BMW 325i vs. Volvo S60 2.5T Sports Edition

[Toronto Gamblers]

I'd love to hear a few opinions on these 2 vehicles.

I'm looking for something reliable and fun to drive and will likely only commit to a 2 year lease.

I'm not racing a car, its weekends and work, but do like a little power and comfort. What are the pro's and con's?

As far as I can tell the BMW is more popular. They have similar HP. I think Volvo has more options/comfort. The lease rate is 1% for Volvo and 6.8% for BMW..which is brutal.

Has anyone driven both?

Thanks!

[Sajjad]

bmw

[Slimfast]

for fun to drive definitely go for BMW

[Ferrari]

The Volvo is FWD, so it's crap from the beginning. I've driven a Volvo S70 and it was the most horrible expensive car I've ever driven: lots of torque-steer, suspension was unbelievably mushy, the seats were too wide, and the steering was dull and lifeless (it felt like I was steering a boat). It was so mind-numbingly boring that I nearly fell asleep driving it around the block. I'd recommend a BMW...

[ar_ken]

Having driven both the S60 (and owning a S40) and the 3 Series (test drives only.. not owning them), I find the S60 to be a very comfortable highway cruiser. The engine runs very smoothly and wind speed was not an issue. I wish the steering feedback was better though. It has improved a lot compare to the S70 (I've also driven a 850, the forerunner to S70). They have similar power numbers and the Volvo wins out in terms of low-end torque (lots of them too!).

However if you are looking for a more exciting driving experience, go with the 3 Series. Razor sharp steering, nice interior, and best of all: one of the best engine sound in the industry.

As well, if you are going on a lease term, I would be >:( with BMW's rate being so high.

This generation of S60 is near the end of its product cycle which can be a positive thing or a negative thing, depending on your point of view. Positive is that most bugs would have been worked out by now. Negative thing is the obvious: you are driving a car with a 5 year old design.

At the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Take a test drive in both vehicles and compare them afterwards. After all, you are the one spending your hard earned dollars onto this vehicle, not some 14-year old BMW fanboy that thinks the first car was the 3-Series and the first SUV was the BMW X5.

As I stated in another thread, you should take the opinions you get here with a grain of salt. Go to Edmunds.com to find out more regarding those vehicles. www.canadiandriver.com also has a lot of test drive reports that you can refer to.

[airodus]

BMW hands down.

Another car to look at is an Audi A4 2.0T Quattro. Also very nice and better in bad weather than the BMW. In the dry, I'd give it to the bimmer tho.

[joo]

Oh. you said the "r" word (reliable).

So, neither.

Anyway, get the BMW since you'll only keep it for two years and the maintenance will last 3 yrs.

[Makaveli2k]

My uncle has an S60, I would agree highway cruiser type of ride. But gawd they are sexy and im pretty sure that 2.5T version will have some bite. My mom has a 97 850 se, FWD and it is pretty quick

[warpdrive]

BMW.

For 2 years, reliability shouldn't be a concern as most cars seem to run well for 2 years.

[kfc]

BMW hands down.

Another car to look at is an Audi A4 2.0T Quattro. Also very nice and better in bad weather than the BMW. In the dry, I'd give it to the bimmer tho.

a4 2.0 t quattro is in a different price range and league than the above.


last time i checked an a4 2.0t quattro starts at 46K

[McLaren]

a4 2.0 t quattro is in a different price range and league than the above.


last time i checked an a4 2.0t quattro starts at 46K

Starts at $40,750

Link (http://www.canadiandriver.com/PricingGuide/Trim.php?ModelId=1492&Year=2006)

[yatko]

BMW since it has 3 (or 4) years IIRC warranty that even includes oil changes and such. Besides it is BMW not a Ford.

[chicadam]

BMW.

For 2 years, reliability shouldn't be a concern as most cars seem to run well for 2 years.

4 years or 80K bumper to bumper

Reliability is good with the e90 3 series, nothing like the e46 when they first came out. No real issues, well nothing except for the interior design and the rear design. :D

[Neb]

BMW forsure, much better car. The S60's been out a few years, and looks boring. Depends how old u are I guess. U only live once.

[charliebrown]

At the 40-45K range, definitely take the C230 for a testdrive

more refined interior than the 325i; 201hp , 7 speed auto/6 speed manual

[Desalex]

BMW since it has 3 (or 4) years IIRC warranty that even includes oil changes and such. Besides it is BMW not a Ford.

