Buying this Week... Opinions, Please.

Tom Kazanski · Aug 28, 2005

Was going to sign on a $42,000 3.2L A4 S-Line yesterday. For the third tme they screwed up the paperwork, so I took a stroll over to BMW. A few months ago, I wasn't big on the 2006 BMWs, however, yesterday it looked pretty good. I know it has better numbers than the A4 but here are a few Q's I have:

1. How's the reliability? My uncle says his 323 breaks down a lot.

2. Why is the performance package no longer offered?

3. If I max out options on the 330i, will its performance be competitive to a 330i with the performance package?

4. What's your opinion on the 330Xi?

5. What does the rear spoiler do (the one that formerly came with the performance package)?

Thanks in advance. Looking to buy this week.

bahnstormer · Aug 28, 2005

Tom Kazanski said:

Was going to sign on a $42,000 3.2L A4 S-Line yesterday. For the third tme they screwed up the paperwork, so I took a stroll over to BMW. A few months ago, I wasn't big on the 2006 BMWs, however, yesterday it looked pretty good. I know it has better numbers than the A4 but here are a few Q's I have:

1. How's the reliability? My uncle says his 323 breaks down a lot.
worst question ever, super generic, depends largely on owner

2. Why is the performance package no longer offered?
i think it was only for e46

3. If I max out options on the 330i, will its performance be competitive to a 330i with the performance package?
NO! lol

4. What's your opinion on the 330Xi?
unique but bmw's awd isnt nearly as good as audi's and its heavier than
a rwd setup

5. What does the rear spoiler do (the one that formerly came with the performance package)?
adds downforce on teh rear hopefully making it more stable at speed
looks cool? =]

Thanks in advance. Looking to buy this week.

there ya are good luck buying

ps - i'd take a new audi over the new 3 anyday

Tom Kazanski · Aug 28, 2005

Bahnstormer,

Thanks for the reply. However, your arrogance persuades me to discard your opinion. Being a moderator, I assume you'd like to help eduacate someone who admittedly knows little about BMWs. Apparently that's not the case. Bahnstormer? That name might lead one to think you are German. If you are, your arrogance is very stereotypical.

"How's the reliability?" - You say worst question ever. I like to think reliability depends on the quality of the car. Explain to me how reliability depends on the owner. Assuming the owner follows recommended maintenance, I don't see how he/she is a factor in the reliability. I'm looking for general answers... Remember, I'm knew to BMWs and don't know specifics. All I want to know is, am I going to be able to get in the car, start it up and drive it on public roads without doing more than routine, wear and tear maintenance?

On performance - Considering the E46 with the performance package still has less horse power than the 2006 build, what else makes a 2005 perform better than a 2006? In 2005 the performance package included a better transmission, 10 more HP and a more stiff suspension. Isn't all of that standard on the 2006? What more could they include on a 2006 performance package other than a larger air intake to increase HP? The suspension is, as far as I can tell, the same in '06 as it was on the '05 performance package.

Oh well, everyone is king of their own palace. I guess your palace is this message board.

mjbst111 · Aug 29, 2005

i'd ask these questions down in the e90 section since you are looking at 2006's. They probably know the most and that section is more frequented.

Sorry i can't help... i know very little about the new BMW's.

DRWWE · Aug 29, 2005

It's hard to comment on reliability for the 2006 3-series since it is so new. My 2002 530 has had no problems at all, except a recent glitch with the moon roof, and only goes in for routine maintenance. The 325 we used to own was the same way as is our current X3. Great cars.

I can't comment on your questions about performance package and awd since I haven't dealt with them. I am under the impression that the rear spoiler is only effective at very high speed and that most people don't really need them. They do look good though, unless of course you go for the big ricer tail wings...

Good luck with your purchase.

[driving]

hosagod · Aug 29, 2005

1. How's the reliability? My uncle says his 323 breaks down a lot.
Since the 2006 models are fairly new, reliability is uncertain at this point. However, the E46s were very reliable cars and I would think that BMW has continued this trend into the E90...don't worry about reliability issues at all I would say.

2. Why is the performance package no longer offered?
The reason it is not offered is because that was only for the E46. BMW likes to build upon their vehicles year by year by adding new things. Which means that 2-3 years from now there probably will be a performance package for the new E90, they just don't introduce it for the first model year.

3. If I max out options on the 330i, will its performance be competitive to a 330i with the performance package?
I would say so, except maybe a little (insignificantly) slower.

4. What's your opinion on the 330Xi?
AWD is really useful in snowy climates, that's about it. If you don't encounter snow I wouldn't recommend going for the Xi. Not to mention that it is not as "sporty" as a 330i. And Audi does have a better AWD than BMWs.

5. What does the rear spoiler do (the one that formerly came with the performance package)?
It is for looks, gives your car a sportier stance. Also, makes your car stable at high speeds. But honestly, it's for the "wow" factor!

codex57 · Aug 29, 2005

My E46 hasn't broken down yet. It really depends on the owner and sometimes, the car. It's hard to generalize. Mechanically, BMWs are absolutely fine. Some randome stuff might go bad often (like moonroof, power windows, etc), but the powertrain is fine. If your uncle's breaks down a lot, something's wrong with his car. Audis have a worse rep for breaking down on the big stuff than BMWs do.

