2008 CPO 335i or 2011 335i?

[fkarim]

Hi!

I am a new member and never owned any BMW. Few days ago, I test drove few models (2011 328i, 2012 135i, 2008 335i) and loved the 335i coupe. Since then, I have been following this forum and learned a lot. Great forum.

I am considering this: 1) Purchase a low-mileage (around 20K), 2008 CPO 335i (coupe w/ premium and sports pkgs) for mid to high 30s (before negotiation); or 2) Purchase a new 2011 335i (also coupe) for high 40s.

Either way, keeping the car under warranty is important to me to avoid any potential, costly repair costs. If I go with Option 1, I will have warranty till 2014. With Option 2, on the other hand, I could get an extended warranty till 2017.

Question: Financially, which option is better? Also, is terms of the technology, I assume both models are pretty much the same (except the single turbo in the 2011 models).

[335guy]

Used is always better financially if you get a good deal. Don't pay mid 30's for the 2008 335i, pay no more than 30k out the door total including tax. I bought mine with 7800 miles for 27.5 and its fully loaded. I wouldn't buy the brand new one just for the fact that they are overpriced to begin with and you will lose a lot in depreciation. However, nothing like that new car smell and having something that you know how it was driven and broken-in. :)

[GuitarDTO]

^under 30k out the door sounds too low for a low miles 08 CPO 335i coupe. I think you could find that price from a private seller, but I don't think you'll talk many dealers into it. Hard telling though. I would guess more like 32k. Where did you get yours for 27.5?

[335guy]

From a guy that was about to have it repo'd. He was down to his last 6 payments and I brought the check with me even after i agreed to pay him 29,200 lol. I was not happy after finding out the car never had an oil change for 3 years though. But, the motor seems good.

[GuitarDTO]

Yeah...your circumstances were unique (awesome score BTW!) but that is certainly not typical. You'll find most fully loaded 2008 CPo 335's being listed around 34-37 at dealers depending on miles. Mine was listed at 36 and it had 49000 miles on it. It was the exact color combination and options I wanted though so I negotiated the price down to around 32.

[fkarim]

Thanks for the response. I plan to keep the car for at least 4 years. From reliability perspective, is the 2011 335i engine better? It seems the HPFP issue surfaced in a quite a few 2007/2008 models.

[sleeeper]

As a 2007 335 owner, I have to say that the HPFP issue is a non-issue. The car limps, you drive it in, they give you a loaner, they replace the HPFP and do any other maintenance as scheduled, top your fluids, wash and dry your car, and you drive away with a new HPFP and a 110k warranty. In some ways, I think I am better off than the newer years. I guess it's all about perspective. The thing you are doing that I wish I could is get a good used car--I am motivated by the poster who says his car is fine after 3 years with no oil change! I hope this car lasts, because its fun as heck to drive!

But alas, there were no used 335s yet in 2007!

[nickvacc]

My suggestion, and the one I went with, is to go with the CPO. I got my '08 335i sedan with 32k for $26.5. While the maintenance plan runs in January, the extended warranty should cover any major issues thereafter. The car runs great and you can even still get a whiff of new car smell every so often!

Only suggestions I would make are to look for one with the longest possible remaining maintenance plan and negotiate a reasonable price for the tire insurance as I've heard from many there can be issues with the RF tires.

Good Luck!