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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 2437 of 3025

#24360 of 30250 riez by div2

Sep 20, 2003 (8:22 am)

I think a lot of people don't realize that you can pick up a very nice used BMW for less than $35K. When I bought my 1988 M6 in the summer of 1992 a lot of my co-workers assumed that it was new and that I had paid over $70K for it(the actual price was $25K). These opinions are beginning to change in my part of the country, due in large part to the fact that more and more people are picking up older 3ers and 5ers. It's kind of funny actually; a couple of local shops now have me "on call" to reset SI lights and trap codes with my Peake R5/FCX. I've even ordered parts using my CCA discount to help out new owners who were having problems finding reasonably priced BMW parts. But these folks aren't the source of the Stigma; rather, it's those losers who are jealous of anyone who is successful. Believe it or not, there's an MIT professor economics who wrote an article expressing the opinion that we shouldn't drive expensive cars because it makes other drivers feel bad. Give me a break...

#24361 of 30250 riez... by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Sep 20, 2003 (11:34 am)

I see you traded in your CPO 3-series. It looks like you traded it without using any of the CPO warranty. I know you think CPO is the way to go, but any regrets on paying the premium (whatever that may be) for the CPO car, but not using any of the benefits? Do you think the Lexus dealer gave you a higher value on trade because of the warranty? Or is the warranty even valid once its passed through a dealer's hands?
 
regards,
kyfdx

#24362 of 30250 Stigma by ponytrekker

Sep 20, 2003 (4:50 pm)

Funny, I bet that the only people who attach a "rich" stigma to BMW drivers are people who haven't looked into BMWs.
 
When I was looking to replace my Accord I was looking at a lot of stuff. I drove Acura, Nissan, New Accord, Audi & Saab before BMW. I also attached this stigma to BMWs -- expensive snooty foreign cars.
 
Then I drove a 325. I thought it handled far better then all the others. Maybe it's the weight distribution, maybe the RWD, but it just felt so rock solid.
 
Then I priced it, and when it came out less to lease than the A4 3.0, I got it.
 
Finally, BMW does a lot of things to make owning the car easy. Ultimate pay for one thing, is very convenient -- just log on and pay your bill the day it's due.

#24363 of 30250 CPO & Trade In by riez

Sep 20, 2003 (8:16 pm)

kyfdx... Remember, I also had a CPO 540i6. Bought her first. I did use that CPO warranty (e.g., replaced LCD dash computer display, airbag warning sensor, etc.). When I traded in the 323ia, it had 52,000 miles, so I did use a tiny bit of the CPO. Biggest reason I traded her in was to lock in low long-term finance rate. Went from a 72-month 6.00% loan to a 60-month 3.39% loan.
 
I did try to trade in the 323ia for a 325ixa earlier this year. My BMW dealer low-balled me on the trade. I got a lot more from the Lexus dealer, but they waited almost 3 weeks after I made my first/best/final offer before they accepted it. I didn't negotiate. I made them one offer and they finally took it. The BMW dealer treated me like he owned me. He didn't.
 
(Aside: Today I traded in my 540i6 to the same Lexus dealer. She was going out of CPO on 2/04. She had 79,200 miles. I didn't want to trade her in during winter, when midwestern dealers aren't looking for RWD manual sedans with summer-only tires. Got an '04 IS300 sedan with manual transmission and LSD. Right off the truck. They took my first/best/final offer. Tried to get an '03 from another city's Lexus dealer. They would only give me about $5K less in trade than my local dealer.)
 
Fact both cars were CPO didn't matter to the dealers, either Lexus or BMW.

#24364 of 30250 BMW stigma by seivwrig

Sep 21, 2003 (4:43 pm)

I don't get much of it but I got my first real taste about a month ago.
 
I was at a red in the turning lane. Light turned green, a bastard in beat down pickup truck beat me off the light. Did a schumacher and cut me off. Now on the entrance ramp, he rides in the left lane knowing that it will end. It was as though he expect me to blast past him. I did not jump onto the freeway because I was scared he would cut me off a third time. As I pass him, he flipped me the bird. My family had to witness this whole episode.
 
I have never experienced DWB, but if anyone has seen my photo they might think that I am a Black nerd. The most looks that I have gotten were driving in the UK when I did Euro Delivery. I remember explicitly the gawks that my brother and I got while driving to Ipswich (my hometown). It did look strange to African Americans, in a six cylinder 3er, driving fast, with strange license plates, left hand drive car and no military sticker on the window.
 
I know why people assume that BMW's are expensive, they have not shopped for one.
 
When my wife is driving, people will attempt to race her. I told my wife if you keep it up, you will get smoked my a Scooby WRX STi or Mitsu EVO or a Neon SRT.
 
I think there is some envy by others but I also think that some BMW drivers are insecure. Just drive the car, enjoy it and worry about what others think. They are ones getting fleeced by buying overpriced SUVs built on cheap truck chassis with a million and one options and customizations. I have seen many $45-50K Envoys, Expeditions and Suburbans.

#24365 of 30250 Drivers stigma by kdshapiro

Sep 22, 2003 (9:01 am)

seivwrig - What you describe is a drivers stigma. Drivers stigma is the statistical possibility, someone will act in a crazy manner toward you for no good reason. I had similiar incidents driving a Ford. You are assuming it's a BMW thing, it's not. Crazy people do crazy things for what appears to be crazy reasons.

#24366 of 30250 long(er)-term feedback? by sunilb

Sep 22, 2003 (10:37 pm)

Could some owners provide feedback on what it's like to live with a 325i or 330i... after the new car euphoria wears off?
 
I've test-driven both and with the current incentives I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger, but I'd enjoy hearing some feedback on any issues (ie, things that bother you now that you didn't notice during your test drive) that may have come up.
 
Thanks.

#24367 of 30250 Feedback on 325i by mrl11777

Sep 23, 2003 (7:30 am)

Mine is an '03 with the steptronic. Had it only six months (about 6k on the odo), so my opinion might not be as meaningful as a longer-time owner, but I still like it as much as the day I brought it home. Solid as a rock, not a squeak or rattle, fine acceleration and unbelievable handling. All in all, a terrific package that I think is going to be a pleasure to own for a long time.
 
I picked the 325 over the 330 as I did not feel that the slight bump in acceleration was worth the big premium. I originally planned on getting a 5-series, but there was not enough headroom in it with a sunroof (I am 6'3", and the 3 has about an inch more headroom).
 
A really, really nice car!

#24368 of 30250 OMG MRL !!! by ksoman

Sep 23, 2003 (8:20 am)

what are you doing man... 6K in 6 months... you must let the others on this board borrow and exercise your car a little...
jk
 
ksso

#24369 of 30250 Yes... by mrl11777

Sep 23, 2003 (8:24 am)

my commute is only 3 miles each way (and that is taking the long, curvy way along the water). Fun three miles, though.

Messages Page 2437 of 3025

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