New Memeber and looking to get into my first.

[Mantis]

Hello all,
I'm currently shopping for a 3 series BMW.After all my experience with Nissan,I found I enjoy driving BMW cars alot better.I used to be heavy into Drag racing,I owned a 1987 Buick Turbo T which ran 11.6 at 117 in the 1/4.Before I decided to look for a road car,I looked into getting another Buick.But after driving one,I found as I felt before,this car isn't for everyday driving.I sold mine years ago.

My uncle got me into BMW's as he owns a 1995 525i in red with tan interior.Very nice driver.I drove it for a few hours on back roads up where he lives and man I was in heaven.I liked it much better then my Maxima Se.

I was off to find a 540i and found a few that where nice.Then for the sheer hell of it,I drove the 323i.Man this car was really fun to drive.The shifter was nice and close and the clutch was soft.Then I drove a 325,a bunch of 330i's and 2 328i's.I did find a 1999 328i in white with tan interior.Loaded with the premium and some what of a cold weather package( I don't think they offered cold weather but it has heated seats and mirrors).This car is owned by a Lawyer and he took very good care of it.I think this is going to be the one except theres 2 330i 2001 models at the BMW dealership around here I like alot.

As a racer,I plan on doing the usual exhaust,chip and air cleaner upgrades.See how she performs then and go from there.

Thanks for reading
Mantis

[The Roadstergal]

The E36 328is models were good cars; comfy for daily driving, performance enough to take to the track with a few modifications. They do have a very tall rear end for fuel economy; an M3 LSD with a lower final drive is a common performance mod. They also do well with an aftermarket suspension and good tires. Light wheels wouldn't hurt. They're not horsepower monsters; they're all about good handling without compromising comfort. Good luck!

[Mad Max]

We bought our BMW because we do not really have a "family car", and I was not ready for the grandpa special. We wanted something sporty, stylish, with a lot of standard features.
The thing that hooked us was taking the 323 for a test drive. The difference is build quality is amazing - not to mention the sporty 4 door look too. :thumbup:
We still have our V-8's, but nothing is quite as satisfying as taking a nice quiet drive in the 323. Makes driving in traffic almost bearable.

[Mantis]

The Roadstergal,
isn't the 99 328i considered a E46?It's the new or current body style of todays 3 series cars.I can't tell them apart until you drive one.The 330i has much better throttle response.Not to mention 32 more horsepower.Thanks for the pointers.I'm looking forward to more in the future.

Mad Max,
Camaros and Mustangs huh??Well I lived then when they where the hot cars of the street.I owned a Firebird which I did some nice mods to.I got that car running 13.8 at 100mph in the 1/4 from a stock 16.0 at 82 mph.It was a 1982 firebird with the LG4 305 engine.145 of slow HP.I took that engine out and got a 1987 Chevy High output 305 which had 190 stock Hp.Then I cammed it,headers by gail banks and complete exhaust system,rebuilt the quad carb and jetted it,chip 373 rear,a set of Hoosers ,K&N of course with the High output 1984 trans am system and 13's I went.Man that car I spend so much money and still wasn't able to keep up with the Buick guys so I had to join in.

Now years later BMW is more my style.Laid back, back roads and tons of fun to drive.I think the 99 328i is worth driving again.

[operknockity]

isn't the 99 328i considered a E46?It's the new or current body style of todays 3 series cars.
A '99 could be an E36 or an E46, depending on the model. If it is the sedan, then I believe a '99 is an E46. Of course, if you have actually seen the car, then you'll know for sure wether it is an E36 or an E46.

[The Roadstergal]

Ja, I threw up the E36 info because I actually know something about them. Don't know hooie about E46s, except what they ride like. There was such an animal as a 1999 328is E36, that much I know...

[RandyB]

The Roadstergal,
isn't the 99 328i considered a E46?It's the new or current body style of todays 3 series cars.I can't tell them apart until you drive one.The 330i has much better throttle response.Not to mention 32 more horsepower.Thanks for the pointers.I'm looking forward to more in the future.

Mad Max,
Camaros and Mustangs huh??Well I lived then when they where the hot cars of the street.I owned a Firebird which I did some nice mods to.I got that car running 13.8 at 100mph in the 1/4 from a stock 16.0 at 82 mph.It was a 1982 firebird with the LG4 305 engine.145 of slow HP.I took that engine out and got a 1987 Chevy High output 305 which had 190 stock Hp.Then I cammed it,headers by gail banks and complete exhaust system,rebuilt the quad carb and jetted it,chip 373 rear,a set of Hoosers ,K&N of course with the High output 1984 trans am system and 13's I went.Man that car I spend so much money and still wasn't able to keep up with the Buick guys so I had to join in.

Now years later BMW is more my style.Laid back, back roads and tons of fun to drive.I think the 99 328i is worth driving again.

I came from drag racing roots as well. It's been nothing but Mustangs before I bought my first BMW last year. I even had a couple of Camaro Z-28s back in the mid-late 80s. The first was a 215 hp LB9 and then I had a 225 hp L98. Then came a '91 LX 5.0 coupe and another in '93 and then a '97 GT, then my other current car, a '98 SVT Cobra.

A buddy of mine had an '87 GN with exhaust, chip and a 75 NOS shot. Between tranny replacements that car was a terror for its time.

Build quality is one of the things that finally got me looking at BMW, as well as the sporty feel, great ride quality and awesome balance/dynamics. A friend of mine had a '99 M3 6-speed that I got to drive every now and then, and that was what got me thinking about a bimmer initially. I really liked the E46 when it came out, but I thought I wanted a Corvette for a while. GM quality is what eventually disqualified the C5, although the performance is pretty good for the price. C6 will probably be much better.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I have no regrets at all with my 330i.

[Desertnate]

Ja, I threw up the E36 info because I actually know something about them. Don't know hooie about E46s, except what they ride like. There was such an animal as a 1999 328is E36, that much I know...

You are correct...there is also such an animal as a '99 323is E36 as well. :eeps:

Oddest thing to see when I bought my '99 323i E46 was a brand spankin' new E46 sitting next to a brand new E36. :D