Hey Max People,

I've narrowed it down to the BMW 320i and the 2003 Max SE 6 speed. Up here in Canada, it seems that the price is going to be the same...except that with the Max I will get much more: heated seats, HID lights, HP(although questionable), stereo with in-dash CD Changer, sun roof etc...
The BMW offers "German engineering", 3 years of "free service", 4 years/80,000km warranty etc...
I plan on keeping this car; therefore, I am concerned with service issues in five years or so. I realize that I might take a real hit on repairing the BMW, yet I am weary of Nissan's service?!?!
Any feedback would be greatly welcome.

KV

 

A 320i? Haven't seen one of those since about 1984 or so. A modern 3 series w/ a 2.0 liter motor? Ick. At least a 323I right?

 

I believe that 320i is available in Canada and is similiar to the 323i...approx. 175hp.

 

weary of Nissan service, but want reliability?

do you HAVE to have a 6 speed? if not, consider a used Infiniti I35.

if you need the space the Maxima has...you'll be hard pressed in the 3 series.

is the 320 a 4 cyl in Canada? in the U.S. we only go as "low" as a 325.

the U.S has the 325, 330, and M3

We haven't had a 4 cyl BMW in 4 years or so.

The BMW will turn more heads, even if it is a 4 cylinder, but it will cost you (as you already know) tires/oil changes...it's all alot more expensive with the BMW.

In the US, Nissan has a 5 year 60,000 mile warranty. What is the Canadian warranty for nissan?

-vq

 

BMW doesn't sell the 323 in the states anymore. and it was a inline 6.

is the 320 a inline4 or inline6?

I guess what I was trying to say earlier was that if you want Nissan reliability, and good service...get an Infiniti...or at least look into them.

-vq

 

inline 6...

http://www.bmw.ca/automobiles/model_...=CAB30BMC201A0

 

They quote 0-100 km/h (0-62) in 8.7s. Ick, my old Accord V6 could beat that. Get the Maxima.

 

+2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

 

since you live in canada i think i'll go with the maxima, because RWD vehicles are horrible in the snow

 

+2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

Ditto!

 

Best bang for the buck is no doubt the Max!

 

no ? get the maxima.

 

320i? really? my dad still lives in canada and bought a 330xi last year but i dont remember 320i as one of the models

 

Maxima no doubt, you will walk away uninspired by its get up and go!

 

KMV, if it's any help, I chose the Maxima over a newer 330ci and a 1998 M3. (pratical reasons, not emotional)

-vq

 

Let's see here....BMW does 0-60 in 8.7, and the 6spd Max in 5.9...not to mention that it's probubly an overall better car in almost every catagory. You cannot compare the two cars. The Maxima absolutely owns it. If you want to compare, compare it with a 330ci Sedan, or if they don't make that in sedan form, something that can compete with the Maxima performance wise.

 

Don't forget the 328. But anyways, definitely get the Max. Even if the Max has "questionable" as you put it HP numbers, they're still UNquestionably higher than a 320i bimmer.

Hands down Max on this one!

 

do they still make the 328? I thought it went away when they started making the 330...just like the 323 went away when they started making the 325. isn't that right?

but the 323 had a 2.5L engine anyway...it should have been called the 325 from the beginning. but BMW thought the 325 and 328 were too close so the called the 2.5L 3 series a 323 to seperate it from the 328....but then they made the 330, and finally started calling the 2.5L powered 3series a 325 intsead of 323....i'm almost certain.

-vq

 

Been there (BMW) done that. For years I lusted after a BMW 5 series. Well, 2 years ago I bought one. It was at the same time the finest vehicle and the biggest piece of $hit that I have ever owned. Yes, the German ride and feel is fine, but when you have to go to the dealer every 3 months (no exaggeration), it stops being so much fun. In the space of 2 years, $5700 was spent on warranty work, BMW and aftermarket warranty.

Radiators, thermostats, water pumps, climate control, struts, check engine lights, transmission rebuild, more check engine lights, trunk actuator latches, power window failures. The cars are disasters. If you do get one, lease it, and it you don't lease it, and you buy it, be prepared for an immediate 50% loss in depreciation. If you buy used, NEVER OWN A BMW OUT OF WARRANTY. Get an aftermarket warranty, with a $0 deductible for about $1500 up to 7 years and 100K. Believe me you'll be happy you did. Read the forums ...

