I know the Acura - BMW thing has been beaten to death, but here it goes anyway....Drove a brand new 5spd 325Ci this morning, wanted to drive the 330, but they didn't have one. The car feels much smaller inside than the Acura. I'm only 6'1", but it felt pretty cramped to me. The ride was nice, felt more "together" (for lack of a better word) than the CL, but that thing is SLOW!!!!! I like the torque curve of the car, but the power is no where near the CL at any rpm - anixous to drive the 330 for comparison. I didn't care for the shift feel - too rubbery. The biggest complaint...the car stickered for 35K!! That is 6K more than I got the CL for, and the Bimmer didn't have powerseats, leather, sunroof, heated seats etc! Even if the prices were even, the CL is still a much better buy IMO.
The Acura isn't perfect (rattles, paint etc.), but I have yet to drive a car in the 30-40K price range that I like better.
Just my 2 cents for the day

 

I agree..... CLS > 325

 

but....G35 > 330 according to Car & Driver

Something to think about

 

i got to drive a new 330ci hardtop fully loaded stick shift and let me tell you, damn! it stickered for 43k but it was nice. i dont think it is worth 12k more than the cl, but you have to admit that when it comes to DRIVING the bwm has its sh*t together.

playaZ

 

Yes, if Car & driver says it is... then it must be true.

 

i'd take a g35c over a 330 any day of the week.

 

I agree that the 330Ci is a very well-engineered vehicle, but for over 40K, that engine is a joke. I test-drove a similarly equipped (automatic sport-shift) 330 before buying my CL-S (automatic), and I expected a LOT more acceleration for 11k more. I couldn't believe so many people out there drop that much money for that engine. I don't like the G35 interior (coupe is the same I hear), but it's (like the CL-S) a lot of car for the money--where no BMW comes near that claim. The appearance of the 330Ci is awesome, though.

 

Drove a 330Ci... I posted a review a couple weeks ago. Great car... I may be trading up for one soon...

 

IMO, 325 is just a waste of money. 'Nuff said.

 

I disagree... Granted the CLS will outrun a 325, but the 325 is a great car.

Handles well. Looks good. Comes with a lot of goodies. German quality.

Just because a car is slow, doesn't mean it's a waste of money. Some people don't need to do the 1/4 mile in 15 seconds.

 

i certainly wouldn't call the 330 engine a joke

 

Alls I'm saying is, for that much money, it's not what BMW should be giving a 40k+ spender. That's all. They better keep that emblem solidly attached.

 

Why does more money have to equal more speed???

 

It doesn't -- if you're shopping for a sedan or an SUV, but I'd think a luxury *sport* coupe that jumps into an upper price range would also jump into an upper performance range as well.

 

Point well taken...

 

BMWs arent all about straight line performance. The thing that makes BMW different from a lot of car manufactures is the way the car feels in the hands of the driver. The brakes and handling are always top notch on a BMW and I can guarentee that they are currently developing a car right now that will blow away competition. I just hope that Chris Bangle doesnt make the next generation 3 series ugly.

 

I took my first ride in one last weekend. I was suprised to hear an interior rattle caused by the bass from the stock stereo unit. The car was really nice. Just didn't expect to hear a rattle.

 

weird.. i get good luck with rattles... i didnt have any in my TLS, and i dont have any in the 330ci .... GO me.

 

I actually prefer the 330ci to the cl type s.

The handling is much better, and the rwd feel is much sportier in my opinion. The power is nice, and it has a nice solid german feel to it. Plus, it isn't an upgraded econocar. Sometimes when I drive my Cl, I feel like it's just an upgraded accord... same switches, same knobs, same tinny door.

Plus the BMW is much more luxurious, but you get what you pay for, and I couldn't pay for it.

 

Man, I hate to keep adding to the beat-to-death topic, but, I'd prefer the 330Ci *barely* over the CL-S with comparable equipment, so there's only that 11k price difference to overcome. I didn't feel like it was more "luxurious" at all, but that's just my opinion.

Ya know, we had a discussion at work a couple weeks ago about which *sport coupe* car we'd pick if we had $45k to spend, and we all had a lot of trouble picking cars other than the Vette (which I immediately claimed). $35k has a ton of vehicles, but when you try to pick in that next 10k, it's really tuff to choose. I did throw in the 330 convertible as a $45k choice, just for kicks. I might start a thread just to see what people on this forum would select given $45k. No one has impressed me with a creative sport coupe option yet that justifies the next $10k.

