E90 320 or 320LCI

[thunderbird]

Hi all, i'm looking at a E90 320i 07/08 car, clocked 7000km and asking for RM180k. I would like to seek your expert opinion as how does the deal sound. I''m also thinking if i should wait for few more months, i think soon there will be some LCI model coming into the second hand market in similar price range. Please advice, thanks!

 

[BMWs]

Hi all, i'm looking at a E90 320i 07/08 car, clocked 7000km and asking for RM180k. I would like to seek your expert opinion as how does the deal sound. I''m also thinking if i should wait for few more months, i think soon there will be some LCI model coming into the second hand market in similar price range. Please advice, thanks!

Is this car BMW pre-owned? if it is then sounds like a good deal. if not then better get an expert to check on the body work for knocks.

 

[thunderbird]

thanks, will find out.

do you think if there's big difference between the 320i and LCI model, worth waiting few months more?

 

[valkryie]

thanks, will find out.

do you think if there's big difference between the 320i and LCI model, worth waiting few months more?

Why don't you ask the dealer for their pre own selection and also ask them to inform you whenever they have a sales. Check out the various options before deciding.

You maybe able to get some pre-owned 320 LCI with good interest rate. But not all pre-owned cars qualify for special interest rates. Usually those with the unpopular colors and model qualify.

Also you have to pay higher interest for used 07 car. My sales person told me that 09 preowned cars still qualify for new car interest rates but I am not sure how accurate is that assertion.

 

[saat]

320 LCI was only launched at the end of 2008. The prereg 320 LCI best price is 227K.

There is no "good" interest rate. The zero interest is only for specific high end models only e.g. M3, X6 etc. The banks just raised the interest rate last month and so has Sime.

I don't think you'll get a pre-owned LCI near the 180K figure you got for the non-LCI 320.

You can wait and get lower for an early LCI but the premium is still about 20K over the nearest non-LCI for which you'll get new lights and bonnet. I'm not sure if there is any significant change in kit for the LCI

 

[safri]

AB Glenmarie was offering zero per cent interest rate for 320s at its private sale last week....worth checking out as they might still have the promotion. all the best!

 

[saat]

AB Glenmarie was offering zero per cent interest rate for 320s at its private sale last week....worth checking out as they might still have the promotion. all the best!

Sorry bro. There were NO 3 series offered with zero interest whether new, used or premium selection.

The zero interest was offered for a solitary M6 and certain selected 08 5 series from the premium selection range. There was an offer for zero interest for the first 4 years of financing and from the fifth year on there is interest and on the average it averages out to 1.88%/yr interest.

I should know I was there and came home with an order for a pre-reg 320 LCI for the misus.

Yes it was worth checking out but it was on invitation and the discounts is offered only during that weekend.

 

[safri]

Saat, I got the info from one of the salesmen who also told me AB managed to sell over 100 cars within 2 days. Now i know 1 of them was sold to you (or your wife)....

Sorry bro. There were NO 3 series offered with zero interest whether new, used or premium selection.

The zero interest was offered for a solitary M6 and certain selected 08 5 series from the premium selection range. There was an offer for zero interest for the first 4 years of financing and from the fifth year on there is interest and on the average it averages out to 1.88%/yr interest.

I should know I was there and came home with an order for a pre-reg 320 LCI for the misus.

Yes it was worth checking out but it was on invitation and the discounts is offered only during that weekend.

 

[thunderbird]

Thanks you all for the inputs. In fact, i'm also getting the car for my wife, just got a promotion lately.
I test drive the 325 model and i must say that was the nicest car i ever driven, however, it is way to high above my budget. I was also considering the Honda Accord 2.4L, has anyone driven the car before, does it have a better power than 320? In either case, i think we'll get something over the weekend.... any comment on Accord 2.4 vs B320i?

