Should I buy a BMW 328XI? Update leaning to WRX

Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

The 535 ix is a fun car to drive. It corners well and suffers from very little turbo lag. In sport mode the driving experience changes drastically allowing you full use of the engines features. If you are looking for a sportier car check out the M3. It has a dual clutch transmission with amazingly fast shift times.
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SSG3K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just wondering. <span style="text-decoration: underline">I bought my wife a new C300 4matic</span> 3 months ago so the euro bug has hit pretty good. Hence the question</div></div>
That's the mistake, right there.
You should have bought a sports car for you, and a used minivan for your wife
smile.gif
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

Just returned my 328ci, great car, had so much fun with it.
Only recommendation is to lease it, not buy it.
Most little problems occur after 3 years, when factory warranty expired, and the cost of repair is much higher than American or Asian made cars.

I lease BMW and buy HONDA, BMW takes care of all the problems during the lease, hassle free, plus free loaner car each time the car needs service, free car wash etc., and HONDA, hardly had any problem for the first 6~8 year, and even if it does, doesn't break the bank to fix it.

Just my $0.02, hope it helps.

PS, if you lease, purchase "wear and tear insurance", trust me, its worthy and you will be glad you have it when you return the car. But if you continue to lease another one, BMW will not give you any hard time at all on the old car. They even paid the remaining 2 months for me because I wanted the next one early (before lease ends). **Different dealers may very**
smile.gif

 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

having been in the car business for over 15 years.
its hard for me to get excited with a car.
but my experiance has been if its something you can afford and you want it get it .
you only live once try not to have any regrets.
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

Are you buying this for a daily driver or for a blend of a daily drive with occasional sporting use? Also I assume you are intersted in the xi becuase you live in MI? A little more information would be helpful. Without knowning more, I'd say no becuase I think the 328 is outclassed by the G37, A5, etc.
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

Well drove the 3 series and its a no go but the 5 series is very nice. I need to rethink a little bit.

Rich
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

I highly recommend the 535xi. My father has one with a 6spd manual (no SMG crap in this family) and it's a blast to drive. One of the nice things about the N54 engine is that it has a very flat torque curve and makes peak torque at a very low RPM (1,800 if I recall correctly) and basically holds it through the powerband. The suspension is tight enough for a factory, sporty sedan but not so tight as to be punishing in a daily commute. Two things I don't like about it which are very minimal in the grand scheme of things: 1) turning signal stalk is very touchy and you can inadvertently reverse the signal when turning it off after a lane change, and 2) the side view mirrors are of a very strange design. Other than that, it's a great car. My father's has been more or less issue-less in the 3.5 years he's had it.

And in another life, I walked through the plant in China where they grind the camshafts for the N54
grin.gif
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

I spent a few years in the car business myself. Leasing a car is a complete rip off. Only one good way to lease. And that is if your company pays for it, not you.

As far as buying a luxury car or a sports car. Why not. The only thing is you should not buy unless you are paying cash, and with discretionary funds. Payments on a car like that are irresponsible. And only take money form savings if you are old and do not need the money.

A sports car is just like any other toy. As long as you can pay cash then go for it. But to go in debt for one?? Not very smart. Tom.
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

I had a 325xi back in the day. IT was a decent little car but not nearly enough room. My dad is co-owner of the local Audi Dealership here in town. I test drove a gently used S4 and man does that car haul ass! Its a little bigger then the 3 series BMW but has a V8 engine.

I say go Audi. Much nicer car for the money.
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

I went from a 5 series to an M3 and love it! I didn't think I'd like the smaller space but you just don't notice it until you put in a rifle case.
I will always own a BMW as long as I can afford it. They also have the 4 year 50000 mile service. I've never had any problems with 5 series (bought new and traded in after 4 years). I have had my M3 for almost 2 years and it still runs like a dream!

Get it, you only live once!
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

+2
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Target In Sight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just returned my 328ci, great car, had so much fun with it.
Only recommendation is to lease it, not buy it.
Most little problems occur after 3 years, when factory warranty expired, and the cost of repair is much higher than American or Asian made cars.

I lease BMW and buy HONDA, BMW takes care of all the problems during the lease, hassle free, plus free loaner car each time the car needs service, free car wash etc., and HONDA, hardly had any problem for the first 6~8 year, and even if it does, doesn't break the bank to fix it.

Just my $0.02, hope it helps.

PS, if you lease, purchase "wear and tear insurance", trust me, its worthy and you will be glad you have it when you return the car. But if you continue to lease another one, BMW will not give you any hard time at all on the old car. They even paid the remaining 2 months for me because I wanted the next one early (before lease ends). **Different dealers may very**
smile.gif

</div></div>
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the 300 series is for people that can't afford the 500 series.

Of course the 500 series is for those that cannot afford the 700 series.

They are so overpriced in the US...

</div></div>

Now come on, you know darn well that a smaller lightweight car with some good horsepower and suspension can whoop butt on a larger one any day of the week. Ever seen a 175hp Neon give a beat down to a V8 Camaro in 1/8 mile? That NEon was good for something, it could pull and run fast for the first 1/8 mile, but after that the V8's catch it and run away....until the curves, then the little Neon was all over them and so far up their rear end they would either pull aside or try to move faster...faster was never teh right choice though in curves with a lighter better handling car. All those ACR parts worked something fierce. I miss that car. If I can swing a 1 series drop top, I'll go for it, but for now that little Fiesta with the avaialble(6 months or so) sport parts will be fun.
If all the world was perfect, I woud see an older 3 Series GTS in my future:

bmw-m3-gts-photo11-655x436.jpg


Like I said, small, tight handling, and wicked fast
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

M Series X rated? Or is it X Series M rated?

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VYkYCDN3Crk&feature=player_embedded"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VYkYCDN3Crk&feature=player_embedded" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

I have a 2007 E93 335 with Dinan S2 engine upgrade. It pushes 380 hp and 420 lb-ft torque and the 0-60 runs about 4.8. For comparison with the new M3 pushes about 420 HP it only has 290 lb-ft of torque and has a much less favorable power curve.

I cannot say enough good things about the car. Burn though the OEM tires and get Michelin tires. I have tracked the car several times and it runs and guns with much faster cars, i.e. M5, DB9. It will most a Mercedes C63 Benz. The problem with a Benz is that it will handle like a pickup truck. For example last track day someone showed up with a E55 AMG and was getting smoked by Mini Coopers.
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

Drove the little shitbox (WRX) yesterday. It was pretty fun and for me it will be a throw away car so this could be the one. No stranger to big HP cars had a few just need a daily driver. for 25000 I think it will be descent. Thoughts? And please dont give me the US car crap as I worked for GM for 15 years. I now work for Japanese auto company and they treat me better than GM ever did.

Rich
 
Re: Should I buy a BMW 328XI?

Oh, WRX... Sti is the way to go. There was this chick that was in my old S1 shop that had this totally souped up WRX Sti(Factory/Dealer install of all STi suspension, intake, exhaust, wheels, tires, and PINK Sti logos) That little car was <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">FAST! </span></span>
Everytime I would pull up next to her on my Sporty, on or off base, she wanted to run. Look over, smile, rev up, shit man, it was ON! I always wanted to drive that car to see what it would do just because it sounded so good. Definatley an entry into the 'Fast and Furious' club. They got a nice shiny blue one at teh dealership here that I keep seeing when we drive by. Since we lost the Neon ACR R/T I got a jones for a new small, fast, fun to drive car