What should i get?

[snocohn118]

Hey guys, im a 17 year-old who is looking for my first bmw. I've been doing research for a while now and i just cant figure out what to get. I have wanted a zhp for years but unless i find a good one for like 12k (which is almost impossible) i cant get one. i've also been looking at e39 5 series', or like a nice e36. I've also looked at e30's which today are a little hard to find that are still good since they're like 20 years old. I just cant choose. My brother has an e36 m3 which i love but according to my mom is too fast. i want something thats quick, fun to drive, is comfortable and can fit friends. Any suggestions?

[BrewsterF2a1]

E30s are cheap and all over craigs list for 1200$ or less. They are cheap to maintain and you can easily swap engines if you feel so inclined. E36s pretty much fall apart. I liked mine but the interiors are so crappy in the early models plus the ac compressors seize.

[prash]

I can see how someone might perceive an E36 M3 too much of car for 17. The probability of you writing it off is high but if you're a somewhat responsible person it's a great car.

[pizzaman09]

The e39 5 series is a fantastic car. I would of course choose the 540i but they are all good the 540 is just the most powerful. If your brother has an e36 m3 you are probably very in tune with the amount of maintenance these cars need so if you are ready to deal with the maintenance I would say go for it!

[Jboss12]

yeah my diff just went out in my m.. otherwise they are great to drive

[ezbmr]

The Newer E90 325 is getting near that price, or you can just get a 330i, but they keep improving the brand, for the most part at least.

[snocohn118]

bump

[bimmerjph]

E46 330i or 325i manual. There should be some nice ones in your price range. just make sure its a 2002 or newer so then you shouldnt have to deal with subframe problems.


The e39 5 series is a fantastic car. I would of course choose the 540i but they are all good the 540 is just the most powerful. If your brother has an e36 m3 you are probably very in tune with the amount of maintenance these cars need so if you are ready to deal with the maintenance I would say go for it!
A lot of people think the E39 540i is the best BMW ever made. It would be a good car if you could find a good one in your price range. But it would have more thing to go wrong than the E46.

[Russell042]

2002 E39 540i6 Sport package. Done.

[GTRSv]

1. Post-2000 E39
2. E46 330i/ci
3. E34 540i/6 and money for maintenance/mods

[snocohn118]

thanks guys, i think im leaning towards an e39 540i :)

[imola e36]

thanks guys, i think im leaning towards an e39 540i :)

Honestly I'd say way to much maintenance. Get a 528i with the sport package and 5 speed. Put a dinan chip in it and call it a day. They are fantastic cars and won't break the bank like a 540. Plus they are honestly more fun to drive in various different ways.

[snocohn118]

Honestly I'd say way to much maintenance. Get a 528i with the sport package and 5 speed. Put a dinan chip in it and call it a day. They are fantastic cars and won't break the bank like a 540. Plus they are honestly more fun to drive in various different ways.

yeah that makes sense and also the 540 is a little more powerful than i need right now the 528 has like 190 hp i think so thats just enough for me. thanks everyone for the great advice :)

[Russell042]

yeah that makes sense and also the 540 is a little more powerful than i need right now the 528 has like 190 hp i think so thats just enough for me. thanks everyone for the great advice :)


Dont listen to him.

Get a 540i. I had one and the only reason i got rid of one was cause it was totalled (Not my fault)
My only issue was Gas was a pain. Otherwise, insurance was good and reliabliliy was good.124-166k and rarely gave me problems.

Also, a 540i6 would walk all over your bro's E36 M3 lol

[snocohn118]

lol ok sounds good ill look and see what i can find

[GTRSv]

Honestly I'd say way to much maintenance. Get a 528i with the sport package and 5 speed. Put a dinan chip in it and call it a day. They are fantastic cars and won't break the bank like a 540. Plus they are honestly more fun to drive in various different ways.
this. look into 530's tho!

[DieselGhost]

E39 540i is TOO MUCH for a 17yr !!!

E36 320i or 323/325i will be plenty ;)

or if you really want to have a E39, go for a 523/528i, their economy is good :)

definately not a M3 or similar power for a first beemer... :nono:

[canisM3]

E39 540i is TOO MUCH for a 17yr !!!

E36 320i or 323/325i will be plenty ;)

or if you really want to have a E39, go for a 523/528i, their economy is good :)

definately not a M3 or similar power for a first beemer... :nono:

+1 my first bimmer was a e34 535i/5 speed, before I owned my own I drove my dads 635csi, they're more than powerful enough to get you into trouble and powerful enough to have plenty of fun!

[vertbmw]

If I were you I would go for a e39 525 or an e46 325 both are nice cars the 5s are more luxury and the 3s more sport, depending on your tastes and which you can get a better deal on got with what you want. The 540 is more powerful, more maintence and uses more gas.

[V32]

My first car which I still own is a E46 325ci. I regret not getting a 330ci for the extra power, but if the ~190 hp does the job like it does for me, then pull the trigger. I haven't run into any real problems so far and maintenance has been easy to control. Gas is good as well. But, then again, if you're looking for just a tad bit more power go for the 330ci/330i. An E46 coupe would be a great first car.

[snocohn118]

Bump