BMW 325i,320d or 523i??? EDIT Bought 320D Highline

[morphin1]

Hi all,
I live in new delhi and am looking to purchase a car in the next 3months.When travelling on highway my driver drives mostly and I only drive in the city.
I am 25 years old and am buying this car for myself.
I am currently looking at the BMW 325i, 320d and 5-series.
Also since New C-class is coming out i will look into that too.

But for now my biggest confusion is this:

A.) 325i costs 35 lakhs and 523 costs 40 lakhs on road. As we all know the 5series sounds more prestigous as compared to 3-series. 523i lacks the performance of the 525i.
B.) Also 3-series is small so is probably easier to park and drive around.
C.) Since i am spending 35 lakhs I dont mind puttin another 5 lakhs to buy a bigger not necessarily better car.
D.) Also what do you guys think about the 320d? It is more economical but lacks I-Drive, sunroof & performance.

On the last point.
E.) Would it be fair to compare camry, passat and new accord, to C-class, 3-series and 5-series?
F.) Is the model lineup in the 3-series segment going to get any change next year with better variants? ofc not the M classes

Please help me as I am going mad here.
Thanks a lot

[jkdas]

If you can buy 5 series what do you want to think of 3 series?

And how about A6?

[nitrous]

320d or the 525D.
Check sahil's review

[ajmat]

BMW chauffeur driven ?

I suggest you look at the merc c-class or hold on for the Audi A4

[BUSA]

If your budget is for a 5 series, why not check out the E Class?

And since you getting a chauffer, opt for a diesel. No sense in buying a 325i, get a 320d.

[benbsb29]

I wish i was as spoilt for choice as you are at the age of 25.
I would opt for the 5 series. Also BMWs are meant to be self-driven, and not for the chauffer.

[morphin1]

I will be driving the car on my own most of the time.Dont know If I want to drive such a big car as the 5series on my own as parking it would be a pain.
Would be great if you all can assist me on whether to get 325i better performer or 523i(which might be lil bit more so called high end, image oriented).
Also since new e class is coming out in 2009 i dont wanna get an e class right now.
Also 320d saves me about 3lakhs .....

[R.P.M]

If u can live without the tv function, sunroof and cruise control go in for the 523i. You can also get the engine chipped after the 2 yr warranty period to develop the exact same power/torque of the 525i ( same engine with a different state of tune).

The 325i will be a more exciting drive, but the 5 series just offers so much more in terms of ride quality, comfort, snob appeal etc. My money would be on the 523i.

[Sahil]

morphin - I have test driven the 523i and it is not slow by any means. The car hits 100km/hr in about 9 seconds which is pretty good, it has good low end and mid range torque...only thing is that you might find it running out of steam at the higher end of the rpm...nonetheless its a great and much better drive than its rival E200k
Yes the 5 series is bigger than the 3 series but once your inside it the car doesn't really make you feel like you feel its bulk on the road. It handles and manoeuvres like a small car. It just takes sometime to get used to and by the end of it you will forget that you were looking at the 3 series more strongly just because of its size!
Having said that, my money is already on the 5 And if you can stretch your budget for a 525d, its a no brainer then on ! Check out my review..http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...-bmw-525d.html ..if that helps in convincing you in owning the fastest Indian production car

[morphin1]

Thanks for the inputs Sahil and Rpm..
Pretty convinving that 5series should be bought as they are much higher in class range and the cost difference is not much.
where i am spending 35 i can stretch a bit more to 45.But dont think that i can do more than that right now as it might attract the wrong kind of attention.
Also I had a wild idea,I will buy the 3 or the C right now. 3years down the line I will get the new Eclass how is that idea?

[alankarm@sancha]

I would suggest 525d and not any of the petrols. Just try it out to see it perform. My friend here just got one, its absolutely awesome.

[Invinsible]

hey, look no further then the 335i ..the ultimate machine with twin turbo, 407NM of torque, 300+ HP. Talk to BMW guys and see if they can import one for you. If you can streach you budget nothings gonna beat this. Nothing can comes close to this except the M series. Also, you can opt for the coupe and have fun over the weekends. Think about it!!!

[khanak]

Originally Posted by Invinsible

hey, look no further then the 335i ..the ultimate machine with twin turbo, 407NM of torque, 300+ HP. Talk to BMW guys and see if they can import one for you. If you can streach you budget nothings gonna beat this. Nothing can comes close to this except the M series. Also, you can opt for the coupe and have fun over the weekends. Think about it!!!

Whats the point of importing a 335i? If your paying the duty might as well get the M3. Also I think morphin would rather get a 525d if he could stretch his budget that much.

[jesal]

get a top end 3 series or a decent mid 5 series and not basic 5. u dont want to buy a basic 5 now and regret later that i wish i had this and that later. this is not a honda civic where u can buy S type and make it into a v type. its a beemer. save a little more and get a decent model. if i were u sunroof was my top priority and then idrive. u are about to spend 40 laks and realizing damn most of the other bmw owners have it all and not me. go for nothing less than 525

[iraghava]

I would suggest the 325i for the following reasons:

1. It's got good performance & is pretty quick.
2. If you drive your self then it's a very manageable car esp. when it comes to parking etc.
3. Given the number of ars that are there in Delhi already it doesn't attract much attention now which is good if you want to remain low-key.
4. Space is good enough if you travel alone or with another person. If you need more space you might want to try the 5.

The 5-Series for someone who drives himself is a bit big IMO esp. when it comes to parking etc. but it is not unmanageable by any means. But, taking all factors into account if the competition was between a 530i & a 325i, I would probably take the 5-series.

But, right now between the choices given I would take the 325i.