[M47]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and have a question for you f30 owners here. I'm an international student, just turned 18 and about to purchase a car in about a month. I've been looking at the 2014 328i for months now, Its the sportline with just the premium package and navigation with 7k mileage and is listed at 37k, just a little above my budget which is 35k and will be paying in cash, I don't really interested in the base or lux line because they just look too plain IMO. 1st question is how is the deal for you guys? is it good? I think its a bit expensive since it just has the premium pckg and navigation syst. I'm also looking at the 2013 Mercedes C350. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of mercedes, but I found a good deal, 2013 AMG-Line C350 (14k miles) with Nav, lighting, Multimedia and convenience package listed at 32k. And recently, my friends told me to look at audi a4 and Lexus IS250 also. For f30 drivers here: are you guys generally satisfied with your car? (I'm Guessing most answers would be yes ) and for the reliability, how reliable is the BMW F30? and my last dilemma is the C350 offers a v6 engine, but I can't afford the 335i and as for insurance, the BMW is cheaper than the C350. So guys, please help me decide which to buy, I need your view of the maintenance cost, features, driving enjoyment between the F30, C350, Audi A4 and IS250. Thank you in advance for your opinion and inputs!

[Mike_L]

Well, I guess I can answer this since I have experience with them all.
BMW - My personal choice. Best all around car of the group. Had loaner 328i's and 328d's, bought a 335 GT for more space and power.
Audi - Had a 2.0T as a loaner when I owned an A6. Didn't like at all. Felt cheap, felt underpowered, felt cramped, especially the footwells and back seat. I couldn't push just one pedal. My size 14s pushed the gas and brake at the same time.
Mercedes - Driven a C63, never a V6 version. Again, very cramped inside. The AMG version is STIFF. Also don't like the dash design. COMMAND is inferior to iDrive and MMI.
Lexus - My sister owns an IS250 AWD. Very underpowered, very tight front and rear. Wallowy. Old looking unless you get the latest version, which has the ugly Darth Vader grille and tacked on looking LEDs.

[fscuderia23]

also keep in mind that a 2013 C-Class would be a last generation car, whereas the 328 is current gen. In terms of V6 vs 4 cylinder, I've personally driven a 328i sport line, and it honestly is plenty fast. Another thing to think about is whether or not u have plans to modify engine wise. There are plenty of options for the N20 4-cylinder in terms of tunes and parts, and u'll most likely see gains exceeding that of the V6 in the C350, as turbo engines when coupled with a tune can make a good amount of HP and torque compared to stock. Also any reason why ur sticking to 2014 with the bmw? I think u might be able to find a 2012/2013 335i for around the same price! Either way tho, these cars won't disappoint. Anyways, good luck with ur purchase!

[M47]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

Well, I guess I can answer this since I have experience with them all.
BMW - My personal choice. Best all around car of the group. Had loaner 328i's and 328d's, bought a 335 GT for more space and power.
Audi - Had a 2.0T as a loaner when I owned an A6. Didn't like at all. Felt cheap, felt underpowered, felt cramped, especially the footwells and back seat. I couldn't push just one pedal. My size 14s pushed the gas and brake at the same time.
Mercedes - Driven a C63, never a V6 version. Again, very cramped inside. The AMG version is STIFF. Also don't like the dash design. COMMAND is inferior to iDrive and MMI.
Lexus - My sister owns an IS250 AWD. Very underpowered, very tight front and rear. Wallowy. Old looking unless you get the latest version, which has the ugly Darth Vader grille and tacked on looking LEDs.

Thanks for your response. Yes, the same with me, My best choice is still the BMW, I like the engine and the exterior styling. But for the interior design, Audi still has the best IMO. I also agree with you Audi is has the smallest hp and torque between the BMW and Merc. For the Lexus, I'm looking at the new one, the 2014 MY, and TBH I don't really like the front styling, but the back looks good for me. But I think Lexus offers the best value between the 4 saloons. you can get the full opt F-sport version for 35k, but less power than the BMW

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by M47

Thanks for your response. Yes, the same with me, My best choice is still the BMW, I like the engine and the exterior styling. But for the interior design, Audi still has the best IMO. I also agree with you Audi is has the smallest hp and torque between the BMW and Merc. For the Lexus, I'm looking at the new one, the 2014 MY, and TBH I don't really like the front styling, but the back looks good for me. But I think Lexus offers the best value between the 4 saloons. you can get the full opt F-sport version for 35k, but less power than the BMW

To me the A4s interior felt cheap. The Navi screen is puny and doesn't fill its housing right. The sunroof has a knob to open it instead of a button. The MMI knob is smaller and more dainty than the higher end Audis. It just didn't feel good to me. Didn't help that both Audi dealers I went to were incompetent and reminded me more of Chevy dealers than luxury dealerships. Personally, I won't be going back to Audi unless they improve their products and dealers immensely.

