[Roth517]

Guys, please help me decide whether to keep my 2008 335i (options listed in sig) or get a loaded, barely-used 2011 335i with only 2,200 miles before eventually getting a 435i in a couple years. I can afford either option.

Facts:
1. I bought mine new in Aug 2008 and have .9% financing through BMWFS. I owe about $12,600.
2. Car has been trouble free aside from having a battery replaced. My HPFPs were replaced under the recall.
3. I only have 35,000 miles on it.
4. I love the car, it's the best BMW I've ever owned, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Pros and cons of keeping my 2008:
1. Pro - Payment stays the same, I keep the awesome .9% finance rate.
2. Pro - Insurance stays the same.
3. Pro - It has low miles, so hopefully things won't start to break after next August when the warranty is done.
4. Con - Warranty/maintenance is done next Aug.
5. Con - I'd start paying out of pocket for maintenance until summer 2013 when I could get a 435i.
NOTE: It's not worth it for me to buy the $2K+ extended maintenance plan because I don't plan on owning it THAT much longer. Rough estimates from the dealer are $800-900 for maintenance post warranty through 2013, given what the computer is currently calling for.
6. Con - It's already "old" to me because I don't usually own cars longer than a couple/few years.


Pros and cons of getting the 2011 335i:
1. Pro - It only has 2,200 miles. It was bought new in Nov 2010 by an anal older guy with F-U money who traded it in last summer for a 335d. It's literally brand new and he even had a 3M clear bra installed.
2. Pro - It has options I don't currently have and would like: a heated steering wheel (I live in Michigan and drive it year round), iDrive/nav, USB/iPod, and PDC.
4. Pro - The N55 gets better mileage.
4. Pro - It's crimson red with black interior, so it'd be a new color combo (and one that I already know I love - same as an E46 I owned). And it's post LCI, so the styling is a little different (although I kind of prefer my front end).
5. Pro - Warranty/maintenance until Nov 2014, so I could even wait to buy the second year of the 435i if I wanted.
6. Con - I'd have to take out a loan of around $32-33K at a rate of 2.79%. My monthly payment would go up about $28/month.
7. Con - Insurance goes up $300/year.
8. Con - It's in Iowa, so I have a road trip to go trade mine in/get it.
9. Con - I've only talked the dealer down to $48,400. Not sure what the sticker was, but I'd guess $54K.

I'm leaning toward getting it, especially if I can talk the dealer down just a little more. Hell, I had my car advertised on here over a year ago when I found a loaded, slightly used 2009 I liked (it sold before I did anything). That and I'm disabled, so I don't spend money on other "toys" like motorcycles, snowmobiles, quads, etc. Life is short, switch this one up for something new.

However, the rational, responsible side of me says that it'd be stupid to get rid of a perfectly great car with .9% financing only to get basically the same car in a different color with more options.

Thoughts? Thanks.

[DDS2015]

Personally, I wouldn't trade. I rough calculation of your increase in monthly payments and insurance puts you at around $900, or the same as its going to cost you to maintain it over that same interval (I used 18 months in my calculation). If you already have it in your head that you'll be getting rid of the 2011 in a year and half for a 435 then why even bother?

If it were me I'd do a few minor mods to it to keep my interest in the car up as opposed to buying something new.

[dos]

I don't see the point of switching. I would wait for the redesign. You only owe $12k on your car.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

Personally, I wouldn't trade. I rough calculation of your increase in monthly payments and insurance puts you at around $900, or the same as its going to cost you to maintain it over that same interval (I used 18 months in my calculation). If you already have it in your head that you'll be getting rid of the 2011 in a year and half for a 435 then why even bother?

It will be closer to two years before the 435i will be here (Scott26 has said sales will start summer 2013). It'll be a long wait to keep this car that long.

If it were me I'd do a few minor mods to it to keep my interest in the car up as opposed to buying something new.

I'm not into modding more than the cosmetic things I have done (M3 spoiler lip and Bimmian painted reflectors) and don't want to jeopardize my warranty. Plus I don't want to throw money into mods that I won't get back when I trade in/sell.

Thanks.

[DDS2015]

Originally Posted by 517

It will be closer to two years before the 435i will here (Scott26 has said sales will start summer 2013). It'll be a long wait to keep this car that long.



I'm not into modding more than the cosmetic things I have done (M3 spoiler lip and Bimmian painted reflectors) and don't want to jeopardize my warranty. Plus I don't want to throw money into mods that I won't get back when I trade in/sell.

Thanks.

Fair enough.