 

No 325 is a joke because the only people that would buy are those people that believe in the panache of driving a BMW and they cant afford a 330. They are SOOOO many other BETTER choices then the 325 at that price range.
Clueless people would be a 325. An acquantance of mine was looknig at 325xi, I told him not to waste his money. I dont know if he listed to me, but he went and bought a lexus gs300.
It's a total "mother's upgraded camry". This is a good example of the kind of people that would look at 325, the clueless ones.

 

After having owned a 328is(and talking to other BMW owners)it is more expensive just owning a BMW. If you have any money concerns about BMW vs Acura, get the Acura. If the money is so big deal, get the BMW. Until I make a lot more money and have more disposable income I will not own a BMW.
And guess what? ALL cars get a rattle or squeak. It also seems many car owners of most brands are bitching about paint problems. Major cost cutting is going on in all the mass-produced nameplates.

 

THOSE are VERY GOOD POINTS...and exactly why i choose to just drop the conflict between cls and 330 and i just bought both of them....NO hassles for me plus i get the best of both worlds!! =)

 

exactly....i mean, if u wanted a 3 series, and bought a 325...it is obvious that u wanted the BMW sign but couldnt afford to get the top of the line...who would pic a 330 over a 325?? not anyone in the right mind!!! same goes for mercedes C240 and C320....

 

I agree with everybody, I think that the 330Ci is the only 3 series I would buy, but it is not in the same price class at all.

In terms of luxury? BMW is by far a better luxury car. It looks luxurious inside, it has a better sound system, and it has rwd, something I really wish the CLS had.

I love my CLS since it is the best I could get at the price for a new car. But if I had another 10k? It would be a 330Ci or another S4.

 

you said it man....i love the 330...but i also love the cls...two similar, yet very different cars

 

I don't agree w/ that rubbery manual comment tho, check my sig, we have a 330. I'm 6'2 and don't have a problem fitting in it at all. In fact, the leg room is more than in my cl. The steering wheel is more upright as is the seating position giving me a feeling of being closer to the dash which probably explains your cramped feeling. Sorry fellow cl-s board members, if I had my pick, I'd take my wife's 330xi over the cl-s every day.

 

What goodies?! The CLS comes with GOODIES, man. And they're all INCLUDED too.

 

5 years ago the M3 cost around $40K now your lucky if you get a 330 Ci without all the trimmings.

 

The only difference between the 325 and 330 is the engine. You can get every single package/option on the 325 as you can on the 330. And the price difference is $6,000.00.

So the only difference between the two is the motor. 2.5L versus a 3.0L motor.

And that equates to a slight performance hit. But again, some people aren't looking for a fast car. They want a car, that is well built, fun to drive, and has some options. While some people go and buy the 325 just for the name, others get it because they don't need the pep of the 3.0L motor. Other than that, you'd be hard pressed to find a difference between the two. And a well driven 325 will do just fine on the road course...

 

You're right in that you pay a hell of a hot more for a Bimmer. But things like REAL wood trim, rain sensing wipers, one touch everything, a SPORTS package... At least those either come with the car, or are an option... And some of these offset the price of the car. Granted not a full 10K, but BMWs have always costed more... It's just the way it is.

 

bimmers are awesome cars. period.

i cant personally justify the cost OVER my cl. but that does not mean the bimmer isnt worth its weight in gold...

my cl is awesome as well. but i have no problem admitting it is not put together as well as a bimmer.

 

I don't agree w/ that rubbery manual comment tho, check my sig, we have a 330. I'm 6'2 and don't have a problem fitting in it at all. In fact, the leg room is more than in my cl. The steering wheel is more upright as is the seating position giving me a feeling of being closer to the dash which probably explains your cramped feeling. Sorry fellow cl-s board members, if I had my pick, I'd take my wife's 330xi over the cl-s every day. [/B][/QUOTE]

The rubbery feel may just be me, most of the maunals that I've driven have been in lesser cars or trucks and as a result I am used to a heavier shift feel. I'd love to buy the 330ci and "have to" get used to the shift feel:P
I think you nailed it regarding the cramped feeling. Leg room and head room were fine,but I felt very close to the dash, steering wheel and windshield. I guess compared to a lot of similar cars, the CL is pretty large.
As I said, given the power difference, I think the CL is a better buy at any price than the 325. However, as with most folks on the board, I won't argue that the CL is better than a 330. I haven't driven the 330 yet, but with power equal or better than that of the CL, I am looking forward to the test drive - dealer will have a 2003 5spd coming next month.

 

We always get the CL-S versus 330i arguments, but i always say we should be compared to a 325i which is really no contest and we're still a few grand cheaper.