Looking to by a Bimmer. I need help with the pros and cons.

[socram88]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a Bimmer in the next few months. It will be my daily driver, but not my only vehicle. I am looking for a sedan with manual trans.There are four that I am thinking about: 3 series, E30, E36, E46 or a E28 5 series. I would like to know some pros and cons.
Thanks for any info.

[Meric]

Get e46
Pros:
It looks
Engine
Interior
Newer model.
Good for daily drive
Economic

Cons
Expensive to run (u have to put 91 and above if you want your engine to be healthy)
Expensive to repair
You be worrying about it 24/7 if someone hits it/scratches it

Cant think of any atm.

[Matt Cramer]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a Bimmer in the next few months. It will be my daily driver, but not my only vehicle. I am looking for a sedan with manual trans.There are four that I am thinking about: 3 series, E30, E36, E46 or a E28 5 series. I would like to know some pros and cons.
Thanks for any info.

My daily driver is an E36. Here's my take on the pros and cons of using one as a DD.

Pros:
Handles great but still has a comfortable ride.
The engine is a pretty tough design and holds up well.
Very smooth inline six.
Wide power band - it's got enough torque that stop and go traffic is a lot easier to deal with than, say, a Honda Civic.
Interior layout just makes sense - no confusing controls or illogical dash or switch layouts.

Cons:
Little interior bits can break.
Radiator and other plastic cooling systems have a ~100,000 mile lifespan. (More durable metal components are available.)
Parts are a bit more expensive than a Chevy or Honda.
Needs high octane gas.
Back seat is too small to carry adults in except in case of emergency.

[SilverBeam]

Not to be mean, but there are far better ways to research what car to buy than just asking a bunch of people for their biased options.

[Meric]

I think he is asking for opinion about Bmw's even on Internet everybody tells their opinion about cars. Right?

[Bear Grylls]

I have driven numerous 3 series, and daily a z3 3.0 but have been looking at picking up something else to daily to keep the miles off the Z

Personally I would pick up a clean 5 or 7 series, I looked at a 89' 535 which turned out to be trash, but it was so much more comfortable than the 3 series, and my car for that matter

[socram88]

Not to be mean, but there are far better ways to research what car to buy than just asking a bunch of people for their biased options.

Asking BMW people is just a portion of my research.

[phase888]

I think it would be very difficult to say which would be better without knowing specific uses you intend for the car. Taking it purely from the aspect of 'daily driver' I'd choose an e30 model, the 325e specifically. My criteria for a dd is usually stable, reliable, and fun with a touch of fuel efficiency if I can be bothered to fit that in. My experience with the 325e never failed to hit every single point on my list, one of the few cars that ever did too!

[plumers]

I drive E36 M3 now, I've owned E39 530i, E36 320i, and several Honda and Toyota. So far this is the best car I've ever owned. Here's my subjective review about the BMW that I've owned so far:

Pros:
It's fun
It's quick (especially M3)
Smooth to drive
Built like a tank
Relatively cheap parts, only slightly more expensive than Honda and Toyota (see cons)
Easy to work on
Ergonomic seat and driving position
Great fuel economy for its class

Cons:
It's getting old
Things start to fall apart
Operating cost is more expensive because of the above cons factors

The most comfortable BMW I've ever driven is of course E39 and 7 series. E36 320i isn't more economical than E36 M3, it depends on how you drive too.
If possible, get service records from previous owner and have pre purchase inspection from dealer or independent mechanic. Make sure the previous owner takes a good care of the car and overhaul the cooling system if the previous owner haven't done it.

If you're mechanically inclined and confident about working on your own car, you can save a lot of money for repairs and maintenance, DIY guides are all over the internet and this forum is very useful.

[pizzaman09]

If it is a DD for long distances nothing beats an e38 7 series. An e39 5 series is a good second. But these cars will require that you own a second car for when they are in the shop.

I know almost nothing about the 3 series other than the e46 325xi is not nearly as comfortable or fast as my old e38 740iL.

[jbernard1234]

For a daily driver, I'd go for an e46, 330, something that offers a decent all around balance of performance, economy, and ages fairly well. It's not that bad...the difference between 87 and 9...93...oh, cali...I'm sorry...something above 87, is cents on the dollar, maybe about four dollars more per fill-up, it's negligible. Repairs can be lofty if you're not mechanically inclined/ambitious (they're not that difficult to maintain honestly with a little do-it-yourself gumption), or don't know a reputable independent shop and consult the dealer exclusively, and even so routine maintenance isn't that bad given modern rates. They're also pretty venerable, so major mechanical issues shouldn't surface on a decently maintained example. And they're fun to drive, even at the posted speed limits, they're engaging (although not as much as an e30 or e36), but they're also more refined than the two aforementioned cars. I think you'll enjoy it the most. If you want something a little rougher around the edges, a well maintained e36 m3 sedan, they're market value has plateaued, so what you buy it for is what you can expect to sell it for if its not to you're liking, and fairly quickly granted you find a manual. They definitely more engaging/raw than an e46 (if neglecting the M3, sorry ZHP), and are great daily drivers, very easy to maintain, and have tons of aftermarket and online support. Good luck

[kolbs91]

If you're on a budget then go with an E36. My father and I bought a '94 318i last year to share as a DD. Dirt cheap to buy, easy to get in good running order, and, as has been said, built like an absolute tank.

Pros:
- Inexpensive to buy
- Very economical
- Simple yet comfortable

Cons:
- A fair bit of TLC may be required
- Might not have all of the modern conveniences that you may want

If you're willing to spend a bit more, get an E46. I've had my 325i for almost three years and it's fantastic. An all-around great car.

Pros:
- Stylish
- Decent gas mileage
- Prices seem to be dropping fast
- Great interior... An overall nice place to be

Cons:
- Parts and repairs can be expensive
- As has already been said, you definitely worry about it

[faranginline6]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a Bimmer in the next few months. It will be my daily driver, but not my only vehicle. I am looking for a sedan with manual trans.There are four that I am thinking about: 3 series, E30, E36, E46 or a E28 5 series. I would like to know some pros and cons.
Thanks for any info.


If your budget will allow it, the E46 model sounds like the best. The E30 and E36 models are getting quite old now and expensive parts will need to be replaced on them.

The E46 willl be a sedan w/ a manual transmission. As long as you take care of it, it can be your daily driver.

Different models will offer different things. . . what are you looking for ?

[spoonerDee]

E30 nice but really old, hard to find good ones now a days

e36 good car, has cooling issues, again getting old, harder to find decent ones

e46 good car, has cooling issues, still fairly current, easy to find good ones

E28, never been in one, but again is old and will be hard to find a decent one.

Best advice, test drive them all see which one you like the most and which one you can find that was well maintained.

[VerticalNeptune]

Regarding the cooling issues, yes, these are weak points as any car has, but it's quite easy and cheap to overhaul the entire cooling system on an E36 and it will then last an age.

BMWs in general do demand proper and timely maintenance, unlike, say, some Japanese manufacturers, which can usually take lots more abuse while remaining drivable.

But you want 'cachet' with sportiness, buy BMW.
Just 'cachet', but MB or Audi.