All hope is lost - Page 3 - United Bimmer Community

**Red_Rocket** · 08-31-2005, 10:33 AM

my parents bought me mine for 1900, but...... i had to buy and fix everything wrong with it, water pump, new hoses, AC, etc.

i also have to pay insurance and gas, and i never get any money from the rents to get gas.

So basicly, my dad was like, "get a job or you dont drive"

nick_318is · 08-31-2005, 10:51 AM

Red e30s rock out

, I also pay my insurance and my gas.

drz · 08-31-2005, 11:46 AM

I bought my own car. I saved up for a few months and then wrote the check. If you have a budget of about $15k, you can get an e36 in pretty good shape with relatively low miles on it. Allow about $1000 for initial repairs to get it perfect running condition (usually there will be a few minor things that need to be treated when you buy a used vehicle). Your parent probably want an "educated" opinion, such as that of a mechanic. Find a mechanic who does mainly european vehicles, or -- even better -- "luxury" vehicles. If you find someone who actually knows how to work on BMWs as well as Acura and Lexus, he wil be able to tell your parents that the cost of maintenance is about the same. Working on these cars is very easy. Parts are available at reasonable prices online. Also, BMWs have pretty good gas mileage for the power output they have.

The part that you will not like: in all honesty, BMWs are not as reliable as are Toyotas (Lexus) or Hondas (Acura). There is a higher cost of maintenance involved, but nothing that should make or break a decision. Make sure you buy a car that has been well maintained. We are crossing our fingers for a BMW.

P.S. What some people say about their costs of maintenance:
http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/ind...l=monthly+cost

**Izdatpaliboi** · 08-31-2005, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drz

I bought my own car. I saved up for a few months and then wrote the check. If you have a budget of about $15k, you can get an e36 in pretty good shape with relatively low miles on it. Allow about $1000 for initial repairs to get it perfect running condition.

Rofl I wish I had 15k to spend on a bimmer. My parents are so opposed to getting one that if I do change my mind to get a japaneese car as an incentive theyd prolly let me get a 98-99ish gs which is about 13 -15ish and I continue to tell them, Id rather have a bimmer for half that cost rather than that. They are just really scared about maintenance. I know a guy who specializes in BMW's and will call him very soon but I haven't called him because hes in Las Vegas atm on vacation. Ultimately, I think what he says will prolly influence my parents the most. I mean ive scouted a few bimmers for what Im looking for. Im looking for a saloon 5 speed and ive found a few. A 97 with 127k silver on gray for 7,200 and a 98 with 80k black on black for 10,250 so we will see what happens. If the guy is willing to lower the price tag on the 98 I might just get it. Well see what happens but the main thing. I really appreciate all the help i've been getting from you guys. Thanks mucho mas

An incentive to not get a bimmer, rofl

-later

**Dudesky** · 09-01-2005, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izdatpaliboi

Also, what are common things that usually break down or have trouble in the e36's. Do they cost much to fix if I take it to the mechanic to fix it?

Here's a fairly complete list of common stuff. Mentions a lot, but doesn't actually have much detail on how to get things fixed. It's a start though, and you can do your own searching for the solutions . .

http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylo...nProblems.html

**Izdatpaliboi** · 09-01-2005, 07:42 AM

well I'm fucked...

We talked to this guy who works at a bimmer dealership. He said to my dad if I were to get a bimmer, it would have to be no way over 70k miles. Ontop of that he suggested I take it to the dealer and get a full inspection if its for sure the one I want. The thing that got my parents way off is he told us that hes seen 2000, 2001 bimmers with like 15k miles with repair and maintence bills of 5k. My parens went

. On top of that now Ive lost my leverage saying with them that If I didn't get a bimmer theyd get me something that was nice just to persuade me not to get buy a bimmer. My leverage is now gone and they are really fucking pushing my buttons*language*. They are trying to force me into a fucking 4 door automatic sedan for under 5,000k. Which is really retarted because the way I see it, its most likely going to be a beat to hell camry with a kajillion miles. *sigh*

. Well see what happens..

. Thanx anyways

drz · 09-01-2005, 08:28 AM

Why oh why did you guys talk to a guy that works at the dealership?! 70k miles? That is ridiculous. I am thnking about "splurging" on my next BMW purchase, which means I will be looking for something around the 100k mark. Of couurse maintenance bills could easily add up to $5k using the dealership's method: my radio tuner doesn't work (internal short, tape/other features work great), they figure I need a new headunit for about $800 plus $160 in labor. The light on the clock went out: $2.50 in parts and $40 in labor, sunroof won't open: $1300 combined parts/labor, and more ridiculously expensive stuff like that. When Delmarco bought his car (1995 318i) they came up with like $3000 in repairs if not more. They will find a whole bunch of stuff "wonrg", will charge you a premium price for the parts, and will overestimate the labor time and charge you a lot for that time.

