Topic: Considering buying a 2008 BMW 328XI

[slybry]

After much agonizing I think we are ready and take the leap and treat ourselves to a BMW. This despite the fact that I am truly afraid of mtce cost and am a real Japanese car guy. But I drove my friend's 330I in Florida for 3 months and loved it. Our decision is based simply on the fact we love BMW's and are using that "You only live once" rational. We have no kids so there is nobody to leave our money to. So we want to spend it.

We have priced a new 2011 328XI with premium package and auto tranny. The price was very interesting at $42,500 before taxes. I think there is still some wiggle room on that price. Has 4 year free mtce. But I am very disappointed by fact it does not have leather and interior is all black.

Seems that two tone dash and tan interiors were available on older models.

Tomorrow we are going back to dealer to check out a 2008. Black with tan leather interior, auto and 52,000 kms. The tan seats and two tone dash really make this car in my opinion. It comes with a BMW Certified used car warranty. They are asking $32,000. If I find it is in showroom condition and like the car, I plan to try and offer $30,000 for it.

Another reason for leaning towards a used one is that should we regret buying a BMW we will not take such a financial hit if after a year or two we decide to sell it.

Any comment or advice would be welcome. Does anyone have experience with BMW Certified used car warranties?

I am scared and excited all at the same time.

[Railton]

Any comment or advice would be welcome. Does anyone have experience with BMW Certified used car warranties?

I am scared and excited all at the same time.

GD does. He purchased a 330 a while back. I think the only electrical gremlin he's had are the window lifts which was covered. PM him.
Railton

[ovr50]

Just my opinion, but I would not get the 328xi with the auto tranny, it is not a particularly great tranny with that engine. The manual in the 328xi is much nicer to drive and utilizes the engine power/torque curve better. The engine, an N52 with 230hp is strong enough with the manual but feels hamstrung with the auto. I think the auto is actually some GM-based derivative?

The BMW CPO warranty is pretty comprehensive, but I did not have the 2007 328xiT long enough to test it out.

[tpl]

Imho the BMW 3-series is one the cars to get with a manual transmission.  The exception I think would  be the 335D which is auto only and the very latest 335 or M3 which have the new DCT.

When I nearly bought a new 2008 328 coupe, the test drive car was an auto and I felt that the transmission seemed very sluggish especially when one used the manumatic to change down.

if your better half doesn't drive a manual transmission, getting a BMW 3-er is the pefect excuse as it is a very forgiving clutch/gearchange system.

[Julie]

2009+ 3-series sedans were facelifted.  So one thing to be aware of.

x-drive is good.  Well, the "xi" is actually an older version of x-drive, but it's still good I heard.  If I'm not mistaken, the x-drive started replacing the xi in 2009?  You do however lose the sports suspension option, which some people (many BMW enthusiasts) consider important (some consider it as "must have").

If you go with an xi or x-drive, I would still recommend the "sports package" even if it doesn't come with the sport suspension in AWD models.  That's because it comes with a smaller, beefier steering wheel in leather, and great, supportive sport seats.  And sport wheels.

With the way that BMW is now marketing some new, entry level trims, even though they may sound more luxurious-sounding (e.g. 323i's "luxury edition"), they come with less choice in terms of color combinations (e.g. black , leatherette only, aluminium trim only) and options (e.g. no sports package option).  Price-wise however, they are enticing.

This is my 2 cents philosophy.  If I'm going to get a BMW and spend $$ for the drive, I'm going to get:
- Sport package
- The exterior, interior color, and interior trim type (e.g. wood vs. aluminium) that *I* really want.

And yes, auto-tranny with the 328xi would be the less favoured combination.  The manual changes the character of the car for the better.  Yes, it is a GM transmission, although it has been known to be reliable.  It's just not programmed very well, and compared to the 335i's ZF transmission, feels more sluggish.

Good luck with your choices!  I don't think you'll regret it.

[slybry]

I have not driven a 328 yet. The auto tranny on my friend's 2001 330I seemed fantastic. I had never seen an auto box always seems to be in right gear and as responsive as that one. I assumed the 328 would be similar.

Manual is out of the question. When 1st married I tried for 5 years to convince my wife to try and learn manual. Never even got her in the seat of one. To be honest living in Montreal I might get tired of 3 peddles in all the traffic.

