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      11-04-2005, 07:55 PM   #1
jc777
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my 325 so far

First, let me first note that I recognize that a 330 is faster and has some cool stuff that a base 325 does not have. Second, I'm not in any way implying that people who purchased a 330 made a mistake.

Over the summer I was car shopping and I drove quite a few different cars, mostly roadsters and sedans. Some I was considering for purchase, others I drove just for fun. My trip to the local bmw dealer was just for fun. I really didn't intend to buy one. However, that changed during my first test drive in an e90. (The only other car that put a smile on my face like that was the honda s2000.) I liked everything about how it drove -- balance, acceleration, composure. I can't really articulate the feeling very well, but I know it when I feel it. I decided to buy a bmw. Specifically I purchased a jet black e90 325i, 6MT, with the only options being dakota leather, heated seats, and sat prep.

I have 3500 miles on it now. The car has been flawless. Not a single issue, not even a rattle. I couldn't be happier with my decision.

Now, conventional wisdom on this forum is that you must buy a 330 with the sports package, otherwise the car is lame. Well, I respectfully disagree. (see note above) I use my car for commuting to work; it will never see any track time. I am a fairly aggressive driver, but have yet to come close to the handling limits or top speed of this car. I don't drag race, so the 6.7s 0-60 is plenty for me. I decided against the sport package because I wanted the all season RFTs. I live in the northeast where summer tires in the winter are a problem. (I can't be bothered changing wheels for winter.) Also some of the roads I drive are not the best and the higher profile tires seem less prone to wheel damage.

I really like the stock audio system. It is far, far better than the bose system in my wife's acura. And yes, I skipped the xenons -- no regrets. (see note above) The 6MT is tremendous.

Believe it or not, I'm not writing this to upset people on this forum. I'm writing this to let people know that you can get one hell of a car from bmw for less than $32K US. Or, like many people do, you can option it up for an even more impressive ride.

I've been driving hondas, acuras, and nissans for 20 years. I doubt I'll ever go back.
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      11-04-2005, 08:03 PM   #2
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I agree with you. 325i is a cool car with more than enough power for everyday driving.

Well the Car and Driver got a 0-60MPH in 6.1 seconds in a recent magazine. That is more than you actually need and handling is superb too.
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      11-04-2005, 08:23 PM   #3
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I'm with you jc777.

I had deposit on Lexus IS250 loaded up with gadgets over the top for 4 months, but after driving BMW there was no other choice for me. I took what was available at the showroom with my color of choice. Happened to be 330i, no gadgets except park assist.

I have car only for 2 weeks and I don't even use audio system, because sound of engine is better then anything on the radio. The car is unbelievable joy to ride. Every time when I drive it after our Sienna, it feels so cool!

I have no regrets that I ‘lost’ most of the gadgets on my car, BMW is about driving, isn’t?
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      11-04-2005, 09:38 PM   #4
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good write up Jc.

shouldve gotton a 330i though...JK, just pulling your leg.

a BMW is a BMW
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      11-04-2005, 10:02 PM   #5
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Puck, you bastard, ....oh I get it!

Jc, great writeup. That was perfect. The Bimmer experience is about getting exactly the car you want (or that I can afford), and using it for your exact purpose. Never mind that I take it out after dark to play on the back roads after 200kms of straight line commuting!!

At one point I thought it would be fun to own a Hemi of sorts or a Mustang. I really doubt I would take either of those out for late night play on my windy roads nearby.

After I test drove the Mustang last summer, the sales guy asked me..."what are you looking for?" to which I answered that I just wanted to fall in love with a car again. And so I did!

1600kms since Thursday the 27th of October!
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      11-04-2005, 10:33 PM   #6
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TESTIFY!!!
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      11-04-2005, 10:39 PM   #7
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Great post, JC. You have a great, earnest approach to your descriptions and its clear that you genuinely enjoy the car.

My only regret in buying a 325 was that I ordered one; the wait is torture.
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      11-04-2005, 11:45 PM   #8
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couldn't agree more...

