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Very Helpful Review (Reply to this comment)
by derelict-debo
Hey, thanks for writing this review! It definately cleared up some things and helped me narrow down my search for my dream car. Thanks again!
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Dec 31 '03 5:47 pm PST
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Very Helpful (Reply to this comment)
by rootk
That was some great reading. I love all the detail. As a recent college grad, I really want to get a luxury type car. Of course, it's all for ego purposes at this point. lol
I've spent the past several weeks looking at Acura, Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW dealers.... it's not easy spending between $30K and $40K on a car!
Kyle
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Jul 05 '01 9:01 am PDT
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Good job (Reply to this comment)
by brucec32
A very well done and unique take on car reviews.
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Jun 25 '01 3:28 pm PDT
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go to www.325ci.com or cars.mchoi.com for updates! (Pricing/Options changes to 3-series!) (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
There are options changes to the entire 3-series line starting from March, 2001 production.
For the 325 coupe, automatic climate control is now standard. For the 330 coupe, harmon-kardon is standard. For the sedans, in general they all have mutliple upgrades like cruise control, multi-function wheel, etc. Option packages are all cheaper as well. Please read all about it.
Read (and download the PDF document) all about it on my homepage at www.325ci.com or cars.mchoi.com
Thanks.
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Feb 09 '01 10:20 pm PST
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Re: HK is recommended (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comments.
i actually agree that the HK is probably an upgrade that sounds like a $675 upgrade should sound, if not a bit pricey. but most folks won't notice the improvement, i think, so i was just recommending not getting it. esp. if you're on a budget. i personally couldn't tell much of a difference between the two. i was happy with the stock system. but then, i'm not the kind of guy that goes around with his windows down blasting his stereo and his bass shaking the pavement within a 2-block radius of my car... :)
i wholeheartily agree that aftermarket stereo heads don't "fit" the dash very well. you need lots of adapters, yes. this is why i chose to get the in-dash CD as an option rather than get an aftermarket CD head. because well i guess i care about aesthetics. ;)
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Feb 04 '01 10:23 pm PST
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Re: Just got my xi (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
well, i was actually talking about the options on the coupe: the coupe already comes with folding split rear seats with ski-bag pass-through as STANDARD equipment. no need to get the cold weather package to get that.
but you're right: for the sedan, it is NOT standard.
congrats on the xi! all wheel drive was badly needed by BMW to keep up with audi and subaru, etc...
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Feb 04 '01 10:17 pm PST
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HK is recommended (Reply to this comment)
by haysdb
A very nicely written review, but I don't completely agree with your comments re:the HK system. You may be right about it not being worth the price of the upgrade, since I haven't compared the HK with the standard system, but I do like the HK. What I most disagree with is your assertion that serious audiophiles will purchase an aftermarket system. Since BMW's don't use a standard size head unit, an aftermarket head unit is out of the question if you care about aesthetics. As with most car audio systems these days, upgrading the amplifiers without upgrading the head is problematical since the OEM unit doesn't have line-level outputs. Taping into the system and getting aftermarket amps to work correctly is not a trivial task. Likewise upgrading speakers isn't as straightforward as you'd think.
All-in-all, only the most serious audiophile will purchase an aftermarket audio upgrade. Most of us will buy the best factory system available and just "live with it." Fortunately the HK system is pretty decent. I have no major complaints.
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Feb 03 '01 11:24 pm PST
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Just got my xi (Reply to this comment)
by jhtatroe
I just got my new 325xi sedan about a week ago and plan on writing a review once I've had a chance to drive it a bit. One thing you didn't mention in your analysis of the cold weather package is that it comes with split fold-down rear seats, which can greatly increase your cargo space if you have no backseat passengers. This option, along with the heated seats made the cold weather package a no-brainer for me, even though I could probably do without the ski bag and headlamp cleaning system.
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Feb 01 '01 10:50 am PST
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Re: Let's go car shopping (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
you're welcome! i'm glad i was helpful, although i tend to think that this epinion is more for someone who decided they want a 3-series but doesn't know which one or what options to get... if you want to know some of the pros/cons of the car that i found, then head over to my webpage at http://cars.mchoi.com and you can read more to aide you in your shopping. good luck!
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Jan 04 '01 6:07 am PST
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Let's go car shopping (Reply to this comment)
by january2001
Excellent in depth overview on one of the vehicles I'm considering to buy. Thank you for taking the time to write it.
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Jan 03 '01 8:51 pm PST
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thanks, i agree with you (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
thanks for the comment. does any dealer in your area carry the 325xi? it seems like they are "flying off the lots" as they say... i hope you get to drive one and maybe write about it. i'm curious and waiting for a good review of the xi... if only they had all-wheel drive on the coupes; i'd love to see how that affects the traditional RWD handling...
i agree about your comment on european drivers... (i grew up in germany). it's a shock to see that people actuall follow the rules of the road (what a concept!)... :)
and yes i know "petrol" is a luxury in europe. why do you think diesels and tiny 3, 4-cylinder cars sell so well in europe? gas prices and taxes/insurance for anything larger than a 4-cylinder is for the rich and wasteful...
yes, that's another thing: driving in europe in your new BMW: make sure you get high-octane (premium), UNLEADED gasoline. most stations will have it, but many won't, unlike here in the US where almost every gas station carries premium.
