But yes - I hate how big the m5 is. I'll never own another this big.

I can get the 428i for better prices than the 335 around here.

428 has 240 hp but with the 8 speed auto its pretty quick. 0-60 is 5.3ish.

The 2s are hard to find, and I've read in a few places that the 235 counts against a dealer's M allotment... and it's a smart move to keep inventory low, since there's less money to be made and it's kind of a niche product.

Autotrader shows 70 235 AWD and another 100 RWD in the entire country, compared to over 2100 4 series coupes.

So the salesman wasn't giving me a load of BS, the 2's are low production then. Maybe I should get that model because of resale value if I decide in a couple of years that the retro muscle cars are really more my speed? Or do all the cars mentioned here hold a good resale value?

I think BMWs in general have pretty solid resale value, based on some research (haven't ever tried selling a used BMW, myself). The 2s aren't even a year old (I think they started production last April on the 2014 models).... I don't know how many people will be looking for used 2s in 2-4 years, but I'm thinking there won't be a ton to choose from, as opposed to the 4s.

Autotrader.com returned one 228 and one 235 in your area, at the same dealer... and 9 within 100 miles. :eek:

If you're not in a hurry though, you can always order one to your specifications and you'll probably get it within 2-3 months at the most.

I think BMWs are the sexiest cars on the road. They seem well built and have great performance (so I'm told). However, it seems they have some reliability issues when you ask about them to mechanics. What's the reason for this?

I'm not a huge car guy, just have done a fair share of research, but I think there's some trade off between performance and reliability.

For example, the 2s we're talking about, one has 240 hp turbocharged 4 cylinder (and from what I've read, BMW underrates hp for some reason... some think it's more like 270), and people are getting ~26-28 mpg. The 235 gets 230 hp (again, probably low) with 6 cylinders and people are getting ~24-25mpg.

I assume Toyota isn't using turbochargers and 8 speed dual clutches with optional AWD, etc; in their most reliable cars.

I read one article that was kind of vague, but mentioned 1 in 27 BMWs have a powertrain issue in the first 50,000 miles, compared to 1 in 80-100 for reliable models, and I think Toyota was something like 1 in 172. Granted, "6 times more likely" is a pretty big difference, you're still talking about a 4% chance that your BMW is going to the shop for a powertrain issue in the first 50,000 miles. It's not nearly as awesome as others, but it's not like it's incredibly unreliable, either.

I suggested the Mercedes C250 because you'll be hard pressed to find a combination of luxury, ride quality, reliability, and performance in that type of price range.

I do like the Beamers, but not as much overall. If you want more "fun," than I'd say go with the BMW.

I will say, if you don't mind hatchbacks, test out a Volkswagen Golf R. Those things are fun to drive. 292 HP stock and MSRP is around 36,500. You can get up to like 400 HP if you get the right add-ons aftermarket.

I've going to be traveling around at different cities with training stuff until the 1st of April. I need the car then. But, like I said there is nothing imminently wrong with my Mustang.

I've thought about test driving one, either the 300hp or 455 AMG, but everything I've read says it's a pretty rough ride as a daily driver... and well, the roads in the Midwest are awful.

This is actually an excellent question - Let me go through a few things - it's pretty tough to give you a simple answer.

First of all - Audi issues > than BMW's - and I've owned more than one of both makes.

My main things I find troublesome w/ BMW's are their lamps - I have lights go out often - that's tedious and an overall pain in the ass - Generally very little w/ the engine - NOW - with that said - there's a certain trade-off between engineered cars that are designed to give you massive pull and great ability to be nimble while in one, on the road; they'll never offer the dependability of a Japanese make, mainly due to the extra strain and stress. The Germans can design better than most any other Country regarding auto's - however the more ridged and the more the engine(s) perform the harder it is on the Full Monty. So I'm no expert - and my terms may've been somewhat off - but hoping that makes at least SOME sense. Basically w/ big bad ass motors - or - turbo'd out vehicles - there will always be more strain on the other end, so that's my opinion as to why... Hopefully that helps some.

The night-crawler through the trees off of my balcony just now ;)



http://i61.tinypic.com/2urnnd0.jpg

Love my 328i. When I decided to go with a bimmer I couldn't find one that I liked so I had one ordered with what I wanted. They said it would take 2 months to be made and delivered to mid-mo. Received it in 7 weeks. If we get another one I will have it ordered to my specs and do the European Delivery. You pick it up at the factory, drive it around for a week or so and get it to Hamburg I do believe and put it on a transport. That's a big if though because even though it is a 2009 it's a great car and we can't see parting ways right now.

Hows this for a deal?
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...89990446&Log=0

Buddy of mine has Merc 550 renntech...with the chip... over 550 poines... 600 ft/lbs of torque...beautiful car.

:eek:

Forget it, its a convertible.

You wanting me to kill myself? Took out an insurance policy on me?

I WANT my five dollars....but the 356 B will do.

That is a sweet ride! :thumb:

European Delivery would be so much fun.... until I destroyed the car on the Autobahn.

It is amusing that you can drive on your US license for 6 months in Germany.... do they know how terrible we are at driving?!

That's badass. I had no idea that BMW gives you the option of picking up your car at the factory in Germany.

Several do... Audi, MB, Porche, Volvo. I think Porche is the only one that charges extra for it. BMW marks down their cars by $2-3k (which is basically what you'd get at a dealership) and I think they give you a free night at a nice hotel and a tour of their museum.

I have a m235i on order. Pretty much in the same boat as BRC... 9 year old Monte Carlo SS with ~99,000 miles and nothing immediately wrong with it, but starting to show its age.