Doesn't the new 330 have a lot more horsepower? I imagine it'd be just as fast as the Performance Package E46 330.

bahnstormer · Aug 29, 2005

actually i'm first generation american, polish heritage...
=]

tom i can tell u your car will be reliable...
if that is what u want to hear....
but that's not to say u wont get a lemon or perhaps a bad electrical
gremlin and then u'll come on your soap box and say i'm arrogant for
calling bmws reliable =] heheh it really is a bad question..

in general, american cars are known to be crap, european cars to be
nice and pricey to fix, japanese cars to be boring and cheap to run

however none of these things hold true in todays world...

Tom Kazanski said:

i'm not sure what u're asking about performance?

your orig ques was regarding maxing out the options...which i read
as buying everything that was avail, which would make the car heavier
and thus perform worse...

the 2006 and 2005 bmws are COMPLETEELY DIFFERENT CARS
so comparing one option on a e46 body to a stock e90 car is
not logical...

so welcome to the board [welcome]

and please dont attack someone who has been around the block quite
a few more times than you regarding cars when they try to help

its just the internet dont get offended [thumb]

bahnstormer · Aug 29, 2005

hosagod said:

rather, they released this package to milk sales since it was the last year before the new models came out (and historically sales drop since no one wants the old model)

also it was done to keep the old car competitive until the new e90 came out...

bahnstormer · Aug 29, 2005

codex57 said:

lately audis have stepped up thier reliability according to jd power and the like...
thier past history haunts them tho =\

codex57 · Aug 30, 2005

bahnstormer said:

Kinda like Mercedes, huh? I haven't really paid attention to Audi's rep since I was buying my car so my info is a couple years old at least. I still follow Mercedes and I know they're getting better too, supposedly. Still, I'd like some years of good rep before I decide a company has changed their ways.

MrElussive · Aug 30, 2005

1.) Reliability is typically solid. Most problems are electrical rather than mechanical. All BMW's are built to last for a long time.

2.) The Performance Package was a "sales booster" that helps performance out and is basically makes the 3-Series more enticing for the last 2-3 years of its production run (for the E46 models).

3.) Acceleration, the 330i Performance Package will be just a bit faster according to BMW. As for the handling, the new E90 330i w/Sport Package slaloms as fast as the E46 M3, according to Edmunds.com. I think that is pretty solid performance.

4.) The 330xi is a great sport sedan that offers year-round drivability. You sacrifice a bit of acceleration, fuel economy, and the sport suspension (sport suspension is NOT available on any 3-series xi or 5-series xi BMW), but if you deal with a lot of snow, it is great.

5.) Nothing. Adds a bit of extra downforce, but usually they're just for styling.

Tom, you're right that bahnstormer's responses were kind of arrogant, and his posts are always extremely minimal and more along the lines of "just for the sake of making a post" but he did answer your questions properly. Reliability, maintenance, and longevity are hard to determine in the auto industry today, and these factors depend on so many different factors of the car's life. How it was built, how it was driven, owned, and maintained, etc. For the most part, BMW is known for making great long-lasting cars and their typically high resale value shows that.
Also, when purchasing, as bahnstormer mentioned, it is a bit difficult to compare the old model to the new model. Your best bet is to just go with a new 330i and get snow tires for the winter. You'll get better handling and braking than any E46 3-Series (including Performance Pacakge), along with the most recent model and benefits of the new technology.

concoran · Aug 31, 2005

Just curios, since I am a super newbie -
what the heck is E46 and E90?

hosagod · Sep 1, 2005

E46 is the now old style 3 series, E90 is the new 2006 3 series model.

Tom Kazanski · Sep 1, 2005

I ordered my car today.

330i
Sparkling Graphite/Gray Leather
Cold Wx Package
Sport Package
Premium Package
Satellite Prep

Delivery is going to be late Nov/early Dec. I'm excited. Thanks for the all advice.

hosagod · Sep 1, 2005

Nice...

Happy

(driving!)

///M SPEED · Sep 2, 2005

Tom Kazanski said:

Congrats on the purchase! You just purchased the "Ultimate Driving Machine". I’m sure you’re going to get many years of enjoyment from this automobile. The combination you picked is very nice....

J to the O · Sep 7, 2005

I have owned both Audi and BMW.

BMW has a better powertrain and is much more reliable than Audi.

I have to admit that Audi Quartro system is better than BMW X four wheel drive.

MrElussive · Sep 7, 2005

Tom, so you totally lost all interest in the Audi? I can understand being frustrated with the Audi dealership after messing up the paperwork so many times, but what made for the sudden switch? Just for the record, I would take the new 330i over the A4 3.2 in any case...it's a disgrace that you cannot get the A4 3.2 in manual transmission.

codex57 · Sep 8, 2005

That color sounds really interesting. I wanna see it in person. Post pics when you get it.

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