GSJeff

iTrader: (1)

Its amazing that a very lucky person getting money to buy a car has generated this level of comments and debate.

When free money is involved, you have already gotten the best advice above.

Can we be done with this thread!!!!!

TMQ

LOL. Money is never free, and the $ from the in-laws could well be better spent on a 529 plan for my 2-yr old, as I personally can live with a 4 cylinder Honda Accord just fine.

Life is about choices, that's why I appreciate these forums. Thanks for all the comments here. Anyway, I went to check CR and both the 5 series and GS are recommended. I eventually put a deposit on a 528, try to get ready to deal with the notorious iDrive, and plan to own the car 7+ years.

Financial calculation wise, I didn't really bother toying the option of buying straight vs. doing a lease (for BMW and change vehicle when the lease is up). I know that financially, buying for long term is better than lease, but the thing that I still don't know is for the lease rates offered by BMW, whether it makes better sense to lease than buying. Since this is a gift, buying straight seems a simple thing to do.

Of course as someone said, buying a 1 or 2 yr old vehicle is surely the best financial move.

memasterac

If the wife wants the brand recognition, (according to your previous posts, no MB, Audi, Infiniti, Acura… regardless some of their cars are really good) and $$ is from the in-laws, I suggest considering her first choice. That’s if I were you, however, if $$ is from my parents (keep dreaming) then my wife is likely to follow my decision.

Chuck W.

Great car. I have an '06 530I and love it. My next car will be a 550I that's loaded. You will love the I-Drive once you get the hang of it. Nice job on starting one of the better debates I have seen on an auto forum. A lot of good info.