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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

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#21856 of 30156 325i, GTi, etc by nkeen Feb 10, 2003 (5:18 pm)
For djocks and riez:   I am/(was?) looking for a replacement for the GTi due to reliability concerns (replaced 2nd gear syncro followed by complete transmission, more recently an ignition coil failure -- you might have read about this problem) and drove several cars -- 325i, Saab 9-3, Caddy CTS, Suburu WRX, Jag X-type, Honda Accord, and, yes, a Chevy Impala. The 325i is a great car, but wish it had more headroom -- I'm 6'1" but have a long torso and found that my head tended to hit the grab handle above the driver's door as I leaned left. The 9-3 is good -- not as involving as the Bimmer, but I have concerns about the long term viability of the division given its losses. The X-type: my head was on the roof -- no sunroof and they could move the side glass out 2 inches without widening the car. The Accord, competent and immaculately executed left me uninvolved and unmoved. The Impala is very roomy with a great torquey OHV engine, the best auto trans you can buy, and decent handling -- great value in it's American Gothic way, immensely strong, and without doubt under-rated.   I don't agree that the 325i is in a different league from the VW --- at least not in terms of driver involvement and overall quality of execution. The quality of the interiors is similar, and, oh to get decent cloth seats! VW has the better stereo. For certain, the VW, with it's vertical side glass, feels much roomier in front. And yes, it rattles. I think that perhaps the 1.8T is a better match than the VR6, though -- and I love that quiet whoosh from the blower as the torque piles in. There is a lot to be said for fwd -- remember those Minis in the 60's that won the Monte, leaving everything else behind? I have had the GTi to 110 on the interstate -- rock solid and in its element and with plenty more to come, which I would expect from the BMW also. And it plows through the snow without complaint on its standard tires, and is easy to catch in a slide.   But the bottom line: the BMW was not more satisfying than the Volks, and a little slower also. The VW is slightly rabid but (unlike the Scooby WRX) refined, and chuckable. I'm still considering, but as you can tell, despite its misbehavior, its an emotional thing with the VW.
#21857 of 30156 nkeen by djocks Feb 10, 2003 (5:31 pm)
I liked my red-rocket (GTI) also! My wife did not care for the exterior styling but then again it is my car for work! And there was no questioning the pop the car possessed!.   I am 6 feet and find the 330i very comfortable. I know I sound like a broken record but the sport seats are out of this world. If you are going to mourn the loss of the GTI then roll with it longer. They have a cult following and I sold mine at asking price privately 2 weeks after running the add. You can always sell it! After I sold my GTI I was driving a '92 Audi 100cs. I must say I missed my GTI everyday until recently when I finally got my BMW.   The GTI still has a special place in my heart, but after driving my 330i (now in snow with absolutely no problems, thanks shapiro/brave1heart/riez) I believe all the hype. I have never driven anything like the 330i!
#21858 of 30156 djocks by kdshapiro Feb 10, 2003 (5:40 pm)
Glad you're enjoying your car. It pays to say it again - while it might be worthwhile to ask opinions, there is no substitute for doing your homework. Making sure you got the right car, for the right price, at the right dealer.   You did yours and ended up with your dream car. Keeps us posted.   PS. Mine with the conti tires is awful in deep snow. I said this year gonna ride it out, next year snows.
#21859 of 30156 djocks - winter tires by abcnyc Feb 10, 2003 (6:30 pm)
I concur with everyone's assessment that the winter tires will do fine in the snow. I have a 330i SP with winter tires and have no problems - even with 5-6". I would also recommend not adding weight. I don't think it will be that beneficial for traction purposes and it will definitely impact your braking distance.
