It's finally my turn; Potential new car purchase on the horizon...suggestions?

PlatinumGLS · Dec 6, 2016

69CougarConvert said:
I bought my 2013 Charger AWD RT with 40k miles for 23k a few months ago

I love it. I wanted another large v8 sedan after I killed my '00 xj8. It's probably the quickest car I've ever owned and fits 5 actual sized adults very comfortably. It also has Bluetooth, aux in and heated seats. I also like the uconnect system. I get 17 mpg around town and 25-27 on the highway, but that is when I'm driving it reasonably. It's black on black. Mostly I bought it for the looks. Feel free to ask any questions if you think it might work for you

Our last lease was a 2014 Chrysler 300S w/AWD and Hemi. We absolutely loved it. We would have bought it at lease end if the buyout was more realistic (was $10,000 higher than actual value).

OP - You'll love driving the BMW

GLI Dan · Jan 16, 2017

For those of you that were in here before, you may remember I was looking at a 135i. I had that car ready to be purchased after a week of back and forth between the dealer and myself. Financing in place, they told me the car was sold to me and put aside. I couldn’t make the drive over until Monday (this was on Saturday), but they assured me it was not a problem. Monday (12/19) morning I called ready to head over and just letting them know so the car would be ready. They had sold the car Sunday night when the manager and salesperson I was dealing with had already gone home. I was livid, I asked them several times if I need to put down a deposit and they told me it wasn’t an issue. I would have driven over immediately if it were necessary. That car was a 2013 135i M-sport Alpine white on coral read interior, 7-DCT, no nav/idrive, 13,xxx miles.

My criteria had been narrowed down to:
2011+ 135i or 335i with M-sport package and comfort access
Less than 30k miles for $25k or less. Preferably white or silver, but not a deal breaker.

The price/mileage criteria really limited the field. For those of you unfamiliar, 2011 is when BMW made the switch to the N55 from the N54 (notorious for blowing turbos etc). That said even the 2011 n55’s had some teething problems. However, by 2013, the last year for the e92, they had everything pretty sorted out.

Fast forward a few weeks and a car pops up that really interests me.
2013 Alpine white on Oyster/black interior
M-sport, idrive/nav, comfort access (nearly every option)
Option 19” wheels
19k miles, asking $25,990.

Unfortunately,it was in Jacksonville, fortunately it was 5 min from a friend’s house. Long story short, I got the financing in place, I sold my E46 (2004 153k miles) for $5500 on Friday morning 1/13, flew up to Jacksonville that night and picked the car up Saturday 1/14 and drove back home to Fort Lauderdale in time to catch the 730pm Nick Swardson stand up at the Hard Rock Improv for my friend’s birthday.

I have not had a chance to take any pictures yet, just stole the dealerships and a potato phone pic in my parents driveway next to my father’s car (2014 A6 3.0t, lease end is this August).

Without further adieu:

This car is spectacular and exactly what I was looking for. Is the 6sp A/T what I wanted transmission wise? No, the 7-DCT would have been preferred but was only available in the 335is(too costly) and it was too difficult to find another 135i. However, its livable for the elongated grid system that is South Florida, and I can at least utilize the paddles and manual mode to hold gears for our sweeping on-ramps down here. It’s incredibly quick coming from my 330ci, and has tons more grip because there is simply so much more tire. It’s an impressive automobile and gobbles up highway miles, easily going much too fast with just a dab of the throttle. I do not plan on modifying the car but, I have done the “golf-tee mod” to keep the exhaust flap open at all times and I will tint the car this week.

Link to the dealership’s forsale ad (won’t be up for long I’m sure): http://www.vaughnmotorgroup.com/2013-BMW-3Series/Used-Car/Jacksonville-FL/8467339/Details.aspx

For the TFL people: Final transaction price of the car (incl’d tax, tag, title etc.) $25,479.90, $8000 down payment leaves us with ~$17.5 financed at a rate of 8% (first time buyer) which will be re-financed in about 16 months.

I’m super excited, super happy, and thoroughly enjoyed the drive back and every minute since. I wasn’t too concerned with getting idrive but now that I have it I’m glad I do. The system takes a minute to get used to but once you do it works very well. I’ll provide some pictures and updates in the coming months/miles.

Elite_Deforce · Jan 16, 2017

4 years is not enough time to determine if BMW sorted out the N55's issues, but I hope it is the case for you! Congrats.

GLI Dan · Jan 16, 2017

Elite_Deforce said:
4 years is not enough time to determine if BMW sorted out the N55's issues, but I hope it is the case for you! Congrats.

Fair, but many of the issues plaguing the N54 were corrected and there have been few complaints from the 2012+ N55's.

