[TonyStark93]

Hi guys,

So I am going to upgrade from my 2012 Honda Civic LX (most likely trade it in or sell privately) to a 2012 BMW 328i F30.

The F30 seems perfect for me since I live in LA and most of my driving is done in the city, college and work, so I don't really need a 335i.

Not only that, but the 328i F30 is stylish, 240 HP, and has great MPG. That's all I really need.

I have a couple of questions:

1. Am I better off buying a CPO 2012 328i F30 or a USED one from a dealership?? Is the F30 328i reliable enough for me to not need a warranty??

2. Would it be smarter to purchase one this December when the prices drop because of dealerships trying to clear their inventory?

Or should I wait until next summer (my birthday is in the summer so I can expect some bday gift money).

How much would a typical used/CPO 2012 328i F30 be by around July/August 2015???

3. This is a stupid question, but would the 328i F30 be considered as a "sedan" or "sports sedan" for insurance??

This is also my first post/thread here on this website so I am a noob.

Thanks guys!

[OC40]

Tony Stark buys Audi...

[Coolhydro]

1. Get CPO, why? search the forums.
2. Depends on when you need the car. The later, the cheaper.
3. You are asking us to estimate the price of a car for next year?? Check KBB now and reduce ~2k$.
4.Insurance rates are pretty low for 3 series cars.

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by TonyStark93

1. Am I better off buying a CPO 2012 328i F30 or a USED one from a dealership?? Is the F30 328i reliable enough for me to not need a warranty??

2. Would it be smarter to purchase one this December when the prices drop because of dealerships trying to clear their inventory?

Or should I wait until next summer (my birthday is in the summer so I can expect some bday gift money).

How much would a typical used/CPO 2012 328i F30 be by around July/August 2015???

3. This is a stupid question, but would the 328i F30 be considered as a "sedan" or "sports sedan" for insurance??

This is also my first post/thread here on this website so I am a noob.

Thanks guys!

1. Are you independently wealthy? Can you afford to drop $8-12,000 if the engine and transmission falls out as you exit the dealership?

You're buying a used car. You're buying a used luxury car. A warranty should be worth it to you, especially considering your concerns in #2.

2. No one can predict inventory, or whether prices will be significantly different. As for the second part of the question, one would be pulling numbers out of their rear end if they told you this. It obviously depends on mileage and features


3. Your rate will be dependent on your driving and accident history, the value of the car (and relative cost of repairs), and its safety features.

[nicknaz]

OP, if you want max reliability in a used BMW I think 2011 E90 328 6MT would be better. direct injection/turbo N20 is relatively new tech but the old N52 is a proven design

If cost is a key factor and you want an F30 how about a sport package and 6MT 320 instead

[adhrp]

1. CPO is better, but even if its not actually CPO'd ask the dealer whether it is CPO eligible and if it is then that should be a good car. Apparently, CPO eligible cars have to be very well maintained and accident-free else BMW will not CPO them. I have heard that sometimes this is not true, so you might want to verify that by searching the forum for previous discussions on this point. I'm on the fence about extended warranty but once my original warranty is close to expiring in 2016 I will think hard about it.

2. Can't say. I bought mine in June and got an awesome deal, so no point waiting. Plus pricing depends so much on options, miles and other variables that no one can give you a good answer on this.

3. My luxury line F30 is cheap to insure ($52/month) so it certainly wasn't a point of concern for me and probably won't be for you either as long as you have a clean driving/ticket record.

[TonyStark93]

@adhrp

What kind of deal did you get?

@nicknaz

I have no idea how to drive 6MT.

And I have looked at the 2011 E90s, the only thing that bugs me is the MPG on those... 18MPG is blah not so great.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by TonyStark93

@adhrp

What kind of deal did you get?

You can see my car's packages in my signature and this was CPO'd. I paid in the low 30s for it out the door with less than 20k miles on it. You do have to look all over the place though - I went out of state for this one. Drives like a champ and not a single problem yet (touch wood)!

[TonyStark93]

Should I just go with an E90 instead??

The thing with a 2011 328i E90 is that it would be much MUCH cheaper for me to purchase.

The only thing that worries me is warranty. I would barely get 1 year of warranty due to the year.

[mattssi]

Ha, I went from a 2011 POS Lemon'ed Civic LX to my '14 328i.

You should take over my lease.

[TonyStark93]

@mattssi

Funny, my car is a lemon too.

From day 1 it has had problems, messed up MPG, window sills falling off, messed up lock/open system.

It's been a nightmare for a brand new car.

Never getting a Honda again.....

[x5mad]

If you're concerned about reliability I wouldn't get a first year model. They generally tend to have various teething problems.

If you can try to get 2013 and above.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by TonyStark93

Should I just go with an E90 instead??

The thing with a 2011 328i E90 is that it would be much MUCH cheaper for me to purchase.

The only thing that worries me is warranty. I would barely get 1 year of warranty due to the year.

Don't get an E90 328 automatic. I had a 08 328 6MT one followed by '11 328 6AT and the GM sourced automatic transmission was very bad. The shifts were very slow, the downshifts were not rev matched. I really disliked my '11 328 due to the automatic transmission.

If you are getting E90 328 my strong recommendation is to learn to drive manual, or else forget about the E90 and get the sport 8AT F30 328