Can You Help?

[Billk78]

Hi. Im looking to purchase my first BMW and have been doing some research on the different models. I was hoping to spend about 10-15K for a used one that will last me a few years.

Can anyone reccomend something? I see a lot of the vehicles for sale in my price rangle have over 100K miles on them. I know Bimmers are known to last a long time, but if I purchase something with 100K on it would it last me for a few years if I take good care of it? Thanks for any help/suggestions you guys can give me! :)

[builder]

You can find some low mile bimmers in that range. Even e36 m3's can be found with relatively low miles for that kind of money, or a nice regular 3 series.

It all depends on what you're looking for...sedan, coupe, big, small, how powerful, etc. There are deals out there but you will run into alot that are overpriced too. So find out exactly what you want and then start looking...

autotader
here
roadfly

and start comparing prices

[Billk78]

thanks builder....what amount of miles would you consider "low" for that price range? Again, im hoping to get something that will last me 4 years or so. Thanks again.

[The-Great-328ic]

you could get a low miles, say 60-80k 328is for that money and have some money left for mods, or even a 80k-100k miles M3

it all depends on what you want, as long as the car has been serviced regulary, it will last way more than 4 years

[builder]

you could get a low miles, say 60-80k 328is for that money and have some money left for mods, or even a 80k-100k miles M3

it all depends on what you want, as long as the car has been serviced regulary, it will last way more than 4 years

Yeah and you can find one's with even lower miles in that range if you look around, depending on the year. Try to decide if you want a 3, 5, 7, etc. series and go from there. You can find some pretty low mile (30k) cars out there for that range even although they'd be a little older

low for me is around 40k or so but even 60 is pretty low for these cars. Just make sure it's been properly maintained with service records/receipts/carfaxed and get a pre-purchase inspection. Most of these engines are good for a long time and you see alot of 200k+ mile bimmers driving around.

[Billk78]

thanks for the help everyone. Yea thats what i was looking for...something from the mid 1990's with low miles. I haven't seen much yet though but ill keep looking. I saw a 1996 z3 for sale but the guy lived in the UK so that was out. Nice car though. If anyone knows of anyone else selling something in my range please let me know or direct them to me. I appreciate everyone's help with this! :)

[s0crates82]

A finer point... you have a specific budget... can you afford a gas guzzler? Because considering how much fun you can have in a BMW, you might be flooring it all the time and they don't all get great mpg.

Definitely stay 3 series, or mayyybe a 530. Don't go 540, 7 or 8 series.

[Billk78]

A finer point... you have a specific budget... can you afford a gas guzzler? Because considering how much fun you can have in a BMW, you might be flooring it all the time and they don't all get great mpg.

Definitely stay 3 series, or mayyybe a 530. Don't go 540, 7 or 8 series.

I live very close to where I work and dont put many miles on my cars at all so Im not all that worried about the gas miles...but thanks for the heads up!

[s0crates82]

Oh, well hell, go 5 or 7.

I do drive quite a bit: parking in L.A. sucks, and so does the traffic... so the 3 was a better fit for me.

5's and 7's have solid luxury, plenty of room, respectable power, and a heapin' helping of prestige.

[The-Great-328ic]

glad I could help.

But one advise, don't rush into things, wait for the perfect car for you, I've been looking for my next car for over 2 months, and I can't find something that fits me at my price range, and I'm not looking to spend only 8k on the car lol, if I was the same person back when I bought my first car, I know I had already bought one, and wouldn't be as satisfied as if I had waited for the right car.
the deals are out there, you just have to wait to find them, don't settle for something that you are not so sure about