I forgot to mention also that the car came with both keys, all of the books and even the original window sticker. Things that are exciting to have when you're buying second hand. Carfax history indicates the car was a lease return and then ended up on the lot where I purchased it from. They had a nice inventory which you can view on the website; mostly late model luxury cars.

6cylVWguy · Jan 16, 2017

Congrats on the new purchase. I like how the car sits with those wheels. I can't speak to the engine, but for whatever it's worth I have thoroughly enjoyed my e92 for the last 1.5 yrs. Just got back from a 200 mile trip and still enjoy the drive. Definitely make sure to refinance that loan, sooner than 16 mos, if you can.

GLI Dan · Jan 16, 2017

6cylVWguy said:
Congrats on the new purchase. I like how the car sits with those wheels. I can't speak to the engine, but for whatever it's worth I have thoroughly enjoyed my e92 for the last 1.5 yrs. Just got back from a 200 mile trip and still enjoy the drive. Definitely make sure to refinance that loan, sooner than 16 mos, if you can.

I'll double check but I believe there are no penalties at that point, hence the wait.

B20VTEC · Jan 16, 2017

Awesome choice man :thumbup:

The E90 chassis have a great feel to them, and I think will be remembered as the last of the BMW's that drove a certain way. Hard to explain but they feel more like a machine compared to the new F series.

The motor will be fine, people who don't own them love to comment about reliability but with the N55's the issues are all sorted out. I had an 08 335i and had 0 issue despite installing a jb4/DP's/ and ran 50% E85 basically all the time.

I would throw a jb4 on that thing asap without a second thought.

puma1552 · Jan 16, 2017

great pickup - e92 is the best looking bmw ever built imo.

PlatinumGLS · Jan 16, 2017

GLI Dan said:
FI do not plan on modifying the car but, I have done the “golf-tee mod” to keep the exhaust flap open at all times and I will tint the car this week.

Congrats on your new ride, looks really clean! I said the same thing about no performance mods on my 335i but a few months later and I have a JB4 and VRSF catless downpipes :laugh:

Get over to http://www.e90post.com/ if you haven't already

GLI Dan · Jan 16, 2017

B20VTEC said:
Awesome choice man :thumbup:

The E90 chassis have a great feel to them, and I think will be remembered as the last of the BMW's that drove a certain way. Hard to explain but they feel more like a machine compared to the new F series.

The motor will be fine, people who don't own them love to comment about reliability but with the N55's the issues are all sorted out. I had an 08 335i and had 0 issue despite installing a jb4/DP's/ and ran 50% E85 basically all the time.

I would throw a jb4 on that thing asap without a second thought.

I concur with the feel comment. I've driven a few F chassis cars and they don't feel like the e46 or e90. The e92 so far feels like a more buttoned up version of the e46 whereas the f just felt more appliance like. A jb4 or similar may be something to look into, but that'll be a year or two off. I'll take advantage of what little warranty is left as well as get used to this substantial increase in power. You had to really try and get the tires loose on my 330ci, this thing, on the other hand, wants to lay rubber down just because.

puma1552 said:
great pickup - e92 is the best looking bmw ever built imo.

I really do love the lines, especially with the way these wheels fill the arches/wells. I don't know if I'd say it'll age better than the e46 however.

PlatinumGLS said:
Congrats on your new ride, looks really clean! I said the same thing about no performance mods on my 335i but a few months later and I have a JB4 and VRSF catless downpipes :laugh:

Get over to http://www.e90post.com/ if you haven't already

I had been using e46fanatics, only natural I move on over there I suppose. I am not often active on those sites however, use them more for tech knowledge.

puma1552 · Jan 16, 2017

GLI Dan said:
I really do love the lines, especially with the way these wheels fill the arches/wells. I don't know if I'd say it'll age better than the e46 however

i didnt think they could build something nicer than the e46 coupe, but then they did. e46 coupes are gorgeous, but looking old to me at this point. i think the e92 will age better.

one things for sure, park a low long wide sleek e92 next to a new bloated tall bulbous 2 series and its clear how awful a direction bmw has gone.

Avus · Jan 16, 2017

GLI Dan · Jan 16, 2017

Avus said:
*BRZ VIDEO*

I'm not sure if this is a suggestion; you may have missed it, something was purchased.

That said, I did have a chance to get acquainted with a BRZ recently. A co worker owns one, automatic unfortunately. Honestly a great little car that is a lot of fun but wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted more power and more comfort; basically I wanted a Grand tourer whereas the BRZ is a small sports car. I will also say that the car is certainly not underpowered, it would just be a hell of a lot more fun with an extra 30hp/30tq at least.

SCHWAB0 · Jan 16, 2017

congrats OP, concentrate on a credit union to loan you the funds. They tend to be more forgiving with first time buyers and bad credit at much much lower interest rates. Make 2-3 payments and then you'll be fine to switch.

