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'06 330 vs '07 328 or 335

29 messages,  Last post on Feb 14, 2007 at 2:57 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, BMW, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 3

#1 of 29 '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 by wbb56

Feb 06, 2007 (10:22 am)

I thought for sure I'd buy a 5-series--but after seeing the '06 and '07 3-series cars--I'v had a change of heart. I think I can fit my "stuff" in the 3--and get (2) sets of golf clubs in the trunk--so I'm good. My dilemna/question--I can buy a fully loaded '06 330i (18k miles) for $35k. The car looks beautiful. Clean carfax, etc..
Last weekend I drove the '07 328i and the '07 335i. Both are wonderful cars--especially the 335i. Is there enough difference in the '07 models to justify the additional $$$? The 328i with options that I want--Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, NAV--is just over 40k. The 335i with the same options $49k. My new car budget is 40k max--so the maxed out 335i may be out of the question.
 
Any advice, opinions, etc is welcome.
 
Thanks in advance!

#2 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [wbb56] by circlew

Feb 06, 2007 (10:46 am)

Replying to: wbb56 (Feb 06, 2007 10:22 am)
The 330i with 18K miles would be the best choice for you IMO. The power is way adequate (I have a 330xi) and the price, if loaded is not excessive. 18K is just broken in and warranty has 3 years left for the factory coverage. See if you can negotiate further CPO coverage now going in.
 
Regards,
OW

#3 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [circlew] by wbb56

Feb 06, 2007 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Feb 06, 2007 10:46 am)
The 330i options include: Automatic Transmission, Leather, Sport, Premium, Premium sound w/DSP, Navigation, Satellite Prep, Dynamic cruise control, Xenon headlamps and push button start. Pretty well equipped. I'm leaning heavily that way... Although my dealer, knwoing I was initially interested in a 5-series just emailed info on a 530i they just got-2006, similarily equipped (except no sport package) for $42,000--before any negotiating.. if I can get it for under 40k.. What do you think..5 or the 3..?
 
Thanks!

#4 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [wbb56] by circlew

Feb 07, 2007 (4:52 am)

Replying to: wbb56 (Feb 06, 2007 2:46 pm)
wbb56, it's up to you...more room, 5'er, better handling slightly better gas mileage, 3'er.
 
Go with your heart!
 
Regards,
OW

#5 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [wbb56] by smithsonga

Feb 09, 2007 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: wbb56 (Feb 06, 2007 2:46 pm)
I feel the 5'r without sport package is much different car than the 330i you optioned out. Sorta mundane. But that is my opinion.
 
If you drive low miles, lease that 335i.

#6 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [smithsonga] by habitat1

Feb 12, 2007 (6:09 am)

Replying to: smithsonga (Feb 09, 2007 6:25 pm)
I know I'm not being politically correct, but IMO a 328i, 330i, 335i or 530i with a sport package and automatic is ... a shame.
 
If you really are a "driving enthusiast", the manual transmission is the only way to go with the 3 or even the 5. If you don't find the automatic transmission offensive to your driving preferences, then you really shouldn't find the non-sport package suspension and standard wheels and tires offensive either. They are still better than 90% of the other vehicles out there in terms of handling and will save you a lot in future tire replacement. Which, frankly, is more than I can say for BMW automatics, which are only average in my opinion and could cost you a lot in repairs if you plan on keeping the car many years.
 
As a sidebar, a business associate of mine bought his wife a used M3 convertible last summer for her birthday, with an automatic transmission, of course. What he was thinking is beyond me. Not only doesn't she know the difference between an M3 and M&M's, she's managed to bend 3 out of the 4 19" rims in less than 6 months. She doesn't like the car because it's "too stiff", he doesn't like driving a "girlish" slushbox sports car and so they are now looking at a big loss to sell it in the dead of winter. Dumb is as dumb does.

#7 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [habitat1] by shipo

Feb 12, 2007 (6:21 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Feb 12, 2007 6:09 am)
"If you really are a "driving enthusiast", the manual transmission is the only way to go with the 3 or even the 5. If you don't find the automatic transmission offensive to your driving preferences, that you really shouldn't find the non-sport package suspension and standard wheels and tires offensive either. It's still better than 90% of the other vehicles out there in terms of handling and it will save you a lot in future tire replacement."
 
