[the_game969]

I want to buy a BMW 318i year 1995-1997 but the Km's are pretty high,so I got a question or two.

I'm looking to buy a car with 180 000 km (not milles) is it a good idea,since I might keep the car for max 3 years.I'm trying to find any car with less then 200 000 km but it's hard.Since I'm going to keep it for 3 years,is it a safe thing to do or am I going to regret my decision?

Also,I wanted to know what's m3 and m5 and is there a difference.

Thanks!

[kenneth]

Originally Posted by the_game969

I want to buy a BMW 318i year 1995-1997 but the Km's are pretty high,so I got a question or two.

I'm looking to buy a car with 180 000 km (not milles) is it a good idea,since I might keep the car for max 3 years.I'm trying to find any car with less then 200 000 km but it's hard.Since I'm going to keep it for 3 years,is it a safe thing to do or am I going to regret my decision?

Also,I wanted to know what's m3 and m5 and is there a difference.

Thanks!

It's hard to answer this question. It would be easier to answer if you give more details as to your budget, your driving distance per year etc. Car over 10 years old will definitely require parts to be fixed on a constant basis.

One option could be to lease a new car. If on a budget, there are definitely cars in the 200-250$ range per month, and it would cost you $0 maintenance.
So without knowing your needs and budget it is a tough call to make. Good luck

[kenneth]

M3 is the sport version of the 3 series. The last M3 is the E46 (chassis designation) 343 hp 3 litre 6 cylinder engine. The prior M3 95-99 is a 3.2 litre 6 cylinder 240 hp engine.

The current M5 is sport version of the 5 series 500 hp v10. the prior M5 is a 400 hp 8 cylinder engine.

Hope that helps

[the_game969]

I've got a budget of max 7000$,it's gonna be my first car,I know that a BMW might not be the best car to buy for a first time but I really like the 318i model.I'm going to be using the car to go to school,work and hang-out on week-end.I know that I will need to repairs some parts time to time like all regular cars that has around 200 000 km but I just wanted to know if I could trust this car to give me another good 50 000 km minimum.

Also,can you tell me more info's about leasing? I usualy gain between 500$-600$ per month (part-time job),so paying that 250$ per month can be done easly but...the problem is,I don't want to pay the car just to "rent it",after the lease,can I have the option to buy it? If so,how much would it cost me for a car...let's say of 20 000$.

Thanks!

[kenneth]

For most leases you can buy at end of contract, it's not money thrown away, but it is more costly in terms of interest than taking a loan to buy the car. But buying the $20,000 car (by taking a loan - usually for 3-5 years) may be problematic for you for 2 reasons: 1. monthly payments will be higher, 2. you may not get credit as this is your first car.

But you have $7,000 that you could:
1. either use to buy the used car (check les petites annonces classees)

2. use towards a lease or purchase. You will then have lower monthly payments.

If you are buying a 20,000 car (say with tax etc comes to $23,000), then you will owe 16,000 that you will need to pay over say 5 years, that will make you payments of over 300$ p.m.

[kenneth]

and to answer your specific question about the 318i, I don't know if reliable car. surf around to see comments on this model and year! good luck.

[the_game969]

Thanks for the help and time,really appreciate it! For the 318i,I've got some info's...if I can find a car that was well taken care off,oil change and other regular stuff,then it shouldn't give me alot of trouble.

Thanks again!