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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
#483 of 30250 325i vs.325 xi by mvitou
Jan 07, 2001 (6:46 pm)
I drove BMW's in the 70's and 80's. My last BMW was a 1984 318.I loved all my BMW's but had never been happy with the way the BMW's handled in the snow and ice, so I finally bought a front wheel drive Japanese car in 1994. Of course, after you have a BMW, you always yearn for another. When I found out about the 3 series AWD, I was thrilled. I went to my BMW dealer to ask about it. The salesman seemed to push me towards the 325i because the improvements in traction were so good since 1984, that I would be happy with that. My question is: would anybody out there help me with my decision as to whether I should buy the 325 with or without the AWD? I live in Toledo, Ohio, which does not have the snow like Colorado but, once in a while, have a snow storm or two. Any advice would be appreciated.Marie
#484 of 30250 First Time BMW Buyer by tabbiecat
Jan 07, 2001 (6:54 pm)
Hello all! I'm new to the board and new to BMWs as well. Was wondering if anyone can pass on some words about their new car buying experience with BMW of Fairfax in Fairfax, Virginia. Went there yesterday, test drove a 325i. No pressure from the salesman. Just want to gather some "intelligence" before continuing the hunt. Thanks much!#485 of 30250 325i vs.325xi by steve1526
Jan 08, 2001 (2:38 pm)
I had similar questions living in the NYC area. I test drove both cars, read the message board and spoke to my salesman about the various options. I decided on the 325i after hearing: 1)the AWD car doesn't have the same cornering capability as the RWD, although I felt no appreciable difference driving both, 2)the DSC is more than sufficient to deal with mild snow conditions, 3)AWD is still new and could possibly need more repairs and cost more depending on how it fairs over time, 4)it adds $1500-1700 to the price, and 5)if needed, snow tires can be mounted which improve the ride significantly.No one I've read on the message boards has criticized AWD and most who have it, especially in snow covered areas, speak highly of it.
Good luck
#486 of 30250 325 - 2001 model in Florida by bacano10
Jan 08, 2001 (2:51 pm)
I'm moving back to Florida next month and would like to buy a 325 sedan (brand new). I have never owned a BMW. Looking at the invoice price on this side it says that it is 25020 + 1200 for the automatic (my wife requires it) and based on some reading I have done I probably will have to pay about $2000 over invoice bringing the price to about $28,200. My question is: is it possible to find one for this price or do they usually come with so many options already installed that the price jumps well over 30k? Thanks for your input.#487 of 30250 325 xi, options by 75boxer
Jan 08, 2001 (3:37 pm)
The AWD 325 not handling as well as the 325i is news to me. I drove both and could not tell a difference either. BMW specifically made the AWD system a 67%/33% AWD/AWD split so the car would not lose it's AWD feel. I ordered a 325xi because I live in Pittsburgh where the snow coupled with the very hilly terrain makes for a lot of trouble. I have driven both a AWD Lexus AS and Mercedes CLK with traction control. It helps, but does not solve the problem. If I lived in a place similar to Pittsburgh weather, but flat, I probably would have gone without AWD and invested in the sport package and a set of snow tires.As far as options, order the car to get what you want. I don't perceive that too many dealers would have ordered their cars without any options. Most people typically want a Cd player, moon roof, metallic paint, etc.. Dealers almost never order stripped, less profit for them! You can receive an order in as little as 6-8 weeks. I am in the middle of a 10 week wait and it is a hard wait, but worth it. Actually, that is a good lead in to my question. My build date is this week (02), is it reasonable to expect delivery by Feb. 12?
#488 of 30250 leather v. leatherette...help! by jjjake
Jan 08, 2001 (9:27 pm)
$1450.00 for the leather. Is it worth it? Seems like a personal preference as the leatherette should hold up equally as well as leather. Any opinions?#489 of 30250 AWD handling by dhanley
Jan 08, 2001 (11:15 pm)
The awd car is 220 lbs heavier and 17mm(1.1 inches) higher. There are other changes too, such as shorter struts and less travel. And there's still power going to the front wheels.Not to say it's *bad* handling by any means, but you have to expect at least a little degredation.
dave
#490 of 30250 325 - 2001 model in Florida by steve1526
Jan 09, 2001 (4:03 am)
You can order a car factory built to your specifications (with whatever options you want from Steptronic transmission on up). As often mentioned on this board, you will wait about 8-10 weeks or more, depending on how many "Production Slots" your dealer has been allotted by BMW. However, by ordering the car in this way you loose a certain amount of bargaining leverage i.e., dealer may be more willing to negotiate to move out a car sitting around on the lot. Also, a car on the lot is likely to have options that you don't want.#491 of 30250 Euro Delivery by rascal8
Jan 09, 2001 (10:06 am)
I have read that banks will not finance a car delivered via the European delivery program - you must finance through a BMW dealer. Does anyone have an experience with this ? This would definitely make the ED more costly. Thanks.#492 of 30250 Response to Tabbiecat (post 477) by sr54x4lemon
Jan 09, 2001 (11:15 am)
Tabbiecat - I went to BMW of Fairfax twice. In short, they were not at all eager for my business, so I ended up buying my wife's 325XI via the telephone from Hensley Motors in Lynchburg. While BMW of Fairfax told me all inbound XIs were presold through the next few months, and that BMW had stopped accepting any orders at all due to backlog, Hensley Motors located 5 different XIs for me. When my wife didn't like the colors/options on those cars, they some how dug up an unsold production number, and we ordered the car exactly how we wanted it - during a time that you supposedly couldn't even place an order. Obvioulsy Fairfax wasn't hungry to make a deal, but Hensley was. They even delivered the car to me via flatbed approx 200 miles away.Sure hope Fairfax's service deptartment is better than their sales department - they're the closest dealer to me.
The car was delivered on 12/27, and it's incredible. The roads were iced over last night, and between the AWD and DSC, the cars performance under bad road conditions was mind boggling! I may have to get one for myself, as I can't stand driving my truck after cruising in my wife's Bimmer!!
Good luck!
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