Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
So I'm about to start selling the family friend's BMW, once we get the title from the finance company. It's been a long waiting game.
It is a 2004 BMW 325i with 84k miles. I put 650 miles on it.
I figured I would write a review so that anyone who is considering to buy one of these older ones gets an unbiased review. Here goes the review and what I think about it.
Handling: 9/10
It handles nicely, great steering, although it is pretty stiff steering. Maybe it needs a flush, but I assume if it were any lighter it would be harder to control in turns. The Michelin Pilot Sport tires have great reaction when dry but SUCK in the rain and are very loud on the highway. Have lots of tread.
Suspension: 7/10
Pretty decent, not much body roll. It gets pretty rough over rough roads compared to other cars such as my Camry or the VW. It has the sport suspension package so I do expect some stiffness but as a luxury car I expected it to be softer.
Seats and Comfort: 8.5/10
The seats contour to the body very well, and seating position (although quite low) is great. My only complaint is no adjustment for lumbar. There really isn't any room in the back seat though unless you're short.
Stereo: 6.5/10
Was not impressed at all with the stereo. There's too much sound coming from the rear speakers, yes I know the fade is adjustable but I usually keep it centered. Also it had almost no low bass. This particular car does not have the premium stereo, just the regular one.
Rain sensitive wipers: 10/10
Performed flawlessly, they were just right when driving in heavy rain.
Fuel Economy: 7/10
I used the onboard MPG to monitor fuel economy so there was probably some error. I averaged 21.5 mpg driving the car with the occasional spirited driving but almost all of it was 65 mph with the cruise control set. Pretty sad for a car rated for nearly 30 mpg highway but I guess it is a 6 cylinder.
Acceleration: 6/10
Wow, I was really let down with this car's acceleration. I understand this one has the smaller engine but it is gutless at low RPMs, like it won't get out of its own way or from a dead stop. It was also pretty unresponsive unless I put it in "Sport" instead of Drive, Sport was when it woke up a little. It makes ALL of its power at high RPMs although it is quite happy while at 6,000 RPMs. I did a 0-60 in "Sport" twice using a stopwatch and it was a little over 10 seconds. Yawn. Also the engine was too quiet, not enough "roar". It can't break the tires loose at all or really even chirp them. Even the Beetle can squeal it's tires easily. Heck, the Beetle with the traction control off and the parking brake pulled it will roast the tires.
Overall View: 6.5/10
Yawn-O-Rama. I thought it would be nice to drive the BMW in the meantime while I had it. Was not very impressed and I feel sorry for the person who spent $50k on this car when new. If you're in the market for a BMW it may be worth it to buy it used, why buy new for ridiculous money for not that much car? Although yes this one is older. I thought it was nice and cool to drive for a couple days but all of that wore off, and I didn't care for the car much at all. During the 650 miles I've driven it the oil pressure light comes on and off (probably the wrong oil) and the airbag light comes off and on a lot. The mirrors are also temperamental. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes the passenger mirror lowers when you put it in reverse, sometimes it doesn't. Also you really do have to use 91 octane in it. It stumbles on 87 octane.
These are all just my opinions, so please don't take it too hard if I hurt your feelings if my experience has been different than yours.
It is a 2004 BMW 325i with 84k miles. I put 650 miles on it.
I figured I would write a review so that anyone who is considering to buy one of these older ones gets an unbiased review. Here goes the review and what I think about it.
Handling: 9/10
It handles nicely, great steering, although it is pretty stiff steering. Maybe it needs a flush, but I assume if it were any lighter it would be harder to control in turns. The Michelin Pilot Sport tires have great reaction when dry but SUCK in the rain and are very loud on the highway. Have lots of tread.
Suspension: 7/10
Pretty decent, not much body roll. It gets pretty rough over rough roads compared to other cars such as my Camry or the VW. It has the sport suspension package so I do expect some stiffness but as a luxury car I expected it to be softer.
Seats and Comfort: 8.5/10
The seats contour to the body very well, and seating position (although quite low) is great. My only complaint is no adjustment for lumbar. There really isn't any room in the back seat though unless you're short.
Stereo: 6.5/10
Was not impressed at all with the stereo. There's too much sound coming from the rear speakers, yes I know the fade is adjustable but I usually keep it centered. Also it had almost no low bass. This particular car does not have the premium stereo, just the regular one.
Rain sensitive wipers: 10/10
Performed flawlessly, they were just right when driving in heavy rain.
Fuel Economy: 7/10
I used the onboard MPG to monitor fuel economy so there was probably some error. I averaged 21.5 mpg driving the car with the occasional spirited driving but almost all of it was 65 mph with the cruise control set. Pretty sad for a car rated for nearly 30 mpg highway but I guess it is a 6 cylinder.
Acceleration: 6/10
Wow, I was really let down with this car's acceleration. I understand this one has the smaller engine but it is gutless at low RPMs, like it won't get out of its own way or from a dead stop. It was also pretty unresponsive unless I put it in "Sport" instead of Drive, Sport was when it woke up a little. It makes ALL of its power at high RPMs although it is quite happy while at 6,000 RPMs. I did a 0-60 in "Sport" twice using a stopwatch and it was a little over 10 seconds. Yawn. Also the engine was too quiet, not enough "roar". It can't break the tires loose at all or really even chirp them. Even the Beetle can squeal it's tires easily. Heck, the Beetle with the traction control off and the parking brake pulled it will roast the tires.
Overall View: 6.5/10
Yawn-O-Rama. I thought it would be nice to drive the BMW in the meantime while I had it. Was not very impressed and I feel sorry for the person who spent $50k on this car when new. If you're in the market for a BMW it may be worth it to buy it used, why buy new for ridiculous money for not that much car? Although yes this one is older. I thought it was nice and cool to drive for a couple days but all of that wore off, and I didn't care for the car much at all. During the 650 miles I've driven it the oil pressure light comes on and off (probably the wrong oil) and the airbag light comes off and on a lot. The mirrors are also temperamental. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes the passenger mirror lowers when you put it in reverse, sometimes it doesn't. Also you really do have to use 91 octane in it. It stumbles on 87 octane.
These are all just my opinions, so please don't take it too hard if I hurt your feelings if my experience has been different than yours.