Advise on new 325 Coupe...

[DC888]

hey there,

I am looking into buying a new 325 Coupe (base). At the moment its list price is $188k and was told it would be possible to transact at $185k.

Could any kind soul please advise whether there is room for additional discount off the list price? What freebies can SE give for this car (other than vkool, exhaust tips)? (say without any loan)

Opinions on colour... Black sapphire? Montego blue? Space grey? Sparkling Graphite?

Thanks a mil...

 

[Suipalucsea]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Got to be black or light blue. Don't be misled by the pictures in the brochure --- both versions of grey look dull as hell in reality, and so does the darker blue. If you want something low-key, go for the dark green --- at least your car won't be lost in the sea of silver and black 3-series cars out there. If I were you I'd seriously consider the anthracite headlining, because I fear that the standard headlining will look dirty in a short period of time, particularly if you have the moonroof [which I think you should get if you can]. I'd avoid the wooden stuff, the aluminium is better. Congrats, it's a great-looking car.

 

[centurion]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

I know you didn't ask for driving impressions but I'll put one down here gratis.

Presumably you'll take the auto gearbox, and I must say that the auto is the sweetest slushbox in the world bar none. The Merc 7gtronic, Lexus 6 and 8-speed slushboxes, SUCK in comparison. The DSG in both the Audi and VW, don't give you anything more than this ZF, and worse! This ZF 6-speed in the 325 is the auto which makes me want an auto in preference to a manual. So in the transmission department, hey, there's nothing better.

The steering is REAL nice, and you actually get nice chatter. You KNOW what the steering is doing. BUT, all it can do it talk to you. It don't listen well. So you will understeer all the time once you go above 70% driving. Granted, I was driving it on its stock run-flats, but man, this is frustrating and makes the car seem so much heavier than it was.

Stiffness of the car is VERY impressive. The suspension is relatively firm but not uncomfortable, except in ONE condition - low speed ride on bad tarmac. It's incredible. Suddenly the suspension turns into NO suspension. You feel the bad tarmac as if you were driving on rocks. This is a CRAZY bug in the suspension.

Aiyah, the engine. In a word, it is merely sufficient. It does not make the car underpowered, but it makes it sluggish.

how does it compare against the E90? No difference in normal driving, actually, except for the perceived stiffness upgrade. You will buy the 325 on basis of form factor and looks, if you go for practicality, the E90 325 makes a better bet with 4 doors. I found the E92 and the E90 really too similar. There should have been some excitement with the E92 but it was not present. To be honest, even the CLK against the old W203 C-class had more difference, though we're starting with a low base in that case.

 

[Dezzy]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

I know you didn't ask for driving impressions but I'll put one down here gratis.

Presumably you'll take the auto gearbox, and I must say that the auto is the sweetest slushbox in the world bar none. The Merc 7gtronic, Lexus 6 and 8-speed slushboxes, SUCK in comparison. The DSG in both the Audi and VW, don't give you anything more than this ZF, and worse! This ZF 6-speed in the 325 is the auto which makes me want an auto in preference to a manual. So in the transmission department, hey, there's nothing better.

The steering is REAL nice, and you actually get nice chatter. You KNOW what the steering is doing. BUT, all it can do it talk to you. It don't listen well. So you will understeer all the time once you go above 70% driving. Granted, I was driving it on its stock run-flats, but man, this is frustrating and makes the car seem so much heavier than it was.

Stiffness of the car is VERY impressive. The suspension is relatively firm but not uncomfortable, except in ONE condition - low speed ride on bad tarmac. It's incredible. Suddenly the suspension turns into NO suspension. You feel the bad tarmac as if you were driving on rocks. This is a CRAZY bug in the suspension.

Aiyah, the engine. In a word, it is merely sufficient. It does not make the car underpowered, but it makes it sluggish.

how does it compare against the E90? No difference in normal driving, actually, except for the perceived stiffness upgrade. You will buy the 325 on basis of form factor and looks, if you go for practicality, the E90 325 makes a better bet with 4 doors. I found the E92 and the E90 really too similar. There should have been some excitement with the E92 but it was not present. To be honest, even the CLK against the old W203 C-class had more difference, though we're starting with a low base in that case.

I too am looking at the 325CI, may I know how is the legroom in the rear? Anyone with kids driving this car, need to find out the accessibility of the rear seat bec I have a 2 yr old daughter to fetch around.

As for the suspension, I think the run flats contributed the stiff ride. Changing to other performance tires like Pilot sports or F1 should have better damping. BTW, what rim size does it come stock and are you riding 18"?

Another thing I notice is the wheel gap in the front, it looks a bit too big and makes the car look a bit strange with the back sitting much lower. Or is it me?

