[alex_alex]

A few months ago I had a pretty good set up...

Was driving a '97 A4 1.8T on a daily basis to deal with the 200kms round trip commute, and, I had an '03 Z4 3.0 in the garage to play with on the weekends. My wife has an '03 X5 4.4. We recently added a new addition to the family (baby daughter) and the Z4 really wasn't getting much use, just looked pretty as I passed it everyday. And, the A4 was starting to need attention so I sold both the A4 and the Z4.

My dealer and I are quite close, personally, and he put me into an '05 745i. Couldn't stand it! Not my car, didn't fit me. Too big, and not enough handling for me to get my sports car fix, it just wasn't for me right now. Maybe 20yrs from now, but not now at 33.

I really, really don't like the styling of the 5 series. It just doesn't do it for me. And, if I could get past the styling of it, I wouldn't want anything but the 545i (or the 550i). However, I can't justify paying more for a new 545i than a new 745i (with the incentives on the 745i available, it's less expensive than the 545i). Add to that my disgust for the iDrive system that you can't option out for the 5 series, and it's not going to happen.

My preference would be to do a 330i coupe, I love that car! That said, the '06 will be the last production year of that car, and there are no incentives given on a car that you know will depreciate like hell once they introduce the new coupe. And, given the sedan offers the extra power in it's redesign, the coupe doesn't make sense.

With no car, what do I do? As per usual, I start to consider the G35 (I do this every so often, attracted by the lower price and extra power). I must say, for '05 they've really cleaned up the interior. Very nice. And, still the best bang for the buck really. Back to the same issue though, it's not as refined as a BMW, you get what you pay for. However, I convince myself with the extra savings I'll settle for the G35 to use as the commuter car and buy another toy for the garage that I can stair at on my way out. I even did a deal on the G35.

I stopped into see my friend at BMW and there's a shiny black 330i ready for delivery. Hmmmmmmm. I'm much more attracted to the styling of the 330i over any 5series, that's for sure. I ask to take one out for a drive, and, there's the sporty handling I miss. I cancel the deal on the G35 and go for the 330i.

Here's the interesting point that I think BMW should listen to...
I'm a mid-30's type BMW driver with enough disposable income to afford a 7series but need to feel the power and sportiness of a 5. I'll take a 7 if you give me a silly price on it (which you did), but it wasn't a fit for me. I refuse to engage in your 5series line and have resorted to buying into your 3series. Is that where you want me?

I fear that if you don't present me with a product shortly much like the MB C55 AMG, you may loose me...

Alex.

[chrisbin]

Very good!
I guess the answer is going to be M3.................

[F32Fleet]

I believe BMW is places the 3 series owner in the $65k/yr income bracket.

[marcus330i]

I think the M3 or the much rumored 335 turbo should do the trick. Also you might consider the 550 with the ///M Aero kit....which basically adds the ground effects of the new M5.

You didn't really say C55 AMG......did you?????????

[alex_alex]

Originally Posted by Socom

I believe BMW is places the 3 series owner in the $65k/yr income bracket.

I'm in the $300K+/yr. range, so obviously I'm ill-fitted here. That said, I'm not spending $1500+/month [CDN] on a 550! There's just too much in the market at that range to consider!

Alex.

[alex_alex]

Originally Posted by marcus330i

I think the M3 or the much rumored 335 turbo should do the trick. Also you might consider the 550 with the ///M Aero kit....which basically adds the ground effects of the new M5.

You didn't really say C55 AMG......did you?????????

Do you think the new M3 will offer A/T Steptonic? Manual is just not practical for me (while I love to drive it, dealing with stop-and-go traffic makes it a real pain), and I can't stand the SMG option!

If you're looking for a RWD powerhouse mid size sports sedan on a A/T platform, what are your options right now other than the C55 AMG?

Alex.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by alex_alex

I'm in the $300K+/yr. range, so obviously I'm ill-fitted here. That said, I'm not spending $1500+/month [CDN] on a 550! There's just too much in the market at that range to consider!

Alex.

Sound like you're the ideal customer for an AMG. CL55 AMG maybe?

The A/T requirement is going to limit your choices somewhat.

[JVFan]

What do you do...if you don't mind me asking?

[fatass]

I think BMW would rather see you in a 5 series, but unfortunately you don't like what they are currently offering (style and packaging). Well, can't win them all, but at least they got you in a 3 series ^^.

[alex_alex]

Originally Posted by JVFan

What do you do...if you don't mind me asking?

Development (Real Estate).

[akmchan]

What about 6 series coupe....?

[obLu]

I'm surprised you're looking that downmarket at cars such as the 330 and the G35. If my income level even approached that, there'd be a whole new world of options available to me that I couldn't resist. Cayanne or E55 for family road trips, 997 for commuting.

But you're right no matter what the price range there's not an all round great car, they're all compromised in some way. Too small to fit family, or if they're big enough they don't handle very well (even the e60 doesn't handle very well regardless of the marketing hype), or in the case of Benz they're just monster motors in a sloppy car.

Maybe the rumored porsche 4 door will fill the gap?

