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Comments
I am currently in the 31st month of a 39 month lease on a Volvo S80 2.9. To make a long story short, I am not buying the car at the end of the lease. In order to have a car that is more fitting for someone my age, I have done a lot of web browsing and even attended the New England Auto Show a few weeks ago to narrow down my choices. I am currently down to the following - Audi A4 (1.8T or 3.0, maybe quattro), BMW 3 Series (325i or 325xi), and the Saab 9-3 (Linear or Arc).
I would like to get people's opinions on these model choices. For some further info, I live in Boston, MA, and do mostly short city/highway drives. Although I do like the styling of the BMW, I am not sure if it is worth the extra $2-4,000 over the base prices of the Audi or Saab. In addition, I only want to pay $1000 or so over invoice, and have heard that this is impossible with the BMWs (as one must pay MSRP for the privilege of getting into a BMW). If there were a way to get a dealer down to slightly over invoice on a BMW, I would be in one in a hearbeat. If there are any dealers like this in Massachusetts, by all means let me know. Some other thoughts - I have always driven front-wheel drive cars so the move to rear-wheel or AWD might be a bit challenging (I am not sure). I would also need a car that can handle both the weather and crappy roads here in Boston. Would the 325i/325xi be too small for someone my height (I'm 6'2)? The car did not seem as roomy as the A4 or 9-3 when I sat in it at the auto show.
Thanks for the help, and I look forward to reading the replies.
Tennberg: I'll let the smart people address your other points, but speaking from a 6' 4" point of view, I'm able to find a suitable position fine in my car. I drove the A4 and it did feel like just a bit more room than the 330i, but not much. I don't think the A4 steering wheel telescopes, which the 3er does. That helps a bit for comfort, too.
As final editorial note, it's been six months and I still look forward to driving my car every single day -- and always with a great big dorky smile.
One last comment: You're buying a 330ix, right? So I'm assuming you're in an area where you're concerned with possible rough weather or something like that. Well, then I'd recommend the STEP, because a manual just become another chore when you're worrying about that black ice or the snowy hill ahead of you.
-nobee
I have ruled out the Saab since it is now owned by GM. I parted company with GM early this year after bad experiences with two GMC trucks and even worse treatment by GM customer "service".
I have ruled out the 330 and 330xi because the added cost over the 325i/325xi doesn't seem to justify any performance difference. I am concerned, however, about going in to a dealer with the car priced out through Edmunds and presenting them with an amount $1,000-$1500 or so over invoice. It seems that BMW makes you pay MSRP no matter what. Is there a way to get slightly over invoice or any dealers in New England that will do this for me?
I must admit that the 3 Series is the most expensive of the bunch (A4, 3 series, 9-3) and with the notion of having to pay MSRP just makes it that much more expensive.
Thanks.
Ever since that ( it might just be my imagination), but it seem like there is more wind noise than in my previous 01 325 sedan. I've never noticed the problem on a 01 330ci i test drove before, but maybe i just didn't drive it long enough. It could just be the diff. set up between coupe vs. sedan window setup, but could anyone comment?
Also, congrats climatecontrol, also please e-mail me your radio info. You might want to consider posting it since many people have requested this info.
thanx all.
BTW everyone, soverypoorwife is off the MINI kick and now wants to wait for a 1-series. It's scheduled MY 2004 or 2005? Whatever, more time to save. Yay.
I am a very strong advocate of the European Delivery program for extra savings, but this is not for everyone.
Just DON'T believe that you must pay MSRP.
to ED? If it does, under what conditions? Is
there anyway to avoid it? Thanks in advance.
before I bought my '95 M3 in May of this year, I test drove a new WRX once more.
bought the M3. 'nuff said.
-Colin
Thanks, Dave
If you want $9000 off MSRP then buy a Ford Expedition or something and be happy.
I loved dealing with BMW North here in town. I have about 10 reasons why they are the best --trust me I went to all 4 and met some good people at each one, but the management at the North location is by FAR the best in town. A little hint: Take the Hardy Toll Road north and exit 1960 -- You can get there in 20 minutes or even less (at 110mph on the Hardy) and the drive is fun. Above all else do not go to Momentum. (BTW Momentum and the 2 Advantage dealerships have the same owner--i.e. they are the same dealership)
Email me with Houston questions: [email protected].
