Please help a soon-to-be first time BMW owner!!!

335xirx · 01-30-2011, 11:54 AM

Hey guys,

First post here. Been a long time lurker. Now that my credit cards are all paid off

, I got the go ahead from the boss to buy a used BMW. This will be my very first BMW and I'm just stoked.

I found a great 2008 BMW 335xi 6MT in sparkling gray with black leather. The car is CPO with 42K on the clock. It has the premium and sport package. They have the car listed for $32K

So here are my questions and I'm sure I'll have others as I think of them:

1) Do you think that this is a good deal? How much more do you think I can haggle? I offered a bit of a lowball of $29.5K and he said no way.

2) I'm a little confused with CPO 3 options specials. There's an up to $1500 payment credit. What exactly is that? Is it only if I finance through BMW and they will deduct $1500 from the sale price?

3) I'm getting 2.75% for 3 years through my credit union. Of all the options, the no maintenance one looks pretty nice. Do you guys think that it's the best option?

4) Whoever purchased the extended 7/100,000 warranty, how much should I expect to pay for it?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

lablake · 01-30-2011, 12:13 PM

The 3 payments is only if you go through BMW FS (just did it yesterday on my new-to-me 335i). They gave me a crappy rate, but I ran an amoritization schedule online and I am still getting $1200 of the principal paid off (rest toward interest on those 3 payments).

The finance guy told me that for the free maintenance, you are still required to finance through BMW FS. This might have been BS, but I had decided to go with the 3 payments by that point anyway.

As soon as 3 payments are made, I'm refinancing through my bank.

SeanS54 · 01-30-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335xirx

1) Do you think that this is a good deal? How much more do you think I can haggle? I offered a bit of a lowball of $29.5K and he said no way.

2) I'm a little confused with CPO 3 options specials. There's an up to $1500 payment credit. What exactly is that? Is it only if I finance through BMW and they will deduct $1500 from the sale price?

3) I'm getting 2.75% for 3 years through my credit union. Of all the options, the no maintenance one looks pretty nice. Do you guys think that it's the best option?

4) Whoever purchased the extended 7/100,000 warranty, how much should I expect to pay for it?

1) I think that price is a bit high. $29.5K is fair. Remember, although you may want a 6spd manual, there's a smaller used market for it. Play that up. If they don't deal then walk and look for another one.

2) Yes, going through BMW financial, they will make up to 3 payments for $500 so you essentially get $1500 off.

3) That's a good rate. I wouldn't pay for any other options but that's because I do all the maintenance myself.

4) If it's CPO you're car is covered for a total of 6 years/100K miles (from new car purchase). That 2008 should be covered to 2014 and 100K miles. You don't need to purchase an extended warranty.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

yerv818 · 01-30-2011, 01:58 PM

go 09-10 believe me its worth the extra money or sometimes just a little more time spent shopping around you wont regret it

335xirx · 02-08-2011, 10:07 PM

So I finally found my car!!!

How it all went down....

Looking through autotrader and cars.com, I came upon a similarly equipped (sport, premium, cold weather, nav) 2008 335xi with an identical color scheme (gray/black int/alum trim) but this one was an auto. I started thinking about this and decided that I can go either way as it's still a 6 speed transmission and paddle shifters are really responsive and fun. Besides, winters in Maine can be a bit brutal and I drive on some steep hills on my way to work.

The carfax for the 6AT was PERFECT with all scheduled services. When I went to see the car, there was just a tiny, tiny dent by the gas door that can be easily removed. Other than that, the body was perfect and even had a clear bra which was a plus. Interior looked almost new. Mileage was even lower (40,800) than the 6MT. Drove the car and it was a blast! I came in a 99 Solara with a salvage title and 182K on the clock and they offered me $1000 for it. So in all (minus the trade and some negotiating), I got the BMW for $25,200. This was purchased at an Acura dealership.

Oh and as for the 6MT, it wasn't even certified when I went to look at it. Looks like they lied just to get traffic through the door. Carfax for the car has zero service records on it and the salesguy told me that it missed a few oil changes and hence not certified. I showed them the 6AT I was interested and they automatically assumed it was in an accident to have such a low price. After they checked the carfax on it, they basically told me straight up that I was getting a good deal (oh I know) and that the other dealership probably robbed the person on the trade and were able to sell it for that low. The lowest they would do on the 6MT was $28,000, almost $2000 above the 6AT I purchased!

One quick question, the car still has the manufacturer's warranty on it, but obviously not for long. Is the extended warranty worth it on this car? It's through Fidelity.

Thanks!

ChasVS · 02-09-2011, 06:46 AM

Almost any extended warranty is worth it on a 335. Don't waste money on a paid up maintenance plan. Pay as you go for that.

335xirx · 02-09-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasVS

Almost any extended warranty is worth it on a 335. Don't waste money on a paid up maintenance plan. Pay as you go for that.

Thanks for the tip. I think I will start looking at the BMW extended service plan before my manufacturer's warranty runs out...

