bzzbenz

Thinking about trading in my 2002 320 for the new bmw 330. what are your thoughts?

mick1

I have seen a number of them at the bmw dealer it's pretty nice looking except for the rear tail lights. It got the cd changer in the trunk just like the last 3-series and I don't like that.

I KOMPRZ

well before this thread get closed....I say they are much nicer than previous ones esp the 04 sedan (they are ugly)....I personally like the new look, its like a 5-series but smaller. Overall its not bad...but I am just not ready to give in MB yet..

delbomber

Stick with the Benz, it's one of the most distinctive cars on the road and will continue to be long after they introduce the Honda-inspired '08 C

In 6 months every 30 yr old yuppy you know will be driving a 3 series...that styling is bold, for sure, but it's more rice than bratwurst.




Why would this thread get shut down?

Outland

In addition to belonging in the offtopic area, the new 3 is pretty dull.

delbomber

Ok, but....as a direct competitor to the C-class, isn't it forgiveable to direct this question towards current C-Class owners? I know I'm relatively new here, but asking a question here instead of on another board when you want answers from C-Class owners, and the people you've come to know, seems pretty innocent to me. You wouldn't go ask the auto-part clerk in Walmart about the best air-filter just because he sells parts, now would you? :p

AdamVax

i dont like the new 3 series. its too round and fat. no lines in the body style. i like the older 3 series better. and they look to much like the new 5 series

caliboy

Do it man new 3 series looks great that fat and aggressive look is excellent and hp upgrade can't beat that. nothing wrong in trying something different, but when you see what your missing out--- you'll come back to Mb baby!........they always do

Paul Le Corre

One of friends wanted a 325I and he went to his dealer to make an order preview to see the price range. He found it too expensive when you consider a good setting (GPS, sunroof, leather, good rims,etc.....)

He's waiting now for the 130I

murfo

...I don't overly like the look of the new 3, it looks much better on the 5 then the 3 series, it kind looks oddly out of proportion.

LorinserCClass

The new 3 is definitely hot. Cant wait for the M3 to hit the streets in a few years, I will def pick up the cabrio version

ctC230K

i like the exterior front and sides of the car, hate the rear especially the taillights and i hate the interior. also hate the stealerships that sell these cars, they all are awful miserable money sucking wastes of life

1Lop2K5C

I test drove one the other day (330i), IMO it doesnt look that bad from the front to the back until you hit the rear quarter pannel and the ugliness starts . The car feels more lively than the previous 330, the new six is smooth and somewhat quiet. The only thing turns me away was the interior. If you dont opt for iDrive and with that center screen missing, the entire front dash looks dull and boring. Maybe it is the first year. And what sup with that optional front chin CF spoiler ? made it looked like it has front bumper damage.

CclassRun

i dont like it. especially when you consider what they were able to do with the 3
when they designed the last generation. it was a revolutionary design move for bmw. and now?...fugly headlights and front bumper skirt. rear 5ish styling but toned down to reduce risk on their biggest seller. blah! i think its a step backwards for bmw

ctC230K

oh yeah, i agree with that, i was thinking the same thing, the interior looks AWFUL without the iDrive, it looks like a Nissan from a couple years ago or something...
I'm gonna test drive a 6 speed 330 soon.

jedcred

Apparently when one redesigns a car at BMW, the motto is "one thing at a time." Admittedly, a lot has changed under the hood (touch start, stability control, engine, etc), but the exterior and interior just aren't convincing me. The exterior looks like they took the new 5, squashed it in some places, overlaid some classic 3 series looks to it, and went home that day. The interior still follows that mistaken design for the center console (that radio/cd player has always put me off). Even the window switches (tho I can't see well because of the pictures) don't seem to have changed. This seems more like a series 'upgrade' than a series 'redesign', just to get the touch start and idrive into the car. Hopefully they'll get someone to really redesign the car, exterior and interior-wise, in the next 6 years...

Beyond that, I hear it's a blast to drive, just not good to look at. Oh well. There's always a next time, right?

Guest0001

I think it looks very nice. I will consider buying one in a few years.

delbomber

Ugh...the iDrive is so expensive...for that matter, all bmw options are...when all is said and done, a 325 costs 40k...and at that point, why not just go with a C350??

I think the old Bimmers are beautiful...but they're more played out than Paris Hilton...with the new ones, why pay so much when a practically identical looking, fully loaded TL could be had for 10-15k less than a 330 ....ok, RWD, but otherwise...

tommy

That's no small potatoes - every serious magazine I've read gives horror stories of the TL's torque steer. Maybe in the awd version, things will be better. Besides, I couldn't get the one out of my way quickly enough when I was road racing at Pocono two weeks ago. Damn big, damn ugly (especially the taillights), and I wasn't too impressed with its roadhandling characteristics.

Idrive? Useless. I'd prefer to actually push one button to change the station, volume, etc. Overkill, imho.

I'd much prefer a 330 over a 350, especially after trying to get a short shift kit for the Benz the past three years. Lack of aftermarket support is something I'm not gonna overlook again.

jan ken po

Funny, I thought the exact opposite when I saw it on the lot. I hate the new 5s, but this styling is better suited on the 3..but overall I'm still not impressed with that style in general. It looks too much like a take off the current IS300. and even Lexus is moving away from that look in '06. Now that I want to see, looks like a smaller version of the new GSs which are tight. But FWIW.....I'm outside to inside person when it comes to cars. I just about don't care what's under hood...just as long as that MF looks jazzyfatnasty from the outside. Hence maybe why the BMW 7s, Benz AMG styling, new infiniti Ms & lexus Gs are my favorite head turners at the moment.

delbomber

Those all happen to be cars with some pretty serious muscle!

The problem is that all these cars are starting to look the same with rounded lines, short fronts, and long-hanging trunks or they've gone completely opposite and try too hard to be imposing, like the TL and new 3's and 5's...the M and GS are nice, but could be twins, for god's sake. MB makes some ordinary looking cars, but by and large they make the nicest of the lot. THey need to avoid this trap...stick with what got you here...avoid this blueprint!

The new Bimmers are still distinctive although somewhat odd and show heavy Japanese influences, looking at an Audi (except for the S4) is like watching paint dry OR looking at a $40k Jetta, take your pick, and Mercedes are...MERCEDES. Beautiful lines and distinct styling, for the most part.




COME ON!! Which is which!?

vraa

I dunno bro, if you can't tell the difference between the M45 and the GS, you might want to open your eyes.

delbomber

You're right...only the contour, shape, size, wheel-base, trim, pillars, and rims are the same....what was I thinking?

Oh, I see now, gas tanks are on opposite sides, these two are worthy of distinction!

jan ken po

Well my 230SS doesn't have much muscle comparatively speaking to the equally
priced competition. In short....When I was weighing the TL, 230SS, BMW, & Chrylser 300 as options...I kept coming back to the 230SS simply because of the styling. Just never been an engine/speed guy.

delbomber

Yeah, which is why I pointed out the irony in that all those cars have some real oomph.

Styling is a huge factor for me as well...but the car's gotta perform to a certain level of expectation. I feel like I'm becoming a 5-speed basher, but after test-driving it I was ready to walk away (although after driving the loaner now for more than a week this stance has softened a bit). I bought a Sebring Coupe once (back before real cars were an option, i.e. $$$), because at the time it was the sharpest car on the block. But with 163 ponies and a husky curb weight, it was lame. That was the last time I'll sacrifice performance solely for looks.