So I have been putting up with my C coupe and the associated problems for a year and half now. I bought it with 59,950 miles in May 2007 and ever since I owned it, it had been problem and dollars. As soon as the odo turned 60K, the computer controls on the steering broke and I barely managed to get the default view to the mileage reading (cannot sell the car without that display). Then came the noise from the back which has been bothering me for a year and half and couldn't diagnose it even after spending 1500 dollars. The alternator broke and the AC makes noise. The stepper motor broke and the sunroof broke. Well just about everything that can go wrong did go wrong right after the 60K mark. The struts, the control arms, engine mounts, transmission leak you name it it got it.
I loved the car, it is a nice little coupe and a looker as well. It got looks wherever it went and that damn little thing had every luxury feature that has been ever put in a luxury car. And to think of it, it is a 2002 model! Mercedes doesnt give a passenger memory seat as options even in the newer C class and this little coupe had that! But the problems were irritating me... even my friends started noticing the noise. The noise was bad and with all the electronics broken, it just didnt feel like a luxury car anymore. This is a Mercedes and Mercedes were supposed to be built like tanks. My car however, the first batch of redisgned C coupe and being sold in the US for the first time in 2001, was built like a delicate crystal. I lost faith in the brand.
Two weeks back when I was driving home I started thinking. Should I spend some money on an already depreciating vehicle or should I sell it and get a new car. The decision was made in 10 seconds. Sell was the word. Went home, got online and checked some used cars. There is Saw this beauty and my new car decision was instantly made.
It is going to be 3 Series. I gave S2000 considerable thought and Audi A4 a split second thought but decided to go with a 4 door as against a 2 seat convertible. I drove to the dealership and finalized the deal. Offered my car for trade-in and got a quote with which I was happy. Being the typical Indian that I am, I told the salesman that I will check out other cars before I make a decision. But the decision has already been made and he knew it. I go two days later and a new salesman appears. He quoted 3000 dollars less on the trade in value of merc and it was unacceptable to me. Just last year I spent 11,000 on the car and another 4000 in repairs. So I come home dejected that I still have a white elephant on my hands. I thought I am now stuck with it and started thinking about repairs. At the same time I put up my car on craigslist for sale. Lucky for me I found a buyer who paid 1500 less than what I asked for but the sale was prompt. I lost 6000 dollars on the car but I was happy. The very next day I drove to the BMW dealer and bought this beauty.
Year: 2006 325i
Miles: 37500
Exterior Color: Black Sapphire Metallic
Interior: Beige Leatherette
Options: Sport Package and Bi-Xenon
Transmission: 2.5 L I6 and 6MT
Wheels: 17" Steel sport wheels with 225/45 RFT
Ignore all the dirt on the car. It has been raining here past few days accompanies with dust storms which is very unsual. I just washed off the dirt, need to get it waxed.