Grand Starex against a D-max+E90 320i

[confused shoes]

Hello Everyone.

Just registered but has been reading a lot of your very informative posts for months. Also been very familiar with the members who gave really helpful advises and the members who had been banned for some reasons. Wonderful forum, indeed.

I got here a situation and I hope you can share some thoughts. We got a D-max for the cargoes (and as wifey's daily driver) and a second car (sedan) for a more comfortable ride. Recently, we've given up the second car and I plan to get a E90 320i for the comfort. Wifey suggests to give up the D-max as well and get a new Grand Starex and of course less the E90.

The GS is obviously a lot more fun and comfortable than the D-max and can haul the cargoes as well. Her other reason is the seating capacity the GS can offer but the D-max plus the E90 may serve the same. Cost is also a deciding factor.

What are your thoughts?

[Walter]

Dump the D-Max and get a Strada for riding comfort and an E46 325i.

[confused shoes]

Thank you Walter for the suggestion.

The Strada should be a riding comfort as many claims but I should have mentioned earlier that the D-max may only be replaced by a GS and not one of its kind. The E46 325i is really my first choice as I like the body but with my readings, I came across the sub-frame issue with the E46. Some say the problem may only be noticed when it's already serious and I am not good at checking these kind of things. So I came up with a narrowed down options. D-max+E90(320i) or GS(probably a Gold).

[jaejae]

for what it's worth, there's a sure difference with having the GS alone against having both the Dmax and E90... your fuel consumption. For the latter, you will have to fuel 2 cars...

[Walter]

^^^ You can have a 100-point check up done before buying an E46. 2002-2003 facelifted E46 won't have subframe issues.

[renzo_d10]

Of course kung saan meron BMW dun ako... E90 naman eh.

[jut703]

Do you really need the extra seating capacity of the GS?

Keep in mind that the GS is also harder to drive than the D-Max, and is a less robust vehicle overall. I'd go with the D-Max + E90, but get a 320d instead if you can. Or, if you insist with a gas-fed premium compact car, why not the C200 CGI?

[confused shoes]

*jaejae, the cost of maintaining a single car is a point to consider but there is also this convenience of two where there is still one running when the other is not available. I am balancing these conditions too. Thanks.

*walter, I have to rethink about that sub-frame issue. Thanks.
*renzo, yeah you got it right.

*jut703, seating capacity is needed and is as important as the driving comfort that's why the GS came as a quick option. I think I need to ask wifey to drive one of those GSes at the show room. I wish I could get the 320d but budget won't allow at the moment.

Thanks guys. I hope to hear more.

[lowslowbenz]

A household should have at least one multi-purpose vehicle (van), and one sedan (car). Just my thoughts...

[IMm29]

Though your fuel and maintenance bill would be cut, would it be cut in half by going with the GS?

Will you still be flexible enough even with just the GS? What about coding days?

I'm a GS owner. Proud of the d*mn beast. It's comfortable, spacious and pretty quick for its size. But it's just 1 ride. And when you have 2 drivers in the family, with a business (I'm assuming) needing cargo carrying capacity, and coding still being implemented in most parts of the Metro, I think you're better off with 2 cars.

I agree with lowslowbenz. A household should have at least one relatively bigger MPV/van and 1 sedan or SUV. If your wife did not drive, I could agree with just the GS. As for myself, the wife and the 2 kids, we've got the GS and an SUV. Her gen 1 Vios din sana, but then we don't have the garage space in the condo for 3 cars.

[GTi]

Now that will depend heavily on your preferences, requirements and also your financial standing. The Grand Starex is a 12 seater diesel van. Its not exactly known for its fuel efficiency but it is at least reasonable as 2.5L diesels go, and it is one fast van. The seating capacities of the D-Max and 320i combined are actually still lesser than the GS. But it will be a hassle to have just one car if you have lots of drivers in the house and also coding inconveniences. On the other hand, is it OK with you to maintain two cars? Especially since the other car happens to be an expensive European compact, take into consideration the high maintenance costs of BMWs as well. The D-Max is a very reliable car. Reasonably quick and surprisingly fuel efficient too for a 3.0L diesel. Though a bit down on screaming top end power, that can be rectified easily. If all you pursue for the purpose of buying the 320i is comfort, I suggest you get a Japanese midsize sedan instead of a cramped European compact. A 2nd hand Honda Accord 3.5V6 would be nice. Very comfortable, lots of space, gobs of power and yet still retaining the values expected in a driver's car as expected from a Honda.

