After 32+ years....my first BMW.

Aaron09128i · 10-07-2011, 11:21 AM

I arrived in Germany a couple weeks ago to my new duty station and immediately started looking for a vehicle.

I was set on getting an '07 or '08 335i 6spd w/ sport package. I figured prices and availability would be similar here to back in the states. I was wrong. It turned out that I could get a great deal on a new 335i (about $6k off MSRP with no taxes due), just not on what I was looking for, but I didn't want to spend much more than $25-27K.

So I widened my search.

Long story short; I settled (or thought that was the term) for my 2009 128i 6spd with 25k miles. It didn't have the sport package, but it did have the premium package and the all important sunroof.

I've got to say that my first trip home with it (with a little autobahn- 130km limit though) was better than my expectations.

I don't want to post what I paid just yet. I'd ask for some suggestions as to what you guys think would be a fair price first

FYI, my previous cars were:
1989 Honda CRX Si 5spd - bought in 1995
1997 Honda Prelude type SH 5spd(with every conceivable bolt-on) - bought in 1997
2006 Honda Civic Si 6spd(with mild bolt-ons) - bought in 2006

Honda has probably lost me forever. I kinda feel like an adult now

m_thompson · 10-07-2011, 11:49 AM

I got to drive my M-Sport '09 128i on the Autobahn with a 250km speed limiter. I actually didn't take it above 225km because it was so new. The 335i might be fun in Germany, but it is major overkill for the US. The 128i is a very nice car.

Aaron09128i · 10-07-2011, 12:43 PM

That brings up a good point, what is the limiter set at on a non-sport pkg 128i?
And, is there a top speed limiter removal available? I've searched but not found anything.

Sadly, I'd need different tires to do that safely since my 1 still has the stock rubber.

Wings0fRed · 10-07-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_thompson

I got to drive my M-Sport '09 128i on the Autobahn with a 250km speed limiter. I actually didn't take it above 225km because it was so new. The 335i might be fun in Germany, but it is major overkill for the US. The 128i is a very nice car.

I'm sure that it was plenty fun to drive the 128i around over in Germany, but I wouldn't exactly say that a 335i in the states is overkill. There definitely aren't the highspeed roads like there are in Germany but I have still very much enjoyed the extra oomph the turbo'd motors get.

Either way they are both great cars and congratulations on your first BMW - I can definitely relate to the sense of feeling like an "adult"!

Aaron09128i · 10-08-2011, 03:18 AM

Ok, I paid $18,500.

dicker · 10-09-2011, 09:11 PM

That's really cheap, is that USD?

BBBluey · 10-09-2011, 11:35 PM

Did you price new ones from a dealer such as Pentagoncarsales before buying that one? I'm thinking military sales as you mentioned duty station.

Sales tax on the car will incur when you ship it back to the states---but that will depend on the state you register with. And it will be based on it's initial purchase price not it's depreciated value.

The price you paid isn't bad but don't forget that ....you can get a new one for under invoice, and if it's a demo model then even way way less. So when you buy a used one over there from someone, don't take the KBB or NADA value for what it is because that's based on US purchase price with a zip code.

Enjoy your new ride on those great autobahns!

Aaron09128i · 10-10-2011, 04:30 AM

Yes it was US Dollars.

I did get a quote from pentagon car sales. A base model with no options would have been $27K + delivery charges, so figure about $29K for one similar to mine.

So I traded 25K miles for $10K. The next cheapest 128i I saw was about $25K.

As far as the taxes when/if I take it back, I should end up with a choice between Florida and South Carolina...I'll figure that out in a couple of years. I'm seriously considering buying a 2013 335i and taking that back though.

BrokenVert · 10-10-2011, 05:32 AM

Willkommen in Einser!

Be honest. With this car youve sortof half grown up

Aaron09128i · 10-11-2011, 12:49 PM

Touche.

Dackelone · 10-11-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron09128i

That brings up a good point, what is the limiter set at on a non-sport pkg 128i?
And, is there a top speed limiter removal available? I've searched but not found anything.

Sadly, I'd need different tires to do that safely since my 1 still has the stock rubber.

