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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16251 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 7:02 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1556 of 1626

#15550 of 16251 Re: 320i [stickguy] by andys120

Jan 18, 2013 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 18, 2013 11:41 am)
Stickguy, I resisted the siren call of BMWs for most of my adult life because new ones always seem just a bit too expensive. I passed up on the 2002s, 320is and the wonderful E90s until one fine day I stopped in at a BMW reseller near my office and priced second-hand E39s.
 
I ended up getting a 4 y/o 2000 328ia for about half the original MSRP. I've put 100,000 miles on it in the eight years since and it still looks and runs great. That strategy was so successful that I decided last winter to get a 2001 330Ci Cabrio to serve as my winter ride while I'm in Arizona for the cold months. This particular car had just under 80K on it and cost about what a new Focus would. It has given me no problems at all thus far.
 
BMWs have a pretty steep depreciation curve. Why not take advantage of the fact that so many of them are leased (with strict limits on yearly mileage)
and grab a lightly used one.
 
Buying used is the best way to enjoy Bimmers IMO.

#15551 of 16251 Re: 320i [habitat1] by flightnurse

Jan 18, 2013 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Jan 18, 2013 10:42 am)
Simple you have the money to spread around multi dealership trying to decided what you want to buy, we all get that. There are people who can not, so that is why turner companies are out there and have done very well. Dinan works with BMW, anytime Dinan does any work, whether it is stage 1 suspension kit or supercharger kit, the VIN # is sent to BMW. The failure rate for Dinan engine work is very low, about the same as BMW themselves. So having an Dinan or just go to your local BMW dealer and buy a B7 from ALPINA. Turners today are the what they were 20 years ago, I would only work with turners who have a working relationship with the manufacture, i.e Dinan.
 
So I understand you don't like tuners, that is fine, others do. There are many guys on Bimmerfest who would tell something else, I just love watching the videos they post of 335i's playing with 911S on the freeway and the 911 guys doesn't get it... A couple of guys have 90K on their 335i that are making 440hp RWHP they have been from day one of ownership (original owners.) havn't had any major engine problems.

#15552 of 16251 Re: 320i [flightnurse] by sweendogy

Jan 18, 2013 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jan 18, 2013 9:12 am)
Funny but a loaded ford focus could have a boatload more tech then a 180 hp BMW- and also be cheaper and very close in performance -
 
Shark has been jumped -

#15553 of 16251 Re: 320i [flightnurse] by habitat1

Jan 18, 2013 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jan 18, 2013 6:10 pm)
I didn't disagree that Dinan is one of the best, most reputable tuners around. And they can be a relatively good bang for the buck in performance. I simply restated what they stated on their website: asking more out of a smaller engine will besult in more engine wear. So my take is that somebody that is very performance minded, goes to the track on occasion or regularly and doesn't care about shaving some life off the second 100,000 miles on the engine, the Dinan option is a viable one. But for those that are counting on the car being a daily driver for 8-10 years and do not want to take the risk of Dian's admittedly increased engine wear, might think twice.
 
I have a friend who took his 996 Turbo to over 600hp/650 ft lbs at the wheels through a Porsche approved tuner as well. The car has been timed at under 10 seconds in the quarter mile, putting him a few tenths and a couple million dollars ahead of a Bugatti Veyron, so yes, I understand the economics. I just still don't see you acknowledging the increased engine wear factor - whether or not that is of importance to you, it will be to many.

#15554 of 16251 Re: 320i [andys120] by stickguy

Jan 18, 2013 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Jan 18, 2013 5:14 pm)
oh, if I get one, it for sure will be used.

#15555 of 16251 Re: 320i [dino001] by nyccarguy

Jan 18, 2013 (10:03 pm)

Replying to: dino001 (Jan 18, 2013 6:37 am)
You had to say "I told you so?"

#15556 of 16251 Re: 320i [stickguy] by nyccarguy

Jan 18, 2013 (10:08 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 18, 2013 11:41 am)
You probably could have sold your wife on that used X3, if she didn't test drive her RDX.
 
I've never bought used before (for a daily driver/primary car), but if my next ride is a BMW (whether I buy out my lease at the end or buy a lower mileage E90), I'm going to dip into the used market.
 
I LOVE my 328xi! It is truly a fantastic car that suits my needs perfectly.

#15557 of 16251 Re: 320i [stickguy] by kyfdx HOST

Jan 19, 2013 (8:20 am)

Replying to: stickguy (Jan 18, 2013 7:55 pm)
If I buy a coupe, I can go as late as 2012 on a BMW, and still get the straight six.... So.... buy one of those in 2016 and drive it for six years... that gets me to 64 yrs old...
 
So, I'm not worried about the 4-cyl turbos.....

#15558 of 16251 Re: 320i [kyfdx] by fedlawman

Jan 19, 2013 (10:39 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 19, 2013 8:20 am)
That's the way to look at it!
 
Sad though...the public doesn't care, but the I-6 will be missed by enthusiasts forever. Just like the 993 is the last great Porsche 911, someday the E90/92 will be considered the last great 3 series.

#15559 of 16251 Re: 320i [fedlawman] by habitat1

Jan 19, 2013 (11:09 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Jan 19, 2013 10:39 am)
Sad though...the public doesn't care, but the I-6 will be missed by enthusiasts forever. Just like the 993 is the last great Porsche 911, someday the E90/92 will be considered the last great 3 series.
 
You sound a bit like the BMW track instructors I met when I picked up our X5d at the Performance Delivery Center in Spartanburg. They are not looking forward to the new M3, twin/triple/quadruple turbo 6, more power and better mpg notwithstanding. There is something about the visceral feel of an 8,400 rpm naturally aspirated V8 that they don't want to see lost. They view the M5 similarly.
 
Like the fans said when Johnny Damon left Boston for New York. No beard, no hair, no soul. Still a great ballplayer, but not the same.

Messages Page 1556 of 1626

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