BMW 3-Series 2006

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Comments

  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    Moonroofs went from an option to standard equipment for the '05 model year (325s anyway).

    Shipo, maybe you could come up with a translation guide so we can better understand your new buddy. :P
  • jayellesevenjayelleseven Member Posts: 150
    Yeah buying is much better than leasing. A lease will cost you 2-5K more, depending or a bunch of factors but itll be more. Its better to jus buy the car, pay it off quick, then sell it(if you always want a new car like every 3 yrs), that way, your total cost is much less than a lease. Anyway, im sure everyone knows that, so chass
    you gonn get your car soon huh? You better put some 22's or 24's on that thing! Ha, yeah, least 18's but if ANYONE adds more than 18's. TELL ME!
  • planomlplanoml Member Posts: 244
    to a Yougo or something. Just got my second speeding ticket in less than 60 days. And this driving a 10-year old 325. Wonder what will happen with the new E90?

    Any advice on a radar-Valentine or Escort? Can't believe I have lasted this long without one. They should be standard on all BMWs.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Yeah buying is much better than leasing. A lease will cost you 2-5K more, depending or a bunch of factors but itll be more. Its better to jus buy the car, pay it off quick, then sell it(if you always want a new car like every 3 yrs), that way, your total cost is much less than a lease.

    If I had bought my 330i I would have spent 44k including tax. Today, a mere 2 years later, the car is worth 26k. That's 18k in 2 years.

    Over the entire length of my lease I will spend 17k. I have one more year on my lease. By May 2006 my 330i will be worth maybe 21-22k.

    Hmmm, 17k out over 3 years or 18k out in 2 years and over 20k in 3 years. Tell me where is this extra cost?

    On the flip side my 03 Mazda Pro ES had a sticker of 17,300. I bought it brand new for 11,400. I'm currently reselling it and according to Edmunds/KBB it's worth over 10,600. I hope to get 10k for it. Obviously, no lease could have compared to that. To lose less than 2k on an 18 month old car with 25k miles is mindblowing.

    Anyway, im sure everyone knows that,

    Maybe you should accept, as should others who are pro lease and pro purchase that it's not an overwhelmingly simple straight answer. As with any purchase decision, there are a billion factors to take into consideration. The lease subsidies, the residual, the money off the car, the newness of the model design, the proposed and the real residual, etc.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Where are you all from, that are gettin discounts like 500-1000 below MSRP cuz Id be happy with any discount yet I live in SoCal...

    Um, so cal it's easy to get discounts on bimmers. They're as common as accords out here and rarely do they sell at sticker.
  • jayellesevenjayelleseven Member Posts: 150
    I see, first off, where do you live? A three year old 330i is definitely worth more in So Cal. I was looking to buy a 2001 325i in the summer of 04 and they were pricy, with relatively low milage of course. AND i should have made myself clear.
    If you are to do a buy-out at the end of your lease, the car will cost MORE than if you had bought it. Simply because they ask for too much at the end of your lease. But yes, buying isn't always better, it can clearly be tho, if your car has good re-sale value. For example, either the new 3 or an 05 Infiniti G35 (base models) , if bought will cost a total of 36-40K ( with low apr and 36 month term) At the end of those 3 yrs, the cars will be worth from 20-25K You will lose about 15K. If you were to lease, it would cost you more than 15K over those 3 yrs, as much as 21K (Infinit.com) And if you were to buy the car, youd pay about (if not more) of its current resale value. So you total cost would be higher.
    Well this is my situation, anyone have anything to add?
    I know this isnt a leasing forum but it has a lot to do with the 3 Series, as its resale value is affected by its new design, etc_
  • jayellesevenjayelleseven Member Posts: 150
    Maybe I need to dress real sharp for dealers to take me more seriously then. I won't deal without a good discount, I cant really. And yeah they're pretty damn common, thats why Im prefering a G35 Coupe right now... I love BMW's tho.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    BMW's are the perfect leasing cars. Residuals are high. Maintenance is covered for the length of the lease and you return it before the warranty runs out.The only negative I can think of is having to give back such superb vehicles at the end of the term. Yes, I confess that I am emotionally attached.
    I am feeling depressed at this time because I have to return my beautiful silver 2002 BMW 325i on August 2nd. It has been such an awesome performer. In blinding rain, it takes fast curves like it was glued to the road. How do they do it?
    Sign me up for the new 330i even though the new car's rear cannot compete with that of my beautiful 2002.
    I'll never forget you.
  • tksungtksung Member Posts: 34
    > Maybe I need to dress real sharp for dealers to take me more seriously then.
    >
    Just call them up and tell them exactly what you want and you are ready to put down the deposit that day. They'll take you seriously then.

