335i advice

Picked up my 2007 335i with 35k miles for $26,200 just a few weeks ago. Spotless and CPO'd. No nav - but I kind of like the simple, straightforward dash. I had iDrive (no nav) in my 530i, and I hated it (yes, I learned how to use it and get the most out of it, but sometimes physical buttons are just easier to deal with). HPFP was replaced once before I got it, so hopefully all is well. I feel well protected by another 18 months of factory warranty and another 24 months of CPO warranty beyond that.

I test drove a 328i and it felt plenty quick. The 335i, however, is a whole different animal - it's just that good.

considering your price range, maintenance costs, fuel cost in california, price of the nav pkg, and the inability to really open up the speed potential of a 335i... i'd be inclined to buy a 328i and a $300-400 TomTom or Garmin Nuvi GPS with traffic warning if I were you. i live in southern italy and frequently travel to germany, so speed isn't that restricted for me. if not, i'd just find the 335i to be a tease in radar infested areas and traffic. the 328i is a nice commuter and is priced in the low-mid 30s if you shop right (check out edmunds.com). don't forget the fact that some new 3-series come with 0.9% financing and all of them have four years of maintenance included. peace of mind with a new car is worth a lot to me. happy shopping!