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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

30250 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 11:51 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 2516 of 3025

#25150 of 30250 ddblue by div2

Dec 11, 2003 (10:33 pm)

Back in 1991 I was helping judge a CCA chapter's fall concours. One couple had brought their immaculate E28 M5. I asked them how it handled on the track, and they looked at me like I'd asked them if they let goats mate in the back seat. Pathetic. When I eventually nab a 2002tii Turbo and an M1 I can assure you that they will see a few different road circuits as well. BMWs are DRIVERS cars, and it galls me to see one being driven in blue-hair-Buick Geritol mode...

#25151 of 30250 99 328i vs 01 330i by sckling

Dec 12, 2003 (1:30 am)

My car just got stolen and I really need a car soon!
 
I came across with two 3'ers:
 
99 328i Sports/Premium, Blk/Tan, 28k miles, $20k
01 330i Sports/Premium, Silver/Grey, 35k miles, $25k
 
What's you guys opinions? Is the extra 30hp on 330i really make a different? Thanks for the advice.

#25152 of 30250 by kdshapiro

Dec 12, 2003 (5:33 am)

sckling - there are those who say no, there are those who say yes and there are those who say it depends on whether it's a manual or step. Having driven both 325 and 330 step the answer is yes. Noticeably. People say there is less of a difference with the manual.
 
But while the '02 330is have a red check mark in reliability according to CR, the '01s do not.
 
I personally would go for the '01 but I would do my homework first.

#25153 of 30250 One other thing... by kyfdx HOST

Dec 12, 2003 (7:38 am)

The '01 should still be in warranty.. Thats worth a lot right there...

#25154 of 30250 To Marks1970, re: the 330i cost by bretaa

Dec 12, 2003 (7:57 am)

Having just bought a CPO 330i, I can tell you I thought the premium was worthwhile vs the 325i's I drove. For me, the reason the premium was worthwhile was that I was upgrading from a '98 Contour SVT, and to me, the performance and "seat of your pants" feel of the 325's I drove weren't all that dissimilar from my SVT. The extra thrust, smoothness, and engine-tranny harmony of the 330i felt a very clear step above the car I was replacing. And I could afford the difference.
 
Now, my preference in no way at all implies the 325 is a "bad car." I loved the ones I drove, and would recommend them in a heartbeat to anyone who asks. They are a *great value* and have enough performance for almost anyone. I, and obviously many others, are just willing to pay for an upgrade. It's the same as my Contour SVT was in '98, being worth every cent of the $3,500 premium over the Contour SE. As someone else said, it's all about what the free market will support.
 
Now, it sounds like in some other forums, BMW may be hitting up against that support with the new 5's right now, with people openly questioning the steep prices on the new V8 5-series models. That's how it all works. The companies test the market, the market corrects the companies. Look at the new Thunderbird... It was selling for thousands above list when it came out and now Ford has to d/c it since the sales are so slow. You've got to love capitalism!
 
Bret

#25155 of 30250 Visit to the local dealer.... by white6

Dec 12, 2003 (8:11 am)

to have the IHKA reprogram service bulletin performed on my 04 330Ci. Less than an hour and no appointment... pretty good. While I waited, I browsed the lot. Three 2004 ZHP's; silver gray, jet black and red. All completely loaded to the gills (~$45,000) and all steptronics (!).

#25156 of 30250 white by blueguydotcom

Dec 12, 2003 (10:00 am)

Yeah the switch to a step zhp was inevitable as way too many people now think sports sedan and gimmicky automanual go together. You know BMW caught all sorts of emails and moans from drivers who wanted the zhp upgrades but couldn't fathom driving a stick in a performance package.
 
I drive 90 miles a day in traffic. 90 miles. Both my cars are manuals. So don't use the old "but there's so much traffic" excuse.

#25157 of 30250 by kdshapiro

Dec 12, 2003 (11:36 am)

"So don't use the old "but there's so much traffic" excuse."
 
To each their own. I drive about 40 miles a day. On the trip in, the last mile before the highway can take an hour at times. No more manuals for me.

#25158 of 30250 marks1970 by memphis10

Dec 12, 2003 (12:42 pm)

BMW charges 7k more for the 330. Whether it is justifiable or not is absolutely a personal matter and you won't find a unanimous decision on this. 330 owners find the extra oomph worth every extra dollar they pay and 325 owners think it is a waste of money. The 325 stick is as fast as the 330 step on paper and it feel pretty zippy. The biggest difference in the 3.0 vs the 2.5 litre is the low end torque. At the higher end the difference is not much and both the engines perform exceptionally. The 325 auto might feel a bit sluggish with a full load getting off the blocks. But again, even with a 330 you won't beat a Mustang GT or a Subaru WRX at the light. Both the 325 and 330 perform so much better in other areas that drag racing will be the last thing you would worry about. The way the engine revs up, the precise steering, sharp cornering and the whole driving experience is exhilarating.

#25159 of 30250 Catching up - by brave1heart

Dec 12, 2003 (9:52 pm)

A couple of years ago, I wrote a somewhat "brave" pricing comparison of the 325 and the 330 here:
KarenS "BMW 3-Series Owners: FAQ" Jun 1, 2001 12:46pm
 
NYC, I read the ZHP review in Roundel. They mentioned that it hit 123 mph on back straight at Watkins Glen. I hit 115 mph in the same section with my 325i. Not too shabby for a car that's 10 grand cheaper. I suspect that the actual power that the 325 delivers is higher than the 184 stated by the manufacturer. According to this graph on Turner's website
 
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/show_category.asp?txtsearchParamCat=Engine%20Chips#OBDIISoftware:1996-2003Cars
 
and also this one from ECIS,
 
http://www.ecisbmw.com/dyno_res.htm
 
The 325 engine makes ~ 170 HP at the wheel, which is well over 190 at the crank. At any rate, the difference in HP at the wheel between the 325 and the 330 is closer to 25 ponies.
 
FWIW, I drove both the 325 and the 300 before I bought the 325 and I didn't think the 330 was worth the significant premium that BMWNA charges for it.
 
Manual vs. auto - the creep they dial in autos drives me nuts esp. in traffic. It is not natural for a car to creep forward on a perfectly flat road. And I am not even going to begin to mention fun to drive, control over the car, acceleration, fuel economy, etc...

Messages Page 2516 of 3025

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