Test Drove a BMW 325Xi

Isn't it strange how the driving experience in the BMW is so different? On paper there seems to be so many competitors that look as good or even better than the 3 series. But then you drive the cars. The dynamics, driving characteristics and overall package in the BMW are just fantastic and words and statistics really can't explain it. Not that many of the competitors are bad there is just something about the 3 series that make it a drivers car. Lets just pray Bangle doesn't destroy the look or worse have the i-drive system installed.



Another thought to help convert you more....the rear wheel drive BMW is actually very capable in the winter. Just swap out your 17" wheels with summer tires for some 16" with dedicated winter tires and all is well. I bought a package from tire rack with Dunlop M2's and some steel wheels (that came with some god aweful looking plastic hub caps). The dedicated snow tires made the car much more capable than any front wheel drive car I have driven with all-season tires.



During the course of this winter I have purchased from EBay some used 16" factory wheels to mount the M2's on. If you are patient and look frequently you can get them for about $30-50 per wheel.
 
bet993 said:
Lets just pray Bangle doesn't destroy the look or worse have the i-drive system installed.
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It's too late. The E46 3-Series and E39 5-Series are the last great looking BMW's for now.



I believe the new 3-Series (E90?) is like a mini 5-Series.
 
The e90 will have styling cues from the 5, just not as extreme. Good choice on the ZHP, you will love it. Also you will need at least a 17" rim to clear the brakes on the 330 with the exception of a 16" at italia model. Here's a pic for anyone that doesn't know what the ZHP looks like(not my car):

attachment.php


The performance package includes:

Cams

Software

6sp with short shift

sport suspension

sport exhaust

style 135 18" rims

M-Technik II bodykit

M wheel

alcantara seating

shadowline trim

increased redline by 300 rpm



Good luck.
 
I had a feeling you would LOVE the BMW 330 :xyxthumbs

The 325 is a nice car but I felt it was a little behind what the competition has out.



Are you buying New or Used?
 
ZHP is a nice kit, but if you're more interested in performance, use the money instead to get the regular SP + aftermarket modifications. Many refer to ZHP as the "cosmetic package." :p



I love how the body kit looks, though...
 
bet993 said:
Isn't it strange how the driving experience in the BMW is so different? On paper there seems to be so many competitors that look as good or even better than the 3 series. But then you drive the cars. The dynamics, driving characteristics and overall package in the BMW are just fantastic and words and statistics really can't explain it.
Click to expand...
Very interesting isn't it. I never really thought that much about BMW and before having driven the 325/330 I had a deep seated belief that it was all hype and status appeals and that Acura/Honda and others were in fact superior. Now I know differently.

bet993 said:
Another thought to help convert you more....the rear wheel drive BMW is actually very capable in the winter. Just swap out your 17" wheels with summer tires for some 16" with dedicated winter tires and all is well.
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It's good to hear this from some one who's tried it. The sales guy said that the combination of winter tires stability control and traction control made for good winter driving and I thought he was just being a salesman.



Chocaine, very nice photo of your car. Is that the Imola red? If so that is just like the car I drove.
 
Fskof said:
I had a feeling you would LOVE the BMW 330 :xyxthumbs

The 325 is a nice car but I felt it was a little behind what the competition has out.



Are you buying New or Used?
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I'm leaning toward new but I'm waiting until May to make the purchase. Around that time I'll have the dealer run a search through their network to see what is available used.
 
BW said:
ZHP is a nice kit, but if you're more interested in performance, use the money instead to get the regular SP + aftermarket modifications. Many refer to ZHP as the "cosmetic package." :p



I love how the body kit looks, though...
Click to expand...
The body kit does look nice!



From what I understand the ZHP has some different suspension components, camshafts, intake, and engine management. Are these upgraded components better aftermarket or just priced better?
 
Nikon said:
The body kit does look nice!



From what I understand the ZHP has some different suspension components, camshafts, intake, and engine management. Are these upgraded components better aftermarket or just priced better?
Click to expand...



IMO, the ZHP rides firmer, but doesn't handle better. It's noisier, but isn't faster. The gear throws are shorter, but aren't easier. The heavy wheels make it less tossable. It unnecessarily emphasizes the sport-factor without creating actual results. ZHP just makes the 3-series lose that perfect BMW balance between performance and comfort - anyone can create a good handling car, but it takes real talent to make one that isn't harsh riding.
 
