BMW people I want opinions!

"Anon" (tjsielsistneb)
03/30/2015 at 21:40 • Filed to: None

So this summer I think I'll be coming into a large amount of money, somewhere in the sum of $10,000. As such I've been doing what any gear head does when he potentially has a bit of money to be made. Looking at cars. I've been looking at some Carmax 2008 528i, with 50,000 mile waranty would come out to around $20,000. Now I would only need the car for two years and then I'll be going overseas. So I figure I would put a $2000 payment down on a 48 month loan, that would come to $350 a month and would pretty much have the car payments covered for two years. I would then sell it two years later for anything above $10,000 and make my money back. I think that would work!

So the real question. Is the 2008 528i the best way to spend $20,00 (including waranty, insurance for a 21 year old male [no amgs :(], tax title and license. So say $15,000-$17,000.) I need something primarily for interstate driving that's quiet and gets decent mpgs. Also needs to hold a value of over $10,000 after 2 year so no mustangs. So I'm between a 528i or an eqivilant e class. However I think 2008ish mercedes were still having electrical gremlins. Any advice would be most welcome!

DISCUSSION (33)

Steve in Manhattan > Anon
03/30/2015 at 21:44

Do you need 5 series size? In other words, would a 3 series do it? Or even a 1 series? Brother-in-law went from 7 series to a 1 series, with no ill effects.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Anon
03/30/2015 at 21:44

Kinja'd!!!

If you're only going to keep it for 2 years, get a beater. A used 5 is only going to lose even more money.

Joe_Limon > Anon
03/30/2015 at 21:46

Personally I would be putting that money toward any debt I currently have in order of highest interest. Even if that debt was "only" a mortgage

Anon > Steve in Manhattan
03/30/2015 at 21:52

I'd be fine with a three if it had the same suspension. Also 1 series are a thing to look at. The thing that drew me to the 5 series is that mostly boring people drive them and wouldn't hoon them, a 1 or 3 series, not as much.

Anon > Joe_Limon
03/30/2015 at 21:53

I have no debt, i go to a satalite campus of a state univerity and so I only spend around $6000 a year on it, which is managable.

Steve in Manhattan > Anon
03/30/2015 at 21:56

Excellent point about the hooning. Brother-in-law kept a 7 on the road for around 260K, then got a 1 series to commute - has a 6-speed MT so none of his kids can drive it. Peace on earth, goodwill towards commuters.

Manuél Ferrari > Anon
03/30/2015 at 21:56

E93 wagon FTW

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Anon
03/30/2015 at 21:57

The 5s generally do seem to be kept up well. I'd probably go with a 335 though for moar power (I have an 06 550)

Anon > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/30/2015 at 21:57

But I want something that's more fun than my pickup. Suppose I could also look at nb miatas and buy it outright.

Anon > Steve in Manhattan
03/30/2015 at 21:59

Damn! 260k has to be a new record on a 7 series!

Jonathan Harper > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:06

I think you should get something for 5k and save/use the rest for living your life. Why put yourself in debt when you have no need to.

Textured Soy Protein > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:08

I'm a BMW person, and I say no, for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with whether the 528i is a good car to buy in general.

When I was 19, I was so hung up on having a car, that I cashed out a bunch of money that had been given to me, to buy a car. But I was a broke ass college kid and I got in debt for other shit, and had to sell the car to pay off the debt.

I saw in another post that you don't have any debt, which is good, but you should look at what's a realistic amount of money to spend for your income, without having that $10k. Because the last thing you want to do with a chunk of cash like that is blow it on a depreciating asset like a car.

If you look at a car you can afford anyway , then you can do something smart like take at least a chunk of that $10k and invest it in something simple like a low-fee indexed ETF. It's not sexy, and you can't drive it, but hey, that's what I would do based on my previous experience at your age.

(And then when you're a 32 year old fart like me you can afford a BMW.)

Jonathan Harper > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:08

Sounds like you need an E36.

Flat Six > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:13

Assuming you dont have much other income, you will need to have somebody cosign the loan. The bank doesn't care about your extra cash because you could spend it all on Leica and anime without telling them. You also need money for maintenance and tires.

A 528 is a seriously classy car, so I approve of your plan if you can work out above mentioned financials! There is also fun to be had with potentially cheaper cars like a Mazda 6 or Infiniti G35/7 that would have similar performance to the 528.

Anon > Textured Soy Protein
03/30/2015 at 22:15

this is a good point. I really want a BMW but I could stand to make more if I invest it. Do I be responsible or get a kickass car?! I don't know!