Yes the BMW's seem pretty stripped down. Even the Mercedes C250 (the car my wife likes) was nicer equipped for same price. However I think if I am going to take a chance with a premium European brand I feel more confident in BMW than Mercedes.

Acura TSX is the logical car and the safe buy but it does not wow me and my wife does not like it at all. She is paying for the car as well so she gets a vote. Any married man know the wife get a vote.......that is if you want to stay married.

I will have to examine the changes / facelift that occurred in 2009 to ensure 2008 if a good choice. Like I said a major factor in going used if to get interior color combos I like.

[tpl]

The 2001 transmission on an E46 3-er is a different transmission all together from the later E46's and the E90/E92 cars.

If you have to have an automatic then you have to.     Why is it that in NA women rarely learn to drive manual transmissions?  and further than that so many seem so unwilling even to try? 

Out of my group of friends here and in the UK   ALL the women can competently drive manual transmissions...some own auto cars some own manuals.  Now it may be a generational thing I don't know but I'd like to understand it.

[mmret]

Sport suspension is pretty important IMO, although I admit my Z4 does not have it.

Might be hard to even find a RWD 328, let alone one with a stick. But you should at least try to find a 128 with sport suspension to try it out against a 328xi. (Hint: the 128 + sport is way better).

[slybry]

I am totally lost about references to things like E46, E90 & E92. I see BMW's referred to like this rather than their model numbers like 323, 325, 335 etc etc. Are these referring to platform designs on which the 3 series are built on???

Anyways.... plan to check out the used 2008 today and give the new one another look.

I would normally buy a used car privately so I can meet original owner and see a car that has not been subjected to a dealer's cosmetic touch-up's (and other trickery). It often also means a better price and saving me paying the GST. But it seems there are very few late model BMW being sold privately.

[tpl]

I am totally lost about references to things like E46, E90 & E92. I see BMW's referred to like this rather than their model numbers like 323, 325, 335 etc etc. Are these referring to platform designs on which the 3 series are built on???

Anyways.... plan to check out the used 2008 today and give the new one another look.

I would normally buy a used car privately so I can meet original owner and see a car that has not been subjected to a dealer's cosmetic touch-up's (and other trickery). It often also means a better price and saving me paying the GST. But it seems there are very few late model BMW being sold privately.

You have got it right. The BMW 3 series was E46 platform from 1999 to 2004/5 then E90 and E92


Some people ( me!) believe the E46 series was the best looking one. I am inclined to think that the 2011 3 series is good looking as well..now Bangle has been promoted away from actually designing cars.

The E90 and on have no oil dipstick although the engines are more economical and have more power.  The E90 and on come with run flat tires. 

[whaddaiknow]

328i xDrive is a very competent package even in its "basic" form, and even without the sport suspension it will corner better than anything mainstream.
From then on, you have to decide whether the law of diminishing returns applies to you or not.

The sport suspension improves the handling, no doubt about it. But with my bad back, it's more of a pain (pun intended) to me than added value. It might put a smile on your face and be totally worth it for you. You decide.

Additionally, the standard 16" run flats are $350 a pop (dealer prices), while the 17" that come with the premium package are $520 a pop. Quite a difference for just 1 inch, eh? So when you are looking at a higher trim level, it is important to factor in the additional costs.

I got mine with a stick. It was very stiff for the first ~1,500km during break-in. Now it's getting smoother and smoother and is a joy to row. I know it's not an option for you. But not every upgrade adds value. You have to decide for yourself.

As for 2008 used for $30,000 vs 2011 new for $42,000, I would go for a new one, no doubt. With a 2008 model year, you will probably get a 4-year old car (quite possibly manufactured in 2007) for 71% of the price of a new one. It does look nicer with the two-tone interior but it's not the main reason why you buy a BWM in the first place. My interior is all black, and I went through the same thought process you did, and after a month of driving I don't care about this little detail anymore. And once you get personally "attached" to "your" car, neither will you.

The standard seats provide plenty of lateral support, the letherette interior is very durable, looks nice, so I don't care that it's not real lether.

I don't have the bluetooth or heated steering wheel, but I still have the BMW chassis, the sweet I6 engine, xDrive for the winter, dual climate control and heated seats and mirrors. That's all I need or want. Your mileage may vary.