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Dec 30 '00 3:41 pm PST
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astoundingly good review. also, on driving in europe... (Reply to this comment)
by spike
first of all, thanks for such a perfect review. the points you cover are exactly those i'd been wondering about, although I'm actually leaning toward a 325Xi wagon as an alterna-audi. I think '25 engine will get the job done for me since i want my budget to stay solidly in the 30s and not crack the 40k range, which the 330 seems to do with some elan.
on your euro pickup, i'm sure that will be a way cool experience. i recently drove a rented renault van-thing (ugh) through normandy, belgium, and then southern germany, and was craving more HP and a better road feel the entire time. the only thing that'll knock you for a loop are gas prices, but you probably already knew about that. in general, european drivers were very well-mannered in their intentions and brisk in execution. american drivers seem, by comparison, such slobs/lane hogs/inattentive hazards by comparison, if i may make a sweeping generalization ;-).
again, thanks for the sterling review.
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Dec 29 '00 10:53 am PST
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Great review! (Reply to this comment)
by jek311
Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to write a great review. I agree with you on just about all of your points. Thanks for providing insight into the 330 vs 325 debate, as well as offering your opinion on the options. Good rationale.
The Euro Delivery is definitely the way to go. I plan on doing that for a 2002 model next fall. Good choice on the topaz blue also, a very classy yet sporty color. Congrats on the purchase of a great car and a wonderful review.
joe
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Dec 15 '00 8:21 am PST
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Euro Delivery (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
i'm glad to hear that i'm actually helping someone in their purchase! let me know when you get your car so we can compare notes and such, okay?
regarding Euro Delivery. well, the sole purpose of going this route should not be to save money. it is best when you already were planning a european vacation, and wanted to tack this along (also, saves money from not having to rent a car there). also, if you ever wanted to drive on the autobahn in a BMW, this is the perfect excuse! ;) it's really for the experience of driving it in europe, which i am really looking forward to.
$2000-$2500 isn't much savings (compared to up to $7000 for a 7-series), but if you were planning a trip, why not? but hey, it *is* possible to travel europe on the cheap; there are a few Epinions written on it.
personally, i get free airline tickets and i have places to crash over in germany, so i do save quite a bit of $. it's good to think this option through, though.
in comparison, Mercedes-Benz has a similar program, but they don't offer a discount from U.S. MSRP, yet they pay for your plane tickets to/from germany. Saab also pays for your trip, and I think Volvo started doing that as well. they all do not lower their prices on their cars for Euro Delivery, unlike BMW.
so it's as if BMW is giving you a $2000 allowance for your trip. if you think that way, it's a good buy.
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Dec 11 '00 8:58 pm PST
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bimmer on a budget (Reply to this comment)
by akin66
Herjazz,
Great analysis! You have saved me at least $3000 on a 325 sedan i have been wanting to order.The 325 vs 330 comparison was fantastic
I have always looked to edmunds for online advice and frankly, the thought of buying at msrp has contributed to delaying my purchase
Doesnt taking european delivery add a lot on as you have to buy a roundtrip ticket,
hotel and other expenses or am i missing something??
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Dec 11 '00 8:28 pm PST
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We should see this format more often. (Reply to this comment)
by Wolf_Knight
It's not only unique, but says quite a bit about the car in its context. This definitely deserves an HR for being so well-written.
By the way, I wasn't sure where to put them, but I left responses to the comments you made. :-)
I'll be sure to keep an eye out for your lastest 3-Series review and rate it appropriately.
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Dec 11 '00 3:18 pm PST
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Re: Extremely well-done (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
nah, you still have the most comprehensive one. ;)
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Dec 11 '00 8:37 am PST
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Re: Nice Concept (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
thanx. i, too, would like to see more Epinions that go through the option list as well, since a lot of people can easily narrow down which car they want, but can't decide what options to get... especially if they won't want to end up with things they'll never use...
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Dec 11 '00 8:36 am PST
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Nice Concept (Reply to this comment)
by Brian_Igo
And very well done. I hope this is the start of a trend at Epinions. Reviews that help buyers wade through the options they have could be extremely valuable to the readers of the site.
Brian
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Dec 09 '00 11:30 pm PST
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Re: Awesome! (Reply to this comment)
by herjazz
thanx!
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Dec 09 '00 10:15 pm PST
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Well let's see... (Reply to this comment)
by kellydeal
Unless that lottery thing comes through, chances are I won't be getting a BMW any time soon.
But I do like dreaming.
Thanks for the review.
kd
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Dec 09 '00 9:48 pm PST
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Awesome! (Reply to this comment)
by jhcashman
This is one of the best Car reviews I have seen here a epinions periods. Keep up the good work!
~jhcashman
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Dec 09 '00 9:39 pm PST
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