Comments on: 325e: Almost the Ultimate Driving Machine http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/ BMW News & Opinion, BMW M3, BMW 1M, BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X3, BMW i Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:42:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-14280 Chris Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:20:29 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-14280 <p>I may be younger than most, but I still own a 1986 BMW 325es and I love the car, I am impressed because it was given to me by my uncle, who bought it back in 1987, The car needs restoration but I love driving it, I stopped driving it back in 2008 during the fall because I have a kid and I needed a family sedan so I bought a 2005 Mercury Sable LS Platinum edition, if you thought the Bimmer was heavy this sable beats it in the weight contest, and the engine is a whole lot bigger. I love the 2.7L v6 engine, and it still has the original engine and clutch from when my uncle first bought it. The car's only noticeable repairs were the alternator, radiator, all four brakes and the clutch slave cylinder. The engine and drivetrain has about 225,000 miles on it and counting. This car is truly an amazing car, and I wouldn't have it any less. I am hoping that in the future I could swap the engine and transmission out for a 1989 M3 engine and transmission, because I know this car deserves much respect, it isn't a lot of horsepower but you could always change that. But to me it drives fine and it has great pickup still after all these years. I finally took it out of storage since 2008 and definitely looking for a nice restoration project that can be my daily driver and it still saves a great amount of gas, more than my sable sedan. I love the timeless look of the car with the "diving front bumper/ ground effect". So I still believe that this car is the ultimate driving machine.</p> I may be younger than most, but I still own a 1986 BMW 325es and I love the car, I am impressed because it was given to me by my uncle, who bought it back in 1987, The car needs restoration but I love driving it, I stopped driving it back in 2008 during the fall because I have a kid and I needed a family sedan so I bought a 2005 Mercury Sable LS Platinum edition, if you thought the Bimmer was heavy this sable beats it in the weight contest, and the engine is a whole lot bigger. I love the 2.7L v6 engine, and it still has the original engine and clutch from when my uncle first bought it. The car’s only noticeable repairs were the alternator, radiator, all four brakes and the clutch slave cylinder. The engine and drivetrain has about 225,000 miles on it and counting. This car is truly an amazing car, and I wouldn’t have it any less. I am hoping that in the future I could swap the engine and transmission out for a 1989 M3 engine and transmission, because I know this car deserves much respect, it isn’t a lot of horsepower but you could always change that. But to me it drives fine and it has great pickup still after all these years. I finally took it out of storage since 2008 and definitely looking for a nice restoration project that can be my daily driver and it still saves a great amount of gas, more than my sable sedan. I love the timeless look of the car with the “diving front bumper/ ground effect”. So I still believe that this car is the ultimate driving machine.

]]> By: jlamdin http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-484 jlamdin Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:35:00 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-484 <p>I had an '85 Sedan. Loads of low end torque, followed by zilch.</p> <p>Nice car for zipping around town, classic e30 styling, but certainly no 325is!</p> I had an ’85 Sedan. Loads of low end torque, followed by zilch.

Nice car for zipping around town, classic e30 styling, but certainly no 325is!

]]> By: Jimmy John http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-480 Jimmy John Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:05:43 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-480 <p>^ @ Michael</p> ^ @ Michael

]]> By: Jimmy John http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-479 Jimmy John Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:04:31 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-479 <p>I still think the 325e is a way better car than ALL of the new Beemers combined. Even the new "sporty" 3 series<br /> are more luxury than sporty. The interiors are hideous. Don't get me wrong, I want Beemer to succeed, I just hope they make a turn for the better. I want this...</p> <p><a href="URL" rel="nofollow">http://www.motorsportscenter.com/Gallery/bmw/2002line/images/325Ci%20coupe%202_L.jpg</a> or this back <a href="URL" rel="nofollow">http://www.theautochannel.com/media/photos/bmw/1998/98_bmw_323is.jpg</a></p> I still think the 325e is a way better car than ALL of the new Beemers combined. Even the new “sporty” 3 series
are more luxury than sporty. The interiors are hideous. Don’t get me wrong, I want Beemer to succeed, I just hope they make a turn for the better. I want this…

http://www.motorsportscenter.com/Gallery/bmw/2002line/images/325Ci%20coupe%202_L.jpg or this back http://www.theautochannel.com/media/photos/bmw/1998/98_bmw_323is.jpg

