Ordered a new 325i SE!
Discussion
I've gone and ordered a brand new 325i SE to replace my 2.5 Sport X Type Jag (103K miles in 3 yrs, one careful owner etc...!).
Reading the threads on here ref the looks of the new 3, I have to agree with the concensus that it is not the most exciting looking car to emerge from Mr Bangle's era, buthaving driven one, along with all of the competitors, I couldn't find anything else to provide the same driving pleasure - had to be RWD or 4WD and be quick, quiet and handle nicely ;)
I've gone for the SE with the sports suspension option, sports seats, sports steering wheel (anyone sensing a theme?!!:laugh:) and lastly the mixed size wheel option (17" ones, ooh er missus) with 8.5" rears with 255/40 rear tyres. Oh, and it's black!
As I do 35K per year there's not much out there that's good to drive on country twisties but nice and quiet and relaxing when you've got 250 miles to drive on a rainy Friday night - and within my price range!!:idea: 2nd hand M5??!!!
Should be here mid December - early Chrimbo prezzie!
Cheers
Nick
Reading the threads on here ref the looks of the new 3, I have to agree with the concensus that it is not the most exciting looking car to emerge from Mr Bangle's era, buthaving driven one, along with all of the competitors, I couldn't find anything else to provide the same driving pleasure - had to be RWD or 4WD and be quick, quiet and handle nicely ;)
I've gone for the SE with the sports suspension option, sports seats, sports steering wheel (anyone sensing a theme?!!:laugh:) and lastly the mixed size wheel option (17" ones, ooh er missus) with 8.5" rears with 255/40 rear tyres. Oh, and it's black!
As I do 35K per year there's not much out there that's good to drive on country twisties but nice and quiet and relaxing when you've got 250 miles to drive on a rainy Friday night - and within my price range!!:idea: 2nd hand M5??!!!
Should be here mid December - early Chrimbo prezzie!
Cheers
Nick
appletonn said:
I've gone for the SE with the sports suspension option, sports seats, sports steering wheel
Interesting. I don't know about the new ones, but traditionally 3 series are available as either SE or Sport. Not both.
Perhaps BMW has reacted to marketing and produced a car with both levels of specification in one car ?
appletonn said:
Oh, and it's black!
I'd be interested to find out what the possible resale value in three years time on a black BMW 3 series with 100K on it might be.
Hi,
Just out of interest, how does the Jag feel after 103,000 miles? Is it starting to feel tired, or still much like new?
I only ask as my Dad is thinking of getting one in the next year or so.
<Maybe I should really be asking this after you've sold the car on
>
>> Edited by rtasker on Thursday 20th October 21:25
Just out of interest, how does the Jag feel after 103,000 miles? Is it starting to feel tired, or still much like new?
I only ask as my Dad is thinking of getting one in the next year or so.
<Maybe I should really be asking this after you've sold the car on
> >> Edited by rtasker on Thursday 20th October 21:25
The Sport model is almost £3K more than the SE, but the options I've picked are about half that - I know that the body kit looks better on the Sport, but I was trying to keep my (semi) sensible head on!!
The Jag actually feels very solid and together, especially the engine - sweeter as the miles have piled on and barely uses any oil between services.
I had the rear anti-roll bar bushes done last week as there was a slight clunking noise from the back over bumpy roads and that has made a big difference.
The only negative and i've read it on the Jag forum too, is that 2 of the alloys are bubbling on the edges.
Otherwise, apart from several stone chips that I've done my best to touch up, the car looks good on the miles.
Cheers
Nick
The Jag actually feels very solid and together, especially the engine - sweeter as the miles have piled on and barely uses any oil between services.
I had the rear anti-roll bar bushes done last week as there was a slight clunking noise from the back over bumpy roads and that has made a big difference.
The only negative and i've read it on the Jag forum too, is that 2 of the alloys are bubbling on the edges.
Otherwise, apart from several stone chips that I've done my best to touch up, the car looks good on the miles.
Cheers
Nick
appletonn said:
The Sport model is almost £3K more than the SE, but the options I've picked are about half that - I know that the body kit looks better on the Sport, but I was trying to keep my (semi) sensible head on
Those options won't be worth much come re-sale time.
Spend the extra £1500 now on the sport, get the enjoyment for a few years and it will still be worth £1500 more than an SE come re-sale.
Thats the argument I would use to convince myself anyway.
I've seen a few of the new E90 Sport models and for me they don't look a lot better than the SE version. With the previous E46 the Sport looked very good but not so with the E90.
