[DroneandDone]

It's pretty clear that going from the m40i to the x3m is a great idea from a driving perspective. However, how bad of an idea is it from a financial perspective? For reference I purchased (not leased) my wife's 2019 m40i about a year ago and I was able to get about 10k off of the 65k sticker price. Has anyone else gone from the m40i to X3m and have any tips or anyone that thinks it's a bad idea with some specific examples of why?

[Crypto2k3]

Originally Posted by DroneandDone

It's pretty clear that going from the m40i to the x3m is a great idea from a driving perspective. However, how bad of an idea is it from a financial perspective? For reference I purchased (not leased) my wife's 2019 m40i about a year ago and I was able to get about 10k off of the 65k sticker price. Has anyone else gone from the m40i to X3m and have any tips or anyone that thinks it's a bad idea with some specific examples of why?

I also purchased (not leased) a 2019 m40i for around the same price. You're likely going to take a bath on trade in or resale now and have to put a ton of cash into the x3m. Personally, given the whole economic situation now, I'd probably not consider it but to each their own.

[AlexFL]

I traded in my 2019 M40i for an X3 MC. Zero regrets so far. You will take a financial hit, no question, but it is well worth it in my opinion. Besides me, there at least 5-6 other guys on this forum who did the same switch and they all seem to be very pleased with the M car. If you go for it right now, you should be able to get a massive discount on the 2020 model because a) nobody shops cars due to the covid-19 and b) the 21' model will be available starting April.

[Crypto2k3]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I traded in my 2019 M40i for an X3 MC. Zero regrets so far. You will take a financial hit, no question, but it is well worth it in my opinion. Besides me, there at least 5-6 other guys on this forum who did the same switch and they all seem to be very pleased with the M car. If you go for it right now, you should be able to get a massive discount on the 2020 model because a) nobody shops cars due to the covid-19 and b) the 21' model will be available starting April.

If you don't mind me asking what kind of financial hit did you take?

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by Crypto2k3

If you don't mind me asking what kind of financial hit did you take?

something around 10-12k for the trade in.

[Crypto2k3]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

something around 10-12k for the trade in.

Thanks. Sounds about right.

[DroneandDone]

So if I trade in the car and get less than what I owe, I have to pay that to BMWFS upfront or can I fold that amount into a lease? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I've never been in a situation like that before.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by DroneandDone

So if I trade in the car and get less than what I owe, I have to pay that to BMWFS upfront or can I fold that amount into a lease? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I've never been in a situation like that before.

Yes, usually you can trade in your car as lease down payment.

[new2the3]

Originally Posted by DroneandDone

So if I trade in the car and get less than what I owe, I have to pay that to BMWFS upfront or can I fold that amount into a lease? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I've never been in a situation like that before.

You could do that or you can pay your remaining lease payments, whichever is less. In my case I had 10 months left on my lease and I paid the remaining 10 payments ($428/month).

I then got back $300 for low miles credit, reimbursement of the $350 lease disposition fee, and $500 bmw cca rebate, and didn't have to buy new tires so that offset the hit quite a bit.

Also, if you roll it into the lease then you are paying interest on amounts that already include interest...

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by DroneandDone

So if I trade in the car and get less than what I owe, I have to pay that to BMWFS upfront or can I fold that amount into a lease? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I've never been in a situation like that before.

You should compare the numbers. It may make more sense to bring your M40i to Carmax and simply keep the cash.

