Advice Needed (E46 Vert Possible Buy)

[Khaze41]

So I got a guy that has an '02 (I think) 325i convertible 5 speed with the sports package (not sure what this means). It's perfectly clean and he's a mechanic so everything has been maintained. It has 180k miles. He wants $2900 for it, which is at the very top end of my budget, but for a car this clean, maybe it's worth it. Also I can't buy wheels right off the bat so I'm going to have to drive around looking like I'm driving my sister's car. I'm a college student so this does kind of matter to me haha. It's either this or I wait until I find a coupe or sedan within my budget. What do you think? Good deal? Wait? Should I only buy an '02 or newer? I heard subframe was fixed that year?

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[tcphoto]

Unless you have a minimum of $100 a month to spend on maintenance and repairs, I would not suggest buying an E46. Especially if you're a student, there are simply too many things that may need attention. I owned my '01 for nearly seven years and had a three ring binder filled with receipts and can speak from experience.

[Khaze41]

Unless you have a minimum of $100 a month to spend on maintenance and repairs, I would not suggest buying an E46. Especially if you're a student, there are simply too many things that may need attention. I owned my '01 for nearly seven years and had a three ring binder filled with receipts and can speak from experience.

That's what I was worried about. I only drive about 15 miles a day, I don't know if that makes a difference? I'm no mechanic but I can do most things myself. I've worked on family cars for about 5 or 6 years, so that helps tremendously on cost. I just can't get myself to go buy a Honda or some turd like that. What BMWs would be more reliable and cost friendly?

[All2kool]

That's what I was worried about. I only drive about 15 miles a day, I don't know if that makes a difference? I'm no mechanic but I can do most things myself. I've worked on family cars for about 5 or 6 years, so that helps tremendously on cost. I just can't get myself to go buy a Honda or some turd like that. What BMWs would be more reliable and cost friendly?

If you don't mind getting your fingernails dirty then these are great cars. It's when you have to pay someone for the repairs that it gets expensive.