Find BMW Dealers in Flushing, New York

Can you fire up your GALVES knowledge again for me? My Mom leased an '08 328xiA with cold weather, premium package, Sirius, Steptronic, & Metallic Paint (Sparkling Graphite/Black Leather) back in December '07. Her lease is maturing at the end of December. She has over 55,000 miles on the car, it has 1 year old tires, & new front/rear brakes (The light went on for the front brakes right when the odometer turned over 50K miles) & a fresh brake flush + Inspection II completed. The car's been dealer serviced. I'm wondering if it would be a good used car for me to buy at obviously the right price. I don't even know what the buyout is. Thanks in advance for your help.

Run Flat Tires: My Dad has an '07 X5 3.0si w/ Sport Suspension and run flat tires. After 30K miles (on a very heavy truck) I see NO signs of wear at all. The car rides so smoothly that it is almost Lexus-like (not a good thing, he liked his '04 X5 w/ Sport Suspension better). My Mom has an '08 328xi w/ run flat tires and she hasn't experienced any noticable difference in tire noise. She says the car rides too harsh. It might be the run flat tires or the fact that she went from an '05 E60 530i to the '08 328xi. If you so get a flat, then you are going to be out some cash. Run Flat tires are more expensive than conventional tires. Most shops won't repair a runflat tire (for liability purposes), so a flat means you don't get stuck on the side of the road, but you will have to eat the cost of a new tire. Since tires should ALWAYS be replaced in pairs, you will be out the cost of 2 new runflat tires. Other costs: Are you buying or leasing? If you're leasing, then all you have to worry about is scheduled maintenance. The car is BMW's problem at the end of the lease. If you are buying, then I would do a break in service (like they give the M cars at 1200 miles), then at least double BMW's recommended service intervals. I'd have the brake fluid and tranny fluid flushed every couple years. Alignments aren't covered. No offense to your Saab ( I used to have an '00 9-3), but a BMW 1 series or 3 series on wooden wagon wheels is a superior driving car to your 9-3 convertible.

The original owners extended warranty is available at a cost of $3,375.00 You'd be better off taking that (almost) $3400 and sticking it in an ING savings account and wait until you need it for out of warranty repairs. If you prefer the piece of mind of an extended warranty or if your vehicle is in for service A LOT during the standard warranty period, you can always purchase an extended warranty from any BMW dealer in the USA for probably less money. It might also be a good idea for you to join the BMWCCA and get some names of good independent mechanics in your area. An independent mechanic charges less than the dealers do for the same work. The extended maintenance program is also available at a cost of $1,695.00 I'd offer you the same advice as above. If you plan on keeping your car for a while, I'd also advise to double BMWs scheduled oil change intervals. You pick up the tab on the 7500 miles oil change, BMW pays for it at 15K and so on. Have the transmisson fluid flushed and filled every 2 years as well. WheelGuard tire and wheel protection: This is completely unnecessary. The one thing it doesn't cover: You new BMW will come equipped with Run Flat Tires than cannot be fixed (flat or blowout, the tire is toast), so you'll have to replace 2 tires and your tire insurance won't cover the cost of the second tire. You can get tires from the Tire Rack much cheaper than the dealer will sell it to you for. If you crack a rim (doubtful as you live in the south where there are no potholes), you can get a new one from a place like bavarian autosport or one of the many dealers that give BMWCCA discounts (if you join BMWCCA). Good luck!