Time for a new 3 series?

[steveham21]

Ok I Think I am about to give in and buy a new BMW. I realize that sooner or later I am going to have to relinquish my 01 325i that has been very good to me.

Besides the AM radio being useless and the hesitation issues of the past year or so I still think it is the nicest looking 3 series to date.
And only room for one in the garage.

Now what to buy? I know the 325i lacked some power and should have bought the 330i to begin with but...the 328 has the same power as the 2001 330 I passed.

The 335 is a little steep since I want to option out some things (that M Sport package adds some meanness to the car) and have to get the heated seats and moonroof. This time around it will be an Automatic. Plus a friend of mine has a 335 and said it was overpriced.

Any thoughts on the new 3 series? Do they still have the same window regulator problems? Rear suspension mount problems?

Thanks,
Steve H

[BG]

It sounds like you like your 325. Is it rusting or have some other really serious problems? If no, why not keep it? You can do a lot of repairs and modifications for the cost of a new car, sales tax, state tag, higher insurance, and, of course, depreciation.

[xman]

Well if you tend to keep your cars a long time, the 328 should last you well for another decade. The window regulator issues of 10 years ago have long been resolved. 328 has more hp than the 01 330 you considered but also sligtly less torque, but with an extra gear, it's got more than enough grunt for US speed laws.

[Slalom]

Good luck on your search. I really like the 328. I tried to convince my wife to get he 328 xdrive but she wanted the additional power of the 335 xdrive coupe.

The sport package is amazing - I have a 2004 Z4 with that same 18 inch offset wheel combination with Bridgestone Potenza runflats. They are really harsh in the Z$ but the 3 series suspension has been tuned for them and they are just fine (still wear out too fast).

[GTVR6]

I had an '01 330Ci which I never planned to get rid of and the newer 3's were expensive and the new technology scared me. Unfortunatly, an expected storm dropped a tree on my coupe and I needed a car. I honestly looked for a low mileage E46 but could find what I liked and needed a car. I came across an ad from a private seller of an E90 335i..not exactly like I wanted but worth a look. Priced right and the CPO transferred over so I took the car.

I've had it a month and so far no regrets. I'd try to go CPO especially if you have the 335i. They don't have the same problems as the E46 but from what I've read they have there own set of issues...ie the HPFP (which BMW has recalled and extented the warrenty on certain models)

Just know the guy I bought it from had an E46, kept the E90 for 6 months and sold it to buy another E46. The E90 feels bigger. (but 300 hp and the twin turbo feels nice)

good luck

[Bimmer1992]

I have a 07 335i coupe that i have had for 3 years now and i absolutley love it!! It is the true definition of the Ultimate driving machine!Dustin
Indiana
'07 335i Coupe 6-speed
'92 325i 5 Speed

[calvol]

probably keep another 20 years, only 41K mi, and still as beautiful as the day I got it in Munich.