[dug23]

Greetings ladies and gents. This is my first post in the forum. I have been checking out this site since May when I started researching for a new vehicle. I recently graduated from medical school and have decided that the new 3 series coupe will be my next vehicle. First, let me say that this forum is awesome and you guys/gals have posted a lot of great information that have helped me with my decision making process. Not to mention, the pricing for the new coupe was on here before my dealer knew the prices. Outstanding work!!

Now for my question/discussion. Because I will only have this vehicle to rely on during my residency and because it does snow occasionally 3-6 good snowstorms per year, I have decided on getting the 328xi, space grey with black interior and brushed alum. I believe I will have it decked out with auto transmission, premium pkg, sports pkg (without the performance tires), comfort acess, navigation and logic 7 sound system. I wanted to get the powerful 335i but want to make sure I can reliably get to work and back at all hours of the day.

How do you guys/gals feel about the 328xi? I know there are lots of discussions on here about the 335i, but I haven’t seen much speculation about the all wheel drive coupe. I wished it had more power than the 230 hp and 200 lb/ft torque with 0-60 in 7.0 seconds, but I believe it is worth the price for such a reliable vehicle with all-wheel- drive that can get me around 30 miles per gallon and that has superb class/styling. Are there any other vehicles I should consider before spec’ing out the car once the dealership gets the next allocation?

Again, thanks for all the great information I have received on this site and keep up the good work.

Doug

[E90Fleet]

Think it would be a good car for you

Only other one I could tell you to take a look at ( cant help the competition ) is a Saloon xi

[LEDZEP]

I agree that the 328xi would be a good car for you. Since you don't mention otherwise, I assume you're single and may not have a practical need for the sedan - unless you often drive friends around. As Fleet said, the other logical choice would be the sedan.

[Bimmerista]

+1

The 330xi sedan will run you a little more though I would think.

[Jch330]

if u want power and all wheel drive, get an S4 but it will cost you...

[dug23]

Thanks for the replies so far E90Fleet, LEDZEP and Jch330. I am single and don't have any practical need for a sedan. Comparing the 330xi and the 328xi, the price is roughly the same once I have the car spec'ed out the way I want it. I almost bought the 330xi in the spring; however, after reading about the 335i on this site and from articles from google, I decided to wait on the new coupe. I love the design of the 330 sedan, but I like the stlying of the coupe better.

And thanks for the suggestion about the S4 Jch330. I looked at those and feel it is a very nice vehicle, but I don't like the way the Audis look. I don't know if it is the symbol on the front of the car that makes it look like the official car of the Olympic games or if it is the huge grill that I don't like. But very nice car with 340 horses and 300 lb-ft of torque with AWD.

I believe I will be able to get the 328xi $1000 below MSRP, but I will have to wait until October to find out I guess considering I am getting the Nav system, thus production will occur in September at the earliest.

Doug

[TempleBoyJM]

Originally Posted by dug23

...Are there any other vehicles I should consider before spec’ing out the car once the dealership gets the next allocation?

Hi Doug,

I'm in the same exact boat as you. I can't wait for the 328xi to come out so I can see it in person. I also need AWD for snow with all of the hills/dirt roads around my area, especially if I get called out on a job and it is snowing.

Here's a list of cars with AWD that I have researched so far...

Audi A4 2.0T Quattro - I don't like the body style and I don't think it is powerful enough.
Saab 9-2x - looks like a Subaru Imprezza wagon, which it basically is.
Subaru - Don't care for the styling.
Volvo S60R - nice but dated looks, no xenons...
Volvo S40 T5 AWD - I don't like the look of the front.
Mercedes - I think all of the 4Matic models don't fit what a 20-something should be driving. (Sorry to offend but IMHO the 4Matic models remind me of old people cars. The SUV's are nice tho.)
Acura RL - expensive, again-not a 20-something car.
Infiniti G35x - I think the sedan body is ugly.
Jaguar X-Type - Questionable quality...
Lexus IS250 AWD - Underpowered.
BMW 325xi/330xi - Awesome.
BMW 328xi - Perfect in every way, especially the styling. It would rock if the rear windows went down, like in the convertibles.

