2013 BMW 3 Series - Great introduction into luxury vehicles.
The BMW 328i is a very well-rounded vehicle. It is luxurious but accessible to young professionals who are still saving and earning their way in the job market. It has excellent performance, great features and is very easy on the eyes. The new car's electrically assisted power steering is quite good (and, thanks to software updates, is supposed to get better over time). It is also very good value, when comparing it to other luxury models. A few negatives include gas mileage and cost of ownership. Gas mileage is not the best - although they advertise an estimated 32 MPG city, the car actually gets closer to 20. Another negative is the cost of repair. If you choose to own this vehicle long-term, you can expect to pay significantly for major repairs. Another slightly less important negati... (more)
Historia
Driving in the mountains on the way to a camping trip really showcased the performance and engineering that gives this brand and model it's stellar reputation. Sometimes these things are hard to notice on the regular city commute.
A Favor
The performance is spectacular. I like the smart suspension and active steering features the most.
En Contra
Gas mileage and cost of ownership (insurance, repairs, payments); some corner-skipping, in terms of options.
2001 BMW 3 Series - Love my BMW
I own a 2001 BMW 325i. I love this vehicle. Yes, it's older, but it still looks very modern. The body design is still beautiful and people can appreciate that. It is very well made, easy to work on for at-home mechanics and the ride is smooth.
Historia
Just today I stalled out 3 times driving my son to school. It was very busy, lots of cars, so this was inconvenient. For the manual transmission, you have to hold the clutch in while driving in 1st gear otherwise it stalls.
A Favor
This car got excellent crash ratings, so it would be very safe in an accident. It has front and side airbags and anti-lock brakes. The doors lock automatically when you start to drive. The ride is very comfortable despite needing some suspension components replaced. It stops on a dime even though the brakes need to be redone. The doors are light and easy to open. There is a ton of space in the trunk, enough for 4 big suitcases plus some. The car is beautifully designed and very classy looking.
En Contra
There are hardly any negatives with this car. The leather on the door around the airbag is peeling but it is a quick fix with gorilla glue, no need to remove the door or door panel. The sunroof motor cover is difficult to attach, poorly designed. The cupholders need to be bigger and are a little awkward to use under the armrest. The plastic compartments on the dash are becoming sticky and gummed up due to heat and age.
2007 BMW 3 Series -
Overall, this is a great car. Although it has depreciated in value very quickly, it has proven to be a great steal. All of the materials in the car are excellently crafted and feel very premium. Repairs can be costly, but if you find a local mechanic that specializes in foreign cars, it will help significantly.
Historia
Right after purchasing the car, I was able to zoom down the interstate and happened to run into a car club of people who had the same model as myself.
A Favor
The mix of luxury and performance is great. I can enjoy a smooth ride or shift into sport mode and feel an instant response in the throttle. There are also a lot of interesting quirks that you find after owning the car for a while. Such as the glove box light that serves as a removable and rechargeable flashlight. Also, the styling of the car is comparable to cars that are being released this year. Many people do not believe that the car is a decade old.
En Contra
Although it is a small car, it consumes a lot of gas. Also, the cabin noise is a lot louder than other cars of the same class. The most upsetting part about owning the car is the costs of repairs. I would expect a luxury car to not have a lot of problems that need tending. There are economy cars that can go far longer without any repairs needed, and also the repairs are far less expensive.
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