As some might know, I was involved in a hit and run accident a few days ago. My '17 Mustang is totaled, which made me very sad, but I have to move on.
Looking at slightly used sports sedans. Have to admit I like a certain minimum of horsepower for passing, merging, fun (the quickness of my Mustang may have saved me a trip to the hospital or morgue, but that's another story on a previous thread).
I've always liked BMW; had a 325i back in the day. I'm looking at 330i which I think, like predecessors, is a nice combination of sports and family. And it gets better gas mileage and easier to park in tighter spots than the 5 series.
Appreciate any thoughts.
I was just going to add that I have the 235 (2016) and it's a blast to drive and good gas mileage too.
I had 2 Audi S4s which are similar to the 330s but I needed all wheel drive. Back then they didn't make the M3 with awd.
No, but thanks for asking section125. I was very tempted to go hang out in the parking lot the other morning, but the police officer clearly implied in email that they didn't want that. In retrospect, I wish I ignored his comment.
Not that I was going to go outlaw Josey Wales on him or anything like that, but I would like a legit investigation and to get that mofo off the road maybe, at least for a little while.
The 28 (and 30) are the aluminum 6-cylinder and the weight distribution is 50-50, it's very light over the front wheels. There's Rack & Pinion steering which makes the handling superior to the V-8 models. Around town, with the AC on, mine gets 22 mpg on mid-grade gas, and gets well over 32 mpg on the Interstate.
The 6-cylinder is engineered to go the first 100K miles with zero issues. But beware if you're looking at any unit with over 100K miles -- there are several major service items that will need attention. Ask the previous owner for all his service records. If he can't produce any, walk away.
This 528 best car I've ever owned....and I had a Lexus and an Acura before this one.
- Overall quality build and feels like the right mix of luxury and sport
- Good tech without going the "Slap an iPad in the middle of the dash!" approach of design that everyone is moving to sadly
- Ideal size with adequate space without being a land barge
- Unsure of 330 experience, but Sports mode does liven the car up and make it fun to throw into corners
- Not 330 relevant, but a turbo inline 6 is good to throw you back in your seat while still feeling like a "real" car
Cons:
- Steering is slightly disconnected, but that is every car now. Its not the enthusiast car it was in the 90s, but still good though when compares against the market-at-large.
- If you want the 3 series you remember, its now a 2 series and they took away two doors
- Audi looks cooler externally (opinion), MB finishes their interiors better (fact) - but BMW drives much better than both.
- Run Flats will be the bane of your existence - especially low profile run flats (that will set you back a new tire if you look at a pothole in weather under 20 degrees). No spare and I believe anything below the true M is wearing Run Flats.
- Some features are just flat out unavailable (or where recently). For instance, you cannot get a HUD - parts were sourced via Ukraine and just not out there now. I got lucky and got in before the great car scarcity, but its hit/miss in some things.
Wouldn't buy any other brand.
In comment 15848841 give66 said:
I had 2 Audi S4s which are similar to the 330s but I needed all wheel drive. Back then they didn't make the M3 with awd.
I would love to drive a stick again, but that's no can do for the wife. Funny thing is I tried to teach her, while dating many moons ago, how to drive my 325i which was a 5 speed stick. It was a very bad trip down US1 in Ft. Lauderdale.
Funny how that works! Same with us. Wife (future wife at the time) never wanted to try again and I never tried to change her mind!
- Overall quality build and feels like the right mix of luxury and sport
- Good tech without going the "Slap an iPad in the middle of the dash!" approach of design that everyone is moving to sadly
- Ideal size with adequate space without being a land barge
- Unsure of 330 experience, but Sports mode does liven the car up and make it fun to throw into corners
- Not 330 relevant, but a turbo inline 6 is good to throw you back in your seat while still feeling like a "real" car
Cons:
- Steering is slightly disconnected, but that is every car now. Its not the enthusiast car it was in the 90s, but still good though when compares against the market-at-large.
- If you want the 3 series you remember, its now a 2 series and they took away two doors
- Audi looks cooler externally (opinion), MB finishes their interiors better (fact) - but BMW drives much better than both.
Thanks for the info UAGiant. Was also considering Audi and MB. I've always personally liked the look of BMW. Like that you think BMW drives better.
I'm not saying I doubt you. I was looking at slightly used anyone and know newer isn't always necessarily better.
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i tried to teach my wife once too on an accord, which was pretty easy to drive. for her it was pretty easy to almost drive into a garage. i never tried again.
Funny how that works! Same with us. Wife (future wife at the time) never wanted to try again and I never tried to change her mind!
I taught my daughter and her BF how to drive a stick in my Vette. Enough torque that it was hard to stall. Of course the clutch was so heavy it was hard to depress. But they both picked it up in 5 minutes.
My wife came already manual trans capable.
Or track
Until I got my Tesla Model 3... which will give you more "passing, merging, fun".. haha
If you have a garage to charge at home and drive less than 200 miles a day, it might be worth considering
Love beemers.
and the repairs these days are the same for most cars.
Until I got my Tesla Model 3... which will give you more "passing, merging, fun".. haha
If you have a garage to charge at home and drive less than 200 miles a day, it might be worth considering
Teslas are great cars, so not going down the ICE vs. Electric path, but....
Their build quality is not up to par with BMW/Audi/MB/Acura/etc - my wife's Model 3 has body gaps that would make the plastic Saturns of 1993 laugh. The paint is awful - inconsistent on panels and almost to the point of not being there on some. The interior is...fine? Its just there with my hated iPad that controls everything.
It is a drag racer, but it is a dog in corners. Its too heavy to throw around and while it can go unnatural fast in a straight line, its a chore in any enthusiasts setting. Its a fast sedan, not a sports car.
I know they are priced the same, but with both cars sitting in my garage - they are not the same segment.
Quote:
was my favorite car...
Until I got my Tesla Model 3... which will give you more "passing, merging, fun".. haha
If you have a garage to charge at home and drive less than 200 miles a day, it might be worth considering
Teslas are great cars, so not going down the ICE vs. Electric path, but....
Their build quality is not up to par with BMW/Audi/MB/Acura/etc - my wife's Model 3 has body gaps that would make the plastic Saturns of 1993 laugh. The paint is awful - inconsistent on panels and almost to the point of not being there on some. The interior is...fine? Its just there with my hated iPad that controls everything.
It is a drag racer, but it is a dog in corners. Its too heavy to throw around and while it can go unnatural fast in a straight line, its a chore in any enthusiasts setting. Its a fast sedan, not a sports car.
I know they are priced the same, but with both cars sitting in my garage - they are not the same segment.
I hear you... I agree on the build quality. Good point. BMW kinda has to be superior since their model is CPO driven
I don't quite feel like its a dog in corners.. but not a point to argue..
And the interior is definitely a personal preference issue.. BMW is definitely catching up and finally cleaning up the clutter a bit, modernizing the interior (mine was a 2016 and it was so so outdated inside)... but I prefer the minimalist style of the Model 3
I assume you meant to say "plastic engine parts do NOT last long with heat"?
I watched a couple youtube vids by some guy who mentioned this problem, but in 1 of the vids he said the engine in the 40 series (540, 340, etc.) is different and doesn't have this issue, at least with the engine.
Any thoughts on that or suggestions for a nice looking sports sedan with around 250+ HP?