[DroneandDone]

My current situation is that I purchased and didn't lease. Based on the kbb value I wouldn't get what I owe on the loan. So, there probably wouldn't be any cash to pocket and I would owe a balance to BMWFS. At this point it is pretty clear that it's a bad idea financially but I haven't been able to get the idea of doing it anyway out of my head

[Zero71]

Here's an opposing view, just food for thought. I opted for the X3MC rather than my original 30d M Sport order and I somewhat regret it. Yes, the X3MC looks badass, I love the Donnington Grey, the wheels are great, and the engine sounds a lot nicer than the 30d. But it is really thirsty, to the point we leave it at home a lot, and the number of times I've been able floor it over the past 3 months you could count on one hand - you run out of road really quickly, and are already way above the speed limit after one shift. Don't get me started on the X3MC M seats - to paraphrase the Golden Child, "only a man whose ass is narrow can get into these damn seats". The 30d would be more comfortable and likely no less fun 90% of the time, M40i too. It's a fine car, a looker, and loaded with toys, but if I could go back and do it again, I'd not have it. Still, a nice problem to have.

I'd keep the M40i.

[x3mcer]

The refresh is due April 2020 and it also includes iDrive 7 which could be a point of negotiating the price down.

I just got the X3MC back after the stop sales recall, which they informed me about after delivering the vehicle. M40i is plenty for probably 99% of daily driving situations. But I still leased the X3MC for the cachet. Never owned/leased a BMW. May or May not purchase BMW again but the loaner X5 was very comfy.

[spta97]

I had debated on checking out the M40i, but one test drive in the X3MC sealed it for me and I had to look no further.

That said, the gas mileage is abysmal and the ride is less than comfortable if you expect to be driving a living room couch.

I probably would have been happy with the M40i, but I had zero desire to go down in performance once I test drove the X3MC.

I take it out any chance I get and am loving every minute of it except that I have to stay below 5k RPMs for another 400 miles

Edited to add: Since I got it everyone seem to be driving much slower than I'm used to and I'm less patient so that's annoying

[GVN*2FLY]

If there’s one thing we shouldn’t be concerned about for the foreseeable future, it’s the price of gasoline. Go long on big SUVs because it will be years before gas gets anywhere close to $3/gallon again.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by GVN*2FLY

If there’s one thing we shouldn’t be concerned about for the foreseeable future, it’s the price of gasoline. Go long on big SUVs because it will be years before gas gets anywhere close to $3/gallon again.

Not in the Golden state. Even 87 octane regular is currently $3.30 a gallon. I doubt it will drop below $3.00 for premium. The price we pay for paradise.

[MrItaly]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

I traded in my 2019 M40i for an X3 MC. Zero regrets so far. You will take a financial hit, no question, but it is well worth it in my opinion. Besides me, there at least 5-6 other guys on this forum who did the same switch and they all seem to be very pleased with the M car. If you go for it right now, you should be able to get a massive discount on the 2020 model because a) nobody shops cars due to the covid-19 and b) the 21' model will be available starting April.

+1 Yup, I'm on the list of happy upgrades but was fortunate to experience a theft and total loss which greatly softened the financial hit. Performance and aestetics-wise, zero regrets!

[Zero71]

Originally Posted by GVN*2FLY

If there’s one thing we shouldn’t be concerned about for the foreseeable future, it’s the price of gasoline. Go long on big SUVs because it will be years before gas gets anywhere close to $3/gallon again.

Over $6 here. $3 would be cheap.

[PostModernHero]

How much more is insurance vs the M40i? that has to be a factor as well. I test drove an X3M but ordered an M40i. Not regretting the decision at this point, though driving through the streets given the current apocalyptic setting in an X3M would be a hoot...

[spta97]

Originally Posted by PostModernHero

How much more is insurance vs the M40i? that has to be a factor as well. I test drove an X3M but ordered an M40i. Not regretting the decision at this point, though driving through the streets given the current apocalyptic setting in an X3M would be a hoot...

Although still within break-in parameters, I have been having a blast darting around in my X3MC with the lack of people, and cops, on the road

[TX3M]

Speaking as a financial planner regarding just the financial aspect of this:

Don't do it! The X3 M40i is an excellent vehicle, plenty fast and fun to drive. Unless your a "baller" and don't care about losing $10-12K, just keep your M40i another year or two until you can get more of your equity back. You'll have that much more $ to put down on an X3MC at that time, and there will still be leftovers (and used models with low mileage) that you can get a great deal on.