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540I(E39) or 06 325i
Finally gonna start posting, I've been browsing these boards for months.
Here's my dilemna. I'm bored and fed up with my current car(01 acura cls)I've always wanted a bimmer...time is very soon, i'm getting one soon, but i'm having a tuff decision on whether to get a used 02-03 540i or even a 530i(most of them i've seen advertised 30-40k) or a new 325i ...though the e39 is a generation old...i've always had a soft spot for them...and i'm having a little hard time justifiying around 35k for a used car....i really like the new 3 also but im not sure if its gonna be solid as a car as the e39 540i...plus i forsee everybody and their grandmas driving e90's aroun...any input would be helpful
| | Reply » 540I(E39) or 06 325i |
I'm not sure the e90's styling will attract grandmas but it's a very good car, and you would have the fun of having it built to your specs, plus it would be new. It is nearly as big as the last 5, with some technological improvements. Remember a used BMW is a costly item to maintain, might as well go the extra length and buy one new.
Oh and just test drive both, it's behind the steering wheel that you will find your match! 
| | Reply » 540I(E39) or 06 325i |
Get a CPO 540i. Certified Pre-Owneds come with a 6-yr 100k mile warranty
| | Reply » 540I(E39) or 06 325i |
Quote: Finally gonna start posting, I've been browsing these boards for months.
Here's my dilemna. I'm bored and fed up with my current car(01 acura cls)I've always wanted a bimmer...time is very soon, i'm getting one soon, but i'm having a tuff decision on whether to get a used 02-03 540i or even a 530i(most of them i've seen advertised 30-40k) or a new 325i ...though the e39 is a generation old...i've always had a soft spot for them...and i'm having a little hard time justifiying around 35k for a used car....i really like the new 3 also but im not sure if its gonna be solid as a car as the e39 540i...plus i forsee everybody and their grandmas driving e90's aroun...any input would be helpful | My wife and I have had two E39 540's, one a 6 speed sport and the other an auto. Very nice cars. Very smooth power, handled like they're on rails. Noticeably heavier feel than the previous 3 series, but I liked that. I would avoid the 6 speed manual, it is notchy and has a difficult 1-2 shift that car reviews have even mentioned. Plus, it hits speed limits in 2nd gear so you don't get to shift a lot anyway. Has so much torque it's not as fun to drive as weaker cars unless you break the law. Super smooth engine means you have to watch tach to get your shifts right. Makes long trips go by faster, a great road car, but I prefered the auto.
I found the seat bolstering a little narrow for my back, the side view mirrors were small and the auto-dim feature annoying. Cupholders weak and ineffective, the 6 speed actually got 27 mpg on the highway due to the high gearing I suppose. 21 overall, but much better than the sticker numbers. Bought both used, and both came with extended warranties the previous owners had paid for. Good thing, because we needed them. Spent about $1500/yr on tires/maint even with the warranties, which covered everything that broke. Had a few warranty issues. cupholders, coolant guage, leaking head? gaskets, interior door handle that broke off in wife's hand, window regulator failure, and one time the car wouldn't start. One car had both catalytic converters require replacement. (thankfully emissions warranty went to 90k or so, because they're obscenely expensive) Would not own one w/o a warranty, since a major engine or transmission issue could be very costly. I found the bakalite plastic parts inside brittle, and the design is starting to age some. Radio reception was terrible, especially AM. One had the upgraded stereo which was pretty nice, the basic system was mediocre for the price range. Leather showed some signs of age on the tan interior, gray held up better but didn't like the color as well.
Used they're a good value vs new, but they become "hot potatoes" after a certain age,(over 100K) because nobody wants to invest much in one that could need an engine or transmission that costs a lot. They hold value well, then seem to become a $15,000 car suddenly. It'd be a good car for a low-mileage driver.
The new 3 (have a deposit on one ) feels about the same size inside as the 5, but I found the seats more comfortable.
Be sure to have it inspected by a bmw mechanic before buying a used one.
| | Reply » 540I(E39) or 06 325i |
Wow... I was in your shoes a few months ago... I got rid of my 2001 acrua cls to get my 06 325i. I was torn between a CPO 540i - 530i and the new 3. I read reviews on both and it came down to me wanting a brand new car, free Maintenance , new style, and idrive. The old 5 is really starting to show its age, and the new 3 is about the same size. I thought I would miss the power of the cls, but I got a 6spd manual on the 3 and is much more fun to drive.
| | Reply » 540I(E39) or 06 325i |
Nothing beats a new car feel  It hurst though when you see her building up miles  My daily drive is 40miles each way  just to get to work
Also since the '06 is the first model year for the E90, you will have a new looking cars for several years
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540I(E39) or 06 325i