    > I won't deal without a good discount, I cant really.
    >
    Instead of waiting for them to offer discount, proactively ask them off the bat if they can do $ over invoice or $ under msrp on your car. If they won't, you can either take their best price or move on. The whole process shouldn't take more than a few minutes, really.
  • jayellesevenjayelleseven Member Posts: 150
    Yeah, I think i'll try the calling part. I have a good deposit, try 25-33% of the car, right outta my pocket, Cash. Two Infiniti dealerships Ive been to havent taken me too seriously, I'll go to a 3rd and to another BMW dealership and ask "off the bat" that I need a good deal. If not, jus like you said, Move On. A good process where my appearecence will be ameliorated by a sleek outfit, I look good in BLAC K, jus like a sleek car, haha.
    Thanks tk_
  • jayellesevenjayelleseven Member Posts: 150
    THE REAR, this car would truly be flawless if the rear looked better. I KNOW not everyone will like everything about a car, but how come Ferrari's and cars like the Ford GT look so damn good? Yeah they're super cars but BMWs about elegance, ok, ENOUGH complaining, it doesnt look bad but jus bugs me. As for leasing, BMW offers some good leases, jus havent heard of any for the new 3. Elegance...
  • planbplanb Member Posts: 16
    Where have you seen that it will be an in-dash changer? From everything I've seen, it's still in the trunk, which is why I passed on it. The explore 3 series page doesn't show anything on the topic.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    see, first off, where do you live? A three year old 330i is definitely worth more in So Cal.
    Well you can think that...but you'd be wrong. I've done the breakdown on my car and it's 26k. Edmunds claims 27-28 but the reality is, that isn't reality. People at other forums have tried to sell their 330is early and have found the market is gone. As expected the e90 (and incentives) is clobbering values of the e46. Trade-in is more realistically in the low to mid 20s now.

    If you are to do a buy-out at the end of your lease, the car will cost MORE than if you had bought it.

    Only if one were to pay cash for a car could one make that claim with certainty. In the age of 0.0 - 3.9% financing, I'd rather put 40k into something that will increase in value, rather than a worthless car. Additionally, at lease end you can negotiate a buy out that's thousands less than what was in the contract. Yep, it can be done. A friend did just that with her Grand Cherokee.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    It is in the trunk. Get an ipod for $150 and carry far more songs. The trunk CD changer is so 1990s.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    It's not how you dress that will get the deal. I tend to visit dealers in old jeans, stained, torn t-shirts and unshaven. If I'm in the BMW I park on the street and walk up.

    If you really want a car at X dollars, then try the rizzo method. Fax your specifics and the price you want to pay. See if anyone bites.
  • sky2sky2 Member Posts: 4
    one of my friends said he got this offer.....
    does it sound a good deal????
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,352
    ***does it sound a good deal?***

    Yes.
  • paulepaule Member Posts: 382
    Any advice on a radar-Valentine or Escort?

    No question. Valentine 1 is definitely the best. Visit their website: www.valentine1.com

    They can still get you with instant on radar but if they trigger on the guy ahead of you, you can pick it up. The directional arrows are killer. Once you buy this detector you'll never go back.
  • skimoskimo Member Posts: 23
    Hello all,

    anyone know what is the color of the 06 3-series all over the bmwusa website? Is it the black or the diamond graphite??? I just put a deposit on a diamond graphite and I am worried that it is not the same as the diamond graphite on the 05 ! I heard somehere that its is purple !!! :cry: Anyone seen the diamond? is it nice?

    thanks
    skimo
  • nab2nab2 Member Posts: 18
    'sparkling graphite' is going to be really popular. It looks insanely good, trust me. I also saw the arctic and that's also a very good color.
  • bmwcccbmwccc Member Posts: 234
    Shipo

    Thanks for the reply, been gone all week at a sales meeting in dallas.

