Personally... I have outran every older model 325 or 328 I come across. And yes they were trying.

I have taken a ride with a few of my friends who were 3 series owners and the interior space is as small as my wifes 03 corolla. And that was in the passenger seat. I dont want to imagine the drivers seat for my 6'3" frame.

The gas mileage is worse, the maintenance is terribly expensive, and IMO a very huge waste of money overall.

The gas mileage on the tc is better, way more interior room, can be made to look as classy or as sporty as you want it to. My vote is definitely for the tC. I did choose the tC over a new 330. I wanted a car that I could make a decent payment and still afford to add whatever I want to it without starving my family.

 

If you want speed go with the beamer, if you want everything else go with a tc
on another note i just drove my cousins m3... i cried a little.

 

Yeah, but he probably cries a little each time he makes a payment or gets "serviced"...

 

I think for the sake of everyone the 333hp M3 shouldn't be discussed..

I don't like the other bmws.. they're prettied up civics

 

I actually considered buying a used Z3 coupe before the tC but didn't want to deal with the upkeep...call some BMW dealers and ask for the cost of services you'll need to have done soon on a car with ?-60K...my father has driven BMW's for years...they can be great cars...but like others have said...you'll likely pump more money into it..even for routine service...just be prepared...i'm lucky...i can drive his 2001 M Roadster anytime and not have to shell out the $$ when it needs to be serviced.

 

the m roadster with the current gen motor is a rocketship. too bad i 5'8" cant really fit in it. i think the coupe is better IMO. theyre more fun to get sideways ;)

 

I'd choose the tC and here's why:

My best friend bought a used '01 328i (sedan, m/t, xenon headlights, sport package, the works) about 1.5 years ago with 28k miles on it. It was very fun to drive, and a nice ride. I loved that car.
But his mpg sucked, and the cost of maintenance was outrageous. At about 50k miles a suspension problem arose, which was going to cost A LOT to repair.

He chose to trade it in on a brand new '04 Acura TL.

With the new BMW style coming out, all the older models are getting very affordable, and very tempting to buyers. Heck, I thought about getting a used '99 318ti (hatchback) when I bought my xB.

But getting a car with 60k miles, albeit a Bimmer, is getting a very used vehicle. The engine may hold up, but the rest of that BMW will not last forever, and will cost a lot to repair.


If you were to buy a new tC, you'd be getting one heck of a value for your buck. You'd enjoy the feel of driving off the lot with 2 miles on the odometer and that new car scent for the next 5k miles. You'd have the reliability of a Toyota, which is much better than any BMW. You'd get better mpg, and likely much cheaper insurance.
You'd have a car that has only been available for 6 months, rather than 6 years.

I'd suggest buying the tC.
GL

 

god help me i love my bmw 325i but the repair costs are insane. it still runs as good as the day i drove it off the lot 165K miles ago, but i am dreading the next breakdown. go with the tc. in the long run, the $$ will be on your side.

 

you're right about it being a rocket...quite a change getting into my auto tC after having his car for a few days...i tried everything i could think of to talk him into buying the M Coupe..we test drove both but like most people he just couldn't get over the look of it..i was hoping he'd buy a last gen M Coupe and when he got tired of it sell it to me cheap!..i'm only 5'9 and i fit ok.

 

hal where in NY are you?

 

i'm actually living in upstate a couple of hours from the city..spend a lot of time there with friends though...i noticed Bronx is in my profile.. i'll have to change it at some point...

 

I just thought id mention it because i love that car. And no he wont need to get it serviced much, itll be gone once a car that he likes more than it comes along (im sure 1 -2 years).

 

I lived in Germany for 2 years, and have owned several BMW's. They are like Chevorlets to Germans. They come with no leather, no power, no air condition, hub caps, and rubbermaid bumbers. They are a damn good car though. I had one with 200,000 miles ...It was running perfectly when I sold it. But seriously....60,000 miles Vs. new??? Yeah their nice but, you will be happier with the new car smell.

 

if you really like the beemer... then go with you want... keeping in mind it's costs will haunt you with maintenance... have you driven either of these cars? You gotta feel which car you like better some time, I recommend hopping in both...

The TC is gonna be my first car... my first car is going to be new and I plan on driving it for a while... my decision is based on a quality:economy bit... TC is just a sweet deal

A mechanic friend of mine once told me, while you're young... drive honda or toyota as they're known for their reliability... when you grow up and have lots of money, buy whatever brand you want... you're paying for it...

it's a lifestyle thing, neh?

 

We own a BMW 328 ci 2000, I think the same year your looking at:

Here is a frame of reference in our situation of the BMW:
---Sports package, premium package
---STAGGERED rims (hmmm....)
---Bought brand new
---Oil changes every 15k (love that)

90+ miles later..

