Your Good Friend Tells You He's Going To Buy A BMW 3-Series-How Would You Talk Them Out Of It?

Come on now just like the last three cars I would only want to talk the keys out of his hands and into mine! I love this segment of cars all highly compettive and do a very good job with an exciting ride, great safty features and room for a small family all while being a great daily driver. We are blessed in the times we live in as car lovers!

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 12:37:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

I'm on my 3rd 3-series right now (335i coupe) and as fantastic as they are, one thing has always bothered me. The sheer number of them on the road. I can't tell you how many times I've sat at a busy stoplight only to look around me and count sometimes 10 3'ers. The previous bodystyle 1999-2005 E46 3 is probably the most popular used upscale car right now, BMW sold so so many of them. It's kinda annoying feeling like you're just like everybody else, even though the car's have always been phenomenal to own.

If I was encouraging a friend to buy something other than the 3-series, I would say "be different, get a 135i, slightly used Porsche Cayman or if you prefer the sedan, maybe a new Audi S4"

This is more than likely my last 3'er. But as a repeat BMW owner, they do have a way of keeping you in the family.

— Chip (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 1:18:01 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 16   

I'd tell my friend: Last year, the 335i would have been hands down the car to buy in that class (a recommendation I actually did make in '08 more than once). But this year, I'd go for the new S4 which I find more interesting and will certainly be more rare.

— Dustbuster (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 1:42:38 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

Id say go ahead and buy it. Its a good car. Where i live, the 320i is the only BMW that dominates the road. A well specced 335i would stand out brilliantly.

— darzav (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 1:56:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I'd simply tell him: "Put your glasses on", by the time he does, he'll probably realize how stupid he is.

— Speedoholic (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 1:59:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

I'll tell him, "the kind of chick you're going to pick up is EL34s and agent009."

— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 2:26:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

To be honest, he purchased the benchmark, so why would you talk him out of it? If his nuts are shriveled, I'd suggest the C-class and the A4, necessarily in that order.

— dhkss2002 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 2:32:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

Badgewhore - :-) that's funny.

— nguyenvuminh (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 4:45:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

I would tell him to go to Autolies and read what all the members write in this thread.


What's up with these stupid topics lately?

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 6:55:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

AGENT 001 IS A GIRLY_MAN!!!! You keep this up and you'll talk us out of this site..."Your best friend wants to add AutoSpies to his favorite list. What would you say to talk him out of it ?"

— PUGPROUD (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 7:52:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Harsh riding and noisy on runflats - the car does not seem to be designed for these tires. In contrast, the One Series cars seem to do great on runflats. Drive them both and you'll see. No spare tire is a killer if you live in the west and regularly tour away from the big cities - as the runflats are pretty much unavailable. If you still have to have one, do what a lot of 3 series owners do - put on good tires and carry a plugger kit or buy a wheel and carry a spare.

— abqhudson (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 9:30:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Several weeks ago my son told me that he was looking at a new car and that he was considering a C230 or a G35.
I advised him to test drive a 3-series before making a decision.
He bought the 3-series.

— AgentOrange (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 11:02:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

What if I had told my other friends wanting to buy an A4 and a G37 to buy a 3 series?! :P

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 11:17:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Where I live I have seen more Ferraris than the new Audi in person. I have seem 3 Ferraris so far

— veyron1001 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 11:49:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Depends on what they like in a car. My brother in-law was cross shopping the 3 series, G37, and A5 last week and ended up choosing the G37 as the all around better car. So in the end it depends on one's preference.

— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 12:08:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I'd tell him get a stick and maybe consider an E30.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 12:13:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Is this a trick question? Okay, okay, I'll play along. The cupholders are terrible and there isn't as much storage space as there should be in a car that size.

— Redwood (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 1:21:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

just dont get the 325/328...and dont skimp on the sport package

— DogLb (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 1:36:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

a) overpriced by 3-5k min
b) everyone will think you're an a-hole
c) you probably will be an a-hole
d) sales team are a-holes
e) serv team a-holes
f) great cars tho!

— 1234xyz (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 2:03:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Depends if that person knows cars, knows what he wants out of cars, and is smart enough to find out which cars provide what he desires. Then whatever car that person chooses is good enough.

If the person isn't really into cars? I'd tell him to save his money and buy something else.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 2:46:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Hmm lol this is a tough one. I traded my 2001 330 for a 2009 135.I have plenty friends with the 335 coupe and sedan and the M3. If I had to say anything to convince a friend not to get a 3 series it would be these things.

1.Ride is harsher than most of its competition.
2.Price is a little above its competition.
3.Brake feel is not as solid as a G37.
4.Too many of them on the road.
5.On a side note- If anyone has heard of westchester bmw i would not recommend going there for service. Quite a few times i have seen the techs come sideways out of the entrance to "test drive" the cars after repairs.

I love my 135 though. BMW underrated both the 135 and 335. I put my car on the dyno at a track in nj called englishtown or raceway park if anyones familiar and it put out 287 hp at 5740 and 294 lb-ft at 3100 rpm.I flashed it with the proceed v1 and made 348 hp at 6160 rpm and 363 lb-ft at 3860 rpm.

— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 3:28:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I have a feeling the next article is going to be "what would you say to talk your friend out of buying a Lexus IS" or a C-class

— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 3:32:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I tell my freind I can't wait for September 15th when auto show season starts.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 4:02:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I tell my friends, if you are heading towards a highway exit and you ask yourself, "where is the apex", buy the BMW. If you are wondering, "what's an apex", buy a G37 or Lexus IS. Both will be cheaper to own and you'll never notice the performance difference.

— MarkY (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 4:26:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

It depends if he wants real leather or not.

— upwards (View Profile)

Posted on 9/7/2009 4:28:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

All you need is this. Test drive the GTR.

— veyron1001 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2009 11:06:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Good point, but BMW does not have an answer for the GT-R, so not really fair to compare. Test driving the G37 would be the better option.

— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2009 1:18:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I never knew anybody nice that drives a BMW. So if you're an ass go for it, becuase we dont want your kind in other lux makes.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2009 4:24:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

"you don't even know how to drive a stick shift"

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2009 5:00:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Stick Shifts are Caveman Tech.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 9/10/2009 3:18:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Why did I get this in Autospies email under Spy News and how the fuck is this news? Instead of posting stupid ass questions like this, the "Agents" should focus on automotive news. If one wants to buy a BMW, Infiniti or any other car, let them buy it and stop these senseless posts.

— koobah (View Profile)

Posted on 9/10/2009 5:30:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I would tell my friend the same thing if he were buying an Audi A4/S4 or Mercedes C-class - these cars get very pricey with options, and maintenance is expensive. If performance is your highest priority, get the BMW 335i/M3, the Audi S4, or Mercedes C63 AMG. If you just want basic 'point-A-to-point-B' transportation with a touch of class, look elsewhere.

— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 9/14/2009 1:44:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1