Whereas with the E60 5 series the Sport option is almost essential to improve the looks over the SE version.
Whereas with the E60 5 series the Sport option is almost essential to improve the looks over the SE version.
Gareth W, I have to say that was the other thing that swung it for me - I love the look of the 5 Sport over the standard model and the old 3 Sport was also the only one to have, but apart from that lovely blue that only the new 3 Sport can have (I think!)then I fancied the plain standard car but with some sporting bits underneath, as it were - bit like Cherie Blair in a leotard under her suit & running shoes.... 
I know what I mean, anyway...
I'll get my coat...!
I know what I mean, anyway...
I'll get my coat...!
appletonn said:
- bit like Cherie Blair in a leotard under her suit & running shoes
Well that sums it up then !
Personally I don't care how well the car drives ,if it's Bangles designed I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.It's a bit like saying Jackie stallone is good in bed despite the fact she looks like frankenstein's creature (Now you wouldn't show her off to your mates would you?? + I am sure you'd stick a paper bag over her head too).So BMW went from leggy Penny lancaster to back end of a bus design right across the board , and it seems BMW loyals excluding myself are always struggling to find excuses to like the "new" design (especially those who say "it's growing on me"
, how can it be? 1st impressions are the truest am afraid. Sorry to be a spoil-sport mate!
Regards
Barry
>> Edited by allnighter on Wednesday 26th October 10:58
Hmm, the thing is I've never had a BMW before (Jag, Merc Audi yes)so I cannot consider myself a BMW loyalist trying to justify anything.
For me it comes down to the drive first and the looks second - doing 35K miles a year, I will spend more time driving it and looking at the interior (feel the quality) rather than the outside!
I do actually like the looks from the front, it is only really the rather anodyne rear end that is a turn off, but it will be other people who will be looking at that most...
!!
For me it comes down to the drive first and the looks second - doing 35K miles a year, I will spend more time driving it and looking at the interior (feel the quality
) rather than the outside! I do actually like the looks from the front, it is only really the rather anodyne rear end that is a turn off, but it will be other people who will be looking at that most...
!!
It's here!!
It arrived on Tuesday this week and I'm doing my best to cover as many miles as possible this week to get those 1250 'running-in' miles under my belt, so that I can open the taps fully!
First impressions:
Beautifully built, love the wheels, sports suspension gives a lovely 'nuggety' ride but still comfortable, engine still tight (@800 miles) but sounds fab up to the 4000rpm r/i limit, black's going to be a b*****d to keep clean, bit stingy of BMW not to put chrome/stainless trims on the tailpipes, brakes have great feel and are very strong, sport seats with the electronic adjustment of the side bolsters are fab and hold you snugly in place, steering much heavier than the Jag yet not quite as 'feelsome', though that may just be a 'getting used to it' thing, 4000rpm running in limit still allows 100mph in 6th
... , standard stereo a little weedy, very refined and quiet when cruising yet nice and growly when revving it a little.
Most surprising thing so far is that the 1st 2 tanks have given 32mpg according to the trip computer!
Roll on the 1250th mile so that I can really hear it sing!
Cheers
Nick
It arrived on Tuesday this week and I'm doing my best to cover as many miles as possible this week to get those 1250 'running-in' miles under my belt, so that I can open the taps fully!
First impressions:
Beautifully built, love the wheels, sports suspension gives a lovely 'nuggety' ride but still comfortable, engine still tight (@800 miles) but sounds fab up to the 4000rpm r/i limit, black's going to be a b*****d to keep clean, bit stingy of BMW not to put chrome/stainless trims on the tailpipes, brakes have great feel and are very strong, sport seats with the electronic adjustment of the side bolsters are fab and hold you snugly in place, steering much heavier than the Jag yet not quite as 'feelsome', though that may just be a 'getting used to it' thing, 4000rpm running in limit still allows 100mph in 6th
... , standard stereo a little weedy, very refined and quiet when cruising yet nice and growly when revving it a little. Most surprising thing so far is that the 1st 2 tanks have given 32mpg according to the trip computer!
Roll on the 1250th mile so that I can really hear it sing!
Cheers
Nick
dcb said:
I've gone for the SE with the sports suspension option, sports seats, sports steering wheel
Interesting. I don't know about the new ones, but traditionally 3 series are available as either SE or Sport. Not both.
Perhaps BMW has reacted to marketing and produced a car with both levels of specification in one car ?
Interesting too, since I had a E36 325i Se with sports suspension, sports seats and sports steering wheel....
They've been doing it for a while now
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