Originally Posted by raymr (Post 1516466)

I wanted to try one of these, as a possible future replacement vehicle (if/when the unthinkable happens). I drove a 6-speed. It had nice room inside despite its tiny peapod outside appearance. I spent 10 minutes learning about the computer that does different languages and can, for example, dim the footwell lights by increments of 5%. I couldn't help seeing future repair headaches. None of the minor controls respond right away. It's almost like it wants to think for a second or 2 after you turn the knob, before it decides it really should open that sunroof.

Of course driving it was fun with all the good attributes I have read about. Road noise was more than I expected (the old Benz is much quieter) and the sunroof is comparatively tiny. The throttle seems 'mushy' until the engine gets up over 2500 rpms. Once you are in the right range it zings in a very solid way. There is a sound tube up front that actually sends good engine sounds into the cabin.

As fun as it was, I don't think its something I would like to drive daily. Am I spoiled? Old? Where else to spend 25K?

Originally Posted by raymr (Post 1516956)

I sat in the Passat while I was waiting for the GTI. Not bad but it treads pretty close to family sedan territory. Likewise for the Aura XR I drove today. To their credit, the only thing I found wrong with the Aura is the wide turning circle. Its otherwise comfortable and fast. The Beemers are a pretty entertaining idea. Never even thought of those.

Originally Posted by The Swede (Post 1517152)

Can't go wrong with a 6 banger -- and a 330ci is one good looking ride. Once you get into the 5 series territory, more "issues" start to crop up.

Originally Posted by raymr (Post 1517179)

Are any particular years of the 330Ci better than others? Is the 6-cylinder 5 series less likely to have problems?

Originally Posted by The Swede (Post 1517196)

You can get the 6 cyl in the 5 series, the 528i and the 530i. The 2.8 is a little slow, the 3.0 is a better choice imo. Here's a review: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=102443

Originally Posted by The Swede (Post 1517228)

Goes with the territory. It isn't $25K new.

OTOH, I'm lucky. Avg a few hundred/yr to maintain my BMW.

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton (Post 1517231)

There is no good excuse for a $50K vehicle to need the repairs that were necessary in that article. If the territory is a build quality that is so poor that the vehicle can't make 100K with few repairs due to component failure, then the company doesn't deserve to charge $50K and the people who purchase such a vehicle are simply purchasing the emblem on the hood.

Originally Posted by raymr (Post 1517233)

My last impression of BMW was that the US versions had more tacky stuff put on them compared to their cleaner looking Euro brothers. I guess that has changed some. I might try out a 330Ci to see how it fits.