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Originally Posted by Bavarian
Guys thanks for the input. I think I was not clear though. The main reason for changing the X5 is not that it has 90000KM. I have no problem with this, and I know she will go many more kilometers problem-free.
It's just that people update their cars once in a while. So my main logic here is that this X5 will fetch a pretty low trade-in, even today. If I keep it for another year (usually keep them for 3 years total), then I will get a terrible trade-in value, also because the new-gen X5 would have been out.
Right now, on the market, this X5 is worth $39000-$42000. Somewhere in there. I'm getting it appraised this week - I'll let you know the exact digit. If I wait for the new X5 to come out, the trade-in value will automatically drop even more. I don't have the kind of funds to counter that and still have an X.
That's why I'm shuffling around now. I hope the picture is clearer now. I will have it appraised both by a BMW dealer and the Benz dealer, to see what the difference will be.
Plus there are two other very important factors in play here:
1) The money deal. My BMW dealer can offer me 0.5% less on financing, which is cool. Also since I've done business with them 2 times before, they can make a deal happen if we are both happy.
2) I've never driven an X5 with the SP. I can imagine that it will drive rock-hard like the old 330i, but what concern me is the sport seats. I would appreciate something "tighter" than the standard 8-way + lumbar I have now. But on the other hand, I'm not a small person, so I hope those sport buckets won't "lock" me in.
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I'm not sure I understand your logic. Trading in your X for another one WILL definitely cost you more than if you just kept it. Sure you will get "more" for trading in your X now, but you'll also end up paying for the extra "dealer profit" of the new X or ML. Also, the two vehicles that you're considering still have the old body styles, so they will equally take the price "plummet" when the new body style show up (this already happened for the ML)! On either the 03 X5 or the 04 ML, you'll lose a minimum of $5k immediately after you drive it off the lot. It will probably take you more than six months to lose $5k on your current ride. Besides, your current X is a "known entity" and the new one is NOT! But then again, I'm somewhat conservative. I always buy all my cars virgin new and keeps them for 10+ years putting 150k-200k miles on them before even considering of selling them!
My suggestion is that you should only trade in your X if you're tired of it and really want something totally different. Don't do it just because you're thinking you're getting a good price for your current X...you're NOT. Keep trading in cars every couple of years are very bad money losing propositions, period.