just test drove this as my gf was looking to get a new car.
we first drove the c230, she said it was weak. then we drove the 325i and
i must say for the 3.0 liter inline 6 this car felt sluggish. I had more fun driving ght 2.0t vw gti. I know she would never buy that, but was really disappointed with the drive of the 325i.
next, tsx, g35 and tl to come for test drive.

raja

 

I had the opposite impression... I had one as a loaner car for a couple of days. The 325i had enough power, it cornered flat and had very sharp handling. There really wasn't much body roll. The only thing I didn't like about the car was the brakes. While they stopped the car on a dime, they had a weird on/off feel to them. Other than the brakes the car was excellent.

 

The G35 should feel alot better power wise. Can she wait a few months for the redesigned G to come out?

 

Get her the 330i Raja.

 

I would never even drive the 325i. That thing is a slow ****.

 

sharif,

perhaps cuz this was automatic/steptronic and no sports pkg.
also, ones defination of no body roll is different than someone else.
i used to have s2000 and i thought the suspension could be a little more
tight. I like my cars to be precise and absolutely no body roll. Then my brother-in-law has 540i sport and my sister thinks the ride is way too stiff.

Porschefanatic,

I would get her 330i but i am not married to her, so i am not into putting money for something that I am not 100% sure about.

mkell,

We might wait for the g35 cuz it is looking mighty nice. although their interior is so 80s NISSANish looking.

raja

 

BMW are for Poseurs. Except for the M line, BMW all have soft rides with body roll. BMW are great for your average driver wanting some status, german engineering. Your GF will probly be happy with it unless she is a hardcore car nut.

 

Only thing that sucks is, my G35 has no power on the top end, soon as 100-110 comes around, it hits a brick wall, and it also has a lower drag coefficient then most expotics and the G35 coupe, dont know what it is. Im well beyond stock too.

BMW's just gradually pull and pull, have not driven the newer E90 series but im sure they are pretty good!

 

That's a little blunt. I've had 4 BMW's myself and don't consider myself a poseur. I just want the best car for my money and being 20 that's what I can afford. Sure there are lots of people who just buy BMW's for the badge but they really are one of the best brands for the overall product as not everyone wants a focused sports car such as Porsche, granted I do but my time will come. BTW, living in so.cal I would say not every Porsche owner is in it for the driving experience either.

To the OP, I would look into the 335i coming here early this fall. 3.0 I6TT 300hp/300tq @ 1300 rpms should be rather peppy.

 

325i is a great DD for your girlfriend...She is going to be driving it most of the time, right? At least she gets the "status" of driving a BMW (assuming that is why she wouldn't get the VW).

 

get a 2.0t A4 and chip it...

 

she doesn't like the shape of a4. i wanted her to get that.
i also like the new passat. I myself would get the vw cuz everyone
i know who owns vw says they would never get another one.
as for status symbol? 325i gets you status?? since when?
the list started out with pretty much
cars in the 30k range, which included tsx, g35, c230, a4 and 325i.

mr kram,

i would so prefer the a4 with a chip!!!

 

so it ended up being a tsx.
booo.
lol
she is happy.

 

oh well. i took an e90 330i out on laguna seca and on the skidpad, it was a surprisingly fun car. manual tranny of course.

 

e90 330i sports i am sure is a different ball game all together.

raja