[omasou]

The best time to sell a BMW is when the mileage is < 50K and still under warranty.

Check the BMW web site and study the prices asked and milage, this should provide an informed opinion.

When financing, I have found that at ~5 years. That I can purchase another car, pay off the old car, have a few thousand in equity to put toward the new car and save on sales tax. Win, win, win. If the financing > 5 years, e.g. 7 year loan monthly payments ~= lease payment.

The problem I have had with running the car into the ground (~120+) is thinking I will keep the car, I end spending a few thousand to fix things then the next expensive thing comes up a few thousand miles or 1 year later and I end up say enough is enough and sell wishing I had sold sooner and pocketed the few thousand in previous repairs. It's like trying to time the stock market. It doesn't work.