Please help me decide the choice

Hello Dear Friends,

I need your expert advice on this..

I am planning to buy a BMW 535i, i have shortlisted two cars finally.

1. 2008 BMW 535i single owner fully loaded, 35K miles and the price is $31,998, the options/packages are attached with a screenshot here.

2. 2009 BMW 535i single owner almost fully loaded 45K miles and the price is $32,998, the options/packages are attached with a screenshot here. Note- This car was used as a fleet.

Price is not a constraint. I love all the options on the 2008 BMW 535i but it does not have the Park distance control, please suggest does it really matters or if i can do it after market.

I really need to decide this and need all your expert advice after you see the options/packages and considering the miles.

Thank you all in Advance.

Shahul

You buying from a BMW dealer? Are they both coming with CPO warranty, which takes you to 6yr/100K on major components. This can be important on the Turbo models. As long as they are both under warranty, you can ask if the maint plan up to 100K can be added to the car at this time. That way everything is covered. The dealer should be able to pull the repair history on both cars and tell you what was done to both cars. If they are private sale cars, then see if the seller can get you the repair history from the dealer. I don't have the turbo model so I can't comment on the mechanical reliability of a 2008 vs 2009. At least with a 2009, BMW had one more year to get it right.

Lot's to consider. Good Luck.

I think that the cheaper one with 10k less miles is better optioned. Better deal in my opinion

Hi Racooper3, the car is not from a BMW dealer but is from CARMAX and i plan to get the extended warranty till 100K miles or 6 years with MAXCARE. They have something called CQI (Certified quality inspection) ... They have a 5 day return car policy, i plan to get this to the leith/performance BMW and get a through pre-purchase inspection done after i buy it..

Please advice does CPO warranty matters? or this extended warranty is sufficient.

Thank you all for the responses..

Thank you Theduke, yea you are right.. But PDC in 2009 is confusing me.. Any thoughts on after market..

Originally Posted by Shahul_BMW

Thank you Theduke, yea you are right.. But PDC in 2009 is confusing me.. Any thoughts on after market..

No real experience with aftermarket installation. I don't have it on my car, but have driven many other cars with it. Definitely comes in handy at times, but I don't think it is selectable on/off is it? I think it comes on with reverse, which would get a little annoying for the times you don't want/need it.
I would prefer the options on the other car over it along with 10k less miles and the $1k in my pocket.
My $0.02- free to you! Enjoy our pick - its always fun getting a new vehicle.

Does the 2009 have the new CIC iDrive?
PDC not a big deal unless you do a lot of parallel parking.

Hi Legend700, Yes the newly designed iDrive with buttons next to it.. How much is the difference from 2008?

Does this make a huge difference? Thanks for the reply.

The 2008 seems to be really loaded and cheaper AND less miles, i would go with that one IMO.
The iDrive update was nothing spectacular, just some new buttons although i'm not really sure if they changed the interface in 2008 or 2009.

Thank you..Theduke..

Guys any more suggestions and opinions welcome..

Thank you UltimateDriving..

Guys..Any updates on the interface 2008 to 2009... is it worth the buy

Taken from Wipedia.
Debuted in September 2008 with F01/F02 7-Series. CIC stands for Car Infotainment Computer and is manufactured by Becker, utilizing the QNX operating system. It is available on the following cars as an option;
1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 manufactured from September 2008
3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 manufactured from September 2008
5-Series F07/F10/F11 manufactured from September 2009 (E60/61 manufactured from October 2008 in Europe)
6-Series E63/E64 manufactured from September 2009
7-Series F01/F02 manufactured from September 2008
X5 E70 manufactured from September 2009
The CIC system is a major update to iDrive, replacing the display, computer and the controller. The display is of a higher resolution, and is generally more responsive than CCC, to address one of the common complaints of iDrive. Internet access is also supported.[4]
CIC-based systems use maps from TeleAtlas which are installed on an internal 2.5" 80GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD). This HDD can also store up to 8GB of music files for playback. For facilitating the uploading of music files to the HDD, a USB port is provided in the glove box.
Following 2009 LCI production, all CIC-based iDrive systems will support DVD video. This, however, is only operational when the vehicle is in the "Park" position. DVD audio will continue to play while driving.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IDrive#iDrive_Generations

If this information is true, then the MY08 does not have the CIC.

Wow.. thank you so much for this info "Ultimate driving"... this is now getting so much confusing to decide..

Guys how about mechanically... 0-60 and top speeds.. Any difference from 08 to 09.. what other difference are there from 08-09..

All responses are truly appreciated...

Thanks

same performance for 08 and 09 models. It's the same car. 2010 model got the iDrive facelift with 10" Nav screen in HD.
If you are concerned about power it is easy to add over 100 hp for under $500 and less than an hour's work.

Originally Posted by Theduke

I think that the cheaper one with 10k less miles is better optioned. Better deal in my opinion

+1! Less miles, HUD, L7 & sunshades are worth it. You can always install a modmynav unit, w/ rear & front view cameras for parking. As Oceans 10 stated, with MY 2009, you are only getting the updated controller, not the CIC Idrive.