#21860 of 30156 nkeen - by brave1heart Feb 10, 2003 (6:37 pm)
I am partial to VWs too. I had a '90 Jetta for ~ 3 years and then a '97 Jetta VR6 for 4 years before I got my '01 325i. VW is a lot of fun and these days also refinement for the money but in terms of driving dynamics, looks, resale value and just about anything else, it can't touch the 3-series. I took a beating on my VR6 when I sold it, although I'll admit that putting on 96K miles in 4 years doesn't help resale value :o) The VR6 was lighter than the 325 and it is marginally faster 0-60 (C&D gave it a 1/10 sec advantage - 6.9 vs. 7.0) but the 325 will be slightly faster 0-100 and simply walk away above 110. My cousin has a '02 1.8T with 180 HP, which is heavier than my old VR6 but it also has a few more ponies. According to C&D, the 325 was 0.2 sec faster 0-100 and again, above 110, you just walk away. The ECIS CAI in my 325 is good for at least 1-2 tenths, and the few times that I had a GTI try to keep up with me, they only stayed close to ~ 70 and then the 325 slowly pulls away. When you say you have a GTI, that's the Golf, right? The Golf will be slightly faster than the Jetta of course but comparing the Golf to the 3-series is like comparing apples to oranges. Aside from their similar acceleration numbers, they are entirely different cars. I loved driving my VR6 but the driving dynamics, handling, braking, ergonomics, and comfort cannot be compared to the 3-series'.
#21861 of 30156 Again- winter tires by topspin627 Feb 11, 2003 (5:10 am)
I have a 330I with sp and have a winter tire set- up from Tire Rack- Blizzack LM22's on 16 in. wheels. Absolutely no problem in the snow here in the Northeast. It handles as well as my wife's ML320. You just have to drive sensibly in the white stuff. Look at how many SUV's you see in accidents They think it makes them invincible and drive like maniacs when it snows.   IMO when a car tires to do everything well ie: drive sporty, luxuruiosly, goes through snow etc. it winds up doing nothing truly great. It can't be all things to all people because it then winds up being nothing to anyone, if that makes any sense. (See Lexus, boring cars) IMO the 3er is a great Sports Car which does other things competently. That's why I love it. I wanted a sports car.
#21862 of 30156 Get What Works for You by riez Feb 11, 2003 (5:16 am)
nkeen... I loved my old mid-1980s Jetta. Think she was an '85. But from a driving dynamics standpoint, there just isn't any comparison between FWD and RWD. A near 50/50 RWD platform like the 3 Series is so much more rewarding to drive. I'm 6'2" and have no trouble with the headroom in my wife's '00 323ia. Have you put the seat all the way down? Test drive, test drive, test drive. Do a ton of reasearch. Get what you can afford that brings a smile to your face. If driving isn't fun...
#21863 of 30156 According to JD Powers.. by kdshapiro Feb 11, 2003 (8:03 pm)
Germans love Japanese cars, but, according to the 4/03 Bimmer magazine, the Japanese love the Valvetronic engine. A Japanese automotive engineers group gave the Valvetronic engine, technology of the year award.   In another tidbit, Bimmer magazine says BMW and Siemens are working on an EMT camshaft, that might be introduced with the 42 volt electrical systems.
#21864 of 30156 Death of a CD changer and a honeymoon by soverypoornow Feb 11, 2003 (8:34 pm)
Well, eight months and 11,000 miles on my 330i and I have my first real failure. The CD changer. My music. It had to be my music?   It's the BMW trunk mounted changer. Driving down the road one day it all of a sudden decided to stop noticing there were any discs at all. Just kept saying on the Nav readout "no discs." Tried to think like a techie. Hmm...what would a comuter guy say if I called and asked for tech support? Ah, yes, turn it off and turn it on again. No luck. Popped the magazine out and reinserted each disc. Still "no discs."   Took it into the dealer today and I swear they did the exact same thing I did. Turned it off and on again. Popped out the magazine. And finally pronounced it dead. New one on order covered under warranty.   Sigh. The honeymoon is over. My music, it had to be my music...
#21865 of 30156 music by bluebeast Feb 12, 2003 (7:01 am)
Better to have the music go than the engine / transmission. You still have the radio, right?

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