[NickG]

Originally Posted by astra

let me guess.. lexus?

Yup, I'll bet. Presumably the guy gets off big time on narrow panel shutlines......

Well Astra, all I can say is I had a six foot person in the passenger seat and a 5ft 11 person behind him. The front had less leg room than an E90 but enough to comfortably (yes, this is subjective) fit the passenger, and the rear was only 1 or 2 cm less legroom than an E90. Yes, not as spacious as an E90 but you CAN get two tallish people in for shorter journeys without much issue.

Value is relative. In Europe, the 330 is AU$5k more than a 130. In Aus it is AU$30K more. If the 130 is bad value then every other model above it is an absolute rip off (which I think most ex-pats here will realise). It's a shame LCT doesn't change with indexing!! nice little money spinner for the govt ;-)

Erm, I don't know why everyone buys a 320. Some for economy, some for prestige, some for resale. Take your pick.

Anyway, I have rear passengers for < 5% of my drive time so back seat space isn't a big issue for me.

As the man said, everyone has different requirements.

[astra]

Originally Posted by Neo JB

Well Astra, all I can say is I had a six foot person in the passenger seat and a 5ft 11 person behind him.

flexible?

Originally Posted by Neo JB

As the man said, everyone has different requirements.

yep couldn't agree more... and to each their own

Nah not really. They fitted without too much trouble.

Well, going back to my requirements point, practicality for rear seat passengers wasn't really at the top of my list when getting my 130

However, I've also had plenty of people whinge about the lack of space in an E90 too...we had 4 adults in mine for a day and then the same 4 got into a Ford Falcon for a day and boy was there a BIG difference LOL

If you want space, get a 5 series

[astra]

Originally Posted by Neo JB

Nah not really. They fitted without too much trouble.

Well, going back to my requirements point, practicality for rear seat passengers wasn't really at the top of my list when getting my 130

However, I've also had plenty of people whinge about the lack of space in an E90 too...we had 4 adults in mine for a day and then the same 4 got into a Ford Falcon for a day and boy was there a BIG difference LOL

If you want space, get a 5 series

yeh, i couldn't agree more... whenever we have 4 or 5 people (if they are smalish they fit in the vert), we take teh falcon, or soon, he newly ordered GS... (yes yes, a lexus, but it's an old man car, and an old man chose it )

the full sized car, for a lonnnggg distance with passengers is a must

[ed-320d]

I had driven the three and my choice goes for :

320d- It is just as quick as 323i and drink less fuel. Save your self some $$$$ for 323i and buy more options to suit you. Todays diesel rev so well, comparable to the sixes with less fuel. 2 extra doors compared with 323i coupe. You can drive 1000Km plus with no need of refueling.

323i - It is plus for the look and because it has six cyls it revs well. Cant argue if you go for 325i. But 323i - detuned for marketing purpose.

130i- Yes it is the fastest of the three but apart from that you got cramped rear seat, not much storage, low resale, ugly front look (IMO), low profile and RFT make very bumpy ride. Unless you have perfect road or you wanted this to be a weekend car, I think 130i E87 is a no no. I would rather get a second hand Z4 3.0 for the same purpose.

[davecat]

I have driven all 3 . The 323 revs but doesnt get you anywhere and you're just not getting value for money which counts for alot in my book.

The 130 goes hard, but so does a Gofl GTI/WRX/Lancer Evo. It isnt worth its asking price of 60k+ in my opinion. If I was after a fun hatchback I'd go for the GTI and save myself 20 grand no questions ask.

So anyway after much deliberation and I put my $$ down on a 320d. Once its moving the thing "goes" and this is coming from an ex 911 owner. It will undoubtedly blow the doors off any 323 around the bends and would do well to keep up with a 130.

It isnt the most popular exeuctive in Europe simply because its cheaper to run, the 320d is practical and peforms extremley well in the "real world" and won't break the bank. Modern D's have come a long way and its about time the Australian public gave them the consideration they thoroughly deserve.

[ed-320d]

Originally Posted by scheps

I drove the 320D with 4 people in the car it and struggled big time. Whereas the 130, no sweat

That's probably because you cant fit the same 4 people in the 130.


Of course 130, performs better than 320d, it is a lighter car with 50% LARGER engine.

If you try to fit the same 4 people in 323i, it would struggle in even more. Given the extra weight of six cyls with less torque.

[astra]

ed-320d... insightful posts

All interesting observations.

Apart from rarely taking back seat passengers, I mainly use my car for work commutes (which are barely 100Kms a week through city traffic) and weekends. My work commutes will get less though so more "fun" driving ahead...

