This is a start, not the end.

"Jimmy Tango" (jimcalliu)
07/21/2014 at 00:02 • Filed to: None

Update: Just got offered a loaded 328d Wagon by a local dealer. Every single checkbox on option sheet was checked. Not the color combo I want but I will reserve my judgement before seeing it in person. Will be another post if I (or the D) make it to the day we meet. Oh, don't even ask how much, the dealer website already marked it up 10% on top of MSRP (it's a MY14, mind you). It'd be interesting to see how much my CA would try to sell me for.

It's been too long that I lurk as an opponaut, and too late to the (posting) party. And today, I am going to show you some BMW configurator business.

You see, not every oppo-loving brands has the evil behind the configurator to make our brain hurt, yet my (family) situation plus the love to blue-white emblem is a difficult problem to solve like your calculus homework after long weekend.

Our situation: we are a young couple with an infant, mrs Tango isn't super savvy with tasks like parallel parking, and with safety in mind, we are pushing for most safety related feature; and for me, a shallow M poser, checked all the boxes to do with the M(agic) word.

First up: we like wagon...

In case your calculator is not working, that 's grand total of $59,925. Not sure I am dropping 60K for a 4 banger diesel wagon.

Act 2, well, if we go back to basic...

So no X drive, no wagonian, no diesel mind you, still brings the total to whooping $54,850. You gotta think, if I am really shell out 55~60k, I gotta get something back, right?

Enter 335xi...

It only cost $59450 . I mean, you are out 60k, mind as well get a 6 cylinder, amirite ?

So our conclusion is, if you really want a diesel wagon, you are paying more than a 335xi would cost. Now, if you are being cost sensitive, maybe 335i here (2k off Xi price) would be the most value in return. Unless....

Cheaper than a wagon! This 5 series, although there is no Estoril Blue or M brake or 441M wheel that makes me drool all over my desk, but headup display and leather are there without picking up premium or technology package. I will admit I skipped "Sport automatic transmission with shift paddles" and rear sunshade to make my point for the total to not exceed 60k (both option combine for MSRP $1075, which is likely less than a grand when all is said and done), but a comfortable 5 series can be have with M-Sport configuration, 240HP and 260 lb-ft torque isn't soft by any means, even compare with the diesel wagon's 180HP and 280 lb-ft torque or 335's 300HP and 300 lb-ft torque.

What say you?

DISCUSSION (35)

treesmakewater > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:07

i love wagons, but for 60K I would wait a few months and buy an Audi a6 with the 3.0 diesel. Just my opinion

ly2v8-Brian > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:09

My guess is the wagon is the best bet for long term family use. Otherwise 5 series is a great family car. The 3 series is fantastic, no other way to put it. To me the wagon would be better in non-xdrive, but that is all we get in the states. Also Esotril blue on all 3 series choices, good man.

Jimmy Tango > treesmakewater
07/21/2014 at 00:09

Not super intimate with Audi news, I take that A6 is coming out with diesel in NA market for sure?

AM3R > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:11

As a fellow BMW lover and an E90 owner: I suggest getting a fully loaded E90 335d M-sport. It'll be half the price of any of those and still be an amazing car.

catkam623 misses his 944 > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:11

this is confusing and I understand none of it however as a random stranger on the internet I fully support and encourage you to buy a nice bmw.

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:12

shoot me an email. I ordered a 2014 328i and can help a bit. nocturneaubergine@gmail.com

car in question.

Textured Soy Protein > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:14

I'm your huckleberry.

treesmakewater > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:14

they already have the diesel in the states, it's just that the base price for a diesel (according to my local dealership) is 60K. The waiting is for a sesonal sale.

Jimmy Tango > heliochrome85
07/21/2014 at 00:15

European plate! Did you do a ED? My plan was to document my journey to ED, would love to hear your story!

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:15

yeah. i did. Wonderful experience. lets talk.

Jimmy Tango > catkam623 misses his 944
07/21/2014 at 00:16

Judging from your posts here, we can be friends once I make the B to P progression. :)

Jimmy Tango > AM3R
07/21/2014 at 00:18

Other than carbon build up problem makes me frown a bit when I lurk on bimmerfest forum, you bet I am keeping alerts across multiple sites on E90 335! The cargo space is an issue though, but I do love me some inline 6 (coming off the sweetest ride in my life of e46 330ci )

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:19

Frankly, the 5 series looks rather beige...I'd have to go with a sedan....335i. HP and why isn't there a manual option..

treesmakewater > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:21

they are 58-68K in my area depending on how you want it specced out.