]]> By: Dan S. http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-476 Dan S. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:47:10 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-476 <p>Michael is correct. I'm 65 . My first intro to BMWs was in a friend's 1971 2002. WOW! I can still remember clearly how that ugly beauty drove. What an engine! What a transmission! And great handling to top it off! I was hooked. So you can imagine my dismay when I watched my favorite brand head downhill with the eta 3 and 5 series vehicles. I am thankful that BMW was not seduced to follow that road very long.</p> Michael is correct. I’m 65 . My first intro to BMWs was in a friend’s 1971 2002. WOW! I can still remember clearly how that ugly beauty drove. What an engine! What a transmission! And great handling to top it off! I was hooked. So you can imagine my dismay when I watched my favorite brand head downhill with the eta 3 and 5 series vehicles. I am thankful that BMW was not seduced to follow that road very long.

]]> By: Michael http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-475 Michael Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:44:34 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-475 <blockquote>Jimmy John: I had one of these. They were such great cars. Much better than the current BMWs. The new beemers are average looking (at best.) Thats I don’t own a current beemer (they’re ugly.) Build this again Bangles (and/or Hooydonk.) Jimmy John: It IS the ultimate driving machine.</blockquote> <p>To each their own, but styling aside there is no way you can call a 325e THE ultimate driving machine.... BMW itself almost did not!</p> Jimmy John: I had one of these. They were such great cars. Much better than the current BMWs. The new beemers are average looking (at best.) Thats I don’t own a current beemer (they’re ugly.) Build this again Bangles (and/or Hooydonk.) Jimmy John: It IS the ultimate driving machine.

To each their own, but styling aside there is no way you can call a 325e THE ultimate driving machine…. BMW itself almost did not!

]]> By: Michael http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-465 Michael Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:23:15 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-465 <blockquote>Can it really be known? Was the eta a late change to the fabulous-for-it’s-time e30 chassis, or was the eta intended as a placeholder for things far greater? Derek San Antonio</blockquote> <p>The eta was introduced early in the life of the E30 not a late addition, Europe had seen a six for several years in a much sportier version, the reason it was not introduced in the US was for marketing the brand more upscale and luxury. The eta was introduced as was stated in my story.... for the luxury buyer interested in some economy and not interested in the sporting intentions of a high revving engine. It was not a place holder because it did indeed change the brand image and garnered complaints from enthusiasts until the "i" was introduced later on, the same engine ideals Europe had seen some years before.</p> Can it really be known? Was the eta a late change to the fabulous-for-it’s-time e30 chassis, or was the eta intended as a placeholder for things far greater? Derek San Antonio

The eta was introduced early in the life of the E30 not a late addition, Europe had seen a six for several years in a much sportier version, the reason it was not introduced in the US was for marketing the brand more upscale and luxury. The eta was introduced as was stated in my story…. for the luxury buyer interested in some economy and not interested in the sporting intentions of a high revving engine. It was not a place holder because it did indeed change the brand image and garnered complaints from enthusiasts until the “i” was introduced later on, the same engine ideals Europe had seen some years before.

