Thinking about buying a 3 Series need your help

[sherdog]

Hey Guys,

I am new to the board and am thinking about buying a 3 series and just wanted to get some of you thoughts on it.

I currently drive an A4 and I have noticed that I am in the shop more than i am on the road. What have been your likes / dislikes regarding the 3 series, primarily in terms of reliability? I am well of aware of the performance of the car but how is it in terms of reliability?

In addition I am not sure whether to go with the 325 or the 330, for those that have driven both models is there really a noticeable difference between the 330 and the 325?

 

[Kirby]

I drove the 325 and the 330 before I bought the 330, and have driven the 325 as a service loaner again since the purchase. There is definitely a noticeable difference in acceleration between the two. On the interior, the cars are basically the same. The 330 includes some things that are options on the 325 - leather, HK premium audio (which some people don't like), seat controls, fully automatic top on the 'vert.

If you are considering a 330, go to the dealer and drive both of them several times on the same day. That should help you decide which is best for you. My choice of the 330 was primarily for the engine and fully automatic top, not the other upgrades.

Other than the Steptronic transmission problems, I have had 0 reliability problems in 6500 miles. Others have had various issues with mirrors, windows, etc.

 

[sherdog]

Hey Kirby,

This is exactly what i was looking for

I would certainly get the stick regardless of which model i go with, but after reading your response I think the best thing to do would be to go drive both of them...The cool thing is that I get the car at invoice through my job....which is awesome!

you mentioned that some people don't like the HK premium audio..any thoughts as to why?

I have a feeling i am going to go with the 330 (just a gut instinct) unless i seriousley cannot tell the difference between the two on the road...

 

[deutsch100]

thinking about a 3 series

Hi...I am a new BMW owner. I just got a 2004 330ci Cabrio...titanium Silver, premium, sport, cold weather, alarm, adaptive xenons....

I totally love it. I felt that the 330 felt much better than the 325...more substance.

Since 1997 our household has been driving only Mercedes, and the last 4 or 5 of them have been nothing but problems...always in the shop. BMW 3 series are always on the top of car mags and consumer reports.

Oh yeah...I have steptronic...no problems at all. Was the probelm the first batch of 2004s???

Good luck. Freude am Fahren

 

[sherdog]

Glad to hear it!

I definitely think i am going to end up going with the 330 CI I just need to justify it to myself first (after driving it of course) the only thing that concerns me are the electrical issues, and other various realted problems i have heard of such as windows, mirrors, etc....That is currently what i am experienceing with my A4 now and it is very irritating.

You would think that when spending this kind of $$$ on a car you wouldn't have to be concerned with things like this

 

[jaf211]

Not to spoil your enthusiasm, but this is my second 3 series. I had a '00 323i before I just purchased my new '04 330i PP. The difference between the two are clearly night/day. The 330i definitely offers more of everything all around.

Unfortunatly for me, 3 days after I bought my 330i, with only 275 miles on it, I had it flat-bedded back to the dealer because the computer control unit failed, which caused the hydrolic pump to fail, which caused the DSC to fail, which caused the emissions unit to fail, which cost BMW +3000k to fix after (12 hours of labor) 4 days in the shop.

I noticed you live in CT- so I must give credit where credit is due. I bought it at Greenwich BMW who were absolutely awesome from the time of purchase to the return of the car in perfect condition. They were very concerned and diligent to make sure the car was fixed properly. They would not give it back to me until they were convinced it was corrected. I was impressed. I must say.

But 2 days later, my right mirror refused to drop down when in reverse. So, back to the dealership it goes...

Do I still love the car?? I would not have purchased anything else. It's solid, drives like it's a high-speed rollercoster on rails, and fits like a glove. I'm bummed because my 323i was pretty good, although I did have the window units replaced under waranty at about 20K miles and the DSC failed at 52K miles which BMW replaced under Good Will. I traded that car at 56k miles for this current 330i PP.

Unfortunely, German cars have an Achilles' Heal- electronics.

Good luck.

 

[MrElussive]

sherdog, welcome to the forum. You should not be afraid of getting a BMW. A good amount of them have their own little problems, but most of the time they are running fine....most of the time, the problems are minor and nothing the dealership can't fix quickly.
The difference betwen the 325 and the 330 is ultimately up to you. Some say that the difference is marginal and that the price difference is not worth opting for a 330 model. But others say that the extra power from the 3.0 liter engine is worth every penny and that it really enhances the drive. You should probably try test-driving both models before you make your final decision...if you are leaning towards the 325, it would be a good idea to get it in manual as the 0-60 time is a good second faster than a 325 auto (and is only 0.7 seconds away from a 330 manual, excluding the 330i Performance Package).
I have driven BMW's with both engines several times and I can definitely notice a difference in power with the 330 motor, but the 325 is definitely very spirited! I have a G35 Coupe (280hp 6MT) and my friend has a 325i Steptronic and he has no trouble keeping up with me when I feel like playing around...but personally, I am a power freak and I would opt for the 330 model if I could.
Again, welcome to the forum and hang out and let us know about your decision...we are eager to know what BMW you have decided to purchase!

