Looking to update my daily driver - looking at 325 or 330

[hattriq27]

Hey all,

I am a Z3'er and after 10 years of driving the same old daily driver (Ford Escort), it's time for an upgrade.

I am not a fan of buying brand new cars so I was lookin at '01-'03 325i's or 330i's.

Anything I should look for or warnings on these years? Just starting the search.....

[Pheonix]

I got my 330Ci about 5 weeks ago and i love it to bits , its an 02 car and i really rate the overall package, get one you won't be disappointed

Cheers

Phil_D

[mihalis]

I got my 330Ci about 5 weeks ago and i love it to bits , its an 02 car and i really rate the overall package, get one you won't be disappointed

Cheers

Phil_D

That is really funny, I got my '02 330ci about 5 weeks ago as well! Awesome car, no problems so far. Purely an amazing ride and very fun to drive. I have put almost 2000 miles on mine already and have done a lot of traffic driving and I love every second of it. Not looking forward to winter though...new set of rims and snow tires will be running me in the $1200 range! Hopefully I will be able to do some mods by next summer.

[redman71]

I just bought a 02 325I and have loved it also. My 04 Truck was stolen and recovered and became a total loss. I decided no better time then now to get back into a car that got decent gas mileage and was fun to drive. I have the automatic and it drives just fine. I drive 60 miles + a day to and from work and am averaging roughly 25/26 mpg. Not bad for a fun driving car. Good Luck and yell if you have any other questions.

[Section8]

I hear the '01's had steering issues (steering wheel being very loose, not feeling the road), but that may have been a certain model, or just a 'wave' of bad parts, similar to the recent 'sliptronic' problems from last Fall.

What's your price range? I'd go a year older if it meant the difference from a 325 to 330.

[Charliefox]

Hey all,

I am a Z3'er and after 10 years of driving the same old daily driver (Ford Escort), it's time for an upgrade.

I am not a fan of buying brand new cars so I was lookin at '01-'03 325i's or 330i's.

Anything I should look for or warnings on these years? Just starting the search.....

Like Redman, I too just bought an `02 325i, with Sport Package. I opted for the manual, and LOVE it. I recently totaled my `01 Nissan Maxima, after a 70+ year old woman made a left turn in front of me, and I hit her at 50MPH. No injuries, luckily. A blessing in disguise, albeit a warped one, it allowed me to purchase my BMW. I picked up a recent issue of Consumer Reports, and they recommended the `02 325i for used cars $30K and up. Although I would rather have bought a 330i, I am really impressed by the power of the 325i, especially after BMW's claims of the car having 184hp. (Although, I'm considering upgrades.) I have a friend who has an `04 Lexus IS300, and he thinks that mine is quicker off the line than his 215hp Lexus. Long story short, you can't go wrong with either. If cost is a factor, go with the 325i. If not, go for the330i. Happy hunting.