Who has looked at or owns a newer BMW?

[DCColegrove]

right on. Feedback and knowing youre driving is where its at.

Yes... When I'm on pea gravel I want to know it... And 100 mph should feel and sound different from 65 mph...

[Jon325i]

In recent months I've had opportunities to drive: '01 330i, '06 330i, '08 335i.

The E46 330i: Nice car. Definately larger than an E30 but still nimble nontheless. This particular car belonged to my sister-in-law. It had the sport package, 5-speed, 18" factory wheels and H&R Sport springs on the OEM sport package shocks. Fun to drive, responsive but the brakes were a bit too touchy for my liking. Steering was a little more numb than the E30 but it didn't put me off too much. Love the torque of the 3.0L.

The E90 330 (brothers' DD): Parked next to the E30, this is a much larger car - I'd say its on par with the E34 5 series in terms of physical dimensions. Very comfortable inside and roomy backseat (there's decent legroom back there). This is definately a heavier car....you can feel it immediately in the driving dynamics. As a DD or road trip car, it would be perfect.

The E90 335i (a loaner from the dealer when the E90 330 was in for service): My time driving this car was brief, but I still remember it well. Despite being a StepTronic model this thing was real quick. The extra 50 or so ponies and 70 or so torques compared to the E90 330 makes a huge difference. I can only imagine what it would be like with a 6 speed and a software upgrade.

Without question, the newer 3 series cars (namely the E46s and E90s) are larger, more powerful, more refined and fun to drive but they do lack the 'connected' feel of the E30.....but I don't feel that's a totally fair comparison because all my E30s have been modified for improved handling and the newer examples were bone stock (except the E46). If you take a newer 3 series and do similar mods as you have to your E30 - chip, suspension, wheels/tires you would wind up with a very good car.


Jon

[Bimmerista]

My first "newer" car was an 2002 325i. While it was a great car, after 3.5 years of ownership, I couldn't justify continue making the $440 car payments each month. I sold it collecting $10k equity & stuck with an e30 for the last 2 years.

I'm looking at getting a "newer" car again soon...but there isn't anything that really moves me for my ~ $25k budget.

[Jon325i]

I'm looking at getting a "newer" car again soon...but there isn't anything that really moves me for my ~ $25k budget.

For about that money you can get a '04 or '05 330i with ZHP package (best variant of the E46 sedan IMHO) or an early E46 M3. While the latter will be a lot of fun, the cost of maintaining it won't. '06 330i sedans and coupes are starting to depreciate some. Give it another year and there should be plenty to choose from in your specified budget.


Jon

[CAOSyAMOR]

The last 'newer' BMW I owned was a 2002 325i sedan which I had lots of fun with


I also used to sell BMW's for a few years and I must say they have definitely been changing, for the worse overall IMHO. Quality of materials has gone down in recent years and BMW has been having issues with suppliers, basically BMW is demanding more and more for less to keep their profit margins up. They are also watering down the ///M Motorsport division in recent years by offering too many ///M packages on otherwise uninspiring cars such as the X3 etc. BMW still builds great engines, and their cars definitely drive very well but feel more and more disconnected with all the technological 'advances' etc. I also do not like the interiors anymore, ergonomics are down, and it doesn't feel like a cockpit anymore. And dare I say the exterior styling is looking more and more 'japanesey'?!?

I still really like the E46, and agree the ZHP is the best one, aside from the M3. Other than that I wouldn't consider a new BMW at this point.

[kway]

We needed something to replace my wife's WRX wagon. Started out looking at E46s, then realized E90s weren't much more. Long story short, I ended up getting my '06 330i for about the price of a new Accord with some options. Six speed, premium package, sport package. Wish it had cold weather package for the folding rear seats, but oh well. No nav, which I didn't want. It's not CPO, but I'm a tech anyway so I'd rather do my own work.

Love the car. I basically treat it like a five series; if I'm going out to rip up a back road, or even just a quick run to the store, I'll take the E30, but for long trips, or if I'm going to have passengers, the E30 stays home. I remember not being crazy about the E90's looks when it first came out, especially the taillights, but it's grown on me. Mine has the 18" style 162s which look good enough to me that I don't plan on changing them. Needs rear spacers though.

Cell phone pics FTL, these are from the night I brought it home:

[Bimmerista]

For about that money you can get a '04 or '05 330i with ZHP package (best variant of the E46 sedan IMHO) or an early E46 M3. While the latter will be a lot of fun, the cost of maintaining it won't. '06 330i sedans and coupes are starting to depreciate some. Give it another year and there should be plenty to choose from in your specified budget.


