I was just wondering how you all justified spending between 45-50 thousand dollars on a new BMW 3-Series. I'm looking at switching out of a 2001 GMC Denali and buying either another Denali or a 330ci with ZHP. I'm still struggling with spending the money on a smaller car. Is driving a car "cooler" or does it get old after awhile? What is the normal "discount" or bargining rate you all have experienced when dealing with dealerships?
Justifying Buying A New 330ci
- Thread starter DeltaAir
- Start date
I'm new to the board, just ordered myself a new 330i Sedan. I've always preferred European sedans so of course I'm biased....but the one thing that comes to mind when you mention your current vehicle (fuel mileage)...it will definetly improve with a smaller vehicle and the BMW is tops when it comes to performance......
Just my 2 cents.....I talked my dealer down about $1K from sticker...not great...but it is my first BMW![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
Just my 2 cents.....I talked my dealer down about $1K from sticker...not great...but it is my first BMW
Just one look is all it took for me. I already had an '01 X5 (for my wife) before my 330ci. I have had mostly American cars and trucks up till now. I got sick and tired of the poor quality and overall cheapness of American car products. There isn't a single US car out there made to last. Everything wears out so quickly, from the engine to the suspension to everything in between. I don't care if it's a Cavalier, or an STS, they all suck in my opinion.
BMWs are made to last, have a great warranty, and are the most fun cars to drive in our price point.
Plus you can cruise on I-4 at 100 mph with all the confidence in the world because the car is so tight and stable. Try that in your Denali.
BMWs are made to last, have a great warranty, and are the most fun cars to drive in our price point.
Plus you can cruise on I-4 at 100 mph with all the confidence in the world because the car is so tight and stable. Try that in your Denali.
Driving a Denali 120 miles/day would kill me on the fuel expense alone ![[ohcrap]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_ohcrap.gif "Oh Crap! [ohcrap]")
I have to admit though, I think you will have a very hard time getting used to sitting low to the ground and not having the room that you are currently used to. If my last vehicle were an suv or pickup, I probably would have had to go to another suv or pickup. I love driving the bimmer though![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
Sometimes I have to wonder if there is actually glue on the tires. It sticks to the road like you wouldn't believe.
I have to admit though, I think you will have a very hard time getting used to sitting low to the ground and not having the room that you are currently used to. If my last vehicle were an suv or pickup, I probably would have had to go to another suv or pickup. I love driving the bimmer though
Sometimes I have to wonder if there is actually glue on the tires. It sticks to the road like you wouldn't believe.I recently took delivery of an '04 coupe with the ZHP package that I had ordered. [driving2] I kept it very simple - the performance package and steptronic (for my wife). I am very satisfied. I've had zero problems. It is a tight, well-made car. The backs of the rear seats fold forward and I carry my dog back there. It's a freeway flyer and wonderful in the twisties, even with the automatic trans. The exhaust with the ZHP package has a nice sound to it, but I've not had an opportunity to compare it to a 330ci with, say, a Borla or other aftermarket exhaust. The car is everything I had hoped it would be and the ZHP package is everything magazine writers say it is. I have no complaints regarding the car. I paid $41 but in retrospect probably should have done much better. I'd highly recommend shopping dealers and fleet managers via the Internet.
Could not take my eyes off the bimmer, I am new to this board also and am in the process of odering an 04 330i sedan, just can't seem to make up my mind regarding the packages. The zhp package is very nice, but I am being told that 18" rubber only come with summer tires, no all seasons, and up here in the great white all season are almost a must. Buy another set of winter tires is just not worth the hassle, does anyone know if the 18" come with all season tires??
Thanks
Thief
Thanks
Thief
No, 18" must come with performance tires. Either forget about the M Perf package or buy a set of rims and snow tires. Don't even think about driving with performance tires on snow. I have seen someone doing it last winter, and it was an unforgettable scene.
It isn't that bad to put on snow tires in the winter. Just get a separate set of rims. If budget is tight, get steel rims.
It isn't that bad to put on snow tires in the winter. Just get a separate set of rims. If budget is tight, get steel rims.
Last edited:
I'm chiming in a "me too" post with BMWRocks. I owned American cars with typical problems (one of which was a '83 GMC S10 that was basically a junker after only 60K miles). I bought a Volvo and learned about European quality. I still own a '95 GMC Suburban for towing, etc. but the Euro Cars just hold up better. I feel it's a better "investment" (OK no car is a true investment) than an american car, sad but true.
The car is much smaller than a Denali for the same price, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in performance and luxury. You get real wood trim, more technology, faster acceleration, MUCH better handling and breaking, more luxury overall, etc. I wouldn't get a 330Ci just for the "cool factor". If you're comfortable in your Denali and you wanna be cool, just get the new Denali and put some 22" riiiaaammss on it. If you wanna drive a luxurious and sporty coupe, go for the 330Ci.
MyHarley said:
I am worth it, I can afford it, I get what I want........ ![[rofl]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_rofl.gif "ROFL [rofl]")
You gotta ask yourself what you want out of a vehicle. The way I see it, there are two kinds of motorists, people who like cars, and people who like trucks/SUVs.
