[D-Rock]

Originally Posted by dejav0o

Cuz chicks dig it....

Nice

[ages944]

Originally Posted by BK

BMW 330i - tested AT non-ZSP with leatherette, 17" all-seasons and i-Drive; outstanding steering; interior is nice but gauges seem dated; stunningly beautiful exterior (IMO photos don't do it justice); brakes release a little weird from a stop (hill assist?); turn signals are awkward to use; was not impressed with i-Drive or voice recognition (salesman was really pushing this); back seat seems acceptable for a child seat or two (I need this); very nice accelleration but didn't seem to have the kick I expected (maybe it was the AT?); quieter than I expected; overall, except for the steering feel, I was less impressed than I wanted to be; I want to try a MT with ZSP, and I hope to be blown away by it - I only need a little nudge... I'm ready to buy one this month if I like it

here's a nudge. The 3er is rated as a top safety pick. Very good for those bambinos you want to put into the back.

[foofighter]

because i've owned just about every european/german car brand so I thought it was time to drive a BMW

[Asiann]

Couldn't stand the 06 Jetta that my wife wanted that felt like a high powered go cart. Had to get some better German engineering

[hotsand5]

Had a 03 VW GLI VR6, and thought that the next step up in the German family would be the A4, but the 4 cyl was not enough for me and no manual in the V6, so next up the ladder was the c230....what a crappy engine!--but the car looks good from the outside.....The 330 had everything that I wanted, and then some

[BKsBimmer]

First let me state one of my top preferences was AWD.

On the short list (I liked all of these so I'll just say why I ruled them out):

Lexus IS250 - not enough power, back seat too small, no manual tranny

Lexus IS350 - back seat too small, no AWD, no manual tranny

Audi A4 2.0T Quattro - not enough power, hated the sound of the engine

Audi A4 3.2 Quattro - Loved this car, but in the end it wasn't a BMW

BMW 325xi - might have bought this if I hadn't driven the 330xi

BMW 330xi - definitely the right car for me, love it more every day, can't stop driving it!

[MuskratJoe]

Becuase you only live once, enjoy yourself.


Also, because it makes my friends jealous

[ScotyH]

I was visiting a friend at a new dealership, possibly trying to find a new Mini for my wife. I didn't fit into it. My friend said "I've don't have a whole lot to do, so pick a car and we'll take it for a rip". I was shocked at how well a 4 door family wagon could handle and accelerate while still being a quiet, plush ride. The next day he gave me the car so I could take my wife out to dinner. The day after that I signed the papers.

Haven't regretted a thing about this car since!

[Robin_NL]

I've had 3 E46s before. They were good.

So is this one. Except the torque/power. I want more.

[MG_2006325i_KG]

My second place was a volvo S40T but he did not have one for me to t/d and I needed to have my order in for the 325 before the dealer could arrange it. Best move I ever made without a doubt.

[Krockit]

It was the test drive that did it for me. 'Cause over about 2 months I had test driven everything else in it's class for under 50 large. Everything. Audi, Volvo, Saab, Jag, Caddy, Mazda, VW, MB, Infiniti, Acura, Honda, Chrysler, Dodge, everything and nothing came close except for the IS350. It was second, but a long way behind. I was used to a Boxster, which has incredible performance, and used that to measure the 4 door sedans. 330i was it. End of story.

[Dankim10]

I chose e90 as soon as it came out because I knew this car will success for sale and most ppl love it. Of course, I like the performance as well!

[ALPINE6SPD]

Best drivers car around plus I sell them.

[SCA]

Because I previously owned every other 3-Series generation with exception to the E21. The E30 & E36 were a blast to drive, but the E36 was flawed with poor materials and shady QC. The E46 was rather uninspiring to drive. So far, the E90 has been incredible! Knock on wood...

[carjon]

Needed awd - so looked at G35x, I250, A4 and 330xi. Coming from a 2003 330xi. I really wanted to like something else but after having driven them all it was no question. There is a feel with the BMW that just doesn't exist with other cars. It certainly wasn't the cheapest or had the most toys and the service department at the local dealer can be great or horrible but the day to day driving of a BMW can't be beat.

Also helped the $500 back from BMW CCA and no acquisition fee from BMW financial.

