Buy used (2016 model) or wait for new shape (G20)?

[HiToKiRi]

So a work colleague of mine who's currently driving a 2012 model (F30) can get a good deal on a very low mileage 2016 (facelift) model however he's very unsure whether he should rather just keep his vehicle for another +/- 2 years and wait for new 3-series (G20) instead.

He has some reservations with holding onto his car for another 2 years though:

1) His current vehicle needs new rubber - R10K+ for 4 new tyres whereas the tyres on the 2016 model could go another 20000 Km
2) He paid R15K in May to extend his MP by a year so he'll have to fork out another R15K+ again next year to further extend the MP until 2019.

Various internet sources seem to indicate that the G20 will most likely launch in Q4 next year but the big question then is, IF it does launch within 12 months from now, how long till they start being manufactured for the South African market?

Any thoughts or advise that I can pass on?

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

I remember when it first came out and THIS thread was made. Looking at the differences i honestly don't see a reason to change unless you just want a new thing. But given that they are looking at a G20 as well... Pointless. Buy new tires and keep the old girl until the G20 arrives. Unless they really want cup holders with a sliding cover

As far as i know:

LEDs have been put everywhere, seen this on the display model at Auto Glen...WOW!
New rim designs as well (one of which i have on my car already lol)
The color of the internal climate control display like above
The Headlights & taillights have new design
the cupholder lid and the layout for the mini cubby above the gear lever
twin tailpipes on the 320i models and upwards
the suspension has been tweaked in a number of ways
The 320d has 140w/400nm engine...(Apparently this file has been floating around on the late 2014 & 2015 models already)

i got this high level list on the net also:

Exterior
New halogen headlight design with LED daytime running lights
Full LED headlights now an option (standard on 340i)
Headlights have moved further apart
Daytime running lights feature upper and lower edge of LED light tubes with LED bar connecting to kidney grille
Optional Adaptive Full LED Headlights with Auto High-Beam System
Broader side air intakes in front apron
New, more intricate styling of central air intake
New full LED tail lights
LED brake lights

Interior
Center console now comes in high-gloss black
New ambient lighting
New chrome accents - seat adjustments, window controls, air vents
Trim finisher in instrument panel expands into all four doors
Cupholders now have sliding cover

New Colors
Mediterranean Blue Metallic
Platinum Silver Metallic
Jabot Brown Metallic

 

[TurboLlew]

I remember when it first came out and THIS thread was made. Looking at the differences i honestly don't see a reason to change unless you just want a new thing. But given that they are looking at a G20 as well... Pointless. Buy new tires and keep the old girl until the G20 arrives. Unless they really want cup holders with a sliding cover

As far as i know:

LEDs have been put everywhere, seen this on the display model at Auto Glen...WOW!
New rim designs as well (one of which i have on my car already lol)
The color of the internal climate control display like above
The Headlights & taillights have new design
the cupholder lid and the layout for the mini cubby above the gear lever
twin tailpipes on the 320i models and upwards
the suspension has been tweaked in a number of ways
The 320d has 140w/400nm engine...(Apparently this file has been floating around on the late 2014 & 2015 models already)

i got this high level list on the net also:

Exterior
New halogen headlight design with LED daytime running lights
Full LED headlights now an option (standard on 340i)
Headlights have moved further apart
Daytime running lights feature upper and lower edge of LED light tubes with LED bar connecting to kidney grille
Optional Adaptive Full LED Headlights with Auto High-Beam System
Broader side air intakes in front apron
New, more intricate styling of central air intake
New full LED tail lights
LED brake lights

Interior
Center console now comes in high-gloss black
New ambient lighting
New chrome accents - seat adjustments, window controls, air vents
Trim finisher in instrument panel expands into all four doors
Cupholders now have sliding cover

New Colors
Mediterranean Blue Metallic
Platinum Silver Metallic
Jabot Brown Metallic

I am behind Dirtydeedsman on this one...

