Getting a new car...

[whitestorm]

Hi guys,I intro myself in the newbie section recently but didn't manage to post my query here earlier. Am in the midst of scouting for a BMW. What I have seen and in my mind are:320i M-Sport (Brand new)Tested the car at Quill Auto and found the car not too bad. Just a bit slow on the pick up and like the M-sport goodies that comes with it. The SA there told me they can pre-reg the car to give me further discount & take the step-up plan with BMW Credit.320d M-Sport (Premium Selection - 2010)Saw the car at AB Glenmarie. Have not test driven it yet and I have read how powerful it is in this forum. Test driving it this Saturday. They priced it at 235k for these used 320d.325i (Premium Selection - 2006 model)This was priced at 188K at AB Glenmarie. No idrive. 1 year warranty from BMW. Test drive is also schedule for this Saturday. Thus couple of questions if you guys can help out.1. Is getting a brand new 320i pre-reg with the step-up plan sensible? I would need to pay it off big time on my 7th year which is a crazy amount of money. Or would be better if I get a 2nd hand/recond 320i?2. Is the 325i priced at market rate at AB? AM sure they would have jacked up the price. I only feel that I would have peace of mind getting the 1 yr warranty. But are there any 325i specific issues that I should take note of? They also asked me to take up a 5yr step-up plan which I was a bit hesitant since by then it would be a 9yr old car and how much can I sell the car off to even get some money back at all.3. The 320d looks really sporty with all the goodies in it. Really like it. Just not too sure of driving a diesel. Probably too entrenched with petrol cars. But is the price tag of 235K fair for these almost new cars? Or have they been thrashed by the BMW staff, refurbished then sell it off?Thanks in advance dudes!

 

[vish]

Thus couple of questions if you guys can help out.

1. Is getting a brand new 320i pre-reg with the step-up plan sensible? I would need to pay it off big time on my 7th year which is a crazy amount of money. Or would be better if I get a 2nd hand/recond 320i?

2. Is the 325i priced at market rate at AB? AM sure they would have jacked up the price. I only feel that I would have peace of mind getting the 1 yr warranty. But are there any 325i specific issues that I should take note of? They also asked me to take up a 5yr step-up plan which I was a bit hesitant since by then it would be a 9yr old car and how much can I sell the car off to even get some money back at all.

3. The 320d looks really sporty with all the goodies in it. Really like it. Just not too sure of driving a diesel. Probably too entrenched with petrol cars. But is the price tag of 235K fair for these almost new cars? Or have they been thrashed by the BMW staff, refurbished then sell it off?

Thanks in advance dudes!

hey bro i can help you out with question number 2, honestly for peace of mind, you just cannot go wrong with AB Glenmarie...honestly the premium selection cars are taken better care of than the new cars there...you get 3 years free servicing just as you would with a brand new car, they do a 75 point check on all cars and their entire stock has full service records...ill even go with you if you want, introduce you to the guy who sold my mum her car...these guys will take care of you like nobody's business...

as for the 325i?fun as hell but im sure you know that :burnout:

 

[nazrie]

Q1- the best person to answer is you as u are the ONLY one who knows your finances completely...and also personal preference lah.. if another person answers, it will be based on their financial standings..their earnings,method of earnings, other commitments , outlook,planning, etc..

Q3.Diesel is the sensible choice I guess. I have been driving a diesel since 2002. Luv it when u calculate the fuel consumption.. The only trouble about the diesel in Malaysia is the stigma it has on the Malaysian population's idea of diesel engines which is noisy,dirty,smokey! Mention diesel and straightaway the images of lorries and busses with black soot billowing from their exhausts enters the mind..and then the usual statement..."aiyaaaa..noisy la... dirty laaaa..smelly laaa..etc". Not in new engines though...even if it was, who cares... it is more fun..more fun on the pocket too.. and better for the environment as compared to petrol..it is more energy efficient.. Give it a try.. and after the first full tank finishes, I am sure it will put a smile on your face. In Europe, they say u are crazy for getting a petrol car. Almost all the cars I see on the road in Europe are diesel.. and I always , always insist on the 320D when I rent cars over there.. So, dont discount it until u have tried it. Especially if u are mostly gonna use it in urban driving, diesel fits the bill.

