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Comments
As kdshapiro mentioned, there are many advantages to leasing. One big advantage is that you are leasing against a set residual value, so if by the end of your lease the body style has changed, consumer reports flips the car end over end while trying to brake for an armadillo, or there are reports that the wheels fall off while driving (this actually happened to early Jaguar S Types) you don't have to worry about the resale value of the car dropping.
You just turn the car in to the dealer and either walk away with another one or go and lease another car.
You don't have to worry about bickering with the dealer that edmunds & kbb say your car is worth $22,000 and he's (or she's) can't offer you any higher than $15K on a trade and has the same exact car selling used on the lot for $26K;)
It is advisable to lease within the warranty period (& free maintenance with BMWs) so you really don't incur any additional costs (besides your lease payment, gas, & insurance) for the period you drive the car.
As kdshapiro also mentioned there are some disadvantages. He pretty much covered them.
There are also many good reasons to finance the car or pay for it outright as well. The best thing to do is maybe talk to your accountant and see what is right for you.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Also with 03' premium package, I think it come with the automatic headlight control, not sure that is related to the daytime running lights...
any suggestion are welcome...
Thanks,
Happy Dragon
I had my car looked at for the that problem too. They ordered some parts for a 'module' or something like that. Do you by chance have the part numbers they replaced? Are they the same ones posted a while back (I believe they were for a step tranny)? I suspect they are the same, but wanted to get your input on it as to what exactly they did.
I'm looking forward to getting rid of that notchiness... SO annoying once you notice it, kinda like the squeaky seat belt B-pillar.
-Paul
The way I see it, if having these lights on help someone see me and help avoid an accident, they are well worth it.
I also sometimes run the lights on the middle setting (parking lights) and turn on the fog lights in semi dark conditions that don't require full headlights.
I've seen 3's with DRL's approach me and they seem fairly benign in that they aren't too bright, but they are noticeable.
-murray
1 35-40-6-762-481 (Module),
1 35-40-6-756-720 (Adopter plate)
My car is a 2001 325i manual.
Any ideas?
After the 318ti experiment of the mid-90s, I don't think we'll see it on this side of the pond.
Man, gotta love this Edmunds thing!
-Paul
My thoughts are this. If I lease, I pay a monthly use tax (10%) on the lease payment, but no sales tax upfront (I live in D.C.). If I then choose to buy the car at the end of the lease, I have to pay sales tax, and am thus paying taxes twice.
With the Owner's Choice, I pay sales tax up front, but no monthly use tax. If I decide to buy the car at the end of the 36 months, there is no additional tax.
Comments or suggestions?
Thanks for the numbers brave.
I called my dealer and the numbers I have are the same... well almost
For the Module, they have 35-40-6-762-480 (you said 481).
Brave, do you know of a difference between the two? Maybe just model years?
At least my dealer has the parts on the way, so hopefully next week, I can report how much smoother it is, just like brave's.
-Paul
481 is for manual.
Calling the dealer to be sure again.
-Paul
yah, let's move on, okay?
yes nyccarguy, you have a great memory. i did just get a 540a, but it is a company car . . .
the rest of the time we drive a 93 corolla and 94 jeep cherokee. since we got the 540, we can't deal with those any more so are selling those 2 cars and getting a 330xi as our personal car.
that's the downside to bmws -- it's hard to drive another car after you drive one.
we tested an X5 yesterday which was very nice but still an Suv. it also was much more difficult to park in our tight boston spot
tonight they let us take a 330xi home and it is really nice
only questions are sport vs. non sport, options and 02 vs. 03, lease buy etc.
i heard the sport on the xi is only cosmetic and tires
i wish i had the sport on my 540. it is very smooth but too floaty at high speed
interesting contrast. just got back from 2 weeks in germany. there are some short sections of the autobahn where i you can drive full speed.
but most of the time there was too much traffic or we were limited to 120KPH
people drive faster on average on my way to work here in mass!
any advice on sport or non sport on an xi would be appreciated. it's much less expensive on the xi than on the 540, but it also must come with less
He was suprised at how strong the smaller 2.5L I6 (very impressive power) was as compared to the 3.0 V6 in his A4. He said with some miles on it and a stick that it could probably run with his 3.0 with no problem. He said the 330i must be like a road rocket and can't imagine how fast an M3 is:)
He likes the interior of his A4 MUCH better. He said the monotonous orange lightling in the BMW is somewhat distracting and discomforting to the eyes. The A4's interior lighting is spectacular. The BMW is a snug fit for him. Now granted he's 5'7" and weighs somewhere around 240lbs, but he's much more comfortable in the A4.
He said the steering in the BMW was much heavier and more precise than in his Audi. He used the phras laser sharp do describe the steering of the 325i.
As far as ride quality goes, he said his A4 actually rides rougher. That may have something to do with the fact that his tires have 20K on them and the BMWs tires are obviously brand new.
So I asked him the obvious question: If you were shopping today, which car would you pick? Hands down he would take his A4 3.0Q 6 speed. He loves the unique look of his Amulet Red, SP equipped A4 as opposed to the ubiquitious 3 series which are all over the place in Connecticut. He says if he was shopping a 325i vs an A4 1.8T, he might have to reconsider. He said if the 1.8T were available with leather and the wood trimmed interior it would be closer, but as of 2002, he'd take the 325i.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I've driven his A4 myself and it is definitely a great car, I'd take a 3 series myself. You are right about the engine growl of the 3 series. His A4 is fast, but it is a smooth fast. He said the 325 feels quicker.