 

[thunderbird]

Thanks you all for the inputs. In fact, i'm also getting the car for my wife, just got a promotion lately.
I test drive the 325 model and i must say that was the nicest car i ever driven, however, it is way to high above my budget. I was also considering the Honda Accord 2.4L, has anyone driven the car before, does it have a better power than 320? In either case, i think we'll get something over the weekend.... any comment on Accord 2.4 vs B320i?

 

[saat]

I exchanged my 4 yr old 2.4L in Feb this year (for a Mini Cooper since I got the E90 325 in Oct08). It is a lot of car for the money. For many pax, the first remarks is "Wow, the back is spacious". It is an easy car to drive which I think is the biggest plus point. My son and dotter loved to drive it. The power to weight is good. It is one of the most reliable cars I've ever had. I have only had to change brake pads, brake disc and the battery. There are SC's everywhere. It is very comfortable for long journeys. There were many times when I practically drove the car on autopilot - without thinking and it get me home at the end of a tiring day. This is the biggest thing I miss about the car. The engine is refined. Its fuel consumption is very good but not city driving.

There are the following 4 negatives:

1. The beige leather seats and beige carpet. The are difficult to keep clean and the leather started cracking after 3 years.
2. Its width can be a little of a daunting when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces.
3. The engine is a wimp. It's acceleration is quite weak for a 2.4. Even an E46 318 can beat it.
4. The alarm and security system is useless. I got broken into and lost 2 laptops. They got in by breaking the driver side door locks. I heard that there were many similar cases.

At the end, it is not a BMW. It is an old man's car. Sometimes, I even feel embarrassed to be seen driving it. The acceleration is lazy. Its handling limits are low. It does not reward any attempt to drive it hard. It breaks away quite violently at the limit, it can be quite scary. But it's light weight does enable you to catch it, if you keep your head. I have skidded in the wet but managed to recover. So it will catch out an inexperienced driver. The driving proposition is very different. You actually have to mentally age when you drive it.

I hate the new shape. I think you're better off with a Camry rather than the new shape Accord. For that matter, I would rather go for the 2.0 Civic.

If I were you, get the 320i. You will not regret it.

P.S. My misus prefers her E46 anytime.
I sold it at half the price I bought it after 4 years. Same depreciation as my BMW. But the BMW seems to have better demand. A dealer says the demand for a 2.0 accord is more than a 2.4, simply because used car buyers can't stump for the higher price/insurance and road tax.

 

[Schwepps]

The Accord 2.4L is a good daily workhorse, but it ain't a BMW.

 

[thunderbird]

Thanks for sharing your experience, it really sort out my thought once and for all. now i can fully concentrate on the 320. i've 2 other questions: 1) does it make a lot of difference if the car was made in 07 or 08 but both registered in 08. I might have an option to pay extra $5k to get the 08/08 model in similar condition. 2) what is the warranty given by BMW, if it's two years if above 60k mileage and arguable up to 3years if it's under 60,000km?

 

[BMWs]

Thanks for sharing your experience, it really sort out my thought once and for all. now i can fully concentrate on the 320. i've 2 other questions: 1) does it make a lot of difference if the car was made in 07 or 08 but both registered in 08. I might have an option to pay extra $5k to get the 08/08 model in similar condition. 2) what is the warranty given by BMW, if it's two years if above 60k mileage and arguable up to 3years if it's under 60,000km?

1) The only diff is 07 is older stock and 08 is new stock. On the reg card it will say 07 Model and reg in 08 and thats why there a 5k extra for 08 Model and reg in 08. If you are a particular person then pay the extra 5k to satisfy your doubts.

2) 1st 3 years or 60k km, which ever occurs first, BMW warranties and maintains everything on the car including engine oil and filters.

 

[David Yong]

The BSRI is strictly 2 years or 60,000 kms whichever comes first. That is standard.

 

[BMWs]

The BSRI is strictly 2 years or 60,000 kms whichever comes first. That is standard.