[MCS]

With that long commute (mostly highway I assume) any car will do. I'd buy a good used car to take the depreciation hit. The X5 is the familymobile I assume.

Buy a M3 convertible as the 3rd car. It can fit a car seat in the back in a pinch and will satisfy your inner exotic and top down desires.

If you only want 1 extra car, then a lightly used 2003 m5 is the ticket. Later this year I think the new V10 m5 is coming shortly for around 90K US which would be about 115K Loonies?

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by alex_alex

Development (Real Estate).

Oh god ! You live in MD/DC area right? The song "Tiny Bubbles" comes to mind whenever I think of the r/e market in Mid-atlantic area.


Signed,

Your correspondent U/W.

[alex_alex]

Actually, BMW could probably have me in a 5 if they offered the same type of residuals they are on the 330i's (+60%). However, given that they haven't yet placed a residual on them (which is silly, given that I can order one today and take delievery in 45 days) and the 530i was introduced at 55%, I'm guessing they won't enter in for more than 56% which isn't high enough given a 7% rate on interest and a car that dealers won't discount much off of MSRP.

Alex.

[optionfans]

Originally Posted by alex_alex

If you're looking for a RWD powerhouse mid size sports sedan on a A/T platform, what are your options right now other than the C55 AMG?

had you think of Lexus GS450h?? it comes up next year and low fuel consumption

[alex_alex]

Originally Posted by obLu

I'm surprised you're looking that downmarket at cars such as the 330 and the G35. If my income level even approached that, there'd be a whole new world of options available to me that I couldn't resist. Cayanne or E55 for family road trips, 997 for commuting.

But you're right no matter what the price range there's not an all round great car, they're all compromised in some way. Too small to fit family, or if they're big enough they don't handle very well (even the e60 doesn't handle very well regardless of the marketing hype), or in the case of Benz they're just monster motors in a sloppy car.

Maybe the rumored porsche 4 door will fill the gap?

The Cayanne would be a consideration, but we already have an X5 in the family. 2 SUV's in one house doesn't make sense.

I've always "looked for the deal" when it came to cars, and that didn't stop as my income went up. I'm not opposed to getting into a higher end car (as I jumped at the 745i without even thinking), however I must admit that I did not like the feeling of showing up to a few places with it where prejudgments kicked in quick (a new client site, family dinners, even the office).

Maybe the Porche sedan is the answer. I know the 550i would do me just fine, but not at that cap.cost / residual / interest rate.

Alex.

[nawtyxes]

JBG, Spaulding, or neither

[MCS]

I don't get this thread. If there's such thing as a bipolar thread, this is it.

1st off, I know of people with much greater income and net worth that are driving 3 series or "sub-par" cars/brands. A hedge fund friend makes over 2 mill and drives a ford focus... So as to being on the wrong board, I doubt it. This board is for any BMW enthusiast.

2nd, if your so worried about getting the best "deal" out there, as I said in my previous post, buy a lightly used M5 and put the rest of the money in an investment, whether its your REIT or not. A 2 year old M series is going to have a greater residual in 3 years as a 5 year old M5 than any 3 year old new car you're going to find, or not find in the case of the 4 door porsche. Its still an imaginary figment of their product planner's mind.

Last point - If you want to take the plunge and buy a E90, great, if you decide to get a 545 or the upcoming 550. That's great too. They're different cars, however they both get you from point a to point b with a sense of fun, style, and if your foot permits it, spirited driving. :rocks:

Flame away!

[alex_alex]

Originally Posted by MCS

I don't get this thread. If there's such thing as a bipolar thread, this is it.

1st off, I know of people with much greater income and net worth that are driving 3 series or "sub-par" cars/brands. A hedge fund friend makes over 2 mill and drives a ford focus... So as to being on the wrong board, I doubt it. This board is for any BMW enthusiast.

2nd, if your so worried about getting the best "deal" out there, as I said in my previous post, buy a lightly used M5 and put the rest of the money in an investment, whether its your REIT or not. A 2 year old M series is going to have a greater residual in 3 years as a 5 year old M5 than any 3 year old new car you're going to find, or not find in the case of the 4 door porsche. Its still an imaginary figment of their product planner's mind.

Last point - If you want to take the plunge and buy a E90, great, if you decide to get a 545 or the upcoming 550. That's great too. They're different cars, however they both get you from point a to point b with a sense of fun, style, and if your foot permits it, spirited driving. :rocks:

Flame away!

A think a group hug is in order!

As a winter car I was driving a '92 Oldmobile Trofeo a couple of years ago. That went from point A to B...sometimes...

[stressdoc]

It is the high density of great people like Alex that make me regret not moving to Toronto when I had the chance. I almost laughed out my Fajita all over my keyboard! Good stuff.

[Agni]

Originally Posted by alex_alex

I'm in the $300K+/yr. range, so obviously I'm ill-fitted here. That said, I'm not spending $1500+/month [CDN] on a 550! There's just too much in the market at that range to consider!

Alex.

I think a CLS55 AMG would suit you, its got an godly engine, and is a new model(4door coupe) and everyone including porsche is copying MB.

So you can be one of the trend setters