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...

[Walter]

BMW E39, now that's a timeless design. One of the best BMWs. Maintenance wise it would be at par with an E46 since the engines are similar, i.e., 325i & 525i.

[renzo_d10]

Ok yung Volvo in terms of comfort, power and everything else. Rode an S80 before then recently a new XC90, sarap. Pero ewan ko lang Parts kung alin mas available

[confused shoes]

Nice to read your suggestions, they keep me awake again at to this time. Now I'm back to :seesaw: status

Here comes the E39 suggestion. I may get this horse instead of the smaller E90. If I will buy now, the E39 price is even lower than the E90 but when I consulted my finance manager, she prefer the younger as expected. If we arrive at a final decision between my two options (GS or D-max+E), if I may ask your help again. E39 or E90..

By the way, my definition of comfortable ride may not be as good as sitting at the backseat of a big luxury but at least I can sleep when wifey is on the wheel. Reduced bumps and noise from the tire struggling our usual road cracks, . .

As for the MB, Audi and the Volvo? It's just me okay, I think I feel younger in the BMW and boss I can't get a go signal. Our course, the Camry and the Accord, but you guys have a good reasoning about "image". I can't recall who quoted in another thread, 'mahihiya ang makakatabing civic'. Nabasa ko lang po yan, di ako may sabi.:dog:

For the pre-owned GS suggestion, considering that the car may just make 8K Km a year, I think it's wise but I can't really get some trust of the used GS dealers and its hard to find a direct seller unlike BMW. Any suggestion how to get a good pre-owed GS?

And did you know that in China, they call BMW "Bao Ma"? Mr. Google translated it as "precious horse".

[GTi]

Nice to read your suggestions, they keep me awake again at to this time. Now I'm back to :seesaw: status

Here comes the E39 suggestion. I may get this horse instead of the smaller E90. If I will buy now, the E39 price is even lower than the E90 but when I consulted my finance manager, she prefer the younger as expected. If we arrive at a final decision between my two options (GS or D-max+E), if I may ask your help again. E39 or E90..

By the way, my definition of comfortable ride may not be as good as sitting at the backseat of a big luxury but at least I can sleep when wifey is on the wheel. Reduced bumps and noise from the tire struggling our usual road cracks, . .

As for the MB, Audi and the Volvo? It's just me okay, I think I feel younger in the BMW and boss I can't get a go signal. Our course, the Camry and the Accord, but you guys have a good reasoning about "image". I can't recall who quoted in another thread, 'mahihiya ang makakatabing civic'. Nabasa ko lang po yan, di ako may sabi.:dog:

For the pre-owned GS suggestion, considering that the car may just make 8K Km a year, I think it's wise but I can't really get some trust of the used GS dealers and its hard to find a direct seller unlike BMW. Any suggestion how to get a good pre-owed GS?

And did you know that in China, they call BMW "Bao Ma"? Mr. Google translated it as "precious horse".

Kung maghahanap ka ng magandang 2nd hand na binebenta ng owner mismo, I suggest you check out the online ads first. Hanapin yung mga may pictures seemingly taken sa bahay nila. Then check if it is the only ad under the seller's profile. If it is, then we are 99% sure that it is the owner selling. Like this one for example: Sulit ID 5350692

With the Audi and Volvo kasi, you can get newer units as compared to the BMW's, with a similar budget. As for parts, since both have local casas, and with this sort of car you will most likely service it in the casa, I would not fret about scarcity of parts.

If you really like the E39, I suggest you get the newest unit you can get, and with the lowest mileage. Now this is one car that would not look old even tens of years from now. Here's one good example: Sulit ID 5330677

[Walter]

^^^ There are more independent shops servicing MBs and BMWs compared to Audi and Volvo. Having these cars serviced at dealer will be costly so you might as well buy a later model MB or BMW even if it's more expensive.

[Harangody]

Make sure na kaya mo yung maintenance.

Mahal na ang BMW, pero ang Audi naman minsan umaabot ng x5 yung price. Kaya big time talaga si SG.

[Starex_Gold]

Make sure na kaya mo yung maintenance.

Mahal na ang BMW, pero ang Audi naman minsan umaabot ng x5 yung price. Kaya big time talaga si SG.

Hahahahaha. Ako nanaman. Grabe kayo

Lalong naiinggit yung nasa kabilang thread eh!

[confused shoes]

SG, is that the SIR haters series? Funny episodes over there.

Back on course, thank you guys for all the inputs. I will be balancing all of them. They are helpful.
*GTI, thanks for the sulit tips. I also just learned to search the offered items using sulit IDs.

[IMm29]

So teka, it's now E39/E90 + GS? Panalo! Hehehe!