OK,



So I've decided to buy a 325i. The dealer has found one with the options I'm after in Vancourver (I think, he said western Canada and That's the only other market that would have any sort of selection). The car is Titanium silver, premium package, sport package, and auto dimming interior mirror. I paid for a dealer cost report from CarCostCanada and it doesn't look like there's much markup. I figure I would make an offer that was half of the markup (which would be about 2,700 CDN off the asking price). Does anyone have advice on the offer or on the BMW and the purchase experience?
 
Excellent car - more than capable in the winter with the proper wheels and tires and there is no fitment issues as with the performance package 3 series. In my experience with BMW's it is difficult to negotiate prices on new cars (especially in the 3 series) because the demand seems about even with supply. Most the dealerships sell all the allocations they get so there is no real incentive to discount deeply. Additionally the 3 series does not have as much mark up as the 5 and 7 series. If you can split the market up in half I think you are doing well. If your intentions are to get the car for 1/2 the mark up your offer should be less than figure. Plan on spending a great deal of time at the dealership negotiating the price. There was an excellent post recently (I think it was this board) about buying a new car and the process to be prepared for. In my experience it was very true to form.
 
bet993,



You are right about the markup I ended up getting 2,000 taken off the price. The car that I'm getting is a February build that just arrived in Montreal and is being shipped west next week. I can hardly wait!
 
although I didn't read everything I have to say that the when I test drove a 3 series (pre-passat) I didn't like the orange dash lights, and for some reason width of the leg room seemed cramped like the door was infringing on my space.





anway, check out an A4 or a loaded Passat worth the test drives, IMO.
 
Nikon said:
bet993,



You are right about the markup I ended up getting 2,000 taken off the price. The car that I'm getting is a February build that just arrived in Montreal and is being shipped west next week. I can hardly wait!
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Congrates!!



I think you did really well with your $2k off. Now just the wait :D
 
Nikon said:
The car that I'm getting is a February build that just arrived in Montreal and is being shipped west next week. I can hardly wait!
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Congrats! :xyxthumbs

3 series is the car that will give you a smile for years, something that cannot be said about Acura...
 
:xyxthumbs Yes, much congratulations on your BMW! I can contest to your excitement and must say that there is just nothing like it. I have lots of friends whom each own different cars, mostly Japanese. Japanese cars are extremely popular in Hawaii and then there's Mercedes Benz here and there. At first, I solely based my purchase of a BMW on the fact that I just wanted to be different. I didn't want a car that I would end up seeing to the left, right, front and back of me when driving in traffic. Anyway, here on the island there are lots of curvacious roadway. It wasn't until the day I took my car towards the country on these roadways that I was truly able to appreciate the handling of a BMW! I got goosebumps tackling turns at higher speeds than usual. Oh, and that combined with the top down in beautiful Hawaii. Just AWESOME!



It took about a week and a half for the BMW dealership to agree upon selling me my BMW for $2k off MSRP for a car that they just received on their lot, and the only convertible in silver. Could you imagine how hard it was for me to stick to my guns and wait for which seemed like forever for the salesman to call me back! I went to the dealership and showed them that I knew exactly how much they bought the car and how much profit I thought was reasonable for them. There are only two BMW dealerships in all of Hawaii (well, it's not like Hawaii is a huge state) but actually only one on the island of Oahu were I reside. The other dealership is on the island of Maui.



I know I have just been rambling on and on but I've only had my car for less than a month so I'm still trying to get over it. Once again, CONGRATS!



Aloha,

Sonia :D
 
:D

I took delivery of my '04 325i at the end of march but I didn't have any pictures until recently. The first picture was taken by a fellow named Ben. This photo was taken during the Scenic Drive portion of Bimmerfest in Calgary on June 26th. The second one was taken at the bimmerfest parking lot.



My 325i has the premium and sport packages.



8552bimmer3.jpg




8552bimmer2.jpg
 
:lol Yeah, and Nikon needs to update his "Awaiting delivery of 2004 BMW 325i" sig line. I guess he's been too busy driving that beast to attend to our Autopian niceties. :D



Hey, Nikon, I'm looking for a used BMW -- have a thread running here -- and this discussion has just doubled my interest. Dang! :p



Congrats to you on the new car. :bigups
 
Ah yes. Avatar and signature line. We will be changing these. By the way, the Bimmer is an absolute joy to drive. Far better than my expectations!



EDIT: Avatar and signature changed. I'll make a more unique avatar later but I figured this fixes my oversight in the short-term.
 
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