I know there are other models in different price points, but these are the vehicles that I have looked at. I am sick of driving SUV's so I will be getting the 328xi (as long as I like the test drive).

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by Jch330

if u want power and all wheel drive...

Waite for the 335xi

[dug23]

Originally Posted by TempleBoyJM

Hi Doug,

I'm in the same exact boat as you. I can't wait for the 328xi to come out so I can see it in person. I also need AWD for snow with all of the hills/dirt roads around my area, especially if I get called out on a job and it is snowing.

Here's a list of cars with AWD that I have researched so far...

Audi A4 2.0T Quattro - I don't like the body style and I don't think it is powerful enough.
Saab 9-2x - looks like a Subaru Imprezza wagon, which it basically is.
Subaru - Don't care for the styling.
Volvo S60R - nice but dated looks, no xenons...
Volvo S40 T5 AWD - I don't like the look of the front.
Mercedes - I think all of the 4Matic models don't fit what a 20-something should be driving. (Sorry to offend but IMHO the 4Matic models remind me of old people cars. The SUV's are nice tho.)
Acura RL - expensive, again-not a 20-something car.
Infiniti G35x - I think the sedan body is ugly.
Jaguar X-Type - Questionable quality...
Lexus IS250 AWD - Underpowered.
BMW 325xi/330xi - Awesome.
BMW 328xi - Perfect in every way, especially the styling. It would rock if the rear windows went down, like in the convertibles.

I know there are other models in different price points, but these are the vehicles that I have looked at. I am sick of driving SUV's so I will be getting the 328xi (as long as I like the test drive).

Glad to hear someone else is in the same boat as me. I agree with your overview of the vehicles that are in the same ballpark. The Mercedes which have AWD really do look like a 40-something to 50-something vehicle (no offense to anyone), and definately not a 20-something vehicle. I too will be trading in my bulky SUV for the new 328xi. I am soooo looking forward to the sporty ride, AWD and excellent gas mileage. Enough of the bulky, 16 mpg SUV I currently have.

It is a shame I will have to wait another month for the car b/c I will be getting the Nav system, especially since the newer version is providing traffic updates to 49 cities and we don't know which cities those will be. Oh well....it will be worth the wait.

The only other issue I have with the BMW vehicles is that Sirius radio is the only option available. I wished XM was an option b/c I seem to like the music on XM much better than Sirius. My parents have a Jeep GC Hemi with the Sirius radio. They love the older music but not me. I know there are some car companies that offer both - e.g. Audi. I guess I will have to get the Pioneer XM player and hope the FM radio frequency transmitter works well.

Thanks again for all of the input thus far.

[Greeney]

Sirus is the best if you like classic rock like I do. If your into Hip Hop or all the new crap, XM is what you want, But it seems you have decided that.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by dug23

hope the FM radio frequency transmitter works well.

They never work well; they work barely ok in non urban areas.

[toolfan]

My FM transmitter works great around Chicago with my sirius satellite radio.
good luck with the new car, it will definately be worth the wait!

[dug23]

Which brand of FM transmitter do you have toolfan? Thanks for the info by the way.

Doug

[BMWDavid]

FYI 328xi:



Model:
0738 - 2007 328xi Cpe

Color:
All Colors

Upholstery:
All Upholstery

Options:
ZCW Cold Weather Package
ZPP Premium Package
ZSP Sport Package
205 STEPTRONIC automatic trans.
322 Comfort Access
4AC Light Poplar Natural wood trim
4AD Brushed Aluminum trim
4AS Gray Poplar wood trim
415 Power rear sunshade
459 Power front seats
494 Heated front seats
507 Park Distance Control (rear)
541 Active Cruise Control
609 Navigation system
639 BMW Assist with Bluetooth
653 High Definition radio
655 Satellite radio
677 Premium hi-fi system
840 Increased top speed limiter

Excluded Options:
No Options