JGrabowMSt > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:22

Just get the D!

One of my girlfriends neighbors has one (328d wagon, white) and it's so goddamn sexy. I'm not a fan of BMW at all, but I can be coerced quite successfully with a sharknose, 2002, or D wagon.

Jimmy Tango > Textured Soy Protein
07/21/2014 at 00:22

yeah, the GT. We decided the shape wasn't really for us. We respect the folks who owns it and one of 3GT owners told me it was very smooth and quiet cabin as a 3 series. I appreciate that part, but not really a fan of dat ass. Also, after checking those safety features, 3GT would be over 60k by a mile.

catkam623 misses his 944 > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:22

you're on oppo were already friends just don't tell anyone I prefer Mercedes

AM3R > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:24

My 328i has made me fall in love with the inline 6. If you want a reliable wagon, check this out! Can't go wrong with an E91 328i. I can personally tell you that the 328i is very trouble free.

http://m.autotrader.com/vdp.html?id=37…

Jimmy Tango > treesmakewater
07/21/2014 at 00:25

Gotcha, likewise, I am eyeing 2015 model and do a custom build for european delivery next spring. But A6 d wagon is probably a better buy than 3 d wagon, if I weren't so in love with the emblem.

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:26

I just specced out my car as a 2015. Apparently BMW has increased the price by about 850 from what my sticker was. Interesting.

Jimmy Tango > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)
07/21/2014 at 00:29

There is a $0 manual option. Just that this car won't be driven by me only. Sometimes the car takes the backseat to the girl you love.

treesmakewater > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:29

i like Audi and BMW, now mercedes i dislike most of their cars. I like Audi's styling better. As far as driving, I've only driven my 4.2l a6, and a M5 so neither can really help compare :/. I do know that Audi's insurance tends to be lower (parts are a little cheaper to get).

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:32

id avoid the 328d. the 328i is where you wanna be in the wagon line.

Jimmy Tango > JGrabowMSt
07/21/2014 at 00:34

I'd suggest you look into e46, although I am not sure if there was d wagon on e46 platform in NA market.

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 00:41

it only appeared in the E90. The F30 has a 328d with a 2.0l Turbo diesel.

duurtlang > heliochrome85
07/21/2014 at 04:48

That late? No E36 Touring in the US either? It seems I'll be able to ship 25 year old 3-series Tourings to the US for a lot more years than I had expected.

JGrabowMSt > Jimmy Tango
07/21/2014 at 10:20

Nope. But I'm not really a fan of BMW. Basically those three are the only ones I like. The e46s aren't that appealing to me. My best friend in high school had one (no idea what model), and he never had a problem with it. Not sure if he still has it or not, haven't seen him in a while.

Either way, I guess the only other BMW I'm a sucker for is the M1 V12. Most BMWs really just don't appeal to me. The M6 V10 is alright, but still not really there yet.

heliochrome85 > duurtlang
07/21/2014 at 12:48

i don't think so?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jimmy Tango
07/23/2014 at 08:58

My boss had major issues with his 335d - seems like his car was in the shop for months waiting on parts.

Jimmy Tango > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/23/2014 at 09:57

Thanks for sharing! Would love to know more detail yet this may be a delicate matter for you to approach. My current plan is if I go with diesel it would make more sense leasing (offset diesel premium whilst better mpg) and swap diesel for gas version due leasing end.

Jimmy Tango > heliochrome85
07/23/2014 at 10:00

I guess my email got caught in your spam folder. It has happen to me before, if you want to check real quick.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jimmy Tango
07/23/2014 at 10:05

If you're going for a lease, would it be a 328d, then? That's a different motor and new platform, so it may not have any issues that the E90 335d had.

Jimmy Tango > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/23/2014 at 10:17

I am. And I certainly hope for better reliability on F30 platform. I love fix my e46, but man, those time could be used for other things in life, driving it for one.

I test drove one (no M-sport though) and put it into sport, other than a tad more cabin noise (believe or not e46 was superb compare to F30) and lesser road feedback, I pretty much forgot I was driving a 4 cylinder wagon the minute I am on the highway. Didn't test on a backroad so couldn't comment much. We will see if MSport makes a difference.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jimmy Tango
07/23/2014 at 10:31

Thankfully my car (E90 M3) has been pretty solid.

Best of luck on your choice.

heliochrome85 > Jimmy Tango
07/23/2014 at 14:36

I didn't see it! It totally got caught. I just replied.