[bimmerlover17]

Hey guys, so I have finally decided to buy a car after years of saving. I currently have $12000 and I am looking for one of these cars. Im in high school and I have a stable source of income since I am a tutor at a college and I am a referee for lacrosse. I could easily make $200 a week just as a referee and about $1500 a semester as a tutor. So this means that I can definitely handle the high costs of owning one of these beasts. I was wondering if it is a good idea to purchase a BMW with 80K+ miles on it since that is the lowest I could find. And I was wondering if I should shy away from rebuilt titles. Say a rebuilt title was a rebuilt because of theft would it still be possible to buy it or no. And would the price for insurance rise with it being a rebuilt title?I can also post a few listings on craigslist to show you what the typical 3 series is like in my area. I'm fairly familiar with the 335i and the most common things to go wrong with it like the water pump or the thermostat but I was wondering if the 330i or 328i have these problems since I am not familiar with them. Also, would it be a bad idea to do power modifications to a BMW with high miles? I am planning on doing exterior mods (functional ones, I am not a ricer) but I am not sure if it would be a good idea to go for power modifications. I am planning on driving the car during college as well so which one is the most reliable? Also would it be as easy to get power out the 328i and 330i as the 335i and would it be possible to ever go above 350hp in the 328 and 330? And how much are the cars around you guys? IM going to need a car since I am in dual enrollment and my classes end at 12 everyday so if I am going to be driving anything it might as well be something I love and can say is truly mine. Let me know what you guys think! BTW most of the BMW's with 80-120k miles down in South Florida are around 10-16k. No mods whatsoever. So would it be a better option to buy a somewhat newer one with a down payment on it and pay it off monthly? Of course the car would be under my parents name, but I could still drive it and give my parents the money every moth to pay for it.

[rick100]

With 12 k ,your income, power expectations , and knowing you ll be going to college I would highly advised you to stay away from bmw

The most you ll make out of a 330 or 328 is probably around 300 with all mods , thats after you spend 5 k on the car. Getting a 335 with your budget is pretty unrealistic unless you get one with extremely high mileage , maintenance cost would kill you.

Other options would be G35 , genesis coupe ( turbocharge) , golf gti (turbocharge) they should all be around your budget

If you really want to stay with bmw I would only look at the 328 or 330 and forget about 350 HP

If I was in your shoes I would'n spend all my savings in a car , I would rather get an older civic si or golf gti

[Inline]

If you want something that's not going to cost you arm and a leg I would stay away form the 335i. That being said in my family we have a 330i n52, 335i n54, and 335i n55 so I know about all these cars fairly well. With high mileage 335i your turbos will eventually have wastegate issues and need replacing. This is 3000 plus repair. I'm a senior in high school and got my car 2 years ago. I was in your same situation and I got the 330i because if you want the best bang for you buck and still stay reliable I would go that route.

[bimmerlover17]

Thanks for the input guys and would it be possible if I bought a 100k+ mile 328i and just bought a used engine with about 30k miles and replaced it. Ive seen them going for about 7k and I think all together with labor it would only cost me 9k and I could use the rest of the cash for mods. I could always do the swap myself.

[rick100]

Originally Posted by bimmerlover17

Thanks for the input guys and would it be possible if I bought a 100k+ mile 328i and just bought a used engine with about 30k miles and replaced it. Ive seen them going for about 7k and I think all together with labor it would only cost me 9k and I could use the rest of the cash for mods. I could always do the swap myself.

If you really want bmw with your budget go 330 sedan and forget about swapping engine. If you want a coupe then just go 328 ...Make sure you get manual transmission and RWD ( if you want to be a bit faster).

My friend has a 2007 328 with manual transmission and pe exhaust and its pretty nice and reliable car...

With 330 the only mod you ll need is a AA tune ( you ll be around 275 I m guessing ), and with the 328 coupe you ll need a tune and 3 stage intake for make around 250-260. At the end of the day you probably will not even use that much power in the streets ...