Strange David, My car is registered Dec2006 and on April 2009 KM59k Ingress changed my rear brake pads (Balance reading 3k plus) for FREE.

 

[saat]

Thanks for sharing your experience, it really sort out my thought once and for all. now i can fully concentrate on the 320. i've 2 other questions: 1) does it make a lot of difference if the car was made in 07 or 08 but both registered in 08. I might have an option to pay extra $5k to get the 08/08 model in similar condition. 2) what is the warranty given by BMW, if it's two years if above 60k mileage and arguable up to 3years if it's under 60,000km?

There are differences in spec between 07, 08 and 09 (LCI) model year. I'll confirm it when I compare my sister's 07 model against my bro's 08 model. But if I were you I'll stump the 5K cos 1 year is at least 10K in resale value. It is the date of manf that counts.

I'll have to recheck the BSRI.

 

[Schwepps]

Actually all slightly off the mark my friends

New car warranty against manufacturing defects is 2 years. BSRI (BMW Service + Repair Inclusive) covering all service, maintenance, and wear & tear repair is 3 years or 60,000km, whichever comes first. BTW, BSRI specifically excludes oil top-ups, but someone said here that the policy has just changed.

BSRI supercedes warranty somewhat, so the warranty period/terms are not plastered all over the place like other cars. Pros and cons, IMHO, because BSRI is 'condition-based', and all sorts of caveats can be invoked. Under a straight-forward 3-year warranty, eg for Merc, you get 3 service coupons which you can use anytime you choose, and there's no argument when you take your car in to replace something that is underperforming.

07 and 08 model year cars are ASSEMBLED in 07 and 08 respectively, but in all likelihood, the components were all manufactured in 07. Mine is an 08 model, but I see most components are 07. The OEM tyres were even made in EARLY 07, more than a year before I purchased the car! Today's used car market is so bad that it probably doesn't make much difference, and the future for used cars looks bleak. So think in terms of ownership pleasure and look for feature differences between 07 and 08 for your decision.

 

[astroboy]

Yep! All slightly off including Schwepps..

There's a distinctive difference between warranty and BSRI.

Warranty is against manufacturer's defect such as upholstery peeling, rain gutter came off, components fell off by itself, electrical components kaput, oil leak, problem seals, ball joint or bushes and so forth and it covers a lot more things than BSRI, but a handful of wear & tear items like battery, tyre, exhaust system rust, absorber are having a much shorter warranty period like 12 months if not mistaken. The standard warranty period of our E90 is 24 months or 60k km which ever comes first. After which, technically you can't claim upholstery peeling or loose rain gutter.

BSRI on the other hand are very specific service items which include wiper blade, brake pads and rotors, engine oil and oil filter, spark plugs and I think the list ends there! and it covers 3 years or 60k km which ever comes first. So you have to be very specific on your claims.. and engine oil top up is not included. Not sure about coolant or brake fluid replacement though.. ATF and axle oil is Lifetime!

So if you have problem with your absorber, don't go and ask for BSRI, they don't cover that and when you rain gutter fell off after 24 months but before 36 months or 60k km, you can't claim but they still change your brake pad or rotor for u.

Steering lock error, cam sensor and door lock module are under warranty and not BSRI. So don't expect they give u 3 years coverage on that.

 

[Schwepps]

Too right astro! Except where do you see that warranty is 24 months or 60K? I haven't seen the km limitation anywhere.

The problem is BSRI is computer-based. Eg, technically they'll replace your brake pads, but on my service info it shows brake inspection at 80k FROM NOW, which means at 103k. Unless I tekan my brakes like crazy, I'll never reach it during my BSRI and the SAs have no leeway to add a human touch. As I've mentioned before, with my Merc it was all nod nod, wink wink, and I had RM30k+ worth of parts replaced by my SA just before warranty expiry. I can't see that happening with BSRI: experience has shown they're rather stingy and hide behind the computer records.