Would you abandon your 3 series (E90-E93) for a beater?

[trek1500]

Most of us got a BMW because we love to drive..It's designed for the enthusiast in us. For many of us it was not a decision arrived at lightly for
these cars are not cheap. Many of us scrimped and saved and probably experienced a lot of anxiety before making the leap...

Some of us like a good friend who is coming up on the end of his lease, are choosing to turn the car in and get a beater...mainly for economical reasons. I wonder if anyone in this forum has ever gone that route..and would be willing to share your story...

My friend is anxious about turning his car in as he has had it for 3 years and is concerned that he will regret not going into another lease or even buying it..so to ease his worried mind I said I would try posting in this forum and see what kind of feedback I get...

[pikeNM]

I went from an E46 M3 to a $4K E30 325i, which, while a fantastic car, is in the "beater" category. I loved it, learned how to work on it and set it up just the way I wanted, and appreciate it to this day. If your friend is going to get a beater, it needn't be a corolla. E30's are a great way to stick with the brand and the BMW driving experience, while spending relatively little money. Just my 0.02.

[CABimmer]

I may go with a Honda/Toyota Hybrid when the e90 comes off lease in Aug. If BMW would just get their diesels here, I would be in good shape. I see $4.50/gal coming very quickly and am really getting sick of it.

I still have the M3 though for fun.

[mryakan]

Don't think so unless I get laid off.

[Beer Goggles]

I may go with a Honda/Toyota Hybrid when the e90 comes off lease in Aug. If BMW would just get their diesels here, I would be in good shape. I see $4.50/gal coming very quickly and am really getting sick of it.

I still have the M3 though for fun.


Diesel is about 20% more expensive than gas so you'll be paying almost $5/gallon for the oil version.

23.2 MPG for a 300hp car is amazing. I was looking in an auto mag and the "economy cars" like Corrola got 23 mpg..the field averaged that.


But if you go to a cheaper car there are lots of nice cars around that will be fun to drive.

[Majikthese42]

I've always driven a car that I could afford. Some have been beaters, some not. My first car cost $180.

When I sell my E91, I expect it will be a beater.

[ukthunderace]

I have thought about buying a daily driver beater, but then again, I have also considered a Vespa scooter and just riding my bicycle to work and back. I can't sell my car...I love it.

[PeterC4]

Most of us got a BMW because we love to drive..It's designed for the enthusiast in us. For many of us it was not a decision arrived at lightly for
these cars are not cheap. Many of us scrimped and saved and probably experienced a lot of anxiety before making the leap...

Some of us like a good friend who is coming up on the end of his lease, are choosing to turn the car in and get a beater...mainly for economical reasons. I wonder if anyone in this forum has ever gone that route..and would be willing to share your story...

My friend is anxious about turning his car in as he has had it for 3 years and is concerned that he will regret not going into another lease or even buying it..so to ease his worried mind I said I would try posting in this forum and see what kind of feedback I get...

If he's got that much anxiety maybe its just not affordable enough. I wouldn't stretch financially over a car and you're going to get a lot of that advice in this forum. Nothing wrong with a good used car.

[Mike 01Hawk]

I've "downgraded" on purpose twice in my life:

Beginning of college (cira 95-96) I went from a '84 Ranger that had heat/air/auto/radio.... to a 'beater' 67 Camaro that had no air/radio. That was short lived and I soon found myself in a loaded LT1 Z28.

In April of 2007 I went from my 2005 V6 Accord Sedan EX Auto to my 97 M3.

Downgraded is questionable depending on perspective, but from a purely 'niceties / comfort' it was a downgrade both times. Now I'm really hot to trot to get into a 335i or 135i.... I WILL find a way to do that... (meaning selling both cars in my sig)

Life is about going forward, it's hard to take away what you're accustomed too... and if you're like me, you'll find the will and a way to get back to the level you were at before.

[trek1500]

I've "downgraded" on purpose twice in my life:

Beginning of college (cira 95-96) I went from a '84 Ranger that had heat/air/auto/radio.... to a 'beater' 67 Camaro that had no air/radio. That was short lived and I soon found myself in a loaded LT1 Z28.

In April of 2007 I went from my 2005 V6 Accord Sedan EX Auto to my 97 M3.