One last thing, what's the best price?

 

[centurion]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

you can just go to PML and book a test drive, there is a 325ci and a 335ci for testing. Sorry I still use the CI designations because this is the best way to designate coupe from sedan. Stupid decision to take it away, because CI sounded very cool to me.

I put an ISOFIX kid's seat inside the car, and here is my take - on a daily basis you use it with a baby seat, you will break your back. I have a similar family situation to you.

The stupidest thing is that the door sill is so damned high, even you yourself will trip over it. It is REALLY very high.

This is the procedure to put a kid inside the E92 325CI:

You put your right hand on your daughter's ass and carry her far away from you, and your left hand support her head, and you step inside with your right foot, over and above the high door sill, duck your head from the low roof, and fit her into the car seat. THEN, you put your left foot in also, and squat down with your ass against the retracted front driver's seat, your back bent, your head ducked.

This is the time your daughter will kick you in your crotch and you will knock your head against the roof.

Then you take the car seat belt buckles and struggle to secure them. All the time, please squeeze your anal spinchter because your baby will be kicking you in the crotch all the time. After 20 seconds of struggling, you will have secured the baby. You carefully take your left foot, go over the door sill, duck your head out of the car, hold on to the B-pillar, remove your left foot.
put back the driver's seat.

Sit in the driver's seat. You will feel your daughter kicking the back of your driver's seat all the time.

After doing this many times, you will:

1) Fall down tripped by the high door sill
2) knock your head at least twice each procedure
3) Suffer an injury to your crotch rendering this 2 year old the final kid you might raise without artificial insemination. (kidding)
4) suffer a hernia for sure. Once your kid grows to 14kg, you WILL have an issue for sure. And your wife with high heels, 100% she cannot do the procedure you described.

After doing this for a year, I bet you will be going for an Odyssey/Estima/Picnic etc.

In a word, it is rubbish to live with this compromise!

Rims - I donno. I drove a stock car. Probably 17 inchers. Stiff is OK it is not uncomfortable. Only at low speeds. The ride will definitely improve, but can I kindly request you don't use the Goodyears? I know C&D gave it the best tyre award, but our Goodyears don't last long at all and they are REAL bumpy after a little while, almost as bad or worse than the runflats.

 

[Azrielsc]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Haha, nice description!

Fortunately I do not have kids at the moment but getting in and out of the E92 seems to be worse than that out the E46 coupe. Reason being is that now, moving the seats for access into the back is semi-electronic. U have to flip the clasp up and pull the seat forward and then move the seat via the top 2 arrow buttons. Its freaking slow and u have to reach for the buttons on the side of the door if u are the driver...

For the E46 coupe, u get a lever on the inside of the seat, and u can push the seat up for passengers climbing in, more manual but faster.

However, the space behind is better than the E46 due to the fact that its not really a bench anymore and 2 dedicated seats.

Have to say that the door sill is high, I do trip over it once in a while.

I'm on 18" Styling 189 which is standard on the 335i.

Cheerio!

 

[Rashed]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

hey there,

I am looking into buying a new 325 Coupe (base). At the moment its list price is $188k and was told it would be possible to transact at $185k.

Could any kind soul please advise whether there is room for additional discount off the list price? What freebies can SE give for this car (other than vkool, exhaust tips)? (say without any loan)

Opinions on colour... Black sapphire? Montego blue? Space grey? Sparkling Graphite?

Thanks a mil...

Hi DC. If you're buying from PML, there's usually room for some off the top - the more for the higher-end cars. For the 325, I'd say probably $3-$5k if you're with the right sales person. So $185k is already pretty close. Colour: I've always liked the sapphire metallic black. Options: no idea really but I did get a discount from PML for my 18" rims on my last BMW (which was also a 325).

As an aside: The 325 is rather under-powered. Why not go with the 335 instead?

Rashed

 

[Dezzy]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

caySman, thank you for the candid description of the process. I will bring my daughter to the show room and see if it will break my back....

So I must also factor the trade off bec the next ride is going to be for a while.

 

[centurion]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Bring the car seat also. Yours is isofix or not? If not isofix, i tell you, you will CRY!

I faced the same situation as you. The solution is this: Get an 2nd hand 2.5 year old Odyssey, 60-70K, OPC it, depreciation is fixed at 4K/year. Change this every 2.5 years to maintain low depreciation, depending on COE situation of course.

Get a 2 seater, anything from Miata to 911GT3, it's up to your budget. Second hand Z4 2.5 also can. This one you can keep.

Best solution, no compromise, if get Miata even spend less than getting a 325 coupe.

