Which car for a BMW Owner?

[Phalcon]

I need some advice.

I have a 1997 BMW 540i. I live in Minnesota. A 540i is not a good car in Minnesota. With the hard winters a rear-wheel car with a monster engine is not a good combination.

I want to purchase a new-to-me car this weekend.

I've always liked the looks of a Jag but have recently had my confidence in its quality shaken over the last 2 or 3 days.

I'm looking to keep the price tag around $20k-$25k for a used vehicle, preferably with some warranty remaining. That means 2002 or newer.

I've found a 2002 Jag X-Type 4.0 which is very pretty. Compared to an Audi, Saab or something else, how would a Jag stack up?

I want something fun to drive, something with a very luxurious feel and something that would hold up well.

The 540i is a great car. VERY fun to drive, the ride is nice and solid, handling is GREAT and there is zero wind or road noise as I'm driving.

Will a Jag disappoint me? What would you do if you wanted to spend under $25,000 for a 2002 or newer car that is better in the winter than a 540i?

Thanks for any advice!

[crayzayjay]

Forget about the Saab. And I dont think there is such a thing as an X-Type 4.0. Do you mean the S-Type?


Anyway, i would be very tempted to stay with the BMW out of the choices mentioend above. As you say, it handles beautifully, built very well, and will entertain in a way none of the others can match. If you really have to get something that's more equipped to deal with tricky conditions, you should look at a used 325 Xi or the Audi.

And welcome to AF

[clawhammer]

If RWD is a problem, then try to find something AWD. I don't know if you can find a G35X for $20-25k, but they're AWD. Take a Jag for a test drive, and see how you like it. It won't be as fast as the BMW, it's more of a luxury tourer than a sports sedan.

[DinanM3_S2]

If you like the BMW's performance and feel, but need the AWD capability, I suggest a used 325Xi or an Audi A4 1.8t/2.8/3.0. AWD is one thing that I personally believe Audi does better then BMW, they've just been doing it longer.

One option that I don't think you've looked into is the possibility of a used Audi S4. I know that they have 2001/2 S4s out there that cost $25,000-$26,000 with say 40-50k miles. Where as a Jag, 325xi, or an A4 would really be a step down from the performance and fun of a 540i, a S4 would actually be a better car, if your willing to buy a slightly higher milage car. The TT 2.7L V6 is a great engine.

http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.u...0S4&4;AU;S4&&&

*not sure if the link will work, if not just go to www.kbb.com and type in all the information.

[del]

Originally Posted by Phalcon

I need some advice.

I have a 1997 BMW 540i. I live in Minnesota. A 540i is not a good car in Minnesota. With the hard winters a rear-wheel car with a monster engine is not a good combination.

I want to purchase a new-to-me car this weekend.

I've always liked the looks of a Jag but have recently had my confidence in its quality shaken over the last 2 or 3 days.

I'm looking to keep the price tag around $20k-$25k for a used vehicle, preferably with some warranty remaining. That means 2002 or newer.

I've found a 2002 Jag X-Type 4.0 which is very pretty. Compared to an Audi, Saab or something else, how would a Jag stack up?

I want something fun to drive, something with a very luxurious feel and something that would hold up well.

The 540i is a great car. VERY fun to drive, the ride is nice and solid, handling is GREAT and there is zero wind or road noise as I'm driving.

Will a Jag disappoint me? What would you do if you wanted to spend under $25,000 for a 2002 or newer car that is better in the winter than a 540i?

Thanks for any advice!

either keep the bmw or get the audi. the local audi dealer gave me a jag x-type for a loaner car while my car was getting an oil change and i was pretty unimpressed. too much ford, too little jaguar. the jag felt like a kia compared to my audi.

i think you'll be highly disappointed in the jaguar after owning the bmw. for winter weather, the easy choice would be the audi. my first inkling is to keep the bmw. but if you're looking for something newer, the audi is something to consider. great looking cars, quattro but try to find a low mileage one.

[Jimster]

I'd be inclined to go for a 2001-ish A6 4.2 V8 over an A4, just that much more space really and drives like a slightly bigger A4.


That's if I ever wanted to get rid of a 540i, which I could never do myself

[NISSANSPDR]

I agree w/my comrades...if you can live w/it...keep the 540i...superb car...if not...an S4 or A4 Quattro if you cant get the funds

No A6 for me...yuck

[Right_LiRrr]

Yup, the reasoning of these people are hard to shake. : )

I think if you really want something safer for the winter and want AWD, you can't go past the A4's. They are pretty damn luxurious too. I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. However, as the rest have said, if you can deal with the RWD, keep the 540i......or just give it to me and get some snow shoes =P.....and welcome to AF

[Oldengineer]

If you're looking at X- Types - they come equipped with either a 2.5 liter(192 HP) or a 3 Liter (227 HP). Considering your budget, you should easily be able to get a well-equipped 2003 or newer with 100K warranty from a dealer. I own a 2003 2.5 liter automatic, and, the car is fantastic in snow and rain. I picked it over the Audi, BMW, and Baby Benz because:
1. It has AWD standard and was better equipped for the money.
2. It's a bit larger - giving you more interior and trunk space.
3. Handling is comparable with the others with RWD because the AWD is rear biased.
4. The interior is one of the best in this class.
5. Even with AWD and the added weight, the 2.5's performance equals that of the 325i. I've not driven the 3.0 liter version so I don't know how much quicker it is.
6. The Jag is a very rigid vehicle and built like a tank - build quality is superb.

With about 23K on the Jag now, the car has been very trouble free, and, handles winter trips in the mountains where I live with no sweat.

Regards:
Oldengineer

[NISSANSPDR]

I just hear bad stuff about Jaguar and it's reliability and costs of maintenance...

[del]

Originally Posted by NISSANSPDR

I just hear bad stuff about Jaguar and it's reliability and costs of maintenance...

that can be said about the audi too (although they are making improvements in the reliability department) but i'd still choose the audi over the jaguar all day everyday. for a car with a prestigious badge as a jaguar, i wasn't impressed by the x-type.

[Jimster]

Originally Posted by NISSANSPDR

I just hear bad stuff about Jaguar and it's reliability and costs of maintenance...

It depends on how expensive the purchase price is. The new XJ's (post-1997) and the XK8 are among the most reliable and fault-free cars on the road, the S Types can be iffy and the X Types have an alarmingly high rate of quality issues.



Though regardless of model, any Jaguar made before 1996 is going to be a pain in the ass.

[Oldengineer]

Originally Posted by NISSANSPDR

I just hear bad stuff about Jaguar and it's reliability and costs of maintenance...

The first year X-Type sold in the US - the 2002 model had many issues. After that, the cars were improved dramatically and the brand moved up smartly in the Powers' surveys of owners. I suspect that maintenance costs of any of the European cars is going to be high - if you keep going back to the dealer. I do most of my own maintenance on the Jag, and, 10K interval service on it is free up to 50K miles through Jaguar. With any of these cars, an exteded warranty up to 100K such as that offered on certified used ones, is great protection from ugly surprises to your wallet. In my opinion, a key factor in the decision to buy a particular brand- be it Audi, Jag, BMW, etc. is how competent your local dealer is at fixing it.

Regards:
Oldengineer

[edonis]

Of the cars mentioned, the Saab is one class "above", and is the largest car. This is about the same size (a bit larger, actually) than the 540 you own today, while the Audi and Jaguar are one size down (3-series alternatives).

I'd go for the 9-5 if I were you. The Saab is really good to drive on wintery roads, and comes up every hill you need to climb. Aspen and Vail police have been using Saabs for a long time, due to their superb winter abilities.