Should i go BMW?

[-cy-]

I am almost 17, and i want my first car to be nice, becuase it will be what i drive for years to come. I have been wanting a sports car, but who knows how long it can be practical for. The story is my uncle, being a lawyer, knows a former client that owns a car lot. He gives my uncle great deals, for example he is driving a $65k Mercedes he got for much less (it was in a minor accident or something, but had like 2k miles and perfect condition after being fixed up). He said he could get the guy to sell me a nice mid '90s 3-series for a good price AND give me deals on parts and labor later on (as he is doing with the mercedes). My uncle has been trusting his car to him, and i figure maybe its worth a shot. Are the 3 series good enough cars that i won't have to worry too much about parts a labor? The biggest concern is repair costs, what are they, and how does the reliability compair? I need help. Thanks.

[tigerirons]

I'm almost seventeen and I got my first BMW (2002 330i) about three weeks ago. If your uncle is a lawyer, he should have no problem just getting you a new car. Go for the 330ci in topaz blue.

[328isRob]

There are plenty of early 90's 3series running around with 170k+ miles with no problems.... go for a 93 or earlier.

[tigerirons]

Could be Rob, but a car with 000000 miles will probably have less, and cheaper problems than a car with 170000+ miles on it. Plus a warrantee is a wonderful thing to have on a car.

[tigerirons]

Not to mention that E36 body styles and earlier are just not as good looking (No offense, Rob) as the newer ones. Get a new one!!!

[328isRob]

I think you forgot to notice that he was looking at a deal on a mid 90's bimmer.... a new one could cost twice as much.

[tigerirons]

I read the same post that you did Rob, but since -cy- has an uncle who has enough money to buy a 65K Benz, he should defiitely have enough money to buy his 17 year old nephew a new BMW. Plus if he want his first car to last him a long time, why not get a new one, not an old one with 100K+ miles on it.

[EdgarFan659]

The way I read the original post, it looks as though his uncle is trying to hook him up with a deal through one of his clients, not buy the car for him. I don't know too many uncles who go around buying their nephew/nieces $40k cars, even if they are lawyers.

[-cy-]

Bingo, he is just a lawyer who has a client that he will hook me up through. He can't afford to buy me a car, he has a wife and 2 daughters. I can spend 12k tops. If i could afford a new BMW, trust me i would already know what i was going to get. My question is on used BMWs and the repair costs.

[GARGANTUA///M3]

I think you should go for it. You could get a 94 325 for around 12K.

As for repair costs, I think if you're dealing with something that isn't a M, it isn't that big a deal. A oil change and tune up will cost you a few bucks more that it would a civic , but again not a big deal. Remember---You get what you pay for, and a quality car is always going to cost a bit more to keep up!!


It will be the beginning of a automotive love affair that you will not be able to get away from!!:ylsuper

[328isRob]

I totaly agree with ya, GARGANTUA///M3, and every single word of what you wrote.