IMHO keep the car especially since plan is already extended. He will lose more than the 10-12K he will spend on tyres now but that's just my opinion. I would wait.

 

[AshG108]

I cringe when people judge their decision of trade in on tyre prices...that seems lke a lazy/optimistic reason to think of AND to justify to himself that it is a better decision. I know of 2 people who thought of that and actually got into worst situations.

Keep his car, less than R10 k on tyres for a new set and wait for the G series...if he trades now, it won't add enough value to cover what he alreayd paid to extend plan.

I was one to think about m/plan and be afraid of trade etc and I have now realized...i was playing to BMW's tune. now I have one car in plan and warranty and one car at good mileage with a warranty on it. both can and will run for long until another car is needed.

 

[TurboLlew]

I cringe when people judge their decision of trade in on tyre prices...that seems lke a lazy/optimistic reason to think of AND to justify to himself that it is a better decision. I know of 2 people who thought of that and actually got into worst situations.

Keep his car, less than R10 k on tyres for a new set and wait for the G series...if he trades now, it won't add enough value to cover what he alreayd paid to extend plan.

I was one to think about m/plan and be afraid of trade etc and I have now realized...i was playing to BMW's tune. now I have one car in plan and warranty and one car at good mileage with a warranty on it. both can and will run for long until another car is needed.

Slight derail, but me too... screams "I can get finance, but can't run my car" (not that this is the case here necessarily since it seems he wants to justify getting a new car).

If you make friends with enough folks in the motor trade this seems to be VERY common as a factor though.

 

[tman]

1) His current vehicle needs new rubber - R10K+ for 4 new tyres whereas the tyres on the 2016 model could go another 20000 Km
2) He paid R15K in May to extend his MP by a year so he'll have to fork out another R15K+ again next year to further extend the MP until 2019.

Wait, what?

These aren't reasons, these are excuses to buy a new car.

I have mates like this, they always find an excuse to trade in their cars, when in hindsight its a horrible financial decision.

"Ya no, my current car is dropping value, I had to trade it in..... "

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

I think if you have decided that you want a new car, you make whatever reasons seem valid. No matter how silly or strange it might seem to others, to you the distance between your hand and the radio when you are driving is too far and as such you have to adjust your seating which has led you to miss soo much news and information because.... bleh you get the point.

I always look at the finances of it.

 

[zippy320]

Are they giving him a good deal on his current car?
What sort of good deal is he getting on the new car?

If he trades in the current car for the new G30 car , will he take a bigger knock then If he trades in the new car for the G30 will that knock be less then that of the old car? (hope im making sense)

Is the current car paid up?

Will he get much much less then for his current car then the new LCI one when trading in for the new G30?

What F30 does he currently drive and what F30 is he getting a good deal on? All questions that could help make a decision , but not tyres .. You can get tyres for less then 10K.

 

[SanM]

Two behavioral reasons for some people changing when it doesn't make financial sense to do so:

1. Not everything can be quantified financially so the choices we make will always be those that maximize our utility compared to all other options at the time. The joy of driving a new car and being the first to be seen in it is worth the huge short and long term hit they take on the acquisition.

2. We have a cognitive bias in overestimating our ability over the long term. This explains the reason why we get late, why projects take longer to finish and are more expensive and why new year's resolutions are not followed through. So in this case, they simply think they will be fine and recover from whatever financial loss they've taken.

 

[Cornel]

I agree. If the car is problem free, keep it.
Tyre's is maintenance and the fact that he needs to replace them now is not a have to sell the car problem!
What parts did he need to replace on the car to justify that 15k bill for the extension of the motor plan?

 

[maleven-GP]

The 2016 model will still require tyres in 20k kms.. besides tyres are no guarantee, potholes etc..
2012 model means might be paid up or about to.. rather have a paid up car with warranty in this financial climate..
Motorplan is great, but overrated if you not driving top end cars..
Keep the car I say..