2001-2004 325 (I/XI) or 330 (I/XI)

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yjbeach

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#1
Hello,

I currently drive a wrangler, before this vehicle I was into hooking up honda's. In the next 8 months I will not be living 4 blocks from work, and will actually have a commute to work and will need a car that gets better MPG. Now that I'm older (24). I'm looking into buying a BMW 325 or 330 (2001-2004) (sedan to keep the insurance low, manuel transmission).

Can you all give me some Pro's or Cons about these vehicles. Since you all own these cars you have first hand experience with issues. I am really looking into the AWD (XI), I live in Northern VA right outside DC. While I do not plan on driving this car in a blizzard the AWD system seems to be the best choice. I can't tell you have many Mercedes or BMW's i've passed in my wrangler that were all over the road or in accidents because they were RWD.

I plan on purchasing a 'certified bmw' so after all warrenty's have expired I do plan to add after-market mods. (reason for picking manuel over auto)

Thank you,

future BMW owner.
 
Section_8

Section_8

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Atlanta, GA
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yjbeach said:
Hello,

I currently drive a wrangler, before this vehicle I was into hooking up honda's. In the next 8 months I will not be living 4 blocks from work, and will actually have a commute to work and will need a car that gets better MPG. Now that I'm older (24). I'm looking into buying a BMW 325 or 330 (2001-2004) (sedan to keep the insurance low, manuel transmission).

Can you all give me some Pro's or Cons about these vehicles. Since you all own these cars you have first hand experience with issues. I am really looking into the AWD (XI), I live in Northern VA right outside DC. While I do not plan on driving this car in a blizzard the AWD system seems to be the best choice. I can't tell you have many Mercedes or BMW's i've passed in my wrangler that were all over the road or in accidents because they were RWD.

I plan on purchasing a 'certified bmw' so after all warrenty's have expired I do plan to add after-market mods. (reason for picking manuel over auto)

Thank you,

future BMW owner.
Click to expand...
A 325 and 330 are exact same cars, sans engine and some luxo items the 330's come with standard that aren't 'standard' on 325's generally.

That said, if you're going XI, I would go 330, the 325XI (especially auto) is the slow poke of BMW's. If you go Manual, it's not so bad.

You don't like in the great white north tho, and D.C. doesn't get that much snow to worry about a AWD car 'all' the time does it? BMW's built in traction control makes the normal RWD fairly stable on snowy/icy roads.

Good luck!
[driving2]
 
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yjbeach

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The 325 is a 2.5 L-engine with 185 horses and the 330 is a 3 L-engine with 225 horses. So i'm leaning more towards the 330. I know DC area does not get that much snow year round. This would be the first RWD car I would own. The jeep I can switch to 4wd in certain conditions.
 
S

snowsedan04

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I bought new in 2004, so the 325XI with manual was my choice since it's close to 330 with auto on 0-60 and $7K less. I would not have considered a 325 with auto.

Awesome car, great in wet pavement and decent in snow. With snow tires, it would be unstoppable in anything less than 6". Beyond that, clearance is an issue.

Everyone talks about the "low" HP of 184, but I find it a perfectly balanced car.
 
Y

yjbeach

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I really thought I would get more reponses to this topic. I think i'm going for the 330i. I now just have to wait 6 months until my cousin is ready to buy a 7-series. We figure if we buy them both at the same time we can get a better price on them.
 
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dball711

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I went from owning a Jeep to a 330i and live in the Midwest. Also considered the 330xi for bad weather but in the end decided on a CPO 330i with the performance package and bought a second set of rims for snow tires. Never looked back or regretted my decision because 4 snow tires make a BIG difference, very sure footed in the snow (just can’t drive like an idiot). Been through 2 winters and each spring I can’t wait to get my summer tires back on. These cars are FUN to drive and I think the xi’s loose a little of the fun (extra weight and suspension ride height).

Don’t wait for another buyer to purchase alongside with you, dealers don’t care (I use to sell cars) and will still consider 2 separate transactions.
 
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