Tips for a potential 3 series buyer?

[paul308]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about buying a 2004 or 2005 3 series sedan for my wife. Are there any models that I should stay away from in these model years? I drove a 2005 330i with the performance package and was impressed by the nimble handling and acceleration though it seemed to peeter out on the guts when stomping on the accelerator at 70 mph.

My wife wants an automatic. Is the AWD 325xi and 330xi at all problematic?

Any tips or bits of wisdom is appreciated since I am brand new to the realm of BMW's. Based on my short experience yesterday, I can see why the 3 series cars are so popular. BTW, the 330i with the performance pack i drove yesterday was priced at $35k and it had around 32000 miles. That is definitely way too high, isn't it? It was at a BMW dealership but it had the certified warranty which seems like a good idea to me.

Paul

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about buying a 2004 or 2005 3 series sedan for my wife. Are there any models that I should stay away from in these model years? I drove a 2005 330i with the performance package and was impressed by the nimble handling and acceleration though it seemed to peeter out on the guts when stomping on the accelerator at 70 mph.

My wife wants an automatic. Is the AWD 325xi and 330xi at all problematic?

Any tips or bits of wisdom is appreciated since I am brand new to the realm of BMW's. Based on my short experience yesterday, I can see why the 3 series cars are so popular. BTW, the 330i with the performance pack i drove yesterday was priced at $35k and it had around 32000 miles. That is definitely way too high, isn't it? It was at a BMW dealership but it had the certified warranty which seems like a good idea to me.

Paul

That car is over priced, I mean 32,000 miles on a 3 or 4yr old car for 35k, that car sold for 45k when it was brand new, who cares about the warranty, it's half up in the least anyway.

I would also consider a 2007 model, since for 35k you can get the base model 328xi, which has a much better AWD drive system, is just as fast as the 330xi from 2005 and 2004, the dealers are willing to deal on inventory from 2007 on the lot we're talking at least 2k off msrp here, and it gets better fuel economy with the new engine. I personally would lease the 328xi and call it day, they're running a good special on it. Also if you're worried about the snow, try an X3, last I checked you can pick up a loaded 47k MSRP 2007 X3 in a lease for $600-610 a month. The new X3 is as fast as the E46 330i, and it flies to 120, trust me I've done it.

 

[paul308]

Were there problems with the AWD system in the 2004/2005 325 and 330 cars?

Thanks!
Paul

 

[Big Daddy]

You can find reviews of the cars you are interested in at Forbes Auto.com.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Were there problems with the AWD system in the 2004/2005 325 and 330 cars?

Thanks!
Paul

Not that I can think of, but you have to realize that it all depends on how the car was maintained, if it was well cared for you're good, if it was flipped by some yuppie who just wanted to roll around for a year or two, Its up in the air.

The reason why I said the 2007 has a better AWD system is because of X-drive which basically allows you to get moving with only 1 wheel having traction, and it is an intelligent AWD system, unlike the previous one which was dated technology. The new system basically does the same thing Audis quattro does...