Inherited a BMW 330ix

[Anonymous]

I recently inherited a 2017 BMW 330ix with about 54K miles on it. Our family needs a second car so it's getting use, but we're definitely not BMW people (too flashy for us and would prefer better MPG). Normally I would try to trade it in for something more practical (Corolla, Camry, etc.) but the crazy car market right now is giving me pause. Would you hang onto the BMW for a while? What other factors should I be considering?

[Anonymous]

I'd trade it in for a good price right now - strike while the iron is hot. Use the money to buy something more practical and cheaper to own.

At 5 years and 60K miles, you'll start seeing expensive maintenance bills with a BMW. I'd sell it before it needs any expensive repairs.

[Anonymous]

Eh, I'd hardly consider a 330ix to be flashy around the DMV, but if you want to sell for other reasons (like pp said, the upcoming repairs), go ahead.

[Anonymous]

Concur that a 330ix is hardly flashy - not even the top of the regular 3-series line (335i/340i) and not an M car. Having just sold a 2013 BMW 335i I can give you some insight into maintenance costs - I paid around $450 for the 60k mile service (mainly just oil change, checking components, fluids, etc.) and then around $800 for the 90k/100k service (all of before plus fluid flushes and spark plug replacement). So in my mind the maintenance wasn't some extraordinary expense. With used car prices what they are, my thought is that if you trade in/sell the BMW and switch to a Toyota sedan, you may not end up with that much money left over.

[Anonymous]

I'd def look into it now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Concur that a 330ix is hardly flashy - not even the top of the regular 3-series line (335i/340i) and not an M car. Having just sold a 2013 BMW 335i I can give you some insight into maintenance costs - I paid around $450 for the 60k mile service (mainly just oil change, checking components, fluids, etc.) and then around $800 for the 90k/100k service (all of before plus fluid flushes and spark plug replacement). So in my mind the maintenance wasn't some extraordinary expense. With used car prices what they are, my thought is that if you trade in/sell the BMW and switch to a Toyota sedan, you may not end up with that much money left over.

This is interesting data, thanks. I've always been afraid of European cars for fear of crazy repair costs, but I very much like the idea of BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc. for performance. I like Lexus for the reliability, but they're not up to par performance wise.

[Anonymous]

I follow an old school maintenance schedule for the BMW which means more frequent fluid changes, filter changes, belts, and replacing any wear items. When BMW pays for maintenance, everything is lifetime from fluids to filters, but when you pay for it, they have their own schedule based on mileage and age. It will cost more than the $450 and $800 services as those don't include any work to maintenance the items above.

With that being said, the basic BMW 3, 5, 7 series and their SUVs will only go down in value over time. This is the only time in history that you will get better value in selling the 3 series than if you sold it after the chip shortage. However, you will have to also pay the premium on the the buy side so it will probably be a wash.