New DD or BMW?

[DCGuy1965]

Greetings Fellow Rolex Enthusiasts,

Been quite a while since l last posted or even been on the forum. I must say I'm deeply saddened by the loss of JJ and hope he is able to wear whatever watch he wants in Heaven .

Anyway, I'm at the age and point in my career where it's time for that mid-life crisis type of decision. I stopped by my AD the other day and tried on the DD 36mm in white gold with gray stick dial and was hyper ventilating at how pretty it looked. I've always loved the Presidentials and have wanted 1 ever since the 80's when I discovered the Rolex bug.

I've also been thinking about my first real nice car as a weekend toy type of thing. People have told me a car is more practical but the watch has its advantages as well (no personal property tax, regular maintenance, wear and tear, etc.). I can only afford 1 of the 2. Car would be a new 3 series. Always wanted one of those as well. Got a nice collection so far but the DD would be the ultimate uber dress watch. What say you to this dilemma? Thanks.

[StarSovereign]

Well, I would pay cash for the DD and still get the BMW, but lease, don't buy. As a current BMW owner, I can tell you with 100% certainty that buying a BMW is not a good idea. They're amazing performance cars, but when you start racking up miles (60k plus) things start to go and they are VERY expensive to replace. Leasing one for 3 or 4 years is a great option; you can put $3k or $4k down get out at around $500 per month for a well-equipped 3 series. Plus it will come with free maintence for the duration of your lease, or like 50k miles. Then when things start to go, its time for you to give it up! Plus you get to get a new car every three to four years!

[andrew79]

tough question, i am rolex enthusiast as well as bimmer's.... can you share your collection so far and your current car as it may influence the whole decision making process ? :) personal experience here, I went for bmw first before saving and got my sub and gmt...

[FBI.C.7FOLD]

Tough choice. My only opinion is if you care at all about future value between the two in 20 years the watch is a better buy just make sure you keep all the accessories. If you decide on the 3series get the 335, and not the 328... Test drive the two and you'll see what I mean as a 3series owner myself. You could always go SS Rolex Sport model at 5k-7k and the car.

[stephentross]

I have a 91 M5 that is a money pit. It is in like new condition. Actually has a brand new engine. (from Germany) I understand your question. I know the issues you face with a BMW toy.

If you are looking for a classic all original, I say be prepared. Totally different ball game. Get the watch.

If you are talking about a brand new car. Id consider it.

The only way Id consider a BMW over the watch you described if it is an M series.

When you drive that classic M down the street and bring it up to speed and drive spirited you really can not match that feeling.

My poor wife has to deal with a watch guy who has an addiction to nice cars. She is a good one. Ill keep her for awhile.

Get the watch. :)

[FBI.C.7FOLD]

Don't lease or finance the vehicle. That's silly and just giving away money...

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by DCGuy1965

Greetings Fellow Rolex Enthusiasts,

Been quite a while since l last posted or even been on the forum. I must say I'm deeply saddened by the loss of JJ and hope he is able to wear whatever watch he wants in Heaven .

Anyway, I'm at the age and point in my career where it's time for that mid-life crisis type of decision. I stopped by my AD the other day and tried on the DD 36mm in white gold with gray stick dial and was hyper ventilating at how pretty it looked. I've always loved the Presidentials and have wanted 1 ever since the 80's when I discovered the Rolex bug.

I've also been thinking about my first real nice car as a weekend toy type of thing. People have told me a car is more practical but the watch has its advantages as well (no personal property tax, regular maintenance, wear and tear, etc.). I can only afford 1 of the 2. Car would be a new 3 series. Always wanted one of those as well. Got a nice collection so far but the DD would be the ultimate uber dress watch. What say you to this dilemma? Thanks.

Its all about what would give you the most pleasure. Lets others eat the depreciation and get both and have the "fun" of hunting down the correct one.

As for the BMW I would recommend the 328i coupe (more reliable engine) with a manual transmission and NO i-Drive OR the 128i with manual and no i-drive. This is the most reliable combination and more of a purists approach to BMW. Either way I recommend leasing with as little down as possible as the new BMW's with all the technology in them(idrive included), are a long term ownership nightmare from a maintenance and reliability perspective

You may also consider searching for a VERY CLEAN, low mi. used BMW E46 330i coupe (no turbo and more reliable) with a manual transmission. I am actively looking for fate to put the right E46 in front of me to add to my BMW stable and I am contemplating a used DD... but a mid 80's 18038 in YG and a white or champagne dial.

I bet you could get the clean low mi E46 coupe AND a very recent mfg DD from a trusted seller here on TRF for the full price of the New BMW

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by FBI.C.7FOLD

Don't lease or finance the vehicle. That's silly and just giving away money...

That all depends in the cost of money and the opportunity cost associated with the cash.

[DCGuy1965]

Yea interesting choice I must say.
can you share your collection so far and your current car as it may influence the whole decision making process ? :)

That's probably a good idea. Collection consists of SS Daytona white dial, White Milgauss, Sub LV 5-tick dial, and a TT Datejust which my best friend says if I go for the DD he wants to buy. That makes sense in that no reason to have 2 dress watches. As for my wheels nothing special just a 2007 Civic. Never really had nice transportation and could never in my lifetime fathom spending mega bux on something to drive and tear up everyday but there are those who do and I respect their decisions.

[FBI.C.7FOLD]

He obviously wants to keep the car and or watch long term after working and saving for either...

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by FBI.C.7FOLD

He obviously wants to keep the car and or watch long term after working and saving for either...

