What do you guys think? I really really like the car, but i think i have partial ADD and get bored easily. I was thinking of getting a fully loaded 2001 330CI. I owe just about what a loaded 2001 330CI's are running.

So what do you guys think? As you can see from my sig, i have CT headers/springs, AEM CAI, cleared turn signals, and tinted windows. Also, 19000 miles and is in pretty good shape. few nic's and 1 small parking lot ding.

Is this a horrible idea?

 

A nice used '01 330Ci goes for about 30-32K. So you're saying you basically owe sticker on your '03 MT???

I was kicking around the idea for several months on getting a new 330Ci, but I've decided against it at this moment in time. The tranny issue was my biggest concern, but I think I'm gonna go back to my original plan and keep the CL 7-10 years.

 

I owe about 29K. Ive seen 2001's going for that. I paid sticker, 31500 + TTL. 33800 was my loan i think.

 

You'd be lucky to see 26K for your CL, IMHO.

 

Ok, so i get 26K-ish, and i take the hit. Is this a good idea or should i stick with what i have?

 

Why didn't u just buy the 330 in the first place. Doesn't anybody ever think before they buy? Just wait until u actually need a new car. Don't be so impulsive.

 

The grass is always greener, ya know....

You'll get bored of the 330, too.

Learn to appreciate what you have.

Get a hobby. It's gotta be cheaper than getting new cars whenever you get bored. If you get bored that easy, it's you, not the car. If you think it's ADD, get treatment. It's still cheaper than the $$$ you'll waste on rotating cars.

 

i fail to see the point of this thread.
why would anyone ask for opinions about... whether one should sell or trade his/her car or not?

does this type of thread impress anyone?

 

I have hobbies. and i dont really have ADD.

I considered the 330 in the beginning, but the 2001 was a lot more a year ago, when i got my Cl-S. Now that the 2003 CI's are out, the 2001 have dropped. Its just a thought.

 

why you such a prick? Somtimes people buy a car thinking it looks great on paper, but then once you start driving it you realize its not the car for you. Plus in a year of ownership you learn alot about the car and you can either be happy or you realized you made a mistake so its better to get out fast rather than being stuck.


hughesne,

Its all up to you. The 330 is fun as hell, but so is the CLS. I had a TLS, and traded it in for a 330ci. NO REGRETS... i have had the 330 for 6 months now, and it hasnt gotten old to me. Still a blast to drive.


How about leasing a new 330? Seems like you trade fast anyways.. maybe this can be an option for you.

 

Why do you think he was trying to impress us with this post? He was just looking for advice, if you don't want to help him, then don't. It's good to bounce ideas off of others, to do a reality check.

back to the topic, I like the 330ci, but for some reason non //M BMW's always portrayed a kind if 'stuffy image' IMO. I can't put my finger on it, because I like almost everything about the 330ci, but I think i'd feel like a stuffy yuppy type driving one. Honestly in that price range I would go for a used low mileage 98-99 e36 M3.

 

Yes, im trying to impress people by starting a thread that talks about myself having the option to buy a used 330 that is less than the car i currently own. Not sure how i have IMPRESSED you, but im glad.

I wish leasing were an option, because its much cheaper. But i already have 19000 miles on my car that i got at the end of last march. And i'll hit 24K this year.

A low mileage 98-99 M3 huh? Any other thoughts on this idea?

 

I got dibs on the car, then I'll paint it with professional aegean blue paint thats better than cheap honda paint.

woot

Nick out.

 

Actually, if you would clean your eyes and reread my post....
I never said that you impressed me.


I was merely asking if your thread was impressing anyone....

Hey, it was just a question,
let's not let that get to your head.

Now if you want my 2 cents... taking a big hit to trade your CL for a 330 sounds pretty foolish. Personally, although I do like the 330, I would not justify wasting more money, especially when I just bought the CL.

Your threads are similar to the ones that say, "hey look at how many cars my family owns". We basically don't care. If you got the cash, good for you. But do you really need to come on here talking as if money grows out of your ass? If it does, please do share with us.

I'm not hatin' or being a prick. I was only asking what the point of this thread is....

But hey, if you want to be a fool... that's your perogative.
Biatch.

:P

 

I was in a similar situation. I took a loan for the total value of my 01 CL (big mistake!), and now I got tired of paying $730 a month on a 2 year old car. I realized I like to change cars every few years, so I decided to lease a 350Z. I took a ~3k hit by trading in my CL, but I worked out a good lease deal which negated some of my losses. I am now saving ~$200-250 in monthly payments, and I get a new car in the process.

The lesson: For a person that gets tired of cars quickly, leasing is a good option, as the current value of cars right now blows, and you will take a big hit trying to sell it.

 

I was asking for opinions on what people thought about a comparison between the '03 MT and the '01 CI. And to take into consideration the current value of my car. These kinds of threads are up all the time.

nvpscore,
How much will you give me?

 

actually, your initial post appeared to be asking about whether the idea of trading in your cl for a bimmer is a bad idea or not.
but hey, who's keeping record?

as they say, ain't no thang but a chicken wang.
nothing to bunch panties over.


those are two great cars. pick your evil.

