New ride. Out with the Audi, in with the BMW

Big Red Machine · « **on:** 12 Oct 2015, 11:42 pm »

Long in the tooth and about to cost me plenty of dough at 106,000 miles, I struck a superbly better deal with BMW than the local Audi dealer. Armed with the KBluebook print-out, I was very happy to find out I could in fact afford the lease on this '15 328i XDrive sportswagon.

I was shocked to find out all the maintenance is included as opposed to Audi's Audi-Care pre-paid packages which start at $800 and quickly escalate.

Sport-mode is very fun!

Just picked it up tonight.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Oct 2015, 11:46 pm »

Oh nice, beautiful well balanced SW design.
Congratulations.

ArthurDent · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Oct 2015, 11:51 pm »

Sweet ride, and has lots of room for the canine companion.

Guy 13 · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 12:06 am »

Congratulation, nice car.

I like white cars.

Guy 13

timind · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 12:15 am »

After having her Honda CRV totaled two weeks ago, my daughter bought an 07 328xi Friday. For an 8 year old car, her's drives extremely well.
Congrats on your purchase.

JerryM · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 12:27 am »

Looks sporty. I'd be a the window tint shop tomorrow. That would really look sharp.

Congrats, BRM!

WGH · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 01:58 am »

Nice! How is the sound system?

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #7 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 10:50 am »

Quote from: WGH on 13 Oct 2015, 01:58 am

Nice! How is the sound system?

Superb Wayne. A Harmon Kardon 7.1 surround system. My son said the voices were so real so it must be good. I like it!

mcgsxr · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 11:56 am »

Looks like a lovely "estate" as the Brits would say.

I fondly recall my time with a small BMW hatch back in the late 90's. Good that maintenance is included.

Congrats!

ACHiPo · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 12:57 pm »

Nice! Congrats. I love my Audi, but after relocating from Oregon and a good dealer, to the Bay Area with one awful and one marginal dealer service departments, I think it will be my last Audi. Of course I have another 70k miles before I can think about changing cars

woodsyi · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 03:40 pm »

Have fun. I am leasing a 228ix coupe for my 79 year old mom and she loves the sport+ setting. She says it's more fun than the Mercedes C300 4matic she came from.

And yes, kudos for the included maintenance service for the life of the lease.

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 08:53 pm »

Congrats on joining the family!!

I know they cost silly money, but I really enjoy driving a BMW.

My last two cars were a 335xi and M3...both e90 vintage.

I am looking at either a 3 or 5 series wagon or maybe an X3 or X5 to drive during the winter months and to keep the mileage down on the M3.

Below is my current M3:

George

jd3 · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Oct 2015, 09:00 pm »

Pete,
About time you moved to the 'correct' German car maker! Nice looking wagon! The BMW maintenance coverage and warranty are great, that's why I stick with them. I got my 2015 328ix GT last month on BMW's lease pull ahead. Got out of my old lease 6 months ahead and into the GT. Lots more room than my 'old' '13 328 ix, plus the hatchback is pretty cool vs just having a trunk. I'd never get away with a wagon, but I've always liked BMW's. I'm sure you're going to love it. BTW, have you tried the Sport + mode? Wow.....I thought the old sport mode was fun but this is better!

John

rpf · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Oct 2015, 05:26 am »

Love BMWs. Except for the electronic steering. My fiancee recently traded in her 2012 328i for a 2013 320i. The former had the electronic steering which has no road feel and is too sensitive, requiring constant minute adjustments to stay in your lane. It was way tiring down here in FL where all the roads are straight. The latter, without the electronic steering, has much better road feel and is much more relaxing to drive. Gave up a little power (actually 60hp, but it doesn't feel like nearly that much) but that's probably better for both of us.

I still have my '04 X3 and with only 75k miles on it will keep it for a few more years. Runs beautifully yet. Then probably an X1.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Oct 2015, 10:36 am »

I couldn't fit in an X3 and the X5 was a little too pricey for me right now.

And Sport Mode + is outrageous John!!

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Oct 2015, 10:57 am »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 14 Oct 2015, 10:36 am

I couldn't fit in an X3 and the X5 was a little too pricey for me right now.

And Sport Mode + is outrageous John!!

Pete,

You couldn't fit in an X3, but fit in a 3 Series?

Are you sure you don't mean an X1?

I just recently test drove the X3 and X5, and the X3 had plenty of room for the driver (at least as much as my M3).

BTW, if you haven't already, spend some time on the Bimmerpost Forums:

http://www.bimmerpost.com/ - general link

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/index.php - for your car

George

BobRex · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Oct 2015, 03:28 pm »

The current X3 is larger than the older (pre-2011). I've had back surgery and have limited lower back flexibility (I have 2 rods tying L2 through S1), and have difficulty getting into almost any car. The X1 (my wife's) and the old X3 are tight for me, while the current X3 (my vehicle) is fine. The 3 series car is problematic, but the larger doors of the 5 series is a little better. I think the X3 interior is almost as large as the 5 series car.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Oct 2015, 04:16 pm »

At 6'6" it is always a deal-breaker when my knees are up to my chin when the seat does not travel back enough. The X3 had little leg room and a funky center console. The 328i has enourmous seat travel and head room. I drove an X5 in Houston last week on business and it was fine.

Dieterle Tool · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Feb 2016, 02:53 pm »

A little late on the congrats but I had to. Welcome to the wagon mafia Pete.

Here's my E61.

-dieter

hibuckhobby · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Feb 2016, 03:00 pm »

You're going to love it! My first BMW was a '07 328xi and it was/is great! With the maintenance covered,
you can just sit back and enjoy the drive.
Hibuck...

yes, I need to change my avatar...Audi was great, but gone.