college car?

[daniels635turbo]

This!!! Get the bmw when you can start with an e46 and put a gtr wide body on it!
You need a car like this, for the long trips and carrying stuff. Real cheap on bills and will run for ever if your dad has a shop.
My garage has 3 bmw's a jeep and a mk6 tdi sedan. We drive the tdi the most, it costs the least.

http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/4855294820.html

[e30jrosso]

I got a 94 318i during my Jr year of college. That was a 13 year old (at the time), $2400 car that I had no trouble with while I had it. All of you guys telling a guy that he will spend all of his money and spare time working on the car act like all 10-15 year old BMW's are complete junk. I have owned two BMW's past 200k, one I sold with 258k, the other is my M3 which I still own and currently has 217k. Hell my e60 has over 150k now and that car has been great too. Granted I am a good owner who takes very good care of my cars but I was once a broke college kid driving around in an older BMW. I know that no two BMW are alike to one another when it comes to condition and maintenance but I know that the M50/2 motors are pretty stout if treated well. I think if you can find a clean, stock or mostly stock e36, e46 or e39 that has a well documented past you could land a pretty nice car that won't break the bank.

[sid the sloth]

I think the overall message is budget accordingly as neglected work has the potential to be costly. Mine has been trouble free and still drive it daily. 196k when I bought it now with 210k on the clock

[modular93fox]

Honda .. Or. Budget replacing all major parts not to leave you stranded and creating an "urgent post"

[xzcfhsctg]

The m3 has 97k and looks like it was reasonably taken care of, and my dad owns a shop, so i get all parts at price, what mileage is too high cause don't these things last a while, and I do have a job but it's just minimum wage

[burgendrot]

The maintenance cost issue comes with buying ANY used car. Yes, BMW parts can add up but since you have access to shop prices you're set. If you have 7k to spend, e36 is a solid bet. Low mileage can be <135k if it was taken care of (Oil changes, belts, etc...). A lot of the Iron block engines last forever as long as you don't overheat it. My '83 533i runs strong at ~300k miles and I mob the hell out of it (lightweight flywheel :-) ). Just inspect the car before you buy. Look for oil leaks, test drive it and listen for anything other than the injectors, and just be noteworthy of the overall condition of the car exterior and interior. BMW is not a car to run away from just because you don't have money to drop on maintenance. I got the same speech from plenty of people - "Ohhhh bmw's are so expensive to maintain and there is always something wrong with them". I just smile every morning when my baby starts up and wakes up the neighbors.

One word of caution - rust. That is the evil within. when you inspect, bring a flashlight and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty looking for rust, because it can be a buried nightmare.

[daniels635turbo]

So what'd decide to get?