I think I found my XI replacement

Originally Posted by Rickna

Nice choice, definetly a fun car. As for me, since my accident in '08 I need something bigger to protect me. 4 shoulder surgiries & 1 spinal procedure-and they're not done yet...I should be driving a Kenworth...LOL

I worry about that too. Maybe not a good idea to replace one small car with another one. But I can't see myself driving a big car all the time.

Sorry to hear about your accident btw. Sounds like it was pretty bad. What happened (if you don't mind talking bout it)?

I hope you don't mind hearing rattles every time you drive the VW.

Originally Posted by bimmerman11

I hope you don't mind hearing rattles every time you drive the VW.

That for sure is one of the nice things about the e46. 125k miles an not a single rattle or squeak.

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I'm not trying to be pretentious. I don't even care about the badge, seriously. The only reason I have my car is because it ended up being $2,500 than the loaded Accord I was looking at. Honestly, IMO, one of the best looking and feeling cars is the new Hyundai Sonata...Living in Minnesota, so long as I only have one vehicle, it does need to be AWD.

My friend has a 2010 Jetta TDI with leather, etc. I don't like it; the seats are too small, uncomfortable and its the little things. For example, when you lock the e46 the lights fade, in the Jetta, it just shuts off...and the buttons, all the freakin buttons! Little touches make the difference and I honestly feel that my friends 2010 Jetta, although 9 years newer than my car, doesn't feel as nice as mine.

The other thing I really look at is cost. Say the xi you have is worth 10k, and you buy a new Golf and its 25k optioned the way you want. Is the Golf really worth the extra $15,000? Are you really getting $15,000 more car?

I'm not sure what I'll be getting when I replace my car, but a used Audi A6/S6 or a Lexus GS350 or a Infiniti M35x or a BMW 535xi/335xi are all contenders. All are big steps up from the XI in terms of luxury and all can be had for ~$20k.

One of my favorite cars I have ever owned was a 1989 Volvo 740 GL Turbo Wagon. A set of Blizzacks and I was happy. The car cost only $1,300.

I just feel as if VW's still feel a bit 'economy' to me. The e46 however, is starting to show its age.

Its funny you mention the buttons.... vw doesn't bother me with that because I don't expect it to be perfect on the inside, but audi kills me for that very same reason.. more buttons than a goddamn f-18 hornet

As for being 15k more... well ya you aren't getting THAT much more car but you are also getting something brand new

Let's not forget.... in all fairness, the r32 is still more than ten grand cheaper than a base model e90 wagon, both new. I'm sure loaded for loaded the 335 wagon can be double the price

At the end of the day, op if you like it, that's all that matters

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using BimmerApp

^well put! id take the vdub over the a3 any day.. its less expensive, awd, and practically the same car.

Originally Posted by TiAgXi

I worry about that too. Maybe not a good idea to replace one small car with another one. But I can't see myself driving a big car all the time.

Sorry to hear about your accident btw. Sounds like it was pretty bad. What happened (if you don't mind talking bout it)?

Not meaning to hijack this thread-
I had a 2001 A4, and a late model Impala coming in the other direction lost control heading into a curve (that I was in the middle of) T-boned me in the drive side. The impact was so great I got pushed off the road into an embankment. The damage went from the front door all the way to the rear wheels (that got ripped off the frame). the pass side was partially buried in the embankment.
As for me, I had multiple soft tissue tears and bone fragments in my right shoulder. My cervical spine was also affected with herniated discs. Well, I did manage to "walk away" so, I'm thankful for that...

Originally Posted by Rickna

Not meaning to hijack this thread-
I had a 2001 A4, and a late model Impala coming in the other direction lost control heading into a curve (that I was in the middle of) T-boned me in the drive side. The impact was so great I got pushed off the road into an embankment. The damage went from the front door all the way to the rear wheels (that got ripped off the frame). the pass side was partially buried in the embankment.
As for me, I had multiple soft tissue tears and bone fragments in my right shoulder. My cervical spine was also affected with herniated discs. Well, I did manage to "walk away" so, I'm thankful for that...

I've been through a few of those (5 total and only twice as a driver) and walked away as well. Glad you're okay - many people haven't been as fortunate One main reason why I'm the driver anywhere I go 99.99% of the time.