Am I making sense?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Recent layoffs at my company and just a bad atmosphere overall in the telecom industry have caused me to rethink ownership of my 2001 325Ci, which I purchased new. I still have my job, but I'm concerned (for good reason) that more of us will get the axe here at my company soon. So...I now have about $26,500 left to pay on my car w/ $640/mo payments (ouch) for the next 3.5 years. I was thinking about selling my 2001 325Ci for about $28/29K and paying off the loan---then finding a 1997 540i Sport (w/ 60K+ miles) for about $21-22K. So, that would leave me with about an $18K loan. Not bad. It brings my car payments down about $200. Even if I get laid off $400/mo is affordable.
BUT...I am love the E46 coupe design, and with the recent designs by "Bungle and Hoodwink", I fear that the next generation 3 may look like the 7 left in the dryer too long. Not good. The sexy lines of the 3 will fade into history (I'm hard pressed to find an automobile that is as svelt/sexy/powerful as the E46 coupe). Also, once my existing loan is paid off, I'll have the car for another five years, whereas if I buy a 1997 540i, by the time that loan's paid off the car will be on its last legs.
I did apply to refinance my existing loan for a lower rate, but any feedback here would be helpful.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
"Yeah he's the typical Bimmer owner who just buys the car for the flash and to keep up with the joneses, but he can't even afford it now that he lost his job."
You've been putting up a pretty good fight over there on that dead horse beating thread!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
And BTW, I could care less what any board thinks in this situation. You gotta do what's right for you.
Ride it out.
- Mark
ordered an '03 325i last week and hope to have it before december... sold my '97 z3 about a month ago and miss driving a bmw.
just wanted to chime in. will surely have questions and/or comments in the future.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Not to compare, but...I also checked out the G35, since I'm a tightwad and always out for more bang for my buck. While the G35 will certainly dust the 325 off the line, I found the overall drive, comfort and look (especially the interior) of the 325 worth the extra $$. Add in the fact that the G35 doesn't come in AWD, and I chose the BMW. When a G35 blows me off the line, I'll soon pass it a mile or so ahead while its pulled over by a cop.
Anyway, to each his own. You can't go wrong with either car. Is it Monday yet? I never thought I'd look forward to another Monday.
Thanxs
Does anyone have experience driving the 325xi with an auto trans? Is it really sluggish like some people say? I live in NY and dread having to drive a stick in traffic! Also, does the sport package slow the car down (extra weight)?
I wouldn't do what you propose because a large part of your "savings" is stretching the loan out from your current 3.5 years remaining to what... 5-6 years?
If you're going to make a big change for a budget reason, make a BIG one and ditch the 3er in favor of truly cheap transportation. Swallow your pride. Then when things straighten out, get another nice car.
For the time being though, I'd stay pat unless that $640 car payment is burdensome even with your current job.
-Colin
I think you would be fortunate to get $28k for your 2 year old 325. If you do sell your Bimmer, I wouldn't be buying a used car for $21k, I would get something under $10k, save your cash for a couple years and get a much lower loan when you can afford it. A little something called living below your means.
Do you own a house? I refinanced my house last month at 5.75% for 15 years and locked in for a second refinance at 5.25% without making a payment! The interest I pay will drop by more than $3k the first year. 30 year loans can be had for under 6%.
You might be able to refinance your house, roll in the balance on your car and have lower payments than your house + car payments. This would be a great option IMHO.
-murray
'97 z3 was my first bmw. just the 4-cyl, silver/black w/ chrome pkg. really was a great car. would have loved the 6, but couldn't afford it at the time.
interim car is an '88 acura legend v6 w/ 50,000 miles - was literally a grandma's car, willed to us this year. reliable (and boring) just like a honda....
'03 325i will be 5-spd, steel grey/blk leatherette, titanium trim, moonroof, on-board comp, hk and zenons. just what i wanted, really. will have a bmw friend install a 6-disc and maybe new wheels down the road.
Is that 3-4% before or after the tax deduction? If you know of a 3% before tax loan, please share.
In general, I don't disagree, but as stated in the start of this thread, these are uncertain times in terms of job security and investment returns. If Ddblue or anyone here loses their income, the last thing they would want is a $20k loan regardless of what they could "earn" in a risky market. At best, we may have gained 1 or 2% annual return in the 6 months since I bought the car, but could have lost 29% on the S&P. Not much opportunity there!
Paying off a loan or avoiding a loan completely may not always be the "best" investment, but it is probably the safest.
FWIW, my wife and I have been paying the maximum 401k percentage for over a decade in addition to buying my company stock at a discount and putting aside money each month for our child's education. I don't feel that I need to take the risk of "borrowing" money to invest, as you suggest, to have a secure future. Ddblues job insecurity indicates he is in a worse situation to take on investment risk than I am.
-murray
BMW 325i
Automatic Transmission + leather + premium package + sports package + xenon lights
15,000 miles per year, 3 year lease
I am in Fremont, CA (Bay area). One dealer said that the residual value is 59% and the money factor is 2.65, the other dealer said that the residual is 58% and money factor can be as low as 2.25%. I really need your help in figuring out what the right residual value and money factor should be. Thanks in advance for all your help.
Try this link - 4.5% before tax, which would equate to 3-4% after you write off the tax expense.
http://www.deepgreenbank.com/info/index/