BlackMercBenz

I didn't have any complaints about the car, loved it while it lasted.
But for some reason I can't explain, it didn't feel Complete to me...

Traded it in today for an '08 BMW 335i coupe.

I guess Merc's slogan should be followed by everybody... Unfortunately, a Benz didn't quite do it for me.

"Around here, You gotta Love what you drive"

So long fellas... Godspeed.

oblu

Mind letting us know what you got as a trade-in or private sale? I went to trade me C300 in and they're telling me it's worth 12k less than what I paid back in Sept. Not the greatest resale value.

Flame3g

keith100

Couple of days ago, you said you leased it!

joshieca

Thats cool, the 335 is a great ride. It was my first choice, but BMW didn't want to play nice with the lease payments and my Merc was $150 less a month....that's at least two tankfuls of gas a month , so yeah it was a big deal for me.

BlackMercBenz

Well, are you talking about 12K less including the taxes and interest? Of course you will always be at the losing end.
They offered me the same value for the Benz as my pay-off amount... But I did put some money down on the car, thats why.

But the best part of it, I got the 335i at 3.9% APR from BMWF, I had the C350 at 7.9% !!!

So, I ended up not winning, but at least being even, I think.
You never win the trade-in game in any dealership.

Bubbles

Get the Dinan Flash Software when it is available for your ECU81. I have it on my 335i ('07, with ECU80) and the car is a rocket, 0-60 in 4.48, 1/4 mile in 12.89 @ 109mph.


Get an extra quart of oil from BMW as the 335i eats a 1/2 quart of oil every 3-5k.

tanktube67

Congrats on your BMW, I also had the 335i coupe as my first choice but I was not getting the deal a wanted and back on October no dealer wanted to make a good deal, the only thing I don't like about BMW is that my 545i spends so much time at the dealer for warranty repairs, good luck and enjoy.

c350blknav

good job.

bigben320e

Whoops...

The way the market is now, you better hold on to your car. Trade-in? What? That's like bad comedy at any dealer now.

oblu

I did lease it. I was told that if I wanted out of my lease early, I'd have to trade it in like any other car take that valuation and then apply it to my pay-off amount. Unfortunately, the mercedes dealer wasn't interested in their own product and only would be willing to give me 27k for it. I paid 39k.

So not even factoring in taxes, licenses or interest, in 6500 miles the car is worth 12k less than when I took it off the lot in Oct.

I was expecting maybe 5-6k, especially if they wanted to make another sale since I was looking at an E350. But 12k? I've always gotten rid of my cars after a 12-18mo and always walked away even or having a few grand to play with. But those have been BMWs and Audis.

narky

A friend of mine leased a 2003 M3 for 36 months. The car spent 21 months out of those 36 at the dealership for a variety of repairs. Meanwhile, my friend drove around in a plain jane 3-series loaner. He still payed the M3 lease payments, of course.

After that, he swore off BMWs forever.

I know his story is a little bit on the extreme side... but BMWs... I dunno. Not that MB is any better, but... guess you gotta go with what you like! Good luck with your new car, and to borrow your phrase, Godspeed!

rs1985

is not about they not being interested in their product or your sales, actually taking 30 percent from you shows that they are pretty nice anyways.When you roll off the lot, at least 25 % of you car's value is already gone. When you're in a lease, you should finish it. That's the agreement, I think part of it is fining you for getting out early. Just don't make random charge against MB now that you get out of it. What is it going to be next? You got trip getting out of your W204 and somehow there was a BMW coupe there saving you from falling or what, comon man, don't make it like sour grapes when you leave

oblu

I think you got me confused with the original poster (my fault, I kind of hijacked it). Either way, I didn't really understand what you were saying.

narky

No need for this. I understood fine (mostly). I'm not necessarily agreeing with his comments.

In any case I'm more interested in this:

How? So if I understand correctly, you got free rides in those cars, and/or they paid you to drive around their cars? I wanna try what you've done, because that sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.

UGOTMOPPED

I have an 08 335 Coupe right now...I have to say this great is great...****S on the C350 in performance. I test drove the C350 last yr when I was debating on my next ride. I am getting rid of my car now, because I am expecting my daughter to be born in the next month...so I ordered a C63....That is the only C class I would even consider....Plus now..BMW's warranty is the best in the industry..the only thing I ever had to pay for was tires and gas....Even when the 335 burns a lot of oil...which it does..I pull right in, they top me off..I drive off...

oblu

Still had to make my financing payments; but I've never been 'upside' down on a car at the 12-18mo mark when I went to sell it or trade it in. Upside = owing more than its worth.

And I don't put anything down up front. I guess I've just been lucky to pick cars that were popular enough that they held their value.

narky

Ahh... I thought you meant that you were even on the money INCLUDING the payments made. Of course, that made no sense to me. I see, I see.

Love the 335 Coupe! Couldn't get it because I needed a 4-door, and the 3-series sedan looks just not quite there IMO.

micropower99

I agree 100%. The 3 Series Coupe looks damn amazing bu the sedan ehhh not so much. Then with the C Class merc its the other way around haha.

dalazernet

I concur. BMW coupe is sexiness - especially in those above pictures! w0w!!!

But I love my baby ;-)

cjh.

+1. It just looks...."off." Front end is fine maybe....but I have an issue with the rear for some reason.

micropower99

Yea it's the rear taillights in my opinion that looks off. (On the 3 series sedan)

jstaneff

I've seen other BMW with unbalanced fitting for tail lights. This one has the reversing lights on the fenders and they make the total lights look wrong. (Should have enlarged the lights on the trunk lid to match.)

And, I don't notice a separate diffuser. Makes it look like a Honda.

stephensocal85

Hey, I'm considering that too. Which dealership did you go to for the BMW? Did they give you a good deal?

I wanna get a 335i. I miss my 3-Series. The C350 is amazing and fun. But it's not an engaging drive. I mean, it's leaps ahead of the 325i that I had before the W204, but the 335i is just THE car to have.

narky

Hmm... call me weird, but that's actually one of the reasons why I didn't get the 335 (coupe/sedan). Seems like every other guy I know has a 335. Two friends leased coupes, one friend bought a coupe, and another guy bought a sedan.

Ehh... I wanted to be different. Maybe that's a stupid reason? I kinda like being a young guy (28 yrs) who doesn't have a BMW.

Gotta admit, though, the 335 coupe looks freakin beautiful. The sedan, bleh. At least you can get a stick shift with the bigger engine.