[atc9001]

I'm deployed to Iraq and will be returning in about a month. My sister in law was visiting and driving my 335xi (wife just had knee surgery, so the sister in law drove). She decided to pull out in front of a dump truck going 55mph and thank god she T-boned it instead of the other way around. (this happened about 2 months ago)

Everyone was ok...car not so much (pics below! )

Anyway I'm now searching for a new vehicle, I'm planning on having kids in 1-2 years so that's playing a major factor in my decision. I want an E90, not just because of the kids but the question is 335xi vs 328xi. I've read the threads and they battle back and forth...so I'm on the fence...price will play a large factor. I'm being very picky on what I want for a replacement option/color wise.

Must be:
black or white ext. Saddle/terra int. Prem-Sport-Cold-Nav, no aluminum trim. under 40k miles. Satellite radio a plus.

Because of this it's hard to find a vehicle for sale. I've found one 335xi with everyone I want (minus satellite radio which is ~750 to add).

The lowest price the dealership will go is $32,000 for the vehicle +1500 for shipping, radio and thier doc fees (will be CPO, 6 yr/100000 mile).

I found a '08 328xi with everything (minus satellite again) but havn't been able to contact them for the bottom price, it's 27k listing and would be CPO.

I told myself I didn't want to pay more than 30,000 for a CPO 335xi (just because I've seen a lot of ones with same options, different interior, for 28-29k from non BMW dealerships)

Am I being too hopeful thinking I can get an 08 335xi with those options for 30k? What would be a fair price for the '08 328xi?

I'm torn between the power vs long term cost (I want to keep this vehicle for atleast 5 years). My car before was an '02 Audi S4...I sold it before I had to spend 5k on new turbo's, but that car was a nightmare in terms of maintenance.

Anyway, all opinions and recommendations are welcome. Now here are the pics!

[dghdgh]

pleased everyone was ok thats number one your car is just a chunk of metal
now just a thought have you considered a sports tourer I think they look sexy in black with dark glass and you get a little more practicality
just to prove it Beckham is running around London in an audi a6 avant ( wrong make but a week after I got my sports + tourer I always was a trend setter)

[xxp0loxx]

see ladies, this is why we cant have anything nice.

Glad they were ok tho

[dghdgh]

I take it you can buy your new vehicles with free or reduced purchase tax as a member of the armed Forces it may work outas cheap or close bybuying new under these schemes
All service personel deserve all discounts as a way of saying thankyou

[atc9001]

There are deals where we can get 2k off new purchases through military BMW sales but there's not haggling so it really doesn't give any discount. Still have to pay sales tax.

These things new are around 55k optioned out...add another 3300 for sales tax and it's close to 60k. That meens the first 3 years I'm looking at close to 8k a year (no maintenance..but that's not counting interest on finance either).

I've never been a fan of the avants/wagons...I'm getting older but not that old

[dghdgh]

cheers mate I am not that old!!!!

[John 070]

Thank goodness everyone was ok. I don't believe in having relatives drive my cars, just don't like the idea that maybe their judgment is different, and then having to pay an insurance surcharge for 3 years as a result of their judgment. Maybe I take that stuff too seriously as my coworkers have let me drive their brand new Audi TTS, and another use her Suburban to pickup from Home Depot, and another her Pilot.

Since the OP mentioned having a family, this accident is an opportunity to get out of a BMW (although not by choice). I would recommend purchasing a family car, such as a new Grand Cherokee if SUV or a Nissan Quest if minivan. 30k goes a lot further with those vehicles, as far as the usefulness it buys as a family vehicle. 30k gets very little in the BMW world.

[tscdennab]

A 328i will feel underpowered since you previously owned only turbo cars. Plus, the new 28i engine just launched by BMW for the X1 is turbo. The current 328i will be too outdated in 2 years, let alone 5.

I would say go with a 335i. Give up some options...

[ZoomZoom]

Originally Posted by atc9001

There are deals where we can get 2k off new purchases through military BMW sales but there's not haggling so it really doesn't give any discount. Still have to pay sales tax.

These things new are around 55k optioned out...add another 3300 for sales tax and it's close to 60k. That meens the first 3 years I'm looking at close to 8k a year (no maintenance..but that's not counting interest on finance either).

I've never been a fan of the avants/wagons...I'm getting older but not that old

You might want to double check your numbers...You most definitely get more than 2g's off. Take a look at pentagoncarsales...being that you're currently deployed you qualify. Just an example my loaded E92 335i mPk $52K. A e90 328 starts at $28k with pentagon.

[ryan970]

id go with a 328xi if i were you because you have kids and probably not going to go that fast with your kids and its more reliable

[evanescent03]

Being military usually only gets a couple hundred off that i've seen ... which is nice but i always wonder if they would've just called it something else if i weren't in the AF. oh well. I was hoping to spend a little less than I did... i just picked up a 2008 335i sedan with 28k miles, sports & premium packs for $31xxx. It also came with a spare set of wheels/tires (blizzaks & 17" bmw wheels... dunno the #) so it was a good enough deal i wanted to jump on it. it was in perfect shape so I had to go for it. I'd rather jump on a car that I love and pay a little more if it's used because it's hard to find the exact package. It seems like CPO is a pretty good way to go with BWM, but if you are extremely picky then maybe buying new is your only real option if you don't wanna wait forever to find what you want. In that case $ may become an issue and you may want to save a little and go with a 328xi. I think if you go with a less powerful car you just have to prepare yourself with it and you'll be okay. Just drive some even slower cars for a while and then you'll be happy to get into the 328.

I think the best bet is to test drive stuff though. That's always the best because you need to be comfortable in whatever you get.

Anyways, good luck with the car choice and come home safely!

Matt

[pits200]

Hmmm, not to get off topic, but if someone else is driving your car and they wreck it, who is at fault? If they have auto insurance on one of their cars, doesn't this mainly cover the driver and not the car?

It's like having a rental car, if you get into an accident with that car, you could file a claim under your insurance policy.

Just curious and I'm glad everyone is ok.

[hipnotic]

sorry to see this happen

[Want]

Inb4 shoulda stayed in the kitchen!

Why don't you get a beater for now and wait and see how the f30 turns out?

[ceb]

If you'll actually be in Colo Springs then you might want to give the 335 a closer look. Turbo engines always work better in higher altitudes than the NA engines.

[dghdgh]

have a look:
http://www.justoffbase.com/BMW-Military-Sales-41.html
I saved about 15% about £4000 on a £2700 car ($6200 - $42000) but serving overseas would incurr much higher savings

[Tortfeasor 335xi]

Well, if you can't find a 335xi you like that fits your price point, see what else is available used near you. There are a ton of deals on the used market usually, be open to other options and you might find a better deal.

[HoustonGuy]

Do not settle for a 328 if you enjoyed the N54...you'll be severely disappointed.