[Starex_Gold]

^ Yun nga lang hindi ibibigay ng Accord yung "image" na naka BMW ka.

[Harangody]

Image siguro yung main reason ng TS.

[renzo_d10]

^ Yun nga lang hindi ibibigay ng Accord yung "image" na naka BMW ka.

Downgrade yun paps, BMW na naging Accord pa.

[confused shoes]

Now everyone is helping. :thumbup: Every word said has its own weight.

By the way the other car we just let go is a 2005 Altis. If I am on the wheel, it is nice too but if I am at the backseat, I want more. Except for that bumpy ride, the D-max never let me down, I have lots of confidence in it and really hard to let go. But if I am at the backseat (wifey on the wheel), it can't help but banging my head on the roof.

*Starex_Gold, nice one boss on the "image" point. We have to acknowledge that we pinoys sometimes good at stereotyping. If you are in your favorite muddy maong and a pair of sandals then board a pinoy carrier business class, the flight attendant will direct you to the back rows without even bothering to check your boarding pass.

The image sa aking palagay, hindi nawawala. And this three letter badged car is not even in my shortlist when I started searching for the the next car until I read deeper. It will not leave the garage everyday, a weekender may be, and may not even add another 5K on the odo for a year so I will not get the one with a plastic wrap on its seats.

*GTI on financial standing, I may not be that guy who will travel regular on business class. I wish soon. Kelan kaya? Anyway, as for the capacity, it is also not a daily necessity but rather it must be available when needed.

Considering all your comments, it looks I really need to keep two rides but wifey wants a GS. May be girls really want bigger?

[CVT]

^ Yun nga lang hindi ibibigay ng Accord yung "image" na naka BMW ka.

The 'badge' accounts for the difference in prices....

15.8K:dunno:

[IMm29]

It seems you have no option but to buy the GS. Sabi ni misis eh. Hehehe!

Get her the GS, get yourself the E90 and let go of the DMax. And then curtail her shopping muna. Gusto niya ng GS.

Good luck! Especially on the curtail part. Hehehe!

[lowslowbenz]

To the TS, are you decided on a BMW? Or are you open to a Benz suggestion? ..

[GTi]

*GTI on financial standing, I may not be that guy who will travel regular on business class. I wish soon. Kelan kaya? Anyway, as for the capacity, it is also not a daily necessity but rather it must be available when needed.

Considering all your comments, it looks I really need to keep two rides but wifey wants a GS. May be girls really want bigger?

If you need to have more than one car and your wife wants a GS, might I suggest you get a 2nd hand GS and another car.

Personally kasi, hindi ko ganon ka-type ang mga European compacts. Its a given of course that you have the image, the upscale feel and performance of a European car and all that. Pero underneath all that, it is still a compact sedan which is like the Corolla's and Civic's of the Europeans. Kung sabihing exclusivity, hindi rin kasi marami na din ang E90 dito. IMHO kung European car ang pinag-uusapan, 5 series na. A 2003 E39 would be nice.

[jut703]

Pero underneath all that, it is still a compact sedan which is like the Corolla's and Civic's of the Europeans. Kung sabihing exclusivity, hindi rin kasi marami na din ang E90 dito. IMHO kung European car ang pinag-uusapan, 5 series na. A 2003 E39 would be nice.

I've yet to find a compact that drives as well as an E46 3-series. 318i lang yung natry ko ah. Paper specs never tell you the full story. And kahit maraming naka-E90, anong mas maganda ang image, 320i o Hyundai i30?

A 2003 E39 would be a big pain to maintain, but it's the most timeless BMW for me. Simply beautiful.