Gettin' a New Car!!

PrazVT

So I'm getting my first BMW!!

2012 BMW 328i Sport Line
- Mineral Grey Metallic / Coral Red Leather
- Red / Gloss Black trim
- Premium Package
- Premium Sound Package (of course)
- Xenon Lights
- Heated Front Seats
- 6 M/T
- 18" wheels (but may buy 19s once they're available)

My Dad and I went to the dealership today to talk to the salesman who sold him his '09 335i. I got a good deal and decided to take European Delivery. Upside is that I get a vacation & get to drive my car for a week in Europe. Downside is I won't get the car back here in California until probably late July / early August. This'll be a test of patience for sure.

Their offer on my trade-in (my 2008 Mazda 3 hatchback 5M/T) wasn't so hot, but I have a month to try to sell it before deciding whether to take their trade offer (~$3k < blue book).

Though my dad was pushing me to get the 8 speed auto, I told him I'd teach him to drive stick before we go so he can drive the car there too. He drove stick in India 30+ years ago, but I suspect he'll need to re-learn.

Here are some pics of one w/ the same exterior / interior combo. It looks like the only difference is that he doesn't have the premium stereo and he has the automatic...

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=645457

Sorry I'm just excited. This is one of those things where you grow up and see Benzes, BMWs, Audis, etc. .. and wonder if you'll ever be able to buy one. And then one day years later, you're finally able to do it. And it's a good feeling.

Here's hoping I get the vacation time. If I don't, it just means I'll get the car sooner lol. :cheesygrin:

tonyb

Congrats man, sell that Mazda on your own and you can probably double that coin. Nice ride, take care of her and she'll last you a long time.

thsmith

DOnt forget on your trade in you get to deduct the taxes on the trade in amount. Factor that in if you sell it yourself.

Congrats.

janmike

Congrats on the new car. Enjoy!

Upstatemax

Nice car! Congrats and enjoy the ride!

chumlie

Be carefull on the autobahn. Its alot more frieghtening than California traffic.

Kex

That's a very nice car, congratulations! It's tough to beat that BMW feeling: it's not how fast you go, but how you go fast.

As for the autobahn, I'd be careful of the older one's (they have sharper turns and less visibility of the road ahead). They usually have a recommended, or sometimes mandatory speed limit of 130 km/h (80 MPH). You probably don't want to push your new engine to it's limits right away anyhow. The drivers are far more disciplined than California drivers and nearly always obey driving regulations. They use their turn signals, so you won't experience weavers from all sides with no warning the way you do here. I understand that it's a crime in Germany to run out of gasoline on the freeway (for obvious safety reasons, and causing unnecessary disruption to traffic flow), so avoid that if you can!

It's usual for Americans who learned to drive with an automatic to shift from sixth to second or first, skipping intermediate ratios, blissfully unaware that you're supposed to change down gears as well, as you slow down; not just change up, as you go faster; matching gear changes to your speed as you slow down. Theoretically it's better for the longevity of the gearbox, and appropriate control of the vehicle. That's how I drive a manual anyway, no floating around in neutral! With the newer, ultra-smooth, six to eight speed shiftable automatic gearboxes available now, I don't bother with that any more.

PrazVT

Thanks guys

tonyb wrote: »

Congrats man, sell that Mazda on your own and you can probably double that coin. Nice ride, take care of her and she'll last you a long time.

Thanks - yeah, I'm going to put an ad up on the Cisco for sale and Craigs list this week. I had the car washed / waxed / detailed inside yesterday. I upgraded the sound system, so hopefully that helps w/ the private sale.

DOnt forget on your trade in you get to deduct the taxes on the trade in amount. Factor that in if you sell it yourself.

Congrats.

I didn't know that! Let me look into that as well.

That's a very nice car, congratulations! It's tough to beat that BMW feeling: it's not how fast you go, but how you go fast.

As for the autobahn, I'd be careful of the older one's (they have sharper turns and less visibility of the road ahead). They usually have a recommended, or sometimes mandatory speed limit of 130 km/h (80 MPH). You probably don't want to push your new engine to it's limits right away anyhow. The drivers are far more disciplined than California drivers and nearly always obey driving regulations. They use their turn signals, so you won't experience weavers from all sides with no warning the way you do here. I understand that it's a crime in Germany to run out of gasoline on the freeway (for obvious safety reasons, and causing unnecessary disruption to traffic flow), so avoid that if you can!

It's usual for Americans who learned to drive with an automatic to shift from sixth to second or first, skipping intermediate ratios, blissfully unaware that you're supposed to change down gears as well, as you slow down; not just change up, as you go faster; matching gear changes to your speed as you slow down. Theoretically it's better for the longevity of the gearbox, and appropriate control of the vehicle. That's how I drive a manual anyway, no floating around in neutral! With the newer, ultra-smooth, six to eight speed shiftable automatic gearboxes available now, I don't bother with that any more.

Well, I learned to drive in Virginia so while I've lived in California the last 5 years, my driving style is different. I hate California drivers ..they don't signal, they drive slow in the left lane ...just idiotic driving habits. I don't skip shifts when I drive stick .. I go down one by one - natural engine breaking is one thing I like on manuals compared to autos. I don't use my breaks that much unless there is alot of traffic or rain. The Mazda has a good shifter / clutch compared to the cars I learned on, so I assume the BMW will be a step up.