Girlfriend wants a BMW

[Mr. Burns]

she sounds high maintenance.

get her a be-dazzled iPhone case and some big league chew.

profit.

[blizake500]

Well i have always wanted an e46 m3 and she loves them too so it would work out for both of us. There is one we are going to look at in ohio. i think we can get it for 14k. Its black with cinnamon interior. Very very clean with 137k miles 2005 e46 m3. My uncle has a bmw machanic as his neighbor and he said e46 m3 are great cars if you keep up with maintenance and the 330ic e46 are great cars as well. Thanks for all the replies

[LivingLegend06]

If you want a newer BMW stick to the NA 6 cyl cars, the V8s and the turbo motors are going to be quite a bit more expensive to maintain.

I really doubt you can find a decent manual E46 M3 for under 14k. That price would probably get you one of the shitty E46 M3s that the market is flooded with: SMG cars/convertibles/salvage title cars.

[nando]

My 330i was only 12.5k.. they aren't that expensive. 14k could get a nice one.

However, i could never reccomend one to a non enthusiast. Mine has been great but some of them are basically lemons. A non enthusiast will get eaten alive by constant failures - im pretty sure an E30 in good shape is significantly more reliable than a modern BMW.

[Skychismo]

My 330i was only 12.5k.. they aren't that expensive. 14k could get a nice one.

However, i could never reccomend one to a non enthusiast. Mine has been great but some of them are basically lemons. A non enthusiast will get eaten alive by constant failures - im pretty sure an E30 in good shape is significantly more reliable than a modern BMW.

This right here. Less money has been spent maintaining my E30 than my E90. It's a 335d though, so that might be the problem.

[dnguyen1963]

What's wrong with your 335d? I have heard that it has a very strong and reliable engine.

[dannyyisntt]

I really doubt you can find a decent manual E46 M3 for under 14k. That price would probably get you one of the shitty E46 M3s that the market is flooded with: SMG cars/convertibles/salvage title cars.

Ignorance is ignorant. They're out there if your willing to spend the time looking under the right rocks. I picked mine up cheaply and it's a great clean title, manual, car.

[kevine30]

Girlfriend wants a BMW

A friend of mine was recently debating between a 335 and an e46 m3. He ended up going with the 335, cause he got a great deal for about 14k with about 100k miles. He asked around locally at some well known euro shops. They all said e46 m3 and 335 would be about the same in terms of maintenance. That being said, both over 100k can be quite pricey. Personally I would spend 14k and get a low mileage ZHP E46

[blizake500]

I found a good looking manual with 137k miles. Might be right around 14k.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4699608241.html

here is the link to the car. It has one little tiny part by the door jam that the paint has bubbled up and looks like rust. It's a very very small spot. Should I be scared of that?

[TimKninja]

No dont bother with an E60 or E90 . Their fucking garbage. Especially high mileage ones.

buy a WELL MAINTAINED E46 Or E39 and it will be fine. or Buy one and replace the entire cooling system and Control arms/bushings and itll be good.

[gtdragon980]

No dont bother with an E60 or E90 . Their fucking garbage. Especially high mileage ones.

buy a WELL MAINTAINED E46 Or E39 and it will be fine. or Buy one and replace the entire cooling system and Control arms/bushings and itll be good.

This right here is the answer. Along with the cooling system, be sure to inspect/replace the tensioners and the idler pulley for the serpentine and a/c belt.

[DER E30]

Dumbest thing I've read all day.

I loved my mom's e46 325 sedan. Was fast compared to my 318iS and handled only a little heavier. 5 speed just needed a short shifter and a clutch stop to make it awesome.

I really want to get a ZHP for my next DD

[fresh_TD]

e46 is garbage.

You're clueless bro







Sent from my Samsung Note 3

[golde30]

Oh children, when will you all learn. I guess all you guys have large groups of friends who are experienced adult bmw techs...

Oh wait, thats me.

[slammin.e28]

E60 V8s have the water pipe issue. Very expensive and time consuming to repair, even with the aftermarket "fixes".

The e9x e6x 6cyls (early 530 excluded) have the electronic waterpumps. $500 for the part alone. Have fun with that. Also the automatic transmissions are $$$$ to flush as the pan IS the filter. Around $250 for that, plus you must replace the bolts....

Besides, e60s look like ass. SRSLY. WTF.

E9xs aren't terrible.....but e46 is better. Really, the last great BMW three series. You can get into a nice 330i (wouldn't even consider a 328/5/3) for well under $14k. ZHP maybe around $10k, add in a LSD for around $2.5k and be done. M3 is a little more $$, especially if you aren't a putz and want one with a manual trans instead of that stupid flappy paddle thing, but they are more to maintain.

Id rather have a ZHP 330i than an e46 M3.

...for a girl I'd get an e36. She's just gonna pile it full of garbage anyways.