1st post! 3.0 deal question
 

I recently private sold my 2004 325Ci and am now ready to get into an X5. During my initial visit to my local dealer I considered a 2008 3.0si with an MSRP of $51,975. Without much back and forth the dealer offered $1,000 below invoice, $46,840.

During my second visit today I came across a 2008 3.0si loaner with 6,800 miles. Original MSRP of $53,025. The additional options over the model above are Technology Package vs. just Navigation and running boards. Invoice for this model is around $49,000. I am currently at $46,840 for this model as well.

Any opinions on either of the deals above would be greatly appreciated.

:thumbup:
monto

I'd buy the new one, not the loaner.

Logic? Thanks for your reply!

You may want to consider a used 4.8 or wait for the diesel to hit the showrooms. The 3.0si will most likely be discontinued next year or during this year. The fuel economy is not much better than the V8 and it is down in power big time. The 3.0 liter biturbo may replace the 3.0si. Good luck.

The loaner vehicles get beat up pretty bad as people use and abuse them. I would recommend the new one as well.

The 3.0si sucks. Wait for the diesel or buy the 4.8. You do not want to drive a slow BMW or lose a stop light drag race to a Hyundai Santa Fe, do you? :D

^ the 3.0si sucks for drag races, but that's the only reason it "sucks". It performs great at speed (accelerates great at highway speeds) and handles just as well as any other BMW. Ask yourself how often you're going to drag race from lights and then ask yourself if you really wanted an SUV for it. The new 3.0 diesel with all that torque is 0.8sec faster for $5k more. I somehow don't think drag racing was a priority in the engineers' minds.'

I test drove a 4.8 too just before the purchase decision and didn't think the $10k premium was worthwhile. If you purposely pay $10k more for an SUV to ensure you beat cars at stoplights then by all means I guess you deserve to win. Anyone else realize we're getting toward M3 $$ territory?

What car do you have? It looks like a 4.8 from the picture. I did not mean to offend, but I test drove the 3.0si and, for a lack of a better term, it sucks compared to the 4.8. The V8 drives so much better that I do not think it is fair to compare the two. If you can afford the V8, but it. Otherwise buy the 35sd that will launch next month. The 3.0si will be dead soon and the residual value will drop significantly. Wait and see. :thumbup:

I don't think they will discontinue the 3.0 in the near future. Diesel fuel is still not available at all gas stations in the U.S.

I know BMW and X5 fans (all of us on this site) might be eagerly awaiting the diesel, but how many others in the U.S. are lining up to pay a premium for both the car and the gas.

You have a good point, but remember that BMW only uses the 3.0si engine in the X3 and X5. Soon you will see the 3.0 biturbo replacing the 3.0si. The X6 already uses this engine so it is safe to say this year is the last one for this engine.