I just picked up my jet black 325 w/ sport about two weeks ago and I am hopelessly in love. I've always been an automotive enthusiast but on a budget. I grew up on volkswagens and then subarus, but I have come to the point in my life where i can comfortably afford the Bavarian and I haven't regretted it for an instance. Yes, you can get a faster car for less, yes you can get a flashier car for less, yes you can get a much BIGGER car for less, but you can't have as much fun for less. Taking my 325 the LOOOONG way home from work, down Germantown Road through Portland, OR's picturesque and famous Forest Park is a pleasure I don't think will ever get old. Accelerating through the turns is what makes the long hours at work worth it, and makes the everyday stresses of life disappear.

I actually had a vivid nightmare last night that climaxed with discovering "my baby" totalled by a landslide! Do I need professional help?
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      11-04-2005, 11:49 PM   #9
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325i are kick ass!
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      11-05-2005, 12:07 AM   #10
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jc
you know, you don't really have to do that. The whole Asia (incl China) are mostly driving 318i/320i and at most 325i. At least:-
- you got a 3 litre 325i while we only get 2.5 litre 325i
- your e90 is made in Germany and ours are either SA or China

The most important thing is you car is flawless!!
Congrats
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      11-05-2005, 02:36 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanuki
I actually had a vivid nightmare last night that climaxed with discovering "my baby" totalled by a landslide! Do I need professional help?

No. I completely understand why you would have this nightmare!
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      11-05-2005, 06:13 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jc777
First, let me first note that I recognize that a 330 is faster and has some cool stuff that a base 325 does not have. Second, I'm not in any way implying that people who purchased a 330 made a mistake...... My trip to the local bmw dealer was just for fun. I really didn't intend to buy one.... I liked everything about how it drove -- balance, acceleration, composure. ... I couldn't be happier with my decision. Now, conventional wisdom on this forum is that you must buy a 330 with the sports package, otherwise the car is lame. Well, I respectfully disagree. ...Believe it or not, I'm not writing this to upset people on this forum. I'm writing this to let people know that you can get one hell of a car from bmw for less than $32K US. ...
Great Write-Up JC, no! no! you didnt upset me at all, but confirmed my decision, for I have a 325i too with steptronic.

When I was test driving cars at the dealership, it was late and the choices were very few, plus the Sept 1 price increase was only 2 days away, so ordering and 2 month wait was out of the question.

But, I ask if they have same car I choose with Xenon.
Sales said " NAH! you dont need it. Do you drive in country roads? "

I ask sales if they have same car I choose with SP.
Sales said " NAH! but we have one, fully loaded! 40k"

I ask if they have same car I choose with leather beige interior.
Sales said " NAH! its at the port, do you want to pay Sept 1 prices"

I ask if they have same car I choose in Mystic Blue.
Sales said " NAH! Graphite is the best color by far"

I went ahead a decided to get it, since I just sold my E320 the previous day, and hell if I will drive my daughters puttputt for two months while waiting for a car. I gave the deposit and said " I'll pick it up tomorrow"."Here! wait got something for you" he said while he handed me BMW valve caps.

Tomorrow came, and salesguy Ives was worried and called me, "Hey! Guy! are you going to make it, we're about ready to close. Do you want me to just deliver it to you? tonight or tomorrow?". "Im on my way, slight traffic on the bridge" I said.

I arrived, car was ready, looked it over and signed the papers. Sales knew want i needed, he handed me 2 nice BMW key rings, didnt mention and sell me junk insurance, and got me close to invoice. Told me we'll give chrome pipes next week, surprised for, I didnt asked, and later was asked which mats do i want, Carpet or rubber.

