New 325Ci or Used 330Ci ?

[daftsynth]

I'm trying to decide between a new 2004 325Ci (SP, Moonroof, Xenon, Heated Seats) via ED or a 2003/2002 330Ci with ~20k miles. My budget is about $30k

How are the 2002 330Ci compared to 2003/2004 or 2001? Any thing I should look out for?

I'll probably average about 8000mi/year because I travel a lot during the week. What do you guys think?

[commander_crash]

I'm trying to decide between a new 2004 325Ci (SP, Moonroof, Xenon, Heated Seats) via ED or a 2003/2002 330Ci with ~20k miles. My budget is about $30k

How are the 2002 330Ci compared to 2003/2004 or 2001? Any thing I should look out for?

I'll probably average about 8000mi/year because I travel a lot during the week. What do you guys think?

Don

Well the advantage of getting a new car is that you know where it's been and where it's going. No telling with a used car. Plus you can break it in yourself and such. That's just my thoughts on it. Either way - get warranty if you get a used car.

[Wrong Way]

If your max budget is $30K, I don't think a new 325Ci fits your budget. Correct me if I'm wrong here. :dunno: Also, 8k yearly milage is pretty low if it's your daily driver.

[Bill325Ci]

I'm trying to decide between a new 2004 325Ci (SP, Moonroof, Xenon, Heated Seats) via ED or a 2003/2002 330Ci with ~20k miles. My budget is about $30k

How are the 2002 330Ci compared to 2003/2004 or 2001? Any thing I should look out for?

I'll probably average about 8000mi/year because I travel a lot during the week. What do you guys think?

Don
Personally, I'd go with the new 325Ci, unless I knew the previous owner of the 330. Lots of these used Bimmers come from leases, whose lessees may not have taken real good care of them.

[daftsynth]

If your max budget is $30K, I don't think a new 325Ci fits your budget. Correct me if I'm wrong here. :dunno: Also, 8k yearly milage is pretty low if it's your daily driver.

A new 325Ci via European Delivery is right about $30k. It won't a daily driver. I fly all over the place during the week, so this car will be used only on weekends and such.

[daftsynth]

Personally, I'd go with the new 325Ci, unless I knew the previous owner of the 330. Lots of these used Bimmers come from leases, whose lessees may not have taken real good care of them.

Thats what I'm concerned about too. I'm been looking at 330Ci from private owners assuming they're probably better kept than off-lease cars. 2002 330Ci would have the remaining 2 years of warranty/maintenance, wouldn't this unravel and cover most problems I may have?

[Bill325Ci]

Thats what I'm concerned about too. I'm been looking at 330Ci from private owners assuming they're probably better kept than off-lease cars. 2002 330Ci would have the remaining 2 years of warranty/maintenance, wouldn't this unravel and cover most problems I may have?
The warranty would take care of any problems. I would have more confidence in a private sale. If you go that route, make sure you see all the maintenance records.

[03330izhp]

I have personally done very well buying 1-2 year old cars and letting original owner take the huge depreciation hit. For my money, I would always rather have a used car with more horsepower and equipment than a new one with less. Most important is a close inspection. If you know cars, you should be able to do this yourself. If not, ask a mechanic. Look for signs of abuse. Confirm paint is all original - if not, was car in accident? CPO programs take a lot of risk away and BMW offers 6yr/100k mi warranty on their CPO cars. Find a great used 330ci out there and enjoy it's extra power and equipment compared with 325ci.

[ger3sf]

You can't beat the ED experience, plus the newer Ci was facelifted for MY2004.

[rgzimmer]

If I hadn't been so anxious to get into my new car, I'd have gone ED. I don't buy used cars because they're like topless dancers. They look nice on the outside, but who know's who's been driving them.

Go for the 325Ci.

[gtvr6]

I'm trying to decide between a new 2004 325Ci (SP, Moonroof, Xenon, Heated Seats) via ED or a 2003/2002 330Ci with ~20k miles. My budget is about $30k

How are the 2002 330Ci compared to 2003/2004 or 2001? Any thing I should look out for?

I'll probably average about 8000mi/year because I travel a lot during the week. What do you guys think?

Don

I know others think it's better to go with 1-2 year old car, but personally, I'd rather get a new car the way I want, knowing no one else has abused it. With that said, drive both back to back (I'd test a new 325 & 330Ci) to get your impression. If you could live with the power difference, I would go for a new 325Ci. If not, you could get a CPO 330Ci and it comes with an extend warrenty.

I have a 2001 330Ci and love it - light steering and all. Others on the board hate it. It's all personal taste. The stiffer steering is nice, but if you're not use to driving BMW's you won't even know what I mean. I'd go for the newest model you can get only because they've ironed out some of the bugs through-out the years. (Others on the board can also tell you which build dates to avoid because of the fan recall)

Good luck...you'll love it, I know I still love mine.

[LeucX3]

I'd get a used 330Ci. But you may not be able to find one for around $30k with a CPO warranty.

[euroPower]

If you are planning to do any performance mods in the future.. get the 330ci

Otherwise, I would get the new 325ci.. :)

[BloodRedHog]

If you feel safe about the condition of the used 330, then it comes down to a 325 vs. 330 debate.

I test drove both and I could live with the power difference. I got the 330 because I wanted the stiffer ZHP suspension only available on the 330 (and I like the short shifter).

Either way, they are both fine cars.

[jerrykdc]

I took ED of my car and there is nothing like it provided you take advantage of the opportunities it presents. You should not do it if you are only going to be there for a short period of time. The factory tour is nice but the European driving experience is what it's all about. You have to look at it as a once in a lifetime opportunity and a memory that is very special and the car will always have a special place for you because of the trip. I know some have done it for a week or less but to me you need a minimum of 10 days to 2 weeks to really enjoy it. Touring Munich is okay but driving through the Austrian Alps or the Swiss Alps is incredible and what the car is all about.

