Well ... I finally drove home my brand new baby last night (unfortunately it was raining!). For the most part I am super impressed and I want to share my first impression with you. I arrived at the dealer and they had my 330xi sitting on the showroom floor (only 5 miles on the odometer). The black sapphire metallic was appeared a little lighter than I expected, but it was what I had hoped for. The black sapphire metallic is VERY metallic and I fell in love with its shine. I chose the Natural Brown leather interior .. for those of you who aren't familiar with it I have brown seats, tan interior roof and black carpeting and dash. It looks sweet. The cabin did feel a bit crampy, but I just switched from an Acura MDX which was very roomy so it'll take a little time to adjust. I am curious to find out how backseat passengers feel, I hope they're not too uncomfortable. I got a 6spd manual, last night was the first time I have ever driven a 6 speed. I used the 6th gear on the way to work this morning and you get great gas mileage, but minimal power (as you can expect from a 6th gear). I am still in my break-in period : ( The manual DOES say to avoid red-lining for the first 1250 miles and to try to keep it below 4500 rpms (this is tough for me in 1st gear because I just want to get up and go!) The sport seats are very comfortable and supportive. The lumbar is 4-way adjustable and feels very good on the back. My only complaint is the sound system. Now I don't really consider myself an "audiophile" but I have some what of a conditioned audio ear. In my first car (Ford Explorer), my brother installed an after-market system: Polk speakers, 2-10in SBL subs, 1000watt amp, new headunit. My second car was a 1996 Volvo 850 GLT 5spd and the factory upgraded 8 speaker system was very impressive and I was satisfied enough not to change a thing. The car I just left behind to buy my 330xi was a 2004 Acura MDX that came with an upgraded BOSE system and again, I was satisfied not to change a thing. It surprises me that the Harmon Kardon system in the BMW sounds so cheap! I have read in other forums that the 12 speakers have paper cones and that the reason for muffled highs is due to the built-in crossover. Well .. the highs just aren't there. I have the treb set to the max and the bass about 4 notches down from max. The bass is sufficient, but there are no highs! Voices sound muffled ... and I am afraid I will have to do some customizing to the audio system. Nothing has compared to that factory 1996 Volvo system. I currently have a BEL and it has kept me safe for the past 3 years. I think I may purchase a Magellan Roadmate 700 because I will miss having NAV in the BMW (elected not to purchase BMW because it isn't touch screen). Driving to work this morning I opened it up a little around a turn ... and HOLY S&*% ... my palms were sweatty and my heart definately skipped a beat. I am going to have fun learning the limits of this car, but I am not sure I will ever push it to its full potential ... like others have already said - my nerves may be less willing (and I am pretty aggressive on the road... that's how capable this car really is!)
First IMPRESSION, 330xi drove home last night ....
- Thread starter Susie520
- Start date
Cdotger,
Don't get me wrong ... the MDX is awesome! I did 2 years worth of research on both SUV's and sport sedans (mainly the 330xi) trying to figure out what I wanted. The vehicles are so different : Automatic SUV OR stick shift sedan. I looked into / and or test drove: BMW X5, Infiniti FX45, Volvo XC90, Lexus RX, and the MDX. Comparing price, MPG, residual value, roominess, options (3rd row seat & NAV) and reviews, the MDX won hands down. The touch-screen NAV is incredible. It just came down to the fact that I missed driving stick! I am a true driving enthusiast and I felt gipped driving an automatic. No hard feelings though, my parents bought the MDX from me because they loved it so much - so it's still in the fam.! In a perfect world (where my pockets would be fatter) I would have both.
Don't get me wrong ... the MDX is awesome! I did 2 years worth of research on both SUV's and sport sedans (mainly the 330xi) trying to figure out what I wanted. The vehicles are so different : Automatic SUV OR stick shift sedan. I looked into / and or test drove: BMW X5, Infiniti FX45, Volvo XC90, Lexus RX, and the MDX. Comparing price, MPG, residual value, roominess, options (3rd row seat & NAV) and reviews, the MDX won hands down. The touch-screen NAV is incredible. It just came down to the fact that I missed driving stick! I am a true driving enthusiast and I felt gipped driving an automatic. No hard feelings though, my parents bought the MDX from me because they loved it so much - so it's still in the fam.! In a perfect world (where my pockets would be fatter) I would have both.
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Thanks
Thanks for the update. Although it has now made the wait even harder. My 325 will have the natural leather, so it was nice to hear your comments about the look and feel. Somewhat bummed out about the stereo. I have read a lot of posts as well about how bad the harman Kardon sounds. I am selling an A-4 with the upgraded Bose and I loved that system.
