330xi

[alntht]

I am trying to decide which BMW to eventually buy. On Edmunds.com there are some pretty bad reviews of 330xi's. I figured this would be the best place to find out.

Because I sometimes have to drive in bad conditions (like plowed snow, heavy rain, ...) the all wheel drive would be nice, but if the cars quality is comprimised I don't want to go that route.

Are they still fun to drive, allowing for the fact that they don't give that true rear wheel experience?

If you couldn't tell, I'm a BMW noob!!

[yubyub]

Originally posted by alntht@Nov 16 2004, 05:10 PM
I am trying to decide which BMW to eventually buy. On Edmunds.com there are some pretty bad reviews of 330xi's. I figured this would be the best place to find out.

Because I sometimes have to drive in bad conditions (like plowed snow, heavy rain, ...) the all wheel drive would be nice, but if the cars quality is comprimised I don't want to go that route.

Are they still fun to drive, allowing for the fact that they don't give that true rear wheel experience?

If you couldn't tell, I'm a BMW noob!!

[snapback]232078[/snapback]

Love mine. The AWD is done very well, IMHO. Yes, you can tell it's not %100 rear wheel. But it definitely doesn't feel as AWD as others (Audi), and is nowhere near 4WD or %100 front wheel.

What exactly were the bad reviews focused on?

[alntht]

Originally posted by yubyub@Nov 16 2004, 05:21 PM
Love mine. The AWD is done very well, IMHO. Yes, you can tell it's not %100 rear wheel. But it definitely doesn't feel as AWD as others (Audi), and is nowhere near 4WD or %100 front wheel.

What exactly were the bad reviews focused on?

[snapback]232090[/snapback]

The reveiws seemed to be focused on the overall bad quality of the 330xi compared to even the 330i. Again, I have more confidence about reviews here than I do about an all around site like Edmunds.com.

I tried to read reviews from the regular page, but found nothing when I took the links.

[KMP]

I bought an '04 325xi this past summer and have to say it's the most enjoyable car I've ever owned. As AWD vehicles go the xi package is great. I can feel the car push into corners then pull out of them on the outside of the corner. I'm looking forward to driving it in the snow this winter.

[yubyub]

Originally posted by alntht@Nov 16 2004, 05:30 PM
The reveiws seemed to be focused on the overall bad quality of the 330xi compared to even the 330i. Again, I have more confidence about reviews here than I do about an all around site like Edmunds.com.

I tried to read reviews from the regular page, but found nothing when I took the links.

[snapback]232095[/snapback]

Quality of what? Can you post links to the Edmunds reviews, or provide more info?

[alntht]

Here is the link. There are some bad reviews and some good. Just wanted to confirm the bad were rare examples.

Reviews

[yubyub]

Thanks for the link.

I have none of those complaints. Here are mine:

- NAV is substandard. Works okay, but it's not touchscreen. I really expect more from an '05.
- No cupholders! (minor, but...)

Had it for 3 1/2 weeks now. Love it so far. I'm doing a road trip up to Maine next week - I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully, I'll run into some snow...

[rsn48]

I've had my 2002 330xi for about a month now, bought it with less than 12K on it. I haven't had any of the issues mentioned including lousy suspension as mentioned my a poster latter down in the thread.

I love the car. Love the items mentioned in the reviews that were good about the car.

Don't like:

1) Its a thirsty beast.
2) Limited interior storage.
3) Auto temperature isn't that great (accurate).
4) Many have found the AM radio kind of sucks, which is surprising.
5) I really wish they had made the steering column electric like on my 528i with memory.
6) Kind of wish they had included the heated steering wheel as part of the cold weather package, like it in my 528i. You think its kind of hokey but start to like it.
7) My radio doesn't have the weather channel access, which I do use - sailor here.
8) I think for a car at its price point the 6 CD changer shouldn't be an add on.

Would I buy the car again, if I could do it all over again? In a heart beat!

Here in Vancouver where there are 4 BMW dealerships, we kind of take Bimmers for granted, but in the province of British Columbia there are only 5 dealerships province wide, so as soon as you leave Vancouver, you become conspicuous in a Bimmer.

[ckidd325]

I checked out the reviews on the edmunds.com site. I don't know what car those people were driving, but it wasn't a 330xi. My 330xi is smooth, powerful and has amazing handling characteristics. One test drive and you'll know what I'm talking about.

[alntht]

Thanks for all the positive reviews!!! I'll keep them in mind as I make up my mind.