Went with the Estoril Blue, after driving a black car for so long. I really like their Valencia Orange, but it's only available on the 228.

http://i.imgur.com/Drv6Pr0l.jpg

http://www.bimmerpost.com/storyimage...-2061-b3e2.jpg

Nice, I test drove a few small coupes and they're fun to drive, and it'll probably get better gas mileage than my current 305hp V8. Chevy has a ~450hp SS coupe that I considered, but there just wasn't any question after driving the 235.

It comes with Pirelli all-season run flats... I'll give them a shot, but haven't heard great things about them.

There's a 'track BMW' thing on their webpage and people actually go to great lengths to track them from the factory... but yeah, they ship directly to the dealership and they arrange pickup with all the fun paperwork and attempts to add on bullshit.

Yeah, if I had done it right, I would have test drove a 228 and probably called it a day.... but, after building them out online, they were only a couple thousand off, and I'll never regret getting an extra 90hp, as opposed to the other way around.

What does "tuning" exactly entail in the Mercedes and BMW?

That's another thing with the 228, I've heard people tuning them to the point where they're practically a m235... I think I've seen people getting ~400hp out of the m235. I've been reading up on coding, too.

Apparently some are being delivered with MSS. I'll give the all seasons a shot... if they're good enough for the next several months, the deciding factor will be if they can survive the winter. If not, I'll probably get some Blizzacks and then maybe switch to MSS the following Spring.

2015 model?

Yes. I saw some deals on 2014s (almost all 228s), but none of them had the configuration I wanted.

This 428i is in Overland Park
http://www.hendrickhondabradenton.co...-13040608.html


Looks to be $3K - $7K less than the prices here.

I'm going to rule out the M3. It looks great but I just don't want the increased insurance costs when I can get a 6 cylinder that I'll be happy with.

Nice, I drove one, but the turbo lag was pretty annoying, IMO... one reason I went with the 35.

Best deal Ive found so far. Going to check on how much is the transfer fees.

uhhhh turbo lag is?

Turbo lag is the delay from when a driver steps on the accelerator until the extra power generated by the turbocharger arrives. A turbocharger is driven by exhaust gases, so there is a lag before a greater amount of exhaust gas causes a turbine wheel to draw more fresh air into the engine and generate more power.

I believe the power from turbo chargers is produced at the exhaust, so there's a delay between when you hit the gas and when the car responds.... in my 50-60/60-70mph tests, I'd floor it and there was a pretty noticeable delay. The 228 and 428s have turbo charged 4 cylinder engines.

Turbo lag is the time before your turbo spools up and starts shoving air into your motor

Say your turbo spools up at 3800 rpm..from idle at around 700 rpm to 3800 rpm you will have lower power..as soon as the turbo spools up you get more power..the time before your turbo is the lag

Does that make any sense

Delay big enough to make you change models, must have been alot. I'm going to drive a 428i this week and see for myself. Maybe this n00b won't notice it as much??

I think all lag I'd noticeable..some more than others..I have a turbo on my car and I can tell when it spools up..the amount of power and the acceleration jumps up quite a bit

I went with the 235 because I drove the 235. If you like the 428, do not drive the 435.

I actually wasn't considering the 428, but they didn't have a 228 and they have the same engine (even though the 428 adds a couple hundred pounds). The turbo lag was definitely a lingering thought, but the main reasons I went with the 235 are that it wasn't that much more than the 228 once I built out each one, and I know I'll never regret it over the smaller engine.

I first noticed it on the highway, and those jumps from ~60-70mph were the only time it was annoying to me.

Test a Dodge Challenger. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UHm_JTlKI3...-VIN0001-0.jpg

Why nor drive the 435?

No idea if I'll like the 428 or not, never drove one. This week I'll know.

That right there is the same awesome color my neighbor has on his 4-door BMW. That color right there is so awesome. That right there is the sexiest car on the road IMO.

If only I was richer.....

Enjoy those rides boys. Good stuff in here.

The best strategy, IMO, is to drive the lesser of the two, and if it's more than enough power and you like it, go with it. Once you drive the 435, you will fall in love and there's no turning back (at least in terms of power).

I did not follow this strategy, which is why I'm getting a 235. :D

I'm considering the blue or black as my only colors. I usually don't like blue on cars but on those BMW's it just looks right.

The depth of that blue is like nothing I've ever seen on a car. I just love it. That would be my vote!

San Marino Blue is my favorite, but I warmed up to the Estoril when I saw it in person. It's a unique shade without being a huge attention-grabber.

BMW is kind of strange when it comes to which colors you can select.


http://f80.bimmerpost.com/goodiesfor...e/IMG_7958.jpg

435's look pricey. $50K. Yowsa.

I got to keep it at $40K. I can go up a couple of thousands but not $10K. I still have a 11000 lb boat dock and lift that needs something parked on it other than a pontoon boat.:rolleyes:

Eh, that's only ~$130/month. :)

Really? Back in 2005 when I bought my Mustang it was $150 a month more for the 8 cylinder model. I figured with inflation and increased repair costs it would be much higher.

Their website shows 3.1% interest (they might even beat my bank)... they also come with a maintenance free warranty for 4 years/50,000 miles, which I don't think existed anywhere last time I bought a car.

Having just gone through this process, I'm full of rationalization and I'm happy to lend you more as needed. :D

:thumb:

okay guys I'm going to test drive these on Wednesday:

2012 BMW 750Li
http://www.fermanbmw.com/VehicleDeta...-FL/2423347463

2014 BMW 328i
http://www.fermanbmw.com/VehicleDeta...-FL/2456239493

Taking this one out tomorrow:

2015 Challenger SXT Plus
http://www.daytonandrewsdodge.net/ne...8bfa9ffe76.htm

NOOOOOO!!!!

I have to rule shit out. Do due diligence, right?

I've only drove the Mercedes.

What should I do first?