Much appreciated
Thanks for the update. Although it has now made the wait even harder. My 325 will have the natural leather, so it was nice to hear your comments about the look and feel. Somewhat bummed out about the stereo. I have read a lot of posts as well about how bad the harman Kardon sounds. I am selling an A-4 with the upgraded Bose and I loved that system.
Much appreciated
Sounds like a great Bimmer! Don't forget to post some pictures for us to see.
Since you are in Virgina, you could have some great fun this summer on the Blue Ridge. If you want to really give the bimmer a run, go down to the Dragon in North Carolina. This is a place that bikers and sports car drivers love to run the twisties. Just watch out for the cops!!
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/maps/DRAGONmap.gif
Since you are in Virgina, you could have some great fun this summer on the Blue Ridge. If you want to really give the bimmer a run, go down to the Dragon in North Carolina. This is a place that bikers and sports car drivers love to run the twisties. Just watch out for the cops!!
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/maps/DRAGONmap.gif
My family has a vacation home at a ski resort in VA, the roads leading there (about 45 minutes of driving time) are all twisty turney with few long stretches (for passing!). If it weren't for going there almost every weekend I may not have gone with stick ... therefore I wouldn't have gotten my 330xi! I commute 30-40 minutes to work each way (near DC) and I am trying to keep the stop and go from getting to me! Looking forward to my next trip to the mountains!
My sales guy was Ed. I was able to haggle with them since I'm an old friend of one the finance guys there. i picked mine up just before christmas 12/22/03. i got the 330i with the sport pkg, cold wthr pkg, auto, leather, moonroof, and xenons. the car is sweet. you can check it out in the gallery. post pics of yours when you get a chance.
http://www.bmwboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1845
lol.. i just noticed your comment on the interior pic of my car. guess you've already seen these pics.![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")
http://www.bmwboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1845
lol.. i just noticed your comment on the interior pic of my car. guess you've already seen these pics.
Great post. I'm really looking forward to receiving my 330xi in May (OMG, that's still two months away!!) The only thing I was not happy about the xi's is the ride height and seemingly soft suspension. The Ci's are FAR better in the suspension department IMO. However, it should get me by for about a year before I really can't take it any more (I hope). Also, once I really get to know the car, I'll be able to manipulate it properly.
Oh yeah, the shifter was notchy as hell compared to my Acura, but I think I can acclimate since once in gear, that engine just kept pulling.
About the audio system, well, I've heard people both praise it and bash it. Both parties of which do not have trained ears in the first place and secondly are probably listening to highly compressed and processed music. Get yourself a CD like Holly Cole's Don't Smoke in Bed. Listen for the texture of the acoustic bass strings, the smokiness of her voice, and the ringing of the snare drum. If one knows what these instruments are supposed to sound like, then they can make a somewhat objective statement about the sound system quality. I certainly hope this audio system keeps me somewhat happy, because my fiancee will kill me if I spend as much time on this audio system as I did in my current vehicle. It does really sound lik you'll like MB Quarts (easy factory drop in from what I've read) though from your criticism of the mids.
Anyway, congrats, good luck, have fun, and drive safely!
Oh yeah, the shifter was notchy as hell compared to my Acura, but I think I can acclimate since once in gear, that engine just kept pulling.
About the audio system, well, I've heard people both praise it and bash it. Both parties of which do not have trained ears in the first place and secondly are probably listening to highly compressed and processed music. Get yourself a CD like Holly Cole's Don't Smoke in Bed. Listen for the texture of the acoustic bass strings, the smokiness of her voice, and the ringing of the snare drum. If one knows what these instruments are supposed to sound like, then they can make a somewhat objective statement about the sound system quality. I certainly hope this audio system keeps me somewhat happy, because my fiancee will kill me if I spend as much time on this audio system as I did in my current vehicle. It does really sound lik you'll like MB Quarts (easy factory drop in from what I've read) though from your criticism of the mids.
Anyway, congrats, good luck, have fun, and drive safely!
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Xyrium, Thanks for the response. I haven't ever driven a Ci for the reason you mentioned above. I wouldn't want to know that I have anything subpar, I am totally satisfied with the suspension in the Xi and would hate to learn (through experience) that there is a better option (though not available in AWD). I guess that's being sort of ignorant but it grants me peace of mind in my decision. I had polk Momo's (components), SBL subs, a Soundtream 1000 watt amp ... so I feel as though I sort of know what I am listening to. I put in a CD with a great range of vocals and couldn't really hear voice pitch. I know ... without even having to pop in another CD I know I wouldn't hear a snare drum ... that's what I am looking for. If you say MBQ's are easy to drop in ... I will have to do some research. I can't find what sizes I need for the 12 speaker system.