Downgraded is questionable depending on perspective, but from a purely 'niceties / comfort' it was a downgrade both times. Now I'm really hot to trot to get into a 335i or 135i.... I WILL find a way to do that... (meaning selling both cars in my sig)

Life is about going forward, it's hard to take away what you're accustomed too... and if you're like me, you'll find the will and a way to get back to the level you were at before.

I like that philosophy..

If you can afford it why not? Some people take expensive vacations..

Some people buy expensive homes and fill it up with expensive furniture..

Whatever floats your boat! I've always harbored a desire to own a Bimmer...specifically the 3 series and when I felt I was in a position to do so I did it with a bit of trepidation because I really hate to spend money but that didn't last too long...

My advice to my friend was to feel comfortable with his decision whatever it may be...and the feedback so far has been really good! Thanks!

[Mike 01Hawk]

What is your friend currently in? What would he think about getting into? How's his job security? Where is he at in life, ie married, have kids, have a mortgage, etc etc etc? Is a luxury sport car a priority to him?

There are a hundred decisions to think about. Nothing you'd wanna do too rash. If he's truly worried because of economical reasons, then he's probably living beyond his means already (ie major credit debt, living paycheck to paycheck) and a luxury item like a BMW is NOT a priority.

I say if he goes the beater route he needs to get a TRUE beater, as in sub $4k automobile. That'll free up some money and he can start thinking about the future :)

[Blue330i2006]

I already did. The E90 is paid off and is now a weekend only car. I bought a '87 vw fox for a daily driver. Premium is pricy.

[mryakan]

I already did. The E90 is paid off and is now a weekend only car. I bought a '87 vw fox for a daily driver. Premium is pricy.
So are booze and women, but not many people go cold turkey or celibate ;). After driving this car, it would be torture for me to go into a beater or even a rental for that matter. Not being snobby, just appreciating the finer things in life. It's like getting used to HDTV and then trying to watch black and white TV :rolleyes.

[trek1500]

So are booze and women, but not many people go cold turkey or celibate ;). After driving this car, it would be torture for me to go into a beater or even a rental for that matter. Not being snobby, just appreciating the finer things in life. It's like getting used to HDTV and then trying to watch black and white TV :rolleyes.

Great analogy! Or like watching DVDs and going back to VCRs. Can you imagine rewinding to a favorite scene?

That's the key..."appreciating the finer things in life..."

[Pinoy2145]

i wouldn't say "abandon" but i'd definitely put my E90 away to save it some wear and tear in the winter and drive a beater...

but for every day, i think i've gotten way too used to how the E90 feels to settle for something beater-ish.

[trek1500]

i wouldn't say "abandon" but i'd definitely put my E90 away to save it some wear and tear in the winter and drive a beater...

but for every day, i think i've gotten way too used to how the E90 feels to settle for something beater-ish.

I know what you mean...I used to drive a Camry before my E90 and recently drove my sister's Camry and couldn't believe the difference in the ride and handling. BMW far surpasses anything I have ever driven!

[Blue330i2006]

So are booze and women, but not many people go cold turkey or celibate ;). After driving this car, it would be torture for me to go into a beater or even a rental for that matter. Not being snobby, just appreciating the finer things in life. It's like getting used to HDTV and then trying to watch black and white TV :rolleyes.


I whole heartedly agree but,,,
I can suffer the Fox for my 6 mile in town commute. It is acutally better for the BMW to sit than drive it 6 miles a wack. Believe u me I make up for it on the weekends.

[landis]

When I bought my car I kept my old car. A 99 A4 2.8. I call that my beater. It is a pretty nice beater. I took my friends '83 911 sc targa today. It is fun to drive, but my 335i is way nicer. So it could be classified a beater. However if I had to drive it all the time it wouldn't make me unhappy. it is certainly quicker thatn the 335i, but no faster. I also have an 85 honda civic si. It is my mother in law car. When she visits I give her that car. She visits twice a year for about a month. That is a beater, but I rebuilt the trans, resealed the engine, fixed all the rust and replaced the seats. For a 20+ year old car it is not bad. Plus it gets over 35mpg. So I drive the 335i when I feel like it and the Audi most of the other times and the honda occasionally to keep it running. So trading to a beater is not a bad thing. The most fun car I had was a '72 datsun 510. They were 2002 comepetion. Paid $300 and drove it for 2 years while in college. I traded up to a '74 fiat x1/9 that I paid $800 for. So if you look around and are willing to work on a car there are plenty of fun beaters.