I'd rather be in a Subaru Legacy.

Originally Posted by officer140

I've been through a few of those (5 total and only twice as a driver) and walked away as well. Glad you're okay - many people haven't been as fortunate One main reason why I'm the driver anywhere I go 99.99% of the time.

Thanks for the good wishes. I still have quite aways to go (2 years so far), but I'll get there.

I'm already seriously considering this for my next car whenever that'll be. I love VW's, and an AWD turbo german hatchback would be sweet

Either this, a MKII Audi TT, a used 135i, or facelift E90 will be other possible replacements.

Originally Posted by Rickna

Not meaning to hijack this thread-
I had a 2001 A4, and a late model Impala coming in the other direction lost control heading into a curve (that I was in the middle of) T-boned me in the drive side. The impact was so great I got pushed off the road into an embankment. The damage went from the front door all the way to the rear wheels (that got ripped off the frame). the pass side was partially buried in the embankment.
As for me, I had multiple soft tissue tears and bone fragments in my right shoulder. My cervical spine was also affected with herniated discs. Well, I did manage to "walk away" so, I'm thankful for that...

jeez. that's terrible man. good luck with the rest of your recovery.

Originally Posted by JJR4884

Its funny you mention the buttons.... vw doesn't bother me with that because I don't expect it to be perfect on the inside, but audi kills me for that very same reason.. more buttons than a goddamn f-18 hornet

As for being 15k more... well ya you aren't getting THAT much more car but you are also getting something brand new

Let's not forget.... in all fairness, the r32 is still more than ten grand cheaper than a base model e90 wagon, both new. I'm sure loaded for loaded the 335 wagon can be double the price

At the end of the day, op if you like it, that's all that matters

Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using BimmerApp

I know VW's aren't for everyone but I think the new R might be perfect for me. It's AWD, good looking (imho), practical (there's a ton of space hiding in there!), sporty and fast, fuel efficient (33.2 mpg hwy), and it comes with all the goodies I'm looking for in my next car (leather, sunroof, bixenons, comfortable heated seats, nav, etc.).

Originally Posted by TiAgXi

jeez. that's terrible man. good luck with the rest of your recovery.

Thanks, much appreicatred. Intersting note-my insurance actually went down $200/yr from the 01 A4 to the 02 330xi. My insurance co. considers it to have a higher rate of survivability.

I think the Golf-R is gonna replace my E46Xi, I'm bored of my car

You cant wait to trade your BMW for a GOLF

Why even bother posting this. This is the BMW E46 xi forum.

Nobody cares.

Had a 98 VW jetta vr6 before my 2003 325xi. I loved that car until rotted out. It was a blast to drive. I can't imagine what am r32 would be like. My BMW is superior in almost ever way except the VW got better gas mileage, and was quicker and more nimble if not faster. But a 6 hour drive was an ordeal. It handled great thou id give the win to the 4wd bimmer in that category. For me the bimmer is a different type of car that drives great and is a dream on the highway. As for repair costs well the vr6 stuff was outrageously costly and the BMW parts believe it or not are cheaper on many of the comparable VW parts.

Originally Posted by Kubica

Why even bother posting this. This is the BMW E46 xi forum.

Nobody cares.

Cuz it's badass, dumbshit.

Originally Posted by 325xittt

Had a 98 VW jetta vr6 before my 2003 325xi. I loved that car until rotted out. It was a blast to drive. I can't imagine what am r32 would be like. My BMW is superior in almost ever way except the VW got better gas mileage, and was quicker and more nimble if not faster. But a 6 hour drive was an ordeal. It handled great thou id give the win to the 4wd bimmer in that category. For me the bimmer is a different type of car that drives great and is a dream on the highway. As for repair costs well the vr6 stuff was outrageously costly and the BMW parts believe it or not are cheaper on many of the comparable VW parts.

Really? I've always thought the opposite. The cost of BMW parts is one of the things I like least about the car.

It's a lot of car for the money, but it has a 60/40 weight distribution which is too much push for me.

Originally Posted by tootall

It's a lot of car for the money, but it has a 60/40 weight distribution which is too much push for me.

The r32 had that kind of distribution. the new motor is 200lbs lighter.

Do whatever makes you happy.