 

[vish]

i totally agree with mr prez, my friend's 520d does almost 900km on a full tank and its torquey as hell

 

[whitestorm]

hey bro i can help you out with question number 2, honestly for peace of mind, you just cannot go wrong with AB Glenmarie...honestly the premium selection cars are taken better care of than the new cars there...you get 3 years free servicing just as you would with a brand new car, they do a 75 point check on all cars and their entire stock has full service records...ill even go with you if you want, introduce you to the guy who sold my mum her car...these guys will take care of you like nobody's business...

as for the 325i?fun as hell but im sure you know that :burnout:

Hey bro, thanks for the advise! I didn't realise that is also comes with 3 yrs free service. The SA only told me about the 1 yr warranty. Would be great if you can intro the guy you dealt with. I dealt with this guy name Chong and a hot finance girl from BMW Credit.

 

[whitestorm]

Q1- the best person to answer is you as u are the ONLY one who knows your finances completely...and also personal preference lah.. if another person answers, it will be based on their financial standings..their earnings,method of earnings, other commitments , outlook,planning, etc..

Q3.Diesel is the sensible choice I guess. I have been driving a diesel since 2002. Luv it when u calculate the fuel consumption.. The only trouble about the diesel in Malaysia is the stigma it has on the Malaysian population's idea of diesel engines which is noisy,dirty,smokey! Mention diesel and straightaway the images of lorries and busses with black soot billowing from their exhausts enters the mind..and then the usual statement..."aiyaaaa..noisy la... dirty laaaa..smelly laaa..etc". Not in new engines though...even if it was, who cares... it is more fun..more fun on the pocket too.. and better for the environment as compared to petrol..it is more energy efficient.. Give it a try.. and after the first full tank finishes, I am sure it will put a smile on your face. In Europe, they say u are crazy for getting a petrol car. Almost all the cars I see on the road in Europe are diesel.. and I always , always insist on the 320D when I rent cars over there.. So, dont discount it until u have tried it. Especially if u are mostly gonna use it in urban driving, diesel fits the bill.

Understand where you're coming from on my Q1. But just wanna ask if anyone took the step-up plan and if it is more sensible than the conventional loan. Never had a hp loan like this before.

will definately give the diesel a try tmoro!

 

[vish]

Hey bro, thanks for the advise! I didn't realise that is also comes with 3 yrs free service. The SA only told me about the 1 yr warranty. Would be great if you can intro the guy you dealt with. I dealt with this guy name Chong and a hot finance girl from BMW Credit.

no problem at all bro, just realised how many times i spammed the word honestly haha...yup let me know when you are free, and i think i know which chick you're referring to, but having hot chicks on the team has always been a bmw thing :top:

 

[docrayboy]

Hey bro, thanks for the advise! I didn't realise that is also comes with 3 yrs free service. The SA only told me about the 1 yr warranty. Would be great if you can intro the guy you dealt with. I dealt with this guy name Chong and a hot finance girl from BMW Credit.

Premium selections 1 year warranty only bro.

 

[cklein]

go for 320d....more green...

 

[vish]

Premium selections 1 year warranty only bro.

i got 3 years free servicing too, and my warranty is one and a half years because it was first bought six months earlier

 

[whitestorm]

Test drove the 320D and I loved it. And after that I had to go test out the Golf GTI & Passat CC. Both also damn shiok!
Really confused now on which to get....decisions decision....

 

[docrayboy]

Test drove the 320D and I loved it. And after that I had to go test out the Golf GTI & Passat CC. Both also damn shiok!
Really confused now on which to get....decisions decision....

The Golf GTi is a driver's iconic hot-hatch, much praised-about in countless reviews and write-ups. You are 21 and this is the best time to drive one. Get the 320d in a few years then the Passat when you've settled down. Just my two cents worth of advice.....

 

[astroboy]

Try Sirocco also la! :top:

To me, simple. I hate FWD.. cannot buang the car in corner while continue to pedal..

Please don't compare FWD and RWD. Very unfair to FWD..

 

[BMWs]

FWD also can buang. Left foot braking. Right foot flat out on the peddle while the left foot slam on the brakes and jerk the steering wheel, hence will then throw the rear of the car.

Ask XXX, he should know.

