Easy BMW 328i Question

Kinja'd!!! "PyramidHat" (pyramidhat)
07/29/2015 at 23:09 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!2 Kinja'd!!! 10

Hi Folks -

OK, so the BMW dealer in SF is advertising a lease of a 328i (with heated seats and Walnut Burl Ives trim, or some such bullshit) for something ridiculous like $159/mo. Yes, leases are stupid, I drive more than 10K/year and I really have no intention of doing this. But I’m entertaining the thought because it’s hot, the A/C in the Volvo isn’t all that great, and I’m bored. Also, I know that I can do some light Googling and get the answer, but I haven’t posted here in a while and I miss yous guize.

Now - a co-worker used to own an E46 Wagon which she got rid of because it was complete crap (or so she said), stating that you could find out where she lived by following the trail of parts that fell off. Regardless, she postulated that this was because the E46 was not built in Germany, but somewhere else (US? Mexico? Antarctica?). Any validity to this? Are the F30’s made in Germany, now? Will Tavarish tell me that for the price of a new F30, I can buy a used 987, but it will eat me alive in maintenance costs? Bueller? Bueller?


DISCUSSION (10)


Kinja'd!!! Party-vi > PyramidHat
07/29/2015 at 23:17

Kinja'd!!!2

Parts don’t fall off of cars that are maintained properly. She bought what used to be a $35k car, the equivalent of which goes for the mid-$40ks today. Lease something more economical - the 328i is nothing special in lease form.


Kinja'd!!! sm70- why not Duesenberg? > PyramidHat
07/29/2015 at 23:19

Kinja'd!!!2

Our X3 is made in South Carolina. You honestly can’t tell the difference, because it doesn’t exist.


Kinja'd!!! AM > PyramidHat
07/29/2015 at 23:26

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I really don’t even think there’s a difference, my Jetta was made in Mexico and wouldn't be any nicer if it was from Germany.


Kinja'd!!! Logansteno: Bought a VW? > PyramidHat
07/29/2015 at 23:26

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I'm about 99% sure all 3 series imported to America are built in Germany. In fact, I'm pretty sure the 3 series plant is attached to the BMW Welt where you do euro delivery.


Kinja'd!!! AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > PyramidHat
07/29/2015 at 23:56

Kinja'd!!!1

Found this from a quick google from e46 fanatics :

Q: Are all E46s manufactured in Germany?

A: All E46s except the 325i are manufactured in one of three production facilities in Germany. Some 325s (Sedan only) are assembled in South Africa.

Either way, your coworker sounds like those fear-mongering people who will blindly repeat that “all BMWs are maintenance nightmares” and that “if you buy an older one they all have electrical problems” while the problem lies with their inability to follow the basic maintenance schedule. Sounds like my mother’s coworkers. According to them, any car that isn’t a Lexus isn’t reliable or luxurious. Hilarious.


Kinja'd!!! pjhusa > PyramidHat
07/29/2015 at 23:59

Kinja'd!!!1

As a BMW fan (and owner), that monthly payment is WAY TOO LOW—even for a 320i! Expect to pay loads down. Not worth it.

Also, after one year so far, the F30 has been quite reliable. So no worries there.

Finally, U.S.-market F30s are built in two places:

- MUNICH, GERMANY

-ROSSLYN, SOUTH AFRICA

I special requested a Munich build, thinking it would be better, but on build quality ratings, the ROSSLYN plant is better than the Munich one. Bizarre world we live in today.

Well, hope this helps!


Kinja'd!!! Vicente Esteve > PyramidHat
07/30/2015 at 00:02

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Some F30’s are built in South Africa, but I doubt that any BMW was made in Mexico. They are just starting to build a factory.

Also my Golf is Mexican made and it is as solid as a rock, at the same level or better than a German made CLA or A3.


Kinja'd!!! Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > PyramidHat
07/30/2015 at 00:08

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I know that a friend’s F30 was made in South Africa. It was surprisingly beat for a CPO vehicle, but several complaints and return visits to the dealer seem to have straightened everything out. I haven’t heard of any problems with it in the last several months.

What sort of initial payment was required on that lease? How long was the lease for? I remember a friend taking out a 5-year lease on a Honda Prelude a few years back, and that sounded like the stupidest thing I’d ever heard of up to that point, but I suspect that that lease is a good one by today’s standards...


Kinja'd!!! PyramidHat > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
07/30/2015 at 00:29

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Don’t know the details. I want to say something like $4300 or so - I’m never going to do it, but just entertaining the thought for shits/giggles...


Kinja'd!!! Nick George > PyramidHat
07/30/2015 at 00:31

Kinja'd!!!1

I bought a CPO F30 328i last November and I couldn’t be happier with it. The warranty and included service is unmatched.