Actually, in the latest Consumer's Reports, J.D Edwards or similar report, BMW had the same reliability as Ford.
The difference is, BMW has put its money into tuning the cars to drive amazingly well. Quality/reliability is secondary.
Since they drive so well, people buy them for the "status". You can tell this by the fact that so few are sold with a real manual tranny (or like the 7 series, not even available with one).

[Toronto Gamblers]

At the 40-45K range, definitely take the C230 for a testdrive

more refined interior than the 325i; 201hp , 7 speed auto/6 speed manual

I stopped considering the C230 after reading posts on here a few months ago. Basically everyone had said that the Mercedes didn't compare to the drivability of the BMW, and the cost was the same or higher than everything else in the class.

Has anyone test driven both the BMW and Mercedes and has an opinion to share?

After hearing its the last model year on the Volvo s60 its out of my consideration, possibly the s40. If I decided tomorrow though I'd be going BMW 325 and likely making the drive to Buffalo for it.

[VivienM]

I stopped considering the C230 after reading posts on here a few months ago. Basically everyone had said that the Mercedes didn't compare to the drivability of the BMW, and the cost was the same or higher than everything else in the class.

Don't buy/not buy a car based on what people in a forum say. Test drive the thing before rejecting it... different people do have different tastes in vehicles.

[airodus]

Since they drive so well, people buy them for the "status".

Huh?

Does that make sense at all? People buying cars that "drive so well" are interested in them because of status? Not because they "drive so well"?

An automatic transmission doesn't automatically make a car a poser. 5 series and 7 series are not meant to be sports cars. The target market is looking for some luxury, convenience and a good ride; not fast 0-60 times.

Anyways, people look at luxury sports sedans the wrong way, trying to find an angle to belittle them. Are they the best performance vehicles for the money? No. Are the the most reliable? No. Are they even the most luxurious? No. Are they a good combination of style, comfort and performance? Yes.

I use to think that the only reason someone would buy a 3 series was for status. That is until I actually sat in one and drove it. Then I found out that it is a great car, probably the best I have ever driven. Then it dawned on me that the "status" came from the car, not the badge. I'm sure some people will buy a bmw as a status symbol and never drive them to their potential...

But how is that different from the kid who buys some Honda, then mods the crap out of it and beams about "Honda reliability". I mean, some Honda engineer just spent 3 years designing the springs he just cut. Same crap, cheaper car...

[charliebrown]

I stopped considering the C230 after reading posts on here a few months ago. Basically everyone had said that the Mercedes didn't compare to the drivability of the BMW, and the cost was the same or higher than everything else in the class.

Has anyone test driven both the BMW and Mercedes and has an opinion to share?

After hearing its the last model year on the Volvo s60 its out of my consideration, possibly the s40. If I decided tomorrow though I'd be going BMW 325 and likely making the drive to Buffalo for it.

Tested the C230 in mid April; wanted to test the 325i at a nearby dealer but was met by a rather unfriendly sales rep (there's an entire thread on that...haha)

Before April, got a chance to go to the 3 series launch event at downsview park -- marketing $$$ at work; 20 cars for ppl to test on the old airport grounds. This was last summer, so it's been a little while ago.

Maintenance/Reliability
I've never owned a BMW before so cant give you first hand opinion on reliability/maintenance costs.

4 yrs w/ a 2002 C240 = no non-routine maintenance (every 15000km). Although after 4 yrs, we did feel more bumps in the road towards the end and
at low speeds over bumps/potholes, the car does make rather funny noises
(suspected control arm problem according to an A4 owner w/ similiar issues)

Testdrive: C230 vs 325i

Like i said before, the C230 looks more refined inside (less plasticky); for 2006, the engine has been changed - V6 instead of kompressor. Straight-line acceleration is quite amazing; handles quite nicely for on/off-ramps at 80+. Brakes feel quite good.

BMW: the marketing ppl probably set up their track to highlight the 325i's strengths; and i'm sure if you ask any BMW owner, they'll tell you how great a car it is to drive.

I guess my dislikes for the 325i are:
- rather bleh looking interior
- rear-end styling doesnt appeal to me
- limited rear leg/knee room (not much better on the C230)