Purchasing Car (BMW) - $50,000 Budget - Used

[PlatinumzS1k]

It's about time I get into a new car. I am looking for input based on my budget, and requirements for a used BMW. These numbers aren't hard cut offs but i prefer to meet as many as possible.

Budget: $50K
Mileage: 20K & Under
Year: May depend on the model but I want something newer. so lets say, 2013 and up.
Use: Daily Driver
Has to be AWD
Body style preference: 2 Door (4 door is not a deal breaker)
Must have M sport front bumper

Current options: 335, 435, 640, 650

I am looking for a performance model [M sport, 6 cylinder turbo(s)]/
So, with these parameters, what car would you go after? I don't know much about BMWs because I have never owned one. But I have done my basic research and know that a BMW is the car I would like to own next. I know its my car and my decision ultimately but its nice to be able to ask a big audience with the seasoned experience level on this forum.

[beshannon]

Welcome to the forum.

If you are looking for an opinion based on experience, mine would be to get the best CPO car with a warranty that you like after driving them.

I wish you the best of luck.

[DavidD123]

M2 & M3 aren't AWD so they are out of the question.

435 xdrive maybe?

[PlatinumzS1k]

Ahh. I did not realize that. So yea that narrows me down to 335, 435, 6XX.

I really like the look of the 6 series; of course, who doesn't? I can't decide if i would want a 2015/16 4 series or 12/13 6 series.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

I'd honestly go for a cpo 335/435 x drive. You are hitting in the budget for a new one also.

Then a shameless plug, you can always rock an m235ix if you don't mind a slightly smaller car, but much faster than anything else in the options.

[BimmerDude3]

m228ix would be my vote. But ive wanted to get my hands on one of those little m20 suckers for awhile now and see how far i could push it. Its like the s14's nephew.

[PlatinumzS1k]

How expensive is it to maintain a 335/435? I guess warranty will cover but later on down the road? Is it going to be outrageous?

Are the costs to maintain a 335/435 closer to the 328/428 or M3/M4?

[pbonsalb]

No turbo(s) will be simpler and cheaper in the long run. But not as much fun in my opinion.

[PlatinumzS1k]

The 640 just looks so good.
The 2012/13/14 fits right in the budget. Wonder how much that thing is to maintain.

[pbonsalb]

At least the older V8s could be expensive to maintain. There are some sad stories told by used 545 and 550 buyers. Something to explore. Buy a 2 year old CPO car and you will have 4 years coverage for major stuff.

[montaillou]

If you're going to use the dealer for maintenance expect to pay about double what you would for, say, a Japanese car. If you would use an independent mechanic, expect to pay about 50% - 60% of what the dealer would charge. Also, not ever dealer charges the same, so, if your area sports more than one dealer it could pay to shop around - I've often seen drastic differences in part prices from dealers in my area that are only 40 miles apart.

[justinca540i]

at $50K you could get 320i xdrive, 328i x drive, 328d xdrive, 340i xdrive or 228i x drive or M235i x drive or 428i x drive brand new.

[pbonsalb]

Brand new 320i xdrive would be about $40k and you would have 4 years of warranty and free service. Personally, having bought new (08 X5 4.8i Sport) and cpo (08 M3 and 08 535xit Sport), I prefer cpo. The cpo cars are very nice, low mileage and come with an extended warranty so you will usually have 3-4 years of warranty. That way you are not losing as much in depreciation over time and you can afford a more upscale car.

[PlatinumzS1k]

This is exactly why I want to purchase a CPO. It allows me to get a higher level car at the same price of a new car at a lower level.
If i buy the car at the end of the year or early next year I would likely look at a 2015/2016 335ix/435ix, or 2013/2014 640ix/650ix coupe and gran coupe (if its in my range). I understand the cost to maintain a BMW compared to a Japanese car; I will never drive Japanese junk!

Whats the difference between a 335 and 435 gran coupe. I thought the 435 was the new 335 coupe? I'm assuming the 4 series has better parts & features?

I just want to have the best warranty/coverage I can get and have it extended as far as possible.

[justinca540i]

This is exactly why I want to purchase a CPO. It allows me to get a higher level car at the same price of a new car at a lower level. If i buy the car at the end of the year or early next year I would likely look at a 2015/2016 335ix/435ix, or 2013/2014 640ix/650ix coupe and gran coupe (if its in my range). I understand the cost to maintain a BMW compared to a Japanese car; I will never drive Japanese junk! Whats the difference between a 335 and 435 gran coupe. I thought the 435 was the new 335 coupe? I'm assuming the 4 series has better parts & features? I just want to have the best warranty/coverage I can get and have it extended as far as possible.

