Resale on BMW's?

DSG03COBRA · 12-08-2007, 12:05 AM

New to the site, and fairly new to BMW's in general. How is the resale value for BMW's these days? I was looking in the papers, and it looks like you can pick up a 2005/6 3 series for low $20k's. I assume most of these cars were $35k+ brand new 2 years ago, so it looks like the prices drop fairly quickly. Is this just on the (no offense to anyone) "lower" 3 series cars, where something like a 335xi may hold it's value a little better?

I know a car isn't an investment by any means, but you always have to take into consideration how much your car may be worth down the line when you decide to trade it in on something else...

Thx

raleedy · 12-08-2007, 12:28 AM

It won't be worth as much as you'll be paying for it. The best available predictions come from the manufacturer's lease residuals. That's their financial bet on the future value.

JoeT · 12-08-2007, 01:25 AM

much better than ford depreciation

Aija · 12-08-2007, 04:09 AM

basically, in 3years car is about 55-58% of the value. BMW artificially puts it to 60% .

DSG03COBRA · 12-08-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeT

much better than ford depreciation

Depends on which Ford you're talking about... take my 2003 Cobra for example, which I bought brand new for +/- $29k at the end of 2003 and have put about $10k into. I could easily get $26k - $27k for it right now. If I was to wait until after winter, I'm sure that figure would go up to around $28k, and possibly even more. Can't say that +/- $12k over 4.5 years is too bad when it comes to cars...

With the BMW's it looks like that's the drop in the first 1 - 2 years.

I think the 03/04 Cobras are an exception to the rule though... Just wondering if a car like the 335 would be similar since it's the first TT car that BMW put out.

slant83 · 12-08-2007, 09:48 AM

a good rule of thumb is bend over and grab your ankles when you "trade it in" to the dealer for a new car.

If its American or British, grab lower on your ankles (and that applies to almost any car excluding collector cars which are "investments" as far as cars are concerned )

raleedy · 12-08-2007, 10:18 AM

Mileage is a significant factor in resale value for any car, including a BMW.

12-08-2007, 12:05 AM	#1
DSG03COBRA New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2003 Mustang Cobra Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Plainfield, IL iTrader: (0)	Resale on BMW's? New to the site, and fairly new to BMW's in general. How is the resale value for BMW's these days? I was looking in the papers, and it looks like you can pick up a 2005/6 3 series for low $20k's. I assume most of these cars were $35k+ brand new 2 years ago, so it looks like the prices drop fairly quickly. Is this just on the (no offense to anyone) "lower" 3 series cars, where something like a 335xi may hold it's value a little better? I know a car isn't an investment by any means, but you always have to take into consideration how much your car may be worth down the line when you decide to trade it in on something else... Thx
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12-08-2007, 12:28 AM	#2
raleedy Colonel 160 Rep 2,248 Posts Drives: 2016 228i 6-speed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	It won't be worth as much as you'll be paying for it. The best available predictions come from the manufacturer's lease residuals. That's their financial bet on the future value.
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12-08-2007, 01:25 AM	#3
JoeT New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: '08 335i, ZSP + autotragic :p Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0)	much better than ford depreciation
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12-08-2007, 04:09 AM	#4
Aija Captain 29 Rep 687 Posts Drives: 335Coupe 6-Speed! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: California, Bay Area iTrader: (0)	basically, in 3years car is about 55-58% of the value. BMW artificially puts it to 60% .
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12-08-2007, 09:48 AM	#6
slant83 Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2008 335i coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Parkland, Florida iTrader: (0)	a good rule of thumb is bend over and grab your ankles when you "trade it in" to the dealer for a new car. If its American or British, grab lower on your ankles (and that applies to almost any car excluding collector cars which are "investments" as far as cars are concerned )
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12-08-2007, 10:18 AM	#7
raleedy Colonel 160 Rep 2,248 Posts Drives: 2016 228i 6-speed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Mileage is a significant factor in resale value for any car, including a BMW.
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