simple fact of depreciation, and that the curve is not straight line
A new car, you drive it off the floor, and its dropped 20% in value for a novility of saying I have a new car, even demo models that are cheaper, but still dammed expensive, you do 1000 km with the car, and its no longer a demo, its now second hand.
I recon you are much better off buying a one year old with 30k on the clock, still under warentee, still under mainatnance, and whatever crap there was with the car, the previous owner sorted out.
Also, I have been involved in the automotive sector for many years, you think that brand spanking new car you have just baught has not been to the panel beater once or twice, had a lot of glass replaced, in some cases post manufacutring changes done while the car is in storage.
The only time you can be absolutely positive you are getting a brand new car is if you watch it being built, and you drive it off the assmembly line yourself.
Its purely a money thing, I dont like to waste, try this one. go find out the price of a brand new car, no extra's nothing. Then ask the dealer to borrow his book, and price the identical 1 year old car in terms of trade, and ask yourself is owning a new car worth the premium... some feel it is
Anyway, post pics of the new ride ehwn you get her, oh ya, there is a new 3 series coming out in 2012 I think, so if you hang on till the end of the year when dealers try and clear old stock, you could get a bargain, samew is to be said about your trade in though