2007 320i vs 2008 X3

[henry2703]

Hi guys,

Happy year of the Rabbit!

Had something i thot i should consult the well regarded BMW-SG

Currently i am driving a E90 320i born Oct 2007. I am thinking of switching it to a April 2008 X3. I have never been on the SUV route before, but mainly due to back problem in the family, I thot it might be a good idea to switch to a higher sitting car.

Okay, I am bluffing, I am just having a classic cars of "backside itchy' Hence I need the good ole forummer to instil some good sense in me!

Financial:
Currently the depreciation for the 320i is slightly over $10.4k a year
X3's deprecaition if i do the switch would be in the region of $13.2k a year
Not to mention, the 320i is 2 litre and the X3 has a heavier body and is 2.5 litre engine.


Question:

1) Seriously, how is the ride in the X3? I don't mean cross roading, but in normal street driving, as 70% of my driving is in City.

2) How is the fuel consumption? Currently my 320i is clocking about 8.5km/litre which is not that great

3) How is the interior? I read on some "non car forums" that the interior fitting is crappy and the plastic is very "cheap" looking.

4) Really, is there anything i should know before i make the jump? I am not dying to change the car, as i am still happy to drive the 320i. But i thot at about 120k for the X3 that is coming to 3 years old, it sounded to me like a pretty good bargain. Still i have to say that it is a really stupid time to change car, i am hoping that a preown one helps to defray the sensibility a little

Any opinion, vested or otherwise will be appreciated. Looking forward to all opinion as usual!

Henry

 

[DriveAllDay]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

I used to think SUV makes no sense in Singapore. Then I look at the poor road surfaces around (potholes, roadworks -- is there a smooth stretch of road left?), and an off-roader starts to make more sense.

Personally I think there are much better looking SUVs around than the X3 -- Tourag / Touran, Audi Q5, even XC90. No offense to X3 owners around here -- just a personal preference.

The other thing to consider when switching cars is your penalty in early loan repayment, which can be substantial. Rule 78 takes a big chunk out of your pocket, so your true switching costs are much higher than the depreciation differential.

 

[detach8]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

I got my ride second hand also, and yesterday I dropped by the MINI showroom and that guy said something like they don't have rule 78 (??)

So can those who took PML loans enlighten me, do they have rule 78?

 

[henry2703]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

Detach8:

Rule 78 applies to loans with quantum above $55,000 if i am not wrong. So if your loan is less than $55,000 and is not bound by the hire purchase act, then there is no rule 78 for you. Some banks such as Maybank has their own pre-termination clause, but rest assured there will be some... do check your docs to find out more

DriveAllDay,

I think the X90 and Tourag is a tag too big for me. Most of the time, there are only 2 person in the car, and we don't carry any loan, so bigger cars = heavier weight = slower speed. A mid size SUV suits me well enough.

I had a slipped disc a while ago. In my younger days, i never had any issue. But since about a year ago after a long day in office, getting in and out of the car is a chore.

The breaking point is a couple of weeks ago, my dad was having problem getting in and out of the car when i picked him up as well. So i thot if i come across a good deal, i might just do the change.


I was looking at the VW Tiguan as well. Cost is quite a bit cheaper.


How is the Tiguan compared to the X3?

 

[T6]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

If u hv eyed a 08 x3, hv u given it a test-drive as nothing beats a test-drive. I am guessing it will be a guzzler as I had that same engine before. But $13.2k depre is too high for that out-going model especially when there is also a 3litre version available. For $11 to 12k depre, you can consider a 2005/2006 7 series after factoring in body value of say 15k.

 

[henry2703]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

If u hv eyed a 08 x3, hv u given it a test-drive as nothing beats a test-drive. I am guessing it will be a guzzler as I had that same engine before. But $13.2k depre is too high for that out-going model especially when there is also a 3litre version available. For $11 to 12k depre, you can consider a 2005/2006 7 series after factoring in body value of say 15k.

Thanks T6,

i too pai sei to test drive. the car is not with a dealer. It is actually a friend's car that she is trying to trade in. So i merely offered a slight premium over what the traders offered.

the other thing is, i have never driven a SUV before as well. The closest i got to one was the land rover in Army... So one or two test drive, seriously don't tell much.

The car is almost 3 years old, but the mileage is only 19k. That's why i thot it is a pretty good buy.

Is a $13k depreciation considered really high? it seems that most cars are traded around that level...

 

[T6]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

This x3 is not a good looking car. Criticisms include it's quite boxy look and hard plastics used for the interior. But I guess u can do slight aesthetics mods to the interior to make it look better.

It's positive is a good drive. Do a google and you should get quite a few write-ups on this car.

