Ok guys let me first say that its been fun talking with yall and exchanging stories. Now as for my impression of my new 2002 330i 5-speed manual, well it can be described simply as AWESOME!!! Now the maxima is a nice car don't get me wrong but it simply doesn't hold a candle to the 330i! Do yourself a favor and don't test drive the 330i 5-speed unless you are ready to buy one because it will make you an instant addict. This car is the best handling sports sedan on the market bar none. The acceleration accompanied by the sweet turbinelike sound of the engine and the exhaust note will but a silly grin on your face that is almost impossible to wipe off. This car would have destroyed my SCed maxima at speeds over 70 mph and would definitely be a contender off the line. (Don't know for sure since I wasn't able to race my car.) Next time yall have a meet somewhere in Dallas let me know and I'll meet yall so we can do some comparison racing. As soon as I get some pics I'll post them. Take care.

 

Im sure its a fun car, but I think I will stick to my $375 car payments.

 

Here are the stats from carstats.com :

2002 BMW 330i
0-60: 6.4
1/4: 14.9@94
Manual
C&D 2/1/2002

I really like the 330 in terms of its superior handling dynamics...
but in a straight line, given its power to weight ratio...it weighs
almost 3300 pounds/225hp/214ft-lbs torque.

I think you would get owned by a properly tuned 5-speed supercharged
maxima.

I don't even think you would be able to pull on a tuned 5-speed max.

Except possibly in the 120-140mph region.

The 330 is not that fast in a straight line.

Stock 330 vs. Highly Tuned NA Max would be a race I would definitely want to see -- i have a feeling it would be close...

btw..i'm talking 4th gens here...5th gens would of course be a whole different ballgame...

 

I know a SC Max on stock boost can take out a 330... doesn't matter if it is an auto or a manual. You made more power and torque with the Max at the wheels compared to your 330 at the crank.

 

I think handling, quality, and most of all REAR wheel drive, beats the maxima, regardless if it's slower or not.

 

I love the 330i and would trade for one in a second if it was an equal swap...

but know that my 97 maxima will win against the 330i in any race you want to choose (with the exception of braking distance)

how do I know this?
- I have never lost to one at the 1/4 track.
- I have never been beaten by one in autoX

I don't even have a supercharger.

 

Yeah I just test drove the Porsche 911 Turbo and it is AWESOME! Now the maxima is a nice car don't get me wrong but it simply doesn't hold a candle to the 911 Turbo! Do yourself a favor and don't test drive the 911 Turbo unless you are ready to buy one because it will make you an instant addict. My payments are only $1085, because I am on the 10 year plan. My only problem now is paying for gas, food, a place to sleep, etc.

 

Straight line, the 330 will not win unless the Max screws up. I was commenting on Diederik's statement, "This car would have destroyed my SCed maxima at speeds over 70 mph and would definitely be a contender off the line."
Handling, the 330 will win without a doubt.
Quality, 330 hands down.

RWD is nice... drift.

 

DW

 

That is a very expensive car and it is not a fair comparison. Put it up against a S-4 and it will get laughed at next time go turbo. You spent all that money for a N/A car but you know if it was the best choice to you then there really is no comparison. But to say the car is the best handling sports sedan bar none is a big statement the automatic G-35 already holds a candle to the 330i and it cost allot less money and it is automatic when the 6 speed comes out your in for a surprise. They dub the skyline in Japan "THE GODZILLA" for a reason plus the design and engineering of the G-35 are far superior to the beamer the only thing better on the beamer is the interior. The M3 and M5 have never been the performance monster the Skyline is and it's coming to American shores in more versions than the current one.

 

am I the only one who feels cramped in a BMW? A close friend has a 3 series and I always feel MUCH more confined then my Max.

 

I'm 6.0, 220 lbs and would'nt strongly consider owning a 3 series. Too damn small for me. I like having a 4 door sedan knowing that I'm comfortable, as well as everyone else. 5 series is OK, but the rear seats are sill tight. BMW sacrifices alot for ultimate performance.

DW

 

Good! I am not alone!

Fun car, corners like it is on rails and perfect for a 5'3" female. I could not live with it on a daily basis though...

 

No car payment. I paid cash for the car thanks to my stock options!!

 

Wrd!!! You rock! Options OWN!!!!

 

 

Dude your car is KEEN even with the stock wheels.

 

why does everyone have to bust his *****?

