2003 Vs. 2004

Delgreco13 · Sep 9, 2003

For those of you that have the 2004 330Ci have you ever driven a 2003 model or older. How do they compare. I know the adaptive lights are a nice feature but do you actually notice a difference.......... is handling, braking and acceleration just about the same. Just asking these questions because I am contemplating between a 2003 (which is a lil cheaper now since they want to get rid of their stock) or go for the 2004? Thanks any feedback is appreciated! [:D]

dumayou · Sep 9, 2003

I got a 2003 330CI and I love every moment of it. The diff on 04 vs 03 is also the fender and front bumper little bit. but if save you lot money then I will go with 03 man.

m3onkey · Sep 9, 2003

dumayou said:

Agreed!!! Get the '03, save money, then do the all the upgrades as you desire (body kit, rims, lighting, exhaust, etc.) Goodluck.

bmwrocks · Sep 9, 2003

Here are some of the diffs, there may be more I have missed:

04 has different crease along the length of each side, terminating with a "hook" at the front wheel well, acented with a triangular 3-LED side marker (located high on the fender).

04 has wider hood creases giving the hood a different look.

04 has LED adaptive brake lights and LED tail lights.

04 has LED rear blinkers (very bright, orange LEDS on the SP behind clear lenses)

04 has different design front bumper and rear bumper.

04 has available xenons that are adaptive. And yes there is a noticeable difference as they swivel up to 15 degrees and light up the turn as you make it.

04 has black surrounds in the headlight cluster.

04 front marker lights angle up instead of down as in previous years.

Bryan330i · Sep 9, 2003

There is a pre and post March 03. Post March 2003, 2003 model reflects the changes and are the same as the 2004, it will indicate this on your invoice if you have a 2003. The 04 changes were actually made to the ci and cic for the 03 model year post March 03 production.

Bryan330i · Sep 9, 2003

This is available from a link on the home page of this site.

325i and 330i - Coupe and Convertible (Available since March, 2003)
* Automatic headlight control standard (formerly optional with Premium Package)
* Revised front-end design
* Revised front and rear bumper contours
* Xenon headlights (low and high beams) now offered in combination with new Adaptive feature, which "steers" the headlights into roadway curves
* Revised taillight technology, incorporating BMW's innovative Adaptive Brakelights
* Revised wheel designs, both standard and optional
* Revised exterior colors
* Revised configuration climate-control panel

pydo82 · Sep 9, 2003

you are right about the post march 03 production 3 series having those changes made available, but I beleive that they are all designated 04 models. So even though they were produced in march of 03 and after, they are not 03 models, they are considered 04. So when you refer to an 03, any 03 it wont have those changes. Post march 03 3series coupes are 04, and all 04 models after october will be called 2004.5 having even more options avaiable, like the smg on the 330's. I think this is correct. Correct me if im wrong, because i dont wanna be going around giving wrong info. haha.

mallards · Sep 9, 2003

speaking of xenon headlights ... i have that option on my 03 325i and i dont notice any difference when i turn hard left/right ... shouldnt they put light on the turn?

Ben

MrElussive · Sep 9, 2003

mallards, your 2003 325i has Bi-Xenon headlights. It does not have the Adaptive Headlights feature that swivels the headlights based on the direction you turn your steering wheel. So far, only 2003 3-series Coupes and Convertibles have it. But I believe somebody on this forum has a 2004 330i on the way, with Adaptive Bi-Xenons???

mallards · Sep 9, 2003

ah ... thanks ... i figured my car came with em' ..

Ben

Bryan330i · Sep 9, 2003

pydo82 said:

No...I think you are correct. I do have a price quote for a 2003 ci that is post March 2003 production as indicated on the invoice that was sent to me. However, I think there must have been a very short transition period, thus the indication of a 2003 with post March changes. I think this is the exception and perhaps why I have gotten so confused. But you are correct as far as I can tell, the post March are 2004 and sold as 2004, except for a very brief period when perhaps all changes were not yet made???? Who knows [???1]

Bryan330i · Sep 9, 2003

Okay...so now I am truly confused. I just looked at my invoice for a 2003 330i PP that I purchased in July. When looking at the invoice and window sticker, I noticed that both say post March 2003. Likewise, I looked at an invoice for a 2003 330ci that I was considering and it also shows post March 2003 very clearly. Yet it does seem like the post 330ci are, or should be 2004-model year. I chose the 330i because of the more accessible rear seat, the PP, and the color availability.