I'm sorry to hear you won't be getting the BMW, man. Oh well, they're paying for it (or at least putting the money up front, as far as I understand). Since it appears you will not be getting the BMW, try to presuade them to let you get something closer to $6000 and 5-speed. 5-speed is your priority now (you will need practice for when you get your BMW eventually). Don't buy American, get something Japanese. I would recommend that you get a Honda or Acura because they hold their value the best. You need that because you will be using that car to get a BMW later. Get a job and start paying your dad back. If possible, pay him back in full quickly, so that you can sell that car without your 'rents being able to tell you anything. Hopefully you will have saved some money and will be able to pick up a BMW then.

The way I see it, you don't have a car now and will soon. Be happy with that.

**xsperf** · 09-01-2005, 11:28 AM

if u get an automatic toyota/honda beat the crap out of the car and show em how reliable it is.. (im just kidding id never do that with my parents money) but seriously, just after you get a job, if they buy you an 8K lexus, just trade it for a bimmer down the road

**komodo** · 09-01-2005, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drz

I'm sorry to hear you won't be getting the BMW, man. Oh well, they're paying for it (or at least putting the money up front, as far as I understand). Since it appears you will not be getting the BMW, try to presuade them to let you get something closer to $6000 and 5-speed. 5-speed is your priority now (you will need practice for when you get your BMW eventually). Don't buy American, get something Japanese. I would recommend that you get a Honda or Acura because they hold their value the best. You need that because you will be using that car to get a BMW later. Get a job and start paying your dad back. If possible, pay him back in full quickly, so that you can sell that car without your 'rents being able to tell you anything. Hopefully you will have saved some money and will be able to pick up a BMW then.

Very good advice.

**Izdatpaliboi** · 09-01-2005, 07:03 PM

something came up and might throw things in my favor again and its the last shot I have. Have any of you heard or use geico extended warranty. As far as I know you have to have geico insurance, and the extended warranty is like 38 bucks every six months?

Could anyone further elaborate on how much coverage they offer, prices etc and their terms.

**catalyst** · 09-01-2005, 07:25 PM

What the hell does insurance have to do with anything.. it would be much higher on any 15k lexus than an e36.

Insurance on a 1999 volvo s70 is higher than the insurance on my car.

Why dont you be a man and save for your own car instead of yelling at your parents for OFFERING to buy you a car.

**Izdatpaliboi** · 09-01-2005, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catalyst

What the hell does insurance have to do with anything.. it would be much higher on any 15k lexus than an e36.

Insurance on a 1999 volvo s70 is higher than the insurance on my car.

Why dont you be a man and save for your own car instead of yelling at your parents for OFFERING to buy you a car.

why dont you actually read what I have to post before bashing me. First of all I wont be getting a 15k car. Secondly the reason I was asking about extended Warranty is because If something breaks I can get it fixed at their cost and not having to pay a buttload for expensive parts imported from germany.

Back to the geico extended warranty question, if anyone knows how much it runs a year disregarding actual insurance costs, and what kind of coverage do you get. thnx

**catalyst** · 09-01-2005, 08:14 PM

Whatever dude. The fact remains that your parents are offering you a 5000 dollar car and you somehow feel entitled to what you want - a bmw. It is their money, not yours.

The majority of cars on these boards have well over 120 thousand miles on them, 70k on a BMW is nothing, these cars go forever if maintaned.

5k in maintenance at a dealer is much different than 5k at any other shop, at a dealer a brake job will put you out close to a thousand, when parts are less than 300.

You dont buy an e36 planning not to at least do little things youself such as brakes, cooling system maintenance, etc.. whats the point in paying a dealer 1000 bucks for brakes on a 5000 dollar car? That is beyond stupid.

Storamin · 09-02-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izdatpaliboi

why dont you actually read what I have to post before bashing me. First of all I wont be getting a 15k car. Secondly the reason I was asking about extended Warranty is because If something breaks I can get it fixed at their cost and not having to pay a buttload for expensive parts imported from germany.

Back to the geico extended warranty question, if anyone knows how much it runs a year disregarding actual insurance costs, and what kind of coverage do you get. thnx

why don't you quit acting like such a whiny bitch?

**bimmerdame** · 09-02-2005, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voca

a lexus is a toyota, they just call them lexus to sell them as luxury-class cars. anyway, if you go that route I'd get the gs300, is300's aka toyota altezza's don't do it for me, your call though.

if you get the altezza at least fix the tail lamps, and know that it's not a luxury car, the only thing remotely nice is the seats, stock sound system sucks, the rest of the interior is all cheap toyota plastic stuff, but you will see this for yourself if you test drive one. and toyotas claim of it handling like a bmw is completely out of line.

probably sounds bias, but the truth is I don't have much good to say about that car, other than it rides nice.

if your parents are really big into reliability as you say, let it be known that auto trannies wear out a lot faster than a manual driven half way decently if you want a stick.

well i have a good thing to say about lexus, but only on the SC 300's (sleepers)... the good thing about them is that they handle pretty good too and the parts are cheap, you can also put supra parts in it... it's gonna ba a monster too when u put TC's in it...
and I heard that those engine that they have wouldnt give you any problem coz it's build to last for a long arse time