need help deciding, new to the BMW world

[err7ay]

well, i have an extremely tough decision to make...one that i am losing sleep over (not kidding). long story short- i have $54,000 at my car shopping disposal. I know I want a BMW, i have dreamed of owning one since I was nine. I originally intended to get a 2009 BMW 335i xDrive with some options, but now I am reconsidering - there is the option of getting a 2005/2006 3 series sedan (although the 2009 fine tuning of the 3 series exterior is SHARP) AND a 2006 X5 (a bit soccer mom?) for the 54k. So, low and behold I register on bimmerforums knowing that this is where BMW fanatics flock. i would really like a brand new car, but getting two BMWs is something I don't know if I can pass up. HELP! I would be in bed right now but I can't...this matter has to be settled. any suggestions?

[IWannaBMW]

335 or a nice, newer e46 m3. Don't buy a giant SUV if you want something to have fun in.

[daragez]

it's up to you......goodluck....lol

[Viking328]

I agree with the first reply. I'd get a CPO E46 M3 or M3 Convertible. Possibly an E39 M5...I see them going for $28-40,000 depending on the mileage and you can spend the rest on insurance! ;) (Certified Pre-Owned with great warranty coverage)

[mhop203]

e39 m5 or e46 m3 --( get a 2003, 04, or 05)

[E36BMW3series]

I would love to have 2 cars. X5 would be a nice car for winter/rainy crappy weather. Could then get a fun car. Maybe an e36 or e46 M3?? It's all up to you. It depends how bad your winters are because I know I wouldn't want to drive my brand new beloved 335 in the snow.

[err7ay]

well i live in new york, so the winters are not good...BUT i will be going to school in virginia (got a full ride, parents made a deal they would buy me a car valued up to one year at that school) so it won't see a NY winter. I just read the thread about another kid's car getting all jacked up, and now, as an 18 year old in a conservative, humble town, I am reconsidering ALL my choices.

[Aamir bt]

buy an E90 335xi sedan from CPO. you'll love it.

or an E60 535xi, they are loads of fun and the E60 looks awesome. plus it has alot of room which is what i'm guessing is what you wanted with an X5?

but being that you are still young with little driving experience, it would suck to drop thousands on one car and then wreck it later.

but whatever dude, you got a bunch of money, spend it on something you want. you can't predict what'll happen in the future, but you can enjoy what you get now.

[otherE36s]

well i live in new york, so the winters are not good...BUT i will be going to school in virginia (got a full ride, parents made a deal they would buy me a car valued up to one year at that school) so it won't see a NY winter. I just read the thread about another kid's car getting all jacked up, and now, as an 18 year old in a conservative, humble town, I am reconsidering ALL my choices.

What school will you be going to?

[Schermer]

the new m3 is around 55k?

[916WI]

I would buy a low mile Z3 or Z4 coupe for under 20K and invest the remainder of the cash. They are really unique/cool cars and have already suffered the majority of their depreciation. A freshman in college with a car--everyone is going to hit you up to drive everywhere. Having a 2 seater will prevent some of this. The first time the car gets keyed, jumped on, or run into in a parking lot by people coming home wasted from a house party, you wont be that upset. Having a 54K car in student parking on campus is just asking for trouble. Invest the remaining $30-35K(with a little luck it will grow to $45-50K)and when you graduate, it will be there to use as a down payment on a house. If your parents are cool, they will respect you for going this route. Seriously--follow this advice--I promise you, you will thank me later!

[Spargo]

54840 gets you a base m3 sedan sure you have to tack on tax tittle and licence but its all good.

Quick question what about the Volvo does that get traded in or is it yours? If its yours thats your options budget.

All that asside though if I were a College student in Virginia I'd want to rock a vert, the new M roadster is a 300hp twin turbo hardtop vert, you'll be getting panties so wet you'll have to lay down newspaper on the seats.

