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BMW 3-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

11958 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2013 at 8:29 PM

You are in the Prices Paid - Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 1170 of 1197

#11686 of 11958 Re: 2006 BMW 330i w/ Navigation [valueseeker627] by flightnurse

Jul 10, 2012 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: valueseeker627 (Jul 08, 2012 6:41 pm)
The 330 you are looking at has all the right options, so if you are happy with the car and the price, go for it. No one else can tell you what to you, there will ALWAYS be buyer remorse for the first few weeks.. Regarding the price of a 335i, BMWs hold their value, so don't think you will find a 2007 335i for $13K or even 16K unless it has 150K miles.. Now if you really want a better 330i, find one with the M Sport Package....

#11687 of 11958 Re: 2006 BMW 330i w/ Navigation [flightnurse] by graphicguy

Jul 11, 2012 (7:15 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jul 10, 2012 7:39 pm)
OP....gotta go with Flight Nurse's advice. Those are really good cars. I had one ('06). Yeah...the 335i will be a bit quicker (I think '07 was the first year they came out), but the 330i was by no means a slouch.
 
I can't see any '07 335i going for $16K (unless, as was pointed out, it has super high mileage). Maybe one with a rebuilt/salvage title.
 
BMW is pretty liberal in buying back cars for some pretty flimsy reasons (IMHO). They usually give those cars a through going over, fix whatever was wrong (if anything was really wrong) and put them out for sale, again. If you can find one of those, which would have a title that stipulates it as a factory buyback, you might be able to score a 335i for the money you're talking about.

#11688 of 11958 Re: 2006 BMW 330i w/ Navigation [graphicguy] by flightnurse

Jul 11, 2012 (9:17 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Jul 11, 2012 7:15 am)
Graphic when it comes to the BMW buyback, I'm not too sure I understand why BMW could not fix the problem the first or second time, but only after BMW bought the car back that the problem is now fixed.... I have seen some excellent prices on E-bay for the buyback cars...

#11689 of 11958 Re: 2006 BMW 330i w/ Navigation [flightnurse] by blueguydotcom

Jul 11, 2012 (11:44 pm)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jul 11, 2012 9:17 am)
I had a 2007 335i that BMW bought back from me because they spent a year trying to get the engine to run correctly. I'm returning to BMW but I'd avoid a buyback at all costs. Three BMWs and on two of them I had engine issues BMW could never resolve.

#11690 of 11958 Re: 2006 BMW 330i w/ Navigation [blueguydotcom] by valueseeker627

Jul 12, 2012 (1:24 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Jul 11, 2012 11:44 pm)
How do you guys suggest I review the vehicle? I plan on just taking it to the BMW dealer and having them complete a used car inspection. I've also heard that people can get rid of the check engine lights with OBD (on-board diagnostic) devices which can tell the car to stop showing the check engine light.
 
Shoudl the dealer be able to hook the car up to the machine and see what repairs need to be done despite any tampering by a 3rd party? I am purchasing a used BMW against the advice of my friends so I want to make sure I cover my bases and don't end up regretting it for lack of diligence and inspection!
 
Thanks!

#11691 of 11958 Re: 2006 BMW 330i w/ Navigation [flightnurse] by graphicguy

Jul 12, 2012 (6:05 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Jul 11, 2012 9:17 am)
Flightnurse...I've noticed the amount of factory buybacks on ebay, too. If you don't mind the inevitable trade penalty when you turn around to sell it again, I think they would be a helluva deal.
 
BMW does seem to be pretty liberal with their buyback and trade assist policy. Frankly, the one BIG thing I've noticed in service between my BMW dealer, and my GF's Audi is the service. BMW trumps Audi by a large margin. Case in point, when I first got my BMW, I had scraped the lower edge of the front spoiler pulling out of my dealer's lot. My fault....I was trying to beat some oncoming traffic and going too fast. Dealer made note of that. Next time I came in, they took the little plastic valance off under the car, rubbed out the "scar" from the scrape and repainted it.
 
I didn't ask them to do that. They certainly weren't obligated in any way to do that. They just did it.
 
Another point, I have light tan interior. Where I get in and out of the car, my dark leather belt is rubbing some of the leather dye onto the seat where the bolster is. Again, this is a wear item. At first, the dealer tried to clean it with leather cleaner. Didn't help. They recovered the entire driver's seat (with what the expensive Dakota leather they use on the seats). I didn't even have to ask.
 
value....yes, take the 3 to a BMW mechanic. By the end of the run for the 330i came around (which your '06 is), they were pretty bulletproof. But, I'd pay particular attention to the oil changes (BMW is notorious for allowing for high miles between oil changes). Those should be accessible by any BMW mechanic worth their salt (if they were logged via the car's VIN#). Also, you want to check for paint work. Again, any decent mechanic should be able to spot paint work easily. Then, it's just the normal stuff....tire condition, belt condition, check for leaks, hoses, alignment, brakes, trans and trans fluid, lights, steering wheel angle and "play" (as in, there shouldn't be any play in the steering), etc.
 
Make note of the tires on the car. These came with the first generation of runflats. They were pretty dismal in my estimation. They road like bricks, and didn't offer much in the way of longevity. My guess is, they've been replaced...hopefully with non run-flats of the correct size and type.
 
A good mechanic should already know all of this.
 
Check the CARFAX. While not the end all to beat all, Carfax should note any glaring incidences with the car's history and background.
 
That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
 
Generally speaking, if a BMW has been cared for as specified, they really aren't any more or less troublesome than any other car. Major repairs (if and when needed) do tend to cost much more than their American car counterparts. But, you'll find that if the '06 330i gets a clean bill of health, it will be as reliable as any car on the road today. If not? All bets are off!

#11692 of 11958 Re: 2013 328i ordered [jeffreyfu] by vacarfan

Jul 16, 2012 (5:53 pm)

Replying to: jeffreyfu (Jun 14, 2012 2:53 pm)
Hi, Jeffrey,
 
That sounded like a good price. Can you tell me which dealer you get your car from?
 
Thanks

#11693 of 11958 BMW DRIVE FOR TEAM USA by pacdecimal

Jul 19, 2012 (8:01 pm)

My zip code only indicated two dealers in Utah and 4 in Illinois who's still participating in this event. 640 miles from California to the nearest.

#11694 of 11958 328i 2012 metallic gray with tech and premium packages by jtp3zk

Jul 23, 2012 (1:54 pm)

I got a 2012 328i in mineral gray color in end of June with premium and technology packages, heated seats and xm radio (didn't care for the heated seats or xm radio, but this was the closest car to what I wanted).
 
Invoice price was 40,485. $350 discount off invoice plus $1000 for the college rebate program. $35,000 down, financed the rest with 3.54% apr. this was done at irvine BMW. Was this a good deal?

#11695 of 11958 Re: 328i 2012 metallic gray with tech and premium packages [jtp3zk] by flightnurse

Jul 23, 2012 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: jtp3zk (Jul 23, 2012 1:54 pm)
I love these type of questions..... Each car market is different so to ask this question on a national forum is a mute point. How would you feel if people stated, you got screwed on the deal and you could have done better? The deal is done, can't chance what happened, as long as you are happy with it that is all that counts.

Messages Page 1170 of 1197

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