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BMW 3-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

11917 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 9:18 AM

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

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

Messages Page 960 of 1192

#9591 of 11917 Question by NeworUsed

Feb 02, 2009 (3:43 pm)

I have been reading the last few pages in this thread, and you posters have a lot of experience and knowledge on the BMW 3-series as well as buying them so I feel comfortable asking a question here.
 
     I am in the market for a 3-series, unfortunately I can't afford to buy a new one however I can afford a used vehicle. I was looking around the 2001-04 models which I have the cash now to buy out right but they have no warranty and who knows what repairs I might have to make in the future. So I went to check out a lease instead, low down payment, reasonable monthly payments, plus the free maintenance makes it pretty tempting. I went to two dealers, one give me an offer for a 09(I believe it was 09 as I went early January) 328i Xdrive, real leather, powerseats(basically the cold weather package) for 550/month, 2331 due on signing while another one afford basically the standard package 09' 328ix for 497/month, 3646.86 due upfront with a residual value at 22,390.50(the car's worth now is about36-38k).
 
   Now, the only reason I wanted a AWD was because I live in CT and we have had our share of bad snow storms over the years(especially this winter) but I have a Honda Pilot which is great in the snow however I not a big fan of SUVs. Maybe I should instead look at the RWD.
 
   So my question is do I buy a used 2001-04 BMW 3-series which I can afford to buy out right but doesn't have a warranty and is in the 50-80k miles or do I lease one with a warranty, 0$ maintenance fee but obviously I end up paying more in the end. Maybe i should look in the middle and finance a certified used from one of the dealers. What would be the best move?
 
I have never owned a BMW and the main reason why I want one is for the aesthetics and reputation of the company. I'm not really into fancy luxury features, I just want to feel comfortable in the car(leg room, my butt not feeling sore after a long ride) and I want to feel confident about the car, that it won't let me down over the years of due to use. Hope you guys can help me.

#9592 of 11917 Re: Why lease? [roadburner] by banker2

Feb 02, 2009 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Feb 01, 2009 7:45 pm)
With the exception of 2 cars (a 1996 Saab 9000 CS and a 1998 Suburban), I generally have leased and kept the cars for 2-3 years. The Saab was a great car, kept it for 10 years - pretty reliable, roomy, and unique. Also had a great local Saab mechanic when needed. Alas, GM's insular culture seems to have ruined Saab over the last several years. The Suburban was also a mainstay for 10 years, and although it made frequent (and expensive) trips to the service dept, it was an invaluable family hauler - whoever owns it next will probably find an entire buffet stuck between the three rows of seats! Beyond 10 years (and 100,000 miles), I generally find the cost and hassle of keeping the car maintained to be unacceptable. When I lease, I like to keep the lease term shorter or equal to the warranty period. I have leased acura, honda, audi, and most recently Infiniti M35. Infiniti was a great car - enough to make me consider buying it at end of 3 year lease terrm. However, real value was 6-7K less than stated residual in contract, and they wouldn't negotiate. So, I turned it in.........would like to find a good lease deal on a 3-series, but local dealer appears unwilling to negotiate much, and January BMWFS residuals went down and their money factors went UP. May have to wait until fall to get a good deal on a purchase.

#9593 of 11917 Should I buy? by moneyball

Feb 02, 2009 (4:49 pm)

I leased a 2006 325ci / graphite / sports + premium / xenon / HK and the lease is up at the end of March. A rep from BMW called me the other day to ask if I would be interested in buying the car for $21k - $3500 + plus I could finance at .9%. My monthly payments would be $338 if financed over 5 years. In other words, the cost of the car would be $19,783 (includes the sales tax).
 
I don't mind the car. Its been well taken care of and all that jazz, but I did have my heart set on either a new 2009 Audi or a CPO 330ci with or w/o ZHP.
 
So my question is....is this deal good enough to jump on or should I shop around for another CPO or buy / lease a new car.
 
FYI - not a huge fan of the newer BMW body styles. Loathe the interior.

#9594 of 11917 Re: Why lease? [blueguydotcom] by sammybmw

Feb 02, 2009 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Feb 01, 2009 12:24 am)
if you only keep a car for a few years, and you get favorable lease terms (although its hard to predict the future). leasing would be preferable to buy new and trade but maybe not buy a used one. I am a subscriber of the belief that some cars are truly special and simply cannot be replaced by a newer model. You can find quite a few BMW's that simply can't be replaced. I have a E36 BMW which I believe to be just one of the greatest. I bought another 3 series, with the truly remarkeable 300 HP twin turbo engine which I think would be another one of the milestones in BMW history. I find it hard to part with things that work really well. I usually make good choices, but once I had an Ford Expedition with a 4.6 V8 to tow my camping trailer, I couldn't wait to get rid of it. I got that out of my stable in 3 years. Try to pick a car that you you full in love with over the years. It's cheaper than constantly making car payments your whole life. My '94 is still admired by many. It has aged gracefully. Sounds like a wife doesn't it.

#9595 of 11917 Re: Should I buy? [moneyball] by goral

Feb 02, 2009 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: moneyball (Feb 02, 2009 4:49 pm)
How about this for a deal?
link title
 
I'm quite tempted, but can't get myself to get rid of my '02 330i manual...
By far, the best car I've owned! After purchasing it 4 years ago (as a CPO w/ 40K miles), I've managed to put 75K of absolutely trouble-free miles on it! In this timeframe, the only thing that I actually had to do to it is change the oil and air filter (by myself) every 15K miles and replace couple bulbs...

#9596 of 11917 what to look for? by NeworUsed

Feb 02, 2009 (9:02 pm)

So if I were to buy a used 3-series, is there anything i should look for? Sort of a bug-a-boo that some 3-series are cursed with.

#9597 of 11917 Re: what to look for? [NeworUsed] by roadburner

Feb 02, 2009 (9:21 pm)

Replying to: NeworUsed (Feb 02, 2009 9:02 pm)
So if I were to buy a used 3-series, is there anything i should look for? Sort of a bug-a-boo that some 3-series are cursed with.
 
The 2001-2004 3ers have a pretty decent reliability record. At 60,000 miles you'll probably need a water pump, but that is no big deal. Older cars had problems with window regulators but the newer cars(and replacement regulators) have an improved design. The real key is to find a car that has been maintained by the book, as BMW's do not tolerate neglect. Find a decent dealer and/or a good indie BMW tech and you'll be good to go. I'd say that maintenance and repairs for a 3er of that vintage should amount to no more than $900 per year.

#9598 of 11917 Re: Should I buy? [goral] by chung

Feb 03, 2009 (4:21 pm)

Replying to: goral (Feb 02, 2009 8:10 pm)
I called today but they said the program ended yesterday. I was so ready to grab that deal.. oh well I guess I will have to wait for another one..

#9599 of 11917 Re: Should I buy? [chung] by blueguydotcom

Feb 03, 2009 (6:34 pm)

Replying to: chung (Feb 03, 2009 4:21 pm)
Be patient...

#9600 of 11917 E90 08 335i STEPTRONIC by Scorpio77

Feb 03, 2009 (7:36 pm)

I just got a new lease for '08 335i and am trying to figure out how to work the STEPTRONIC on that. As far as I understand its the DS mode and you use it manually change the gears with higher numbers like M5/ M6 used for faster speed. So on the highway I swtich from D to DS and then accelerate and switch up till I reach M6 and drive on that (over 65-70 mph). On slowing or exiting the highway I just shift back to D - is this the right way to use it or am i missing something?

Messages Page 960 of 1192

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