[Borsig]

Went to dealer today - looking for a used 335i.

Found NEW 335I lease to be much more attractive to me. and my lifestye.

The choices-

335i-
M Sport Pack
Leather
Heated Seats.
6Spd Man
$3500 dn 635.00/Mo 27K ish Residual - 15K Mi a year

335i
M Sport Pack
Leatherette
Heated Seats
Auto/Paddle shifters
Bluetooth/BMW Assist
$3500 Dn 612.00 / Mo 26K ish Residual

I drove both. The Auto is vastly improved over the AT in my 330i and the paddles are pretty cool. The manual on the Msport car has a reduced throw over the standard 6M.

The funny thing is the Auto tranny car is the more expensive car. But the free auto tranny option promo this month makes it actually cheaper..

The AT allows me to have more concentration and both hands on the wheel (paddles if I choose shifting) when I most need it. The 6m seems more "old school", feel, oriented. More fitting.

I really just cant decide. Both cars are identical in color and trim. The AT car has leatherette and Bluetooth. The 6M has leather and no Bt. Kind of feels a little stripped.. These are the only two M-sport packs my dealer has in Sedans. Both are th color combo I want.

Leather vs leatherette really-, theres not much difference. I can barely tell honestly.

What to do!

[cstavaru]

If you didn't feel a strong preference over one transmission or the other, then you have a problem indeed

Hint: Bluetooth is one of the very few options that can be retrofitted later You can't retrofit leather, can't retrofit the transmission...

[Borsig]

I honestly like both...... Both have their advantages honestly.... As I told my CA, why cant BMW's autos suck like other manufacturers?

[Thomas_76]

I don't know much about leases but 3500 down seems like an awful lot. I think if you ask most people that know quite a bit about leases, they would tell you that you are not getting that great of a deal.

[Borsig]

most are 2500 down... As I said Im upside down on my trade somewhat vs the trade in value. 1k of thats is payoff basically.. Also the residual is like 26K.

[anthony @ eas]

+1 on the manual with leather.

[Borsig]

looking at all the pricing, options etc, TMV vs the lease prices etc... The auto is the better deal.

I just cant decide which one I want.

[weingarm]

I have basically the same car as the 6-sp manual you're looking at.

It's a 2008 E92 335xi coupe with:
Sport
Cold (heated seats, ski bag)
Leather
iPod
Metallic paint (Space Gray)

Every time I get in my car I'm so happy it has a manual. There's just nothing like the control it gives you in a car as fun to drive as the 335i. Plus, I like the smell & look of the leather. I also leased. 3 years, 12K miles/yr, $43,830 cap cost, .00230 money factor, 61% residual. Put $2500 down. My monthly payment is $517.

Since then, BMW raised the MSRP (two times, infact) residuals have dropped, and money factors have improved. The net result is higher lease payments.

On your lease, with more miles than mine (15K/yr), the extra $1000 down should negate most of the increase in payments for the extra miles. But with a lower residual, a payment around $600/mo is probably a fair deal.

Check your numbers with this tool:
http://www.leaseguide.com/calc.htm

(you must know your cap cost, down payment, term, money factor, and residual %) - then you have the power to know if you're getting ripped off or getting a fair deal!

[weingarm]

By the way, here in Ohio I paid all the tax up front so that's NOT included in my $517 monthly payment or the $600 monthly payment I proposed is a fair deal now.

I put $2500 down PLUS all taxes and fees up FRONT.

[Borsig]

I dont have the exact numbers with me but my residual I think is 56% with the 15k a year.

My deal includes 1000.00 for neg equity on my 335i (why Im leasing)

3500 down includes all taxes fees etc etc + 1000 negative equity on my car.
MF is .00225

My payments on the manual will be around $600-625. thats WITH NC 3% tax incuded in each payment. Paymens on the auto are less.

Car is arund 44k. I dont have the sheet with me...

In the end Im paying 655 a month now (4 years CPO) on my 330, and can own a 335 for less per month and not be upside down and worry about warranty.

[Solonng]

dude, i put nothing down and my payment is $600 for 15k on a $50k car..negotiate with them

[Borsig]

i have been..... all day- when did you lease?

my problem is im 3,500 upside down over trade value in my car.

[DrGP]

2 things. You either love the manual transmission or you don't. If you don't, go for the AT. If you do, you would never really consider an AT. So since you are considering the AT, forget the MT. (Make sense?)

Secondly, it is not really a good Idea to put down much money on a lease. You would be better off putting less down and having a larger monthly payment Take the down payment and stick it in an account to supplement the higher monthly car payment. That way, if your car is totalled early in the lease , you will not lose the down payment money. GAP insurance will only pay what you owe on the car. Since you do not owe the down payment, it would be lost if you totalled your car early in the lease.

[rotaryboy]

Every time I get an automatic, I wish like hell I didn't. I regret it and sell the car. I never feel that way when I have a manual. I saw your car in the for sale section. I can't imagine you will have difficulty selling it at that price or even more. Take your time and sell it yourself so that you can reduce that money down and/or monthly payment because it seems to me there are better lease deals out there. You will never have difficulty finding the exact 335 that you want although you may have to expand your scope to 200 miles or so. This also buys you time to decide on step/6MT.

[Borsig]

thats cash due not really a down payment - it includes all the acqusition fees security deposit, etc.

Im actually getting the car right at invoice according to edmunds.

[coco_m3]

What are the colors?

[Angry3]

I had the same debate when I was buying my 135, I've had manual cars for the last 18 years and ended up with a step in my 135. No regrets whatsoever, it's a fantastic transmission and it makes commuting in Charlotte traffic so much more enjoyable.

If it were me I would do the step car, the bluetooth is a big plus and I expect we're going to have a hands-free law here within the next year or so. Ultimately the transmission should be the main factor in your choice, it really changes the character of the car.

GL!