-Spargo

[E36HellRotM3]

haha^^

I am a sophmore at the University of New Hampshire. I have my E36 but it is never at school. I have a truck for up here. Most students don't have any respect for something nice, never mind a BMW. Earlier this year I was going to sell both my E36 and truck to buy an 08 335i. I backed out after hearing horror stories about people with nice cars at school. It would be sick to have something that nice, real pantie dropper, but I would save some money and get something cheaper. Hate to see a 55K car get ruined in a college parking lot.

[Spargo]

Or you could just get insurance and not worry about it...

-Spargo

[TheodoreHendrix]

Or you could just get a pristine 01 e38 il and an e46m3 with 10k left over.:shifty

[oldMcR]

so you are 18 years old and your parents have agreed to give you $54 thousand dollars cash to spend anyway you choose? well i say WTF, why do you care? if your folks roll that way you are destined to be in a new M5 at graduation.

of course it is more than obvious you are not a finance major. bite me douchebag. :)

[E36HellRotM3]

Or you could just get insurance and not worry about it...

-Spargo

Dealing with insurance every month for key marks and dented panels is a ton of fun. After a few insurance claims rates go up?

[Ianbiz]

335 ftw

[Ianbiz]

335 ftw

[nega530]

I agree with 916WI. I'd find a cool Z3 or Z4 with light miles on it and enjoy driving a fun, attractive car for the college years. Make sure you find a solid indy mechanic in your college town to keep it well maintained, and save the rest of the money. Cars are not good investments; they're tools that can be fun and expensive at times. Their values are almost always dropping. Wait until after college to buy something more substantial. You may find that you decide to keep the Z as well to occasionally remind you of the fun you had in college.

[gerry_miranda]

Talk to the dealers. Just 2 weeks ago because of the bad economy, my dealer sent me an official memo saying that they will give me $10,000 off the BMW sticker price on a new 2009 M3 and also $12,000 off sticker on a new 2009 550i

[Spargo]

Dealing with insurance every month for key marks and dented panels is a ton of fun. After a few insurance claims rates go up?

Do you live in Boston or something? Honestly I know vandalism hapens but I wouldn't expect to find key marks every day, its 2009 you wont be the only kid there with a fancy car.

Hopefully you're going to school for something that makes you cash if so I say why invest its always the thing everyone jumps to, I hate investing, better chance of loosing it with no gain, I know plenty who have saved up their pennies for a rainy day only to watch it disapear, its just money its not a big deal, enjoy it while you have it.

I'll also add wear the suit for the job you want not the job you have, nice clothes and cars perpetuate nice clothes and cars.

-Spargo

[87shark]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M5-Supercharged-M5-Le-Mans-Blue-Very-Fast-800-hp-RARE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a 2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1308Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q 3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZite m120410012766QQitemZ120410012766QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fT rucks#ht_2302wt_1165

[ohnoes]

What school in VA costs $54,000? :confused I live here...

I would get just one car, save your parents that extra money, and ask them if they'd use the remainder to help you out on a down payment for a house when you graduate. Can't get much better than that. :)

[43bullet]

jeez - if I had an e46 m3 when I was 18 - well I'd be dead by now. I had a 72 beetle....:redspot

[mattjw916]

werd... I had one of these lol

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/VW_1600_TL_(foto-_Mo).jpg

[Nic01101011]

wait so youre not even in college, your parents want to buy you an expensive car, and youre considering buying two? get an e46 M3, only because there's a good chance you'll wrap it around a tree or drive off a cliff.

[ohnoes]

get an e46 M3, only because there's a good chance you'll wrap it around a tree or drive off a cliff.

Huh? Are you advocating he get one so he wraps himself around the tree or so he wraps the car around one? :confused :help

[ryznsun2000]

Huh? Are you advocating he get one so he wraps himself around the tree or so he wraps the car around one? :confused :help

He didn't take his meds today...

[330iDinan]

e46 m3 + HPF stage 2.5

edit: stage 3 w/ traction control might be better for you

[oldMcR]

What school in VA costs $54,000? :confused I live here...