[trek1500]

When I bought my car I kept my old car. A 99 A4 2.8. I call that my beater. It is a pretty nice beater. I took my friends '83 911 sc targa today. It is fun to drive, but my 335i is way nicer. So it could be classified a beater. However if I had to drive it all the time it wouldn't make me unhappy. it is certainly quicker thatn the 335i, but no faster. I also have an 85 honda civic si. It is my mother in law car. When she visits I give her that car. She visits twice a year for about a month. That is a beater, but I rebuilt the trans, resealed the engine, fixed all the rust and replaced the seats. For a 20+ year old car it is not bad. Plus it gets over 35mpg. So I drive the 335i when I feel like it and the Audi most of the other times and the honda occasionally to keep it running. So trading to a beater is not a bad thing. The most fun car I had was a '72 datsun 510. They were 2002 comepetion. Paid $300 and drove it for 2 years while in college. I traded up to a '74 fiat x1/9 that I paid $800 for. So if you look around and are willing to work on a car there are plenty of fun beaters.

It's funny how we remember all the old cheap cars we used to have...but plenty of memories were made in those cars and they hold a special place in our hearts...like you I had a car in high school that I think I paid $300 for..a VW Beetle and it was one of the best cars I ever had..I learned to work on it and pretty much took care of it until I sold it many years later..

Whenever I see an "old style" Beetle on the road it brings back tons of memories..maybe one day I'll pick up one of the classics to restore...

[335iDriver]

My lease is up next April. I kicked around all the above listed scenarios. I can save almost $750/month if I turn the car in. I bought a beater (1991 Toyota Tercel) and it treats me right at 32 mpg. But after driving it a couple of days in a row I LOVE getting back into my 335i. The bottom line is that my premium fuel cost has risen about $500 a year. I can afford that and then some.

[mryakan]

The bottom line is that my premium fuel cost has risen about $500 a year. I can afford that and then some.
Yeah and if it gets too costly, just siphon it from your crown vic cruiser ;).

[335iDriver]

Yeah and if it gets too costly, just siphon it from your crown vic cruiser ;).

We have a saying about all cops. "If a cop has thought about it then it has been done." Can't say siphoning gas hasn't crossed my mind. But other stupid stuff has also.:nono

[psucelticXI]

Most of us got a BMW because we love to drive..It's designed for the enthusiast in us. For many of us it was not a decision arrived at lightly for
these cars are not cheap. Many of us scrimped and saved and probably experienced a lot of anxiety before making the leap...


True.... As for right now, I'd see myself either getting into another 2 year lease or buying one.. We'll see though.

[cn555ic]

never

[acmaui]

So are booze and women, but not many people go cold turkey or celibate ;). After driving this car, it would be torture for me to go into a beater or even a rental for that matter. Not being snobby, just appreciating the finer things in life. It's like getting used to HDTV and then trying to watch black and white TV :rolleyes.
The voice of reason finally speaks! Why go backwards in life? I'm paying cash and I'll keep the 335 cv until I can afford an M6 cv. Okay, I'll probably have the 335 cv forever, but a guy has to dream.

[K330i]

After driving this car, it would be torture for me to go into a beater or even a rental for that matter. Not being snobby, just appreciating the finer things in life. It's like getting used to HDTV and then trying to watch black and white TV :rolleyes.

+1......my 06 e90 IS my daily beater. makes getting to work and getting home alot less stressful. ;)

the 96 impala ss w/ a 383 stroker that gets 12mpg is the weekend ride. :buttrock

[GreenThree]

This is a good question. In another three years (when my lease is up) I will likely be in a house rather than apt. and have kids (or on the way) rather than no kids. These two factors will definately influence my decision about the car. I'll tell you one thing, its gonna be pretty hard to go from e90 to a camry, or accord, or maybe even a beater :(. But in the big picture, my family will be the priority. If I can still afford after that, then so be it!