2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

[sejnomar]

Ok, I've been going back and forth with this and I can't make a decision.
These are my 2 options

They are both 2006 models

2006
325i
42,000km's
Automatic, sunroof, premium package, winter package

Price - $21,000

2006
525i
109,000km's
6- speed Manual, sunroof,, premium package, winter package

Price - $20,000


need help, any feedback will be appreciated.

[Remedys]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

325 Hands down if you want a sporty nice handling car and cheaper to service, the 525 will be slow, is large and will cost a lot more to service. I would look for a manual 325 or 330 though.

[R_Ethug]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

yea i'd try and find a 330

5series is a completely different car..

[Duby T]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

Both are pretty cool cars. It really depends what sort of driving experience you want.

If you want something a little more spirited, I'd go for the 325 (manual tranny if you could find one).

If you want something a little more refined and comfortable, I'd say go for the 525.

Both have tons of tuning potential, however the 3 series will probably be a little more fun if you plan on driving it hard (straight line or track).

If you don't plan on driving your next car hard, the 525 would be a sick cruiser with just wheels and a drop.

[Miguex]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

Why not a 2004 BMW 545i V8?

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/f-bmw-545i-...ordZbmwQ20545i

[sejnomar]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

the 545i is nice,if i made more money i would get it. V8 = gas guzzler.. i want something that won't kill my wallet @ the pump, and it the car has to be below $20,000.

Repairs are no concert, i'll do everything myself, just order parts.

this car will not be modded. already done that with my other bmw and than someone hit me and good-bye.too much money gone.
i was thinking this would be a famiky car if anything.
does anyone know of any major problems with these cars?

[Miguex]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

the 545i is nice,if i made more money i would get it. V8 = gas guzzler.. i want something that won't kill my wallet @ the pump, and it the car has to be below $20,000.

Repairs are no concert, i'll do everything myself, just order parts.

this car will not be modded. already done that with my other bmw and than someone hit me and good-bye.too much money gone.
i was thinking this would be a famiky car if anything.
does anyone know of any major problems with these cars?

the BMW V8 are not that gas guzzler like the american V8 because it has valvetronic and aluminum engine. See the comparison below:

545i http://fueleconomydb.com/specs/BMW/545I

525i http://fueleconomydb.com/index.php?-...=20&-mode=list

Not much difference.

You said family car so get 525i then.

[sejnomar]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

BMW 545i - Average 13.8 litres/100 kms - 3450 litres - $290/month
BMW 525i - Average 11.2 litres/100 kms - 2800 litres - $230/Month
It comes to a difference of around $600-$1000 per year, for me...

I do around 25,000 km's average per year.
I would love to have the V8 545i, but the cheapest ones I could find is over $24,000.
$20,000 is my max... :(

[Duby T]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

Dollar is expected to hit par this week. Those 20G's you have could get you a very nice ride if you wanted to make a road trip down to the states.

From what I hear, it isn't very difficult to import an american car.

DO IT!!!!!

[sejnomar]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

has anyone on eurodrivers bought a car from the states??
if so how was the experiance??

my biggest worry would be the taxes....

[The_Jerbel]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

Your fees for importing will likely come to a few thousand $$$.

[canuck699]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

I have a friend who bought a brand new SUBURU WRX saved himself 20grande by the time it hit his door.

Basically if its not made in North america, i believe they charge you 11% including GST. its 6% duty and 5% GST if i remember correctly. However the car has to meet standards which you can look to see if your imported car does, and if not you have 30 days to meet them. Be prepared to pay all duty/taxes at the border when crossing.

Some places will look after the importing process for a small fee if you look around. Seen some for straight forward importing at around 500 in fees plus duty/taxes.

[dave335]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

Importing a BMW is a lot harder than some of the other makes. Recall clearance letter is $500 and all modifications must be completed at Canadian dealer before they will release the letter. You can try to obtain a printout in the U.S. and sometimes RIV will accept. Unless vehicle is older than 15 years, duty of 6.1% will apply, $100 AC tax, 5% GST, + RIV fees of $195 + GST which includes the Canadian Tire Federal inspection. You will have to complete a provincial inspection as well. Not a difficult process, just need to make sure that you have all the paper work in line. BMW Canada is trying to make it difficult to import so that they can keep the value of their used vehicles higher. If you import a vehicle made in Mexico or the U.S. due to NAFTA, no 6.1% duty applies.

http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx
http://www.ucanimport.com/

[sejnomar]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

sounds like alot of work to import..

:(


www.craigslist.ca
www.kijjijji.ca
www.autotrader.ca
www.buysell.ca

are there any other websites for used cars?

[dave335]

Re: 2006 BMW 325i or 2006 525i?

Seems like a lot of work but it is not. If you are interested in US vehicles, one of the best places to look is the BMW Car Club of America. Here is the website:

http://bmwcca.org/classifieds/

Most of the cars are owned by BMW fanatics who simply love their cars and take really good care of them. You get what you pay for so some are expensive but they are showroom new.

Best of luck.