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Thread: What BMW Should I Get For My First Car?

  1. #1
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    What BMW Should I Get For My First Car?

    Hi Im 15 turning 16 soon and i've been given the option to buy a car under 20,000 dollars and so I'm thinking that i like BMWs so i could afford an older BMW so here is what im looking for

    1.Under $20,000

    2.Cool looking (Like the E46)

    3.Quick but not to fast

    4.Reliable

    5.Safe

    6.FUN and comfortable (i'm willing to compromise)

    WHAT SHOULD I GET?

  2. #2
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    e90 would be in your price range.


  3. #3
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    Period.



  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by MaverickRacer12 View Post
    Hi Im 15 turning 16 soon and i've been given the option to buy a car under 20,000 dollars and so I'm thinking that i like BMWs so i could afford an older BMW so here is what im looking for

    1.Under $20,000

    2.Cool looking (Like the E46)

    3.Quick but not to fast

    4.Reliable

    5.Safe

    6.FUN and comfortable (i'm willing to compromise)

    WHAT SHOULD I GET?
    1) Almost anything except for 2011+ models w/ less than 25,000 miles

    2) I think all BMW's look neat

    3)You're looking at probably 180-240 HP for that

    4) ALL BMW's require some good maintenance so make room for that in your budget. A BMW can be reliable, but costly to maintain if you don't maintain it properly.

    5) Make sure there's airbags.

    6) Pretty much most BMW's

    I'd suggest an E36 for a first car just because of the fact that I have one, they're easy to work on, and they're relatively cheap. It's up to you to decide what you really want.

    What made you decide on a BMW?
    Last edited by Grauhund; 07-06-2014 at 04:08 PM.
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  5. #5
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    Haha dunno if you can consider a bmw to be reliable. Just depends on what you consider reliable. I would actually suggest an e36 (1990's) bmw. That way you can get a decent car for super cheap, and then have enough left over to repair any problems that commonly effect a bmw. Instead of spending 20k on a car and then having no money left to fix it. That and insurance on older bmw's are pretty cheap. I know age is a factor for insurance but I pay $75 a month for my e36. My Kia soul is almost 3 times that to insure. Lol
    Oh and yes, make sure you get one with an air bag haha. I feel kind of hypocritical for saying that since I don't have a steering wheel airbag (replaced with Sparco quick release racing wheel).
    Last edited by Das Omen; 07-07-2014 at 04:12 AM.

  6. #6
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    Get a job and learn the value of money

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by SmokemhontaS View Post
    Get a job and learn the value of money
    Haha true and fair point right there.
    Interesting to see someone from Puyallup btw, not a bad thing. I used to live there.

  8. #8
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    get a new corolla. I heard they come with LED headlights standard

  9. #9
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    This is really just a personal choice. First time I've seen someone ask for it to not be too fast. Feel a bit lost right now. Someone here is 17 and their first car is an E46 Vert with ZHP sport package. It cost 12k, so plenty of wiggle room. What car you buy isn't very important, as long as its in good shape. All BMWs are great cars. What matters is what youre going to do with it, what what kind of person you are. Let us know more about you! And here is the E46 I was talking about

    http://blog.modbargains.com/e46-carb...roject-garage/

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  10. #10
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    An e46 ZHP would be a good option, it's kinda quick but not enough that you'll get yourself into trouble.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by e39hamann View Post
    An e46 ZHP would be a good option, it's kinda quick but not enough that you'll get yourself into trouble.
    Correct. And with the hydraulic steering and louder exhaust it'll feel much faster than the same speed in an E90. More analog.

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  14. #14
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    E39s with a 6 cylinder or v8 e38s fit your bill too. E38 740s might be a bit fast but I managed not to kill myself cutting my teeth on one.

    There really are an endless set of choices you could have with $20k. I would suggest aiming for something in the $15k range and then saving the rest for the next few years of maintenance. If you are going to the dealer for maintenance you can easily spend $2k per year repairing a BMW, less if you can wrench on it yourself or find a good independent mechanic.

    Quote Originally Posted by auaq View Post
    i3.
    Probably a little too expensive and definitely too fast.
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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by auaq View Post
    E39 ///M5


    Period.
    Sure, let the 16 year old have a 400 hp monster :

  16. #16
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    downeaster1 is offline Expert De-Vanos-er BMW CCA Member
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    Why not a 6spd 128i? They are fun, sporty and not too fast. Decently reliable and you could possibly even find one still under warranty for that price.




  17. #17
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    An e39 inline 6 touring would be GREAT for you. It will also draw far less attention since it's a "wagon" and still a very fun car with a manual transmission.

    ***M5 body kit pictured
    Last edited by Spyke; 07-11-2014 at 02:13 PM.
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  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spyke View Post
    An e39 540 touring would be GREAT for you. It will also draw far less attention since it's a "wagon" and still a very fun car with a manual transmission

    ***M5 body kit
    V8 E39 wagons did not come in manual, only I6 tourings came in manual in the US

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  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spyke View Post
    Exactly why I said 540. Engine will be less of a drama queen to take care of too, and it can still be prettied up.
    but you said especially more fun with a manual transmission, which the 540 wagon wasnt available with.
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  20. #20
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    Mistake on my part, I had a foggy moment and thought the 4.0 was I6 and the 4.4 was v8. Thanks for clarifying Rudolph.

    Two of my buddies now have e39s. The 540 v8 has been parked for work most of the time, whereas the I6 has been an absolutely solid car, hence my thought of a manual I6 e39 wagon being the perfect fit.
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  21. #21
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  22. #22
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    I'd say a Z4 3.0i. They are quick and nimble without being overwhelming so would be a very good platform to learn in. Plus they have the added benefit of only being able to fit one passenger so you'll have viewer passengers to peer pressure you into doing something stupid/ tempt you to show off.

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