Buying 330i

[bemison]

I'm just about ready to pull the trigger and take advantage of the 1.9% financing on a new 330i. I'd like some advice on a few issues:

1) I've heard rumors about a 335. Are these true and what will this do to the resale of a 330?

2) Manual or automatic transmission. I test drove a manual 330 and loved it. Anyone had good or bad experiences with the manual transmission?

3) Navigation / I-Drive. The navigation looks cool, but have heard both good and bad things about I-Drive -- particularly poor ease of use and freezing up. Is the nav system worth the xtra $2k?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

B.

 

[deutsch100]

Hey there. Good choice. Wow, 1.9% on a new E90 is great!!

There is every indication that there will be a 335i, coming very soon. It is the same thing when the E46 debuted in 1999. The first batch had the 323i and 328i, and then came the 325i and 330i. Of course, a 335i sedan will not help the resale value of the 330i.

I love BMW's steptronic transmission, but as long as you enjoy driving a manual (and don't have to deal with Horrible!! traffic like we have here in L.A.), I think BMW probably makes the best manual trannies.

The E90 has had quite a few i-Drive related problems, software upgrades, freezing issues, etc.. The post Sept. 2005 models are better though. IMO, unless you absolutley need Navigation, save the money and frustration.

Good Luck!

 

[coopernicus]

If you are technology inclined, get the iDrive. It is not hard to figure out, I learned it inside out after playing with every option over 2 hours with skimp reading of the manual. I taught my wife (who can hardly turn on the cable TV and DVD) and she gets it. In addition to the Nav, you can customize some car functions (path lights, daytime running lights, triple signalling), and the Bluetooth enabled communications is seemless. Your cell phone's (make sure it is compatible, or get one that is compatible for your next one) stored numbers load up automatically and you use the iDrive to dial calls, with or without voice command. The system can accomodate up to 4 phones in the car, so 4 different phones can make and receive calls using the Communication functions of the iDrive, of course accomodating one phone at a time.

The BMW Nav DVD is also very good. For example, you can use it to look up location of restaurants in an area, and ask the computer to dial the place to make reservation. I found new restaurants in my area that I've never been. The "shortest route" mapping function of the Nav also took me thru shortcuts in my neighborhood I never thought to try. I give the iDrive a big thumbs up. I wish I had it in my E46. Also, it wouldn't be possible to get iDrive after car leaves the factory, as far as I know.

Looking thru iDrive forums, the freezing problem seems to have been resolved with recent updates, was only a problem for the 7's where iDrive debut.

 

[deutsch100]

In addition to the Nav, you can customize some car functions (path lights, daytime running lights, triple signalling), and the Bluetooth enabled communications is seemless. Your cell phone's (make sure it is compatible, or get one that is compatible for your next one) stored numbers load up automatically and you use the iDrive to dial calls, with or without voice command. The system can accomodate up to 4 phones in the car, so 4 different phones can make and receive calls using the Communication functions of the iDrive, of course accomodating one phone at a time. QUOTE]


All of this can now be done without getting Navi. Post Sept. 2005 E90s, allow all of these features thru the on board computer settings. And Bluetooth is virtually flawless without Navi too