Jon

I've considered the ZHP. There is an 03 Silver/Gray ZHP with 55k miles, non-sunroof in my area for $14,900 & a 04 Orient Blue/Gray ZHP with 50k miles for $15,900. Both 6-speed. But I think I'm kinda over the e46 since I've already owned one.

I have my eye on a 2007 328i with 15k miles, ZSP & ZPP for $24,900 & a 2007 335i coupe for $26,500. Both of those are unfortunately auto.

Recently...I've been getting a hankering for a truck. Something like a Chevy Avalanche.

[rwh11385]

Yeah, that's exactly the car I want down the road... with winter package.

[Tricked 323i]

Just wondered how you like them, I stopped in at the dealer yesterday and got more excited about restoring my current cars than buying a new one :???: they just don't feel right :roll: except the 2 seaters, and maby the M3, makes me want to go look at Porsches, e46 was beautifull, but feels huge inside, e90 is nice on the inside, but WTF on the outside Get the design studios back to Germany! :hitler:

I have a number of E30's and last year I sold my pathfinder and bought a 2000 323i touring sport wagon with 5 speed. Although I love the way the E30s drive the touring is a great car. I am doing an alpina tribute so it should be a pretty cool piece when I am done.
Kevin

[rThor432]

I've worked on all of the new cars, other than the X6, and I like them personally. Working on the newer cars is extremely nice compared to the older ones. For example, I can change a water pump in an E46 in 30 minutes and an alternator in 15. An E30 will take twice as long with either job.

But other than the servicability, they dont do much for me compared to my old $1000 eta.

E46 > E36 > E30. I own one of each and i can tell you that they just keep getting better.

Ha I have the opposite opinion of mine.. For me it's E46<E36<E30.

The E46 ['04 325i] is just a heavy boat. It's good for cruising long distances, but I hate how detached you feel from the road (compared to the other two). The E36 ['97 M3/4] is good on gas and quick, but I dont like that it was designed for a mass market and understeers like a pig (from the factory, of course). Mine is a little better with the modified suspension, but you can still feel the weight. The E30 ['87 325es] is the best for a 'driver's car', but of course it lacks the amenities (AC, PS, etc) that make the other two modern cars nice. My 318is is really the best of all of them, because it's an E30 and has the amenities of the new cars. My opinion though.

[kishg]

we have "newer" bmws as our DDs. mine is an 03 540/6 and the wife's is an 05 X5. both still under cpo warranty. i love older bmws but having a dd that is under warranty is nice. you don't have to be stressed about it breaking down and not being able to have basic transportation. the 540 will be out of warranty soon and i'm torn about keeping it or not. if i do get rid of it, we'll probably get a cpo'd 335.

[e30pwr]

I just drove a 2008 M3. Not manual, and it was f...... sex. Like, if you havent driven one, its insane. The power delivery is either on or off. And shifting with the paddle shifters is interesting, its not flappy like you would expect, you have to grab it with a firm authoritative flick.

And the power at which the V8 revs is nasty. I started in first, floored it once I got the car straight, and within like half a sec I had to smack that paddle like it was a hoe trying to run off, then 2nd came and I was in the back seat being pushed down hard, and within the same time it was about right to slap at that paddle again. And I shut it down. With only 3100 miles on the beast and me being the only person besides the owner to drive it I was pumped.

[DarkWing6]

I love my E46 touring. I've been driving quite a few other people's cars recently with details, dog sitting, etc. All of the other cars have been nice and new (Sequoia and a Cooper S). As nice as those two cars are I love the feel, comfort, ride, etc of the E46 much better.

[CBi]

I have a 99 540i/6. Modified w/Ground Control suspension, M5 wheels, Dinan aluminum flywheel, and an M5 steering box. Lots of mods in the future.

I have many fond thoughts of my E30, but I don't miss her. My E30 was prettymuch a track car, so it wasn't much fun on the street. The 540 is an awesome street car, on the other hand. Kick-ass power, comfortable, roomy, and the awesome sound of a V8.

It's definitely an expensive car to keep on the road though.

[kishg]

I have a 99 540i/6. Modified w/Ground Control suspension, M5 wheels, Dinan aluminum flywheel, and an M5 steering box. Lots of mods in the future.

I have many fond thoughts of my E30, but I don't miss her. My E30 was prettymuch a track car, so it wasn't much fun on the street. The 540 is an awesome street car, on the other hand. Kick-ass power, comfortable, roomy, and the awesome sound of a V8.

It's definitely an expensive car to keep on the road though.

interesting that your using a GC kit on an e39. is that the e39 m5 coilover kit? what are your thoughts on it and why did you decide to go GC vs PSS9s or KW?