[tigerm]

Hello everyone

Here's my situation; I used to have a 07' 328xi with sport, premium pkg, and heated seats. Had to sell it for some reasons. Now I'm back, looking to finance this time, found a 06' 330i @ 62k miles with navi, sport, premium, cold weather pkg, logic 7, comfort access, and xenons.

I sold my xi for 15.5k (bought for 17.8k 9 months earlier ouch). This 330i is at a bmw dealer asking for 14.9 so roughly 16 otd. Just missing the awd and I live in chicago

What do you guys think? The options in this 330i have me drooling, or I would have to wait for a xi. The xi does come in handy because of the snow, only reason I haven't jumped on the 330i. But I'm reading around winter tires take care of that, would you rather pick a fully loaded i than a semi loaded xi?

[ken1137]

You don't need an xi in Chicago, just a good set of winter wheels. BTW...I used to own a 328 xi. Don't pass on the car if it has all the options you want. GL !

[AceOnShake]

Been driving mine for years now in Chicago and what I can tell you im so happy I didn't get an e90 330i in XI. More problems with it more weight on it and just the handling sucks.

Get snow tires and you'll be more than fine.

You dont ever have to worry about stupid rolling diameter in tire sizes
You dont ever have to worry about the transfer case
You dont ever have to worry about getting towed from the rear end ( i've seen this happen and the car locked up )

I have driven many Xi's out there with all seasons and drive mine with winters and I can say is that I feel 10 times more safe.

BTW that car better have less than 50k miles for 16k

[AceOnShake]

Also common failures on that

Door actuators ( MOST COMMON)
Belt tensioner ( VERY common)
lifter ticks ( common)
Oil filter housing gasket ( very common)
Water pump/ thermostat ( wear and tear item really but heard many die prematurely)
I think thats about it as for common things to check for the car
Wheel angel sensor issue ( very common )
Passenger airbag seat mat faulty ( common I think theres a recall for it but not for the 06 I had mine done under warranty)

Do a PPI at the local dealership.

[Dark_Knight_335]

I second Ken. I had an Xi, and while it was a panzer in the snow, nothing beats that RWD performance the other times of the year. Get a set of Blizzaks for the winter and you're good to go!

[tigerm]

Thanks ken1137, MentegoE90, and Dark_Knight_335.

Yup all options I've wanted are in this, first time I've come across something like this. Unfortunately at 62k miles/ Thanks for that list! The cars at a BMW dealer so thats a big plus. Definitely will look into blizzaks!

[Dark_Knight_335]

Glad to be of help. Life's too short to not go for all of what you want in a car- also the 330 is pretty solid, with a nice bump in HP for you too! Specifically you'd want Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32 XL tires for winter, and Michelin Pilot Super Sports for summer

Like MJ once said- it's all about the shoes

[idrift4wd]

As much as people say winter tires will be fine for winter, awd will help even more. Even so awd people should get winter tires also.

RWD experience is for sure more fun and acceleration feel is more pronounced. If you dont mind your car being parked for a few days when it snows then get the I/RWD.

I would look for a 335i at that price. i think if you have another 1-2k to finance or so, it would for sure be worth it.

[gilly22]

I'd say go for the 330. Though, 16k should be negotiable considering its close to a decade old. Even with all those great options, the price should come down a tad IMO

[PascalsWager]

Sounds like a nice car - very similar to mine in option packages. Pics?

Do it!

[StogieScotch]

Sounds like a nice car but I wouldn't personally recommend getting into an 8-9 year old vehicle with 60k on it for that much, even with the spec list. Keep in mind German electronics aren't famous for lasting forever and can be very expensive to replace. I'd be shooting for 14-ish OTD and walk away a few times. Just my 2-cents. Good luck!

[geko29]

This is my 14th consecutive Chicago winter in a RWD 3-series, and the three years before that were in RWD pickups. Get snow tires (I've only had them for the past two winters, but they're awesome!), you'll be fine. The other two cars in the garage are AWD crossovers, and which one do we take anytime the weather turns nasty? My 335d!

I'd preferentially take the i over the xi, 10 times out of 10.

[Nebraska330xi]

Well as a biased 06 330xi owner I would say get it!

First look at your market. 16k may be a good value for that car in chitown. You can't compare it to what people say on here though. A 3 series in SoCal is different than one in Illinois or Nebraska ect, as far as fair market value.

Perspective: I paid 16500 with ttl knowing the dealer put on new brakes, tires, oil pan, and did a full inspection with 50k miles on the clock. Just look at other cars in ur area.

On to XI, i don't think having it is a deal breaker. If you plan to track it or do a lot of high powered/intense driving then maybe but daily and occasional hoonage is great with the xi. You have to remember that winter tires and wheels cost money too. So add another 1000 minimum to your price for blizzak and cheap wheels, if you get RWD. If Chicago is like Nebraska then there is snow on the ground from November to March. Only a few of those days the streets really bad and you truly benefit from xi but it comes in handy.

[canusaybimmy]

Snow tires like a boss.

[Torgus]

just saying you can buy an 07 335xi for the same price if you look hard/long enough. They sell instantly when priced low though so you gotta be quick.

[SHEEDI]

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...les&sf2Dir=ASC

[evoix]

Got a lot of snow here this year and did not have a problem at all.

GO with the "i"

[Ruca]

Originally Posted by ken1137

You don't need an xi in Chicago, just a good set of winter wheels. BTW...I used to own a 328 xi. Don't pass on the car if it has all the options you want. GL !

+1

I run a set of Nexen Winguards (cheap money, plenty of control) on 287s for winter wheels and #180 of sand in the trunk, a tow hook w/ cable for sticky situations.

I live in the northeast and had an AWD car before this one- on my second winter with the bimmer, I've missed AWD maybe once.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...les&sf2Dir=ASC

Thanks.

There is more to an I vs. xi than just how it performs in the winter...I have both and if I could only have one it would be the xi.

[AggieATO]

Not to get into the reasons, but I can't think of any reason to sell a car you purchased 9 months earlier, at a loss, only to finance a similarly priced vehicle. Going from coupe to sedan for family reasons is the only thing I can think of.

Basically, my question from an advice standpoint would be 'Are the reasons you had to sell the 328 at a bad time going to occur again with this purchase?'

If no, and it has the options you're looking for, go for it. If yes, then rethink everything all together.

[AdamN52]

I had a 323i as a rental while my XI was in the shop - and even with winter tires on it I found it to be pretty brutal. Most of the winter it would be manageable, but with a few inches of snow it made for a pretty shitty drive.

I would be very weary of buying such an old car though rather than worrying about rwd/awd... why not save up to get something newer/more reliable? Your cost of ownership maintaining an 06 is going to start approaching the cost of financing a newer car, I would think.

My 2 cents.

[Junior508]

Originally Posted by tigerm

Hello everyone

Here's my situation; I used to have a 07' 328xi with sport, premium pkg, and heated seats. Had to sell it for some reasons. Now I'm back, looking to finance this time, found a 06' 330i @ 62k miles with navi, sport, premium, cold weather pkg, logic 7, comfort access, and xenons.

I sold my xi for 15.5k (bought for 17.8k 9 months earlier ouch). This 330i is at a bmw dealer asking for 14.9 so roughly 16 otd. Just missing the awd and I live in chicago

What do you guys think? The options in this 330i have me drooling, or I would have to wait for a xi. The xi does come in handy because of the snow, only reason I haven't jumped on the 330i. But I'm reading around winter tires take care of that, would you rather pick a fully loaded i than a semi loaded xi?

Bought my 06 330i with 99k at 13k before taxes. They drive good in the snow if you get good snow tires.