For $5-8,00 What year/model for first time bmw owner?? - United Bimmer Community

**tobmrornot** · 03-14-2006, 10:59 AM

3-Someone(s) please help me.

I am not full of cash and on a budget. I am not mechanically inclined. I am in love with the bmw 3 series (95'ish).

I am concerned about getting a dependable/durable car that has the least potential to break and cost me a lot of money.

WHAT year/model should I consider and WHY? Or should I just give up the BMW dream and spend $7,000 on a newer Toyota ECHO or Corolla

Thanks for any suggestions/tips...

P.S. Does anyone have a potential 325 BMW that fits my bill??

**BMWLotAttendant** · 03-14-2006, 11:58 AM

Welll....

My good friend....just bought a used VERY clean and VERY good condition 1997 318is (5 speed manual, heated seats, 6 disc changer, 88K miles) for....$7,200.

Just keep looking...you'll find one.

But the killer thing...is insurance.

I'd start with the 318. I'm not sure how much more the e36 (95ish) 325s/328s are.

**doughboyea** · 03-14-2006, 12:12 PM

I know for me, my 328i (e46) insurance is ~$1500/year in NJ for a 24 yr old single white male.

Dough

witeshark · 03-14-2006, 12:49 PM

One thing I have noticed is cooling http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=4899 and water pump issues http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=6676 to look for E36 cars with these issues addressed is a thought

Storamin · 03-14-2006, 12:56 PM

Here's a link to use when looking at e36's.
http://www.unitedbimmer.com/kb-e36-c...faults-faq.php

**xsperf** · 03-14-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboyea

I know for me, my 328i (e46) insurance is ~$1500/year in NJ for a 24 yr old single white male.

Dough

so if you were black no one would dare steal your car, or what? is that why insurance is so expensive? lol

Storamin · 03-14-2006, 06:31 PM

As insurance companies rate based on age and location, I'm sure they rate based on race. It's probaly illegal, but they're all dirty, greedy bastards.

**doughboyea** · 03-14-2006, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

so if you were black no one would dare steal your car, or what? is that why insurance is so expensive? lol

Ask the insurance company....they use all sorts of profiling to rate the amount of risk a client could become. They even check your credit rating and where you live... if your a student, if your married, have a home, and of course the car you have and any record you may have with the police.

Dough

**jms** · 03-15-2006, 03:32 PM

my insurance isn't that bad, comes in around $175 a month for 2 cars full coverage and low deductables. my liability is low on the BMW but my C&C is higher.

**Rob** · 03-15-2006, 09:57 PM

Get a decent condition e30, drop as much as you can on maintance and then finish her off with some mods. The car will last forever and will be cheap on insurance. If you want power like an e36, you could always do an engine swap with the money you have easily.

nick_318is · 03-15-2006, 11:47 PM

e30 FTW!

**Phat Ham** · 03-17-2006, 03:26 PM

You should be able to find a decent 325 or 328 for $7k if you're patient enough. There are even some e36 m3s going for 7k now but any m3 at that price will require a decent amount of work to get it up to spec.

drz · 03-24-2006, 03:19 PM

Where are you located? I could give up my 1996 328i, heated seats, 5-speed, 188,000 miles for around $5000. Your other $2000 could go to a little TLC (suspension, cooling system).

**tobmrornot** · 03-26-2006, 05:14 AM

Thanks for offering, would like to find one with maybe half the miles. also, now considering a 5 series or maybe even an e30. Im trying to now figure which series/year/mileae combo for a daily driver that statistially has better odds of reliability. Any input would be appreciated.