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Help Me Chose First Bmw!
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05-01-2015, 12:53 AM | #1 |
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Help Me Chose First Bmw!
Hi, im buying my first bmw possibly this weekend. I have been talking to two guys and they are both selling their 2006 e90s for 11k. One of them is a 330xi and the other a 325i. What i'm torn about is the whole awd/rwd situation. Truly I want a 335i (badly!) but 11k is all i got. So the 330xi has 254hp and the 325i only 215hp. Should I go with more horsepower but awd or less hp but rwd (which i prefer). Both are 6spd manual tranny and are in equal condition.
P.S. found a 335i for 9k on craigslist (it says clean title but for that price sounds sketch) and I have emailed the guy a few hours ago but he hasn't responded, I don't know how long it usually takes people on craigslist to reply should I wait, and if so how long because i'm looking to buy a car tomorrow! Please help!!! Thanks! |
05-01-2015, 01:24 AM | #2 |
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I definitely would not buy a 335i with that budget... Please steer clear for your own sake
As for the other options, i'd choose the 330xi; however, i'd wait to get something that i'd really want. In this case, it seems to be a 330i for 11k
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05-01-2015, 10:43 AM | #4 |
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What's your need? Personally I would not go for any of them. 325 is way down on power. 330xi is not very sharp, and quite slow too (anything xdrive is less sharp than the RWD counterpart. Steering ratio, suspension tuning are all geared towards utility than performance. and a car heavy as e90 needs at least 300 hp). And a very old 335 is just asking for trouble (unless you are lucky, or prepared to spend more time fixing it than driving it). I know. I have a xdrive 335. But I starts to regret the decision as this is a utility vehicle with performance in mind, not the other way around.
Don't get a xdrive if you want performance. There are other sharper AWD performance sedans out there (Evo, Sti). Don't get anything less than a 335 if you want decent 0-60 time (something lighter does not need as much hp to get you going. try a s2000). Don't get a older MY if you want gadget. Now pick your poison.
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05-02-2015, 07:38 AM | #5 |
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One more for the 330
You're in Oregon so I assume you will be doing some wet road driving. The all wheel drive will make your day. The 3 liter inline 6 is one of the best motors BMW made in my not so humble opinion.
Some advice, spend $100 or so and get a good mechanic to inspect it. It will serve 2 functions, you'll be aware of most major issues and you will begin a relationship with a shop to do your repairs. Another tip is join BMW CCA. Lots of tips and resources as well as technical advisors. Good luck and my sympathies. It is quite possible you are starting a life long addiction to BMW. |
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05-02-2015, 10:26 AM | #6 |
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I agree with what everyone has said, especially about your budget. If you can only spend $11k, you're gonna be stuck with a BMW with high mileage and I would assume not that great condition. The only people I know that own/buy higher mileage BMWs are mechanics or very mechanically inclined. Also, they are willing to fork over $$ when things go wrong. BMW is a great car, but the ones you listed make me feel skeptical.
How about leasing a new 3 series? That may be the best choice short term for you.
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05-02-2015, 02:24 PM | #7 | |
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05-02-2015, 02:29 PM | #8 | |
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Well im only 16 so my only use would be to get around town (school, work, etc.) I wont be doing too much highway/ long distance driving. I do ski a lot but I think I would take my parents Infiniti if I was to go so that may not be a problem. I might look at trying a few track days here and there, and that might turn into a hobby of mine. One guy said since it rains a good amount here in Oregon AWD might be a good idea, does that make any sense? I am looking towards doing some mods like a new exhaust, intake, etc. also if that changes anything. Thanks for the help! |
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05-02-2015, 02:53 PM | #9 |
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Thanks for all the support and help everyone! I've had a lot of good tips about what I do. For all the people suggesting that I stay away from a BMW, I know I should but my heart is stuck to it and I cant stay away. I've been convinced that a xi model is not the way to go due to performance reasons, so ill stick with rwd. For the people suggesting a older model I dont really like the older style (still beautiful cars) and would like to stay with 2006+ models. Im considering leasing/ financing a 335i, if I can get any help about doing this that would be great. Love this community and looking forward to being a part of it!