BTW why not consider the golf GTI , they are cheap and come turbo charge , very easy to tune and kids your age love them . I would ve went GTI all day if I was just out of high school (

[MTTH]

Honestly, the 335 would leave you strapped for cash. Buying a high mileage one without at least 5K saved for repairs is just asking for trouble. As for the 328i & 330, you're not going to get 350hp with out a supercharger which is like 5K. If I were you, I'd save a bit more & get a Lci 328i (2009-2011). Great car with updated features.

[xquisit]

328/330 if you really want a Bimmer.

Listen to the suggestions, all the 328i drivers would have a 335i if there weren't repairs to be done on higher mileage vehicles.

I am itching for two turbos myself, but I just don't have the cash for mods + maintenance. Therefore, I will now save my money and end up buying a better car in the future. So if you really want a 335i, save up and then get a vehicle.

[bimmerlover17]

thanks for all the advice and the only reason I am not aiming towards other cars is because I need a sedan for the practicality. In a coupe I would have to bring down the back seats, and open the trunk just to fit my lacrosse poles (their 6 feet long). Also the GTI is way above my price range. All the decent ones are at least 18k so thats out of the question.

[EndOfAnEra]

For your specific situation I'd say get a 330i if you like sedans or a 328i if you want a coupe. With that said I have a 328i and I do enjoy it, very reliable. I've had it for almost a year without 1 issue. 335i will cost a lot more in maintenance (maybe not so much maintenance but replacing injectors, turbos, wastegate issues, etc), but the extra power is definitely worth it. If I had more money to spend when I bought my 328i, I would have picked up a 335i.

[Nismo G]

Given your going to college and your income limitations I would stay away from BMW. If you have your parents cosign for you, you put a couple grand down, and can by from a dealership that can offer an aftermarket warranty then you might be game. Just keep the remaining money in a savings account and make payments from that money. If you are responsible enough to do that it may work.

If that doesn't seem realistic I would say get a G35 sedan or coupe. The maintenance is next to none on them as long as you change your oil. Throughout college and even my first few years after I had a (2) G35s and neither left me stranded anywhere. Good first car to mod too. I put 160k miles on my first one and 120K miles on my second. The only problem I had with my first one was rear wheel bearings.

Don't buy a used BMW with a ton of miles on it just to have a BMW.

[byebyev8]

If I were you I would look into finding a 2007 g35 sedan. Quick reliable and fun car. Another reliable option is a 2005 jaguar s-type r u could find a lower mileage one in the 12k range. Pulley intake 400$ will put you around 450hp. I put 40k hard miles on my old one without a single issue.

[VTECaddict]

Stay away from rebuilt or salvage titles. You're just asking for more trouble especially on a student budget with limited income.

The N52 engine in the 328/330 appear to be pretty reliable so far. They do have the water pump go out around 80-100k like the 335i, which can be 1000-2000 depending where you get it fixed so keep that in mind when buying. Other than that there has been no major issues with mine (knock on wood). Gas mileage with mine has been pretty terrible so keep that in mind too. I get like 16-20mpg.

As others said, the 335i with high mileage is more prone to expensive repairs, and any power mods will only exacerbate that. Nothing you can really do to the 328/330 to make any real difference in power.

Also if you need to transport lacrosse poles, folding rear seats was optional so make sure you find a car with that (or at least the ski pass through).

[GSEN820]

Stay away from 335i........The 328/330 are great cars for a first BMW.....Work on it here and there MOD $$ instead of Maintenance $$......

Both these cars can ad up when maintaining.....335i you have other issues which you wont experience on 328/330 (turbos, walnut shell blasting,etc).

I drive my e30 most of the time and leave the 335i at home....

[BavarianMWfan]

Speaking from experience a 330i will be the perfect BMW for your situation mainly due to low maintenance cost vs. the 335i. You could also go for a 328i which would be newer and you could upgrade to 3 stage intake for 330i power. Try to get a manual transmission with rear wheel drive to get the most power to the ground and make it fun to drive.

[G35brandon]

Sadly have to agree, 335i will cost you

[Mavus]

Any older bmw you get it will require maintenance and it's not cheap. You need to budget 2K/year. If you mod it it's even worse. I think you are better off getting a newer car than buying an older one that may need expensive repairs. I would consider Fiesta ST or GTI. If you really want bimmer get 328 or 330.