BMW's SAVs (Sports Activity Vehicles e.g. X1 and X3) and SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles e.g. X5) are all designed to drive like regular bigger sedans. You have option to go aftermarket to lower the car if u wanna.

But this is an out-going model and not highly popular like the x5 so u will be hit by resale. Perhaps try to bring it down to $12k at least. I will be surprised if a dealer offered your friend anything more than $10.5 to $11k p.a. as they are cut throats. They offered my 35k lesser than what I sold on my own for my 335 sedan.

The 19k mileage is a big plus though but since she is your friend, all the more u shd ask for a test drive. Low mileage car doesn't mean a good condition car. Doesn't mean it is accident free or not driven in a careless fashion.

 

[henry2703]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

But this is an out-going model and not highly popular like the x5 so u will be hit by resale. Perhaps try to bring it down to $12k at least. I will be surprised if a dealer offered your friend anything more than $10.5 to $11k p.a. as they are cut throats. They offered my 35k lesser than what I sold on my own for my 335 sedan.

The 19k mileage is a big plus though but since she is your friend, all the more u shd ask for a test drive. Low mileage car doesn't mean a good condition car. Doesn't mean it is accident free or not driven in a careless fashion.

Am pretty sure the car hasn't got into any accident before, its a very good friend

The only complain i may potentially is that they take their 2 GR in the car.. hee hee... might have some scratches or dog hair all over...

$12k depreciation like a bit low.. you think? working backwards, the offer price owuld be in the region of 112k for a 3 year old X3...


I read the review on X3 and Tiguan... seems like Tiguan is a better car... i just don't know how reliable are the VWs... Tiguan definitely wins on the look and price department... But the depreciation is roughly around the same level...

That is why i am a bit torn, given that depreciation is the same... why not a Bimmer instead of a VW...

 

[T6]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

I am surprised a used Tiguan depre at 13k. VW is reliable and highly tunable. Tiguan is a current model though a facelift is on it's way.

 

[henry2703]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

yah.. cars are not cheap again these days...

COE alone would have accounted for 6 to 7 k each year...

I don't mod my cars, so best if it is already good at stock

thanks for your views... greatly appreciate

 

[DriveAllDay]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

Detach8:

Rule 78 applies to loans with quantum above $55,000 if i am not wrong. So if your loan is less than $55,000 and is not bound by the hire purchase act, then there is no rule 78 for you. Some banks such as Maybank has their own pre-termination clause, but rest assured there will be some... do check your docs to find out more

DriveAllDay,

I think the X90 and Tourag is a tag too big for me. Most of the time, there are only 2 person in the car, and we don't carry any loan, so bigger cars = heavier weight = slower speed. A mid size SUV suits me well enough.

I had a slipped disc a while ago. In my younger days, i never had any issue. But since about a year ago after a long day in office, getting in and out of the car is a chore.

The breaking point is a couple of weeks ago, my dad was having problem getting in and out of the car when i picked him up as well. So i thot if i come across a good deal, i might just do the change.


I was looking at the VW Tiguan as well. Cost is quite a bit cheaper.


How is the Tiguan compared to the X3?

On loans, rule 78 is a double-edged sword. It is ridiculously expensive, but limits the extend to which penalties are imposed. Detach 8 is right in that above a certain amount, rule 78 doesn't apply. However, it may or may not be a bad thing.

Car loans are calculated on a simple interest, instead of reducing balance basis. Eg.

Loan amount = 100K
Tenure = 10 yrs
Interest = 2% a year, simple interest

What the bank does is to calculate total interest payable first = 10 yrs * 2 % = 20%

They then add the 20% to your loan amount.

So now
- Principle = 100K + 20K = 120K.
- Monthly payment = 120K / 120 mths = 1K

Theoretically, if you sell your car the very same day you got your loan, you would have to payback the bank 120K. If you sell your car one year later, you still owe the bank (120K - 12K = 108K).

Outside rule 78, it is up to the bank to decide how much of that 20% interest to refund you. It is usually a pitiable amount.

I learned this lesson the hard way from my first car. Have been paying cash since then...

On car selection, have you checked out the Q5? Looks nice. Or wait for the Range Rover Evoque...

 

[henry2703]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

Hi DriveAllDay,

thanks for your advice.

the deal is done, as in i bought the X3 from my friend. Waiting fo the transfer to be done. Hopefully by end of this week.

I am trying to sell my current E90 too. Dealer quoted 90k, which is about ride.

Details:
Registration date October 2007
OMV: 44k plus
Mileage: 57k
Road Tax paid till October 2011
Silver colour on Black interior

Anyone interested to take over, PM me...

 

[Ma320i]

Re: 2007 320i vs 2008 X3

Pls pm me the damage.

Thamks