New DD or BMW?

[Starwalker]

I say, forget the 3 series.....unless its the 335i....

I just test drove the latest 6 series convertible yesterday and X6, both cars were simply AMAZING. Can't wait to get my hands on one. Car taxes in Singapore are a killler...its almost USD 300,000 for a 640I convertible.....and the 3 series is about USD 250,000. Insane.

Get the Day-Date, over a normal 3 series...owever if you're looking at BMW's with bigger engines......I say get the Beemer.....and on the option's list...tick "head up display" its realllly cool.

[Mrdi]

You can drive a fine car wearing a Daytona, BMW included. If you have not had a fine car yet, that should be next on the list, while your reflexes are still prime.

[SkyKing31]

[QUOTE=Ski Dweller;2646259]This is why BMW targets people in their late 20's to early 30's. they have disposable income, are impulse driven, need to rise above the crowd of sycophants, and don't know better. A BMW spends more time in the shop than your garage. However the same can be said for Mercedes lately.[/QUOTE

I dont care for mercedes

[SkyKing31]

Originally Posted by Paracentesis

If this was in fact true, do you think BMW and Mercedes would still be in business? In my opinion, people who buy gold Rolexes have completely missed the point about Rolex.

It's all about what the person likes .. I for one am glad that we all dont like the same things .. the world would be boring

[vmm]

While the 335 is fast, it doesn't come with a dual clutch transmission unless your ready to row for yourself. I've known 3 people who have the fuel pump issue with that engine and one of them sold back his car as the pump failed 4 times in 3 years.

There are deals to be had on the new M3 (e9x). It's a brilliant car but gas guzzler with the V8. It's never really had the fanatical following that the prior e46 had. I'm partial to the e46 though they are expensive to maintain. The e46 M3 may have similar performance to the 335i but is far more raw and enjoyable to drive. The SMG transmission has problems, and a subset of the the M3s have issues with the subframe. They can be had for reasonable prices with slightly higher mileage.

Can't do the Lexus or the Mercedes as I can't stand the slushbox.

A good CPO car at the right price point and you can get a stunner and have money for the watch. Best of luck.

[speedo]

i'd have to be very rich to waste my money on a new car losing its value in few years. my priorities in luxuries would be traveling, watches and somewhere very far cars though i dearly miss my alfa spider on sunny weekends.

i don't understand the point in buying multizillion hp engines in a country where legal speed limits are stricter than anywhere in the world. have you ever needed the difference between a 328 and a 335?

i agree with those who suggested buying a ragtop for weekend fun no matter what brand it is.

so i'd go with a convertible for the weekends and a second hand dd.

[007bond]

Dear DCGuy, please consider a CPO Porsche Carrera. It's engineered for performance and the quality is best. Will be more fun to drive on a daily basis/weekends than anything else. Bimmers are money pits to repair and maintain as everyone agrees. Porsche is more exclusive and holds value. Porsche is the Rolex of automobiles, IMHO. When you're done with it, you'll get your money back to buy the DD.

[blackmsport]

Originally Posted by speedo

i'd have to be very rich to waste my money on a new car losing its value in few years. my priorities in luxuries would be traveling, watches and somewhere very far cars though i dearly miss my alfa spider on sunny weekends.

i don't understand the point in buying multizillion hp engines in a country where legal speed limits are stricter than anywhere in the world. have you ever needed the difference between a 328 and a 335?

i agree with those who suggested buying a ragtop for weekend fun no matter what brand it is.

so i'd go with a convertible for the weekends and a second hand dd.

Don't buy new

Buy used 20kkm lets someone else pays for depreciation

[speedo]

Originally Posted by blackmsport

Don't buy new

Buy used 20kkm lets someone else pays for depreciation

i bought my wife's car with 50k, looking like new and for one third of the original price.
bought mine with 25k for one third of the original price as well.
that is why i said that i'd need to be very rich to buy new.