 

[whitestorm]

The Golf GTi is a driver's iconic hot-hatch, much praised-about in countless reviews and write-ups. You are 21 and this is the best time to drive one. Get the 320d in a few years then the Passat when you've settled down. Just my two cents worth of advice.....

Errr...unfortunately, me no longer 21...wish I was though! LOL!
Turning 35 month end and this next car would be a present for myself. Most of my mates are trying to get me on the BMW marque saying that I should have a car that says "EXECUTIVE" rather than one that says "BOY RACER" - of cos with a Golf GTI, it would say a "SLIGHTLY MORE MATURED RICH BOY RACER"! LOL!

 

[sharp]

golf gti would be a 3rd car type for me

 

[vish]

Try Sirocco also la! :top:

To me, simple. I hate FWD.. cannot buang the car in corner while continue to pedal..

Please don't compare FWD and RWD. Very unfair to FWD..

yeah i totally agree, after test driving an E60 525i sport i find myself getting extremely frustrated when my accord understeers like an aircraft carrier around corners...

golf gti would be a 3rd car type for me

true, i think the gti just isnt practical for day to day use, at the very most it should be your second car...

 

[Ennui78]

Hmm. .......35, ah? Eh....what's all this kira kira with age versus Series Models? It's all about preference, the work you do(ca't be driving a Bimmer to the construction site! Unless it's an X5!LOL) and of course the most decisive factor....BUDGET!!

The E90 320i is the second UDM I have owned. It's underpowered but not to the point of frustration. I was driving the E66 before this. And while the first one had her share of issues, I doubt I will ever change to another marque or even, another model. I think I am a 3-Series Driver for life!

The 3-Series has impeccable handling and roadholding, sporty enough for an ahem, spirited drive when necessary(all Bimmers are capable of that anyway.... we called the E66 a sports car disguised as a limo) yet at the same time, is refined enough that you won't feel insecure when you drive into swankier hotel lobbies. It's also practical as an everyday car. Not something that could be said for the Scirocco nor the Golf.

The Golf GTI is a great car. My sis drives one. It's very good value for money for what you're getting. Heck, when you look at the Specifications Sheets, even the Scirocco & Passat CC might be even better bang for your buck. Not quite as confident in resale value or the speed you might be able to offload the car later on though. But you call me a shallow and insecure twat,....... when you see them parked side by side, I don't really care about the speed and all that other stuff.....a VW just doesn't do it for me lah. And I would never claim NOT to be image conscious.....I would be driving a dissimilar car today if that were so. When I see a 30-something year old guy in a Golf GTI, I think, "Pratt ...could've gotten himself a proper BMW but wouldn't..or didn't have to.". I of course, walk away gobsmacked when he tells me he already has the F10 for workdays.

At the end of this semi-bitter diatribe, I would say:...Get the 320d or the six-potter. I don't know what you are referring to when you mention a step-up repayment program but I do not suggest getting one of those balloon payment schemes whereby you pay differing amounts as time passes. Call me old fashioned but pay as much as you can possibly manage in the downpayment and work out the rest in fixed monthly installments; an amount that you are more than comfortable with. I don't believe in the, "Oh, I pay this much now, and I will be able to pay more in two years because my salary will be so much higher then".

 

[Morganl]

try Audi TT....

they are accepting bookings for their 2011 new stock now which comes with a 2.0 engine that can crank out 350 torque and 0-100 in 6 sec and it's just 2k more than the current TT (up from current 280 Torque 6.4 sec spec)... book now and get the car Jan/Feb next year..

It's 'Sport enough' for you and I guess it'll be equally 'Class enough' for you too... and if you can't hook up with hot chicks fast enough like IronMan, then the problem is definately not with the car...

 

[vish]

try Audi TT....

they are accepting bookings for their 2011 new stock now which comes with a 2.0 engine that can crank out 350 torque and 0-100 in 6 sec and it's just 2k more than the current TT (up from current 280 Torque 6.4 sec spec)... book now and get the car Jan/Feb next year..

It's 'Sport enough' for you and I guess it'll be equally 'Class enough' for you too... and if you can't hook up with hot chicks fast enough like IronMan, then the problem is definately not with the car...

unfortunately the presence of the R8 relegates the TT to the rank of 'chick car' :hmpf: wouldnt be caught dead driving one now, unless its an RS