The BMW Question?

PMKeates · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:24

saitrix said:
Just thought, any reason for the 330Ci over the 330i other than looks? If it is just looks I'll test drive the 330i as don't they go for cheaper?

The 330Ci is a bit shorter, but that's about where the major differences end. I'm not sure if the vertical weight distribution is much different, and the saloon has a very big strut brace

merlin · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:25

Ci possibly a little lighter and possibly a little stiffer, but bugger all in it really.

PMKeates · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:26

merlin said:
Ci possibly a little lighter and possibly a little stiffer, but bugger all in it really.

Yeah, there's certainly a possibility of the Ci being lighter (Although BMW have never said that), but if anything the saloon is stiffer - although I think any differences between the two are negligable, so saitrix, a saloon will be the easier choice.

mrk · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:31

housemaster said:
I wonder how many people who now find themselves in a BMW once upon a time espoused the "BMW's are all rubbish, everyone has them, I'd never buy one, common as muck, not as good as everyone says, my mate had one it always broke down, I drove one and it was rubbish" mantra. This is a general point and not aimed at anyone in particular but I think it is quite an interesting topic of discussion if anyone is honest enough to admit to becoming one of the BMW Borg. As a longtime member of many motoring forums it is quite interesting to see how attitudes in many people change with circumstances.

Discuss!

Me! and look! today I put the deposit down on one

V reg 318i SE
62k
fsh
1old owner from new (2000)
12months parts n labour
12 months tax
new mot
new full service
dual zone climate, traction & the usual extras

Can't wait til it is in my grips next week!

It was the test drive that sold me, sure it may not have as many horses as a 323 or something but it can still cope well and feels very nice especially for my first BMW!

Housey · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:34

Praise the lord, we have the first convert

tonyyeb · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:35

mrk said:
Me! and look! today I put the deposit down on one

V reg 318i SE
62k
fsh
1old owner from new (2000)
12months parts n labour
12 months tax
new mot
new full service
dual zone climate, traction & the usual extras

Can't wait til it is in my grips next week!

It was the test drive that sold me, sure it may not have as many horses as a 323 or something but it can still cope well and feels very nice especially for my first BMW!

How much?

Housey · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:36

Don't answer the how much question...DON'T DO IT

mrk · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:37

NEIN!

*ninja edit*

[TW]Fox · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:39

£6k

mrk · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:39

[TW]Fox said:
£6k

Nope!

Let's just say less than 6k and by that I don't mean 5995 either...lol

Ia lso need to find a bracket that will house my existing head unit as I like it!

Housey · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:40

Answer the question and you will have everyone telling you how you blew it up the wall and then 1000 questions on how YOU can afford it followed by some odd loaf of bread thingy

mrk · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:41

housemaster said:
Answer the question and you will have everyone telling you how you blew it up the wall and then 1000 questions on how YOU can afford it followed by some odd loaf of bread thingy

Actually I think the price at which a man pays for his car should always be kept between him and the seller tbh

Jez · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:42

[TW]Fox said:
£6k

No way, £4.5-5k is more the going rate for a '99 318 with those miles. That one sounds like a goodun, so perhaps 5.5 at a push, but for that id want it absolutely immaculate.

Housey · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:45

See

Mr_Sukebe · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:46

I'd definitely like to pass comment at this point, particularly so as I'm more than a little older than most here, thus have experience with quite a few "older" cars, and whilst having recently driven a number of BMs.

From a capability perspective, a car like a 330 is clearly going to walk all over a 70s motor for grip, design, safety, comfort, performance etc. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of the above is a BIG increase in weight and also a massive numbing down of feedback.
Some of us like a car with feedback (anyone with an Elise should vouch for that), and appreciate the fun that is gleaned by being that bit more intimate with a car, as against relying on electronic gizmos.

As for Fox's comments, can't say I'm surprised. Quite clearly Fox falls under the category of "more interested in comfort than fun", and from his previous posts appears to simply not understand what anyone else gets out of being a hooligan in a car. So he'll simply never get why something like a MX5 can make a 330 feel like a lump of lard on wheels.

liam72uk · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:47

Are you sure you can afford it?

mrk · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:47

Jez said:
No way, £4.5-5k is more the going rate for a '99 318 with those miles. That one sounds like a goodun, so perhaps 5.5 at a push, but for that id want it absolutely immaculate.

Trust me it is! the undercarriage is mark and dirt free, the engine bay is as it is from the factory (ie: the garage has not polished it or steam cleaned it to get rid of any tell tale leak signs etc and even then it's prestine!) There are no signs of respray or welding and running your finger along common respray areas is as smooth as you'd expect

The exhaust is also in pretty much new condition, the engine sound is also reassuring with no odd clicks or rattles and all the nobbly bits stay in place as they should. I will have pics when it comes and the weather is more cheerful though!

The interior is also black, not the light grey two tone colour that mocks other variants of this model so children's skid marks and stuff won't show up so easy!

I can probably only think of one downside and that's the rear windows are not electric but I'm not going to fuss over that now

Jez · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:49

Yeah sounded like a nice one from your description, am i in the right ballpark at low to mid 5's?

mrk · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:50

Jez said:
Yeah sounded like a nice one from your description, am i in the right ballpark at low to mid 5's?

A bit lower

Housey · 24 Jan 2007 at 15:51

Mr_Sukebe said:
I'd definitely like to pass comment at this point, particularly so as I'm more than a little older than most here, thus have experience with quite a few "older" cars, and whilst having recently driven a number of BMs.

From a capability perspective, a car like a 330 is clearly going to walk all over a 70s motor for grip, design, safety, comfort, performance etc. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of the above is a BIG increase in weight and also a massive numbing down of feedback.
Some of us like a car with feedback (anyone with an Elise should vouch for that), and appreciate the fun that is gleaned by being that bit more intimate with a car, as against relying on electronic gizmos.

As for Fox's comments, can't say I'm surprised. Quite clearly Fox falls under the category of "more interested in comfort than fun", and from his previous posts appears to simply not understand what anyone else gets out of being a hooligan in a car. So he'll simply never get why something like a MX5 can make a 330 feel like a lump of lard on wheels.

The 3 series is one of the better cars for feedback I think you will find but your point stands. Tis why I drive the car I do

The BMW Question?

Man of Honour