Php · 02-09-2011, 09:01 AM

Yep, extended warranty should be added to any 335, mine never gave me problems but I still decided to add it. For a 328 though, if it was a clean car with great history, I might take the risk not getting it.

shazzy04 · 02-09-2011, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasVS

Almost any extended warranty is worth it on a 335. Don't waste money on a paid up maintenance plan. Pay as you go for that.

I agree, also, I would of searched a bit harder for a manual as someone did state they are harder to find, although happy to see you've found the car that you want. Welcome to the family

335xirx · 02-09-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazzy04

I agree, also, I would of searched a bit harder for a manual as someone did state they are harder to find, although happy to see you've found the car that you want. Welcome to the family

Thanks!

01-30-2011, 11:54 AM	#1
335xirx New Member 4 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi coupe Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ME iTrader: (0)	Please help a soon-to-be first time BMW owner!!! Hey guys, First post here. Been a long time lurker. Now that my credit cards are all paid off , I got the go ahead from the boss to buy a used BMW. This will be my very first BMW and I'm just stoked. I found a great 2008 BMW 335xi 6MT in sparkling gray with black leather. The car is CPO with 42K on the clock. It has the premium and sport package. They have the car listed for $32K So here are my questions and I'm sure I'll have others as I think of them: 1) Do you think that this is a good deal? How much more do you think I can haggle? I offered a bit of a lowball of $29.5K and he said no way. 2) I'm a little confused with CPO 3 options specials. There's an up to $1500 payment credit. What exactly is that? Is it only if I finance through BMW and they will deduct $1500 from the sale price? 3) I'm getting 2.75% for 3 years through my credit union. Of all the options, the no maintenance one looks pretty nice. Do you guys think that it's the best option? 4) Whoever purchased the extended 7/100,000 warranty, how much should I expect to pay for it? Thanks in advance for all the help!
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01-30-2011, 12:13 PM	#2
lablake Private 7 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2011 JZB e92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (1)	The 3 payments is only if you go through BMW FS (just did it yesterday on my new-to-me 335i). They gave me a crappy rate, but I ran an amoritization schedule online and I am still getting $1200 of the principal paid off (rest toward interest on those 3 payments). The finance guy told me that for the free maintenance, you are still required to finance through BMW FS. This might have been BS, but I had decided to go with the 3 payments by that point anyway. As soon as 3 payments are made, I'm refinancing through my bank.
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01-30-2011, 01:58 PM	#4
yerv818 Lieutenant 19 Rep 425 Posts Drives: 2010 blk/red 328 sedan Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: la crescenta CA iTrader: (2)	go 09-10 believe me its worth the extra money or sometimes just a little more time spent shopping around you wont regret it __________________ BMX powerbox/H&R RACE springs/eibach pro dampers/H&R sways/cyba scoops/k&n drop in/blk grille/blk reflectors/19in LUXE CSL rep/hamman cf lip
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02-08-2011, 10:07 PM	#5
335xirx New Member 4 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi coupe Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ME iTrader: (0)	Update So I finally found my car!!! How it all went down.... Looking through autotrader and cars.com, I came upon a similarly equipped (sport, premium, cold weather, nav) 2008 335xi with an identical color scheme (gray/black int/alum trim) but this one was an auto. I started thinking about this and decided that I can go either way as it's still a 6 speed transmission and paddle shifters are really responsive and fun. Besides, winters in Maine can be a bit brutal and I drive on some steep hills on my way to work. The carfax for the 6AT was PERFECT with all scheduled services. When I went to see the car, there was just a tiny, tiny dent by the gas door that can be easily removed. Other than that, the body was perfect and even had a clear bra which was a plus. Interior looked almost new. Mileage was even lower (40,800) than the 6MT. Drove the car and it was a blast! I came in a 99 Solara with a salvage title and 182K on the clock and they offered me $1000 for it. So in all (minus the trade and some negotiating), I got the BMW for $25,200. This was purchased at an Acura dealership. Oh and as for the 6MT, it wasn't even certified when I went to look at it. Looks like they lied just to get traffic through the door. Carfax for the car has zero service records on it and the salesguy told me that it missed a few oil changes and hence not certified. I showed them the 6AT I was interested and they automatically assumed it was in an accident to have such a low price. After they checked the carfax on it, they basically told me straight up that I was getting a good deal (oh I know) and that the other dealership probably robbed the person on the trade and were able to sell it for that low. The lowest they would do on the 6MT was $28,000, almost $2000 above the 6AT I purchased! One quick question, the car still has the manufacturer's warranty on it, but obviously not for long. Is the extended warranty worth it on this car? It's through Fidelity. Thanks! Last edited by 335xirx; 02-08-2011 at 10:12 PM..
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02-09-2011, 06:46 AM	#6
ChasVS Colonel 40 Rep 2,431 Posts Drives: 2012 MB ML350 Bluetec Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central FL iTrader: (10)	Almost any extended warranty is worth it on a 335. Don't waste money on a paid up maintenance plan. Pay as you go for that.
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02-09-2011, 09:01 AM	#8
Php Captain 13 Rep 631 Posts Drives: CaymanS, used to be e92 335 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Yep, extended warranty should be added to any 335, mine never gave me problems but I still decided to add it. For a 328 though, if it was a clean car with great history, I might take the risk not getting it.
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