Need advice on new/used car!!!

ArtMan · #1 07-08-2011, 10:09 PM

OK,

So many of you may have followed my "Vibration Still!!!" thread on my E53. Sadly i still have a vibration and have decided not to fix it anymore. As long as your not over 65mph it drives like new lol. I would like to trade it in but it has exactly 150K and according to KBB ill get roughly in good condition about 7200. Ill prolly go to the dealer and see in person what they can give but i dont expect much. Thus i have been thinking about this. I have literally spent 6Gs this year into it (that includes tires etc) I count it all. Now if i trade it in for less than 10G then its not worth it. The car works so all I will be doing is getting my 6Gs back plus some change and loose a fully fucntional car. Its just stupid, when i can keep it and drive till the wheels fall off.... now i have been looking at getting a used but nice car as a daily driver. I even consider some 87-89s bmw 3 series.

But so far i have found
1) 2006 109,443 MB C-Class C230 4dr Sport Sdn 2.5L OEM radio
2) 2006 109,443 MB C-Class C230 4dr Sport Sdn 2.5L non-oem radio & rims
3) 2005 109,438 MB C230 KOMPRESSOR 1.8l supercharged
4) 2006 89,244 BMW 330 I PREMIUM
5) 2003 127,414 BMW 3 Series 325CI
6) 2004 55,238 BMW 3 Series M3 2dr Cpe
7) 2008 35,009 INFINITI G35 JOURNEY PREMIUM

Now all these are under 25Gs ( 4,6,7) and some are under 15Gs ( 1-3) and the 10gs (5)

What are my goals: fun car nothing crazy just a nice all around car. Pay all cash no payments (except for those right under 25Gs).

Basically i would like to buy something or one of those up in the list or similar. But I would like something thats not as demanding to maintain as my X. i dont mind spending 1G-2G a year in maintenance. Anyhow I Would like for you guys to give input if you have driven anyone of those or heard things about. I have been doing my own research on other forums but This is my "home". Thanks

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PersonaNonGrata · #2 07-09-2011, 02:13 AM

I think that the Infiniti G35 would probably meet your criteria best. It's the newest, lowest (quite low!) miles, and would be a fine daily driver. It has decent room and 4 doors for practicality versus my second choice, the E46 M3. The Infiniti will likely be an easier car to maintain and repair too.

I like the E46 M3 but I don't think it meets your requirements as well and the G35. There's also the risk that a pre-owned M3 has been abused.

Pisendar · #3 07-09-2011, 02:47 AM

Infiniti is your best bet !!! Less miles and newest comparing to others. Not going to have any problems when will be selling it

Good luck

ArtMan · #4 07-09-2011, 12:33 PM

Yeah,

Thats the dilemma...I would rather have the M3 but not knowing who drove it and how they maintained it is a huge factor. Also the fact that these cars had rod bearing problems etc and the subframe cracking issue...makes it a gamble. It is also a certified so it would have warranty till 100K and its price is 26Gs.

Used BMW 3 Series at United BMW Gwinnett Serving Duluth, GA

The infinity is fully loaded with nav etc and has the lowest miles but the price is 27Gs but i have to check if it will have extended warranty and if not thats an additional 2Gs atleast. so im looking around 30Gs.

NALLEY BMW GROUP | USED 2008 INFINITI G35 JOURNEY PREMIUM | ATLANTA, GEORGIA | Stock: 8M220940

TwinTurboGTR · #5 07-14-2011, 09:47 PM

I concur with the answers. You already have a BMW and you already know how it rides and you already know about the maintenance. The infiniti would be a more practical option only because of the miles. You know atleast with the infiniti, you have atleast another 30K miles before it needs major servicing. The BMW's and Merc's are on the higher side of mileage and that means maintenance.

But you also know the Inifiniti will be boring compared to the BMW's. I personally don't like the Merc only because that body style just looks ugly. It almost looks like the designers were drunk and just started sculpting the clay while robotripping.

Now if you are mechanically inclined, I'd do the BMW's in a heartbeat. I always think working on cars is a stress reliever, for me atleast. If you know how to turn a wrench and don't mind using a saturday to pull the valve covers and replace gaskets and such and trace spotty oil leaks, I guarantee you Sunday will leave you with a smile.

Can't really say that with infiniti.

FSETH · #6 07-14-2011, 10:00 PM

It does seem like the Infiniti would be a good choice for you. However, do yourself a favor and do not even drive the e46 M3 or you will never want the Infiniti. The bearing problem is a non-issue at this point in the M3's. 2004's and newer were not affected by this issue and the 2001-2003's were recalled and fixed, so unless you get a pre-2004 that the owner refused do have the recall performed, you are safe.

ard · #7 07-16-2011, 01:13 PM

With the possible exception of the infiniti, it seems like you are trading the devil you know for one you don't!

I cannot IMAGINE buying any car with over 100k miles to "lower my maintenance costs".

You'll buy one of these and in the next year all sorts of stuff will crop up as you begin to drive them and feel the issues....

IMO

A

Bostonblux5 · #8 07-25-2011, 11:44 PM

Just traded my '01 in bc of a perfect storm of problems. 08 328i's w/ CPO (sedans and coupes) are going for 20-27k and there is 0.9% financing going on. Also saw a decent number of 07-08 335i's available in the higher end of that range (not necessarily CPO on these). Not sure if youre interested, but it would rule out the maintenance cost for at least the rest of the CPO.

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