[travisb]

Will last far longer and be more meaningful in the long run in my opinion.
Sure, if well taken care of the car will surely last a long time. I look at the watch as something that can stay in the family forever. Plus, you don't have to keep it in the garage..

[Starwalker]

Originally Posted by DCGuy1965

Good Day to Everyone,

My oh my looks like an interesting topic of discussion. I truly appreciate all the responses and thoughtful insight. Basically I have been researching the 3 series models and was leaning towards the 328 since 335 is a bit much (turbo, fuel pump issue, etc) and the best part of it is the luxury of knowing it's only a want and no sense of urgency to spend the cash if the deal is not right. However I must say in the DC area the dealers are complete jerks to deal with. I was able to strike a good deal on the Civic when oil was 130+ per barrel back in 2007 but these BMW folks are very cocky on their brand and basically tell me sticker or beat it. Fair enough so I walk.

Bottom line is I've been a religious saver for a long time and I will admit there is a bit of pent up demand. At 45 I'm fully aware life can be unpredictable and putting off an achievement type of purchase to celebrate accomplishments while prudent can also lead to regret. I will continue to look for a deal on a nice pre-owned DD on the forum but they definitely don't come up as often as the sport models. I may reach out to DavidSW again since I bought from him before. As for the car, the right one may or may not come along but until I see "the one" I will continue to look as it is half the fun.

You might find "the one" sooner than you think, wait till August 2nd.

[Oyster1982]

I would either buy a 2006 Lexus LS430 and a DD, the 2006 was the last year LS I dont like the LS460 it doesn t have the same quality of the LS430. With all the money you save on depriciation you can buy a DD.

[Ski Dweller]

Originally Posted by Paracentesis

If this was in fact true, do you think BMW and Mercedes would still be in business? In my opinion, people who buy gold Rolexes have completely missed the point about Rolex.

This is EXACTLY why they are still in business. Younger people with new money mindlessly buy rapidly depreciating status symbols. As they age, they learn to buy APPRECIATING status symbols. That knowledge earns them the respect of their peers, and in turn earns business from their peers.

On to your second point: Rolex makes gold watches. Let's play a game with your statement: "In my opinion, people who MAKE gold Rolexes have completely missed the point about Rolex". Thus, you suggest that people who buy gold Rolexs have "missed the point", but Rolex makes watches to SELL, which they do. Who is missing the point? I see many gold Rolex watches in my neck of the woods. Not so much on the two tones, except for the tourists. I also see white gold and platinum instead of SS. I own the pauper's watches but I'm a blue collar guy at heart.

[Caraptor]

I will add that I was once specifically advised against the purchase of a BMW by a former longtime BMW salesperson. She said her clients were constantly bringing their cars back in for problems. I think the lease option others have recommended seems like the way to go when it comes to BMW. So I'm not advising against BMW, but long-term ownership seems risky. Plenty of other options out there that are still fun. I know BMW is the "Ultimate Driving Machine" but a lot of the tangible difference it between it and other contenders in the luxury sport market only comes out on the race track.
Personally, I would still look for a way to get the DD AND a less expensive fun car. Believe me, I understand the pull. I was BMW obsessed for years, but I think I'm getting too practical these days! I'm not sure if BMW meets my fun-to-annoyance ratio requirements these days.

[Dr. Robert]

Oh lord, won't you buy me a mercedes benz............

[Ski Dweller]

Originally Posted by rolio

In this economy, SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Save? In what currency? Those I know who "saved" in USD have 30% less in under two years versus several major currencies. Heck, the NZ dollar is up 50% against the USD in three years.

[Ski Dweller]

Imagine if you had to have your Rolex sent to the shop and serviced every three months like you'll do with the BMW. Would you put up with that? There are much better status symbols out there in the auto world. The history of the brand is rather distasteful but I digress.

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by Ski Dweller

Imagine if you had to have your Rolex sent to the shop and serviced every three months like you'll do with the BMW. Would you put up with that? There are much better status symbols out there in the auto world. The history of the brand is rather distasteful but I digress.