If you want to keep the car long term, find a VERY LOW mi. used BMW E46 330I coupe. This is the last of the reliable, long term ownership BMW 3 series. Once you get it, the only modification is to put Bilstein HD or sport shocks on and high quality rubber...CHANGE NOTHING ELSE!

[FBI.C.7FOLD]

Originally Posted by Newportkrieger

If you want to keep the car long term, find a VERY LOW mi. used BMW E46 330I coupe. This is the last of the reliable, long term ownership BMW 3 series. Once you get it, the only modification is to put Bilstein HD or sport shocks on and high quality rubber...CHANGE NOTHING ELSE!

Sounds to me his attraction is to the new body style E90/E92...

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by FBI.C.7FOLD

Sounds to me his attraction is to the new body style E90/E92...

I own them for how they drive as much or more than how they look. I love the look of the F1 7 series and the F11 5 series but I have owned BMW's for 20 years, BMWCCA member for 15 yrs and I just do not trust the new ones like I could the prior iterations of the ultimate driving machine.

[sea-dweller]

DD, for me

[StarSovereign]

I'm going to get a new 550i soon and I was playing around with configuring it online, assuming I would finance. Even the guy at the dealer said leasing was the better way to go...Over half of all new BMW's are leased. Reliability is still not the best (with all the tech they put into their cars now days) and the people who buy them LOVE the prospect of getting a new one every three to four years! I'll be leasing my 550i when I finally pull the trigger!

[Rahvi99]

As a 2011 LCI E92 driver, I can only advise that I got the car first.... then last week my first watch..... so I'd go the car.

[Jason71]

Get the watch. The watch will be around looking good and running great for MANY YEARS after the car wears-out.

[Dr. Robert]

get the car

[East Bay Rider]

What do you drive now?
I keep coming back to the fact you'll own the watch forever, not so the car. Also with the watch you'll feel like a million bucks wherever you are. Seriously - it's really nice.
The car requires more effort and more money and will just age and be worth less and less no matter what you do or how well you treat it. Some soccer mom is going to ding your new BMW. You know that right?
I say get the watch.

[jenniferjanef]

Originally Posted by StarSovereign

Well, I would pay cash for the DD and still get the BMW, but lease, don't buy. As a current BMW owner, I can tell you with 100% certainty that buying a BMW is not a good idea. They're amazing performance cars, but when you start racking up miles (60k plus) things start to go and they are VERY expensive to replace. Leasing one for 3 or 4 years is a great option; you can put $3k or $4k down get out at around $500 per month for a well-equipped 3 series. Plus it will come with free maintence for the duration of your lease, or like 50k miles. Then when things start to go, its time for you to give it up! Plus you get to get a new car every three to four years!

Totally agree..few years back I was using my hubby's bmw750iL 5.4 v12 for a year. His car was fully maintained by BMW. Only done 20k. During the 14 months, I was stranded on the roadside, carpark and once shopping mall with my clients who I was trying to please.. That was a horrible experience. I am using Lexus hybrid (don't get the 200h, it is underpowered, I am using the 600h) now. However, if you want high performance, consider the GTR35, I love mine. I only use it at night for joy ride. Anyway, do shop around, there are lots of choices out there.. Good luck and happy shopping. Cheers! .. Jennifer

[le_baroudeur]

Buy a mazda miata mk1: way cheaper, way more reliable and way more fun! BMW's are not what they used to be, japanese ingeneers outpass german ones now... And the miata is made for fun, contrary to the 3series (unless you take an "m", as said above)
You can buy the watch too, a marvellous travel with your wife and you can even put some money in your pocket for the future.

[Kanger]

I'd go with a car especially if you ALREADY own a Rolex. However, I would suggest a Lexus as opposed to a BMW, just my 2 cents :)

[kilyung]

If you can get the same money for the car after a few years of use, get it. Otherwise get a used DD.

[Newportkrieger]

Originally Posted by le_baroudeur

Buy a mazda miata mk1: way cheaper, way more reliable and way more fun! BMW's are not what they used to be, japanese ingeneers outpass german ones now... And the miata is made for fun, contrary to the 3series (unless you take an "m", as said above)

btw its "engineers" and the miata is a gutless "chick car" IMHO

[DCgator]

Bottom line DD and Bimmer go together. My 2c.

[KingJames]

Originally Posted by StarSovereign

Well, I would pay cash for the DD and still get the BMW, but lease, don't buy. As a current BMW owner, I can tell you with 100% certainty that buying a BMW is not a good idea. They're amazing performance cars, but when you start racking up miles (60k plus) things start to go and they are VERY expensive to replace. Leasing one for 3 or 4 years is a great option; you can put $3k or $4k down get out at around $500 per month for a well-equipped 3 series. Plus it will come with free maintence for the duration of your lease, or like 50k miles. Then when things start to go, its time for you to give it up! Plus you get to get a new car every three to four years!

"Plus it will come with free maintence for the duration of your lease, or like 50k miles."

Nothing is FREE...your paying for it in the premium you are paying on a monthly basis as part of your lease....

Personally I don't lease, I buy quality used cars...

[blackmsport]

I get a Bimmer

[ktmd]

Don't buy either, and save your money. You'll be glad you did.

[TSW]

Take the bus to your nearest Rolex AD

[Cru Jones]

You already have four Rolexes.....and want a fifth. The watch bug will never leave you (not that that's a bad thing), so, why not switch things up this time and try driving your first BMW?

Just, if it's a weekend/fun car, why not Z4 or 1 or 3 series convertible?