[Googlyamnesiac]

Ok ... so I am an old member here and I moved over from the UK to the USA, which forced me to part company with my beloved 320D. 3 years later i'm still in the US and I'm looking into getting another e90 now the time has come where I actually need a set of wheels myself.

This was my parting farewell thread with photos of my last car (oh how looking at this brought back memories!)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396071

Unfortunately I don't think the funds can quite stretch to the newer 2008+ style 328 and I've been looking at getting the same style car again.

What do people think to this?

http://bit.ly/1gDcS4n

How will a 328 in the US compare to a 320D in the UK (which was remapped)? Will I get in it and feel depressed or will I still feel that joy all over again?

[mike-y]

well, the 328i can be had with quite a few options in the states. What you linked appears to be a stripper model, without any options. The ad says "leather" but the pictures tell me that it is "leatherette" (a fancy term for vinyl).

it's a non-sport package, and non-premium package car. But it does look like it has heated seats (cold weather package). So if you are okay with that, it doesn't look to bad. Personally, I'd look for a car with the sports package.

[John 070]

A 2007 car is relatively old....imho different when you're the original owner. I think the 13 k is better spent on something 2-3 yo, whatever that might be. When you insist on a make model But flex on the year, I think it's a recipe for disappointment.

[Googlyamnesiac]

what type of headlights do you think it has? My old 320 I upgraded to the LCI headlights with halos. I'm not sure what's normal here in the states though? I think these became standard on 2007+ models in the UK (if I remember correctly).

[Googlyamnesiac]

This is also another option i'm considering too (although can't decide if the interior is horrendous or not haha):

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

[Googlyamnesiac]

Originally Posted by John 070

A 2007 car is relatively old....imho different when you're the original owner. I think the 13 k is better spent on something 2-3 yo, whatever that might be. When you insist on a make model But flex on the year, I think it's a recipe for disappointment.

I do appreciate your comments but I think in my circumstances I can't see how this could be a disappointment. My 2005 320D is still hands down the best car I have ever owned, the options i'm looking at now would be two years newer, less miles and no cloth seats (even if leatherette).

I was more asking if people thought this seemed good value for money or if there's anything with these US models that I should keep an eye out for compared to the uk models?

[ssmith96]

Buy my car!

[ken1137]

2007 328xi is a decent car. I owned one I would get a PPI done because that is the year they have had tappet/lifter issues. Bad situations led to some owners getting their cyliner head replaced, some by BMW (due to TSB), but some were screwed and paid out of pocket. My dealer provided a non-technical explanation so I explained it to them and they insisted it was moisture in tappet and will not cause a problem. It was a poor tappet design. I dont think you will have to worry much if the ticking does go away, or if the tappets had been replaced, on mine the sound stayed even after a long drive so i sold the car.

[Googlyamnesiac]

Seems I've been away too long .. what's PPI? :-)

[Dark_Knight_335]

Pre Purchase Inspection.

Feel free to review this as to why:

http://broadstrokeassociates.com/pre...r-mini-cooper/

[sd_luis]

Looking at your past car I can tell you like the sporty look on a bmw have you consider buying an 06 330i or xi? A year older than 07, but way more sportier and good looking than a 328i IMO also 07 have a lot of problems and is a really picky car(from what I heard when installing aftermarket lightning equipment (angel eyes, hid, leds, etc. When the 06 are less picky than the 07 idk you should look into them maybe you can find one with a few miles, also it's faster than a 328i...

[sd_luis]

Originally Posted by idlerobbo

what type of headlights do you think it has? My old 320 I upgraded to the LCI headlights with halos. I'm not sure what's normal here in the states though? I think these became standard on 2007+ models in the UK (if I remember correctly).

In the states 09 models and up come with the lci headlights and the pre lci from 06-08 with the ugly amber reflectors compare you the UK beautiful clear ones ( I envy UK for that -__- lol)

[smallseafishie]

Why not a 335i? It'd blow the doors off a 320d.

And yes, a 328i is much better in performance than a remapped 320d. Might not feel quite the same with the low end torque but let it rev and it will sing beautifully. About the only thing you'll miss with the 320d is the efficiency.

But here in the US, gas is much cheaper and so are the cars. Shoot for a 335i already. No compromise on torque especially if you get it chipped.

And a 335i comes standard with angel eyes / xenons here. ;-)

[Googlyamnesiac]

What about the 330i?

What do you guys make of this?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...66&CMP=usedInv

Am I right in thinking that I wouldn't have any problems with replacing the headlights with LCI angel eyes on this model? Would it need a full replacement of headlight unit or just bulbs?

Also, what's the real power difference between the 328 and 330, is it really noticeable?

[_Sinister_]

You could replace the bulbs or look into OSS designs for upgraded overhaul of your headlight just a thought

[Googlyamnesiac]

So I could just replace the bulbs on a 2006 330i with LED's and they would look similar to my old car as here?
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396071

[trk06]

if you can find a 330 its much better than 328's.

[Googlyamnesiac]

Thanks - gonna go test drive this one.

I recently tested an 2007 A4 2.0. It felt as flat as anything. Really disappointing. I'm hoping this should be worlds apart ... right?