 

I, like Scrib...also seriously thought about trading my car in for a 330. Crazy didn't make it any easier. They are nice cars. But, i didn't think the loss i was going to take was worth it. The cars arent that different. I drove the shit of of Crazy's and i loved it. His a manual. I figure since you have the 6 speed the difference is nill. I personally decided against it. I will keep my car until I can afford an M3 or something like that. The dramatic performance increase would justify that IMO. Hope that helps. You have a six speed it is an awsome car. I would weight your options seriously.
Good luck!!

 

If you re-read the first post you will see the reason why he is trading it in...because he is "bored." I understand that some cars look different on paper, yada yada, but the situation he described was very different. Sorry if I was a "prick."

 

Whatever you do...wait until Spring. This time of year a dealer will nail you on the trade value!!!

A couple months might save you a grand or so.

 

I still can't believe he paid STICKER for the CL.

When I got my '01 CL-S (march of 2000) they were asking sticker price, but still dropped down $500 without a problem.

Three years later, and dealerships are asking MSRP?????

 

i smoked a 330 the other day gettin on the freeway..whats the point of changing to a slower car?

 

Well said Loseit...

The 330 is a GREAT car. Handles like it's on rails, quick off the line, sweeeeeeet looking. I could go on.

But it came down to money. I have a 7yr/75K warranty on my CL. I'll have it paid off in a little over two years from now (taking my time ). So I'll have a nice 4 years left WITHOUT having to worry about paying for anything major.

Combine that with the fact that the CL is one heck of a value, the decision on to start over was pretty easy. And the wife wants a SUV, and Scrib Jr. is gonna happen in the next few years. It's just not the time for a 40+K car.

hughesne - The one thing I would really think about is the warranty. BMWs are NOT known for their reliability and an '01 is getting damn close to warranty expiration. And parts are FOCKIN' expensive. On the other hand, it's a GREAT car, a blast to drive... It boils down to what YOU want. I just don't like taking a HUGE hit on a trade-in and having to pay more out of my ass for parts.

 

Sad to say but they want sticker for the 03 Type-S 6-speed.. I got the delivery charge dropped off.. so I saved 500 but it was by no means an easy deal... I started to walk out and it caused alot of waves, because the car salesman thought I was bluffin about having the money for the car...The rest of the deal was uncomfortable because of it..

Smitty

 

As a former TL owner, and a current 328i owner, I think I have some applicable experience.

The TL (or CL for that matter) is a fun car, reasonable to maintain, and VERY reliable.

My 328 is a BLAST to drive, rediculous to maintain, and terrible in terms of reliability. The fit and finish is no where close to my old TL or even my $22k Accord. I had mine in the shop 6 times in 4 months after I bought it, including replacement of both lower control arms, both rear axle bearings, and cupped tires (didn't take it to BMW for that! They wouldn't warranty any of the tire, even though they freely acknowledge that their faulty control arms caused the cupping). The third time I had it in the shop, and I saw my salesman. He asked me about my "Ultimate Driving Machine", and I told him it was the ultimate piece of crap. His jaw hit the floor as one of his prospective customers got up and walked out. Mine has been a lot better lately, and I've got my fingers crossed, but it's a horrible way to feel about your car.

I spend quite a bit of time on www.e46fanatics.com, and can tell you that owners over there are generally unhappy with the quality of the 330's. It seems as if there is always a problem with the cars, and BMW NA is worse than Acura when it comes to taking care of their customers. I'd stick with the CL if I were you, and save yourself a bundle of $$$. I've been considering trading in for a 2003 CL-s 6spd, but I'm hanging on to see the new TL.

Just my $.02. Free advice is always worth what you pay!

 

Yes, i paid sticker because i got my 6 speed so early in the production cycle that salesman didnt know how high the demand was gonna be.

jdl75,
Thanks for the advice, that may be all i need to keep my CL a little longer. I think im bored because the after market parts come out too slow and/or too expensive, ie. supercharger.

 

Aftermarket parts are even worse for the Bimmer. Just ask Crazy Bimmer how much his CAI was. I want to say 500 bucks???

 

Just my $0.02:

The trade would not be worth it IMO. I own both an E46 328i (same platform as the 330i, no 330i from '99 and '00, 328i was the top but with '01 they brought the 330i, more HP but not much more torque but with more weight).

My wife and I work together so we drive to the office together nearly everyday. This means I go from my CL-S6 to the 328i almost daily. The BMW has incredible traits without a doubt, the handling is phenomenal. Mine is with the sport suspension. But that handling benefit is very rarely utilized. No doubt the steering response is better but in most (90%+) situations, the CL-S6 is just as good.

There are things that are better on the CL-S6, the shifter is better for a manual. The acceleration (for me with an E46 328i) is better. There is more room in the front and back (regardless of doors). The final aspect is the engine, the CL-S wins here by the sound and feel at WOT. But the I6 is commended in the BMW for the smooth turbine feel.

Had I still owned my automatic CL-S prior to my wife being pregnant with twins I probably would have decided to get rid of the CL-S and keep the BMW for myself. However, ever since trading the 5-Speed auto CL for the CL-S6 that idea would not even cross my mind. The manual CL is an incredible vehicle for what it was designed.

 

i want a six speed and my life would be perfect :P

 

Agree, agree, agree, agree. The CL is mechanically a superior car in every respect, with the possible exception of handling. As you said, the extended capability of the BMW in this department is rarely, if ever, needed. Final vote: Keep the CL-s 6spd. Save a bundle in maintenance and repair and enjoy the extra power. I wish it would have been available when I bought my bimmer.