What about custom ordering an M3 and doing ED? Sure it'll cost you a little more, but not THAT much more. I wouldn't trade in a car for the same car (but of a different colour). Also you get a really nice once in a life time trip driving around europe in your very own M3.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

Fair enough.

What about custom ordering an M3 and doing ED? Sure it'll cost you a little more, but not THAT much more. I wouldn't trade in a car for the same car (but of a different colour). Also you get a really nice once in a life time trip driving around europe in your very own M3.

I already considered an M3 and an ED would, of course, be sweet, but a new one optioned how I'd want is way out of my price range (about $77K - I've played with the configurator more than I care to admit!). I recently looked at, and dickered on, a 2009 M3 with only 15K miles, but decided against it. I talked to the guys on the M3 board - for my driving habits, it doesn't make much sense, especially in light of the shitty gas mileage and increased insurance costs. And it stretched my budget a little. Not to mention it didn't make sense taking out a $42K, six year loan on a three year-old car (that's what it was going to take to fit my budget). Hence me looking at this 2011 335i.

[dfjaws]

I'd say keep your car. TiAg/Gray Dakota seems kind of dull to me, but you have great options. Your mileage isn't high. You are used to your car/payments/insurance, etc. Plus, you have the N54. I don't think it's worth the switch.

[badassfajita]

But the ext. warranty, not maintenance, if you want to be fully protected. Its transferable and cancel-able, so you can recoop your cost pro-rata if you decide to sell early.

[bmw-nj]

Originally Posted by badassfajita

But the ext. warranty, not maintenance, if you want to be fully protected. Its transferable and cancel-able, so you can recoop your cost pro-rata if you decide to sell early.

This is a good idea but I was under the impression that if you cancel they refund the pro rated amour minus the cost of any work performed under the warranty.

I was going to do this with wheel and tire insurance but they said they subtract any claims from the pro rated amount so I stuck with the two year over priced plan.

And to the OP keep your car. You have a great car with incredible interest rate and warranty for another 10 months. There's plenty of other things to spend the money on.

Go on a vacation, buy a nice watch, go to the Yankees playoff games, attend a Superbowl, support charity's, etc

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by bmw-nj

And to the OP keep your car. You have a great car with incredible interest rate and warranty for another 10 months. There's plenty of other things to spend the money on.

Go on a vacation, buy a nice watch, go to the Yankees playoff games, attend a Superbowl, support charity's, etc

Yea, you're right, but I have no life! No g/f, wife, or kids (thank God), so I have no one to go on a vaca with. And I bought a nice Breitling a few years ago! My car and mortgage are my only debts...

PS - Go TIGERS!

[positiveions]

keep it. That way, when the new body style come out, you'll buy that and have 2 cars: one a weekender, the second daily driving.

[galahad05]

+1 to eatrach73's comment.
Timing here, as in most things, is everything. Do it right, and you win big.

You know the new body style is just around the corner. Lots of changes from BMW coming soon. Wait, wait, wait.

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by galahad05

+1 to eatrach73's comment.
Timing here, as in most things, is everything. Do it right, and you win big.

You know the new body style is just around the corner. Lots of changes from BMW coming soon. Wait, wait, wait.

So tough...

[StoneCold]

stay W/08

[ede92]

ride out the term of the cheap loan, build up some cash, trade-in for next gen model.

[Trojan4evr]

Stay with the 08 and pay it off.

[hipnotic]

stick with the 08 it is way better looking than the new 3er. The only thing I like on the new 3er compared to the 08 are the lci angel eyes besides that I hate everything else.

[wins76]

35k miles is way to young to trade in or sell beside you are trading in for a last year model too. you live only once why not try different brand if you could afford it....C63...A7....S4...GTR....911.....ISF....just saying

[eamon]

keep it
^^ Like this guy said ^^
If you're dead set on trading it in AND will trade again in 1.5 years for ANOTHER n54, at least switch it up and look into another name brand first and then come back to the 35i in two years.

[Bumer]

I'd keep current, and at least wait for new model.

[Wild Squid]

If you're looking to swap cars why swap for the same one as what you already have? Albeit a few differences in options? I just don't see how you'll get excitement out of that? If BMW is all you would want to buy then choose something else, like a Z4, 1M, 5 series, etc? Or if you're ok with a different brand then why not try Audi? Mercedes? Personally I would just keep it as you're not even done paying it off yet.

[positiveions]

back in 2009, i wanted an E92 335i 6 speed badly. My DD 93 jetta with 255k was unbearable; no A/C, seat broke, etc...
Thus, I ended up passing on the E92, and got a brand jetta. Now it is almost paid off; however i can afford a new 335is or even an M3. Now, I can have an '09 Jetta and a new E9X 335is and/or M3.