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Comments
I'm planning to buy one of the three listed over the next week, but I can't decide. I really need someone to tell me what to get and why. Here are some of my reasons for and against each.
A4 1.8TQ - Manual
Pro - Best looking of the bunch inside and out, Quatro, The cheapest of the 3.
Con - Even with a manual it seems a little sluggish. Very poor cupholders(I do a lot of driving, often with a beverage in tow). I've heard about some quality problems.
325xi - Manual
Pro - Best handling, Sport seats w/sport package. AWD
Con - The Most expensive when options are put on ie sport, premium, cold.
2002 Saab 9-5 Aero
Pro - Price (I think that I can get a loaded 2002 Aero for around $31,500). 250 HP.A back seat built for adults. A fair amount of decent options.
Con - Somewhat dated design. FWDrive. Would probably have to buy snow tires
I'm not sure this particular forum is the right place for this, maybe start another comparison thread for these cars.
One more thing, I think the BMW is the best looking of the bunch.
Hope that helped.
I think you have to decide whether this is worth it to you. I have driven the automatic versions of both the 330 and 325 back to back. That said people have said the 325 with the auto is sluggish, but with the manual it's a different story.
The 330i is like a rocket and the small engine size in comparision to some of the competition who claim substantial leads in hp and torque, doesn't belie the fact that no matter where you are in the power band, this engine moves the car and is smooth as silk.
It all boils down to the extra $$$ and the feeling you want from the car.
Although designed for driver convenience,I find the automatic turn-on of the rear window defroster when the temperature is below 39 degrees to be a little annoying. When I turn on the heater fan the first thing I have to do is turn off the rear defroster since I don't seem to need it very often.
I don't have the auto defrost in my 325i - I guess that was part of the premium package?!?
As far as auto-rear-defrost function. I agree here also. It annoys me to have to turn it off. Other than the design of the off switch fot the climate control, I like the system very much for the following reasons:
1. The adjustable temperature front-vents are a nice feature. Although it's been a long time since I've had them in a car. My last car was a '94 Maxima.
2. The settings rarely have to be adjusted and the system is great at keeping the temperature constant.
3. The auto button can be pressed for auto fan regulation without turning on the A/C.
4. The air can be directed upward without turning on the A/C or activating the "turbo" defrost mode. Or if you want one touch defrost, it's there also. Additionally, there is added flexibility in being able to direct the air anywhere that is wanted.
Also how much should I expect to pay for a new model? Since I probably need to make a special order (I want Sport Pkg, Moonroof, heated seats, manual), will I have any room to shave off the MSRP? B/c I am thinking that if I need to pay close to MSRP, then I might as well go the ED route. Appreciate your input.
a lower lease payment on a special order. I do think that a few factors helped my situation.
1. This was our second trip and both times we spent several hours there
2. I already had a low ball figure on 330's in stock
3. They were willing to work with me to avoid loosing a sale.
4. He knew we had dealt with another BMW dealer before we came to see him
I hope this info helped.
So, if you were to go 325, get the manual. If you think the extra 4-5k is worth the 330 and can afford it, get that. You wont be disapointed in either!!
When its time to replace my tires Id LIKE to get some 225's. Will they fit on my standard rims or would I have to get new rims too?
If I have to get new rims, I probably just upgrade to 18" rims.
Any input is apprciated- thanks!
The 330i Performance Package seems like a good idea too. Hey, more power an extra cog in the tranny, stiffer suspension tuning are always a good thing. Has anybody heard anything on the price of this added on to a 2003 330i?
I finally got a new computer (Dude, I got a DELL). And my cable modem will be arriving on SUnday, so I'll be posting on a regular basis.
Things are going well for me at my Father's plumbing supply shop. It is definitely one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Since I'm back, I've got to stick my $.02 in. For $50 plus thousand dollars, it really angers me (I'd use more explicit language, but TH prohibits it) that the roads here are infested with H2 Hummers. Personally I'd take an M3 Coupe for that price, but hey, that's just me.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
"Traffic speeds were restricted to 40 mph on the Massachusetts Turnpike.
State police Sgt. David Pane said many of the minor accidents involved four-wheel drive vehicles, apparently with over-confident drivers at the wheel.
"For some reason they feel, because they have that 4-wheel drive they can drive at an increased speed level without losing control," Pane said. "That's a myth."
The ZHP is $3,900.
I can't believe all the snow we have here in the city. I'm glad I stuck my Prelude in a garage yesterday.
