325 Shopper

[Islandgyrl]

Hello,

I live in New Jersey and I'm thinking about getting either the 325i or the 325 xi (new). I'm torn because I'm not sure if paying an additional $2000 for the xi will benefit me. Are there any owners that have an opinion one way or the other about i versus xi (especially owners in NJ)? I am a lite driver, mostly on the weekends, maybe once or twice during the week.

Additionally, I am concerned about reliabilty of the 325, I read on a couple post that there are times when gauge lights malfunction or the cars experience electrical problems, which requires owners to take the cars back to the dealership. Are there any other concerns about the 325? I am skeptical because I do not wish spend money on a car that will leave me stranded. Could someone speak to the realiabilty of this car?

Finally, I plan on getting the Automatic transmission, Premium Package, heated, power seats, tire and wheel warranty, could someone give me a ball park figure on what is a reasonable price for this car, I think because I am a woman walking into the dealership the car options have suddenly inflated.

One last thing . . . any comments on run/flat tire feature . . .benefit or a pain?

Islandgyrl (looking to purchase in 3 - 4 weeks)

 

[cbre90]

As far as concerns for the electronics, unless your looking at a lexus, its a crap shoot. i have owned/own a 1999 lexus ls400, 2001 mercedes c320, a 04 saab 9-3 areo, and now a bmw e90. the mercedes and saab were a major pain in my ass in terms of electronic issues, major! thus far, 19000 miles on my e90 and no real issues. just one with the passenger seat airbag shutoff light coming on. no big deal just annoying. i dont want to generalize but bmw and especially mercedes have/are know for having such issues. i luckily havent had any with the my e90 but time will tell. also my car is void of the navi. i imagine the navi adds a good bit more electronics thus adding to the likelyhood of a issue. anyhow, just my two cents, i ideally recommend lexus, then bmw, then saab, and finally mercedes. lexus is the (other than e90) only car i still have and it has been trouble free for 7 years, period. its nice to not deal with that crap but a lexus and bmw are two different animals. my next car, once they are out, am thinking will be a lexus ls 460. i am through with mercedes and saab, no questions about it. you couldnt pay me to drive a mercedes...that bad!!


the run flats..... look at the forum "general car chat" and somewhere on the first page or second is a topic called "run flat tires" look for my post and theres all the info you will need. bottom line is to get rid of your runflats asap. pocket the cash and move onward and upword to regular tires, sooner you do it, the less it will cost you. ..

good luck, i dont have any help in terms of i vs. xi.

 

[nadroj]

if you live in a climate that snows at all you should deffenitally look into the xi it is a very very good awd system that doesnt take away from the driving experience, but, a regural 325i should do OK in the snow with just snow tires

 

[Islandgyrl]

Hey, thanks for the feedback. I'm still trying to make up my mind. If I decide on BMW, I plan on getting the wheel and tire warranty, does it make sense? Is it absolutely necessary to purchase snow tires for the "i"? How does that work, will I remove the run/flats and replace them with snow tires? That sounds like such a hassle, should I equip the car with all-weather tires.

Islandgyrl

 

[andreyiv]

I have all season tires on my car and if I could I would get rid of them as soon as possible and get two sets of wheels with tires, one for winter, one for summer. The reason for this is not that my car is RWD and I get stuck in snow, its the very little traction I get under braking (xi won't help you with that). I would imagine that it would be nice to have a better chance of driving off in an xi then in an i especially with the snow we get in the Tri-State area but honestly, I am much rather stay stuck home then end up being stuck in a truck or a post for that matter. My advice would be to get some cheap wheels (preferrably saller in diameter and thinner) and some snow tires for winter even if you opt out for the xi, unless you stay home when it is nasty out.

Enjoy whatever car you choose and welcome to the board.

 

[Islandgyrl]

I guess I could get some snow tires but then I'll have the hassle of taking them to the mechanic; I'm not sure I could put them on for myself (I hate fussing with mechanical stuff). Gosh, who knew getting one of these cars could involve so many variables, unlike my Toyota Camry, I just get in and drive whenever. We do get a fair amount of snow here in the East but I usually don't drive. I guess I could do the same with the 325.

 

[Gypsyhawk]

The Xi is good for rain slick roads as well as Ice and Snow. I drive the X-3 which is all wheel drive and the other day on a turn I felt the right wheel lose traction and before I could react the all wheel drive corrected itself and I did not spin out!

 

[Islandgyrl]

I've decided on the xi. Anyone heard of or used Signature Lease?

 

[742]

I guess I could get some snow tires but then I'll have the hassle of taking them to the mechanic; I'm not sure I could put them on for myself (I hate fussing with mechanical stuff). Gosh, who knew getting one of these cars could involve so many variables, unlike my Toyota Camry, I just get in and drive whenever. We do get a fair amount of snow here in the East but I usually don't drive. I guess I could do the same with the 325.

The best way for me to get my wife mad is to not have the snows on her car the week before Christmas, and this has been true from her Volvo 240s to the mini van to the Passat to the current 325i. All those other apparently irritating male behaviors pale in the face of this example of what is seen as a callous disregard for her and the children. And she is right.

Once you use modern snow tires during winter weather you will never, ever go back to sliding around with all seasons. This is not a BMW issue, but because BMW tends to attract a much higher % of enthusiasts than most cars you see more credit given to the benefits of good snow tires.

The 4 wheel drive/All Wheel Drive thing is an almost uniquely American fetish. The rest of the world puts on 4 good snows and has at it. Remember that xi will NOT help you stop or turn. The best situation is an xi with snow tires, but a straight i with snows is going to be better than an xi on all seasons, keeping in mind the need to not only GO but to also turn and stop.

