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Hello everyone - Newbie with Questions - Current Lexus Owner
Greetings everyone. I recently encountered this forum, read almost every thread and I really like the atmosphere here. I have always been a Lexus guy who owns a 92 LS 400 and a 2001 LS 430. Both cars are incredible, but I never lost respect for a BMW. I think after reviewing, thinking and getting help from others, I will be purchasing a BMW.
I personally test drove the newest IS 350 and seen the new GS in person. I must say that the new IS 350 is a smooth powerful machine. Althought I was dissapointed, that is why I am here. IS 350 contains a luxurious body with great Mark Levinson Sound system and other features. However after touching its cheap plastic dashboard and cramping in to get inside, as I looked in the back this car has no room whatsoever unless you have 3 midgets that you like to take for a ride. The new GS is more luxurious, but its design judging from my perspective is similar to a scion which is a big turn off.
Finally, BMW is a car I would like to drive for a long time. The base price I found out from the BMW official site is approximately $ 42.500 Does that seem accurate to you guys? I am not looking to add any premimum packages including the navigation system and other fancy features. I am looking for a Certified Pre-Owned BMW from 2004 and up with not more than 50.000 miles. Eventhough this vehicle is 215 hp 3.0 liter engine, I am happy about the fuel compensation on this car @ 21 city and 29 highway, which is a big plus for me.
Questions :
1. How much would you guys think I can get a car like that for. I am mainly looking at 2004/2005 and as stated previously not more than 50.000 miles coming along with a basic pacakge. Does anyone have any dealership experience that you guys can tell me something regarding the prices, deals and hassles I should look out for.
2. What really impressed me is the service in the BMW world. It states this : Full Maintenance covers all factory-recommended maintenance on all MY 2004 vehicles and newer vehicles, as determined by the Service Level Indicator, for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. ( That is incredible, Lexus certainly does not offer that. You throw away about 5-6 thousand dollars on mechanical and technical repairs every 2-3 years. )
Do I have to pay extra to get that package if my car will be Pre-Owned. If so, how much in addition from the price I will be purchasing would I have to put down and how long will I be covered?
3. I am open to any kinds of suggestions about this series. I personally never drove it, and never had a chance to feel its interior but I would love to in years to come.
Any feedback regarding the 525i 2004 and up series will be appreciated.
Thank you once again,
Nick
| | Reply » Hello everyone - Newbie with Questions - Current Lexus Owner |
Hello. Glad you found us and posted.
You really should go to your nearest BMW dealer and test drive not only the 525i but also the 325i since you seemed to express interest in the IS. I think you will find the 325i has a little more room than the IS and it handles great.
| | Reply » Hello everyone - Newbie with Questions - Current Lexus Owner |
Some points:
-A good way to atleast see "asking prices" for CPO vehices is to go to BMW's website and searhc for CPO vehicles. You can probably assume that you can get a car for about $2k below the asking price.
-yes full maintenance is nice; but BMW's service intervals are very long (15k for oil changes, lifetime coolant, trans, etc). So in that 4/50 timeframe you might get 2 oil changes, some wiper blades and soem air filters. If you plan on keeping the car after the warranty expires, you may want to do more; and you'll have to pay for it yourslef. Also, I'm pretty sure that you'll find that BMW service depts are not as easy or nice to work with as Lexus; so be prepared for that. OTOH, I find BMWs (atleast the 3 e46 3 series) to be pretty easy to work on yourself, so that helps when it comes to doing extra maintenacne.
3. You should definitely drive it. Also, you may want to consider a 2004 3 series (the backseat is actually pretty decent), or a 2003 5 series (last year of old body style). 2004 was the first year of the current body style (e60), and, being a German car, there were lots of problems. Most of them will have been taken care of now through technical bulltenis and software updates, but just be aware.
| | Reply » Hello everyone - Newbie with Questions - Current Lexus Owner |
Quote: Greetings everyone. I recently encountered this forum, read almost every thread and I really like the atmosphere here. I have always been a Lexus guy who owns a 92 LS 400 and a 2001 LS 430. Both cars are incredible, but I never lost respect for a BMW. I think after reviewing, thinking and getting help from others, I will be purchasing a BMW.
