[Intotheblue]

Hey all, sort of off-topic. I currently have a 2009 black 328i coupe and looking to upgrade and just looking for some opinions. I love the car but it has some issues so it's time to move on.

My options would be: (listed from lowest price to highest)

2014 428i Luxury Line in in Midnight Blue Metallic (HiFi stereo)
2014 428i in Mineral Gray Metallic with M-Sport package (Harman Kardon stereo)
2014 Mercedes E350 Coupe in gray metallic nearly fully loaded (radar cruise control, etc)

[max_330i]

I wouldn't replace your current car with any of those options, to be completely honest. It's been covered before, but there are a myriad of reasons why the E9X series provides a better driving experience than the F-generation cars. I personally don't want anything to do with the newer BMW 4-cylinders.

[Intotheblue]

I wouldn't mind keeping the E92 for a few more years, just issues are starting to pile up that would be a few months payments on something newer. I'll test drive both the Benz and 428i this week and see what I think. Not sure what else I'd be interested in, the 2018 A5 and A6 are out of my price range unless I consider a lease, but I've never owned an Audi before and am more comfortable with BMW and Benz.

[wallacelau]

Originally Posted by max_330i

I wouldn't replace your current car with any of those options, to be completely honest. It's been covered before, but there are a myriad of reasons why the E9X series provides a better driving experience than the F-generation cars. I personally don't want anything to do with the newer BMW 4-cylinders.

Yea, many people complain the new F series lack connection and road feel. If I were you, I would keep the e92 unless you are going for a 435i. I definitely would not get the luxury line.
But the E350 would be more classy comparing to all of your options.

But if I must choose from those options, I would go for the 428i M sport.

[BSM n54iS]

none of those

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

none of those

This. ^^^
F10 M5 for me.

[Dan Bilzerian]

All I have to say is don't settle! Shop around awhile until you find and KNOW what you want in the car. Preferable a BMW.

[Jonny11Quest]

Out of curiosity, what issues are you having with the 328i?

[Efthreeoh]

If you own a BMW because of the Roundel, then get anything in the German luxury market. If you appreciate the driving dynamics of BMW, then keep the E92.

If you want an error-free car, then get a Lexus.

[bhopple]

I'd say go for the 428i in Midnight Blue Metallic for sure. Just a clean car.

[jt335i]

Originally Posted by max_330i

I wouldn't replace your current car with any of those options, to be completely honest. It's been covered before, but there are a myriad of reasons why the E9X series provides a better driving experience than the F-generation cars. I personally don't want anything to do with the newer BMW 4-cylinders.

I agree.

A 428 is a 4 cyl. One of the reasons I wouldn't touch one even if it's turbo. Just not a BMW with a 4 banger.
Neither would I get a newer Benz (don't build them like they used to). That's just me.

We'd need to know what issues you are having with your 328 to give you better advice or input.

[Intotheblue]

Well my A/C stopped blowing cold last week. Going to take it to a mechanic this week to see if it's a cheap or expensive fix. And then I've had random electrical demons, a few leaks and sensors go bad, etc, etc. Nothing too uncommon for an 80k mile car. Plus some body dings and scrapes. I'd say it'd probably cost me a couple grand to get every single thing back up to par, but it's only worth shy of $9000 in pristine condition.

I don't know how to change the poll, but instead of a 428i I'm looking at a 2014 M-Sport Estoril Blue 435i xDrive with Harman Kardon for the same price. The catch is that it's not certified like the other options, but has 12k miles left on the factory warranty.

Anyone have any advice on whether buying a non-CPO with warranty is a good or bad idea?

[ny325]

None of your choices are my cup of tea. I much prefer the E92 over them .

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

Well my A/C stopped blowing cold last week. Going to take it to a mechanic this week to see if it's a cheap or expensive fix. And then I've had random electrical demons, a few leaks and sensors go bad, etc, etc. Nothing too uncommon for an 80k mile car. Plus some body dings and scrapes. I'd say it'd probably cost me a couple grand to get every single thing back up to par, but it's only worth shy of $9000 in pristine condition.

I don't know how to change the poll, but instead of a 428i I'm looking at a 2014 M-Sport Estoril Blue 435i xDrive with Harman Kardon for the same price. The catch is that it's not certified like the other options, but has 12k miles left on the factory warranty.

Anyone have any advice on whether buying a non-CPO with warranty is a good or bad idea?

Hopefully your A/C simply needs a recharge. Leaks and sensors are the name of the game with BMW. I wouldn't dump your car because of a slow oil drip or sensors getting fried. How do you estimate that it would cost you a couple grand to fix it up-- what specific maintenance issues need to be addressed?

I'm still going to advise against buying an F32. You will be disappointed with the steering feel coming from the E92, guaranteed. You're heading in the right direction with a 435i (none of that 4-cyl garbage), but the car will be simply be a newer and prettier headache than your current one.

[Intotheblue]

Originally Posted by max_330i

Hopefully your A/C simply needs a recharge. Leaks and sensors are the name of the game with BMW. I wouldn't dump your car because of a slow oil drip or sensors getting fried. How do you estimate that it would cost you a couple grand to fix it up-- what specific maintenance issues need to be addressed?

I'm still going to advise against buying an F32. You will be disappointed with the steering feel coming from the E92, guaranteed. You're heading in the right direction with a 435i (none of that 4-cyl garbage), but the car will be simply be a newer and prettier headache than your current one.