[ovr50]

328i xDrive is a very competent package even in its "basic" form, and even without the sport suspension it will corner better than anything mainstream.
From then on, you have to decide whether the law of diminishing returns applies to you or not.

The sport suspension improves the handling, no doubt about it. But with my bad back, it's more of a pain (pun intended) to me than added value. It might put a smile on your face and be totally worth it for you. You decide.

Additionally, the standard 16" run flats are $350 a pop (dealer prices), while the 17" that come with the premium package are $520 a pop. Quite a difference for just 1 inch, eh? So when you are looking at a higher trim level, it is important to factor in the additional costs.

I got mine with a stick. It was very stiff for the first ~1,500km during break-in. Now it's getting smoother and smoother and is a joy to row. I know it's not an option for you. But not every upgrade adds value. You have to decide for yourself.

As for 2008 used for $30,000 vs 2011 new for $42,000, I would go for a new one, no doubt. With a 2008 model year, you will probably get a 4-year old car (quite possibly manufactured in 2007) for 71% of the price of a new one. It does look nicer with the two-tone interior but it's not the main reason why you buy a BWM in the first place. My interior is all black, and I went through the same thought process you did, and after a month of driving I don't care about this little detail anymore. And once you get personally "attached" to "your" car, neither will you.

The standard seats provide plenty of lateral support, the letherette interior is very durable, looks nice, so I don't care that it's not real lether.

I don't have the bluetooth or heated steering wheel, but I still have the BMW chassis, the sweet I6 engine, xDrive for the winter, dual climate control and heated seats and mirrors. That's all I need or want. Your mileage may vary.

Good post.

[normancw]

My sister has a 2006 325i auto, base model (black leatherette) and I have a 2006 330i MT with sport and premium packages (tan leather, Burl walnut dash trim).

My observations:

• Sport seats have much better side bolsters for lateral support
• Sport steering wheel is much nicer than base wheel
• The leather is not that much nicer than leatherette

If I had to choose, I would take the sport package over the premium package, although tan seats are much cooler than black in the summer.

With traction/stability control and good winter tires, the 3-series is very good in the snow (I live in Ottawa and often drive to Montreal in the winter).

My sister switched from 16" OEM rims/runflats to 17" rims/runflats and this made a noticeable improvement in handling (she doesn't have the sport suspension).  Her dealer (Budds in Oakville) replaced one of her 17" run flats this spring for $330.

If you end up getting a base model (i.e., with 16" rims), I would suggest looking for a used set of 17/18" OEM rims. There are quite a few like-new sets with rubber for sale by owners upgrading their wheels to aftermarket rims - check the Canada classifieds section of the e90post forums.  You can sell the 16" runflat tires (this should be an easy sale to lease returnees) and use the 16" rims for winters.

Otherwise, you should still check the forums for 16" OEM rims for your winters (you can find sets for the same price as steelies from the dealer).

If you do get used, for me, having the certified pre-owned warranty from a BMW dealer would be worth the ~ $2k premium you'll pay over a private sale.  When I bought 2006 in 2009, lease return cars from Toronto were in better shape that those from Ottawa/Montreal (less salt used in winter).

Good luck!

[slybry]

Well.... went to see the 2008. Car was sold and already delivered to customer. Dealer had not updated their own website. 

Test drove a new one. Me likey!!! Like that service is included for 4 years. I also find price makes it hard to substantiate buying a 3-4 year old car to save $12,000.  But still bothered by lack of equipment, no xenon headlights, no leather, terrible stereo display, & run flat tires.

Did not commit to purchase. We will sleep on it.

Can buy it for $48,500 (tax-in). Could lease it for 4 years for $619.00/mth. The buy-back would be $19,400 at end of lease.

Will go test drive and price out Audi A4 before we decide.

Decisions, decisions........

[mmret]

Try a G37x if you are not dead set on a German car. $3k off new ones right now.

Sure will fix your feature dearth issue.

[Julie]

Well.... went to see the 2008. Car was sold and already delivered to customer. Dealer had not updated their own website. 

Test drove a new one. Me likey!!! Like that service is included for 4 years. I also find price makes it hard to substantiate buying a 3-4 year old car to save $12,000.  But still bothered by lack of equipment, no xenon headlights, no leather, terrible stereo display, & run flat tires.