Auto vs Manual: A manual in the BMW is more reliable and costs $1300 less than a steptronic. Save the money, have more fun, and enjoy the shifting. I drive in traffic and talk on the cell phone and drink coffee like everyone else. The manual can be even more fun in traffic--when stuck on the interstate in a jam and traffic is going and stopping, picking the right gear can help smooth out the accelerating and the stopping -- I put it in 2nd and drive and when I see brake lights I let off the gas and the car almost stops itself--by the time it slows down, the traffic is usually going again and I just give it the gas and keep it in 2nd -- I usually do not have to stop. This is just an example. The manual can be more fun in traffic than an auto --it keeps your foot off the brake. Above all save the money and get a better, faster, more reliable car. It will also save gas money down the road and can lower emissions slightly for those who are environmentally minded. Not only that, it is good for the dorsiflexors of the left leg and will keep you from getting a blood clot on a long trip--It could save your life!
Above all, get what you want.
Thanks for all the info so far.
brave1heart, what is a MACO fee? Please explain.
leenelsonmd, let me explain. I am not looking to pay several thousand below MSRP on a BMW, because that makes no sense. What I am saying is that when I price out an Audi A4, BMW 325i, and Saab 9-3, the invoice prices are close to each other and so are the MSRP prices (to an extent). However, I know that I can get below MSRP on the Audi and Saab without much trouble. Yet, I know it can be a hassle getting a BMW dealer to go below MSRP. All I want to do is go in to a BMW dealer with a car all priced out, and make an offer to them that is invoice plus 3 or 4%. I think the consumer has a right to pay a fair price for a car and not be lured into paying MSRP when other equivalent makers are going below MSRP. I just want to know how one can go about this with a BMW dealer.
Thanks in advance.
Whatever it is, there is NO MACO for ED. I did not pay MACO for my ED. If your dealer tries to pull this one on you, walk away.
Long time no post...I know. Hey Nerd, I will give you the info when I get to my office in the morning. I have it on my computer at the office. I'll tell you exactly what she paid for the 5. I know it was a good deal. Let me write myself a not while it's on my mind.
I have to tell you all about this weekend. Friday, I went to my doctor. We're good friends and he loves cars as much as I do. Well, in his office wing, one of the fellow doctors on staff basically moved on the fly of the moment with his new girfriend(half is age). He left his wife with the house, cars, boat, etc...and the divorce settlement. To be honest, the marriage was over a long time ago. Well, my doctor friend asked me if I would be interested in buying a car. He said he didn't have a use for it. He told me it was a 3 series, 97 or 98 model, but he wasn't sure. The ex wife wanted to get rid of it. I told him that I just purchased a 325 about a week and half ago, but it wouldn't hurt to look at the car. He gave me her number and I called her Friday afternoon. Sat I drove to her house. She told me she wanted to sell the house, boat, a car, and a few other items. As we walked to the garage, I noticed the 3. In fact, it was a M3 1998 model. She was only interested in keeping her S500 Benz and ML430 Benz. She said she didn't like the BMW. It was too small for her taste, ugly, and she couldn't drive a 5 speed, plus the fact that it was her husbands car as well. He didn't want the car. He kept the 911, the motorbikes,a house in CO, and the new girfriend with a new boob job(ex wife's words). So, everything else was left to her. She wanted to get rid of the BMW as soon as possible. I asked her how much did she want for it. She said she was not trying to make anything off of it, but just wanted to get rid of it before she moved back to Florida. She said it's worth $ 27,000 plus from a friend she spoke to, but she told me if I could buy it asap, she would sell it for $ 15,000. She had all of the records, all serviced by Classic BMW in Dallas. I had a chance to drive the car and have the car checked out. Friends, I purchased a 1998, M3,flawless, 34K miles, for $ 15,000. No Joke. I couldn't pass up such a great deal. In less than 2 weeks, two new cars. With the money I saved with the low interst rate on the 325ci last week, everything balanced out.
I wish all of you a wonderful thanksgiving and to be mindful of those who are not as well off as some of us. I'm making turkey dinners this year on thanksgiving day at a local homeless center.
Ben
climatecontrol: Unbelievable deal. I love it. We should meet in Centerville and go driving some time. Those E36 M3s are beautiful.
I can't believe you snagged an M3 for that price! I thought I was reading an Ann Landers column or something... I'm still laughing ;-)
Maybe you'll find another cheap one in Germany to buy when you're here in a few weeks!
http://www.mrclam.com/pictures/ekaru/32.jpg
http://www.mrclam.com/pictures/ekaru/31.jpg
Spoken like a true MD!!! I feel the same way about driving a manual in traffic.