I personally test drove the newest IS 350 and seen the new GS in person. I must say that the new IS 350 is a smooth powerful machine. Althought I was dissapointed, that is why I am here. IS 350 contains a luxurious body with great Mark Levinson Sound system and other features. However after touching its cheap plastic dashboard and cramping in to get inside, as I looked in the back this car has no room whatsoever unless you have 3 midgets that you like to take for a ride. The new GS is more luxurious, but its design judging from my perspective is similar to a scion which is a big turn off.
Finally, BMW is a car I would like to drive for a long time. The base price I found out from the BMW official site is approximately $ 42.500 Does that seem accurate to you guys? I am not looking to add any premimum packages including the navigation system and other fancy features. I am looking for a Certified Pre-Owned BMW from 2004 and up with not more than 50.000 miles. Eventhough this vehicle is 215 hp 3.0 liter engine, I am happy at the fuel compensation on this car @ 21 city and 29 highway, which is a big plus for me.
Questions :
1. How much would you guys think I can get a car like that for. I am mainly looking at 2004/2005 and as stated previously not more than 50.000 miles coming along with a basic pacakge. Does anyone have any dealership experience that you guys can tell me something regarding the prices, deals and hassles I should look out for.
2. What really impressed me is the service in the BMW world. It states this : Full Maintenance covers all factory-recommended maintenance on all MY 2004 vehicles and newer vehicles, as determined by the Service Level Indicator, for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. ( That is incredible, Lexus certainly does not offer that. You throw away about 5-6 thousand dollars on mechanical and technical repairs every 2-3 years. )
Do I have to pay extra to get that package if my car will be Pre-Owned. If so, how much in addition from the price I will be purchasing would I have to put down and how long will I be covered?
3. I am open to any kinds of suggestions about this series. I personally never drove it, and never had a chance to feel its interior but I would love to in years to come.
Any feedback regarding the 525i 2004 and up series will be appreciated.
Thank you once again,
Nick | Welcome aboard! If you have the time and need a vacation, consider doing European Delivery. You'll save enough money on a new BMW to pay for your vacation to Europe!
Anyway, I hope to help with your questions:
1. I would suggest staying away from a 2004 model. Depending on the date of manufacture, you risk not getting some important functionality- namely bluetooth. There have also been reliability issues with this model year.
2. You should not have to pay any extra's for the included maintenence as long as the car falls within the criteria (4 years/50,000 miles). You may want to check the "ask a dealer" forum on this question to make sure though.
3. Go out and test drive one. That is really the only way to appreciate a BMW. I would say your best bet would be doing European Delivery on a 2006 525i. If you can't swing that, definitely go for a 2005 CPO'd model. Definitely find a model with premium sound. Most would also say get a model with a sport package.
Good luck! Keep us posted!
| | Reply » Hello everyone - Newbie with Questions - Current Lexus Owner |
For the most part I agree with the points made in these posts EXCEPT for the generalization that BMW service departments are not as easy or nice to work with as Lexus. Some aren't, but I deal with a great service department in Indiana, one of my sons is also very happy with his in Shreveport, La, and my other son has a great relationship with the one near Hilton Head Island, SC on a CPO he bought. There are bad ones associated with every manufacturer.
| | Reply » Hello everyone - Newbie with Questions - Current Lexus Owner |
Quote: Welcome aboard! If you have the time and need a vacation, consider doing European Delivery. You'll save enough money on a new BMW to pay for your vacation to Europe!
Anyway, I hope to help with your questions:
1. I would suggest staying away from a 2004 model. Depending on the date of manufacture, you risk not getting some important functionality- namely bluetooth. There have also been reliability issues with this model year.
2. You should not have to pay any extra's for the included maintenence as long as the car falls within the criteria (4 years/50,000 miles). You may want to check the "ask a dealer" forum on this question to make sure though.
3. Go out and test drive one. That is really the only way to appreciate a BMW. I would say your best bet would be doing European Delivery on a 2006 525i. If you can't swing that, definitely go for a 2005 CPO'd model. Definitely find a model with premium sound. Most would also say get a model with a sport package.
Good luck! Keep us posted!
Last edited by Ågent99 : Today at 02:37 PM.
| Agent99! What'd I say wrong? 
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Hello everyone - Newbie with Questions - Current Lexus Owner