If you need utility, have to tow something, carry a lot of passengers, or just like to sit up high in a big vehicle, then get the Denali. As far as SUV's go, no one can argue that it isnt a nice ride.
But if you like to drive, really drive, drive something quick and agile, something that feels like an extension of your body, something that is the ultimate combination of sport, luxury and quality, then a BMW is worth every penny.
I've had my 02 330i for almost a year now and it certainly hasnt got old for me, everyday I still look for an excuse to go somewhere, just so I can jump in that car. I bought mine when it was a year old and saved about 10 grand. I dont know what kind of discounts there are on new, but I've heard the markup and discounts are tighter than on american cars.
Happy motoring!
If you need utility, have to tow something, carry a lot of passengers, or just like to sit up high in a big vehicle, then get the Denali. As far as SUV's go, no one can argue that it isnt a nice ride.
But if you like to drive, really drive, drive something quick and agile, something that feels like an extension of your body, something that is the ultimate combination of sport, luxury and quality, then a BMW is worth every penny.
I've had my 02 330i for almost a year now and it certainly hasnt got old for me, everyday I still look for an excuse to go somewhere, just so I can jump in that car. I bought mine when it was a year old and saved about 10 grand. I dont know what kind of discounts there are on new, but I've heard the markup and discounts are tighter than on american cars.
Happy motoring!
You could do like I did, go for a stripper 325, get the BMW feel w/o spending quite so much. I just got my 325xi two days ago, and man I love it. The best way I can describe it is, it's like driving a go-kart the way you can toss it around the curves.
Or as my 8-year old put it: "Man this car is like a carnival ride, this is great!"
I could have easily afforded the loaded 330, but buying a barely-over-30k 325 felt good to my 'practical' side.
- John
325xi, silver-grey, 5-speed manual, no sunroof, manual seats, leatherette.
Or as my 8-year old put it: "Man this car is like a carnival ride, this is great!"
I could have easily afforded the loaded 330, but buying a barely-over-30k 325 felt good to my 'practical' side.
- John
325xi, silver-grey, 5-speed manual, no sunroof, manual seats, leatherette.
I don't tow and I never will. An SUV is otherwise useless. A minivan will carry more people and cargo generally, and at MUCH better gas mileage.
It's hard to justify any luxury car. But, the driving feel of a BMW is just fantastic. I prefer my sorta stripper 325 over our E320. I coulda spent a few grand more and got a comparable 330, but I currently need the cash for other things. If you bought that Denali new tho, you shouldn't have any problems justifying a 330 to yourself.
It's hard to justify any luxury car. But, the driving feel of a BMW is just fantastic. I prefer my sorta stripper 325 over our E320. I coulda spent a few grand more and got a comparable 330, but I currently need the cash for other things. If you bought that Denali new tho, you shouldn't have any problems justifying a 330 to yourself.
[
I'm with you, too. I knew I wanted another convertible to replace my '98 Mustang and almost settled for less. I looked at the Audi A4, but it just didn't do it for me. It was in my price range, though. BMW just seemed out of reach. I really didn't want another Mustang because it isn't a very solid car and I just don't care for the look of the Saab.
After thinking it over, I decided it had to be a BMW or nothing. I mentioned this to my wife and to my surprise she said that she had always wanted one. She had just always assumed it was beyond our means. After looking at them for two months and doing some heavy research on options and financing, I realized that it wasn't a stretch at all to buy the car I always wanted. No, it's not an M3 or 330, but it has all the power I need. Any more and I couldn't afford the tickets.![[burnout]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_burnout.gif "Burnout [burnout]")
I picked up a 325 CiC, Premium Package, Sport Package, Xenon, Heated Seats, HK Sound (not the best, but just dandy for me), Steptronic, in Silver Gray with gray interior. It's everything I want and I look forward to driving it every day. I still have my 2001 F150 Supercrew, but I much prefer the BMW. The truck is only around if we need to haul sometheng.
An added bonus is that I now spend less time on my computer and more time outside. Granted, it's spent cleaning my poor tires, but that's a small price to pay for such a sweet ride. [driving2]
After thinking it over, I decided it had to be a BMW or nothing. I mentioned this to my wife and to my surprise she said that she had always wanted one. She had just always assumed it was beyond our means. After looking at them for two months and doing some heavy research on options and financing, I realized that it wasn't a stretch at all to buy the car I always wanted. No, it's not an M3 or 330, but it has all the power I need. Any more and I couldn't afford the tickets.
I picked up a 325 CiC, Premium Package, Sport Package, Xenon, Heated Seats, HK Sound (not the best, but just dandy for me), Steptronic, in Silver Gray with gray interior. It's everything I want and I look forward to driving it every day. I still have my 2001 F150 Supercrew, but I much prefer the BMW. The truck is only around if we need to haul sometheng.
An added bonus is that I now spend less time on my computer and more time outside. Granted, it's spent cleaning my poor tires, but that's a small price to pay for such a sweet ride. [driving2]