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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

30250 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 11:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 2394 of 3025

#23930 of 30250 Hey SDradioguy by scipio1

Jul 31, 2003 (10:59 am)

Like Erick said, we're all bound to be at least a little biased here, since most of us voted with our feet an ended up with 3s in the garage.
 
I love the little Acuras. I've gone through 3 Integras myself, and bought two others (one for my mother and an ancient 1990 beater for my litle brother). They are really magnificent little cars, and truth be told, my reaction to driving the RSX was that it would be, for me, a perfectly satisfying substitute for a 325. I didn't drive the TSX, but was suitably impressed by the fit and finish, which offered a completely different feel than the slightly ricey, boy-racer RSX (I liked the RSX a ton, but the interior made me feel old at age 29). The TSX had an elegant, 3-type appeal I found quite likeable. Having not driven it, my only concern was that by using the same engine as the RSX on a bigger and heavier car, that the power would not feel as rewarding as did the RSX.
 
What I would point out is that the TSX is still a front driver (although a much better front driver than most - the Audi included), and that half of it is lost without Acura's magnificent shifter. If you're going automatic, perhaps the torque of a BMW/Audi should win the day.
 
For some reason, I categorically dislike the Nissan/Infinitis, that transcends my distaste for Renault and its French overlords. I realize that their designs have improved radically in the past 2 years, and that they are sort of the "hot" company right now. Perhaps I just had a terrible experience with their salesmen (a 22-year old Infitini salesman wearing a $50 suit claimed he had personally owned and sold 2 E46 M3s, and that the G35 would clearly out-handle and blow the doors off an M3. I shudder to think what he would have claimed if I drove onto the lot in our C4S). Nonetheless, I found the cars (the G35 and the Z350) to be breathtakingly stylish while simultaneously being hopelessly soulless. I much preferred to strap on the Acuras, despite their relatively stodgy styling.
 
I do agree with the people who have suggesting reaching a bit for the 330. I know that you've saved up to pay entirely with cash, and that going to the 330 may put you beyond your planned price range. But if you're going automatic, the 330 seemed to me to be head-and-shoulders better than the 325. A combination of torque, HP, and cheating (they goosed the throttle response a little), make the 330 a lot more satisfying in the automatic trim.
 
We made that exact choice with our own 330. We were specifically looking for a color, and it came down to a 325 with SP and halogens versus the 330 without SP and xenons. In a stick, I might have gone the other way, but in the auto, the 330 was incomparably better in my opinion.
 
1pierce - I'll let you know my results in a week. We just bought a set of 68M wheels with the stock 225/45 Dunlop sports in the front and a set of 255/40 Pirelli P-Zero Assymetricos in the rear, which will replace the stock 205/50 all-season Continentals on the 330. The tires will go on the car Saturday after next, and I'm optimistic about the extra confidence they'll provide in the twisties. As a 2001, the 330 does not have the Sport suspension, so we'll see how far a set of replacement tires will take us with stock non-SP shocks and springs.

#23931 of 30250 well well by scipio1

Jul 31, 2003 (11:10 am)

It's funny you mention CPO and no moonroof. I remember seeing a posting by Jon Shafer at Cutter Motors on bimmerfest about a CPO they were getting:
 
Titanium Silver, Tannin red interior, aluminum trim, stick, SP, HK, BiX and no moonroof. I have no idea what the asking price is, but I've heard that Cutter is a high quality dealership. God, I love the red interior with alunimum trim. I saw a 330 convertible and an M3 convertible with that combo... wow. The only problem is that this one is a stick, and you said you wanted a step.
 
Is it ok to post a link to the bimmerfest thread here, or is that not kosher?

#23932 of 30250 by blueguydotcom

Jul 31, 2003 (11:24 am)

Having not driven it, my only concern was that by using the same engine as the RSX on a bigger and heavier car, that the power would not feel as rewarding as did the RSX.
 
It's not the same engine. It's got more torque and it's larger displacement (2.4 v 2.0).
 
What I would point out is that the TSX is still a front driver (although a much better front driver than most - the Audi included), and that half of it is lost without Acura's magnificent shifter. If you're going automatic, perhaps the torque of a BMW/Audi should win the day.
 
The TSX has 166 lb-ft of torque and it's a very flat curve. The 325i has 175 lb-ft. Not that much difference.
 
I do agree with the people who have suggesting reaching a bit for the 330. I know that you've saved up to pay entirely with cash
 
Oh I pray he's not throwing away cash on a car purchase. If he has 30k saved up, put it in S&P 500 index funds or something else. Rates are ludicrously low on loans (2.9 for 60 months), while he can pull down 11% on an S&P fund. He's giving money away if he buys a depreciating asset like a car for cash when rates are this low!

