Researching BMW's

[a64armt]

Greetings and salutations.

Completely fed-up with a multitude of factors including rising SUV costs, Gasoline prices rising, and terrible service and products by the local domestic automobile marques, I have begun to research other options. Presently my family and I have that full size Armored Personnel Carrier of SUV's the Expedition. It has served us well and tows our boat fine, but with the coming of time, it is due for a replacement as a primary family truckster. Where to look, what to buy? We need room. We are a small family with a large dog. SUV's seem the obvious solution, but I have had it with poor fuel mileage, poor handling and the "I'm a tough suburbanite" image. The Expedition will remain for boat duties, but we need a family hauler. A station wagon seems the best alternate choice. As I stated, I am fed up with the domestic labels and their "five star dealer ratings". Plus, no one really makes wagons any more. Crossovers are the rage, but most get the mileage of the larger counterparts, with none of the utility.

I have narrowed my choices to the European marques. Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Saab, Volvo and Volkswagen. All will suit my needs, but I desire a manual transmission and rear wheel drive. I don't live in the snow belt, and want the fun to return to driving, hence leaving the boat towing boat at home. I think the BMW 3er wagon will suit the needs well.

Now comes the hard part of the research, owner's comments and ratings. Everyone loves their brand and remains loyal to the end, right? Wrong. In Forums, you can find the best of the bad reviews. Fellow owners will comment, and complain about problems to each other they wouldn't tell others, in fear they might admit to making a purchase mistake.

I am looking for advice from current or past owners. Do I really need or want that "Sport package"; am I going to wish I had selected that "option"?

Are the owners satisfied with dealer service network, and do they feel they get a reasonable deal? Are service costs outrageous? I would hate to select a vehicle with the hopes of saving money (and the planet) only to find I will spend more money getting that 15,000-mile service to a song of thousands of dollars. BMW has a reputation of sucking money for servicing.

I have driven and owned BMW's in the past, but this was in Germany, and hey they were native to the land, but prices were still slightly high. They were fine automobiles, and always a dream to drive. Stateside ownership remains a mystery.

I am looking at a 325 Wagon, not the X (AWD), with a manual transmission (not the Sliptronic trans. so often complained about). Other options will vary, but I think the Nav system and Harmon Kardon system will be desired.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks again.

Vincent.

 

[codex57]

When you buy a BMW, you (hopefully) are buying it for the driving experience. With that in mind, while the sport package isn't necessary, it does make driving all that much more fun. I think it's totally worth it, particularly for the sport seats which help hold you in much better.

On our Mercedes E320, we have the sport package and I'd say save your money. A mercedes with a sport package handles the same as one without it IMO. It does look cooler, but dunno if that alone justifies the $3000+ price tag (vs. $1000 for a typical BMW sport package).

 

[Kirby]

I had the opportunity to drive a '03 325xi wagon for a day as a loaner. I had previously driven an '02 325i, and of course my 330cic. I was pleasantly surprised with the wagon. I felt that the handling was very close to the 325 or 330. The power wasn't there, but otherwise, if I were looking for a wagon, I would be very happy with it.

 

[Section_8]

Personally I'd always pick a wagon over a SUV of any sort, personal tastes, and I like to not spend a fortune at the pump. When I went shopping for my car I *almost* got into a new wagon (They were pushing a good deal on new wagons, i guess to make room for next years models). I drove the '03 325, vs the '00 323 I bought. There wasn't much difference, other than the extra viewing areas I had in the wagon. No blind spots at all. But whaddaya expect in a wagon? It did lose a *little* bit on acceleration(my 323, 3 years older had a *little* gain on it still), but overall it was just as tight as the sedan(And that might just have been because my sedan is stick, and I'm a old stick driver, the wagon was steptronic). I'm getting my wife out of her jeep cherokee and into a 323 or 325 wagon in the next year, I was absolutely sold on it after driving. I just didn't want it as *my* daily driver..

Go Wagons!!! I have not had a chance to test drive a X3 yet, but if you like wagon why get higher off the ground.. stay wagon, stay sticky to the road. If I didn't go BMW for a wagon I'd go Suburu, and would *always* go suburu 4WD instead of any SUV.

As for will you miss the sports package or not.. I dunno, do the put sports packages on wagons?? (Heading to bmwusa to build one and see!!)

 

[a64armt]

Thanks

Thank you for your replies. BMW's seem to develop an owner following based on driving pleasure, and you all seem to purely enjoy your vehicles.

However, I noticed no one has "chimed" in on the subject of Dealer Service and Service costs. Is this a prelude to a sore subject.


Thanks again,
Vincent

 

[codex57]

Dealer service isn't great. About what you get at a Ford or Chevy dealer. Mercedes is ever so slightly better IMO, but you'll be in the shop a lot more often than with a BMW. If you want great dealer service, stick with Lexus.

It's been 9 months and I havne't been back to the dealer yet (involuntarily). My friend got a Mercedes C32 a few months before me, and let's just say he's well known at the dealer's service department, and not by his choice either.

I think all dealers are rip offs so costs are about what I expected.

 

[slats]

You said Saab was on your list. I've driven an automatic 9-5 wagon and it was a great ride, as I think all Saabs are. It was, however, front wheel drive. Saab is releasing the 9-2X in July which is an AWD wagon with the engine of the Subaru Impreza and the design concepts of a Saab.

I don't know all the details about it, but their website says something about the ride feeling like RWD unless AWD is needed, in which case that takes over. Something to look at.

 

[codex57]

The 9-2X is just an overpriced Subaru WRX. Doesn't have the key in the traditional Saab place. Just a WRX with a slightly different front end.

 

[slats]

Yeah I'm disappointed at the key placement as well but I wouldn't call it overpriced. I think its supposed to start at 25k, and I'm sure there is [25k minus subaru wrx msrp] worth of luxury in there.

 

[a64armt]

I stopped by the local Dealer today, and picked up a brochure. I did not know that BMW offered free servicing with the purchase of the vehicle. That is a big plus. How well does that work? How many of you here have had good or bad experiences with this. The Brochure and internet states wear items as well. Does this include Brake components etc?

I really feel this will be the car for me and my family. I used to look forward to driving, but that feeling has gone ever since I purchased a SUV. I enjoy driving my Focus SVT, and so does my wife. I guess it has kind of help me realize that.

Thanks again,
Vincent

 

[slats]

Yes it includes brake components. We haven't had anything go wrong with the car so I can't comment on the quality of the work at the dealership, but its free! Can't go wrong.

 

[codex57]

Free maintenance is everything but tires basically. So cabin air filters, windshield wipers, all those little stuff dealers usually overcharge you on are included.

As for that Saab, I dunno if there's like $7K worth of luxuries. It starts at like $25K, but that's for the @160hp version. C'mon now, leather can't be that expensive.

 

[MyHarley]

My car has had several oh well many problems but my dealership has always bent over backwards to be of service, always get a BMW loaner (they're all 2004 models now), my car is always washed and cleaned inside before returning to me, the porters load or unload my stuff into whichever car I'm leaving in, the Service Manager always comes over and hugs me, the shuttle driver hugs me, my salesman hugs me........I'm laughing as I type this, cause it sounds like we're in the Wizard of Oz.........but its the smallest dealership out of all the dealerships in Houston and they like the unpretentious, down to earth atmosphere.......and so do I.......its like having a General Store versus going to Wal-Mart.........


All dealerships are not created equal........all car manufacturers are not created equal......