[stressdoc]

My first job (summer) was as a go'fer in a auto transmission shop when I was 12, and my dad was a U prof with a high tech physics/chemistry lab with lots of interesting materials science stuff, so I gained an appreciation and an eye for quality engineering. My first cars were an old used 1602ti, then another 1602, then a 2002, and a 2002tii. I got to work on them in a dealer's garage who prepared BMW Rallye cars. So for me, BMW engineering is a thing of beauty. As long as freude am fahren remains the guiding theme, I will buy BMWs. They are fun to drive, long-lasting, and a great value. The 3-series is the world's best 4-door sedan. And Euro delivery makes the buying process fun and more affordable.

[zzinco79]

cuz it is BMW

[dbstang]

Always wanted a BMW. Could now afford it. 2nd car would have been a new Mustang GT. KInda feel like i've outgrown the mustangs though.

I didn't consider any other vehicle. I've owned several VWs, a Honda Accord, a Toyota 4Runner, several GM cars and my last car, an '04 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD. I've never owned a BMW before this one. In my late teens through my mid 20s I was a mechanic on German cars -- VWs and Porches primarily, so I know a little about the differences in design, quality, craftsmanship, performance and handling of vehicles.

In my mind, and after driving my 3er, you can't compare the 3 Series with any of the "competition." In other words, there is no competition, the 3er is in a class by itself. A TL is just another nice, well made Japanese car, and so on with the "others." Comparisons are just that, comparisons. But you can't find another vehicle that drives and handles like the 3. Period.

I ordered my 3 without ever so much as opening the door of a demo and looking inside, much less test driving one. And I have not one regret. Further, I doubt seriously I'll ever buy anything other than a BMW ever again.

I have my sights set on an M3 Sedan in '08 or '09.

[niteshade009]

I looked at Acura TL, Subaru Legacy, Lexus IS350, and Cadillac CTS but the main competition was the Audi A4. I really liked the car and the dealer was willing to give me a great price but after driving the 330 for a second time I was sold. To me, the A4 didnt look as good or handle as well. Also, the steering felt a little numb and over-assisted for my tastes. This may not sound like too big of a deal to some, but I didnt like the fact that the audio system couldn't play MP3s and didn't have at least an AUX input. I ended up spending more than I originally wanted but overall am very happy with my choice so far. The other cars all had a few things they did very well but the 330 was more of a total package.

[BK]

Originally Posted by BK

Infinity G35 - will test this week; I don't have high hopes for this, but people here seem to like them so I'll give it a try; the coupe looks great to me (there are certainly a lot of these on the road, too), but the sedan looks a lot like a Maxima to me; photos of the interior turn me way off

Update - test drove a G35 sedan today. 6MT, Sport Pkg, Silver with Black interior. The sedan exterior styling does nothing for me (the coupe I absolutely love); interior controls and gauges seemed either busy or a little cheap, I’m not sure which, but it wasn’t that bad -- not as bad as I expected; seat adjustments are in the middle of the car, rather than on the left side of the seat; power steering wheel adjustment felt cheap but works well -- the whole dash moves when you adjust the wheel, so gauges are always visible; there are switches on the steering wheel in addition to buttons; driving experience was much MUCH better than I expected; handling and acceleration were terrific; transmission felt great; car was well planted and felt very solid, inspired confidence in turns. Seriously, steering felt just about as good as the 330i and better than any of the other cars I’ve tested.

In general, the G35 very pleasantly surprised me. I had fairly low expectations, and it turns out this is really a great car! Wow!

[ON325i]

Originally Posted by canucklion

my shopping experience proved one thing: numbers/descriptions on paper don't really mean anything until you test drive the cars.

TL: the interior has cheap plastic parts, and the exterior looked 'bulky' to me.
TSX: you need to wind the engine way high to get any power, I test drove a 6 spd TSX, I was like "Wow, this car feels fast", but as I looked down on my speedo to see what ungodly speed I was doing on the public road, I was only doing 40km/h (thought I was doing 80 or more)
A3: too damn small, and the rear looked 'chopped up' to me
A4: nothing to get excited, I drove it, I was like 'meh', it neither disappointed nor excited me during the test drive, I was indifferent.
E90: I test drove the 325i and 330i, and yes indeed I felt a different between the two cars. Both great cars, but the 330i has the added oomph. And I was left oogling and aweing over the 330i until my negotiation day. What a car, I'm still in the honeymoon period

I followed almost the exactly same route as u without the 330i testing, i knew i will go for the 330i... i was sold on the handling already ;D

p.s. i actually did sit in the.. ahem.. pass..at.. ahem