Anon > Flat Six
03/30/2015 at 22:17

I would give the money to my parents and set up a fund just for it and not even have a card for the account. That being said I am going to Japan this summer, so it could all disappear! Lol

bob and john > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:19

why not a motorcycle?

a used ninja 250 is about 3000.
GOOD gear: 1250
lessons, insurance, register and everything... 5? k
+ you save SOOOOO much on gas.

and at the end, you can sell tht little 250 for 2k, and you have motorcycling skills!

Textured Soy Protein > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:22

If you want something sorta kinda like that, you could easily find an Infiniti G (or M if you look for a while) for $12k or less.

Anon > bob and john
03/30/2015 at 22:25

Kinja'd!!!

The ninja and cbr aren't really my style. I would however love a Suzuki TU250X! I would like a moto guzzi v7 but I think it would be a bit too much bike for my first. The TU250x has a similar style and only has a 250cc. Do you have any opinions on them?

bob and john > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:27

I think the class tht I took for my M2 is using those now.

good little bikes...hard to find though . Id still do a ninja, and maybe get a Brasse kit (link below) for a totally different look

http://31blk.com/products/31blk…

Anon > bob and john
03/30/2015 at 22:30

Holy shit! That's badass! I wonder how hard it would be to put on?

Montalvo > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:30

I will say 2008 is a good year for BMWs (personal experience), although they are a german performance luxury vehicle so they can be extremely schizo between those that are absolutely bulletproof and ones that are basket cases. Is it the best way to spend $20k? Probably not to be truly honest. These things lose value pretty quick although you are only asking to get $10,000 at the back end which you will more than likely be able to do. The ones that hold up their value the most are generally things like Subarus. You ever consider a Legacy 2.5 GT? 2008 was coincidentally my favorite year of it too. You get more stealth and even more power. 5 speed, 2.5L turbocharged goodness with 4 doors and a decent amount of airbags so parents are happy, insurance is happy and most of all you are happy. Bonus is that you can most likely save a decent amount of cash too which could go back into the car for performance bits or even some hoosiers for the track day bro!

bob and john > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:33

its not very hard at all. I saw it at the bike show a few years ago. its pretty much bolts off, bolt on.

kit is about 1600? plus shipping.

Anon > bob and john
03/30/2015 at 22:35

Well if I were to get a motor cycle I would definitely consider one of those with my kit. I could always dress as batman for holloween!

bob and john > Anon
03/30/2015 at 22:40

Bat man motorcycle suit WITH armor

Bat man helmet

All that, plus the bike and the kit....and insurance, reg, gas...yea your looking at about 10k.

and I cant think of a cooler way to spend 10 grand then THAT

phenotyp > Anon
03/30/2015 at 23:25

I had an 07 550, traded it for an 09 535. The 528s and 530s really feel like slow, heavy cars. The 535 (sport suspension, etc) is definitely the best compromise in my book, as far as E60s go. But, man, make sure whatever warranty coverage you get will cover a rental for the inevitable repairs.

Kevin Barrett > Anon
03/30/2015 at 23:50

Don't buy a used 5 series unless you can afford two.

FromCanadaWithLove > Anon
03/31/2015 at 00:08

You're better off with a E92 3 series, especially something 2008+ if you can fit it. It'll hold its value better. If not, a 2004-2006 E46 would do.

Arben72 > Anon
03/31/2015 at 01:10

335d is a fun option. 528's are a pretty solid choice though. Normal BMW problems, water pump at 80k and what not. Gl with your choice.

MultiplaOrgasms > Anon
03/31/2015 at 05:06

It isnt: '99 730d w/ 583k km (~350 something k mls)

N51fanatic > Anon
03/31/2015 at 07:35

528 can't get out of its own way

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Anon
03/31/2015 at 09:28

Like someone said earlier. Skip the 5er if yPi won't be keeping it that long and go with a 335. Honestly though I'd just purchase something in the 10k price range of you'll only keep 2 years.

TotallyThatStupid > Anon
03/31/2015 at 11:16

If you have $10k cash to spend, why not get a nice E28 or E34 5er? You'll spend way less on both purchase and maintenance (if you buy right), stay out of debt, and if you keep the car in good shape likely get all of your money back at the end. Indeed, with the nutty way analog BMW prices have been going, you may even make a few dollars.

I'm a BMW guy, and there's just nothing compelling about an E60 5er. I just can't care about them. My opinion, sure, but they will never be classics.