A few years ago I went to a demo day where they gave you a 330 and a 325 to drive through a road course with a professional driver in the passenger's seat showing you the response and handling of the car. The handling difference in the stock cars was not noticeable but the performance was; the question is whether it is necessary. I bought the 330 because I figured I wasn't going to be buying another car soon and the price difference didn't really make that much of a difference to me. It really is almost like buying a television or a stereo, sure there is a difference when you're looking at one as compared to another in the store, but once you get it home you never really miss what you don't have. My love of these cars is going through the gears and if you're not going to be driving it in traffice every day I would say get the manual trans and enjoy the fun of driving and use the price difference to add something to the car.

[TLudwig]

Daftsynth-

I would suggest two things for you to consider:

First, what car are you currently driving? If your current car has a lot of power, then you may not really be happy unless you go with the extra power in the 330. If your current car is a little four banger with the acceleration of molasses in winter, the 325 is going to feel plenty fast. From what I've noticed, whether or not people are happy with the power their 325 or even 330 almost always depends on what they drove previously.

Second, it looks like you're trying to keep within a pretty tight budget, so because money is a concern, I'd look more to the used 330 or even a used 325. You skip a year or two of depreciation (when it is at its worst), and you get a car that is virtually brand new. If there is no permanent damage to the car, a comprehensive detailing job will make it seem like new. You also don't have to worry about the break in period.

You can alleviate many of the risks of buying used by buying from a private individual who took good care of the car and kept good repair/maintenance records. This also gets you a better deal.

Good luck with the decision!

[mjames]

Unless the used one is something special, I would lean toward a new one. Really depends on the situation. Oh, and you'll be close to $35K with a Ci with those options under normal conditions, but apparently it's cheaper with ED. :dunno:

[Cliff330i]

I would go new in my opinion. Good luck with what ever you decide :)

[daftsynth]

Thanks for everyones input. Initially I was leaning between a minimally optioned 325Ci or a minimalyl optioned 330Ci. The ED invoice price was ~$30k and ~$35k.

Although I liked the torque, power and grunt of the 330, I didn't think it was worth $5k for a coupe reasons
1. The money can be applied to other things.
2. I'll be going back to business school in two years so I didn't want a (relatively) larger depreciating asset that I couldn't use as often.

I fly all over the place for work during the week, so the car mainly will be used on the weekends.

So I thought about a 2002/2003 330Ci with fairly low miles. It would be something more "fun" than a 325Ci. Plus I wouldn't have as much of it depreciating over the 2 years I'll be in school.

The main concerns of a used car are reliability concerns. Aren't I fairly covered if I look for the following in a car?
* good service/maintanace records
* clean record - no accident, paintwork, etc
* a detailed inspection by BMW mechanic
* and maybe privately owned - assuming the car is more tenderly cared for than a leased car

oh btw, I'm coming from a 2001 Z3 2.5L that I just sold.

[daftsynth]

Thanks for everyones input. I found a couple cars, what do you think the fair market value for the cars are?

2002 330Ci 25k miles
- privately and it looks quite meticulously owned
- 2 years of maintenance and warranty remaining

Or

2003 330Ci 19k CPO thru 2009

Both have SP and PP

[TLudwig]

Well, some more details about the options on the cars would make this a bit more accurate, but running your information on Kelly Blue Book's website gave an expected price of approximately $37,000 for the 2003 CPO'd model and approximately $30,500 for the 2002 330Ci being sold privately. Note that I assumed automatic transmission. You can get on their website and play around with the details and get a more accurate result at www.kbb.com. Hope this helps. Good luck! :thumbup:

[azurribaggio]

If your max budget is $30K, I don't think a new 325Ci fits your budget. Correct me if I'm wrong here. :dunno: Also, 8k yearly milage is pretty low if it's your daily driver.

Invoice price on 2004 325ci is already over 30k.

[azurribaggio]

If I hadn't been so anxious to get into my new car, I'd have gone ED. I don't buy used cars because they're like topless dancers. They look nice on the outside, but who know's who's been driving them.

Go for the 325Ci.

Or driving it home, so to speak. :bigpimp:

[daftsynth]

Invoice price on 2004 325ci is already over 30k.

My ED 325Ci is
Base $25810
SP $910
Xenon $730
Sunroof $955
Heated Seats $455
Dealer Profit $600

Total $30,155 before TTL

[jgrgnt]

If I were you, I'd go with the new 325Ci. It sounds like you won't really miss the power of the 3.0L and, like others have said, you'd be starting off with a clean slate. Plus, you're getting:

- a great deal through ED
- a chance to drive those wonderful German roads
- a car that comes fresh off the factory floor

Good luck!

[Justindo]

I'd personally go for the new 325Ci without question. Although the extra power of the 330 is nice, I don't think it outweighs the benefits of buying a new 325. It's new (I personally like the facelifted coupe, although I'm less crazy about the facelifted sedan), which will help with resale, and you can properly break the automobile in. Also, all the off-lease Bimmers I've seen on dealers lots are in frighteningly poor condition (both inside and out). The average lessee does NOT take good care of his or her car!

[jgrgnt]

The average lessee does NOT take good care of his or her car!

This is very true. I've seen lots of year or two-year old Bimmers on the dealer lots that are in relatively crappy condition. Mind you, the bumpers aren't exactly falling off, but easily more than enough scuffs, scratches, dings and wear to make you stop and think, "did this person -really- take care of this car?"

[jeffh325]

oh btw, I'm coming from a 2001 Z3 2.5L that I just sold.

Out of curiosity, why did you dump the 2.5L Z3? It does have the same engine as a 325Ci and has that fun roadster feel.