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BMW 335i 2007+

1398 messages,  Last post on Feb 07, 2011 at 5:21 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series

Messages Page 58 of 141

#566 of 1398 Re: 335i\G37 Re: Slightly off-topic but advice wanted anyway [dougsilver] by habitat1

Apr 28, 2007 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: dougsilver (Apr 27, 2007 3:06 pm)
Doug,
 
You clearly have some serious misunderstandings about the European Delivery program. I won't give you a full tutorial, but you need to do some more research. What I will give you is a real world example of a friend of mine who is getting a 335i convertible to repalce his 1999 328i convertible.
 
The 335ic he has ordered has an MSRP of $56,000+. The best price his dealer would give him was approximately $2,000 off, as a repeat customer, for a price of $54,100. The SAME dealer has agreed to sell him it through the ED delivery program for $1,300 +/- over ED invoice. That works out to exactuly $49,000.
 
You are correct, there are travel expenses. But shipping is included and there is no "certifying/licensing" the car in the US. In fact, it is the SAME exact car (VIN number) he would be ordering either way - US delivery or European Delivery.
 
The only thing holding my friend back is his consideration of waiting for a 2008 model year and heading over to Europe with his wife to celebrate their 25 year anniversary in September. But he's already priced out the "quick pick up" trip for 3 days and 2 nights by himself at under $1,600 (under $700 if he uses frequent flier miles). That will still net him a savings of around $3,500.
 
ED is not for everybody. But I personally wouldn't consider buying a high demand BMW any other way. Once the cars are late in their model lifecycle, US discounts eat up much of the ED savings, but that's not the case with the new 3 and 5 series models, especially the convertibles.

#567 of 1398 Re: 335i\G37 Re: Slightly off-topic but advice wanted anyway [habitat1] by dougsilver

Apr 28, 2007 (3:14 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Apr 28, 2007 12:39 pm)
I'm not saying the ED program is not a great source for some savings. But it still takes planning and time to make a trip you may have no desire to make. If I was planning a trip to Europe and at the same time was considering a car purchase and at the same time the trip included Germany (I assume the pick-up is in Germany?), then it is a no brainer that that would be a great opportunity to get the car.
 
But if such a trip is not planned, it just seems like a hassle to go through this to save a few thousand dollars. If my ability to afford or not afford the car depends on my having to count on a European Delivery, maybe I should be looking at a different car.
 
Doug

#568 of 1398 Re: 335 Convertible-Costly Add-On [jongaines] by laurasdada

Apr 30, 2007 (10:17 am)

Replying to: jongaines (Apr 26, 2007 6:57 pm)
Greetings: Not a BMW owner here, but a couple of thoughts on your queries:
 
Simonizing: Visit zainostore.com and review. Great stuff. There's a forum here devoted to it.
 
Extended Warranty: Take the $2500 and invest it conservatively so it, and any earnings, are available to you post-standard warranty period. If the BMW needs no post-warranty work or you don't keep it that long, you've got your $$$ to do with as you please (as opposed to the warranty company enjoying your money...).
 
However, as this is BMW's first stab at a hard-top convertible,if you do plan to keep the car for a while, the extended (can't believe I'm writing this...) warranty may be worth considering. I'd have to believe that if something goes wrong beyond the warranty (with the top), it will be $$$$$ to fix... Just scrutinize the extended contract very thoroughly to ensure it covers what might actually fail! And, you can negotiate the price of the warranty, don't even have to buy it at the same dealer that you purchased the car from. As I understand it, that is. I've never purchased, nor (knock wood) needed an extended warranty... And I've owned a Chrysler!!!

#569 of 1398 Re: 335i\G37 Re: Slightly off-topic but advice wanted anyway [dougsilver] by habitat1

Apr 30, 2007 (5:17 pm)

Replying to: dougsilver (Apr 28, 2007 3:14 pm)
And, for the record, I'm not saying that the ED delivery program is for everybody. I would have jumped on the opportunity to do it myself in my younger, single days on a shoestring travel budget. But now with a wife and kids, it would require a bit more planning.
 