[pkancel]

I have had or driven all of the cars you mentioned to do a good comparison. Lexus, extremely nice car but gets very boring very quickly. Service on those cars also gets expensive. Audi, got rid of an A4 after a couple of years and went with the BMW 328i. While my wife and I both loved the Audi A4 2.0T quattro, it just flat out lacked power. I even boosted it with an ECU upgrade by Revo. While that helped, was still lacking power. Mercedes, in 2008 we had the C350 AMG sport Package. Great car as well but a little boring as well. Overall a great car but just not that exciting to drive. BMW 328i is our most recent after all of these and hands down beats them all. I am not saying that because we own it now. If we didnt like it, we would get rid of it. Ours is a 2012 and we like this one so much, I dont see us getting rid of it any time soon and normally we keep cars for about 2 years and then try something else. We bought this car and I'll likely keep it indefinitely. Handling, Power, Fuel Mileage, looks and overall fun, just cant beat it. Oh and no service cost. Again, not beating up the other cars because they all have their best attributes but the BMW has all of them.

[M47]

Originally Posted by fscuderia23

also keep in mind that a 2013 C-Class would be a last generation car, whereas the 328 is current gen. In terms of V6 vs 4 cylinder, I've personally driven a 328i sport line, and it honestly is plenty fast. Another thing to think about is whether or not u have plans to modify engine wise. There are plenty of options for the N20 4-cylinder in terms of tunes and parts, and u'll most likely see gains exceeding that of the V6 in the C350, as turbo engines when coupled with a tune can make a good amount of HP and torque compared to stock. Also any reason why ur sticking to 2014 with the bmw? I think u might be able to find a 2012/2013 335i for around the same price! Either way tho, these cars won't disappoint. Anyways, good luck with ur purchase!

Yes I'm fine with the last-gen model, but it has a v6 engine which is more exciting hehe, and I'm not planning to do any upgrades when I got my car later. Well I'm going to buy the car using my dad's money, and actually, he didn't allow me to buy used car and after explaining I can only get a new toyotas or hondas, he allowed me to buy used car. And another reason is the 2014 MY has the new redesigned iDrive syetem, with the touch screen knob thingy.. thanks for your inputs btw

[M47]

Originally Posted by pkancel

I have had or driven all of the cars you mentioned to do a good comparison. Lexus, extremely nice car but gets very boring very quickly. Service on those cars also gets expensive. Audi, got rid of an A4 after a couple of years and went with the BMW 328i. While my wife and I both loved the Audi A4 2.0T quattro, it just flat out lacked power. I even boosted it with an ECU upgrade by Revo. While that helped, was still lacking power. Mercedes, in 2008 we had the C350 AMG sport Package. Great car as well but a little boring as well. Overall a great car but just not that exciting to drive. BMW 328i is our most recent after all of these and hands down beats them all. I am not saying that because we own it now. If we didnt like it, we would get rid of it. Ours is a 2012 and we like this one so much, I dont see us getting rid of it any time soon and normally we keep cars for about 2 years and then try something else. We bought this car and I'll likely keep it indefinitely. Handling, Power, Fuel Mileage, looks and overall fun, just cant beat it. Oh and no service cost. Again, not beating up the other cars because they all have their best attributes but the BMW has all of them.

Yes same thing, I also think the IS250 and the A4 is really underpowered. the f30 is still my first option tho. The only problem is the f30 is slightly over my budget, not to mention the tax and insurance..

