[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

I'm in the market for a manual E92 325i.. and have gone and checked out the following two cars.
My criteria is pretty relaxed but the car MUST be manual. However now that I've seen the difference in professional nav and business nav, I'd really prefer a car with pro nav but wouldn't rule out a business nav.. so I guess my criteria isn't that relaxed :S... anyway

What do you think in terms of price/options/mileage of these two cars:

First car, asking $51,990 2007 model, 33,000kms, Space Grey, business nav, sunroof, that's about it more options, it might have xenons. been serviced once at 19,000kms and again at 33,000kms. good condition but bald tyres. Rego due very soon.



Second car, asking $49,990 2006 model, 58,000kms. Sparkling Graphite (which I love), PRO nav, sunroof, xenons, heated seats. Been serviced around 20,000km mark and 38,000km mark (so probably due soon...).



I'm pretty torn between a low km example or a slightly cheaper better optioned model in a colour I prefer. That said given that it needs a service soon it won't work out to be much cheaper...

I know everyone will have different priorities but what were yours when purchasing? And given you've all lived with your cars for a while, in the long run what would be more important?


Carsales link #1

Carsales link #2

[J325i]

The first car looks like it has xenons. Btw, it also has bald tyres. So the cost to replace the tyres for the first car will be more than or equal to the cost to service the second car. So it's now depend on whether you can live with business nav and your not so favourite color or not.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Yah it has bald tyres - but going to 19s anyway so not an issue for me.
Yep I guess it's down to the options vs colour vs mileage issue...

E9x owners, is pro nav, 20,000kms less and space grey worth a $3k premium?
thats what I want some opinion on...

[MFKN3]

I personaly would always go lower km's over one or two options. Condition of the leather is also a big deal for me - if it's been looked after the seats should still look new after 30-40,000 km with minimal wear and creasing.

Space grey I think is a more popular option, but sparkling graphite is also nice. Not sure what their true market value is, but it wouldn't hurt to make an offer...

I got my car privately for $15k below asking price

[cruvon]

Originally Posted by xsboost

..I got my car privately for $15k below asking price

whew, that's winner haggling skills

[s4008616]

If I have to pick 1 out of these 2 I would go for the first one for sure without thinking.
Just my 2c.

[bcoz]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

Carsales link #1

It looks like Carsales link #1 is no longer available for sale. I'm sure there will be others that fit your criteria.

In any case, it doesn't hurt to make an offer (at least 10% less than asking price, as most prices are inflated with that in mind).

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by bcoz

It looks like Carsales link #1 is no longer available for sale. I'm sure there will be others that fit your criteria.

Yeh you're right - car isn't listed anymore.

I guess I should just be patient, I'm starting to swing towards the lower k's car for my money.

[cruvon]

another thing you might like look at is your choice of wheel style/size or come a few months you would shell out a few thousands on those

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

The VMR V701s have been my top choice for a while now and I was 100% set on them, but now I'm considering something a bit lighter - either way I'll be getting different wheels/tyres on whichever my car is.

[V1_R]

1st one bro!!

K's trumps color evertime!! (unless its black)

Is the difference between Pro and Business Nav really worth 25,000Km's?

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by perth335i

1st one bro!!

K's trumps color evertime!! (unless its black)

Is the difference between Pro and Business Nav really worth 25,000Km's?

25,000kms AND $3,000 lol...

Yeh I'm starting to lean towards the 07 model with lower k's... but then it's more money and i'm already pretty stretched on my budget.

Alrighty I'll talk to the dealer and hopefully one of them will be mine soon

[johnnydad]

First car's bonnet isn't shut properly - has it been in an accident?

Space Grey is a newer colour than Sparkling Graphite and as such may date slightly better.

As for the cost, the asking price is not the price you'd pay - if I liked the second one and didn't mind the extra km I'd be hoping to knock them down several thousand below the first.

[kaishang]

Originally Posted by johnnydad

As for the cost, the asking price is not the price you'd pay - if I liked the second one and didn't mind the extra km I'd be hoping to knock them down several thousand below the first.

+1

+/-$3000 on a $50k used car is basically the same price allowing for negotiating margins.

Changing to 19" wheels and tyres is going to eat a lot of cash if you are price sensitive.

[Ninjaoz]

be prepared to negotiate..you'd be surprised how much you can save. we've recently purchased a spanking new 2010 E90 320i, managed to knock off $12.5k off the RRP from the dealer.

[kaishang]

Nice work, Ninja333!

Was it a factory order or was it on the yard?

[KC]

I feel a little jipped now having only knocked of $1.5k off the dealers price. Rear tyres needed replacing too but didnt realise how costly RFT would be till a quote today of $968. should have used that fact to help in the negotiations...a lesson learned.

I'm pretty sure those E92's were at Prestige Auto Traders 6-8wks ago when i was looking. Perhaps they will be willing to flex the price a little more in order to move the stock?

[MFKN3]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

Yeh you're right - car isn't listed anymore.

I guess I should just be patient, I'm starting to swing towards the lower k's car for my money.

To get a good deal and what you want, it may take a couple months and lots of negotiating. Particularly finding a decent manual.

Dealers prey on people that are impatient. If you remove your emotion and act disinterested in the car, the negotiations tend to go in your favour

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

Originally Posted by kaishang

+1

+/-$3000 on a $50k used car is basically the same price allowing for negotiating margins.

Changing to 19" wheels and tyres is going to eat a lot of cash if you are price sensitive.

Yah but I have my budget for the 'car' and then my budget for 'mods'. Can't stand driving a car that looks the same as everyone elses - definitely going to do rims, front lip, quad exhausts, headers... all in due time.

Originally Posted by KC

I'm pretty sure those E92's were at Prestige Auto Traders 6-8wks ago when i was looking. Perhaps they will be willing to flex the price a little more in order to move the stock?

Yah mate they are both at prestige auto traders - they've got lots of good stock. I'd recommend them aswell, got a good setup going.

Originally Posted by xsboost

To get a good deal and what you want, it may take a couple months and lots of negotiating. Particularly finding a decent manual.

Dealers prey on people that are impatient. If you remove your emotion and act disinterested in the car, the negotiations tend to go in your favour

Thanks for reminding me, I have been pretty patient so far, but at the same time, I'm sure there's this part of us that is super excited about a new car.
I'll talk to the dealer.