BMW must be sending their lemons to the US.

I haven't had a single issue with mine that is now eight years old and has 130000 km on the clock, and I don't know anyone else who has had any major issues either.

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Oh lord, won't you buy me a mercedes benz............

My friends all drive Porsche's,... I must make amends .......

[bayerische]

Hmmm, I sort of have the same problem...

I would like a BMW Z4 M, but if I was to get it, it means putting any 6 months future Rolex purchases on ice...

But it might be worth it.

[blackmsport]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rolio
In this economy, SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

is that a catch 22

The economy is bad, consumers worry and save save save

=> noone spends ... manufacturing down = > economy gets worst

etc...

should we spend when economy is bad to stimulate the economy !!!!

[cwru32]

please let us know of whatever decision you would make. and add some pics!

[jms_w]

[QUOTE=SkyKing31;2646612]

Originally Posted by Ski Dweller

... A BMW spends more time in the shop than your garage. However the same can be said for Mercedes lately.[/QUOTE

I dont care for mercedes

Maybe I've been lucky but so far, my BMW's have never been in the shop more than a day at a time. My last BMW I kept for 7 years. Other than maintenance (oil changes and service I & II), it's been in the shop for less than a week TOTAL! My current one I've had for just over a year and it's never been in the shop for anything other than oil changes. I can't tell you how many times my Dad's and Mom's Benz's have been in the shop. I would never buy a Mercedes.

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by DCGuy1965

Greetings Fellow Rolex Enthusiasts,

Been quite a while since l last posted or even been on the forum. I must say I'm deeply saddened by the loss of JJ and hope he is able to wear whatever watch he wants in Heaven .

Anyway, I'm at the age and point in my career where it's time for that mid-life crisis type of decision. I stopped by my AD the other day and tried on the DD 36mm in white gold with gray stick dial and was hyper ventilating at how pretty it looked. I've always loved the Presidentials and have wanted 1 ever since the 80's when I discovered the Rolex bug.

I've also been thinking about my first real nice car as a weekend toy type of thing. People have told me a car is more practical but the watch has its advantages as well (no personal property tax, regular maintenance, wear and tear, etc.). I can only afford 1 of the 2. Car would be a new 3 series. Always wanted one of those as well. Got a nice collection so far but the DD would be the ultimate uber dress watch. What say you to this dilemma? Thanks.

Get the BMW, I have leased 3 of them. They're amazing cars.

[gregmoeck]

get a 328 they have the best engine for long term durablity, the seats are not that comfortable and they come w/ run flat tires which i recommend changing immediatly to regular tires, it creates a better ride and better handling.

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by Ski Dweller

The history of the brand is rather distasteful but I digress.

Really??? Care to expound on that?

[BeekerMuppet]

Go for the watch. It will keep value better and you can have it with you 24/7 if you want to

[watchmasteruk]

My 2 cents (pennies) worth... Go for the DD and BMW.... Buy a used BMW not new. Stay away from main dealers. For me its buy and not lease.. Buy at 2.5 to 3 years old and dont get carried away with emotions stick to your price. Sell after 18 months and your depreciation will be next to none (at least the case in the UK) I have done this for years and ran many cars. Currently have 335i MsportA, no fuel pump issues as we are in the UK and this is mainly as US problem due to low fuel octane levels. Also tried Audis, Mercs which have been unreliable. Had one Lexus but not for me - reliable but not exciting.

[ptugolf]

"Ultimate Driving Machine" is for the first 3 years. I called mine a "Christmas Tree". All the dashboard lights were on like a Christmas tree after 3 years. That's just my experience anyway. I would go for the DD and get something else.

[NYC6]

Buy a 135i and save 5K or so on the price of a 335i. You get the same engine and drivetrain in a lighter, tighter, smaller better handling package and a nice lump of cash saved for the watch purchase. Heres my 2010 135i with Submariner.