]]> By: Michael http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-464 Michael Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:16:41 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-464 <blockquote>Brad:and the E23 7 series before that. history doesn’t really see that one as a performance machine. although i think they are great looking vintage bimmers. but i agree the 4 door E30 really sealed it. the ‘88 E28 Super Eta is highly regarded amongst my 5er buddies as a great daily driver due to its decent mpg and the uprated motronic FI.</blockquote> <p>The 7 series has and never really been a drivers car and you are right that it opened the floodgates to "luxury". As for the ETA, I have been told it is a great daily driver for commuters but that is about where the engine should be, not in a performance driven car. The WSJ article discusses how with fuel the way it is others may start to design engines in that manner once again.... but more than likely BMW will not go that road again.</p> Brad:and the E23 7 series before that. history doesn’t really see that one as a performance machine. although i think they are great looking vintage bimmers. but i agree the 4 door E30 really sealed it. the ‘88 E28 Super Eta is highly regarded amongst my 5er buddies as a great daily driver due to its decent mpg and the uprated motronic FI.

The 7 series has and never really been a drivers car and you are right that it opened the floodgates to “luxury”. As for the ETA, I have been told it is a great daily driver for commuters but that is about where the engine should be, not in a performance driven car. The WSJ article discusses how with fuel the way it is others may start to design engines in that manner once again…. but more than likely BMW will not go that road again.

]]> By: Jimmy John http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-463 Jimmy John Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:20:04 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-463 <p>It IS the ultimate driving machine.</p> It IS the ultimate driving machine.

]]> By: Jimmy John http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-462 Jimmy John Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:19:11 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-462 <p>I had one of these. They were such great cars. Much better than the current BMWs. The new beemers are average looking (at best.) Thats I don't own a current beemer (they're ugly.) Build this again Bangles (and/or Hooydonk.)</p> I had one of these. They were such great cars. Much better than the current BMWs. The new beemers are average looking (at best.) Thats I don’t own a current beemer (they’re ugly.) Build this again Bangles (and/or Hooydonk.)

]]> By: Derek http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-461 Derek Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:58:31 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-461 <p>Can it really be known?</p> <p>Was the eta a late change to the fabulous-for-it's-time e30 chassis, or was the eta intended as a placeholder for things far greater?</p> <p>Derek San Antonio</p> Can it really be known?

Was the eta a late change to the fabulous-for-it’s-time e30 chassis, or was the eta intended as a placeholder for things far greater?

Derek San Antonio

]]> By: brad. http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-460 brad. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:01:53 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-460 <p>and the E23 7 series before that. history doesn't really see that one as a performance machine. although i think they are great looking vintage bimmers. but i agree the 4 door E30 really sealed it.</p> <p>the '88 E28 Super Eta is highly regarded amongst my 5er buddies as a great daily driver due to its decent mpg and the uprated motronic FI.</p> and the E23 7 series before that. history doesn’t really see that one as a performance machine. although i think they are great looking vintage bimmers. but i agree the 4 door E30 really sealed it.

the ’88 E28 Super Eta is highly regarded amongst my 5er buddies as a great daily driver due to its decent mpg and the uprated motronic FI.

]]> By: Jon http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/comment-page-1/#comment-459 Jon Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:41:38 +0000 http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/03/10/bmw-325e-away-from-sporty/#comment-459 <p>I believe that the M Division has done a decent job of keeping the drivers car alive at BMW. I do believe though that the 325e was a huge shift in the company's build ethic. Luxury was starting to be stressed, for better or worse the ever increasing size and weight has caused BMW to move further away. I am very happy to see the 1 Series as I think it addresses a market that BMW has not addressed for a long while. I do still think its a tad overweight but its a featherweight compared to a huge portion of the other cars in the brand.</p> <p>I am crossing my fingers for a M developed >2k Z2 heh.</p> I believe that the M Division has done a decent job of keeping the drivers car alive at BMW. I do believe though that the 325e was a huge shift in the company’s build ethic. Luxury was starting to be stressed, for better or worse the ever increasing size and weight has caused BMW to move further away. I am very happy to see the 1 Series as I think it addresses a market that BMW has not addressed for a long while. I do still think its a tad overweight but its a featherweight compared to a huge portion of the other cars in the brand.

I am crossing my fingers for a M developed >2k Z2 heh.

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