I've been saying for years that 4WD helps you start and does nothing but add weight to increase your stopping distance.
$3900...I guess that's a good bridge between a 330i and an M3.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Howard
Being the car junkie that I am, as the parents did the drop-off/pick-up thing, I was keeping track of their automotive hardware, which went something like this:
Boy #1: Mom – Mercedes-Benz ML430 & Dad – Hummer H2
Boy #2: Dad – Chevy Suburban
Boy #3: Mom – Toyota Sequoia & Dad – Land Rover Ranger Rover
Boy #4: Dad – Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Quad Cab Long Bed 4x4 (Cummins Diesel)
On the way up to the slot car tracks (riding in our lowly Dodge Caravan), they were all bragging about the cool "Cars" that their parents drive, and my son chimed in, "My dad drives a 5-Series."
The instant response, in harmony no less, was, "What's a 5-Series?"
My son said, "A BMW, of course!"
I don’t know who said it, but someone actually said, "Oh, you mean a CAR!"
They then changed the subject; it was like my son had noisily passed gas at a Royal Wedding or something. Later, after all of his buddies had left, my son said, "Daddy, they just don't get it, do they?"
"No son, they don't."
Best Regards,
Shipo
I'm sure there's a real need for an ML430 and an H2 in a family. Maybe the guy owns a gas station. Also a Range Rover and a Sequoia seem very practical.
Just think of what the jones' will think when they find out your 530i is a 5-speed, LOL!
At least the Dodge is an oil burner...that's smart!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
"Why, he is shifting the gears silly." (or some such adjective)
"What's he doing that for?"
"He wants to."
"Why on earth would he want to do that?"
Later...
"Dad, they just don't get it, do they?"
"No son, they don't." ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
like pulling off a highway and stopping at a light at the bottom of an off-ramp, for example.
-Colin
BTW, (forgive the delayed response) when we head up to Boston, we'll be in my wifes Odyssey so the Caravan wouldn't be shunned. ;-)
shipo: Not sure if I want to laugh or cry. Those of us prefering a 3rd pedal are a dying breed.
There's a very good article in the Feb issue of Roundel concerning snow tires, suvs, awd, & rwd. If you haven't read it yet, it's a worth while read.
Cool, we can park the Odyssey and the Caravan side-by-side, and let them growl at each other. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Best Regards,
Dale
Got a 325i with premium package, sports package, and cold weather package in 5 speed manual for a little less than $1000 over invoice -last day of the month, paid cash.
Just passed the 1200 mile break in last night. Looking forward to driving it a little more aggressively now.
One comment, the SP has some very nice, meaty performance tires. They haven't given me any real trouble in the snow, but in this sub-zero Chicago weather, they freeze up as hard as rocks. Thus they are unusually slippery even on dry pavement. Can't wait to get out when the weather is a little warmer.
This is my first bimmer, and I am very excited about the car. It is a true pleasure to drive it.
Thank you all for your posts. They were very helpful in my decision. I do not regret it.
Chad
high crankcase pressure is normal when you are cruising on the highway at low throttle and high manifold vacuum.
if you want to confirm this with your dealer, ask what they think next time you're in. it could be something else but this is a decent guess.
-Colin
(professional computer guy, hobbyist greasemonkey)
The only problem will be what I will replace it with when the time comes. Will BMW still be offering the 5-Series with a manual transmission (with three pedals) by then? If not, I will have to buy one of the last, maybe even a couple of them.
Best Regards,
Shipo
C
dave330i: Yeah I'm still around. My Prelude does OK in the snow considering its V Rated Bridgestones thanks to FWD. I actually parked it in a garage on Sunday night and just took it out this morning (that only cost $105), otherwise the poor car would have been buried. I didn't take it out in the deep snow due to its low ground clearance. I'm definitely going to go for a set of winter tires (minus 1) next season.
I just paid $1.69 a gallon for 93 octane on Rt. 46 in Jersey.
I love rowing my own gears (like many of you) and taught my girlfriend how to drive stick in case she ever needs to (or wants to) drive my car or 1 of her parents' cars (her Mom has a VW Beetle GLX 1.8T w/ a 5 speed and her Dad has a VW GTI VR6 w a 6 speed). At first she asked me why I would choose to do this when there is a device that can do it for me. That was frustration talking. She's getting the hang of it now and is taking a liking to it. Hopefully a few years down the road I can convince her to trade her Protege in on something w/ a manual tranny.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD