Test-drove 2 BMWs . . .

[Benzadmiral]

I was out in the 'burbs today, so I stopped at the local BMW dealer for fun. Both cars impressed me, though both had the orange instrument lighting I hate.

First: 2007 525i, silver/gray. Pros: nice price (
Second: A CPO '09 328i, bronze/cream, not the sport model. Pros: color combo, warranty (original factory warranty and $0 maintenance until next August, CPO warranty until 2014, I think), and 2.9% interest, the salesman said. I had to get used to the gas pedal, but once I did it would take off. It rode on bad streets much better than I thought a 3-series would, neatly damping the thumps. Snugger interior than the 5, but not tight. Cons: heavy steering, especially at low speed -- I'd hate to parallel park it very often; higher asking price (~$26K). Salesman said the sport models had lighter steering, but then you have to deal with lower-profile tires, which to me would ruin the ride.

Even without checking about my insurance, even though it's *very* different from the Buick, I am rather tempted by the 3. Any of you drive these or similar models? Is it possible to change my own oil with a vacuum extractor? Serious maintenance or mechanical issues with these chassis? Real-world gas mileage?

 

[Quattro Pete]

I believe it's the N52 engine in both these cars. If so, it has no dipstick, so you would not be able to change the oil using an extractor unfortunately.

 

[97tbird]

^^ what Pete said.

 

[djb]

You'll quickly get used to the orange lighting, and come to prefer it for darker nighttime driving.

Silver is the typical BMW color. Black and white are also common. Bronze (bronzit) and green (oxford green) are reviled by enthusiasts, likely because those colors were prone to ugly clearcoat failure on older models while most other BMW paints have good longevity.

BMW steering systems are excellent, with relatively few problems. They are designed to have good power assist at low speeds, and almost none at highway speeds. If that's not the case, something is not working. The reduction in assist is done with either a engine speed sensitive pump, or an electrical pressure bypass controlled by the road speed in recent models.

There was a problem with specific power steering pumps a few years ago. They would break the pump shaft internally, resulting in no power assist. Replacement pumps are expensive at around $500, or you can get a different pump model for $200 and spend $300 on matching hoses. Otherwise BMW steering systems are excellent

 

[chefwong]

FWIW, if non CPO and you are not okay with parts, part pricing may not be for the faint of heart. Just replace a LCM in one of mine. $400+ for the module alone....not including the programming..

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: djb
You'll quickly get used to the orange lighting, and come to prefer it for darker nighttime driving. . . .

Bronze (bronzit) and green (oxford green) are reviled by enthusiasts, likely because those colors were prone to ugly clearcoat failure on older models while most other BMW paints have good longevity.

BMW steering systems are excellent, with relatively few problems. They are designed to have good power assist at low speeds, and almost none at highway speeds. If that's not the case, something is not working. . . .

Are those colors still prone to clearcoat failure? This '09 looks almost new. I'm fine with white and black, but the silver bores me.

The steering -- I don't think anything was wrong, exactly, just that it was much heavier than I'm used to in the Buick. I know Euro car steering is usually heavy. On a visit here while I was living in Denver, I rented a Buick LeSabre. When I got back into my Mercedes W126, for a few seconds I thought something was wrong with my car! The wheel and steering response on the 328i was smooth, not jerky or anything, and it lightened up considerably on the highway, which I understood was as it should be.

 

[chefwong]

Not familiar with the 3......but SOME, not all models have the power assist where at lower speeds, it may feel more *looser* and during freeway speeds, typical tight steering

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: chefwong
Not familiar with the 3......but SOME, not all models have the power assist where at lower speeds, it may feel more *looser* and during freeway speeds, typical tight steering

That's odd, as this car seemed to be the reverse: heavy at low speeds, light (as in not much wheel movement required) at highway speeds. Well, if I decide to go for it, I'll make sure they check into that.

The ride quality is what concerns me the most. The roads here -- and I'm flattering them by calling them "roads" -- are awful, bumpy and cracked, which includes the Interstate. Both cars seemed to handle such surfaces well, though I wouldn't be able to tell for sure unless I drive on my regular commute streets.

There was one fun moment. I was heading back to the dealership on the Interstate, just about to pass an exit, when the salesman said, "You can get off here." I went for it. It was a relatively sharp turn, but the 3 Series seemed to be glued to the road, and the brakes were very quick and effective as I slowed and swept around the curved exit lane. In a word: Wow.

 

[OVERKILL]

If you like the 3'er, go for it. It has warranty, there's not reason NOT to consider it if you can afford it

 

[mrsilv04]

Best friend in St. Louis drives a 2010 328i stick.

I think he has the only one in all of St. Louis county. Actually, what he does, is he buys the BMW dealer's 3-series stick demo when it comes up for sale.

Last one had been in the demo fleet for 2 years and still only had 7,000 miles on it.

There's nothing else on the planet that he'd rather drive.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I believe it's the N52 engine in both these cars. If so, it has no dipstick, so you would not be able to change the oil using an extractor unfortunately.



Im able to pull oil samples by carefully running a tube down through the filler hole and between the gears in there.

So it is possible. No idea how well it clears the pan though.

 

[bustednutz]

BMW's are like the devil. They come off in the beginning as charming and beautiful. She will bat her eyes at you and make you feel like you're the only man in the room. So you take her home......things are wonderful for awhile. Then it strikes back at you out of nowhere. It frustrates you, gets you P.O'd, won't do what she once used to. Not without you draining your wallet.
But in the beginning...........oh how sweet it was.

 

[cchase]

Your experience with the steering on 3-series perfectly matches my experience with several E90 3-series. Almost like the steering shaft passes through epoxy at low speeds.

 

[Mr Nice]

The 3 series is a much nicer looking car.

Are you kicking tires at the dealership or seriously considering buying a BMW ?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: bustednutz
They come off in the beginning as charming and beautiful. She will bat her eyes at you and make you feel like you're the only man in the room. So you take her home......things are wonderful for awhile. Then it strikes back at you out of nowhere. It frustrates you, gets you P.O'd, won't do what she once used to. Not without you draining your wallet.

Well, at least you don't have to leave it half your wealth when you divorce it.

 

[bustednutz]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: bustednutz
They come off in the beginning as charming and beautiful. She will bat her eyes at you and make you feel like you're the only man in the room. So you take her home......things are wonderful for awhile. Then it strikes back at you out of nowhere. It frustrates you, gets you P.O'd, won't do what she once used to. Not without you draining your wallet.

Well, at least you don't have to leave it half your wealth when you divorce it.

True, but in reality it probably drained you of half already.......

 

[Quattro Pete]

LOL! True.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
The 3 series is a much nicer looking car.

Are you kicking tires at the dealership or seriously considering buying a BMW ?

I'm a lot closer to serious than I'd like to think!

From everything you guys have said about maintenance costs, I'm glad this 328i is a CPO, low-mileage example. Which forum on the 'Net has the best info about these cars? I see clubbimmer, roadfly, bimmerpost (which has a separate E90 forum for this chassis), etc. Which one is, shall we say, the most BITOG-like?

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: bustednutz
BMW's are like the devil. They come off in the beginning as charming and beautiful. She will bat her eyes at you and make you feel like you're the only man in the room. So you take her home......things are wonderful for awhile. Then it strikes back at you out of nowhere. It frustrates you, gets you P.O'd, won't do what she once used to. Not without you draining your wallet.
But in the beginning...........oh how sweet it was.

Hmf. In that case I should look for one with reddish-copper paint and blue headlights.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
The 3 series is a much nicer looking car.

Are you kicking tires at the dealership or seriously considering buying a BMW ?

I'm a lot closer to serious than I'd like to think!

From everything you guys have said about maintenance costs, I'm glad this 328i is a CPO, low-mileage example. Which forum on the 'Net has the best info about these cars? I see clubbimmer, roadfly, bimmerpost (which has a separate E90 forum for this chassis), etc. Which one is, shall we say, the most BITOG-like?


I'm on a couple of them (m5board, maxbimmer) but none of them I've seen are quite like BITOG.