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/

Most people lease these things and give them back. BMW's after 50K are maintenance nightmares. All in all, the most beautiful, finest car that I have ever hated.

 

The BMW 323 & 328 were the previous 3 series models. For the 2000 or 2001 year models (I do not remember the exact year), BMW started selling the 325 (replacing the 323) and the 330 (replacing the 328).

 

You're absolutely right! My bad, I didn't realize they got rid of the 328i. This must have happened during the last production year or something, where they performed a slight refreshening of the 3 series.

vq, my bad, you got me on this one!

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys! It is one of those questions where you know the answer, but just need confirmation from a "third party." I've always been concerned about reliability and service issues specific to German products ie. BMW, Benz, VW.

Since I plan on keeping my next car for a while, I think the MAX is the way to go. Furthermore, the 2003 Max is readily available here in Canada with the 6 speed and the prices are outstanding! They are now offering a $2,000 rebate or 0.9% financing over 3 years....and to boot, I've got the dealer down to $200 over dealer invoice.

Will let you all know when I get my new Max...soon!

KMV

 

Don't forget another BIG benefit of the Max--Maxima.org! It'll totally change your ownership experience.

Good luck!

 

Yep, you will be paranoid of problems/noises/lights that haven't even given you trouble yet!!

 

Yep, VERY true!

 

What is the point of getting a low end BMW? If you ask me, it's definitely not for performance reasons. Getting a low end bimmer just for its name is not the smartest way to go. If you want a nice 3er then don't get anything below 330. Having said that, I think Maxima would be a better fit for you... and even me if I were in your shoes.
Speaking of reliability. I've seen people having absolute nightmares with their Ultimate Driving Machines. I, on the other hand, have had 0 problems since day one (last May). Go figure...
Good luck with your new car. Maxima is a great grocery getter

 

Really? I've got the 540i 6-sp bug in my head now. If anything I would probably lease it. Does BMW discount at all? I'm thinking though since it is cheaper (and faster) I would probably go with the M3. I hate the inside (esp. the smell of the leather) but the performance is nothing short of amazing (and this was with an old 260-hp one). The 333 (?) hp of the new one must be a mind blower. I wonder what a lease on that bad boy would be?

 

According to the caluclator on www.bmwusa.com, oh around $800.00/month for 36. No idea what the rate is.

 

Yea, but I don't know if those are "MSRP" numbers or what. I tend not to go by the price that they quote online...looking for insider info

 

i owned a 2K1 maxima and was thoroughly frustrated by everything about it. i had paint chips and dings all over the car within weeks of buying it. the nissan service was crappy as hell, not to mention the gas mileage and car depreciation value. and everywhere i went, i saw old ladies driving maximas.

anyway, to make a long story short... the maxima was totaled when it hydroplaned across the freeway and got hit from behind by a pickup truck (luckily it wasn't a big rig huh?). it crumbled to pieces and i'm lucky to still be alive. i wasn't even speeding, and the insurance found that the crappy potenza tires were partially to blame.

i took the insurance money and bought a BMW 325i and have been very happy with it. great service, great handling. not a single paint chip. overall, the car just feels more solid and i definitely feel more safe driving it. as for speeds, who cares? you want to be plastered all over the roads on the news? bottom line, just go with the car that you like the most.

 

Speed matters a great deal to a lot of people. Expecially when the car is supposidly in the same class but costs $10K more and has less horse power. Speed doesn't kill people, it's incorrectly using the power.

 

Once you go Max, you never go bax.

It's fun to thump a 530.

 

I SERIOUSLY doubt that BMW deals on 540i 6sp. These vehicles are for people who don't really count money (most of them) like most of us here do, so those cars do not sell for much lower than MSRP, if below at all.

The 540i 6 speed is a VERY nice car (looks, and I guess performance too, never driven one though), but be prepared to fork over huge sums of money for it.

All in all, unless you can comfortably (big emphasis on comfortably) afford to purchase or lease that car, it's not worth it by any means cause you know after a little while, you'll get used to that car too, and will be looking for something else, but will be making huge payments every month on top of that.

 

yep, don't expect to knock much off of the price when shopping for bmw's. Their type of customers are the ones that know exactly what they want, and will fork over money very close to sticker and the dealers know that.