turtlebmw
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
I'm in the market for a "new" car.
Have been doing some research, and i would like the input of Singaporean BMW Owners about the cars that they may own.
Some basic functions that i need in the future car i buy, would be:
a) Xenon Headlights.
b) RWD/4WD.
c) 200bhp and above. (0-100 below 9 s)
d) I-Drive is a real plus.
e) Prefer the inline 6/V6 engines due to their refinement.
Here are the cars that i'm considering, and my opinions of them. I would appreciate the input from fellow BMWsg members about anything under the sun. Though preferably comments like: Which car would you go for? Why? Feedback on Maintenance Costs? Fuel Consumption? Reliability?
Many Thanks in Advance!
1) 07/08 323i, 06/07 325i, 05/06 330i.
The BMW 3 Series is in the top of my range, as i basically feel that it meets all my needs, As noted, the models above, are what fits within my price range. I don't really NEED the warranty, but it helps of course. Being the car-fanatic that i am, im leaning towards the 330, due to its hefty amount of power. The 325, its a fair compromise, as there are some 07 models that i could get with warranty that would see me good for another one/two years. Performance figures wise, its adequate. The 323; i'm not really interested in, as it lacks the i drive, and xenon headlights. But i would be able to get a brand new one, or get a used one and modify it. Question here is, how much more power can i get out of it? Without harming or causing unnecessary wear to the engine.
2) 03/04 E46 M3.
This car just completely satisfies the racer in me. Its everything i look for in a car. Especially the fact that the used ones i'm looking at, belong to fellow members on this forum, and they have been modified BEAUTIFULLY. Price wise, i would like to know if paying more for an older car, over say the more reliable 05/06 330i a good idea. Obviously if both were new cars, they would not even be worth comparing. But the idea of maintenance cost of the M3, especially since most would have been trashed (due to the nature of the car), and the age of the car, would see more technical issues needing to be addressed. Exactly what should i expect if i were to buy one of these gorgeous sport cars? SMG gearbox, without any warranty, this is a very expensive part to repair/replace.
3) 04/05 Z4 2.5si.
To be honest, i'm not exactly such a great fan of this car. For one its being replaced really soon, and i find it to be more of a ladies car? The only reason why i'm considering it, is cause it fits within my budget, and this is my sister's dream car. However i won't mind driving it, just that the 2 seats might be of an issue at times, and the trunk would only fit my golf bag, without its clubs in it.
Is this car worth considering at all? I drove the Z4 M in the states, and although the handling was excellent, i doubt i did get the same experience with half the displacement engine, and the car being a roadster.
4) 07/08 BMW X3.
So this is the real compromise. It has a decent amount of power, has a more than sufficient amount of space (for my sport stuff), drives really well for an SUV/SAV. Lots of ground clearance, which results in a really good driving position. The downside is that there will obviously be no track days for me in this car, also, it lacks the Xenon Headlights, and similar to the Z4, its a pretty old model, which some feel is going to get phased out soon. BTW the technology in this car is not even fit for 2004? Compare it with the 04 5 Series and you will see what i mean?
5) 08 Audi A4 1.8T, 08 Merc C200 Kompressor Advantgarde.
These are the other two cars i'm considering. Any members can compare them with the BMW 3 series?
Any advice/input will be great!
Many Thanks!
Cheers
Joel.
I'm in the market for a "new" car.
Have been doing some research, and i would like the input of Singaporean BMW Owners about the cars that they may own.
Some basic functions that i need in the future car i buy, would be:
a) Xenon Headlights.
b) RWD/4WD.
c) 200bhp and above. (0-100 below 9 s)
d) I-Drive is a real plus.
e) Prefer the inline 6/V6 engines due to their refinement.
Here are the cars that i'm considering, and my opinions of them. I would appreciate the input from fellow BMWsg members about anything under the sun. Though preferably comments like: Which car would you go for? Why? Feedback on Maintenance Costs? Fuel Consumption? Reliability?
Many Thanks in Advance!
1) 07/08 323i, 06/07 325i, 05/06 330i.
The BMW 3 Series is in the top of my range, as i basically feel that it meets all my needs, As noted, the models above, are what fits within my price range. I don't really NEED the warranty, but it helps of course. Being the car-fanatic that i am, im leaning towards the 330, due to its hefty amount of power. The 325, its a fair compromise, as there are some 07 models that i could get with warranty that would see me good for another one/two years. Performance figures wise, its adequate. The 323; i'm not really interested in, as it lacks the i drive, and xenon headlights. But i would be able to get a brand new one, or get a used one and modify it. Question here is, how much more power can i get out of it? Without harming or causing unnecessary wear to the engine.
2) 03/04 E46 M3.
This car just completely satisfies the racer in me. Its everything i look for in a car. Especially the fact that the used ones i'm looking at, belong to fellow members on this forum, and they have been modified BEAUTIFULLY. Price wise, i would like to know if paying more for an older car, over say the more reliable 05/06 330i a good idea. Obviously if both were new cars, they would not even be worth comparing. But the idea of maintenance cost of the M3, especially since most would have been trashed (due to the nature of the car), and the age of the car, would see more technical issues needing to be addressed. Exactly what should i expect if i were to buy one of these gorgeous sport cars? SMG gearbox, without any warranty, this is a very expensive part to repair/replace.
3) 04/05 Z4 2.5si.
To be honest, i'm not exactly such a great fan of this car. For one its being replaced really soon, and i find it to be more of a ladies car? The only reason why i'm considering it, is cause it fits within my budget, and this is my sister's dream car. However i won't mind driving it, just that the 2 seats might be of an issue at times, and the trunk would only fit my golf bag, without its clubs in it.
Is this car worth considering at all? I drove the Z4 M in the states, and although the handling was excellent, i doubt i did get the same experience with half the displacement engine, and the car being a roadster.
4) 07/08 BMW X3.
So this is the real compromise. It has a decent amount of power, has a more than sufficient amount of space (for my sport stuff), drives really well for an SUV/SAV. Lots of ground clearance, which results in a really good driving position. The downside is that there will obviously be no track days for me in this car, also, it lacks the Xenon Headlights, and similar to the Z4, its a pretty old model, which some feel is going to get phased out soon. BTW the technology in this car is not even fit for 2004? Compare it with the 04 5 Series and you will see what i mean?
5) 08 Audi A4 1.8T, 08 Merc C200 Kompressor Advantgarde.
These are the other two cars i'm considering. Any members can compare them with the BMW 3 series?
Any advice/input will be great!
Many Thanks!
Cheers
Joel.
