New here...Bought 330xi for son's 1st car - United Bimmer Community

**Ultimate1stCar** · 01-12-2008, 10:12 PM

Hi all. Checked out the site for research before we headed to buy our 2001 330xi, stock with 122,000 miles. It's got a couple of minor things to work on but it drives like a dream and looks great. I know with all the experience on here that we shouldn't have a problem in the help department. The car will get turned over to our soon to be 16 year old son in June hence the screen name.

I've driven a few BMW's before (325, 525, and X5) when I worked at the fire department at the plant in Greer and wasn't on the fire truck. Loved walking the plant during a shift and seeing a car work it's way through the process. With all the safety and performance built into these vehicles, what better car to get for a new driver?

I look forward to reading your posts and sharing thoughts. Thanks!

witeshark · 01-12-2008, 10:20 PM

Welcome

craig · 01-12-2008, 10:30 PM

one lucky bastard. i actually had to WORK for my cars. parents never just gave me one, teaches responsibility, and thats how i plan to raise my kids. just thought i would let you know how i feel about giving a 16 year old a $20,000 car.

welcome to the forum tho. any pics of it?

**scooter** · 01-12-2008, 10:41 PM

adopt me...

welcome.

**Ultimate1stCar** · 01-13-2008, 08:44 AM

Well, thanks for the welcome. I can say that we thought about the type of car to get a 16 year old and loved the pros of a bimmer versus your typical teenager first car. Trust me, my first car was a 1965 plymouth valiant that had no paint on it, a bullet hole in the left rear quarter panel, and a rusty hole in the floorboard. My wife had a hand-me down
'79 accord that she shared with her brother. He's a great kid who has never given any trouble and gets good grades. We got a really good deal on the car and ended up paying 9k for it. Pictures will be forthcoming once we get the car to a safe hiding spot till June. We'll have time to detail it, put new tires on, and fix the window noise that happens when you lower it. I can appreciate the teaching responsibilty and he's pretty good with that, but don't forget that dad will get to drive the 330 every now and then. There is a method to the madness. Thanks again and be safe!

**MTurboPower3** · 01-13-2008, 10:33 AM

Damn your son is lucky. I wish my parents got me a 330 xi but they didn't give anything and I still don't have a car.

**Numark318i** · 01-13-2008, 12:19 PM

I have the same car without the 4 wheel drive.

at that mileage watch out for the cooling system, camshaft position sensor(if the engine light comes on), door locks(if they are hard to pull up, assuming its a 01 and a half, you might have a door lock install soemtime in the future) and the window regulator.

The nose from teh window, probably the window regulator. $105 for the part about an hour for install at a resonable shop.

otherwise....its an amazing car. Mine has 130~k on it and its running strong.

also if you have the chrome exhaust tips, and they have a flap on one of the tips you can plug the vacuum line from that tip and make the car sound a little deeper at low rpm without having to get a new exhaust system.

Called the Golf Tee mod.

**Ultimate1stCar** · 01-13-2008, 12:58 PM

Thanks for advice Numark318i. We're already getting ready for the window regulator. And I'll take a closer look at the exhaust. We looked at a 330i for sale and opted for the awd.

denyo77 · 01-13-2008, 01:33 PM

wow... 9k...that seems a bit low to me :o

congrats on a nice car, btw