 

A woman I'm seeing has a 328i. I'm 6'0" and feel pretty cramped when sitting in the back seat of her bimmer, even on short trips. In contrast, she commented on the ample leg room while sitting in the rear seat of my Maxima.

On general quality: I've driven a lot of BMWs and you have to be dumb not to take notice of the superior fit and finish of a BMW vs., say, a Nissan. You are going to pay $$$ out the nose for it though.

 

No im serious his car is tight with that kit. Much props looks really good!!

 

330's are very sweet cars. Good looking handle very well and have good acceleration. I would love to have one. The fact remains and has been pointed out numerous times that the Max is a better value and is a bit faster. With the BMW you pay extra for the name and "Status" and get a very nice and nimble machine. I have seen this debate several times since I joined the org a couple of months ago. The funny thing is the facts don't change and everyone keeps saying the same thing. Its kind of funny how we keep having the same conversation.

 

That's ok I have ***** of steel!! I agree with yall the back seat is cramped but my kids carseats are back there and they don't seem to complain!! The front sport seats are great and there is plenty of room for the driver and front seat passenger. I'm 6'1" and and weigh 210 lbs and I don't feel the least bit cramped. I feel like I'm in a cockpit of a fighter jet.

 

You 2 must be getting to know each other quite well, experiencing each other's back seat

As for the fit and finish, yes, it's alot better. But the interior of a BMW is spartan, like driving is the ONLY imortant thing to do. The stereos suck. The climate control is this confusing piece of machinery, and I'm talking about their premium systems and auto climate control. The Max beats that hands down.

DW

 

I took out a 330 in my 5spd 2k1 stock. It was a close run, but I pulled to 1 car by 100mph. They aren't as fast as the 5th gen.

 

Yep, even in the front seat of her 3, my legs can barely stretch out and when they do there is minimal room side to side.

Like I said, a truly nice car and fun when she tosses me the keys, but for me a daily driver...no.

 

Come on down Russ and I'll race you. I know how to DRIVE a 5-speed and I bet you might not fair as well with me.

 

If Im not mistaken this is the Maxima forum.

 

True, but DMAN was the first 5th gen auto Maxima with an SC and he recently traded the Maxima for his new 330Ci. He loved his Max, so he's just giving us impressions on how it compares to the bemer. Of course, his impressions are probably a little off due to that new-car feeling, but who can blame him.

Guess who has the SC from his now-stock Maxima

 

For approximately $10,000 more than a maxima, it had BETTER be better than a maxima. sheesh. Base price might be in the $30k+ range but load it up and compare.

 

LOL you are funny!

 

I bet my new CL-S will kill your 330 on the highway, off the line hard to say, CL-S traps at 95-97mph

 

Well, this thread just got interesting.....

 

as often is the case, a perfectly civilized thread discussing the pro's and con's of certain vehicles and our choices for what we drive has yet again devolved into a needless 'my car/driving is better than yours' stream of posturing and boasts.

Is it rutting season again already?

Oh well....

 

LOL you are funny!

 

I like racing 330i's.....love to see the drivers face as I go by....

 

Russ, I will race you.

PS. Can I borrow money for gas first?

 

Tan how's that SCer working out for you? Have you got the VB upgrade from Don yet? I traded in my maxima when I picked up my bimmer last Thursday and they sold it the same day!!

 

Next time you are in the DFW area (or if I'm in San Antonio I'll let you know) let me know and we'll hookup to find out. Till then keep deluding yourself.

Motor Trend May 2001 test results:

Acura TL Type S
0-60 mph, sec 6.28
1/4 mile, sec/mph 14.72/97.6

BMW 330i (5-speed manual)
0-60 mph, sec 6.11
1/4 mile, sec/mph 14.65/97.0

Either way it should be a good race and drive skill will definitely be a factor or the factor. I thought you were getting a German made car? Later.

 

straightaway, the 330i, will always give some work but be taken by a 2k2, auto or stick, curves tho...wow, you better hope you're racing on a straightaway.

 

I seriously considered buy a BMW 3 Series (325, actually) but could not get the price within $6000 of my Max without a sunroof. Don't get me wrong if a fairy had handed me 6k, I would have bought the BMW with the extra 6k, but... It is a $ vs. features. If money was no option, then we'd all be buying Lamborghini's.

That said, I would love a 330i (prefer xi, BMW's are **** in the snow).

P.S. Hope you have lots of stock options for oil changes and other maintenance after 36k, too.