[Delta0311]

Ok don't take this the wrong way; $200/wk plus $1500 a semester pretty much puts you at poverty level. Make sure you calculate insurance into your payments. I'm 36 and I pay $1300 a year for my 335. You will probably be paying somewhere around there. Also don't forget to factor gas. I fill up once a week with 93, gas prices are low for now so I pay about $40-$50wk. So right there you will be down to $150wk, which these days is not a lot of money to do anything with. I know you live at home and probably got room and board all taken care of free of charge, which will save you quite a bit. Hope you don't have a gf or go out much. One dinner with my girl is between $50 and $100+. You don't have a lot of money yet and even if you diy your car, parts for a BMW are fucking expensive. Your best bet is get a low mileage Civic and have peace of mind that you have financial security. A high mileage BMW can be a walking time bomb that, based on your earnings, will ruin you financially.

[MTTH]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

Ok don't take this the wrong way; $200/wk plus $1500 a semester pretty much puts you at poverty level. Make sure you calculate insurance into your payments. I'm 36 and I pay $1300 a year for my 335. You will probably be paying somewhere around there. Also don't forget to factor gas. I fill up once a week with 93, gas prices are low for now so I pay about $40-$50wk. So right there you will be down to $150wk, which these days is not a lot of money to do anything with. I know you live at home and probably got room and board all taken care of free of charge, which will save you quite a bit. Hope you don't have a gf or go out much. One dinner with my girl is between $50 and $100+. You don't have a lot of money yet and even if you diy your car, parts for a BMW are fucking expensive. Your best bet is get a low mileage Civic and have peace of mind that you have financial security. A high mileage BMW can be a walking time bomb that, based on your earnings, will ruin you financially.

This! Even though this thread is old and I already replied lol.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by TreyTwoEight

This! Even though this thread is old and I already replied lol.

Hahahah bro I just noticed that now.

[csu87]

da fuq you guys doing resurrecting this shit.

but yeah, OP, youre too poor for a BMW at $200/week...

Or even really any car. I suggest Moped

[Taskmaster]

Civic.

[SAADTHESAV]

Originally Posted by bimmerlover17

Hey guys, so I have finally decided to buy a car after years of saving. I currently have $12000 and I am looking for one of these cars. Im in high school and I have a stable source of income since I am a tutor at a college and I am a referee for lacrosse. I could easily make $200 a week just as a referee and about $1500 a semester as a tutor. So this means that I can definitely handle the high costs of owning one of these beasts. I was wondering if it is a good idea to purchase a BMW with 80K+ miles on it since that is the lowest I could find. And I was wondering if I should shy away from rebuilt titles. Say a rebuilt title was a rebuilt because of theft would it still be possible to buy it or no. And would the price for insurance rise with it being a rebuilt title?I can also post a few listings on craigslist to show you what the typical 3 series is like in my area. I'm fairly familiar with the 335i and the most common things to go wrong with it like the water pump or the thermostat but I was wondering if the 330i or 328i have these problems since I am not familiar with them. Also, would it be a bad idea to do power modifications to a BMW with high miles? I am planning on doing exterior mods (functional ones, I am not a ricer) but I am not sure if it would be a good idea to go for power modifications. I am planning on driving the car during college as well so which one is the most reliable? Also would it be as easy to get power out the 328i and 330i as the 335i and would it be possible to ever go above 350hp in the 328 and 330? And how much are the cars around you guys? IM going to need a car since I am in dual enrollment and my classes end at 12 everyday so if I am going to be driving anything it might as well be something I love and can say is truly mine. Let me know what you guys think! BTW most of the BMW's with 80-120k miles down in South Florida are around 10-16k. No mods whatsoever. So would it be a better option to buy a somewhat newer one with a down payment on it and pay it off monthly? Of course the car would be under my parents name, but I could still drive it and give my parents the money every moth to pay for it.

I just read through this.. I'm very interested in what OP ended up getting?

So, OP what did YOU end up getting?