Need help deciding between '03 4runner V8 SR5 and new BMW 325xiT sportwagon. After considering 14 vehicles, it's down to these two. I drove them yesterday, and they both have the ability to make me lay down the money. It's down to, do I really need a truck based suv? Or would an all wheel drive wagon satisfy 90% of my needs? Ironically, optioned as I would want, they are approximately the same price, after discounts. Both have similar electronic safety/driving aid systems. My thoughts are leaning towards... the 4Runner can do almost everything the bmw can do, but also can tow, carry 4-5 adults much more comfortably, stow more gear, get home in that blizzard when I leave work late, have the ability to wander off road and probably have more reliability. Although the Toy won't handle anywhere near the bmw, handling isn't the primary criterium in this purchase. Have I just answered my own question? Has anyone else been through this? Anyone that has bought a 4Runner that has a story that says-here is why I made the right decision-I would appreciate your input. A car-based ute (Highlander/MDX) I've decided is not my thing. It's the real thing (4Runner), or the Ultimate Driving Machine with a little snow traction thrown in.
Need help deciding. Toy vs. Teu.
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peter78
Super Moderator
Swiss Army Knife
You have a good understanding of the differences between the two vehicles. I like to think of the 4Runner as a Swiss Army Knife. It can do a lot of things, carry lots of stuff, tow a lot, excellent 4WD system.
As far as personal stories, we have a 88 Acura Integra 5 speed and a 92 Honda Accord Wagon automatic before buying a 2001 4Runner. The Acura was my daily car and I decided to keep it and be a 3 car family. The 4Runner was going to basically replace the Acura and our family needed more room. I would drive the 4Runner sometimes and sometimes the Acura. BUT what has happened is my wife loves the 4Runner. She has taken it over. She likes riding up high, she likes the safety, the extra power, the extra room, and my son thinks it is cool. Bottom line the wagon just sits there. I like all 3 cars and think they all have their good points.
One thing for sure, if I bought the BMW it would be with their wonderful 5 speed and I would look forward to every curve. With only 27 cubic feet in the trunk I would use the BMW more like a personal driving car with some storage. The 4Runner does better in handling than I originally thought, still you never forget it is a SUV. For fun get a BMW, for a Swiss Army knife go for the 4Runner.
Picture of a Swiss Army Knife below:
You have a good understanding of the differences between the two vehicles. I like to think of the 4Runner as a Swiss Army Knife. It can do a lot of things, carry lots of stuff, tow a lot, excellent 4WD system.
As far as personal stories, we have a 88 Acura Integra 5 speed and a 92 Honda Accord Wagon automatic before buying a 2001 4Runner. The Acura was my daily car and I decided to keep it and be a 3 car family. The 4Runner was going to basically replace the Acura and our family needed more room. I would drive the 4Runner sometimes and sometimes the Acura. BUT what has happened is my wife loves the 4Runner. She has taken it over. She likes riding up high, she likes the safety, the extra power, the extra room, and my son thinks it is cool. Bottom line the wagon just sits there. I like all 3 cars and think they all have their good points.
One thing for sure, if I bought the BMW it would be with their wonderful 5 speed and I would look forward to every curve. With only 27 cubic feet in the trunk I would use the BMW more like a personal driving car with some storage. The 4Runner does better in handling than I originally thought, still you never forget it is a SUV. For fun get a BMW, for a Swiss Army knife go for the 4Runner.
Picture of a Swiss Army Knife below:
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Funny you should ask
My wife drives a 4Runner and I'm about to begin searching for that 325iT (though no X for me - I like the way RWD cars handle and I live in sunny CA).
I like sporty cars but am tired of shoehorning my surfboards and bike into my commuter MB 190 (that thing would look just awful with racks). BMW has factory rack AND I can stuff boards and my bike right inside with a seat folded down.
Plus, I've read that the wagon actually handles better than the sedan b/c that 150lb increase over the back wheels helps keep them planted and gives the car a near-perfect 51/49% weight bias.
You have great taste...
My wife drives a 4Runner and I'm about to begin searching for that 325iT (though no X for me - I like the way RWD cars handle and I live in sunny CA).
I like sporty cars but am tired of shoehorning my surfboards and bike into my commuter MB 190 (that thing would look just awful with racks). BMW has factory rack AND I can stuff boards and my bike right inside with a seat folded down.
Plus, I've read that the wagon actually handles better than the sedan b/c that 150lb increase over the back wheels helps keep them planted and gives the car a near-perfect 51/49% weight bias.
You have great taste...
Thai
Elite Member
Swaro, i have a BMW. It's an amazing handling car...too damn fast for me! It's interior is first-rate...high quality stuff everywhere.
HOWEVER, it is susceptible to electronic glitches (as do most German cars). I have had 2 of these glitches..."it's a BMW thing" is my moto.
Service department is no better than Toyota in terms of friendliness and level of BS. It is far from competing with Lexus. Now, you can say that service department is not that important...however, when there is something wrong with your car or in just for an oil change, you will see the importance of having a 1st rate service department. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE in your ownership experience. Trust me!
Oh yeah, BMW 1800 customer service does not do crap! When the dealership dented my M3's door and took them 1 month to fix, customer service flat-out told me that i was on my own...they could not do anything.:wtf:
BTW, have you considered the Lexus IS300 sportwagon?? It looks pretty cool! And you get the amazing Lexus experience.
As for me, i am gonna keep my BMW until the warranty runs out...then i am jumping to something else. I will never buy another BMW or Mercedes again.