Originally Posted by 1Grn Bmr

+1! Less miles, HUD, L7 & sunshades are worth it. You can always install a modmynav unit, w/ rear & front view cameras for parking. As Oceans 10 stated, with MY 2009, you are only getting the updated controller, not the CIC Idrive.

And the new iDrive controller can be retrofitted into the 2008. Gives great shortcut buttons to radio, nav, etc and looks great.

Originally Posted by Theduke

No real experience with aftermarket installation. I don't have it on my car, but have driven many other cars with it. Definitely comes in handy at times, but I don't think it is selectable on/off is it? I think it comes on with reverse, which would get a little annoying for the times you don't want/need it.
I would prefer the options on the other car over it along with 10k less miles and the $1k in my pocket.
My $0.02- free to you! Enjoy our pick - its always fun getting a new vehicle.

There is a button down below the A/C controls by seat warmers that turns off PDC. If you drive forward for a little bit it automatically turns off. I have very dark tint here in FL and having the PDC definitely comes in handy for rear-end parking. I also have a low lip on my front bumper and I can manually turn on to see in front of the bumper for parking stops/curbs. Comes in handy, but not a requirement for me.

I agree the 2008 is better equipped. As long as you are getting a major component warranty with the vehicle, I would go with the lower miles and more options.

Thank you so much Racooper3. NoQuarter, 1Grn Bmr, Oceans10... Too much of info for me to finally decide that 08 is the best option..

But if someone can provide me in detail updates on increasing the horsepower.. As oceans10 was stating its easy to increase.. Considering i am getting a car with just 35K miles.. Do you guys suggest its better to do the increase ..( i love to get the HP increase) but i need you guys expertise to confirm if this increase wont have any side effect.

Has anyone done this and who is by far the reliable source to do this HP increase. Anything above 400HP is something i would love to have..

Thanks again for all the advice and suggestions...

Originally Posted by racooper3

There is a button down below the A/C controls by seat warmers that turns off PDC. If you drive forward for a little bit it automatically turns off. I have very dark tint here in FL and having the PDC definitely comes in handy for rear-end parking. I also have a low lip on my front bumper and I can manually turn on to see in front of the bumper for parking stops/curbs. Comes in handy, but not a requirement for me.

I agree the 2008 is better equipped. As long as you are getting a major component warranty with the vehicle, I would go with the lower miles and more options.

Never thought about the tint and how it might help and it definitely sucks to jam your front lip into a parking block. I would still prefer the other optionsver just PDC, but good info for OP to consider.

If you really want more hp go buy a 550i.
As far as these two cars, the 08 has rear side airbags(important if you carry passenger or children), the Sport Auto with paddle shifters which is fun to have, sunshades(nice for passengers again,), HUD (which is nice but not necessary) and the clincher for me is the LOGIC7. I wouldn't consider any car without an upgraded LOGIC7 system. I love the PDC but it can be added(I believe) easier and cheaper than a LOGIC7.
For either car ask for the Y-adapter cable for the iPod & USB.
My vote is the 08; more options, less mileage and money.
Is the 09 also black?, stone chips?, CarFax?. Was the fleet car driven by one person? Test drive both. Every car drives differently. 08 price seems high but not outrageous. Negotiate, negotiate. Definitely get an extended warranty in deal.
GL

Gilgorm..

Thank you.. Yes the 09 is black with stone chips.. Yes it is driven by one person(Fleet)... True i am definitely going to drive both the 08 and 09 cars before i really conclude 100%..

But i have read in many reviews, that 535i is far better than a 550i both in terms of performance/handing and mpg. On top of it the 0-60 is not that different from a 535i to 550i

I was just thinking of Oceans10 option of increasing the power on my 535i if possible without any side effects as stated in my previous posts.. Thanks again guys..

"Fleet car" in most cases just indicates that the original owner had leased the car.

Originally Posted by Shahul_BMW

Gilgorm..

But i have read in many reviews, that 535i is far better than a 550i both in terms of performance/handing and mpg. On top of it the 0-60 is not that different from a 535i to 550i

I was just thinking of Oceans10 option of increasing the power on my 535i if possible without any side effects as stated in my previous posts.. Thanks again guys..

True on mpg and adding JB4 to 335 will definitely increase the fun. However, adding more HP and enjoying that HP does not = better mpg. You can however, quickly change the "map" back to stock and drive normally.

Hey i might sound stupid but why everyone is saying N54 (535i or 335i) can be tuned.. Does that mean 550i cannot be tuned?

Only turbo's can be tuned and not the regular V8's

Please clarify guys..

Originally Posted by Shahul_BMW

Hey i might sound stupid but why everyone is saying N54 (535i or 335i) can be tuned.. Does that mean 550i cannot be tuned?

Only turbo's can be tuned and not the regular V8's

Please clarify guys..

It's always easier to tune a turbo motor (much more bang for the buck) than one that's naturally aspirated. From what I've heard, the N54 is underrated and most are actually around 330 HP with no mods. The 550 has 360 HP, so you're not losing much with the 535 and you're gaining alot in the mileage department. I test drove a 550 and was getting around 15-16 in town driving it nice/normal. As much as I liked the V8 grunt, that sealed the deal with my wife against that car. An +1 with everyone else for going with the '08. L7 is the critical option IMO. I didn't even consider cars without it. You won't be disappointed.