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05-02-2015, 06:07 PM | #10 | |
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AWD helps traction in many aspects. But only when the car is driven within its limit. When you push it too far and nothing will save you. It will help in rain situations, sure. In my experience, I did not even find AWD that useful around town even in snow. The most significant advantage of a AWD vs RWD (both with snow tires) is at climbing steep slippery inclines. That is the only time a RWD is guaranteed to not be able to make it. Does not matter how good of a driver you are. Other than that, learn to control the car. Most of the time any type of drivetrain will suffice in most of the situations. When I said performance wise AWD is a bad choice, I mean in terms of agility. BMW xdrive version understeers more than a RWD, has a less stiff front suspension, and has a slower steering ratio than the RWD version which makes the car in general inferior to the RWD version in terms of agility. Straight line wise, there is not that much of a noticeable difference, just the overall grip is better to get off the line. Any modification you do will have an impact on your car, both negative and positive. Power mods extract more power, but fuel efficiency will drop, and parts will break sooner (more money lol?). Suspension mod may give you more traction and change the overall dynamics of the car, or make it less dynamic and more comfy, but you have to understand how. Slapping on some mods without fully understanding the effect of them is just a waste of money, and with the potential of making the car worse. (eg. you know why the xdrive's front ride height is higher than a RWD? If you have more weight in the front, then jacking the front up a little is a way to shift that weight to the rear a bit, improving the weight distribution : D)
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05-02-2015, 06:15 PM | #11 | |
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05-02-2015, 06:44 PM | #12 | |
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And if you only have 11k to spend, how much would you spend on mods?! Make sure you recognize the financial impact of your decision before you make it. You don't want to be in the hole and in debt just because you wanted a BMW now. Maybe waiting and saving more would make sense...
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05-03-2015, 05:17 PM | #13 | |
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05-04-2015, 12:07 AM | #14 |
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You would be making a big mistake buying a BMW at 16 with an 11k budget. These cars are expensive to maintain and repair, and trust me, it will happen. Just think about how frustrated you would be if tomorrow you got hit with a 1k repair bill. Because that's the kind of thing that will happen to you. Seriously It will happen.
The only people buying older BMW's like that are hobbyists, or those who are mechanically skilled and able to maintain and fix the car themselves. At 16, you are likely neither. You need a car that is reliable, cheap to run, and will at least last through High School and maybe College. For that money, go buy a used Cobalt SS turbo or something. It would be faster and more fun to drive. Just my 2 cents. |
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05-04-2015, 09:49 AM | #15 |
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At 15 I had a 92 Civic VX Hatchback and got 52mpg lol, with all of 85hp! I miss every minute of it to be honest, it was a very sturdy car and maintenance was a breeze although it was beyond slow I didn't care! I could literally climb into the engine bay and work on that car.. It eventually became my pride and joy and after budget building it with less then $5k I was breaking 400hp.. So my advice, start with something smaller and more affordable to upkeep and go from there, you won't regret that decision.. However you may in time regret a decision based on purchasing a car that you have no idea how to fix when something breaks, than you have a large paperweight in your driveway.. Just my .02 anyways, gl..
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05-04-2015, 05:08 PM | #16 | |
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I had 2006 accord sedan 4 cyl AUTOMATIC for 7 years before i got my BMW. No, it was not a fun car, but I made do and had to wait. When you go to a BMW forum, and most members suggest an alternative to BMW, that should tell you something. Anyways, hope you make the right choice. Here is a pic of my last ride I rocked for 7 whole years for some inspiration!
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05-21-2015, 10:01 PM | #17 |
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If you may at have a BMW, a turbo charged car is NOT for a 16 year old with only $11k in a budget. Either try to find a good conditioned 330 or 328 but I would favor you getting a good condition e46 330i or Xi.
Make sure it has been well maintained and learn to do preventative maintenance. Drive it for a year or so and then step up to an e90. |
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05-22-2015, 06:42 AM | #19 |
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05-22-2015, 07:02 AM | #20 | |
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The key is to realize what you are getting. Performance costs money! An e39 M5 is not going to compare with a Nissan Sentra for reliability but cost aside, which would you rather drive? You don't put a big brake kit on and then complain about the $600 brake pads. Those touting Hondas and the like seem to forget the e30 and e46 318i. Back to my earlier post, start older, simpler and cheaper, spend money on a GOOD pre purchase inspection, do all the preventative maintenance, even the stuff that seems wasteful like radiator replacement. Change oil at 5k miles, enjoy! |
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05-22-2015, 07:35 AM | #21 |
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get the 330xi
You will be spending a lot to maintain a used 335i..... so far I have had my turbos replaced, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, HPFP, injectors, water pump and thermostat and i just hit 68k miles..... all this adds up... keep another 3-4k for maintenance on the side... |
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05-22-2015, 08:05 AM | #22 |
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You don't have a lot of money to spend so go with the car with the least number of miles. BMWs are NOT cheap to maintain so be ready for some expensive repair bills if you don't know how to DYI or know a good mechanic. Just be aware of what you are getting yourself into. The N52 based cars are less problematic but they still need to have gaskets and water pump replaced at around 80-100k. So if that was not done on the car you are you buying then you will be replacing them soon.
As far as a 335 goes; with what you are putting down, don't even bother looking at one. |
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325i, 330xi, awd, power, rwd |
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