Snows are not that expensive, considering that when you are using them your regular tires are not getting any wear. You can get a set of Blizzaks from the Tire Rack (google the name to get there) mounted on their own wheels, balanced and delivered to your door for under $1,000. Your BMW dealer may offer a similar deal. Two weeks before Christmas put each one in a garbage bag, then put one or two in the trunk and the rest on the back seat. Go to your local garage or tire place with a magazine, and in half an hour you are set to go. Repeat in early March.

i or xi, you will be amazed the first time that you go out in snow or slush. The only risk, and I am serious, is getting rear ended. You will be able to stop far better than anyone on all seasons, and you need to keep that in mind. On the other hand you will have the satisfaction of driving past any number of SUVs that are off the road.

As for the car itself, you will love it.

 

[Gypsyhawk]

Never heard of signature lease, but I would check what residual value they use and compare it with BMW's residual. In my experience BMW has close to a 10% higher residual so if the money factors are close the BMW lease would have the advantage by about $4000.00!!!

 

[Islandgyrl]

Great, thanks for the feedback, you have made my buying decision much easier.

742: Your comments were especially helpful as I was struggling to decide whether I really needed to pay for the xi. I do not drive a lot when it snows but I want to feel reasonable safe so I will spring for the snow tires you mentioned and I'll get the 325i. Does your wife use her run flats in the spring/summer? Or did she switch the run flats out completely?

Gypsyhawk: I'll do a comparison with BMW, I do believe they offer a good deal.

Islandgyrl

 

[742]

742: Your comments were especially helpful as I was struggling to decide whether I really needed to pay for the xi. I do not drive a lot when it snows but I want to feel reasonable safe so I will spring for the snow tires you mentioned and I'll get the 325i. Does your wife use her run flats in the spring/summer? Or did she switch the run flats out completely?

My wife likes the idea of run flats, and we will be staying with that approach for both the normal and snow tires. I am not so enthused, especially for the snows, but understand her reasons. Simply put, she likes the ability to drive away with a flat, and then pick her location to park and deal with it. At home in our garage is of course the best location!

Just to be clear, you do not want to be running snow tires in the summer. The softer rubber that makes them work well in the winter is not at all desirable in higher temperatures.

And for what it is worth, she absolutely loves the car. She won't touch the Passat, which I find is now "my" car.

 

[Islandgyrl]

Anyone have a ballpark figure on a recent 325 i lease?

Options : Premium Package, Steptronic, Heated Seats, Comfort Access, Sparkling Graphite Metallic.

MSRP -
Negotiated Price -
Down Payment -
Monthly Payment -
Money Factor or APR or Total Rental Charge -

Is there a benefit to the sports package, or should I just purchase the 17" separate? Maybe someone can give me a quick tutorial on the pros and cons of 16" vs. 17", if there is a difference besides circumference. I read somewhere that 17" wear faster, is that an accurate statement?

 

[742]

Anyone have a ballpark figure on a recent 325 i lease?

Options : Premium Package, Steptronic, Heated Seats, Comfort Access, Sparkling Graphite Metallic.

MSRP -
Negotiated Price -
Down Payment -
Monthly Payment -
Money Factor or APR or Total Rental Charge -

Is there a benefit to the sports package, or should I just purchase the 17" separate? Maybe someone can give me a quick tutorial on the pros and cons of 16" vs. 17", if there is a difference besides circumference. I read somewhere that 17" wear faster, is that an accurate statement?

The sports package is not just about wheels. It also includes the M series steering wheel, Nicer seats and most importantly suspension changes on the i models (but not on the xi).

To paint with a very broad brush, larger wheels with lower profile tires improve handling, but at the price of a harsher ride and greater vulnerability to wheel and tire damage. Many people do not consider a 3 series to be complete without it. That being said, my wife and I opted to not get it due to the concern for wheel damage. Pennsylvania has some really bad roads, both due to potholes and crude repair work.

One solution is to get tire and wheel insurance along with the sports package.

You really need to drive both in order to make your decision.

And to each their own, but have you considered the manual transmission?

 

[Islandgyrl]

I'll have to research manual transmissions but my initial thought is that I cannot drive that type of car.

I don't think I will get the sports package because NJ roads are not that good and sometimes I drive into Brooklyn, which has terrible roads with enormous potholes. Tire damage would concern me too. However I would like the suspension upgrade.

 

[nadroj]

Hello,

I live in New Jersey and I'm thinking about getting either the 325i or the 325 xi (new). I'm torn because I'm not sure if paying an additional $2000 for the xi will benefit me. Are there any owners that have an opinion one way or the other about i versus xi (especially owners in NJ)? I am a lite driver, mostly on the weekends, maybe once or twice during the week.

Additionally, I am concerned about reliabilty of the 325, I read on a couple post that there are times when gauge lights malfunction or the cars experience electrical problems, which requires owners to take the cars back to the dealership. Are there any other concerns about the 325? I am skeptical because I do not wish spend money on a car that will leave me stranded. Could someone speak to the realiabilty of this car?

Finally, I plan on getting the Automatic transmission, Premium Package, heated, power seats, tire and wheel warranty, could someone give me a ball park figure on what is a reasonable price for this car, I think because I am a woman walking into the dealership the car options have suddenly inflated.

One last thing . . . any comments on run/flat tire feature . . .benefit or a pain?

Islandgyrl (looking to purchase in 3 - 4 weeks)

also about the reliablity, people only complain when something is broke not when its working think about that.

 

[Islandgyrl]

Hello everyone,

I just got back from the dealership and I will have my 2006 325i on Tuesday, however, I still have to make a decision on the Wheel and Tire warranty - is it worth the extra money? What should I pay for the warranty?

Islandgyrl