    I also have thought about seeing if i can just buy a set of the premium seats, swapping them out and then store the sport seats in the garage until i am ready to sell the car years later then throw them back in spick and span new!

    Any thoughts if that might be a possibility?

    Thanks
  • bmwcccbmwccc Member Posts: 234
    bsureshr

    when are you ready to place an order? I have a guy I have negotiated with for $1800 over invoice on a $39,220 invoice price, plus shipping and taxes. This equals about 5% dealer profit. Total msrp is 3600 above invoice so I got them down to split the difference.

    Where are you located?
  • dl7265dl7265 Member Posts: 1,381
    I think you meant the Sparkling not diamond. It is currently on the 05 Conv. To my eye , at least under lights it had a purple hue. However the 330i looked a little less "purplish" to me. So who knows. Id like to see it with the Terra leather.

    DL
  • anagotownanagotown Member Posts: 1
    folks,

    Hypothetically, if one ordered a 2006 3 series and later wants to change the equipment he'd ordered on the car(before the car is actually built in germany), could this be done.

    And if so realistically at what stage in the process would this be allowed?
    Can someone shed some light on any experiences around this.

    anago!
  • chatkatchatkat Member Posts: 41
    No one's replied to my question - can I take the CD Changer (BMW) in the trunk of my 2000 328i and put it in the trunk of the new 330i? It looks like the same piece of equipment to me from everything I have seen.

    I got it thrown into the deal when I got my 328 new. The salesman wrote the deal up and forgot it had been installed and so they had to give it to me. They saw it when they were showing me the car's features. They wanted it back or then they wanted me to pay for it after the car was delivered "as is"! As is to me included it.

    Sitting on placing my order - trying to decide if the Comfort Access is worth it.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    It's certainly a possibility, but ohhh, it might be a tad expensive.

    Best regards,
    Shipo
  • jon330cicjon330cic Member Posts: 20
    Maybe I need to dress real sharp for dealers to take me more seriously then.

    Jay - Last car I bought I used the Rizzo method. Negotiated the whole deal in under 10 minutes over the phone. Never set foot on a car lot and never met the sales guy until I went in to sign the paperwork - another sub-10 minute process.

    HIGHLY recommend you stop going to the dealerships at all, and you can totally avoid their ridiculous sales process (and your appearance won't matter).

    Just my 2 cents...
    j.
  • derfoderfo Member Posts: 36
    I just read my Vin at the BMW web site on my ordered 325i.
    How do you interept the number series? Where is Manufacturing day located, is it a 3 digit or a letter with 2 digits? :confuse:

    Thanks in Advance
  • nab2nab2 Member Posts: 18
    anyone seen/has a pic of the non-sport steering wheel? Does it have any controls at all on it? (Volume/track...)
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Both wheels have the same controls. If you go to the BMW Flash presentation of the new E90 on the BMW site, they show both wheels at various points throughout the presentation.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • derfoderfo Member Posts: 36
    MY 06 BMW 3 series Book, shows controls on the non sport wheel as well as on the Sport package.
  • planomlplanoml Member Posts: 244
    I'm getting the Sparkling Graphite. I changed the order from Monaco Blue, in late March. I finally got to see one last weekend, & I like what I see. This is the color in the brochure, and most show cars, so there must be something good. It looks darker indoors or in poor light, it has a blue/purple tint to it in sunlight. Choice of color is very subjective-so you will have to make up your mind.
  • dl7265dl7265 Member Posts: 1,381
    My car supposed to arrive on the 13th. I was just called that it arrived last nite! I am working the weekend so Im going to take delivery Monday. So my order time line is like this:

    Ordered 03/26/05
    arrived VPC 04/27/05
    arrived Dealer 05/05/05

    Thank you BMW!
    DL
  • jayellesevenjayelleseven Member Posts: 150
    RIZZO huh? I will definitely try it. Im gonna tell them exactly what I want, plus Im young so they assume Im not serious, least that what it seems like. Imma jus negotiate over the phone/fax and if they wanna deal, ill come it with my hundreds rolled up like a Vegas High Roller, haha. Its gonna feel weird putting down all the money Ive been saving for the past year (I never enjoyed it of course, never spend any!) I hope I choose the right car...
  • sky2sky2 Member Posts: 4
    I am struggling on this option on my new 330i.
    I am find with leatherette since it has a nice feedback from people.
    Do you think that this option is worth to have if you don't have a strong preference on leather??
  • chasscplatzchasscplatz Member Posts: 15
    Okay,