My only reason for suggesting it was that you seemed to be more impressed with the BMW, but were considering the G35/G37 because they would be around $5k less. The ED pricing could wipe out a big chunk of that difference, if the planning and travel isn't too much of a hassle. If it is, you won't hurt my feelings. Heck, I've never even bought a BMW. And Porsche CHARGES you to go to pick up the car at the factory.

#570 of 1398 Re: 335i\G37 Re: Slightly off-topic but advice wanted anyway [habitat1] by dougsilver

Apr 30, 2007 (10:36 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (Apr 30, 2007 5:17 pm)
Ditto if I was back in my younger days and just wanted to spur-of-the-moment visit Germany to pick up a car. Being older and in my own business, vacations are too precious to try and shoehorn in a destination that I am not particularly interested in.
 
I really don't know what the difference will be in $ between the G37 and the 335i when I finally will be ready to make the move. My greater concern is not so much the splurge to get the BMW (since I tend to keep cars so many years that the end result over time is lessened) but I recall the frustration of my 86 BMW in terms of servicing and maintenance (but it was sure a fun car to drive).

#571 of 1398 Re: 335i\G37 Re: Slightly off-topic but advice wanted anyway [dougsilver] by habitat1

May 01, 2007 (5:35 am)

Replying to: dougsilver (Apr 30, 2007 10:36 pm)
"but I recall the frustration of my 86 BMW in terms of servicing and maintenance (but it was sure a fun car to drive)."
 
Fear of maintenance and repair headaches kept me away from German cars throughout the 80's, 90's and early 00's. But, in fairness, I owned a 1987 Acura Integra that, after 70,000 miles, turned into a major headache. So, I'm not sure comparing anything to the 1980's version/experience is fair.
 
My impression from friends and associates who own later model BMW's is that they are vastly improved over their 1980's ancestors. BUT, if you want to go beyond a 7 year/100k extended warranty, you will likely be taking more of a risk than with a Lexus or Acura. Whether that risk is worth it is highly subjective, but I must admit, after having a 911 for 18 months, the German driving dynamics and "feel" are pretty addictive.

#572 of 1398 Re: 335i\G37 Re: Slightly off-topic but advice wanted anyway [habitat1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 01, 2007 (7:59 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (May 01, 2007 5:35 am)
The Germans need to work on the quality control of their electrical component subcontractors, if you want my two cents about "the problem".

#573 of 1398 Re: 335i\G37 Re: Slightly off-topic but advice wanted anyway [Mr_Shiftrigh by circlew

May 01, 2007 (8:43 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 01, 2007 7:59 am)
I agree. My E90 had a repair for the entire wiring harness in the steering wheel because the "Air Bag/Seat Belt" sensor could not be reset after 2 attempts to reset it.
 
I am sure this repair "out-of-warranty" would have been rather irritating to the financial condition. Good strategy to include a "bumber-to-bumper" to keep sales coming in.
 
Regards,
OW

#574 of 1398 Re: 335i\G37 Re: Slightly off-topic but advice wanted anyway [dougsilver] by kamdog

May 03, 2007 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: dougsilver (Apr 30, 2007 10:36 pm)
Anothre downside to ED is the process itself. First you have to order it, then they pick a date like 3 months later for you to go get it. You go get it and take it back to a shipping agent. Then it takes another 4 or 6 weeks to get it back. The whole process takes about 5 or so months from the time you order it until you can drive it home. For some, that is not a problem, and the real savings of ED make it worthwhile. For others, it is more of a hassle than the money saved.

#575 of 1398 Tomorrow.. by kyfdx HOST

May 08, 2007 (2:53 pm)

..going to the BMW dealer for the "Drive for the Cure". It is a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
 
I'm driving a 335 coupe, and if I have time.. a 5-series wagon...
 
Woo Hooooo...!!!!

Messages Page 58 of 141

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