To the 525i/530i Owners: Would you be happy with a 330i?
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Hong Kong
My Ride: In a place where the Mercedes density is the highest in the world (no. of MB per square kilometer) I choose a Bimmer, why? because of one thing "The Ultimate Driving Experience"
My Ride:
523i Steptronic, Silver Grey Exterior, Black Interior with Black Dakota Leather and Maple Wood Trim. Chrome Grill, Style 123 rim, Airbags everywhere, PDC, Rain sensor, Auto lights, Moveable front armrest, Advance Climate Control, Glass Sunroof, Auto dimming interior and exterior mirror with foldable functions, Extended Lights package, 6 CD changer in glove box, Power seats with memory, Power adjustable steering wheel, Power rear sunblinds.
Add ons: 123 wheels, chrome grill, K&N Hi flow filter, Eibach Pro Kit, e60.net decal and 24,000km
Past rides:
2001 Nissan Xterra SE
1999 E39 523i
1999 E46 323i
1996 Acura Integra LS
Both E90 and E60 is a great car no doubt. But living here in a cramped environment I don't need a 330i, the 523i is a great car for its price 
. Suits the family well, more refine and better looking IMO. So to answer your question, no I wouldn't get it over a 523i.
. Suits the family well, more refine and better looking IMO. So to answer your question, no I wouldn't get it over a 523i.
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Originally Posted by darkside' post='235971' date='Feb 6 2006, 07:00 PM
I actually had a deposit on a 330i with almost every option. I decided against the car when I discovered the engines would be changing soon. I did prefer the steering on the e90, and felt it outhandled the 5 series. But the 550 has so much torque, and the cabin is of higher build quality and has such a spacious feel. And the acceleration of the 550 is almost M3-ish, and the 60-100 is something else entirely. If I get another 3 it will probably be another M3, but an e90 this time.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Myrtle Beach, SC
My Ride: 2012 535i M Sport Package
I am sure the 330i is a nice car but it just didn't do it for me. I actually was going to buy the the 3 series and changes my mind after a short test drive. I thought that it was too sporty and too small. I think the 5 series has a good combination of a great ride, plenty room an some luxury at the same time. For me anyway the 330i was at the bottom of the list... 
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Los Angeles. CA
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 spd Sports Package | NAV | PDC | Logic 7 | BT retrofit | SW V13.3
I might consider a 330i if it wasn't for the cramped back seat and lack of trunk space. I got a new 325i as a loaner and was very impressed with its responsiveness and ride. They (BMW) nailed the suspension geometry with runflats and it is far smoother than my 545i with new Dunlops and the sports package. The 325 effortlessly sailed to triple digit speeds on the highway and kept going. Looking at the speedometer felt the same as in my brute. I can only imagine what the 330i drives like. I did miss the extra gizmos like NAV, I-drive, PDC, voice commands and the Logic 7. But the drive made the absence from my car painless for 3 days.
P.S. Loved the folding mirrors for parking. Why on earth doesn't the US spec'd E60 have them?
P.S. Loved the folding mirrors for parking. Why on earth doesn't the US spec'd E60 have them?
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: The Netherlands
My Ride: MY 2004 545i Touring, High Executive Line, Comfort Line II, Vision Line II (Dutch specced Packages), Color: Oxford Green. Interior: Black/Black leather. Trim: Dark Popular wood. Gear: Steptronic 6-speed
Other options not incuded in above packages: M-Sport aero kit, sports suspension, heated steering wheel, rear side-airbags, front screen with green upper part, panorama roof, electric foldable and dimmed mirrors, dimmed interior mirror, cupholders, styling 123 18" wheels with Dunlop RFT's, HiFi Pro/LOGIC7, alarm class 3, heated seats rear and voice recognition.
Waiting for february delivery of 325i Touring and 130i
I tell you all a complete different story 
Currently my wife drives a 3 years old Mini Cooper S Works and since she does a lot of transportation with the kids to school etc, we wanted a bigger 4 door car for her. She test drove a 130i (currently not available in the USA) and so did I.
I drive a 545iT for almost 1.5 years but it never felt very much envolving, it is a silent beast, but I do miss "emotion".
........so the plan was altered: I bought a 130i for myself and for my wife a new 325i Touring. I really must admit that it is a long time ago I was so enthousiast about a car i.e. the 130i.... and must admit I can't sleep until it is delivered in a few weeks.
:
Conclusion: downsizing is not allways a worser choice. The new 3 series a great car to drive so is the even smaller 130i.
