[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by toddwalton

We are discussing those who want a new car every 3-5 years, not someone who can tolerate a decade or more in the same car.

OP's post#1 says he wants to keep his car for 6-7 years.

If OP buys in cash and holds for 6-7 years, the break-even point is likely around 5-year mark when lease rate is 3-4%(based on money factor).

When the lease rate goes up to 6-7%, that break-even probably will go below 4 years. The savings are sufficient, and that is why people in the business(e.g. doublevanosrc in post#24) observe that more people pay in full these days than in the past.

As far a 10-12 year old car being old, as u stated, car is a utility tool, just like a fork and a knife. It may not make sense to get new fork and knife every 3 years for some, but it is understandable that some put cars on a pedestal and desire new cars every 3 years.

BTW, BMW's esp. since F-series has improved a lot in reliability, e.g. my F30 was repair-free for 8.5 years and 80k miles with no cooling system issue, no leak, no electronics failure, no failing window regulators. These F and G-series cars can likely last 15 years/150k miles with minimal repairs.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

As far a 10-12 year old car being old, as u stated, car is a utility tool, just like a fork and a knife. It may not make sense to get new fork and knife every 3 years for some, but it is understandable that some put cars on a pedestal and desire new cars every 3 years.

Neither you nor I are putting our cars on pedestals. You treat them like kitchen cutlery and I treat them like a phone bill.

The difference is that I can (or chose to) spend more than you for my transportation utility. Which is fine. You could have gotten a budget Kia 12 years ago, you chose a luxury BMW, we all make choices on how much/little mobile phone data to pay for each month within our budget.

Originally Posted by bavarianride

BTW, BMW's esp. since F-series has improved a lot in reliability, e.g. my F30 was repair-free for 8.5 years and 80k miles with no cooling system issue, no leak, no electronics failure, no failing window regulators. These F and G-series cars can likely last 15 years/150k miles with minimal repairs.

I must be one of the most experienced F enthusiasts here as I'm finishing up my 4th F3X as my G26 is on the water, should be here in August. What I can tell you is that those F30's, F36's, and F33's were a lot of fun, completely carefree, $0 out of pocket on maintenance or tires, and it was cool to mix it up between sedans, gran coupes, and convertibles, never got boring. I've been enveloped by new car aroma since 2012, I don't know what an old car smells like.

In the last 12 years of perpetually leasing those F's, my out of pocket was $87,168 or $605 per month or less than my average electric bill. I didn't think about electricity expense when I hit the light switch, I didn't think about car expense when I hit the accelerator.

In the end, all that matters is that we enjoy our BMW's within our means. We both did.

[bavarianride]

I would say my E39(with discount even at dotcom peak) was 35% price premium for 15% extra car compared to a top-trim Accord(with markup) at that time, e.g. $50k vs. $38k including tax and fees. That is 1.35/1.15, or 17% extra cost, which is really not bad at all.

My F30 was roughly break-even compared to a top-trim Accord, say, 15% price premium for 15% extra car. The average monthly(including maintenance and tires) over 8.5 years and 80k miles for that G20 was $245.

The current G20 330i was a phenomenal deal, it was $2k(5%?) cheaper than a top-trim Accord(that carried a $3k markup), for 20%+ extra car.

And yes, I do enjoy all 3 bimmers, they are great rides!

Originally Posted by toddwalton

Neither you nor I are putting our cars on pedestals. You treat them like kitchen cutlery and I treat them like a phone bill.

The difference is that I can (or chose to) spend more than you for my transportation utility. Which is fine. You could have gotten a budget Kia 12 years ago, you chose a luxury BMW, we all make choices on how much/little mobile phone data to pay for each month within our budget.



I must be one of the most experienced F enthusiasts here as I'm finishing up my 4th F3X as my G26 is on the water, should be here in August. What I can tell you is that those F30's, F36's, and F33's were a lot of fun, completely carefree, $0 out of pocket on maintenance or tires, and it was cool to mix it up between sedans, gran coupes, and convertibles, never got boring. I've been enveloped by new car aroma since 2012, I don't know what an old car smells like.

In the last 12 years of perpetually leasing those F's, my out of pocket was $87,168 or $605 per month or less than my average electric bill. I didn't think about electricity expense when I hit the light switch, I didn't think about car expense when I hit the accelerator.

In the end, all that matters is that we enjoy our BMW's within our means. We both did.

[Supreme]

Originally Posted by NightOwl-M340i

Not sure if too many people do this but I paid cash for my M340i. Full amount upfront

I did this for my M440i since I don't like carrying debt or paying interest if I don't have to, but this is definitely a luxury and not a viable option for a lot of people.

@OP I would definitely pay off and keep the M340i. By all accounts the B58 is a solid engine which will last you a long time.

[Cammy440iGC]

Yes the B58 and ZF 8 speed is a solid choice. Its why I went with a G26 M440i XDrive for my next car.

My current ride is a 2019 C43 with AMG PE...but just could not go with the new C43. Glad I did not as many are experiencing problems with the new electrified turbo as well as the transmission. Some returning under lemon laws.

Very sad as I love my C43...but the new 4 cylinder C43 has many issues.

So I went M440i GC xdrive!

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Cammy340i

So I went M440i GC xdrive!

You won't be disappointed by B58 and ZF 8AT mated by BMW's programming. The combo is so good that it feels almost like a manual transmission.

[chris_1001]

Originally Posted by Gladius Nova

For how many months?

60 Months

[Joeybarb87]

Originally Posted by chris_1001

I have a 1.49% loan on mine (I did put a lot down) and my Savings account is 4.75%. So no... Its free money at this point. Paying it off when I'm making more on the money would be foolish (for me).

Where did you find a rate like that? Most apr in NJ are 5% or more.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by chris_1001

Sorry, this was in November 2021. Dealer offered a high % told them my credit union has 1.5% and they (BMW financial) matched it.

In Nov 2021, Treasury bills of 1-3 months paid less than 0.1%, so that 1.5% from BMWFS was still extra cost on top of cash purchase.

The Treasury % didn't hit 1.5% until June 2022.