HOWEVER, it is susceptible to electronic glitches (as do most German cars). I have had 2 of these glitches..."it's a BMW thing" is my moto.
Service department is no better than Toyota in terms of friendliness and level of BS. It is far from competing with Lexus. Now, you can say that service department is not that important...however, when there is something wrong with your car or in just for an oil change, you will see the importance of having a 1st rate service department. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE in your ownership experience. Trust me!
Oh yeah, BMW 1800 customer service does not do crap! When the dealership dented my M3's door and took them 1 month to fix, customer service flat-out told me that i was on my own...they could not do anything.:wtf:
BTW, have you considered the Lexus IS300 sportwagon?? It looks pretty cool! And you get the amazing Lexus experience.
As for me, i am gonna keep my BMW until the warranty runs out...then i am jumping to something else. I will never buy another BMW or Mercedes again.
Sac State
New member
BMW is better said, "The ultimate outrageously, over-priced, expensively, ridiculously to repair vehicle ever made". I sold my BMW faster than the ink would dry on the paper. To replace brake pads on a BMW was something like $600!! The maintenance on these vehicles is through the roof, basically price gouging by any BMW delaer. Get the 4Runner and use your massive repair/maintenance savings to buy a jetski to tow behind the Runner!
Hey guys...I had to revisit that original question, it was a long time ago! I did end up buying the Toy in late April. and I was just thinking yesterday, if I only have one vehicle, this is a great one to have.
Ironically, my former girlfriend has recently come back into my life along with the 2001 325xi I helped her buy 2.5 years ago. So I guess I'm getting pretty close to both the vehicles I desired.
You are right Thai, I've been trying to deal with bmw for 10 years now, and bottom line is, they pretty much suck. The only time they'll work with you is when there is the possibility of litigation.
Hell, the owner of the local bmw m/c shop is a friend of mine, and he was ready to dump bmw because they were so difficult to deal with!
I realize this is a function of a crappy dealership, and a woman that didn't have a man watching over things, but my girl now has 9000+ miles on her Bimmer...WITH THE ORIGINAL OIL !!! The car is 2.5 yrs old. It's been to the dealership 2-3 times for small warranty things, but she claims they told her don't change it until the service indicator says so. WRONG! There was a TSB issued a year or so ago that said replace oil & filter at one year or less...'cause the filters were disentegrating when old. Needless to say, she'll have fresh Mobil 1 by noon this Saturday. What a bunch of aholes at that dealership!
Here's another beautiful bmw story...I had a 4 cyl Z3. they ALL have inherently semi-rough idles. BMW checked basic things but would not go as far as checking the cam timing sensor. The problem was not fixed. I asked why they would not check the cam sensor. They said, because all the preliminary checks we have already done check out ok. I said, fine, but the idle is still rough! The dealer said that was bmw's policy, and I could talk to the manf. rep next time he was in. I said ok-schedule me to talk to him. I never rec'd a call. I let it drop, because another dealer's expert bmw mechanic told me you must compromise with this engine. If you time it to smooth out the idle, top end performance will suffer. I loved the way that little 1.9 ran like a raped ape at top end, so I left it alone.
I've had other issues with bmw NA, and was only left thinking they are very difficult to deal with.
The bimmers are fun to drive though. I noticed that M3 you're spotin', Thai. it must be a blast to drive. I would consider the soon arriving X3 if I was in the market. Made in Austria...and I have never seen anything but impeccable quality from Austrian products.
Ironically, my former girlfriend has recently come back into my life along with the 2001 325xi I helped her buy 2.5 years ago. So I guess I'm getting pretty close to both the vehicles I desired.
You are right Thai, I've been trying to deal with bmw for 10 years now, and bottom line is, they pretty much suck. The only time they'll work with you is when there is the possibility of litigation.
Hell, the owner of the local bmw m/c shop is a friend of mine, and he was ready to dump bmw because they were so difficult to deal with!
I realize this is a function of a crappy dealership, and a woman that didn't have a man watching over things, but my girl now has 9000+ miles on her Bimmer...WITH THE ORIGINAL OIL !!! The car is 2.5 yrs old. It's been to the dealership 2-3 times for small warranty things, but she claims they told her don't change it until the service indicator says so. WRONG! There was a TSB issued a year or so ago that said replace oil & filter at one year or less...'cause the filters were disentegrating when old. Needless to say, she'll have fresh Mobil 1 by noon this Saturday. What a bunch of aholes at that dealership!
Here's another beautiful bmw story...I had a 4 cyl Z3. they ALL have inherently semi-rough idles. BMW checked basic things but would not go as far as checking the cam timing sensor. The problem was not fixed. I asked why they would not check the cam sensor. They said, because all the preliminary checks we have already done check out ok. I said, fine, but the idle is still rough! The dealer said that was bmw's policy, and I could talk to the manf. rep next time he was in. I said ok-schedule me to talk to him. I never rec'd a call. I let it drop, because another dealer's expert bmw mechanic told me you must compromise with this engine. If you time it to smooth out the idle, top end performance will suffer. I loved the way that little 1.9 ran like a raped ape at top end, so I left it alone.
I've had other issues with bmw NA, and was only left thinking they are very difficult to deal with.
The bimmers are fun to drive though. I noticed that M3 you're spotin', Thai. it must be a blast to drive. I would consider the soon arriving X3 if I was in the market. Made in Austria...and I have never seen anything but impeccable quality from Austrian products.
