Close to getting a 2011 328i - a few noobish questions

[thing1thing2]

I've been waiting to get a 328i for awhile finally decide now is time, actually wifey said ok

I'm found a couple listed on the BMW cpo search, and had a couple of questions, before I head to the dealership end of this week.

-Corporate fleet vehicle versus Owner lease:
Any thoughts on whether its' ok to pick up a corp. fleet vehicle or should I stick with owner lease type?

-Carfax reports:
Some reports shows "x service records available", some show none. Does this mean the car had some work done, or just the reg. maintenance with the car?

-Typically, how much wiggle room is there w/ the CPO price?

-Any caveats I should pay attention to when talk about the price w/ the car?
I'm going to be paranoid a PPI on it just to make sure there are nothing that was missed.

Thanks in adv for any inputs!

These are the three cars I'm looking at, any thoughts?
http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?make=BMW&vin=97%7C-39%7C19%7C49%7C91%7C-3%7C-32%7C108%7C-51%7C-3%7C-114%7C101%7C-43%7C88%7C-97%7C-94%7C11%7C-75%7C103%7C-75%7C119%7C-79%7C86%7C90%7C&dealer_id=567638&car_id=353161084&partner=ATD_U


http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?make=BMW&vin=97%7C-39%7C19%7C49%7C91%7C-3%7C-32%7C108%7C-83%7C-97%7C-76%7C-95%7C-102%7C-54%7C-118%7C112%7C113%7C-99%7C-84%7C-6%7C-103%7C-18%7C87%7C96%7C&dealer_id=1050441&car_id=343750776&partner=ATD_U

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?make=BMW&vin=97%7C-39%7C19%7C49%7C91%7C-3%7C-32%7C108%7C67%7C22%7C45%7C94%7C-81%7C-75%7C-57%7C-19%7C-60%7C-22%7C-100%7C-49%7C48%7C62%7C119%7C27%7C&dealer_id=73218&car_id=353157554&partner=ATD_U#undefined

 

[sgrinavi]

My experience with CPO BMWs has been exceptional - I've had three & wouldn't hesitate to do it again. They warranty the car to 100,000 miles + you'll get the balance of the free service for the first 50k.

-Not all service gets reported to carfax

-Price depends on your local dealer - My local dealer has the "no hassle" price on the window yet I've been able to negotiate better prices, but I try to buy when the local market is slow (summer months here). If you go on the lot and there are a ton of CPO 328's you'll be able to get a few more bucks off.

-The prices drop fast with higher mileage, you'll be able to work more on a high mileage car.

-don't be afraid to walk out, sometimes it takes a couple trips to get a better price. My last one took a month and a hand full of trips to the dealer.

 

[ViviTheMage]

CPO'd german cars are the way to go ... my Audi was rock solid, I was almost sad I had it 4 years and never had to take it in ... but it was always great insurance if I had to.

Any reason for a 328 and not a 335? I mean, I test drove a 135, 335, 328, 330 and the 1/335 series just has that extra power that makes a BMW a BMW.

 

[thing1thing2]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll stick with the CPO then ... any thoughts on whether CPO fleet vehicles are ok?

dunno about 328 and 330, guess my driving style can't really take adv. of the extra power of 335, so figure go w/ the lower priced one. Plus we're both upgrading our cars, maybe within months of each other so the final price matters.

ok, I'll keep in mind that I can always walk out, we're in no hurry, actually wanted to pick up one a few months back but work got hella busy.

any more inputs is greatly appreciated!

 

[ViviTheMage]

I don't know anything about fleet cars, but my Audi was leased by the owner of Chicago AUDI (carfax said it was a company car of Audi CORP) or something and was auctioned and bought by my local AUDI dealer in Minnesota.

I figured they took good car of it because it was a 6 speed manual, and damn was I right! Not a lick wrong with it over the 4 years I had it.

CPO is the same as bumper to bumper with BMW, so as long as you get 3-4 years out of the warranty, I am not sure i'd care if it was fleet....as long as it checks out by the mechanics, and it isn't beat up exterior/interior wise.

 

[thing1thing2]

I don't know anything about fleet cars, but my Audi was leased by the owner of Chicago AUDI (carfax said it was a company car of Audi CORP) or something and was auctioned and bought by my local AUDI dealer in Minnesota.

I figured they took good car of it because it was a 6 speed manual, and damn was I right! Not a lick wrong with it over the 4 years I had it.

CPO is the same as bumper to bumper with BMW, so as long as you get 3-4 years out of the warranty, I am not sure i'd care if it was fleet....as long as it checks out by the mechanics, and it isn't beat up exterior/interior wise.

Great, thanks for the input!

 

[sgrinavi]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll stick with the CPO then ... any thoughts on whether CPO fleet vehicles are ok?

dunno about 328 and 330, guess my driving style can't really take adv. of the extra power of 335, so figure go w/ the lower priced one. Plus we're both upgrading our cars, maybe within months of each other so the final price matters.

ok, I'll keep in mind that I can always walk out, we're in no hurry, actually wanted to pick up one a few months back but work got hella busy.

any more inputs is greatly appreciated!

All the CPO BMW's I've looked at were as close to perfect as you can get for a used car regardless of the previous use. They have to be or they can't sell them as such.

My DD is a 135, wife drives a 328 - I had her in a couple of 335's but she was more concerned with the color than the difference in performance - both of them have ample git-up and go for her. She thinks she's Maria Andretti.

 

[iamwiz82]

I cannot see much reason to get a 328i over 335i/d. There isn't much price difference and with a CPO warranty there wouldn't be much, if any, worry.

 

[sgrinavi]

I cannot see much reason to get a 328i over 335i/d. There isn't much price difference and with a CPO warranty there wouldn't be much, if any, worry.

There's a huge difference in price

 

[Zargon]

fleet should be fine

BMW provides alot of employees with 3 series cars as a benefit, and maintains them very veyr well

 

[bolinder]

Any reason for a 328 and not a 335? I mean, I test drove a 135, 335, 328, 330 and the 1/335 series just has that extra power that makes a BMW a BMW.

I second this comment on the 335. I shopped for years, leaning towards 135. I drove the x28 and x35 back to back each time. The x35 engine is well worth the extra money. I ended up with a 2008 335i coupe. It is a blast to drive.

 

[iamwiz82]

There's a huge difference in price

No, there isn't. For example, my local BMW dealer has a 2011 335i xDrive Sedan for $33,996. They also have 10 2011 328i xDrives, only 2 of those are less than the price of the 335i. Granted I did not spec out options and such, but the prices are very similar.

(All CPO)

 

[sgrinavi]

No, there isn't. For example, my local BMW dealer has a 2011 335i xDrive Sedan for $33,996. They also have 10 2011 328i xDrives, only 2 of those are less than the price of the 335i. Granted I did not spec out options and such, but the prices are very similar.

(All CPO)

Oh, was OP looking for an x-drive? I didn't see that. I believe that's what's driving up the price of the 328's there. This is fairly accurate from my experience in my area


328i $26,644

335i $33,928

 

[sgrinavi]

I second this comment on the 335. I shopped for years, leaning towards 135. I drove the x28 and x35 back to back each time. The x35 engine is well worth the extra money. I ended up with a 2008 335i coupe. It is a blast to drive.

I'm surprised you went for the 335 over the 135 - The weight and size difference really make the 135 come alive.