Did not commit to purchase. We will sleep on it.

Can buy it for $48,500 (tax-in). Could lease it for 4 years for $619.00/mth. The buy-back would be $19,400 at end of lease.

Will go test drive and price out Audi A4 before we decide.

Decisions, decisions........

Have you looked at the 328i x-drive Executive Edition?  Starts at $47,000.  Gives you a whole bunch of convenience items standard including xenons, heated & sport steering wheel, comfort access (i.e. keyless system), sunroof, blue tooth, navigation (with a much larger and sharp display, which is also great for music with 12 GB hard drive and the standard rear parking sensors), burl walnut trim as standard, 17 inch wheels as standard, and other items.  With what I read as standard, this seems like a great deal for 5 grand more.

But I agree, I'd still rather pay for a stripper BMW than purchase an G37 or Mercedes or other.  This is because, personally, the drive is more important to me. 

Another consideration is the possibility that all the extra do-dahs will cost you potentially greater maintenance costs down the road, if you are planning to keep the car for a long time.

I may be trading my car next year for an M3 that would be an (almost) stripper.  Most people would think someone with a stripper means they can't afford one.  But I don't care because what's important is what I really want with it.  It would be to keep and maybe track, and I therefore do not want extra weight and additional electronics that would make the car heavier and could be fail/ be outdated later on.  (Although I may fork out more $ for the competition pkg, if they'll allow me to add it to a stripper car)

Bottom line is, whether it's more do-dahs or less do-dahs, beige leather or black leatherette, black plastic, aluminum or burl walnut trim, my advice would be to get what you really want if possible.  So that you have no regrets.

And if you prefer the Audi or a G37, then get that! 

[Julie]

One more thing about the auto-tranny, since you do not have a choice.

Plenty of people get the x-drive with auto tranny.  In fact, it seems to be their highest volume seller.

I doubt it's bad in any significant way.

[whaddaiknow]

Can buy it for $48,500 (tax-in). Could lease it for 4 years for $619.00/mth. The buy-back would be $19,400 at end of lease.

You should be able to do MUCH better than that.
Elite BMW in Ottawa was radio advertising their Classic edition with manual tm at $499/mo taxes in with $0 down. At $520/mo you can add Premium package with auto (a colleague of mine did). Well, there are additional charges upon delivery (A/C tax, registration, and required security deposit in the amount of 1 month's payment). They will offer you to wave the security deposit if you purchase the lease protection plan for $799 that will cover you for up to $7,500 in damage upon lease return. You can work that into your monthly payments as well.

At $619/mo for Classic you can tell me to take a hike.

[slybry]

Thanks for everyones input.

Honestly getting stuck in indecision. I can't seem to equip the 328 the way I really want it. For $48K it just seems too plain for me. Just not turning my crank enough. May still buy it but having doubts.

Now considering BMW X1. I can equip it the way I want with 2 tone interior & Xenon lights. It also comes with 17 inch wheels. From what I know has a nice panoramic sun roof available.  It has many more color choices available. I would also be happy with 4 cyl engine.

I would be happy with this small CUV but will be a tough sell for my wife. She does not like SUVs or CUVs. She has agreed to come for a test drive and try and keep an open mind. Will also check out Audi A4.

[Julie]

Thanks for everyones input.

Honestly getting stuck in indecision. I can't seem to equip the 328 the way I really want it. For $48K it just seems too plain for me. Just not turning my crank enough. May still buy it but having doubts.

Now considering BMW X1. I can equip it the way I want with 2 tone interior & Xenon lights. It also comes with 17 inch wheels. From what I know has a nice panoramic sun roof available.  It has many more color choices available. I would also be happy with 4 cyl engine.

I would be happy with this small CUV but will be a tough sell for my wife. She does not like SUVs or CUVs. She has agreed to come for a test drive and try and keep an open mind. Will also check out Audi A4.

As much as I like the 3-series, *don't* get something that doesn't turn your crank.  Sometimes the excitement of a potential new car purchase takes over and people "settle"....... but then the excitement wears off and they start to regret it.

Let us know how the X1 feels when you drive it.  In Europe, they are selling so well they need to delay selling them in the US (can't make enough of them).