#23933 of 30250 independent BMW service by eug

Jul 31, 2003 (11:39 am)

Hi everyone,
I've come to the end of my service warranty for my '01 325ci. I've read here that I may be better off using an independent tech for my repair and service needs. Does anyone here know of a good independent BMW tech in the north San Diego area? Thanks..

#23934 of 30250 sdradioguy FYI by eug

Jul 31, 2003 (2:25 pm)

I live in San Diego county too. Back when I was shopping for best price, I ended up ordering my '01 325ci(SP,PP) from Crevier in Orange County. They gave me $2500 off MSRP. No one in San Diego wanted to match it. Escondido would only give me $1500 off. SD BMW offered $2000 off. I don't remember the quote from Cunningham.

#23935 of 30250 "thowing away cash" by sdradioguy

Jul 31, 2003 (2:37 pm)

Well, I was waiting for someone to make a remark about paying cash for a BMW, or any other car, for that matter.
 
True, rates are insanely low. And, true, the S&P funds have been doing very well lately (as evidenced by my latest 401(k) statement). Perhaps I should clarify and say I'm leaning towards paying cash. I tell the salespeople that I'm a cash shopper, so they won't start throwing monthly payment figures around in an attempt to get me to buy right then and there (but then, that's their job). I also get the impression that a cash deal looks better to most salespeople, so perhaps.. just perhaps.. they'd be a little more open to coming down a bit more on the price. Maybe I'll find out when it gets time to make offers.
 
Once the cash I'm expecting from the sale of my condo arrives, I may feel differently about spending so much of it in one place. But then, it'd be a real budget stretcher for me to carry a 25 or 28K car note, even at 2.9 or whatever they're offering these days.
 
I know I can save whatever 60 months of interest would amount to if I paid cash. There's no guarantee the S&P 500 will continue doing 11-17% gains for the next five years. Likely? Possibly? Probably? Yes.. but still no guarantee. That is not to poo-poo the suggestion of investing vs. paying cash. It's just the view from where I see things at this very moment.
 
Anyway, I'm totally out of my league even starting a financial debate, and I don't know why I feel like I need to defend my choices. But I will take the financing option seriously. I may be more likely to pay cash if I buy CPO, since rates generally tend to be a bit higher for used cars, and a 1 to 3-year-old car has already taken the brunt of the depreciation hit. But then, buying used is a whole 'nother issue for me -- one I shall save for another time.
 
Thanks again. This is fun.

#23936 of 30250 Leasing a new 2003 BMW 325i by lordbyron

Jul 31, 2003 (2:42 pm)

Hello everyone, I just want to say how much I learned from this forum and really has opened my eyes on a lot of things. The end of my 98 328i lease is almost over and I'm thinking to get a new 325 w/ premium package, leather, and maybe the sports package here in New york State. Is it better to lease in NY or NJ? I live in NJ but the NJ dealerships here suck. Here is the info:
 
MSPR- 32,970
Sale Price of the car- 31,575
Residual Value- 56
Money Factor?? I'm putting down 968 plus MV fees .... when you re-lease w/ BMW FS you don't have to put down anything for security deposit. Let me know if I'm really getting shafted!! Thanks

#23939 of 30250 Well, as an investment banker by scipio1

Jul 31, 2003 (3:36 pm)

I have to say that there's no such thing as riskless arbitrage (If it did, we'd all do it and make money). Perhaps the S&P will return 11% this year. I wouldn't count on it. If it does, then the money rate is mispriced, and you profited from the spread, but you can't kid yourself that it was anything near a riskless transaction.
 
I, for one, usually buy cars with cash. The spread on the funds is usually narrow enough that it isn't a material decision. Regardless, I wouldn't be caught dead long on S&Ps. Why?
 
Because as a mid/senior-level banker, the vast majority of my compensation comes in the form of a year-end bonus, and that bonus is highly sensitive to market conditions. My business is highly cyclical, and there is a huge beta that I need to hedge. 80% of my colleagues have been laid off over the last two years, and that's just about par for the course in i-banking. When markets go south, bankers end up on the street.
 
Being long in markets is a great way to double up an already substantial market exposure risk I face daily. To put it in statistical terms, I have a huge compensation variance, coupled with a high correlation factor with the market. That's a terrible combination to be trying to arbitrage S&Ps versus the money rate.

Messages Page 2394 of 3025

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