Currently my wife drives a 3 years old Mini Cooper S Works and since she does a lot of transportation with the kids to school etc, we wanted a bigger 4 door car for her. She test drove a 130i (currently not available in the USA) and so did I.
I drive a 545iT for almost 1.5 years but it never felt very much envolving, it is a silent beast, but I do miss "emotion".
........so the plan was altered: I bought a 130i for myself and for my wife a new 325i Touring. I really must admit that it is a long time ago I was so enthousiast about a car i.e. the 130i.... and must admit I can't sleep until it is delivered in a few weeks.
:Conclusion: downsizing is not allways a worser choice. The new 3 series a great car to drive so is the even smaller 130i.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: UK
My Ride: Please see signature
Everyone has their own opinion I guess, so the real answer is that before you buy, you should take the car(s) for reasonable test drives on different road types and make up your own mind.
My E60 530d has just been in for troubleshooting ("brake control systems failure") and I had nearly new 120d and 320iSE as loan cars over 2 days. I had been wondering if I'd made the right choice going for an E60 after driving E39s for 7 years, but now my mind is put at rest.
The 120d was great fun to drive for 15 minutes, but it was a noisy little thing. I'd like to have a blast in a 130i, but I don't think I could live with one.
The 320iSE was better than the 120d, but quite a disappointment for me. After all the praise in the press, I was expecting it to be a much better car. Perhaps it's unfair, and I should test drive a 330i or 330d, but putting aside the lack of power, the 320i felt like it was a *much* smaller, cheaper and noisier car than my E60 530d. And the runflats ruined the ride. If I had to live with a new 3-series I'd have to put some normal tyres on it - and there didn't seem to be any place for a space-saver spare wheel. :-(
Anyhow, I was very glad to get my E60 back this evening - for me, it's just a *much* better car.
My E60 530d has just been in for troubleshooting ("brake control systems failure") and I had nearly new 120d and 320iSE as loan cars over 2 days. I had been wondering if I'd made the right choice going for an E60 after driving E39s for 7 years, but now my mind is put at rest.
The 120d was great fun to drive for 15 minutes, but it was a noisy little thing. I'd like to have a blast in a 130i, but I don't think I could live with one.
The 320iSE was better than the 120d, but quite a disappointment for me. After all the praise in the press, I was expecting it to be a much better car. Perhaps it's unfair, and I should test drive a 330i or 330d, but putting aside the lack of power, the 320i felt like it was a *much* smaller, cheaper and noisier car than my E60 530d. And the runflats ruined the ride. If I had to live with a new 3-series I'd have to put some normal tyres on it - and there didn't seem to be any place for a space-saver spare wheel. :-(
Anyhow, I was very glad to get my E60 back this evening - for me, it's just a *much* better car.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Seattle, Wa.
My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood Trim, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound Package, Sport Package, Steptronic, Navigation, Electric Rear Sunshades, Heated Rear Seats, Sirius Radio
I actually had a deposit on a 330i with almost every option. I decided against the car when I discovered the engines would be changing soon. I did prefer the steering on the e90, and felt it outhandled the 5 series. But the 550 has so much torque, and the cabin is of higher build quality and has such a spacious feel. And the acceleration of the 550 is almost M3-ish, and the 60-100 is something else entirely. If I get another 3 it will probably be another M3, but an e90 this time.
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I would have chosen the 330i.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Central California. Plenty of sunshine. Hot in Summer, but NO humidity. :)
My Ride: In the process of buying the right 2006 530i
Originally Posted by darkside' post='235971' date='Feb 6 2006, 07:00 PM
I actually had a deposit on a 330i with almost every option. I decided against the car when I discovered the engines would be changing soon. I did prefer the steering on the e90, and felt it outhandled the 5 series. But the 550 has so much torque, and the cabin is of higher build quality and has such a spacious feel. And the acceleration of the 550 is almost M3-ish, and the 60-100 is something else entirely. If I get another 3 it will probably be another M3, but an e90 this time.
[/quote]
Wow! Darkside, you would have taken a 330i over a 525i and 530i. I have enjoyed reading your posts, you given some valuable insight, so I am curious about the following: Do you feel the 330i gave you enough room in front and back, and did the ride seem more/less/same in terms of smoothness to the E60, and more/less/same in terms of sportiness?
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: NY
My Ride: E60 - 530i 02/2006
Titanium Silver, Black Leather Interior, Anthracite Maple Wood Trim.
Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound, Comfort Access, Comfort Seats, HUD, Nav, Park Distance Control, Steptronic, Heated Seats, Split Folding Rear Seats.
The grass is always greener on the other side....