I would get just one car, save your parents that extra money, and ask them if they'd use the remainder to help you out on a down payment for a house when you graduate. Can't get much better than that. :)

James Madison? yes ohnoes the bullshit seems quite deep on this one.

instead of a house at graduation, i would suggest a house close to campus with additional rooms for rental income. rent would cover mortgage and living expenses and then turn it over to a management company or sell it upon graduation.

but again, i call bullshit on Junior's full ride claim. is it athletic or academic? it is possible his parents have saved for his college education over the last 18 years but given the recent downturn $54k might be all that is left of that investment.

to have amassed $216k in 18 years they would had to have invested in excess of $10k per year every year. again possible, but it still doesn't explain how this behavior did not translate to Junior as to the level of sacrifice this expenditure required.

if Junior's Dad had this kinda jack to throw around, don't you think Junior would already have a BMW? either way Junior's a douchebag. :stickoutt

[err7ay]

James Madison? yes ohnoes the bullshit seems quite deep on this one.

instead of a house at graduation, i would suggest a house close to campus with additional rooms for rental income. rent would cover mortgage and living expenses and then turn it over to a management company or sell it upon graduation.

but again, i call bullshit on Junior's full ride claim. is it athletic or academic? it is possible his parents have saved for his college education over the last 18 years but given the recent downturn $54k might be all that is left of that investment.

to have amassed $216k in 18 years they would had to have invested in excess of $10k per year every year. again possible, but it still doesn't explain how this behavior did not translate to Junior as to the level of sacrifice this expenditure required.

if Junior's Dad had this kinda jack to throw around, don't you think Junior would already have a BMW? either way Junior's a douchebag. :stickoutt

if wanting to have a BMW makes me a douchebag, then what are you? washington and lee university in lexington, virginia. i won the johnson scholarship, which is for leadership and academics (which covers everything at the school...i was flown in from NY to compete for it, and won it), and i sent in my financial aid papers a week ago to the tune of $53750. believe what you want, but i came here to ask advice about what i should get. nothing like a warm welcome into the BMW community. and no, my dad does not have this "kinda jack" to throw around; the mutual fund that was supposed to go towards my education has been cashed in and it would only cover half of the cost of a car. that is why i am worried about getting a BMW in my town...it is a very humble town. but after reading these responses, i'm not so sure i want to own one.

[c1utch]

James Madison? yes ohnoes the bullshit seems quite deep on this one.

instead of a house at graduation, i would suggest a house close to campus with additional rooms for rental income. rent would cover mortgage and living expenses and then turn it over to a management company or sell it upon graduation.

but again, i call bullshit on Junior's full ride claim. is it athletic or academic? it is possible his parents have saved for his college education over the last 18 years but given the recent downturn $54k might be all that is left of that investment.

to have amassed $216k in 18 years they would had to have invested in excess of $10k per year every year. again possible, but it still doesn't explain how this behavior did not translate to Junior as to the level of sacrifice this expenditure required.

if Junior's Dad had this kinda jack to throw around, don't you think Junior would already have a BMW? either way Junior's a douchebag. :stickoutt

If I had gotten a full ride for college, my parents would have hooked me up with a sweet ride too.

[Qazimov]

People get jealous when young drivers have nice cars, and although your situation for getting one is entirely legit - haters will hate, even ones that own BMW's themselves.

I liked the idea about getting a Z car, they are fun and having a nice small car that you can't have three friends pile into while you're at school DOES save your ass. Think about just this: You will never be the designated driver.

Idea w/ purchasing a house close to campus is also a good idea, but I don't know what the market is like in that area specifically. Also you just asked for car advise.

Two cars... I think you'd be happier with a BMW and then a motorcycle (if you dig em) or something totally different to drive like a small SUV, Jeep, or maybe even an older more exotic - Lotus, Porche.

54k is a lot of money - if anything I'd suggest you spend it as slowly as possible.