Sweet looking ride tho

GLI Dan · Jan 16, 2017

SCHWAB0 said:
congrats OP, concentrate on a credit union to loan you the funds. They tend to be more forgiving with first time buyers and bad credit at much much lower interest rates. Make 2-3 payments and then you'll be fine to switch.

Sweet looking ride tho

Thanks. Rest assured I will be exploring all options when the time to refinance comes. I will be waiting the 15 months or so because prior to that there are penalties associated with early termination/pay off. While 8% is not a good rate, the amount of the loan is so small that the total amount of interest we are talking about is not significant enough to justify the termination fees. I also plan to make a couple double and triple payments to get ahead and be around the $10k mark when the time comes. I'm a recent graduate, not-married and have very very few real expenses for the next 1-3 years.

That said, I'm thoroughly enjoying this car. I will definitely be replacing the tires sooner rather than later. They are a set of Pirelli P-zero's in varying states of wear (nothing terrible, but not new) and they are just a greasy feeling tire to me; just how I remember on my father's 2004 MB E500. I will likely end up with Continental Extreme Contact DW's since Michelin PSS's in this size are just silly expensive.

Crispyfritter · Jan 16, 2017

GLI Dan said:
I'm not sure if this is a suggestion; you may have missed it, something was purchased.

That said, I did have a chance to get acquainted with a BRZ recently. A co worker owns one, automatic unfortunately. Honestly a great little car that is a lot of fun but wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted more power and more comfort; basically I wanted a Grand tourer whereas the BRZ is a small sports car. I will also say that the car is certainly not underpowered, it would just be a hell of a lot more fun with an extra 30hp/30tq at least.

They are an excellent driver, but I really felt like it absolutely needed more power. And my point of reference was a Sonic turbo 6 speed with a Trifecta tune. Honestly, if the BRZ had more power, I might consider owning one, but I was always frustrated by it.

As for your car, very cool! Nice score. Love the color and powertrain package. I bet it will keep you happy for years to come.

Chris

Stevo12 · Jan 16, 2017

GLI Dan said:
I'm not sure if this is a suggestion; you may have missed it, something was purchased.

That said, I did have a chance to get acquainted with a BRZ recently. A co worker owns one, automatic unfortunately. Honestly a great little car that is a lot of fun but wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted more power and more comfort; basically I wanted a Grand tourer whereas the BRZ is a small sports car. I will also say that the car is certainly not underpowered, it would just be a hell of a lot more fun with an extra 30hp/30tq at least.

The Grand Tourer vibe is exactly how I'd describe my best friend's E92 M3. While it's got an intoxicating exhaust note and once you get the revs up, the speed just keeps coming, there's nothing like the freight train sensation you get with the N54/N55 motors. Great for a point-and-squirt type of traffic situation.

Enjoy :thumbup:

GLI Dan · Jan 18, 2017

Small dilemma: to tint or not to tint?

Both of my previous cars were black on black. Tint here in Florida with such color combination is a necessity in my opinion, it just so happens that dark windows on a dark car also look good. I prefer the relative privacy that tint affords as well as its cooling abilities to no tint and on my prior two vehicles there was no question.

However, with the white I'm not so sure I like the darkened window look. Coupled with the fact that these windows seem to have a pretty decent UV coating built in, tint isn't really necessary. I still enjoy the privacy however. So I am contemplating the mirrored tint but am concerned it will look ricey. I think it may work because it is a lighter color that will flow with the white but I have not been able to find any examples on an E92.

Thoughts, suggestions, pictures?

Seabird · Jan 18, 2017

Lexus used to do a flat silver tint on the RX300 and 350 that looked good to me. Just enough opaque metallic hue without looking too blingy or odd. Looked especially good on non-colors like silver, white, and grey. I could never find anything like it on the aftermarket, though.

EDIT: Here's a pic. Looks like ass on that crappy wheat gold color, and the rear windows are much more obvious. Almost looks like someone is hotboxing the backseat. :laugh:

DrewSXR · Jan 18, 2017

How does it ride? I always thought those particular wheels were one size too large for the E92.

Is it running 30 or 35 series tires? Looks kind of scary if you hit a pothole.

BTW, tint for sure. It will protect your interior, especially in FL. Tint looks fine on white/white.

I say no to mirror tint though.

It's finally my turn; Potential new car purchase on the horizon...suggestions?

PlatinumGLS

GLI Dan

Elite_Deforce

GLI Dan

6cylVWguy

GLI Dan

B20VTEC

puma1552

PlatinumGLS

GLI Dan

puma1552

Avus

GLI Dan

SCHWAB0

GLI Dan

Crispyfritter

Stevo12

GLI Dan

Seabird

DrewSXR

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