The gran coupe and 335i for the most part are the same. In a way the gran coupe is a little more sporty looking. This is because it's based as a coupe not a sedan.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

This is exactly why I want to purchase a CPO. It allows me to get a higher level car at the same price of a new car at a lower level.
If i buy the car at the end of the year or early next year I would likely look at a 2015/2016 335ix/435ix, or 2013/2014 640ix/650ix coupe and gran coupe (if its in my range). I understand the cost to maintain a BMW compared to a Japanese car; I will never drive Japanese junk!

Whats the difference between a 335 and 435 gran coupe. I thought the 435 was the new 335 coupe? I'm assuming the 4 series has better parts & features?

I just want to have the best warranty/coverage I can get and have it extended as far as possible.

I understand, but at the price range you are looking at, you can go cpo and lower price or new and hit close to your budget, we are just giving you options. The 640/650 is a great car, but it really depends on what you want. Do you want a quick fun coupe, or a nice overall car that is still sporty? If performance is the goal, then perhaps an e92/e90 m3? Or cpo m235i x drive. If you are just looking for overall a nice car, that still has some oomph, then I'd say 6 series or 435 is a better choice. As it is definitely a different class of car than the 2,3, or 4. But it is also kind of a boat.

[PlatinumzS1k]

I saw an M235 and about laughed, its so small! I could maybe handle the M2 because its probably quick but other than that I cant do it.

I prefer a 2 door but wouldnt complain with a 4 because of the cheaper insurance cost.

The 640ix is a stand out and is my first choice, but the 435i is also a great looking car. Its a tough choice for sure. Ill have to drive them.

[PlatinumzS1k]

I saw a 435ix gran coupe in Estoril blue (the color I want and WILL get!) in the inventory on a dealership's site by me. I was going to check it out this week but its now gone. AH! Finding the 435ix in blue will be a tall task but i will not give up. I think I want the 2 door though. Finding this thing CPO'd will be a tall task but I will not give up the good fight.

I also really want the car with the blue calipers as well but i may have to forfeit those because finding the car in estoril blue is already hard enough.

[pbonsalb]

Search nationwide at bmw cpo. The cars are nice enough that it is worth the risk to fly across the country and drive it back. We drove 275 miles for one of our CPO, but fortunately and by chance the other one was only 40 miles away. But I was thinking about flying 1500-2000 miles for one.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

I saw an M235 and about laughed, its so small! I could maybe handle the M2 because its probably quick but other than that I cant do it.

I prefer a 2 door but wouldnt complain with a 4 because of the cheaper insurance cost.

The 640ix is a stand out and is my first choice, but the 435i is also a great looking car. Its a tough choice for sure. Ill have to drive them.

Yeah it is small, but it is about the size of the E46 gen 3 series. By today's standards that's small. Compared to my other car, my 2 is giant so... but the 435 is a great car, and I was surprised by how much legroom it had in the rear.

[PlatinumzS1k]

I think I could settle on mineral grey or the white. Hopefully if I settle on those colors, it has the blue calipers. I also think i prefer the 2 door.

[PlatinumzS1k]

I test drove a M235x and a 435x. I was blown away by the performance of the M235. That thing was nuts! The downfall is that it looks somewhat odd from the back. If i got one I would probably buy the Dinan Tune right out of the gate.


If I could get the 435ix tuned then wed be talking. I wasnt that blown away by the 435ix in terms of speed.

I think the hunt is on for a 435ix in mineral grey, white, or estoril blue. I also want the M brakes, adaptive suspension, and m bumper.

This is a pipe dream...

[pbonsalb]

You can tune any of the N55 motors easily. The turbo is a little small, which puts a cap on the power, but Dinan and others sell upgraded turbos. Don't know much about the newer B58 motors, but suspect they will also get tuned before long.

[PlatinumzS1k]

The price of a CPO M235 is very hard to beat considering the performance you get. Its hard for me to spend 8-10K more for a 435 when its slower.. Although the 4 series has more features. Decisions to be made.

[PlatinumzS1k]

I found a blue 4 series, but it doesnt have the tech package or drivers package. ITs basically all performance which is not a bad thing for me. Is it hard to add factory nav?