    Got it 20 minutes ago:

    330
    Black
    Terra
    Active Steering
    Premium
    Sport
    Blah Blah Blah

    I think it is much better looking in person then on the web. Perhaps it's because I just shelled out $40k, perhaps it really IS better looking! I do not know why the active steering debate is a big deal. Yo do notice it at slow speeds, but in a good way. The car is quick, the Terra is great looking, and the stereo is strong.

    There have been many questions about the Terra. I am very happy with it. It's almost brown, against the black leather. Sporty and classic at the same time.

    I am not a fan about the insert key, press break, push button. What a pain. My dealer said you can NEVER add comfort access. Factory installed only. Harumph.

    Anyway. I'll keep you in the loop!

    ChasSCPlatz
  • wstevecwstevec Member Posts: 126
    I had ordered the Sprakling Graphite, but found it too dark for my taste when I saw it in person, thus I changed my order to the Arctic, which looks a little easier to keep clean since I hate washing my car!
  • jayellesevenjayelleseven Member Posts: 150
    Haha, tight chass. Already copped it huh? Black and terra, sounds nice, and you spend 40? You should put custom rims on it and tell me how good it looks! And Comfort Access, not a big deal, its got enough other nice features. You get any looks yet, pick up any LAdiez?? haha
  • jayellesevenjayelleseven Member Posts: 150
    Dont get the premium, its not worth the money. It already comes standard with nice features. And youre getting the 330i, don't even need the sports pckg. I doubt many ppl will notice its not actual leather. Plus, the LAdiez won't care, the interior already looks excellent. Get something else with that money, like, an in dash dvd player or a Nav System case you ever get lost.
  • planomlplanoml Member Posts: 244
    dl-Congrats! If you're too busy, I can pick it up for you :)
  • planomlplanoml Member Posts: 244
    Congrats! Pics please.
  • chillnycchillnyc Member Posts: 20
    Chase has a lease rate of .00175 for 36 months on a 2006 325i however you need to have a FICO of 740 or better to get it. This rate is for Northeast states.

    Regards,
    chillnyc
  • chasscplatzchasscplatz Member Posts: 15
    I know people are interested in what the Terra looks like and I would upload them if I had any clue how. May just snap a couple of the leather and post it on my webpage in case people care.

    ChasSCPlatz

    Gotta drive my new ride home, now. Zoom Zoom!
  • chasscplatzchasscplatz Member Posts: 15
    USBank is at 4-1/2 for 39 months on the 330 (lease). You can also find 4.39 for 60 months (buy) out there.
  • blueguydotcomblueguydotcom Member Posts: 6,249
    Time to meld topics or close this one then as e90s are no longer a fantasy...
  • webby1webby1 Member Posts: 209
    2005 330i starts at $47,400 and 2006 starts at $47,500....that can not be right ????
    Webby
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    Why not?

    The price of the 330i did not jump so high in the USA!
    With the falling US$ compared to the CDN$, I would expect the CDN$ price for the 330i to drop ?

    Unfortunately that did not happen.
  • dl7265dl7265 Member Posts: 1,381
    hehe I know , sick huh ? as our new young lad would say...

    i just need time to drop off my vehicle im selling, ect , and want to enjoy the day off instead of rushing to work. Maybe I can arrange visitation ?lol

    DL
  • dl7265dl7265 Member Posts: 1,381
    What is the residual? thats where BMW leases are usually still a better deal. Either way im financing at the 4.3% myself . I came out pretty good doing that on my early build E46.

    Dewey: you have diff standard features correct ? hot seats? ect.. Since I cannot register I can't build the Canadian car...

    Regards,
    DL
  • deweydewey Member Posts: 5,251
    It would be interesting to compare, but I am sure any differences would be minor!
    And I certainly can live without those hot seats!
This discussion has been closed.

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