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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier
30250 messages, Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 11:51 AM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan
#6739 of 30250 JRCT.... good points... (semi - off topic) by errickson
Jun 27, 2001 (9:31 am)
....especially about the Honda. As much as I am in total bliss with my new 325 sitting in the garage, I must say that the 1994 Honda Accord EX that I sold earlier this year was the BEST car I have ever owned. In the SEVEN years I had it:NOT ONE SINGLE PROBLEM WITH ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!
Not even a stupid light bulb went out! I changed the oil every 3K, and kept fresh tires on it. It was totally trouble-free for all 125K miles I owned it.
Hope to have similar luck with my BMW (but not expecting too)!
#6740 of 30250 Purchase Vs Lease by denk
Jun 27, 2001 (9:36 am)
I would agree with hippo and eddie. I have never run a purchase vs lease analysis where leasing came out ahead.#6741 of 30250 Hippo by burrsr
Jun 27, 2001 (9:48 am)
Your analysis is sound except for TWO key things:1) Does not take into account time-value of money (assume you INVESTED the $100/month).
2) At the end of 5 years, you will have had almost TWO (1.67) brand-new cars while leasing, while buying yields ONE 5-year-old car -- not exactly apples-to-apples. For those who prefer to have a brand-new car every 3 years (not in and of itself a practical decision, but a popular one for auto enthusiasts), leasing makes it economically attractive and relatively painless come car-transition time.
Other reasons, such as tax deductibility for business expenses, also make leasing more financially attractive for certain individuals.
#6742 of 30250 john...hilarious??? by jasonkureejii
Jun 27, 2001 (9:56 am)
I agree that much of this is completely subjective when topics come down to interior or exterior aesthetics, but to be honest, I didn't find it hilarious when I found the Acura's interior to be mediocre at best, because I wanted to really overlook it....but in the end, couldn't. I didn't say that BMW's 3ers were a great improvement either, but in my opinion, it definitely was an improvement over rippled leather on the doors, marbled fake wood (especially the ebony), Honda Acoord-like layout, and poorly-sewn leather. There's nothing wrong with the Honda's layout either...hell, I owned one through college...but I'd sure like to make the distinct difference when I step into Honda's luxury branch. Anyways, glad you found it hilarious....I didn't when forking over $30+ to a dealer.jenne, like I said..."Don't let me fill your head with much of my opinion...hopefully, the test drives will unclutter all that is written down in ink or on your monitor!"
Beyond what is said here, by the dealer, or what's written in reviews, you'll need to really sit down, find what's most important and dessriable to you about your selection, and be meticulous before and during the test drive....
#6743 of 30250 Picked up Yesterday, Jennie by midtowneast
Jun 27, 2001 (10:01 am)
I got my 330XiSteel Gray, PP,SP,Xon,Red Leather, 5spand CD yesterday and so far so good. I asked the dealer which fan was in the car he said it was the Bosch and he also had the car running for 40 minutes with no temp problems. I drove in rush hour NYC traffic form Jersey to Queens with no problem the gauge never moved off center. The car is very cozy compared to my TL-S and it has similar performance numbers. The dealer told me I had to get an alarm module to get the clown nose to blink. Looks like he was wrong according to Grumike. The only problems I have with the car is the location or reverse and the Steering wheel needs to be realigned.Jennie The TL-S has alot more space than the 3series, performance numbers are similar and the controls is a subjective thing. Personally if I was a hard driver I would go for a stick 3Series if I was a cruiser and or needed space I would opt for the Acura. Right now for me the Acura is the family and long trip car and the 3series is the daily driver.
#6744 of 30250 midtowneast by postoak
Jun 27, 2001 (10:14 am)
Can you describe what the "red" leather looks like? Is it more of a burgundy -- or is it really red?Yesterday in stating my preferred interior color for each exterior, I said that red with grey exterior would be my preferred choice but BMW apparently didn't agree as they didn't offer it. Seeing your entry caused me to recheck myself and I see I was wrong (obviously). So I go back to stating that red interior with Silver and Grey should look great, assuming the red isn't a bright red.
#6745 of 30250 burrsr-Purch vs lease by denk
Jun 27, 2001 (10:17 am)
Assume any time period you wish--3 yrs, 4yrs, 5yrs, ---Purchase will except in very rare cases come out costing less from a strictly economic point of view including the time value of money as a factor.#6746 of 30250 Cloth and leasing by gurumike
Jun 27, 2001 (10:18 am)
Leasing - I'm really not about to write an hour long essay on how leasing is the best choice for folks keeping the car for less than 6 or 7 years (depends on how well the car holds it's value); it just is. If you add up all of the payments and cost associated with driving the car, leasing does still work out more expensive over 5, 6 and 7 years (beyond that and the purchase becomes noticibly cheaper) but to pick the buy option has two massive set backs. Firstly, you must totally abandon the "only costs a little bit more to go through life first class" rule (remember, "it's always worth it"), secondly (and perhaps more intelligently) you're not driving a brand new car after three years, allowing you to stay up with all of those issues discussed at length on this board - safety, technology, reliability and, most importantly, that special "just got a new car (new BMW?)" feeling.Don't cheap out! If you're not going to keep the car and "run it into the ground", then lease a new one every three years (unless you live in Illinois, sorry about that!).
Cloth interior - Your dealer will need to phone BMW distribution and, after ordering the car with a valid interior like black l'ette., have them change it to your choice. For example, I ordered mine with blk l'ette. then we phone and fax distribution with a special request, in my case changing from K6SW (blk l'ette.) to E3AT (anthracite cloth). They can also do grey and sand I believe.
#6747 of 30250 Postoak by midtowneast
Jun 27, 2001 (10:30 am)
The red is more of a maroon rather than a bright red. One of my colleagues Quote" The red seats are hot." I will try to post pictures of the cars soon.#6748 of 30250 Fog lights by midtowneast
Jun 27, 2001 (10:40 am)
Has anyone with Xeon lights changed their fog light bulbs to more closely match the Xeons. I did this with the Acura and it looks more uniform.To POST a message, please
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