I took it to a dealer and they did a thorough inspection and printed out a report quoting me like $7000. $2000 of that was to replace my dead NAV screen which I got on eBay and did myself for $300. The other issues I bought the parts myself for like $1000 and will have a mechanically inclined friend do the repairs for a few hundred. And then there are a few other issues that aren't essential to fix that would cost a couple hundred each to fix. And then to get a full detail to buff out some paint scuffs and repair dings would be another $500 or so.

Since I got a new job I definitely think it's time to step up my car game, it sounds like a Benz would serve me well reliability wise (good reviews on reliability websites)...or be a nightmare all the same. Makes the decision process hard.

I wouldn't mind keeping the E92 for another year, but will then be in the same boat of wanting another 3 year old car then, so 2015 4-series or E350 coupes will have the same styling, so might as well buy and enjoy it now.

[Pavement Molestor]

Originally Posted by max_330i

I wouldn't replace your current car with any of those options, to be completely honest. It's been covered before, but there are a myriad of reasons why the E9X series provides a better driving experience than the F-generation cars. I personally don't want anything to do with the newer BMW 4-cylinders.

+1

[Jarrod]

No 4-bangers for me. That takes both 428i options away.

The E350 shares its chassis with the W204 C-class, which my wife has. It's a GREAT car. Handles and rides a lot better than the BMWs. I would imagine that chassis with a 302bhp V6 would be a huge blast to drive. Plus the cabin on the E-class is absolutely gorgeous IMO - better than any BMW 3/4 series. The transmission is unexciting but that is the only niggle. Go with the Benz, you would not regret that choice.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

Well my A/C stopped blowing cold last week. Going to take it to a mechanic this week to see if it's a cheap or expensive fix. And then I've had random electrical demons, a few leaks and sensors go bad, etc, etc. Nothing too uncommon for an 80k mile car. Plus some body dings and scrapes. I'd say it'd probably cost me a couple grand to get every single thing back up to par, but it's only worth shy of $9000 in pristine condition.

I don't know how to change the poll, but instead of a 428i I'm looking at a 2014 M-Sport Estoril Blue 435i xDrive with Harman Kardon for the same price. The catch is that it's not certified like the other options, but has 12k miles left on the factory warranty.

Anyone have any advice on whether buying a non-CPO with warranty is a good or bad idea?

This Estoril 435i is a great option. I saw and drove the RWD sedan version of that car and it's super. That color is tops for me - the best BMW color ever IMO. If you want to stay with BMW, try to make this one work. Otherwise the E350 is a good option. Drive them both and you should know.

The factory warranty is better than the CPO warranty. But obviously you'd only bet getting 12k more miles and what, one more year? Can't you add the CPO warranty to any BMW if it's still in the warranty, after they go through it and "certify" it? Ask your dealer about that if warranty is a big concern for you. I would not flinch at buying a non-CPO car with 12k of factory warranty left, but then again I bought a 2012 E93 with no warranty at all.

[Intotheblue]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

No 4-bangers for me. That takes both 428i options away.

The E350 shares its chassis with the W204 C-class, which my wife has. It's a GREAT car. Handles and rides a lot better than the BMWs. I would imagine that chassis with a 302bhp V6 would be a huge blast to drive. Plus the cabin on the E-class is absolutely gorgeous IMO - better than any BMW 3/4 series. The transmission is unexciting but that is the only niggle. Go with the Benz, you would not regret that choice.

Yeah the B-pillarless design plus pano roof are incredible. I'd only save a couple grand going with a 435i and purchasing some form of extended warranty, but the pros would be that I could easily add a BMS stage 1 for even more power and wire in my current amp and subwoofer a lot easier with a wiring harness than I could do with the Benz.

[Intotheblue]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

This Estoril 435i is a great option. I saw and drove the RWD sedan version of that car and it's super. That color is tops for me - the best BMW color ever IMO. If you want to stay with BMW, try to make this one work. Otherwise the E350 is a good option. Drive them both and you should know.

The factory warranty is better than the CPO warranty. But obviously you'd only bet getting 12k more miles and what, one more year? Can't you add the CPO warranty to any BMW if it's still in the warranty, after they go through it and "certify" it? Ask your dealer about that if warranty is a big concern for you. I would not flinch at buying a non-CPO car with 12k of factory warranty left, but then again I bought a 2012 E93 with no warranty at all.

I've found 2 different Estroril 435s with HK stereo. The one with 12k left of warrant was bought at auction by a Toyota dealer and was run through their 120 point check, still awaiting the repair order from them. The other is just slightly out of warranty and they're willing to take it to their nearby BMW dealer to quote what it would cost to certify, but they say it passed both the auction's inspection and theirs for what that's worth.

I'll be calling my insurance company to get price quotes for the cars and see if it's enough for a difference to influence my decision, then go test drive this weekend.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

Yeah the B-pillarless design plus pano roof are incredible. I'd only save a couple grand going with a 435i and purchasing some form of extended warranty, but the pros would be that I could easily add a BMS stage 1 for even more power and wire in my current amp and subwoofer a lot easier with a wiring harness than I could do with the Benz.

My wife has the pano roof. It's awesome, especially from the back seat (plus the black glass roof looks so cool from outside if the paint is a contrasting color). Honestly that feature alone probably sold her on the car.

[Jarrod]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

I'll be calling my insurance company to get price quotes for the cars and see if it's enough for a difference to influence my decision, then go test drive this weekend.

Cool, looking forward to hearing your impression of both cars.