[DarkstarZero]

Spec out a F31 on bmwusa.com, take note of the MSRP and estimated lease, then spec out like a 335xi the same way. The 335 could cost thousands more and still have a far less lease payment than the F31.

This sucks, I want extra space from my 328 but I could have a 335 for a lot less money. Does that make the F31 a bad deal?

[kromix]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

Spec out a F31 on bmwusa.com, take note of the MSRP and estimated lease, then spec out like a 335xi the same way. The 335 could cost thousands more and still have a far less lease payment than the F31.

This sucks, I want extra space from my 328 but I could have a 335 for a lot less money. Does that make the F31 a bad deal?

To me, yes. Residuals means everything..... In my opinion, I won't pay more for less car.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

Spec out a F31 on bmwusa.com, take note of the MSRP and estimated lease, then spec out like a 335xi the same way. The 335 could cost thousands more and still have a far less lease payment than the F31.

This sucks, I want extra space from my 328 but I could have a 335 for a lot less money. Does that make the F31 a bad deal?

So the residuals on the sport wagon are not as good?
How different are they?
What's the money factor for the F31?

If the sport wagon doesn't sell on the used lot as well as the sedans and coupes, then naturally the residual will be lower
The sport wagons are cool, but in the US there isn't a big demand for them.

The F31 may be better for a loan purchase if the interest rate is good.
But when you go to sell it 3 or 4 years from now it may be a hard sell, reflected by BMW's lease residuals.

Tough call. If you REALLY want the wagon you'll have to find a way to make it work.

[JasonX4MComp]

Originally Posted by RPM90

So the residuals on the sport wagon are not as good?
How different are they?
What's the money factor for the F31?

If the sport wagon doesn't sell on the used lot as well as the sedans and coupes, then naturally the residual will be lower
The sport wagons are cool, but in the US there isn't a big demand for them.

The F31 may be better for a loan purchase if the interest rate is good.
But when you go to sell it 3 or 4 years from now it may be a hard sell, reflected by BMW's lease residuals.

Tough call. If you REALLY want the wagon you'll have to find a way to make it work.

MF is the same at .00127 but residual is 57% for 15k/mi

[Meeni]

Yet they command a premium on the used market.

[turbolag]

I was wondering why a lease for a 328xi touring was 600+, whereas a 335i lease would be low 500s.

[rconti]

Bummer. I'd still pay extra to have the right car, but it does make the decision harder for some, especially since BMW limits transmission and engine and drivetrain options on the wagon :-/

[DarkstarZero]

My SA told me that BMW are really pushing the X1, X3, X5, ect to the American market with good residuals but not the wagon or 1 series hatchbacks. It's the opposite in Europe - and that makes sense from a money perspective. BMW's American factory pumps out nothing but SUVs for us fat Americans that like big things and want big space. It's a lot cheaper for BMW to sell those to us than their wagons or hatchbacks made in other parts of the world.

[BMWFanatic2008]

That's very disappointing. Very limited config (no 335, no RWD, and no manual) for F31 plus low residual means we will see very few of them on US roads.

On the other hand, BMW brought pos-looking X1 here.

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by BMWFanatic2008

That's very disappointing. Very limited config (no 335, no RWD, and no manual) for F31 plus low residual means we will see very few of them on US roads.

On the other hand, BMW brought pos-looking X1 here.

The X1 looks shit, feels cheap, and probably handles worse than the E91 wagon it was based on.

How many people here use up ALL OF A SUV'S SPACE? Maybe some people fill an entire X5 with their stuff once a year. I'd much rather take a F31 wagon for some extra space, then rent a uhaul for those moments where I still need more space.

[phx08]

Makes sense to me. Why would there be high residuals for a niche car?

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by turbolag

The X1 looks shit, feels cheap, and probably handles worse than the E91 wagon it was based on.

I've been driving an X1 xDrive28i Sport Line loaner the last two days.
Looks - no worse than some other BMWs (let's be honest: BMW has some weirdness in the designs of most of their cars).
Feel - cheap, absolutely no argument here. It's a Golf with a better steering wheel and iDrive. But rich corinthian leather is not what we buy BMWs for, right?
Handling - pretty brilliant actually. Very precise steering, boosted just right (don't forget: this is the last BMW that can be had with the great old school hydraulic steering). Understeer is evident, but there isn't so much of it that it couldn't be fixed with ZMM. I really enjoyed my commute in this car.

I'm actually asking myself now if the difference between E84 and F31 is really worth $10K+.

And don't forget that E84 can be had with N55 - the ultimate insult to all F31 owners.

[Mamasgotkids]

Originally Posted by turbolag

The X1 looks shit, feels cheap, and probably handles worse than the E91 wagon it was based on.

How many people here use up ALL OF A SUV'S SPACE? Maybe some people fill an entire X5 with their stuff once a year. I'd much rather take a F31 wagon for some extra space, then rent a uhaul for those moments where I still need more space.

Yep. My first bmw was an 06 touring. Second was an 08 1 series hatch - leased while living in Germany. If we'd all just look at what space we really needed and not get the obnoxious SUV...

I wouldn't say the F31 is a bad deal. Sure it's nice to get back what you put in when you sell it, but the only place I really look at that is real estate.

OP- If the car works for what you want or need, I'd buy based on that. I didn't wait for the F31 and got the F30, and I'm kicking myself. There's no way I can get half the things I'd like in my F30, the way I could with the F31 - (I like to restore furniture - chairs, small tables etc). Ever try to fit a chair in a F30 trunk?

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

Spec out a F31 on bmwusa.com, take note of the MSRP and estimated lease, then spec out like a 335xi the same way. The 335 could cost thousands more and still have a far less lease payment than the F31.

This sucks, I want extra space from my 328 but I could have a 335 for a lot less money. Does that make the F31 a bad deal?

Not really. If you need a station wagon, then it's still a better deal than an F30 for if you bought an F30, you'd have spent your money and still not receive the utility you need. If you don't really need a station wagon, get the F30.

Is there something you want to know, OP, that I missed? I ask because the way you posed the question -- comparing a station wagon with a sedan -- would lead one to think you want to buy a lease payment and not a car.

[DarkstarZero]

Well I need enough room for this guy...

[skier]

Originally Posted by Meeni

Yet they command a premium on the used market.

Yes, therefore, with lower residuals than sedan, buying a touring could be financially advantageous over leasing a touring if you plan to keep the car 3-4 years.