- 113,253
- 8,995 high price
- Charleston, SC
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- autoshopper.com
2004 bmw 325 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. These are indeed the ultimate driving machines. introductionthis is the benchmark. The bmw 3 series cars are the aspiration for every automaker building a sports sedan or smaller luxury sedan. there's a good reason for that. The 3 series is superb. Whether it's the standard 325i or the high-performance m3, they are driver's cars. Dynamically, each is outstanding: a highly refined machine that corners, accelerates, and stops swiftly. The 3 series puts drivers in touch with the road instead of isolating them. Driving the sedan, coupe, convertible or sport wagon is a joy. They blend luxury and sport with high levels of quality, making living with them joyful as well. Their interiors are well equipped and comfortable. other automakers are envious of the 3 series for another reason: it exemplifies consistency in product character and values. Bmw's 3 series cars have been the benchmark for entry luxury cars for some time, and we do not see this changing soon. the competition may be gaining, but bmw is hardly sitting still. For 2004, the 3 series gets an extensive array of updates. The coupe and convertible are mildy restyled, front and rear, and there's more of just about everything: more technology, more standard equipment, more wheel design choices. 330 models now come standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, and bmw's trick sequential manual gearbox (smg) is offered on all rear-drive models. For entry luxury market shoppers who put a premium on driving satisfaction, the bmw 3 series remains the place to start. lineupthe popularity of the 3 series has produced a wide, sometimes confusing range of sedans, coupes, convertibles, and wagons. Ten models are available, varying considerably in price, power, and packaging, not to mention two versions from bmw's high-performance m division. The price spread from the bottom of the 3 series line to the top exceeds $30,000. All are based on the same chassis and all ride on the same 107. 3-inch wheelbase, but the coupes and convertibles do not share many body panels with the sedans and wagons. two engines are available in the standard 3 series line, with a new variant of one of them for 2004. Both are inline six-cylinder engines. As the 3 series nomenclature indicates, 325 models get a 2. 5-liter engine, while 330 models get a 3. 0-liter engine. The sedan, coupe, and convertible are available with either engine; wagons are only available with the 2. 5-liter engine. the 325i sedan 27,800), 325i sport wagon 30,400), 325ci coupe 30,100) and 325ci convertible 37,300) are powered by the 184-horsepower 2. 5-liter engine. The higher price of coupes and convertibles includes a slightly higher level of standard luxury equipment than the sedans and wagons. the 330i sedan 34,600), 330ci coupe 35,600), and 330ci convertible 42,900) benefit from the 225-horsepower 3. 0-liter engine. In addition to the increased power, 330 models come with more standard equipment and mechanical upgrades. Two examples: v-rated tires in place of the 325's standard h-rated tires, and larger brakes. The 325xi 29,550) and 330xi 36,350) sedans and the 325xi sport wagon 32,150) offer much better traction and control in slippery conditions. They come equipped with hill descent control, which could prove helpful descending a steep, slippery driveway or back road. the 3 series variants powered by the 2. 5-liter engine come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission; those powered by the 3. 0-liter engine are upgraded to a 6-speed manual for 2004. A superb zf-built 5-speed steptronic automatic 1,275) is optional on all models, while the 6-speed sequential manual gearbox 1,500) developed for and launched in the m3, is offered on all rear-drive 3 series models. Run-flat tires with tire pressure monitoring 300) are an option on 330 models. most 3 series models come with a premium package 1,200-$3,300, depending on the model), which includes an auto dimming rearview mirror, a moonroof, myrtle wood trim, front seat memory and drivers lumbar support, leather upholstery, a multi-function trip computer, and the bmw assist system. Bmw assist provides telematic collision notification, an sos button, roadside assistance, locator and concierge services. In short, the 3 series is available with nearly all the convenience features offered on bmw's larger sedans, which is one reason prices can approach $60,000 for the m cars. smart front and front side-impact airbags come standard. Also standard (on all but the convertibles) are head-protection airbags that deploy from the headliner along the length of both sides of the cabin. Rear side-impact airbags are optional 385). Bi-xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps 700) offer much better visibility on stormy nights and now aim around corners, but they sometimes annoy other drivers. Bmw's park distance control 350) works great, beeping to warn the driver of objects behind the car during parking maneuvers. closely related to the standard 3 series are the m3 coupe . walkaroundwith their bold grilles, exotic-looking headlamps and short front and rear overhangs, the bmw 3 series cars are striking. These beauties have never been the subject of the bold/ugly debate currently swirling around bmw's 5 series and 7 series models. the current-generation 3 series debuted in 1999. Each model is classic bmw: elegant and refined, but purposeful. The roofline is long and gracefully integrated into the short rear deck. The wheels fill the fenders wells to the flares and the body work seems wrapped tight, like it's stretched over muscle. If there was a picture in the dictionary of a sports sedan it would be a bmw 330i. the quad headlamps are enclosed in aerodynamic covers. The optional bi-xenon lights include low and high beams; the outer lamps provide high-intensity discharge illumination on low and high beams, while the inner lamps augment the high beams with halogen lighting. Auto-leveling of the bi-xenon lamps is included, and for 2004 they actually turn into a curve as the car tracks through. the sedan was the first of this latest generation 3 series to be launched. It shares its styling and most of its bodywork with the sport wagon. Subtle changes to the design of the 3 series sedans and wagons freshened their appearance in 2002 with redesigned front fascias, front and rear bumpers, grilles, headlamps, tail lamps, hoods, and fenders. Similar to the theme set by the new 7 series, the headlamps now tilt up at the trailing edges of the wraparounds, rather than tilting down as they have traditionally. Bmw also redesigned the shape of the cutouts below the headlamps. The front fascia now looks more like a true air dam, with round integrated fog lamps instead of small, thin rectangular lights. Character lines on the hood and front fenders were modified, and bmw's trademark dual-kidney grilles were widened. Bumpers, front and rear, have a simpler, cleaner look and redesigned taillights offer greater illuminated area. coupe and convertible models were introduced for 2000, and for 2004 they benefit from a freshening similar to that undertaken on the sedan two years ago. The headlights now sweep upward as they wrap around the sides of the car. Even in a color as basic as white, the m3 attracts a lot of attention, particularly from enthusiasts who know that the special styling cues only hint at the car's performance potential. For 2004, the 330i performance package adds many of the same cues, creating the look of an m3 sedan (but without the m3 engine). all 3 series variants have well-designed exterior door handles that are easy to grab. The trunk lift grips have been widened for 2004. All variants are equipped with a new technology bmw calls adaptive brake lights. Introduced on the 7 series, these illuminate more intensely, over a larger area, when the driver applies the brakes full-lock, or when the abs operates. The idea is to inform drivers in cars following the 3 series that it's stopping hard (and assumes the driver following knows how to decipher the signals). interiorthe 3 series interior is designed for the serious driver. The manual controls work well, though they are best used when the car is stationary. Power adjustments come standard on all models except 325i sedans. The 10-way power seats that come with some of the option packages are superb, adding more side bolstering for winding roads, and. Power Seats✔ Bucket Seats✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Navigation System
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