eddie33081

Hey everyone.

My lease is finishing next month and have been in a a (E60) 530/535 for the last 6 years now. I really loved the engine in my 535 but really didnt use the space as we use my wives car when traveling with the family. My backseat is literally flawless. I went to look at the new F10 and it is definitely good looking and big but after shopping a few dealers the price would be above what I was paying now. I cannot justify that right now and I would rather keep the same payment or lower it. The new 3 series actually got larger so it is in the running but mentally I have that feeling that Im downgrading (which I am).

So here are my options:

1. Lease a 528? (small engine but same feeling of being in a big car (less of a mental downgrade))

2. Lease a 335? (good engine but will price me similarly to my current 535 but in a smaller less prestigious car? Performance is not head and shoulders above the 328? Would probably go with sport package with no Navigation to cut costs)

3. Lease a 328? (Has been showing good numbers on the track. 4 Cyl? Would be able to get a larger package including Navigation. Mental feeling of buying the bottom of the barrel (entry level) BMW???

4. Lease an Infiniti M37????? (lower price for a similarly performing/size car to the 535??)

I think I could go on and on with my options, lol but will stop here. Help!

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

hooch999

I'd say if you are not using your car for business at least 70% of the time - stop leasing and get yourself a CPO car, M37 sounds like a great option.

eddie33081

The car is used for business so will be leasing.

Thanks

Shlooky

I would stay away from the M37, thin paint, doors rust quickly. (Major Nissan issue) And the interior doesn't feel as rich as the BMW.

The new F30 3 series should be a significant step up in interior quality/design and performance over the e90's why don't you check them out and go from there?

sdg1871

If you want speed and nimbleness get the F30 335. it is as big as the E39 5 Series was. A saw a loaded 335 with Sport Package at BMW of Manhattan last week and it was gorgeous. The interior is a huge upgrade from the E92.

But if you want presence and luxury, go for the F10.

MrTantrum

Do you need a backseat (kids, customers, co-workers)? If so, this was a major detraction for me with the 3 series. I originally wanted and test drove a 335i sport and LOVED IT! However, once my 8 year old tried to sit in the back seat and it was even too small for him, I knew that the 3 series was out of the question for me.

umichchris

i test drove the F10 and hated how supple/soft it was....no longer a drivers car to me IMO....i would guess that if i ever touched a F10 it would have to be the ///M as a cpo a few years from now. also, the infiniti M series has notorious electrical and build quality issues. the platform has been plagued since it launched years go. i would stay away....for confirmation look that the faltering resale value on those M series cars....the word got out and they are hard to move off lots.

so that leaves the F30, give it a shot....only shoot for the 335 tho....otherwise u will miss the power for sure.

GX528i

I am left with a similar dilemma also. My lease is up in 3 months and I'm also on a tight budget too. I test drove a 528i I4 (since I'm coming from an E60 528i) and the power was just DISAPPOINTING to me. 3 series is a bit too small for me even though we do have other cars in the garage if we ever need something with more space (if the RX isnt big enough I've got my big gas thirsty V8 GX lol). I test drove a 2012 x5 35d and the power was amazing! Only problem was the engine sound. Still sounds like a diesel during idling and when driving at speeds lower than 50mph.

AchtungE60

Get an M3

v_therussian

E60 was built on a platform that shared a lot of its key architecture with the E90, which endowed it with incredible dynamic qualities. F10 is build on virtually the same platform as the new 7er (F01), which makes it overweight and supple. It endows the F10 with lots of positive qualities, no doubt! But if you want a driver's car, F30 is your best bet.