2004 325i or X3

[theBMWenthusiast]

okay....i have the option i need your guys opinions

2004 Silver Grey 325i
--Premium Package
Wood Trim
On-Board Computer
Automatic-Dimmming inside rear-vew mirror
Power seats, with memory
--Sport Package
Twelve Way Adjustable Sport Seats
17" Wheel with Style 119 Rims
M Sport Steering Wheel
--Other Stuff With It
Automatic Steptronic
Xenon Headlights
Adaptive Xenon Headlights

2004 Silver Grey (COLOR TBD) X3
Standard with only Automatic

Which car guys...like its so hard to pick...but seriously this car is gonna be mine til college is over so thats like 6 years...help my chose be extremely wise...i know the good and bads of each car but i want your opinion....take into account how this car will appear in the future...seeing that the current 3 will be discontinued in august of 2005 and the X3 will look more modern in the future...but all those features...help me with the choice my fellow BMW enthusiasts!

 

[ddone]

These vehicles appear to be aimed at different markets. To help others
help you, it might be helpful to know something like the following.

What are your requirements now and, do you believe, in the future?

What are the key attributes you look for in a car now? In the future?

 

[Tom]

I agree with ddone...but if I were to make a choice right now I would choose the 3-Series because of the road handling abilities and good looks.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

325i........ I'd take that over the X3 any day.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

well i am a student and don't really need an off road vehicle...i need a car that can take me and my family around in comfort...i dont really need a trunk and the 325i's will do fine...im looking for sportiness and performance of the car...since they both have the same engine its making the choice harder since they got the same horses but i dont really do much off roading or hauling of anything...

btw the fam is leading towards the 325i becuase we saw a car and driver report on the X3 which gave it all negatives

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Actually the fact that both have the same engine should make the choice easier..... IMO the 2.5 engine is underpowered in any car besides the 3 series that includes the 5 series and the X3. Now if it were a 325i or an X3 3.0 that would make the choice harder, but I'd probably still go for the loaded 325i....

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Well since ur a student (like me) it would be more economical to get the 325i as you get better milage, also u dont need a suv since you dont have a wife and kids yet. Unless your a offroad fan, stick with the 325I. If i were to choose id get both = P

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

i want both!!!! but thats not gonna happen

 

[codex57]

325i all the way. I find the X3 hideous, inside and out. Pictures didn't look too too bad. Then I saw one in person. Nearly puked.

 

[tool fan]

The ONLY reason to go with the X3 is the traction, if you need the traction then go test drive the 325xi and the the X3. I tested the X3 and found to ride to much like a truck (even stiffer than an SUV) so that took it immediatly off of my wish list. I would have bought the X5 but just liked the way the 530 held the road better. Chicks dig the conventional BMW.

(I just asked a couple of my female counterparts what they thought.....conventional style...no X3)

 

[Susie520]

325i or 325xi ... these cars never look outdated. I see e36's on the road and still gawk so don't worry about the 2005 model change for the 3 series. It apparently didn't bother me any since I bought a 2004 330xi in its "last full" production year. If you do a little research you'll also see how the 5 series model change impacted sales - they rose like 30% in the last year of the 5 series right before this most recent redesign. People loved that model so much they wanted to grab up what they could!
The X3 ... to me is like a target version of a wal-mart CRV. It's nice since its a BMW, don't get me wrong ... but its weak. The sedan is much more fun to drive and if traction is a concern the Xi will fix everything.

 

[gizzy]

... to me is like a target version of a wal-mart CRV. It's nice since its a BMW, don't get me wrong ... but its weak. The sedan is much more fun to drive and if traction is a concern the Xi will fix everything.

Agreed! - My wife was pushing very hard for me to get the X3 until we actually got to look at one. It seemed to us to be very plain when compaired to the 3 series and opted for the 325xi instead.

 

[Millreef]

Doesn't sound like you need the off-road so get the car. Have been REALLY happy with mine and can see driving it for a long time.....

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I agree the X3 is hideous. It came off as cheap and odd to me... (when viewed in person)

 

[heyloo]

I just got my X3 on Monday.
I'm also a student...I'm loving the car so far~ It's totally cool~

One thing that bothers me are the bumpers...my X3's Silver Grey looks alright with them bumpers, but I could still see them.

Check out the Aero Package, Hamann, and AC... It's amazing how those body kits could change a car totally.

As for your poll, I voted for the 3 series...I never really liked to have base models.........and also considering your options, I would go for the 325i.

 

[Wadula]

forget about the X3. it´s just not as good looking as a 325. in now way it is looking good any way.

i am not trying to offend anyone, it´s just my taste.

 

[Roadhawk]

the 325 dude...you live in California right? Do a lot of sking or something? Haul boats down to the dock, take dogs to the show? OK - if you said yes to any of these (or similar) - then perhaps - in the meantime go with what is practical for your needs - and drives better and is much more fun - a CAR!

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

I just got my X3 on Monday.
I'm also a student...I'm loving the car so far~ It's totally cool~

One thing that bothers me are the bumpers...my X3's Silver Grey looks alright with them bumpers, but I could still see them.

Check out the Aero Package, Hamann, and AC... It's amazing how those body kits could change a car totally.

As for your poll, I voted for the 3 series...I never really liked to have base models.........and also considering your options, I would go for the 325i.

ya saw the X3 and the BMW center and silver grey is my ideal color and didn't like it that much...the thing about my family is once you get the car, no upgrades, its how you get it so thats whats leaning me towards the 325i is look at all the stuff i get!!! additionally, i street raced my buddy after practice one day (not real steet racing it was 8 at night after practice clear road, side by side, straight for about 2 miles, so we just gunned our cars to 60 (in a 50 area road so its not like were real rebels) but his car could have killed mine, i was driving an 01 corolla and he was in a 01 navigator so at that point the 325i really got in my mind, more aerodynamic) but my dad has basically decided on the 325i and i have too becuase of hte car and driver review that was on t.v. that basically got our minds to the 325i...im gonna have this car for 6 years and after contemplating it for awhile decided i dont care if it no longer looks like the newest thing on the road...so the final story im getting the 325i...thanks for all your opinions and votes it just agreed with what i got to.... [headbang] [headbang] [headbang]

 

[codex57]

Congrats! Good choice.

 

[windnsea00]

well my g/f was in the same market last october, it was going to be her first car (18th bday present) she was looking in the $30k price range. so the audi a4, audi tt, bmw 3-series, infiniti g35, lexus is 300, nissan Z were all contendors. we went and checked them all out and after all the driving and researching, we couldn't find a better car for the money than her now 2004 infiniti G35 coupe. she had narrowed her selection down to the audi a4 3.0, bmw 330i and infiniti g35. the audi was known not to have great reliability and the bmw was such a more fun to drive car that the audi got knocked out of the choices. then it was down to the 330i and g35. the g35 was not only better and more unique looking, it had a more powerful motor and very smooth also (square bore like the 2.8 motor used in the earlier 328i and 528i's). the sound of the car is amazing, it handles great (she got the sport package with the sharp looking 18 in. rims) and it was close to being fully loaded except navigation and aero package with a msrp of $35.5k that was about $6-7k cheaper than a similary loaded up 330i and only about $1-2k more expensive than a loaded up 325i. i would take a look into the G35 if i were you just for perspective. if your going the 3-series route at least get the 330i, those 325i's are seriously slow (170 horsepower) it just happens that my g/f's brother has one so i can attest for that. good luck anyway.