---Car is still in great shape, wife drives it remind you (22-23k miles a year)
---Original shocks and battery still, (unbelievable)
---Water pump, no biggee...underwarenty at the time replace about 50K (water pump issue is not a big deal, my 99 tacoma trd had a water pump issue which a letter was sent out to change due to it going bad.)

---Gas mileage, wow she gets completely the opposite of what everybody else is posting. She can easily get 400-425 in a tank with city + highway. (I can only wish the tC can get those numbers and its a 4, not a 6...sorry had to gripe about that)

---Replaced recently, front bushing $400.00. Unbelievable since If you go to e46Fanatics.com, you'll see those guys changing their bushings around 30k ( I really believe its because we stayed stock on the rims, and her driving)

---Driving the cars, completely night and day. I really appreciate the bmw handling even after all these miles. For as much as I know she drives, im glad shes in comfort, that car just amazes me.

---tC out runs the BMW, im not sure about that...Even my tacoma trd v6 couldnt get a jump on that car, I honestly cant see the tC beating it, but hey whatever, I own both

Now...things that I know is coming up on the BMW
---Im tired of buying new tires every year because of the staggered set up...Were thinking about going 18's SSR gt3 8.5 all around, with tires $2500-$3000

---Shocks, We've push the life and there still running great. I know realisticly they should have been replaced around 60-75k, so KW coil overs are in line for the vehicle at 100k....price 1500

---Clutch...hmmm...well im going to guess where going to change that at about 130k miles

---Battery...That is going to be change before any of the above happens (dont need her to yell at me why her car died, lol)

As you can see with the mileage on the car, normal wear and tear...the car is awesome. You do pay more, but when you drive one there is no comparing the two, the 3 just feels completely solid ( In our case)


Tc:
--Brand new
--Toyota
--Lower cost in ownership
--BRAND NEW (cant beat that one reason)
--Great Daily Driver but the MPG just kills me knowning its a 4 and getting those numbers

If you can hold off for another year and a half, save your money and get the 4 series..., which replaced the 3 series coupe, if you have your heart set on a BMW.

In reality, you wont go wrong with a tC. I have virtually no problems with it that I can find, except the MPG once again, oh yeah I do have a rattle on my sunroof but heck not a hugh can't buy this car problem..Squeaks, Pops, etc..etc...minor problems...its a 16k car, come on.

"A mechanic friend of mine once told me, while you're young... drive honda or toyota as they're known for their reliability... when you grow up and have lots of money, buy whatever brand you want... you're paying for it...

it's a lifestyle thing, neh?"---------Theres a lot of truth to that saying, great sound advice.


Hope this information helps, wanted to give you a informative side on a person who owns the car you want to get with tons of miles on it.

Cheers
X

 

Thank You so much everybody for your input. I test drove a tC today and have made up my mind. No doubt I am getting one!!!!
Thanks again for your inputs on the matter, it really made it easy for me to make the decision.

 

I was also debating the same. Between a used 330ci or 328ci 2000 with 50k miles.

I dont know where you live but if snows where you are keep in mind that bmw is rear wheel drive (unless xi). That means snow tires. Or 150 lbs of sand in trunk

Also 60k miles. How soon to replace the breaks and tires?

The scion new has 3 year warrenty where you dont have to worry about anything for three years.

Cost $$$ to have replacements and work done on BMW, clutch . . .

I found a beautiful 330ci for a few grand more then tc but the tc will cost me less long term.

Your decision

JoMiLe

 

Even with the costly upkeep that a BMW can require....I would still go for the BMW and I am saying this owning a tC.....i really wanted a BMW but i needed a car with a warrenty (still in college and can barely afford a car at all ;) ). But as soon as I graduate I will probably buy a BMW but then again it is a dream of mine.

 

I have both.

Acceleration- subjectively same.
Roominess- more leg room in Scion rear seats.
Trunk space- Hands down BMW larger.
Maintenence- Much higher for BMW...particularly used.
Cornering- BMW more stable. Even after suspension upgrades of the tc. Also more stable at higher speeds 80+
Gas mileage- Scion has edge 3-5 mpg.
Pimp qualities- Much more attention with Scion...wanted or unwanted.
Small features- much nicer for BMW...it costs twice as much new though.
Drive them and decide.

 

i used to own a 2001 330xi MT... it was a nice car, but not very reliable. i had transmission problems early on as well as problems with the AWD system. when the car was working it drove like a dream, but it was problematic at times, not so bad that it wouldn't run at all but it would be incredibly annoying, especially since i had to go drop it off at the dealership to get serviced.

if you're going with an inline six (E36 328ci im assuming) i would be prepared to have the funds to maintain the proper upkeep. also definitely run a carfax, if you find a price thats a little low for the mileage/condition you might have a lemon or a salvaged car. DO NOT get scammed... this is coming from a guy who's bought and sold several cars :D

i dont need to iterate the good points of buying a tC... the previous posters have done that... but you should also research other cars in the class of the tC. be an educated buyer and you should be straight. best of luck

rez