BMW M-sport option code 840 "increased top speed limiter" (speed syncronation)…

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]IF you ordered the M-sport package... that includes the option code #840. Then your top speed is electronically limited to 250 kph (155mph). Without option #840, the car's V-max is limited to 210 kph (130 mph).

Option code #840 comes with either M sport option ZMP (full)option codeor ZSP (partial)option. Here is a old post of mine explaining what those options include...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362052&highlight=top+speed+840

Dackel

10-07-2011, 11:21 AM	#1
Aaron09128i Enlisted Member 11 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xdrive Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	After 32+ years....my first BMW. I arrived in Germany a couple weeks ago to my new duty station and immediately started looking for a vehicle. I was set on getting an '07 or '08 335i 6spd w/ sport package. I figured prices and availability would be similar here to back in the states. I was wrong. It turned out that I could get a great deal on a new 335i (about $6k off MSRP with no taxes due), just not on what I was looking for, but I didn't want to spend much more than $25-27K. So I widened my search. Long story short; I settled (or thought that was the term) for my 2009 128i 6spd with 25k miles. It didn't have the sport package, but it did have the premium package and the all important sunroof. I've got to say that my first trip home with it (with a little autobahn- 130km limit though) was better than my expectations. I don't want to post what I paid just yet. I'd ask for some suggestions as to what you guys think would be a fair price first FYI, my previous cars were: 1989 Honda CRX Si 5spd - bought in 1995 1997 Honda Prelude type SH 5spd(with every conceivable bolt-on) - bought in 1997 2006 Honda Civic Si 6spd(with mild bolt-ons) - bought in 2006 Honda has probably lost me forever. I kinda feel like an adult now
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10-07-2011, 11:49 AM	#2
m_thompson Major 133 Rep 1,416 Posts Drives: M-Sport 128i, 328xi, 3.0CS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i [0.00] 1972 3.0CS [10.00]	I got to drive my M-Sport '09 128i on the Autobahn with a 250km speed limiter. I actually didn't take it above 225km because it was so new. The 335i might be fun in Germany, but it is major overkill for the US. The 128i is a very nice car. __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
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10-07-2011, 12:43 PM	#3
Aaron09128i Enlisted Member 11 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xdrive Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	That brings up a good point, what is the limiter set at on a non-sport pkg 128i? And, is there a top speed limiter removal available? I've searched but not found anything. Sadly, I'd need different tires to do that safely since my 1 still has the stock rubber.
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10-08-2011, 03:18 AM	#5
Aaron09128i Enlisted Member 11 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xdrive Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	Ok, I paid $18,500.
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10-09-2011, 09:11 PM	#6
dicker Captain 69 Rep 847 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (8)	That's really cheap, is that USD?
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10-09-2011, 11:35 PM	#7
BBBluey Major 77 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: very slow and courteous Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vandenberg Village, California iTrader: (7)	Did you price new ones from a dealer such as Pentagoncarsales before buying that one? I'm thinking military sales as you mentioned duty station. Sales tax on the car will incur when you ship it back to the states---but that will depend on the state you register with. And it will be based on it's initial purchase price not it's depreciated value. The price you paid isn't bad but don't forget that ....you can get a new one for under invoice, and if it's a demo model then even way way less. So when you buy a used one over there from someone, don't take the KBB or NADA value for what it is because that's based on US purchase price with a zip code. Enjoy your new ride on those great autobahns!
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10-10-2011, 04:30 AM	#8
Aaron09128i Enlisted Member 11 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xdrive Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	Yes it was US Dollars. I did get a quote from pentagon car sales. A base model with no options would have been $27K + delivery charges, so figure about $29K for one similar to mine. So I traded 25K miles for $10K. The next cheapest 128i I saw was about $25K. As far as the taxes when/if I take it back, I should end up with a choice between Florida and South Carolina...I'll figure that out in a couple of years. I'm seriously considering buying a 2013 335i and taking that back though.
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10-10-2011, 05:32 AM	#9
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	Willkommen in Einser! Be honest. With this car youve sortof half grown up __________________
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10-11-2011, 12:49 PM	#10
Aaron09128i Enlisted Member 11 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xdrive Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Carolina iTrader: (0)	Touche.
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