Yeah, the Ci is very sweet, but that is certaily not to say the xi is horrible, probably just average. Coming from an SUV, you should have no problem. ![[rofl]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_rofl.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
I'm surprised you're satisfied with the low frequency reproduction of the HK system. Does it sound like bass coming from the back of the car though? That's one of my biggest frustrations, getting the bass up front. Right now I have a 12" Image Dynamics in my hatch, and although I hear the bass (4th order xover at 80Hz ) all around me, I can definitely feel it from behind my seat. Grrr....
http://www.cardomain.com/ has personal vehicles listed on their site with system upgrades, and you can sort by make, model and then year. You may want to check that site out to help you with your upgrade potential when you're ready.
HTH!![driving2]
I'm surprised you're satisfied with the low frequency reproduction of the HK system. Does it sound like bass coming from the back of the car though? That's one of my biggest frustrations, getting the bass up front. Right now I have a 12" Image Dynamics in my hatch, and although I hear the bass (4th order xover at 80Hz ) all around me, I can definitely feel it from behind my seat. Grrr....
http://www.cardomain.com/ has personal vehicles listed on their site with system upgrades, and you can sort by make, model and then year. You may want to check that site out to help you with your upgrade potential when you're ready.
HTH!![driving2]
Not really satisfied ... I guess my previous post was an over statement. I am just VERY dissatisfied with the high freq. output from these cheap lil speakers. Everything sounds muffled, like I am listening to the stero through a couch cushion. : / I agree that the bass seems to be predominanetly coming from the rear. I had subs in my old system but am only looking to upgrade my mid-range speakers and "tweeters".
I agree with you Susie520 and am happy for you on your 330xi. I have gone thru a whole lot with my HK system.. The thing is most of the systems components aren't up to par . I've found that I didn't like the quality of sound until I changed every aspect , Head unit , speakers , sub, and amps. You can change your speakers but that won't help much even with a better amp. In my '02, the head unit doesn't have rca outputs so I was still getting a weak signal thru the speaker wire to my new amp and new component speakers . So I went with an Eclipse deck with a good output to a 50x4 for my Diamond fronts and mids and a 75x2 for a 8in AlumaPro sub.Sounds great now with treble at -2 and bass at 0 .The deck has a non-fade for adjustments to the sub which is a awesome feature..
OK , having said that , a word to the wise . If you can live with the HK , keep it. When you change your head unit your dash lose's it's flow , it's pleasing contours. You'll be spending quite a bit of money also . I went mid level at about 1500 for everything.Plus you'll have different color lights from your dash and radio..You'll have to install a remote and a led so you can use your steering wheel controls for a new deck but they won't be all the same functions . I lost a couple of things . ( seek and scan) because a remote only has so many options that come with it. Also an aftermarket deck is smaller than the HK business cd so I have the dash kit ( black plastic piece) to make up for the extra hole in the dash I would 've left everything alone if I was to do it all over again.
Just trying to give you a better look at things from someone who's changed his whole system and has different feelings about it. I was so happy to get my first bimmer that I just had to start spending money on her . All my points may not be any concern to you . I wish you the best with your new baby![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
edited for grammar
OK , having said that , a word to the wise . If you can live with the HK , keep it. When you change your head unit your dash lose's it's flow , it's pleasing contours. You'll be spending quite a bit of money also . I went mid level at about 1500 for everything.Plus you'll have different color lights from your dash and radio..You'll have to install a remote and a led so you can use your steering wheel controls for a new deck but they won't be all the same functions . I lost a couple of things . ( seek and scan) because a remote only has so many options that come with it. Also an aftermarket deck is smaller than the HK business cd so I have the dash kit ( black plastic piece) to make up for the extra hole in the dash I would 've left everything alone if I was to do it all over again.
Just trying to give you a better look at things from someone who's changed his whole system and has different feelings about it. I was so happy to get my first bimmer that I just had to start spending money on her . All my points may not be any concern to you . I wish you the best with your new baby
edited for grammar
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Johnnyz that was perfect. Because of your post I am seriously reconsidering changing the sound system ... although it is borderline unbearable. I have to weigh which is more important, having a fluid dash or having a satisfying sound system. What headunit did you use? My headunit went bad in my '96 Volvo 850 before I sold it and an Apline deck looked right at home - classic greeb led. I'm not all into the crazy neon colors they have available for decks. Do you have any pics of what your dash looks like now? Did any of this void parts of your warranty? Thanks so much.
http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=126773428
Ok there you go. Don't get me wrong the sounds definately pump, but you giving up to get ..
Ok there you go. Don't get me wrong the sounds definately pump, but you giving up to get ..
![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")