 

[Maxer]

Hey sherdog,

I too live in CT, and traded in my A4 for a BMW! I opted for the 325i over the 330i. I wanted to get it loaded, and didn't feel the $7100 base premuim for the 330i was worth it. You can get just about every option on the 325i for about the same price as a 330i with only the PP.

Just my opinion. From what I've read here, I think I'm in the minority.[unsure]

 

[salvo]

Regardless of what we tell you about reliability....ITS just luck of the draw!

My 04 330c has 3,500 miles...service engine light has come on twice....no biggie. just turn it off and restart...all else is good. thus far!

330...worth the extra $$.

 

[cdotger]

Maxer,

I am with you 330 is nice no question... But I opted for the loaded 325 for less $

 

[codex57]

If you can afford the 330, go for it. The 325 is perfectly adequate though. That's what I ended up with due to money. Just didn't feel like putting myself that much in the hole when a 325 is already a HUGE jump from my previous car.

I haven't had electrical problems although I stopped using the passenger mirror tilt thingy except on the rare occasion that I need to parallel park. My passenger seat (the seat back) has started rattling though. Started at a little less than 5,000 miles. I haven't had time to check it out myself but I hope it's just a loose screw somewhere. Otherwise, that's pretty pathetic for a seat to have failed so quickly, especially when it's almost always unused.

 

[slato1]

The deciding factor for my 325i was the cost. The only difference I felt was off the red light, but once rolling both were equally as fun to go through the gears.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

3 series is awesome...just bought a new 2004 325i sunday...i would have gotten the 330i but too exspensive for me, but I believe the 330i is better, on service and reliability we had a 323i and the service record was awesome...BMW"s are the best vehicles on the road...well hope ya have fun if/when you get a BMW

 

[William330]

But 2 days later, my right mirror refused to drop down when in reverse. So, back to the dealership it goes...

This may sound silly, but did you notice the little black switch on the
left driver armrest? Switch it one way, the passenger side mirror drop
when the car is in reverse. Switch it the other way, and the mirror
stays put.

 

[cordelli]

We picked up our 330 in August from the Greenwich Dealer (this is a very tiny world, you guys are probably the ones I see driving into Manhattan every day all happy in their 3's). We now have over 17,000 miles on it, and the only problem has been a cable that came off in the driver's door so you couldn't open it with the handle from outside.

The dealer was able to take in in two days, gave us a loaner, got it back as good as new. The only other time it's been back was for the oil change, in and out in about an hour.

Unless you have a car you can drive in the winter when there is a bit of snow on the roads, you will want to consider another set of wheels and tires for it for the winter up here, we have a second car that is great in snow, but next year we will probably go winter tires on it. Just another expense to keep in mind, the sports package tires are totally useless if there is a flake of snow on the road within five miles of you.

 

[sherdog]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all your feedback i really apprecaite it....I used to live down in Stamford, which is minutes away from both the Greenwich dealer as well as the Darien Dealer.... I finally found a buyer for my A4, He is going to take it off my hands in 3 weeks...So I am starting to get a little ancy [fake]

Anyhow I have yet to drive either model the 325 or the 330...I know I sound like a girl trying on shoes...but i am probably the most indecisive person on the planet, regardless of what i choose i will definitely go with the manual, i don't know how to drive automatic...And the woman doesn't know how to drive stick ...Here's the thing...Of course money is always factor when making a purchase of this magnitude, my company has the "S plan" which basically means we get the cars at invoice which rocks!...

Do I buy new or do I buy 1 or 2 years old?....If I buy new i doubt i can afford the 330CI which is probably what i am going to fall in love with once i drive it, or do I buy an '02 with some goodies in it and decent mileage? (Maxer I definitely agree with your logic...smart move on your part!)

Mr. Elussive, I will definitely let you know what i go with, I took the day off because the woman had foot surgery this morning and she is feeling better now, I think I am going to go drive by the dealership and salivate a little...

Again please help, Hearing all of your opinions works wonders...it really puts things into perspective...especially since i am so hard headed

 

[cordelli]

We went in looking used, and the economics of it didn't make any sense at all, the used cars when available (we wanted a 330 Convertible) were still fairly high priced, and the free maintenance on the new ones was a real draw.

The Ridgefield dealer usually has lots of cars out on the lot you can peek into, way more then the Darien or Greenich ones do, good sunday trip if you are in the area.

 

[sherdog]

Hey Cordelli,

Thanks, I'll definitely check them out perhaps this Sunday...I hear ya on the prices for the 330 convertible....definitely up there in $$$.

The suspense is killing me i want to go out and buy one tomorrow but i know something like this is the last thing i should rush into...

It will be interesting to see what i end up going with.

 

[cdotger]

good Luck Sherdog... Let is know how the visit to the dealership goes.

 

[sherdog]

Will do...ok just had talk with the woman and she is trying to convince me to consider the X3...



decisions decisions decisions