I'm pretty convinced that I want a 2002-2003 BMW 330Ci, black exterior, sport package, and stick. There's a lot of them to choose from, but I won't be doing this until the summer.

Oleg

 

do it. thats what usually happens. im thinkin about doin the same.

 

if you want one just because its "nice" you may regret it once the warranty runs out. just a thought.





unless mom and dad front teh bill$

 

IMO and experience from firends with Audi's and VW. There just just way too many minor problems, like lights going out.. and some wire things that are usually should be much of a problem. Mainly electrics thou. Like someone else have already said, it cost an arm and a leg to get things fix. It's hard to DIY. However, they look cool and with minor mods they look awesome.

There are too many BMW out there especially the 02 ones. but I think the 330 is a great car. How much do they run for used now? The last time I checked they are like 30,000+.

I am interested in getting a bimmer too..

I think the newer ones have less problems then the older ones. My family has the 540 and there are no problems with it just yet.. but then it's brand new

 

don't sell out to the man... stick with the subie.

j/k

(well not really, i would kinda feel like i sold out... driving a bimmer)

 

My neighbor has an '03 330ci...He loves it, hes done some minor add-ons (exhaust, koni coilovers) and the car looks and sounds super pissed....Hes debating whether to trade it for an '01 E36 M3 but hes having a hard time letting go....Also my mom is on her second BMW, her first one was an '85 325e with about 350k on it, granted she drove it like a grandma, but i figure thats gotta be worth a good amount of miles anyway for us normal people lol...

 

The 330Ci's that I'm looking at, are all int he range of $20-24k. A few grand more than my WRX, and if I part out the mods and fork out 2-3g's I'll probably be ok to buy it outright, so that's my plan. We'll see by the time summer comes by.

The first thing I'm doing with the beamer though, is taking it straight to BMW to buy the 100k warranty (or whatever they offer me).

Oleg

 

Good luck with the bimmer. They can be very nice cars. The key is getting one that has been well taken care of throughout it's lifespan. If previous owners didn't keep up proper mantiance, costs get exponentionally larger and sometimes reach a point where its not work keeping the car. Lots of small but annoying an expensive things start breaking (think sunroof, window controls, rear defrost). That being said, a well cared for bmw should last forever.

 

i think going to BMW is a great next step! the WRX image is a little....young, for lack of a better word. i'd rock a 330ci, but i have upcoming grad school to worry about first.

 

werd.

I had an E30 with 260K miles on it when I sold it.

I sold it to a guy who's parents lived out here, but he was in the military on the east coast.

He bought the car while visiting his parents and drove it back home w/o issues.

Great cars if they are taken care of.

 

I actually went the other way. I had an E36 M3 ('98), B5 S4 ('01), and then went to a WRX ('03), STi ('04), and now I'm in a Legacy GT ('06).

Good call on putting your education first, as that is more important.

-Mike-

 

^ looks like you wised up throughout the years though . each car gets more and more practical, while maintaining the fun factor. im going to switch to a legacy gt or a4 avant soon.

 

my next car is gonna be a cadillac seville the big boat one

its a lazy boy on wheels

 

I don't know if I'd call the STi "practical," but it sure was fun. I also went back to grad school, so the lower payments (from the S4 to the WRX) were beneficial. The LGT has been a great car so far, and it's much more refined/comfortable. My fiance doesn't cringe as much at the thought of driving in it... Until I start modding, of course.

-Mike-

 

With the BMW, the engine will definitely last. Countless other things may start to break on you, however, and those are the things that will add up to major annoyances. You may have the certified pre-owned package, or the added-on 100K warrantee, but it is the continual dealership visits and over-night stays that will get you in the end. No doubt, they are nice cars with excellent engines, but the E46 has a lot of technology that haven't held out for the long run. Small stuff breaking down = big inconveniences.

I had a 2002 325i, but recently got rid of it and freed myself from multiple small repairs.

Have you checked out some of the BMW forums? I swear, a large number of posts are about how to diagnose this problem and how to fix that problem, and quite a few of the threads are literally about how much those owners hate their bimmers! Check out some of their forums.

Can't say much about the Audi because I've never owned them. I can tell you that I also had a 2004 WRX and I traded it in for a 2006... didn't even think twice. The Subaru is a lot of metal for your money. If you want luxury, consider the LGT.

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