I am ready for the next step ... :)

underDAWG · 10-16-2005, 10:31 PM

Well..... after lurking around and read as much I could, I am ready to move to the next step to becoming an owner of E90. Thinking of taking a test drive in a week or so, am haing a few questions for those before me.

1. How long a test drive did you have before making up your mind?
2. I am aiming for a 330 but having hard time deciding between 330i and 330Xi. Please share your thought. TIA.

uD

deutschmann59 · 10-16-2005, 10:52 PM

1. I didn't take a test drive

2. Will you use the car as an everyday commuter? If yes and you drive in snow, you might be better off with the x, but I've heard with a good set of snow tires, the RWD probably handles well. Of course, an extra set of snow tires is undesirable to some...it's all about what YOU want.

This was my thinking though, we get a lot of snow here where I live, but on the average snowstorm, usually the roads are just wet a few hours after the snow has stopped falling. That's not the case everytime, but most of the time.

Good luck!

poldim · 10-16-2005, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underDAWG

1. How long a test drive did you have before making up your mind?

I took 4.
2 at my first dealership. 330, Auto, and a 325, Manual with Sports
1 at the second dealership. 330, Auto, Sports, Premium
1 at the dealership I ordered from. 330, Manual, Sports

I probably spent a few hours looking over the car, other than the test drives, before I finally decided to order.

Quote:

Originally Posted by underDAWG

2. I am aiming for a 330 but having hard time deciding between 330i and 330Xi.

I was in the same situation.
I came to the decision to get the 330i.
Why? Because as great as AWD is, the BMW is a RWD drivers car. It comes down to if you know how to drive stick to be able to use it in the winter and the tires you have. I am putting on winter tires as soon as the signs of the first snow flake show up.
It all depends on where you live, how often you encounter bad weather, and whether or not you want the pure RWD aspect of the Bimmer.

CALIF65GM · 10-16-2005, 11:58 PM

2 test drives total of about 45 minutes combined. 330 w/o SP then a 330 with SP.

David328M-Sport · 10-17-2005, 12:49 AM

1. No test drive. Deposit paid in Feb 05, collected the car at end of July. Sensational! But I would not expect any less from BMW.
It really takes more time than any test drive to fully appreciate the car and its potential. You have to drive it for some time, allow the engine to run in and you literally "bond" with the car. Then take it up and down the mountains and over curvy country roads to fully appreciate this magnificent vehicle.

2. Cannot help you as the xi does not come into Australia as we really don't need it.

All the best with whatever e90 you settle for.

Broken1 · 10-17-2005, 02:03 AM

I ordered my car first, then test drove a million (about 10) others while I was waiting for it to come...I just couldn't get enoug...I still can't!

As for the Xi, we also don't get them here.

DozyDriver · 10-17-2005, 07:46 AM

Q1 - no test drive. I paid the deposit in May, prior to the Australian release, and picked up in July. My first BMW and the only one I've ever driven. It's all a matter of trust (I trust BMW) and reading the reviews. Very happy so far.

Q2 - sorry I can't help you on this one.

mds82 · 10-17-2005, 08:08 AM

i bought a 325xi because i live in new england and we get a lot of snow sometimes. also i have a lot of hills between my house and work, and i would never get there if not. I guess it all depends how much you plan on driving and where you live. It is, without a doubt though, one AWESOME car...

underDAWG · 10-17-2005, 08:58 AM

I think I am pretty much in line with everyone's feedback. I don't really need a test drive to make the decision, since I don't have any other cars to consider. When it comes to the sport sedans, I am a diehard BMW nutz.

. However, I will take a 330i for a spin after I place the order.

My wanting to have a Xi is not for winter driving, since I have a few 4WD vehicles to use in the winter. My question is will the Xi offer better handling characteristics in dry and wet pavement when one pushes the car to its limit???

To my understanding, the X drive is not just like another 4WD vehicle that the manufacture merely puts a transfer case in, and they call it a 4WD. The BMW 4WD drive system has the traction control and instant power transfer to any wheels in a matter of micro second is impressive. I wonder if this attribute will enhance the day to day driving pleasure. The other reasons I consider are:

1. Not too expensive option
2. From the EPA figure, it is only 1 MPG difference.

Any other thoughts? TIA.

BMRAMA · 10-17-2005, 10:59 AM

I drove two 325i and one 330i; all told, about 40-50 minutes.

Originally I drove a 325i, no sport package. I liked it well enough, but the steering wheel wasn't right. Next it was a 330i, with sport. That was much better, and it had a great sound. Lastly I drove a 325i again, but with sport.

I was really happy with the last one. I had a lot of trouble telling the difference between a 330i and 325i in acceleration (I could hear a difference though).

If there's a road within 5 or 7 miles of the dealership, and you want to drive it, tell the CA that. I have found that if you ask, you get.