I got it kind of backwards on my first BMW. Given the fact that I bent 5 BBS wheels on my 1995 Passat due to the crappy NYC metro area roads, I didn't really want to tempt my fate when I ordered my 1999 328i back in the fall of 1998. That car was ordered with Xenon headlamps, HK audio system, PP and a 5-Speed gearbox. As the handling was the best of any car I'd ever had, errr, except maybe my 1979 Scirocco, it was certainly good enough. Good enough that is until I swapped cars with another TownHaller for a couple of days. He had (still has I think) a 2001 325i SP 5-Speed, and while I missed the torque of the 2.8 liter mill in my car, I fell in love with the SP in his. This happened a few months before I ordered my 530i, and needless to say, I ordered that one with both the 5-Speed and the SP. Can you say "nirvana"? Sure, I knew you could.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#8 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [shipo] by jobie

Feb 12, 2007 (7:22 am)

Replying to: shipo (Feb 12, 2007 6:21 am)
I also had a '99 (323i 5sp) and an '02 530i 5sp - both great cars, but neither had the SP. I've had people say "you haven't driven a real BMW until you've driven one with the SP, and I've had others say no BMW needs a SP, as they're great drivers in base form". The 335i and upcoming 535i have me intrigued, though I like the 3's looks better, I just don't think I can live with the small size (kids and their stuff...). The problem with testing a SP-equipped BMW, especially the 5, is that dealers rarely have any 6-sp versions - it seems you have to order one to drive one (which I did with my '02). I'm wondering how fun the paddles would be on the sp trannies.
It sounds like you're squarely in the camp that says go with SP and you won't be disappointed, correct? I'm in upstate NY and put snows on all 4, so I haven't yet bought in to the xi requirement.

#9 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [jobie] by shipo

Feb 12, 2007 (7:43 am)

Replying to: jobie (Feb 12, 2007 7:22 am)
"I also had a '99 (323i 5sp) and an '02 530i 5sp - both great cars..."
 
Great choices, I couldn't agree more.
 
"The problem with testing a SP-equipped BMW, especially the 5, is that dealers rarely have any 6-sp versions - it seems you have to order one to drive one (which I did with my '02). I'm wondering how fun the paddles would be on the sp trannies."
 
I was able to test a 5-Speed 1999 328i and a 5-Speed 1998 528i back in the fall of 1998. The only problem I had with the 5er was that the older engine felt significantly slower than the 1999 328i, so I opted for that car. Fast forward to late 2001 and I didn't even bother driving a 530i, I was sure it would be fast enough for my needs/wants/desires. In the end I ordered both cars (the 530i via the ED program) so that I wouldn't have to have "almost" the perfect car (for my perceived needs at the time).
 
"It sounds like you're squarely in the camp that says go with SP and you won't be disappointed, correct? I'm in upstate NY and put snows on all 4, so I haven't yet bought in to the xi requirement."
 
Yeah, I'm squarely in the SP camp, and then some. I live in southern New Hampshire, and area that is no stranger to deep snow either (my first winter with the 530i we got 114" of snow in our town) and as such I purchased a a separate set of winter tires for the 5er and had no problems at all.
 
The above said, if anything, I'm even more in the severely bigoted manual transmission camp than I am in the SP camp. No slushbox, SMG or even DSG(ish) tranny need apply, regardless of the number of gears, flippie thingies or no, for duty in any of my cars. Gimme three honest to God pedals under my dash or sell the car to somebody else.
 
Let us know how you make out. FWIW, Prestige BMW in Ramsey, NJ stocks (or used to stock) manual transmission equipped 5-Series cars. The salesman who sold me my 328i told me that literally 50% of their 3-Series cars and 25% of their 5-Series cars were sold with a manual gearbox. If you happen to be down in that neck of the woods, you might want to give them a try.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#10 of 29 Re: '06 330 vs '07 328 or 335 [shipo] by bruceomega

Feb 12, 2007 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Feb 12, 2007 7:43 am)
Shipo,
 
As someone who has owned (and lived with) both the 3 series and 5 series sedans, can you provide your impressions on the differences between them (with comparable engines)?
 
I know the 5 series is a little larger, but the weight with the 6 cylinder is about the same. I curently own a 3 series and in the back of my mind have been toying with the idea of a 5 series.
 
My assumption is the 5 series is a little smoother, a little quieter, and a little less harsh, but a bit less agile and quick. Can you elaborate on this, especially on the degree of differences?
 
Thanks
Bruce

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