[Robbo McLaren]

Originally Posted by M47

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and have a question for you f30 owners here. I'm an international student, just turned 18 and about to purchase a car in about a month. I've been looking at the 2014 328i for months now, Its the sportline with just the premium package and navigation with 7k mileage and is listed at 37k, just a little above my budget which is 35k and will be paying in cash, I don't really interested in the base or lux line because they just look too plain IMO. 1st question is how is the deal for you guys? is it good? I think its a bit expensive since it just has the premium pckg and navigation syst. I'm also looking at the 2013 Mercedes C350. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of mercedes, but I found a good deal, 2013 AMG-Line C350 (14k miles) with Nav, lighting, Multimedia and convenience package listed at 32k. And recently, my friends told me to look at audi a4 and Lexus IS250 also. For f30 drivers here: are you guys generally satisfied with your car? (I'm Guessing most answers would be yes ) and for the reliability, how reliable is the BMW F30? and my last dilemma is the C350 offers a v6 engine, but I can't afford the 335i and as for insurance, the BMW is cheaper than the C350. So guys, please help me decide which to buy, I need your view of the maintenance cost, features, driving enjoyment between the F30, C350, Audi A4 and IS250. Thank you in advance for your opinion and inputs!

Save your money, buy a nail then spend $37k on partying!

[pkancel]

See your point, so why not look for a 2013 CPO loaded like you want? Drops the price and accomplishes the same. I dont recall there were changes between 13 and 14.

Originally Posted by M47

Yes same thing, I also think the IS250 and the A4 is really underpowered. the f30 is still my first option tho. The only problem is the f30 is slightly over my budget, not to mention the tax and insurance..

[smithf80]

Here, if you really are in the seattle, wa area:

http://cpo.bmwusa.com/certified/BMW/...3d72982d40.htm

That's an excellent choice, it has Sport line, lighting package, navi, heated seats, and it comes in under budget before negotiating.

I would hop on that because you don't see too many 328's with Xenons and in my opinion they literally make or break the car, looks 5000x better with them.

[FSociety]

To be honest look at the new Benz C-class (redesign model), Lexus IS 250/350 F-Sport model 2013+, or the bmw and compare prices, options, mileage but before anything watch reviews on youtube plenty of them and see what fits you best, then go test drive each

[spuntyb]

Never liked any A4 I've been in. The drive was too sedate, and I didn't love the (relatively) busy center stack. I am likely also in the minority in that I don't like MMI. It's too busy and slow.

[FSociety]

A4 has option for the APR chip

[KneeDragr]

IMO Lexus is more geared towards women, as far as the aesthetics. Mercedes, I cant get it out of my head that its an old mans car. I couldent see myself driving anything they sell. Acura is pretty decent, but they are overpriced.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

IMO Lexus is more geared towards women, as far as the aesthetics. Mercedes, I cant get it out of my head that its an old mans car. I couldent see myself driving anything they sell. Acura is pretty decent, but they are overpriced.

9 out of 10 3 series I see are driven by girls/women.

[KneeDragr]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

9 out of 10 3 series I see are driven by girls/women.

What does that tell you about yourself?

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

IMO Lexus is more geared towards women, as far as the aesthetics. Mercedes, I cant get it out of my head that its an old mans car. I couldent see myself driving anything they sell. Acura is pretty decent, but they are overpriced.

Thats what my friend said about the X3 (he was thinking base model) until he saw M-Sport pkg. I believe Lexus is geared toward a different class but the F-sport pkg redefines the look of it!

Originally Posted by 335BOY

9 out of 10 3 series I see are driven by girls/women.

Exactly, same with Benz C-class but I can say the same about BMW X5.
But the difference comes down to base (females) sport/trim lines (males)

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by KneeDragr

What does that tell you about yourself?

I feel pretty good about it . I don't drive a 335 anymore.

[nicknaz]

OP, are you open to older used car? If so, how about getting E46 or E9X M3 instead? You can even get an older Cayman S or Boxster S or Z4M for that money

You mentioned you are an international student, so I assume you will have to sell in a few years anyway, and I think you one of those older German high performance cars will hold their value better and also be more fun than a base model version (or even my F30 335.....)

Lastly, how about a C6 Z06? You can get an '06 version for $35k if you look around. Gas is cheapest in the USA, so when else will you have a chance to drive a 7.0L engine 500hp monster?

[kasher_khan]

Have experience with all cars as well and i would recommend the 328i hands down.

[M47]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

To be honest look at the new Benz C-class (redesign model), Lexus IS 250/350 F-Sport model 2013+, or the bmw and compare prices, options, mileage but before anything watch reviews on youtube plenty of them and see what fits you best, then go test drive each

The new C-class is off my budget and I'm also looking at the 2014 MY Is250