[oldMcR]

so you don't have $54k to spend? i'm still not clear on your claims of wanting / needing two BMWs for your college years.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-%7cM-_5_%7cH-%7cD-_32_%7cN-N%7cR-500%7cI-1%2c7%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cY-_1997-1998-1999_%7cX-popular%7cZ-27501&aff=national&paId=305696264&recnum=7&leadExists=true

buy something you can afford. the wheels are hideous, but otherwise the car looks unmolested.

only a douchebag would spend his parents hard earned money on two BMWs while in college. save your money.

[err7ay]

The purpose of two was to leave one at home because my parents also need a new vehicle. I can see everybody's side of the topic, and have settled on most likely a used vehicle. Thanks

[SilverBeam]

I'd look at the X3 instead of the X5. It will suit you better because it is a lot more fun to drive and still does really well in the snow. Plus for that price range you can get a really nice new one.

Most of the people here have never had the kind of budget you have so their opinions are a little... off. Your parents are giving you a great opportunity, you should take advantage of it. It doesn't make any sense to spend 20,000 on a used car with higher miles when you can get a new one with warranty.

However, yes, CPO is great. You save a lot of money, still get a really nice car, and you get a 100,000 mile warranty. It would be a good option.

[oldMcR]

I'd look at the X3 instead of the X5. It will suit you better because it is a lot more fun to drive and still does really well in the snow. Plus for that price range you can get a really nice new one.

Most of the people here have never had the kind of budget you have so their opinions are a little... off. Your parents are giving you a great opportunity, you should take advantage of it. It doesn't make any sense to spend 20,000 on a used car with higher miles when you can get a new one with warranty.

However, yes, CPO is great. You save a lot of money, still get a really nice car, and you get a 100,000 mile warranty. It would be a good option.

i respectfully disagree. in this economy, cash is king. a scholarship only goes so far in covering expenses. some additional living expenses are to be expected. $10k for reliable transportation and bank the rest. even at 2.75% interest he would be ahead of the depreciation on a new vehicle.

secondly, anyone else notice the news lately regarding recent college grads and their employment opportunities? next month another 100,000 kids are going to graduate from college and be in the job search pool.

maybe in four years the job market will be better, but why risk it just to drive a new car?

besides SilverBeam the story keeps changing. now the kid's parents need a car. sounds like he is studying to become a mystery novelist.:)

[err7ay]

No, not a mystery novelist. The car i drive right now is a Volvo, and it is my parents. My mom drives a 2004 van, and loves it to death; but my dad argues that I should not be driving a BMW while my mom drives a van (even though she doesn't mind driving it, in fact she "loves" her van), and rightfully so. Therefore he proposed I could split up my money, leave one car at home for them and feel free to switch whenever we wanted; that way we kill two birds with one stone. I feel that hardly considers me a "douchebag" (the freshman in my school love to throw that one around, oldmcr. it really is quite effective). That was the reasoning behind the two BMWs, but seeing as I was working off my phone and was in class when I posted, I was trying to keep it brief. I also mentioned that because at one point I did not know if I wanted an SUV or a car.

oldmcr I completely see where you are coming from, I really do. Part of me feels that way also, but I've worked my ass off in high school and the other part of me feels I deserve something nice. I've got 10 years before i enter the workforce (med school, residency), hopefully things will be better before then.

SilverBeam, thank you. You're answer was simple, addressed the question and did nothing more. Much appreciated, as with everybody else.

[Mstearnsy]

oldmcr I completely see where you are coming from, I really do. Part of me feels that way also, but I've worked my ass off in high school and the other part of me feels I deserve something nice. I've got 10 years before i enter the workforce (med school, residency), hopefully things will be better before then.


Working your ass off in high school is nothing special, you don't yet have any idea what working your ass off truly is! Get a nice used BMW or a new 1 series, but don't get a $54G car at your age. It'll spoil you and I think you'll have trouble appreciating things later in life. I speak from experience unfortunately...

