New 3-series when?

[rlearp]

I hate to ask this question but after searching far and wide the best I can come up with is the new 3 series comes in August 2005 as a 2006. Is this correct?

Reason I ask is I'm wanting to order a new 3 series but am concerned about the new car debut.

Another question - does anyone have some actual weights of a 330i vs a 330ci? The BMW literature has these two cars at the same weights but statistically, I find that hard to believe. Not only do you hardly ever get two cars that are the same to have identical weights when you weigh them at the track, but these two cars are quite different to boot. I'd expect the coupe to weigh in at a little less, even if it is only 20lbs.

I'm looking for a car to use as a daily driver and to track as well. So, the weight issue is something I'd like to minimize as much as possible.

Thanks for the time and putting up with such questions on a first post. If you wish to learn more about GT40s come over to the site I run about them, www.gt40s.com. Not practical, but a hell of a lot of fun.

Best,
Ron

www.gt40s.com
Lotus Esprit
Ford GT40

 

[MrElussive]

Welcome to the forum, Ron.

You're right, the new 3-series does come out as a 2006 model in August of 2005, assuming things move along properly. Both cars do seem to weigh the same and it is statistcally hard to believe, but I don't think that's an incorrect number. Both cars have the same overall length, width, and wheelbase, and they are the same car with the same engine and the same weight distribution.
If I were you, assuming that both cars do weigh the same, I would go with the Coupe. It comes with sport suspension and sport steering wheel standard and 2-doors is always sportier than 4, even if it's only about the way it looks (which seems to be the case for the 3-series, sedan vs coupe).
Of course, since it is going to be a daily driver, you may want to opt for the sedan if you need more practicality than what the Coupe offers as I do not know of any real performance difference between the two, off the top of my head. Whichever model you want (sedan or coupe), I suggest you opt for the Performance Package...you'll get 10 more horsepower, 18" wheels, sportier suspension setup, thicker steering wheel, short-throw transmission, and some other features that make the car more "track-friendly" right out of the box.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Doesn't the 330i come standard with a sporty suspension??? It does come with 17" wheels and low profile tires.... wouldn't make sense for it to have that and not a suspension upgrade from the premium non-sport package 325i...

BTW, the 330i with the 4 doors, xenons, and 17" wheels w/ low profile tires looks real good and is more practical than the coupe. (I can imagine the scuff marks on black plastic and upholstry from all that get-into-the-back-and-out activity.) I say the 330i is sporty enough and some have said the 330i is slightly quicker than the 330ci.

 

[rlearp]

Thanks for the confirmation on the model years. I had planned to order the car with the new Performance package and chose options to fit what I like, everything but a sunroof. Interestingly enough, when I visited the local dealer they had a car that fit very well - performance package, no sun roof, etc. but it didn't have navigation, unfortunately. Yes, I'm aware of the "hurts resale" debate with the roof but the car is for me - not the next owner. Since I typically keep my drivers 6+ years I really don't care too much in 6 years if the car is worth $1k or $2k less because it doesn't have a sunroof. The track folks will enjoy it then maybe, a tiny bit less in weight and a tiny bit stiffer with roof integrity. Heck, once it gets to that age and if it is competitive in SCCA then maybe I'll gut it and use it for track only work.

I'm taking my Lotus to the Southeast BMW track day at VIR next weekend and I hope to meet some folks with some hard core data on the weight info. I respect your information with the reply on weights, but I still think there will be some difference in weights between the coupe and sedan. Just seems highly improbable that both weights are the same, down to the pound. I'm hoping there will be some of both at the track day and on the tech inspection we should see some real data, not just manufactuer's numbers.

Still don't know if I'd go coupe or Sedan. I have a 3 year old, but rarely, maybe 2 to 3 times a month, do I use my car for transport. Typically we're in the family car, a Volvo, that gets used for such things.

Anyone have any basic problems areas that should be watched out for on these cars? (i.e., 330is) Thanks for the welcome, take care,

Ron