The Mazda6 is a great car but it doesnt have gravitas,character,presence,that "je ne sais pas quoi".I didn't even mention handling,resale value and other more objective reasons to keep your E90.

[Hula-Hula]

If you really like cars.. It's not about spec.. It's about feelings, the BMW 325i makes me happy!
I'll be glad to laugh at a Mazda 6 MPS if he's faster than me at a redlight...

[Paul330d]

Don't know about the US model, but in Europe the Mazda 6 is a boring front wheel drive car designed to compete with the Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna, Peugeot 406, etc. The e90 competes $10-15,000 higher up against the C Class & A4.

[kt157]

i think u shoudl of posted this in a mazda forum

[kobechrome]

As many have already mentioned - this is a BMW forum so of course ppl are going to light into you for considering a Mazda over a BMW.

At the end of the day - you have to do what makes you happy. If you are happy with a Mazda6 over a 325 then so be it. After the test drive, I can't imagine that you would be but nonetheless, good luck.

[petefalzzz]

This is a stupid thread designed soley to get attention. i hope the admins kill it and put it out of our collective misery.

[paullo]

Originally Posted by e90im

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

we've got the brushed aluminum in our e90 and i can say after 7 months of ownership, it doesn't scratch too easily. not that we're abusive with our car, but it's held up just fine.

if the interior is what's bothering you; and by your complaints, it sounds like it is - then why not try for some aftermarket upgrades instead of flipping your 325 and dumping money into another new car? there's tons of people on here who want wood trim; try searching for someone who wants to trade or is willing to buy your wood trim to offset the purchase of aluminum.

there are also several companies who're very close (if not ready) to deliver short shifter kits for the e90. i'm one person who's very interested in getting a ssk for my car once they're available. i've got the same complaint you do, the throw is too long - but this might be as a result of my driving a mate's miata too much..

don't sell your 325... one more thing; why do you want a spare tire? the car comes with RFT's, no? search for the thread on the guy in Texas who blew threw a spike strip and kept on driving. That's one reason alone to keep the RFT's

Good luck, and keep us posted.

[Brunotheboxer]

my 65 year old grandmother drives the mazda and she loves it.

[D.D.]

We don't have to justify a Damn thing re: Mazda anycrap. E90im is the one with the problem...NOT us!! :rocks: :rocks: :rocks: :rocks: :rocks: :rocks: :rocks:

[kt157]

Originally Posted by paullo

there's tons of people on here who want wood trim; try searching for someone who wants to trade or is willing to buy your wood trim to offset the purchase of aluminum.

hahaha... i dont think so.... people got the aluminum trim, because they didn't want the wood trim.

[WooBah]

No need to bash the original poster. He is just asking for advice. I understand where he is coming from. Again, if you are going to trade the 325i, I would suggest taking a strong look at the Acura TL. But, again, I would NEVER trade a BMW for any Japanese car, but that is me. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[noflash]

I think he'll come crawling back and begging for forgiveness after a test drive.

It's always nice to fantasize about other cars ooooo, more hp and awd, must be better. I promise, once you get in that car and drive it you'll know in less than a block... you can never leave BMW!!!! MOOHOOOHAHAHAH!!!

It's that good.

[e90driver]

I love the wood trim, in my opinion it looks great. But to each their own...

[IM2C]

I honestly hope that Mazdaspeed will not live to expectations. That leaves me no other option but to order alu trim and alu pedals from circle.
All I'm saying is that we perceive our cars from the inside. That’s why interior is so important. When I ordered my car, they told me it had alu trim and it was already on the ship. 3 weeks of wait and I had to either walk away because of the wood or wait 3 months for another one.

As far as me trying to get attention, that is absolutely true. I wanted to ask you people to provide advice based on facts. So far it has been unanimous decision with different levels of emotional involvement.


Thanks again.

[Kit523]

Originally Posted by e90im

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...

hey if you like mazda more than a "BmW" go for it

[ward]

yeah trading in a 3 month old car is a good idea

you'll lose so much money on that deal you'll end up paying 325 money for a mazda.

[ABR]

Yeh, go get Mazda. Good choice. You should also look for Civic R and such.

[no_exit]

Originally Posted by ward

yeah trading in a 3 month old car is a good idea

you'll lose so much money on that deal you'll end up paying 325 money for a mazda.

I am surprised it took this many posts for somebody to make this very important point - unless the OP has a boatload of cash laying around. Then it's no big deal.

[ABR]

Originally Posted by no_exit

I am surprised it took this many posts for somebody to make this very important point - unless the OP has a boatload of cash laying around. Then it's no big deal.

If somebody wants to do stupid things. Why should we care? It is his life.

[BMW F22]

E90im- I understand exactly what you're going through. When I first got the E90 I wasnt really impressed with it. But day after day I love it more and more. IT's a great sedan IMHO. As for trading it in, I would think hard about it. Go to your dealer and sit in an E90 with aluminum trim and see if you like it first. If so, consider ordering an aftermarket al trim for it. If you test drove the Mazda and like it far better than the E90, then by all means buy it. You have to get what you want and be happy with it. IMO the Mazda looks pretty nice on the outside. I have never sat in one before so I dont know how the interior is. Think about getting the AL trim first. If it still doesnt make much of a difference, then go with the Mazda. BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU: THINK VERY HARD ON IT!!! The last thing you want is to trade in the E90 and later beat yourself up about it. You also have to take your insurance into consideration.

Insurance companies think the E90 is a pretty safe car so the rate is definitely lower than the Mazda's. Also think of the free maintenance and how much it would cost you over the next few years. There are tons of features on the E90 that the mazda doesnt have. I got a flat tire on the freeway just 2 days ago and the thought of changing a tire on the shoulder scares the heck out of me. Cars were zooming by like crazy. If one of those cars happened to pick up a rock and send it towards me...You never know if some crazy bastard will just try and hit you while you're changing the tire.

The mazda is not a bad handling car and it also comes with limited slip diff. so its pretty decent in the corners. But again, think long and hard about EVERYTHING you will gain and everything you will be missing.G'luck

[Yaajer]

get yourself a mazda then.

[ben1364]

Originally Posted by ward

yeah trading in a 3 month old car is a good idea

you'll lose so much money on that deal you'll end up paying 325 money for a mazda.

###
Ya got that right!