"CONGRATULATIONS"
3 months and 3,000 miles later that saleguy, that help me choose, was right.
Since, the car I choose is just the right car I will ever need.
Its Quick! It has B*LLS! Its not bad on gas! and most important its a 325i, a BMW class! Ives@PASSPORTBMW



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      11-05-2005, 06:38 AM   #13
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      11-05-2005, 08:50 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ase2dais
Great Write-Up JC, no! no! you didnt upset me at all, but confirmed my decision, for I have a 325i too with steptronic.

When I was test driving cars at the dealership, it was late and the choices were very few, plus the Sept 1 price increase was only 2 days away, so ordering and 2 month wait was out of the question.

But, I ask if they have same car I choose with Xenon.
Sales said " NAH! you dont need it. Do you drive in country roads? "

I ask sales if they have same car I choose with SP.
Sales said " NAH! but we have one, fully loaded! 40k"

I ask if they have same car I choose with leather beige interior.
Sales said " NAH! its at the port, do you want to pay Sept 1 prices"

I ask if they have same car I choose in Mystic Blue.
Sales said " NAH! Graphite is the best color by far"

I went ahead a decided to get it, since I just sold my E320 the previous day, and hell if I will drive my daughters puttputt for two months while waiting for a car. I gave the deposit and said " I'll pick it up tomorrow"."Here! wait got something for you" he said while he handed me BMW valve caps.

Tomorrow came, and salesguy Ives was worried and called me, "Hey! Guy! are you going to make it, we're about ready to close. Do you want me to just deliver it to you? tonight or tomorrow?". "Im on my way, slight traffic on the bridge" I said.

I arrived, car was ready, looked it over and signed the papers. Sales knew want i needed, he handed me 2 nice BMW key rings, didnt mention and sell me junk insurance, and got me close to invoice. Told me we'll give chrome pipes next week, surprised for, I didnt asked, and later was asked which mats do i want, Carpet or rubber.

"CONGRATULATIONS"
3 months and 3,000 miles later that saleguy, that help me choose, was right.
Since, the car I choose is just the right car I will ever need.
Its Quick! It has B*LLS! Its not bad on gas! and most important its a 325i, a BMW class! Ives@PASSPORTBMW



Wow....and now you're a confirmed customer for life!!!
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      11-05-2005, 09:02 AM   #15
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I agree, the 330 would be wonderfull, even the 325 would be nice, cause its a 6 cyl.

I'm based in Malasia since a week, and ordered my first bmw, a 320.
The taxes are incredibally high here cause they protect the local market, MRSP 74.000 USD for the 320, 85.000 USD for the 325, 115.000 USD for the 330! , fancy a 5 or 7 series? How about the 750 LI for 260.000 USD ! No discounts, no specials, no free upgrades. It comes with the small rims, want bigger ones? Buy the 325, want cruise control? Buy the 325, want adaptive cruise control, need to take the 330, same for the sportseats etc.. You can buy Nav, but no maps for this region, so why bother. It's going the be Sparkling Graphite with Beige Dakota leather,as you can choose from only 4 colours. They had 5 Sparklings with beige in stock, anything else will be delivery in 2006.

The minimal options however are ok, they all come with Xenons, Dakota leather, auto airco, PDC, Storgae comp kit, to name a few.

Anyhow, I used to drive a 1900 cc VW Passat diesel with plastic caps, so I'm not complaining. Most will be city traffic, if it's more then 2 h drive, take the plane, plainticket will cost 100 USD. And it's in any case better then a proton, which is prices between 5K 20K depending on the model. Where the more expensive models have ABS and Airbags so I'm not complaining. They sell about 3000 bmw's a year in this country, so it's reasonably unique here, especially the new E90, as they are still selling olde E46 318's. And it's made in Germany, not locally assembled. So put it all in perspective, even the 320 will be fast enough for normal traffic.
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      11-05-2005, 09:03 AM   #16
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PS: Didn't take a test drive, this forum convinced me it's the right choice
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      11-05-2005, 09:04 AM   #17
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jc777

I'm with you -- and a good community can support all points of view, so don't be shy.

