CD Article: 2006 BMW 325xiT

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

The all-new BMW 3-series Touring has a smaller cargo area than some of its major competitors and is rather expensive, reports Chris Chase. "From a purely practical point of view, this car is actually a very poor value, but BMWs have always been wasted on pragmatists; this is a lifestyle car," he says.    More...

[mdxtasy]

Small wagon for the yuppies.....nice car all round.  I'd prefer the 530xiT if I had the money.

"But what really turns my crank are station wagons. When I was a kid and my friends were drooling over Porsches and Ferraris, I lusted after Chevy Celebrity Eurosport wagons, a Volvo 240 like my grandfather used to drive, or a 740 Turbo" - Chris Chase

Okay then......

[G0dspd]

Wagon: I don't want to drive a minivan 

[tpl]

I was very tempted by the 2003 version when I got my 330xi...but there was no 330xiT. Now the E90 has about the same horse power as the older 330 it would be a different matter.
To me, the disadvantages of the e90 over the e46 still matter.  Run flat tires, no oil dipstick, RED rear indicators ( on the sedan...dont know about the wagon)...its the runflats that I dont want

However, for my purposes, downtown dweller, need carrying space about 4 times a year, the 325xit would do the job nicely, but then a roof rack on the sedan and more use of the telephone for delivery would do it as well

[Bullet Blue]

There's a market for the smaller luxury wagons, but I think I would also prefer something better like a 5 series wagon, V70, E class wagon or even a 9-5 wagon. Maybe a slightly used 3 series wagon would be an option.

And Chris, don't let MDX bug ya, the old 240 and 740 (especially the turbo wagons) were cool! At least that's what I keep telling myself 

[Craig]

My folks had a red 89 Volvo 760 Turbo wagon while I was in high school.  On rare occasions, I took it to school.  The look on the faces of the kids with Mustangs when the turbo kicked in was priceless.  That was one quick wagon.  With a Thule box on top, no less.

Wagons ARE cool.

[haris]

Why doesn't BMW offer 323 Touring? Lots of people are interested in 323, and a cheaper station wagon would probably get more people into them, as it would be closer in price to competing station wagons.

[mdxtasy]

There's a market for the smaller luxury wagons, but I think I would also prefer something better like a 5 series wagon, V70, E class wagon or even a 9-5 wagon. Maybe a slightly used 3 series wagon would be an option.

And Chris, don't let MDX bug ya, the old 240 and 740 (especially the turbo wagons) were cool! At least that's what I keep telling myself 

 

[Shnak]

I won't look at coupes and convertibles until I'm an old fart with nothing to do but drive by myself with no kids around... but until then, it'll be mid-size sedans/wagons, small/mid-size SUVs for me!

[ovr50]

Then I'm happy to be an old fart, I don't have to ever look at minivans like you. 

[Shnak]

Well I was talking about myself becoming an old fart eventually, but if you recognize yourself, suit yourself! 

And how many kids did you have? If more than 2, how could you possibly survive without a minivan? If only 2 or less, well, no wonder you never needed a minivan.

What's with the belittling of minivan owners when they're used for their intented use? You know, carrying more than 4 people and all their luggage.

[ovr50]

Had only 1 child, now adult. Never owned a minivan but my sister does (Ody). It's perfect for their needs with 2 young children. I'm not belittling them; just don't want to drive one as a regular vehicle. I have driven them for 3 - 4 hour trips and they are not that bad to drive (particularily the Ody and Sienna, and I suspect the Mazda5 also). Vans are great machines if you need one, they carry an incredible amount of stuff.  No problem on my part. Relax. 

[Shnak]

then... what did you mean by the 'like you  ' part? Then I'm happy to be an old fart, I don't have to ever look at minivans like you. 

I didn't detect any sarcasm there... only that you were taking a shot at me for no apparent reasons.

[ovr50]

Jeez, Shnak. Actually I was calling you a minivan, read it "minivans like you".

 

[Shnak]

o.........k........ so I'm a minivan, and you're what, a 1945 beetle?

[ovr50]

1944 to be precise. 

[Shnak]

1944 to be precise. 

 

[mdxtasy]

I think Shnak, the only shot taken at you came from youself.  I didn't see anything wrong with Ovr's post, he just said he's happy he no longer has to go minivan shopping.   

[Shnak]

It's the "like you" at the end of his sentence that I don't understand. That's all..

Trust me, if the roles were inversed here and I was the one that said something like that to him, you guys would be all over me for my personal attack on him, again... but this is the opposite, with me at the receiving end, so all is good. 

[ovr50]