DARKMAZ8

I'm thinking of trading in the 8 for something different. Anyone have any experience with the 330CI 2001-2003?

Thanks

dupa12345

def nice .. though i wouldnt do that .. just cant give up a new car .. for an older out of warranty expensive to maintain car

btw there is german comparison video of the two somewhere on the forum .. you may wanna search for it

limepro

get the bmw 330 if you want a honda that costs twice as much, my wife goes through many cars she had decided on a mercedes 230 komp 4 door as 1 of them that lasted about 6 months because although nice it was a 40k civic got rid of it in a hurry she hated it.

edit: we test drove the bmw330 a few times she passed on it because it was too plain on the inside and boring

DARKMAZ8

I don't know about mercedes. I've heard that their quality has declined some. I've read nothing but good things about the 330ci. A 2003 is not out of warrenty yet and it shouldn't depreciate as much as the 8 has/will.

limepro

this was all in 04 looking at the new 04 cars we settled on the 04 c230 after driving them all what a mistake we bought it for 45k out the door 6 months later traded it in got 22k$ with 10k miles on it

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Can't you get a "Certified" used BMW and get the warranty extended out a bit.

juanjux

Precisaly yesterday night I went with a good friend that has a 330Ci (he also have an RX-8) to try a route for doing it this sunday with more car-loving friends and him being a much better and more experienced "sport-style" driver than me, could barely kept up with me in my RX-8 (I had to release the pedal on more ocasions that I would have liked). Of course it was on some twisty roads:

http://tinyurl.com/joo5d

I found this very significative because has he been in his RX-8 he would have been taking a cofee at the end of the road by the time I would have arrived.

Later, returning home in the highway it was me who had to sweat to follow him (this was al 02:00AM so there were almost no traffic.)

His 330ci interior is very very nice, but he has lots of extras ($$$) like some "especial leather" option which has everything (doors, etc) in a very high quality leather.

BlueEyes

Yes, he could get a certified pre-owed (CPO) 3 series with an extra 2 year, 80,000km warranty. Might I suggest a CPO M3. As you can tell I have suggested this a lot on this forum, because I think it's a damn fine deal

limepro

the m3 and the 330 are 2 totally different beasts i would recommend an m3 but a 330 i wouldnt you could pay a lower price for a brand new honda opposed to an 03 bwm and get nearly identical cars. actually i believe with the new changes of the 06 honda civic they are superior to the 03 330. BMW's excell in their M class and 500 series and above their 3 series you are only paying for the name

edit: and no im not a honda person i have never and will never own a honda

Xantium

No comparison between a FWD honda and a RWD bimmer but I won't argue... I think that the 06 civic si has pretty good performance for what you pay for. Even has front LSD (something the new gti or mini cooper s don't have).

phroztbyt3

umm... hate 2 break it 2 u.. but bimmer is definitely FWD... my mom had 2 of them... 2002.. and 2004.

Ike

Are you and Limepro related?

SlowLude

I should send this quote to bimmerforums.com and let you get PJOWN3DD!

VikingDJ

That had to really hurt badly. Live and learn I suppose. I'm feeling mighty good about my 04 STi trade in now. 2 years 28k miles, 31k out the door, 23k on trade in. Nothing but oil changes, and only 8 grand total spent including tax and tags for two years ownership, and a boatload of fun. So worth the 8 grand for me with he time I got with that car. I feel like I got a steal start to finish.

SlowLude

Click me

VikingDJ

Save yourself and run and hide now, before total embarassment takes place, and Ike adds it to his stupid quote list.

Feras

iTrader: (1)

the only time BMW has the front wheels powered is when they are AWD, you sir are completely mistaken there are no FWD BMWs.

BlueEyes

Just like your Rx8 then.

DARKMAZ8

Ok,,, so an m3 would be better then the 330ci. I agree but I'd have to pony up an extra 10g minimum. So, I'd have to get a 2001 or 02 M3. I've heard that they're some reliability issues with the earlier m3's.

BlueEyes

Not really. Early M3's, up to about 2002.5, had some issues with rod bearings. But, BMW offered a recall, and with it a 6yr 100,000 mile (not sure about km) engine warranty for these cars. As long as all the recall work has been done there shouldn't be a problem. The CPO warranty on a 2001 or early 2002 will be nearly up though. I'd look for an 03 for about $50-55k.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

FAIL

9291150

My bud bought his 3 the same month I bought my 8, both loaded silvers with black leather. I hear my share of "think you can make it there before the next fill up" jokes while I call him the brand slave that he is, all in good fun. But I do envy the quality of service he gets compared to me and Mazda...his cappuccino at service visits while I get stale coffee with powdered milk!

Bottom line, especially considering he spent much more than I did, I'd easily take the 8, it is simply way more engaging to drive. He considered the 8, but obviously preferred the 3, particularly the extra "luxury" like rear power vents, sunroof that open inside the roof, memory seat settings and different heat settings, harmon kardon over bose, auto climate, mirrors than turn downwards while reversing... Actually, I do prefer his "sport" seats over mine, they fit perfect.

The M3 is obviously at another level over a regular 3, but is it worth the extra dough? Not with my coin. And while buying used over new works for many, it never does with me.

playdoh43

I think M3's worth the extra dough to some extent... considering the 08 E90 M3 starts at 55k, its not really terribly expensive compared to its competitors in the luxury performance class amongst the CTS-Vs, and what not... paying 10k more vs a c6 corvette dosnt sound that bad when youre getting bmw build quality, service and luxury + backseats.

limepro

what im saying is the quality is around the same but the price tag theres a big difference if all hes looking for is quality i would pick up the new 06 civic. if hes looking to pay more for just a name then get a 03-04 330

StewyRX8

Another VS. Thread...