I'm about to order a 325xi -- knowing that many on the board would argue against AWD. But I am in a position where I need that car to be driveable even in a snowstorm and I live in a hilly area. I know I'm sacrificing some agaility for just a few trips every year where I will fee safer. (there are a couple of hills that I must climb to get home where my 528i would slip -- I am well aware that AWD has little impact on many snowy roads).

You got me thinking about the sport package with your comment about the tire difference -- I am not sure I understand your point of view.

The non-sport are 16-inch vs. 17-inch but I didn't think there was a difference that would affect winter driving.

I am considering the sport-package -- and was planning on getting snows. (I have had them on my 528 and they were a big help)
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      11-05-2005, 09:11 AM   #18
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I agree completely. My E90 320d is fast enough for 90% of the driving I do. The only time it's not fast enough, when some fool in his golf 5 GTI pulls next to me and wants to race. (My old 325 could kick ass - my diesel can't...i lose him at the gear change)

So what...
I am saving on fuel, I have plenty of torque and cool extra's. :-) My 320d is
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      11-05-2005, 09:31 AM   #19
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My local BMW dealer sales of the 325 vs. the 330 are 3:1.
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      11-05-2005, 09:56 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ase2dais
Sales said " NAH! its at the port, do you want to pay Sept 1 prices"
Just a question, why would you pay September prices when the order takes place in August? I mean, the car's price isn't set on delivery, but at order time (Whenever the car gets to you doesn't affect price, if the day it's ordered it has a price of X, then that's what you pay no matter when they'll build it), and I find it doubtful that such a practice would be legal. Wouldn't that be some sort of sales pressure tactic to close the deal faster (Which is exactly what happened)?
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      11-05-2005, 10:51 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by driverseven
jc777

You got me thinking about the sport package with your comment about the tire difference -- I am not sure I understand your point of view.

The non-sport are 16-inch vs. 17-inch but I didn't think there was a difference that would affect winter driving.

I am considering the sport-package -- and was planning on getting snows. (I have had them on my 528 and they were a big help)
The 325i base model has all seasons; the sport package has summer tires. If you are getting snows, then there is no concern.
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      11-05-2005, 11:19 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by driverseven
jc777

I'm with you -- and a good community can support all points of view, so don't be shy.

I'm about to order a 325xi -- knowing that many on the board would argue against AWD. But I am in a position where I need that car to be driveable even in a snowstorm and I live in a hilly area. I know I'm sacrificing some agaility for just a few trips every year where I will fee safer. (there are a couple of hills that I must climb to get home where my 528i would slip -- I am well aware that AWD has little impact on many snowy roads).

You got me thinking about the sport package with your comment about the tire difference -- I am not sure I understand your point of view.

The non-sport are 16-inch vs. 17-inch but I didn't think there was a difference that would affect winter driving.

I am considering the sport-package -- and was planning on getting snows. (I have had them on my 528 and they were a big help)
Driverseven.
I am into 1600kms on my xi now. Remember, this is Drive. 40:60 full time, until conditions warrant torque in a special area. Study the website and learn the difference.

I test drove all the RWDs, and I honestly can't tell the difference. This car is agile and amazingly fun to drive. I had a new Legacy Turbo this summer and it is powerful, but nowhere near as agile or easy to throw around. The Bimmer is an instinctive car to drive. Trust me, I have spent and lost a lot of money figuring this out.

Don't let people tell you that you're wussing out getting an xi...those people have never tried the NEW xi. Ask the X3 people, they will tell you xDrive is fantastic in winter and in summer.

The sport package with the xi is seats, wheels and steering wheel. The suspension is the same as the regular. The regular seats are well enough bolstered for spirited driving, and if you commute a long way the sports could be too constricting in the back. The normal steering wheel is sporty enough, check for yourself.

And 17" wheels are 45s, read, not as comfy on rough potholed roads. My stock 16" wheels and tires look great and handle very well, try it and feel for yourself once again.

And if you want to come up to farm country and try mine, you're welcome to!!
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