[ohnoes]

No, not a mystery novelist. The car i drive right now is a Volvo, and it is my parents. My mom drives a 2004 van, and loves it to death; but my dad argues that I should not be driving a BMW while my mom drives a van (even though she doesn't mind driving it, in fact she "loves" her van), and rightfully so. Therefore he proposed I could split up my money, leave one car at home for them and feel free to switch whenever we wanted; that way we kill two birds with one stone. I feel that hardly considers me a "douchebag" (the freshman in my school love to throw that one around, oldmcr. it really is quite effective). That was the reasoning behind the two BMWs, but seeing as I was working off my phone and was in class when I posted, I was trying to keep it brief. I also mentioned that because at one point I did not know if I wanted an SUV or a car.

oldmcr I completely see where you are coming from, I really do. Part of me feels that way also, but I've worked my ass off in high school and the other part of me feels I deserve something nice. I've got 10 years before i enter the workforce (med school, residency), hopefully things will be better before then.

SilverBeam, thank you. You're answer was simple, addressed the question and did nothing more. Much appreciated, as with everybody else.

Get an E36 M3. There you go--problem solved, and you have $44k left over for real investments (maybe tell your mom you want her to use some of it to buy herself a decent car, if that's what she wants; she deserves it, after raising you and any siblings you might have).

[Nic01101011]

but I've worked my ass off in high school and the other part of me feels I deserve something nice.

and this is why you are about to be scorched big time

[SilverBeam]

i respectfully disagree. in this economy, cash is king. a scholarship only goes so far in covering expenses. some additional living expenses are to be expected. $10k for reliable transportation and bank the rest. even at 2.75% interest he would be ahead of the depreciation on a new vehicle.

secondly, anyone else notice the news lately regarding recent college grads and their employment opportunities? next month another 100,000 kids are going to graduate from college and be in the job search pool.

maybe in four years the job market will be better, but why risk it just to drive a new car?

besides SilverBeam the story keeps changing. now the kid's parents need a car. sounds like he is studying to become a mystery novelist.:)

the job market for grads will probably be fine in four years. I'm not saying it is dumb to save, I'm just saying some of the suggestions in this thread are dumb.

[oldMcR]

No, not a mystery novelist. The car i drive right now is a Volvo, and it is my parents. My mom drives a 2004 van, and loves it to death; but my dad argues that I should not be driving a BMW while my mom drives a van (even though she doesn't mind driving it, in fact she "loves" her van), and rightfully so. Therefore he proposed I could split up my money, leave one car at home for them and feel free to switch whenever we wanted; that way we kill two birds with one stone. I feel that hardly considers me a "douchebag" (the freshman in my school love to throw that one around, oldmcr. it really is quite effective). That was the reasoning behind the two BMWs, but seeing as I was working off my phone and was in class when I posted, I was trying to keep it brief. I also mentioned that because at one point I did not know if I wanted an SUV or a car.

oldmcr I completely see where you are coming from, I really do. Part of me feels that way also, but I've worked my ass off in high school and the other part of me feels I deserve something nice. I've got 10 years before i enter the workforce (med school, residency), hopefully things will be better before then.

SilverBeam, thank you. You're answer was simple, addressed the question and did nothing more. Much appreciated, as with everybody else.

well Doc good luck with that. however, i still believe you need to keep as much of your nest egg in the bank. being a medical practioner is, when all is said and done, a business. a business runs on capital. you will need to build a credit rating while you are in school. i would suggest a credit card that you pay off every month. if you must have an expensive car in college finance a portion of it. by all means seek professional investment help now. develop a relationship with a banker.

when i was a freshman in HS the term douchebag wasn't all that popular. it was more likely to find one hanging in the shower in those days. it has a nice ring to it though doesn't it? it would be a douchebag move IMO to spend your windfall on an expensive car.

besides, who is paying for med school? there will be plenty of time for cars. besides, don't most doctors drive porsches? :D

[err7ay]

and this is why you are about to be scorched big time


yeah I know, what you can you do. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm having an easy time turning down a BMW. Would you have an easy time rejecting a new BMW?


and oldmcr, i had to laugh at your professional investment help comment. I need to, agreed. +1 for that.

[SilverBeam]

I would look at a CPO 328xi if you want to save money. You can pick up a super clean 2007 any day of the week for under 30K.