My 04 325xi has been great. I got it new on Euro delivery, it now has ~60K miles. The only issues I have had were that it needed a new front CV or half shaft. I had that done under warranty, it was expensive if I had to go out of pocket for it. (It may be in need of another one). I have been told they are very DIYable. I did front and rear brakes. Very easy (except the front rotors had rusted on).
I really like the car, I just wish it was a little bigger inside. In the winter with my big coat on, Treo, gloves and some coffee, I feel a little cramped sometimes.
The car drives great. In the snow, it really excels. We get enough some about 2 times a year to really make it worthwhile, but it does great.
I wish I bought the 5speed for the fun factor. The auto is good an solid, just a liitle boring. Great in traffic though. In the regular drive, it starts off in second gear to give a comfortable ride. All the magic happens when the torque comes on ~3K. I would actually have more tickets if I have a 5speed.
The xi has the same spring rate (but 1" taller) as the i model with the sport package. Sport package in an xi is
only the steering wheel and seats. Very little you can do to upgrade it. There are some spring kits (will lower it a little) but sways need to come from Dinan. Nobody makes (or at the time I looked) a front sway for the xi.
Those are the same boring wheels I have. In the photo they might be 17's. You can tell because the 17's have a little lip where the spoke meets the edge.