hatchbacks will ask what the price is, and go blatant rip-off's(such as the $1800 cellphone for the C230) will push them out of the door.
Overall, I personally believe that there's a good niche market for a frugal version of an M-class type hatchback. Simplistically, all that's required is to take the existing M Hatch and cut the fancy amenities out of it (and okay, even some horses) to get it from $45K down to ~$30K.
-hh
The PP runs $3,900 which includes the six-speed (which is now the standard manuual on the 330i), higher hp engine, short-throw shifter, new final drive ratio, revised speed limiter, M suspension, new 18" wheels, new M body trim stuff, and the special alcantra interior with lots of bits and pieces.
I don't think it includes any luxury/premium package stuff like full leather, sunroof, upgraded stereo, xenons, etc. although these items are still orderable.
With destination, base price of a PP 330i will be slightly over $39K.
All-in-all, about as expected - apples to apples vs. a current sport-package, 18" wheel 330i, it is about a $2K bump.
I'd expect it to sell quite well - there has always been a demand for a $9K cheaper 4-door M3 without the problematic 333-hp engine.
- Mark
I applaude the performance package on the new 330, but $9k seems very little to pay for the thrill of getting the 333 horses. There are few cars that can generate the kinds of smiles you get when you are really laying on it in second and third gears in the M3. You only live once. If you live a disciplined life and money is not too important to you then just pull the trigger and get the M3.
I will again say that there was something beautiful and unique about the 5 speed in the 330 that I loved. I wish the performance package didn't take that 5 speed away. (I liked it more than the 6sp in the M3)
BTW: you must all go and drive the Z4. Unbelievable. It generated the same feeling for me as my M3 for a lot less. I loved it, but I need a more practical car (We take family trips in the M3--put the kid seat in the back and pack the trunk full--it is great).