I also looked at a preview of the 2004 330i PP on Edmunds and it looks absolutely identical in all respects to mine, although from what I understand there are some other differences. So does anyone know what the deal is here? I know the 2004 330i is not out yet, but why the post 03/2003 on mine?

SWFLJohn · Sep 9, 2003

I have the Adaptive Bi-Xenons, is there a cure???

Delgreco13 · Sep 9, 2003

Thanks everyone for the response it was very helpful. But what my main point of the topic which I probably didnt make it so clear was by driving a 2003 330Ci then driving a 2004 330Ci (besides the COSMETIC LOOKS) is there any other differences. Examples like braking, handling, acceleration. Im starting to like the 2004 style more and more each day now...... its all up to whats available out there which options and colors....... 2 months waiting for a car is gonna be torture but like U all say its WELL WORTH THE WAIT and im sure it IS! Once again thanks for all the feedback! [:D]

Bryan330i · Sep 9, 2003

Delgreco13 said:

Thanks everyone for the response it was very helpful. But what my main point of the topic which I probably didnt make it so clear was by driving a 2003 330Ci then driving a 2004 330Ci (besides the COSMETIC LOOKS) is there any other differences. Examples like braking, handling, acceleration. Im starting to like the 2004 style more and more each day now...... its all up to whats available out there which options and colors....... 2 months waiting for a car is gonna be torture but like U all say its WELL WORTH THE WAIT and im sure it IS! Once again thanks for all the feedback!

I think the changes are all cosmetic. No other real differences until 2005, then I think there will be some power increases.

BlackandSand · Sep 10, 2003

I've driven both, and own an 04. They drive identical except for the adaptive Xenon's which DO make a difference on dark county roads, but not in the city. The body styles changes are a personnal preference. Somewhere I read there was an input for an external MP3 player, but that may be only on the "newer" (post Oct.) 04's as it's not the case on mine. Also, now you can get the SMG transmission, which to me would be a big plus. How much would you save by buying an '03? When I was looking the difference was only 4K, which to me wasn't worth the model year (resale) difference.

Bryan330i · Sep 10, 2003

carsdirect.com which I find to have very reliable average pricing, is quoting $200.00 off retail for a 2004 and only $1,380.00 off retail for the 2003. But this is a regional price for the West Coast where the cars hold value a bit better as evident from a slightly elevated residual for leasing purposes. It clearly looks like the 2004 would be the way to go, but that may depend on where you live and how much you can get off the price.

akbmw · Sep 11, 2003

I ordered my 2004 ci in February and had to decide (not being able to drive both!) between the 2. My deal was the same for either year -- $1,800 above invoice. So the difference was about $800 -- more for the 2004. I looked at used cars (1998 and 1999) with 75,000 miles on each. In almost all cases, the 1999 was selling for approximately $2,000 more, even with high mileage. Based on that I went with the 2004.

Herr Blitz · Sep 12, 2003

Don't know why nobody mentioned this yet, but 2004 models come with 6 speed manual instead of 5. I own a 2004 Ci but I test drove a 2003 CI (with the exact package on it) and I think 6 speed makes a difference. And the adaptive headlights put a simile on my face every single time they turn. I think overall lighting system in 2004 models is better than 2003.

My 2 cents.

MyHarley · Sep 13, 2003

My discount in July for a 2003 330CIC versus a 2004 330CIC was $6,000.00..........it has sport package, premium package, upgraded 18" wheels, step-tronic, I dont know what headlights........but I didnt get the heated seats which I wish I did.....oh well, on the next one....... [driving]

2003 Vs. 2004

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