[IM2C]

After 3 months of owning 325i I must say that something just doesn't feel right. It could be the interior (God, I hate this wood trim).
Car has superb handling, name recognition and is attention getter.
Cons: manual shifter is far from what I expected. Even though I perfected shifting procedure, throw is long and not as precise as I expected from BMW. Storage space is ridiculous. Back seats don't fold. No spare tire. I know that some of these deficiencies can be remedied by adding options, but upgrade prices are insane.
I am going to test drive Mazda6 speed tomorrow and decide.
The car is sharp looking, packs a stronger punch and interior is a lot sportier. (No f...ing wood).
Here is the comparison:


Advantages

MAZDASPEED6 Sport MSRP is $2,905 less than the 3 Series Sedan 325i

MAZDASPEED6 Sport Comparably Equipped Price is $3,840 less than the 3 Series Sedan 325i

MAZDASPEED6 Sport Destination Charge is $135 less than the 3 Series Sedan 325i


MAZDASPEED6 Sport's Horsepower @ rpm is 274@5500 while 3 Series Sedan 325i's Horsepower @ rpm is 215@6250.†

MAZDASPEED6 Sport's Torque @ rpm is 280@3000 while 3 Series Sedan 325i's Torque @ rpm is 185@2750.


Seat Belt Height Adjuster is Standard on MAZDASPEED6 Sport but Not Available on 3 Series Sedan 325i.

Limited-Slip Differential is Standard on MAZDASPEED6 Sport but Not Available on 3 Series Sedan 325i.


Overhead Console Storage is Standard on MAZDASPEED6 Sport but Not Available on 3 Series Sedan 325i.


Metallic Paint is Standard on MAZDASPEED6 Sport but Optional on 3 Series Sedan 325i.

Rear Spoiler is Standard on MAZDASPEED6 Sport but Not Available on 3 Series Sedan 325i.


MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 1.3 inches more of Front Head Room than the 3 Series Sedan 325i.

MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 0.8 inches more of Front Leg Room than the 3 Series Sedan 325i.

MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 1.9 inches more of Second Row Leg Room than the 3 Series Sedan 325i.

MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 0.7 inches more of Front Shoulder Room than the 3 Series Sedan 325i.


MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 8.6 inches more Length than the 3 Series Sedan 325i.

MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 1.5 more inches of Front Track Width than the 3 Series Sedan 325i.

MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 1.0 more inches of Rear Track Width than the 3 Series Sedan 325i


MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 3.1 more cubic feet of Passenger's Cargo Volume than the 3 Series Sedan 325i.

MAZDASPEED6 Sport has 21.7 more cubic feet of Manufacturer's Cargo Volume than the 3 Series Sedan 325i.

I know, I know: MAZDASPEED6 Sport is not a BMW...

[kill4surf]

When I sold my Audi and was looking at cars, I looked at MazdaSpeed6. It is a good car, but did not want another turbo charged vechicle. You will get a car that does not hold its value as well as the Bimmer and if you dont mind going from German to Japanese build quality (and yes there is a difference) then go right ahead. You should get what you are happy driving

[md37793]

your right...its not a BMW

[Ponchoyu]

Well, a different car in a different league.....Ford/Mazda isn't going to match up with the 325i. Also its FWD. What's going to turn heads more? A BMW or Mazda? Granted the Mazda seems faster, you'll see some cons driving a big hp/torque engine in a FWD. Stick with the Beemer!

[Speedy E90]

well go ahead.....at the end of the day I am sure that Mazda is gonna drive like it looks.......

[diesel007]

Sorry, but that is a downgrade IMO.

[IM2C]

Mazda6speed is ALL WHEEL DRIVE

[ksfrogman]

Not too many favorable criitical reviews on the Mazda Mazdaspeed 6, despite the impressive spec numbers including HP.

I'm surprised you made such a hefty investment (assuming you did) on the e90 without futher research. You don't have to own an e90 to figure out what storage space is like.

[Hunter399]

Why would you want to trade in your BMW for a Mazda????

[diesel007]

Originally Posted by hunter399

Why would you want to trade in your BMW for a Mazda????

I think he fell and bumped his head.

[IM2C]

Originally Posted by hunter399

Why would you want to trade in your BMW for a Mazda????

I think that the damn wood interior makes me feel 65 years old. I thought about ordering brushed alu trim from circle but I heard that it scratches easily and it will cost about $700. Sportier interior would probably make me like the car more. I'll post after I drive the 6

[Hunter399]

The wood interior looks great in my opinion....But thats just my opinion

If you want a cheaply made interior go with the Mazda

[D.D.]

Mazda.........Now there's a real chick magnet!! BWHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[siriusinvestor]

HAHAHAHA Trading in a BMW because of it's interior? for a mazda? Wow I think you took alittle too much crack this morning. I want you to re-read all your replies in this entire post and come back to us again. That's like saying i'll take a Ford GT over a Ferrari F360 Modena, just because the Ford GT is faster.

[ACZakka325i]

Your forgetting the most important aspect, Build Quality!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ACZakka325i]

Car and Driver said the interior of the Mazda Speed 6 was horribly Cheap looking!

They said it was cheap and plastic. To each their own.

[cl312]

Trading in a BMW for a Japanese car?

[IM2C]

OK this was to be expected. Keep it comming. This, after all, is BMW forum. I'm not against the BMW, I'm just venting some frustrations about my car and brainstorming other options. Please don't make it a bashing party. If you have advice based on hard facts, post it here. Much appreciated.

[ben1364]

e90im wrote in part, "After 3 months of owning 325i I must say that something just doesn't feel right. It could be the interior (God, I hate this wood trim).You had options.
<snip>
Cons: manual shifter is far from what I expected. Even though I perfected shifting procedure, throw is long and not as precise as I expected from BMW. Did you have prior experience with manual transmissions? Storage space is ridiculous. Did you look at the car before purchasing it? Back seats don't fold. That is an option. No spare tire. Didn't know that? <snip>I am going to test drive Mazda6 speed tomorrow and decide.
###
Methinks you are either trying to start something or think today is April 1 and are playing with us. <BBG>

BTW, I think the Masda is one of several good cars at a considerably lower price point. I wouldn't be ashamed to drive one.

[WooBah]

If you are going to trade your 325i for a Japanese car, get the TL, it is better than the Mazda, and will hold its value better. But, for me personally, I would NOT trade a BMW for either.

[IM2C]

Originally Posted by ben1364

e90im wrote in part, "After 3 months of owning 325i I must say that something just doesn't feel right. It could be the interior (God, I hate this wood trim).You had options.
<snip>
Cons: manual shifter is far from what I expected. Even though I perfected shifting procedure, throw is long and not as precise as I expected from BMW. Did you have prior experience with manual transmissions? Storage space is ridiculous. Did you look at the car before purchasing it? Back seats don't fold. That is an option. No spare tire. Didn't know that? <snip>I am going to test drive Mazda6 speed tomorrow and decide.
###
Methinks you are either trying to start something or think today is April 1 and are playing with us. <BBG>

BTW, I think the Masda is one of several good cars at a considerably lower price point. I wouldn't be ashamed to drive one.

I knew all this when I purchased, but was willing to look away because I was getting my long awaited BMW. Now that I have it, I'm a little dissapointed. It's maybe a price we pay to drive the bimmer

[RGRAY]

Originally Posted by e90im

...I am going to test drive Mazda6 speed tomorrow and decide...

IS THIS A JOKE?

Let us know how the test drive goes.