In TX, there are a ton of fees that they add. On an ED, do not pay the Inventory Fee. If you can convince your dealer not to pay MACO, good. Otherwise, just cough it up. ED is a bargain by any standard. I don't think there is a way to get a BMW cheaper. I think we pay the cheapest prices in the world for a BMW 325/330.
enjoy.
-Colin
What is the recommended psi for LM-22s on a 16" wheel (2002 330i)?
I'm inclined to go with 35 psi all around, but am unsure whether I should follow the 33f/38r that work for my all-seasons.
I thought I would sneak in while I'm on my extra long lunch break today.
I'm still trying to get over the situation myself.(She kept calling the younger lady "boob girl",too funny) I just wished I knew about it before I bought the 325ci. The story is so funny. I could tell that this lady had plenty of money. Most "rich" people tend to stay loyal to M-Benz, but she was so serious. She couldn't stand the car. Plus she made the car sound "low budget" to her standards. It may as well have been an economy car in her eyes.
We finalized everything today. I had 2nd thoughts about the car at first, but I realized I couldn't pass up such a deal. With the 325ci,my payment is half as much as I budged for and the payment for the M3 is cheap as well. I put the extra money I had set aside for the 325ci on the M3, and financed the rest for 2 years. I told my doctor buddy that I'm staying out of his office for a while. Every time I come to see him it's costing me extra money HAHA...
I have 3 cars now. I'm going to sell the Olds Intrigue. A young man down the street that I know is looking for his first car. Father told me that he is very responsible and a good kid. I'll sell it to him for cheap.
Centerville is a good idea. I'd love to come race haha!
Oh yea, I'm going to see if I can get some pictures over the holidays. I need to break down and buy a digital cam.
The M3 is silver,5 speed, 34K miles, extended warranty to 100K,. I haven't really driven the car much yet, but I've been told that it's a lot of fun. I'll give a report this evening.
Nerd, if you have an email address, please send it to me.
I hope you all with have a great rest of the work day.
P.S....I haven't told my sister about the car yet.
Ben
Maybe I should get friendly with some middle-aged rich ladies in my neihborhood and see what they have parked in their garage :-)
I'd like to stay in touch with you on here to see what kind of price I may eventually get on a 3 Series. I am about 8 months away from actually getting a car, so I have some time.
Thanks.
The $30k isn't a hard and fast rule, though it
would be nice.
Please contact [email protected] if interested.
Thanks!
And if there's any debate on manual vs auto, I can tell you I live and work in Boston and even though the traffic is hell sometimes, I will never regret the decision to go with manual.
And by the way, no matter what car you choose the bum-warmers are definitely worth the extra $.
I am ready to meet you halfway and do some driving.
Houstonians:
On my M3 I paid MSRP and they threw in the floor mats for free. I did not pay one penny more for anything. Just MSRP, tax title and license. No MACO fee -- I would have gone nuts with this because I had already had to explain alot to my wife to make the jump from the 330 to the M3. She would have gone crazy if I told her about one more random fee.
BTW: I sold my '95 325i for $9500 tonight. I was asking 10500, which I think was fair, but the guy seemed nice and I think it was stretching his budget a little. I think $9500 is a steal for him, but it is worth it to me if he walks away with that BMW smile. (He is moving up from a 318 that he recently totalled).
tennberg: once again, if you are going to wait 8 months, then you should wait 12 months and get a 2004 model and join BMWCCA tonight (www.bmwcca.org) and get $500 rebate after the purchase.
MSRP
Floor mats
Everything is fair game if you let them get away with it.
How about Electricity fee, Gas fee, Landscape fee, dealers poodle "Fifi" grooming fee (Hey, wasn't Fifi in the TV commercial too!)
You just need to fight for it.
Perhaps, you rather pay whatever, get your car and enjoy. And that's fine too.
To me, car dealers are not charitable institutions, so I have always fought till the end
Also, remind them about the great competition out there (G35, Audi, Saab, MB) you just can't go wrong this days.
Its your money (and your stomach ulcer) It's your call if its worth fighting for (I did).
By conviction, I have NEVER and will NEVER pay MSRP (or above of course).
(The M3 is a specialty car and not a mass market item, so rules of offer and demand applies do to its limited production numbers)
Remember that each Dealer operates on their own in house rules and that new cars are easier to buy than used because that "other dealership" across town usually has similar inventory.
My suggestion is to write down what you want and how much you are willing to spend before you shop. Be polite and direct. Present your deal to the sales manager. The worst that can happen is that you are turned down to shop another day.
If you feel comfortable with the dealership you can leave your number and ask them to call you if they change their mind.
My 2 cents