 

[kurqa]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

the mx5 is really value for money i must say...at the price nothing comes close...or add more for an s2000

 

[centurion]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

S2000 - THAT, sir, is so hard to drive fast. The tail is such a wagger. The engine revs up so fast, the rear breaks traction and there we go to the gravel. Even if I blip throttle perfectly every downshift, still feel so unsteady. This car really requires a man with a sensitive butt to catch the car every corner you power out of.

The first time I drove that, in fact, I nearly went into the sea. Perth, IIRC.

But, ... the engine, so raw, so hungry, so eager, and the sound of 9K rpm, gosh. And the STOCK short shifter which clicks, not slide, into gear.

Perhaps if I had a chance to mod this car ever, I'll try the softest rear anti roll bar. Or take it out altogether. Perhaps then the chassis will justify the drivetrain.

 

[kurqa]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

caysman...from your posts i have come to the conclusion you are more a car enthusiast then you let on...i quite like your insightful posts..good reading at the end of the day! maybe a few of the forummers should get together and launch a community magazine..?

back on the topic...how is the 325 "underpowered" if the 525 (which is no slouch) shares the same engine specs?? perhaps most of the 325s being tested have yet to reach the ECU learning point for aggressive driving? i mean..it does take some time for the fuzzy logic to figure the suitable engine management right? given the fact that all sorts of drivers (siao kias, sunday drivers etc.) do test the cars...i would think there is more to it.

i have driven the e46 325 on one occasion and though it wasn't blistering fast it was adequate when you needed the power...so i can't understand why the e90 325 should leave you wanting, save for the power hungry souls...

 

[centurion]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

I am a car tech enthusiast, not really an enthusiast in the current sense of the word. I don't know anything about mods, coilovers, ECU tuning, aero kits. But I love cars, I touch their bodies, I drive as many as I can, and I understand cars from growing up with my engineer father whose dream job is to be a car mechanic and from listening to Lao UNCLE mechanics. (the new young mechanics are uncommunicative, rely too much on diagnostics software, and those I've met have lesser understanding of the chain of events than even my own meagre understanding).

The E90/2 chassis, for a sedan, is superb. Possibly the best sedan chassis ever built so far. Definitely the best sedan chassis I have driven. The 5-series is far worse than the E90/2. So a deficit of power in the 5-series doesn't seem so bad, you don't want to drive the 5- so hard in the twisties anyway, it is so freakin' heavy.

But the E90/2 screams for more and more power. It can definitely take 250HP or more. The 325's engine seems underpowered for the car, mainly because the car is so good! On the 5-, unless you're on a straight road, you're thankful you don't have that much power so you don't feel `heart painful' when you slam on the brakes at the corner. This is my take. I never ever liked the E60. It felt so heavy, just way up there in heavy feel with the GS300. The 2007 E-class is much more sublime for that class of car, after their slight steering geometry and suspension and steering mods, it's really excellent now.

 

[DC888]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Thank you for all your invaluable response.
Will take that with me when considering (maybe finalising) the buy.

The 335 would be a better drive but with the roads being as they are, a 325 would be enough for me. S2000 is not an option right now cos i need a backseat for those occasions when I have passengers. Guess if I were to consider S2000, then I would prefer the Z4.

Anyone has any idea on what free stuff should I ask for from the SE / PML?

 

[3coupee]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Am driving one, wonderful speedy new car. Great time with it but may be outstationed soon. Painfully and with deep regrets, I am reluctantly toying with the idea of selling it. Any interest?

 

[Azrielsc]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Anyone has any idea on what free stuff should I ask for from the SE / PML?

Will you be getting the standard 325i or the 325i highline?

As for getting freebies, you can definitely try but its like drawing blood from a stone. When I negotiated for freebies for the 335i, I got.... wait for it.......

3M Car Mats

Ta-da!

Cheers!
Sam

 

[Dezzy]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Am driving one, wonderful speedy new car. Great time with it but may be outstationed soon. Painfully and with deep regrets, I am reluctantly toying with the idea of selling it. Any interest?

Well, for sure there are interest if the price is right.
What price are you looking at?

 

[TripleM]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Saw one in the showroom, montego blue with 19in rims, look sweet to me
Nice rims too...

 

[Dezzy]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

caySman, mine is no ISOfix though it is the BMW one. Why would it make a big diff with and w/o ISOfix?

Actually I did thought about getting other coupe but alas, I just want a BMW coupe.... hee hee.

 

[DC888]

Re: Advise on new 325 Coupe...

Sam:
Good to hear that you have a fantastic ride...
As for me, I'm more inclined towards the 325 base. But it would appear the highline may be better value for money. Though it is 20k more but OMV is higher by approximately 9k (above base model), which translates to 13k for the additional options.