I bought my 320 when they first came out so the 323 and 320d weren't available, nor was the 130 (annoying). If I was buying new back then I probably would have got the 320d over the 323 mainly because of price. The 130 would have been out as it is too pricey new. I only got mine because I managed to pick one up that was only 13 months old for almost 20K less than the new price, so I was happy.

If I was ever drawn to buying a new 130, the fact that you only really need to option in paint and perhaps a sunroof appeals. However, as everyone rightly says, they depreciate badly in year 1. Saying that, getting a decent spec 3 series costs the earth in options which is all lost at resale...especially M sports packs!

The only thing I will say, however, is that I find the auto 320i (petrol version) VERY underpowered for the money, which i mainly attribute to the heat and hilly Sydney roads (constant gear shuffling and revving just to keep up with traffic).

[astra]

just my opinion, but if you buy a car only thinking of what the resale will be, you will never REALLY enjoy the car? well, that's my veiw anyway...

[im_dave]

i love both the coupe and the 130i. but heavy bmws with small sixes = not much pep... though the coupe looks bloody awesome, i still think the 130i with m-sport kit looks good in a weird 'bangle' sorta way (the body kit and big wheel combo makes it look heaps better)... bet it sounds the business...! guess it's looks vs fun (though i'm sure the 323 is heaps fun too)

[funky_chilli]

323 = not enough power but good looks
130 = more than enough power but not so good looks
i'm with dave, add a body kit and some big rims and it'll look the business and it's the cheapest way to get into a bmw with that sweet 3.0 in it
oh and get it in white, i got one as a loan car in white and it was nice
if u dun need such a big car, then 130 is plenty big enough - i drive a MINI for crying out loud and i'm definately not short nor skinny hahaha

[im_dave]

great minds think alike...i guess we're both biased towards small hot hatches though!!!

[funky_chilli]

haha we've both obviously got great taste too

[im_dave]

Originally Posted by funky_chilli

haha we've both obviously got great taste too

most definately !!!

[aem]

Originally Posted by Neo JB

All interesting observations.

The only thing I will say, however, is that I find the auto 320i (petrol version) VERY underpowered for the money, which i mainly attribute to the heat and hilly Sydney roads (constant gear shuffling and revving just to keep up with traffic).

You forgot about the A/C and have 4 people in it

The choice is easy, what are you after? i'm sure someone already said it, 130 will give you the performace you can ride home about, if you want something more "appearing" then get at least 323 (recommend 325).

[astra]

Originally Posted by aem

You forgot about the A/C and have 4 people in it

The choice is easy, what are you after? i'm sure someone already said it, 130 will give you the performace you can ride home about, if you want something more "appearing" then get at least 323 (recommend 325).

please learn to speak using the correct english grammar

Yeah, thinking about resale and depreciation are not much fun but something people should bear in mind when buying a car...

I agree, 130 looks much better with the M-sport and larger wheels - I've only got 17's, however, as 18's are too much compromise and run flats are expensive enough as it is in 17s let alone 18s!

[funky_chilli]

Originally Posted by Neo JB

Yeah, thinking about resale and depreciation are not much fun but something people should bear in mind when buying a car...

I agree, 130 looks much better with the M-sport and larger wheels - I've only got 17's, however, as 18's are too much compromise and run flats are expensive enough as it is in 17s let alone 18s!

that's why u gotta get rid of the runcraps and get some proper tyres!

not only do they cost more but they weigh more and handle like $hit!

dun be scared by punctures! most of the time they're only really minor and can be fixed by sealant and a pump...if it's any worse than that, the runflats can't handle that sort of damage either and u'll be in the same boat

and just coz u can drive on run flats, it's still the same as sealant coz it's only a temporary thing until u can replace the tyre anyway

[astra]

Originally Posted by funky_chilli

that's why u gotta get rid of the runcraps and get some proper tyres!

not only do they cost more but they weigh more and handle like $hit!

dun be scared by punctures! most of the time they're only really minor and can be fixed by sealant and a pump...if it's any worse than that, the runflats can't handle that sort of damage either and u'll be in the same boat

and just coz u can drive on run flats, it's still the same as sealant coz it's only a temporary thing until u can replace the tyre anyway

proof that regular tyres are as good as run flats, is, i got a warning light on my dash one time when i was around the northern beaches, and i didn't know what it was, so i went home and had a look in the manual, and found that i had a puncture... i had to get the car back to the tyre center to fix it... so, the long and the short of it is, if it is a minor puncture, you're fine no matter what tyres you have

[funky_chilli]

yeah that's true
if it's only a really small hole - ie slow leaking puncture, just go to the servo and pump up ur regular tyres and u should be right to get u to the tyre ppl