Need advice for a friend - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Valour · 10-03-2012, 09:04 PM

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?listingId=97143481.

One of my friends is looking at this car. I think that he should look around more. He would like to stay under 20000 needs 4 doors and just wants something nice. I just wanted everyone's opinion. Thanks guys!

GChase · 10-03-2012, 09:18 PM

No sport package, no bueno. Emphasize that to him. The seats and sport suspension make a world of a difference.

Verbatim · 10-03-2012, 10:07 PM

I honestly don't mean to offend anyone, but it sounds like your friend would be happier in a clean 4cyl Honda Accord with leather seats and navigation. If he's not going to take advantage of the driving dynamics of the 3 series, he probably shouldn't deal with the repairs, maintenance, and gas mileage. Expensive window regulators and door actuators won't do anything for your buddy. That car is 6 years old; he better be willing to put up with bmw's lack of reliability. I'm not suggesting that he can't afford a couple bills in repairs or that the 3 series is a special car.
I say this because I've realized that I've offended others by suggesting the above when someone with no-car-interest asked me about getting a six year old bimmer.

Astephens94 · 10-04-2012, 07:39 AM

BMW = pay to play. Does your friend want or need to stay below 20k? If the answer is need to then I'd recommend looking at other cars -- the bills will continue to pile up as the car gets older/more miles on it.

Imo the best new car you can buy under 20k is the madza 3. It was recently redesigned to be much stiffer than the prior model, so I'd imagine the handling is a bit crisper than before. Have not driven one, but recommend your buddy takes a look at that if he's shopping on a budget.

gpb · 10-04-2012, 08:10 AM

"Just wants something nice" -- I have to concur with the other folks, he'd likely get more bang for the buck in nice amenities with a used Honda or similar. Won't have the fun factor of a BMW, but you didn't suggest he's into that.

As to this particular car... I'd skip this one and keep on looking. Three accidents in ten months with owner #2; two with other vehicles (front + rear) plus one off-road excursion into a ditch. No thank you.

theblackmamba · 10-04-2012, 09:30 AM

Honda accords and other cars that are 4 cyl will be about the same price as what your friend is looking at. Even 2010 civics are going for around $15-18k.

Tell your friend to buy what he can afford and what he wants.

10-03-2012, 09:04 PM	#1
Valour petrolhead Drives: (coming soon) F32 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)	Need advice for a friend http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?listingId=97143481. One of my friends is looking at this car. I think that he should look around more. He would like to stay under 20000 needs 4 doors and just wants something nice. I just wanted everyone's opinion. Thanks guys!
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10-03-2012, 10:07 PM	#3
Verbatim Colonel Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Santa Clarita Posts: 2,554 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [5.00]	I honestly don't mean to offend anyone, but it sounds like your friend would be happier in a clean 4cyl Honda Accord with leather seats and navigation. If he's not going to take advantage of the driving dynamics of the 3 series, he probably shouldn't deal with the repairs, maintenance, and gas mileage. Expensive window regulators and door actuators won't do anything for your buddy. That car is 6 years old; he better be willing to put up with bmw's lack of reliability. I'm not suggesting that he can't afford a couple bills in repairs or that the 3 series is a special car. I say this because I've realized that I've offended others by suggesting the above when someone with no-car-interest asked me about getting a six year old bimmer. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i Sedan \| Sparkling Graphite \| Sport \| Premium \| Navigation \| Comfort Access \| Logic7 Golf Tee \| M3 Trunk Spoiler \| LED Angel Eyes \| 5000k Fogs \| Resonator Delete \| Black Kidney Grills \| Black Finisher Rods \| 35%/18% Tint \| Sealer Lip \| 12mm/20mm (F/R) Spacers \| White Wheels \| Black Lines

10-04-2012, 07:39 AM	#4
Astephens94 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Probably work. Posts: 272 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 335i [5.00]	BMW = pay to play. Does your friend want or need to stay below 20k? If the answer is need to then I'd recommend looking at other cars -- the bills will continue to pile up as the car gets older/more miles on it. Imo the best new car you can buy under 20k is the madza 3. It was recently redesigned to be much stiffer than the prior model, so I'd imagine the handling is a bit crisper than before. Have not driven one, but recommend your buddy takes a look at that if he's shopping on a budget. __________________ View My Car

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10-03-2012, 09:18 PM	#2
GChase Captain Drives: 2009 E90 328i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 694 iTrader: (0)	No sport package, no bueno. Emphasize that to him. The seats and sport suspension make a world of a difference.

10-04-2012, 08:10 AM	#5
gpb First Lieutenant Drives: 335i Cabrio Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 393 iTrader: (0)	"Just wants something nice" -- I have to concur with the other folks, he'd likely get more bang for the buck in nice amenities with a used Honda or similar. Won't have the fun factor of a BMW, but you didn't suggest he's into that. As to this particular car... I'd skip this one and keep on looking. Three accidents in ten months with owner #2; two with other vehicles (front + rear) plus one off-road excursion into a ditch. No thank you.

10-04-2012, 09:30 AM	#6
theblackmamba Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 0 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: 1 Posts: 1,927 iTrader: (8)	Honda accords and other cars that are 4 cyl will be about the same price as what your friend is looking at. Even 2010 civics are going for around $15-18k. Tell your friend to buy what he can afford and what he wants.