10-16-2005, 10:31 PM	#1
underDAWG Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 278 Posts Drives: E30 on Stands Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: First State iTrader: (0)	I am ready for the next step ... :) Well..... after lurking around and read as much I could, I am ready to move to the next step to becoming an owner of E90. Thinking of taking a test drive in a week or so, am haing a few questions for those before me. 1. How long a test drive did you have before making up your mind? 2. I am aiming for a 330 but having hard time deciding between 330i and 330Xi. Please share your thought. TIA. uD
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10-16-2005, 10:52 PM	#2
deutschmann59 Captain 174 Rep 737 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: e90post.com iTrader: (0)	1. I didn't take a test drive 2. Will you use the car as an everyday commuter? If yes and you drive in snow, you might be better off with the x, but I've heard with a good set of snow tires, the RWD probably handles well. Of course, an extra set of snow tires is undesirable to some...it's all about what YOU want. This was my thinking though, we get a lot of snow here where I live, but on the average snowstorm, usually the roads are just wet a few hours after the snow has stopped falling. That's not the case everytime, but most of the time. Good luck!
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10-16-2005, 11:58 PM	#4
CALIF65GM Colonel 97 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: e93-35 May08 ED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 - Oct. 05 build ... [0.00]	2 test drives total of about 45 minutes combined. 330 w/o SP then a 330 with SP. __________________ 5-2-08 e93-35 ED Montego w/Jade Grey, Step w/Paddles, PP, SP, CA, hot seats and iPod.Awaing re-delivery soon. Debadged 330xi ED 11/14/05 Auto/Mystic Blue/Gray leather with Alum/PP/SP/CA/Fold-down rear seats/Alarm. Sold to Carmax on 6/7/08 with 50,624 miles on clock
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10-17-2005, 12:49 AM	#5
David328M-Sport Brigadier General 101 Rep 3,566 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	1. No test drive. Deposit paid in Feb 05, collected the car at end of July. Sensational! But I would not expect any less from BMW. It really takes more time than any test drive to fully appreciate the car and its potential. You have to drive it for some time, allow the engine to run in and you literally "bond" with the car. Then take it up and down the mountains and over curvy country roads to fully appreciate this magnificent vehicle. 2. Cannot help you as the xi does not come into Australia as we really don't need it. All the best with whatever e90 you settle for. __________________ 328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
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10-17-2005, 02:03 AM	#6
Broken1 Addict 203 Rep 2,074 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 40i M-Sport Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	I ordered my car first, then test drove a million (about 10) others while I was waiting for it to come...I just couldn't get enoug...I still can't! As for the Xi, we also don't get them here.
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10-17-2005, 07:46 AM	#7
DozyDriver Enlisted Member 1 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 320i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Q1 - no test drive. I paid the deposit in May, prior to the Australian release, and picked up in July. My first BMW and the only one I've ever driven. It's all a matter of trust (I trust BMW) and reading the reviews. Very happy so far. Q2 - sorry I can't help you on this one.
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10-17-2005, 08:08 AM	#8
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	i bought a 325xi because i live in new england and we get a lot of snow sometimes. also i have a lot of hills between my house and work, and i would never get there if not. I guess it all depends how much you plan on driving and where you live. It is, without a doubt though, one AWESOME car...
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10-17-2005, 08:58 AM	#9
underDAWG Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 278 Posts Drives: E30 on Stands Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: First State iTrader: (0)	I think I am pretty much in line with everyone's feedback. I don't really need a test drive to make the decision, since I don't have any other cars to consider. When it comes to the sport sedans, I am a diehard BMW nutz. . However, I will take a 330i for a spin after I place the order. My wanting to have a Xi is not for winter driving, since I have a few 4WD vehicles to use in the winter. My question is will the Xi offer better handling characteristics in dry and wet pavement when one pushes the car to its limit??? To my understanding, the X drive is not just like another 4WD vehicle that the manufacture merely puts a transfer case in, and they call it a 4WD. The BMW 4WD drive system has the traction control and instant power transfer to any wheels in a matter of micro second is impressive. I wonder if this attribute will enhance the day to day driving pleasure. The other reasons I consider are: 1. Not too expensive option 2. From the EPA figure, it is only 1 MPG difference. Any other thoughts? TIA.
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10-17-2005, 10:59 AM	#10
BMRAMA Private 2 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Debadged e90 [0.00]	I drove two 325i and one 330i; all told, about 40-50 minutes. Originally I drove a 325i, no sport package. I liked it well enough, but the steering wheel wasn't right. Next it was a 330i, with sport. That was much better, and it had a great sound. Lastly I drove a 325i again, but with sport. I was really happy with the last one. I had a lot of trouble telling the difference between a 330i and 325i in acceleration (I could hear a difference though). If there's a road within 5 or 7 miles of the dealership, and you want to drive it, tell the CA that. I have found that if you ask, you get.
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