[mansito]

Sold my e28 M5 in 2010. My 08 S2000 is not a practical cold weather vehicle. I am giving the 04 Lexus IS300 5spd manual to my son that is heading to graduate school at DU. That is, I need to get a car. The decision has come down to a 2011 328i Coupe 6spd manual, or a 2011 Lexus IS250 6spd manual. Both local NJ cars.

Here is the 2011 328 vehicle information: Coupe, 6spd manual, 18,000 miles, Sport pkg, Value pkg, heated front seats (a plus in NJ) and steering wheel, CPO warranty, RWD, moonroof, M sport suspension, Dakota Leather interior. MSRP: $40,765. The dealer offered that car at $31,900 price and is not going down anymore.

Is that a good price? Should I wait for a better opportunity?

I am not that familiar with the latest 3 series coupe. From what I've learned in that last week reading the forum, it seems the 328 is more reliable than the 335. I do not need the additional HP on the 335

I've found other low mileage 328 6spd manual but they are a far distance from NJ. A lot of automatic, but not that many manual trans out there.

Thanks in advance for helping me select my next ride.
Guido

[kdbryce]

BMW > Lexus

[smallseafishie]

Why not travel a bit for another car if the price is right? $32k for a 2yr old 328i w/ 18k miles is pretty high. I'd shoot for $26k-28k. The e92 is going to drop in price with the F32 right around the corner.

[Scott C BMW]

I highly suggest you drive the manual E90 for a bit - like an hour.

Mine (granted it is Xi) is not as much fun as all my other manuals (which includes a 1974 pinto wagon, 82, 83, 88, 82 RX7, 64 corvette) because the shifting is "different". A rear wheel drive might be ok - just try it before you put down the $.

Scott

[daviddn]

Honestly, to me it seems like a good deal. Low mileage and CPO, not to mention its a manual, those are so rare these days.

[mansito]

Originally Posted by smallseafishie

Why not travel a bit for another car if the price is right? $32k for a 2yr old 328i w/ 18k miles is pretty high. I'd shoot for $26k-28k. The e92 is going to drop in price with the F32 right around the corner.

I am willing to travel a bit. I've been looking within a 1000 miles radius. I have not found anything better within this distance. I see a good inventory of low mileage 328 manual trans coupe on the west coast. But 2,000+ miles is a long haul for one person. Thanks for the suggestion to wait until the e92 comes out. Funny you mention the e92. The latest issue of Road and Track compares the e90 to the e92. They prefer the e90. The prefer the 6cyl engine and the quality of materials on the e90.

Please keep the advice coming.

[mansito]

Originally Posted by Scott C BMW

I highly suggest you drive the manual E90 for a bit - like an hour.

Mine (granted it is Xi) is not as much fun as all my other manuals (which includes a 1974 pinto wagon, 82, 83, 88, 82 RX7, 64 corvette) because the shifting is "different". A rear wheel drive might be ok - just try it before you put down the $.

Scott

Thanks for the advice. I really enjoy driving my 04 Lexus IS300 (5spd manual) and 08 Honda S2000 (6spd manual) much better than my wife's GX470. Maybe because as an old dude (53) I learned on a manual and have owned manuals all my life.

Regards,
Guido

[Tom K.]

Kelley Blue Book for a CPO comes in just a tad higher than your price so it seems to me if you like the car, go ahead and buy it. After months of searching, I was lucky to find a CPO E91 wagon with MT at a nearby dealer. It was 3 years old with 32k miles, stickered when new for $46k, and the final negotiated price was $28k. Knowing I'd never find another stick shift wagon, I bought it and am very glad I did.

Also, regarding BMW shifting - I've owned 5 MT Bimmers (all RWD) and have no shifting issues whatsoever. The CDV (clutch delay valve) will smooth out a ham fisted (ham footed?) abrupt clutch engagement and this seems to put some drivers off, but it's never been a problem for me. And it is cheaply and easily remedied should you desire.

Tom