[StickMon]

Greetings from over on Zpost.

My Son just got his learner's permit today and goes for his first road lesson tomorrow.
I promised him a BMW if he got straight A's in High School, and he's pretty much held up his end of the bargain.
And that's taking pre-calculus, chemistry, and physics, not the easy stuff, so I owe him one.

What's the expert recommendation on a high mileage E90?
Good idea? I'm pretty handy with a wrench.
Something like a 2006 325i with 100k miles.
I'd like to keep it around $10k.

Other option would be to lease a new one.

[smellthebeans]

Insurance on a lease will quickly eat up your budget vs. potential catastrophic failures on a lower milage used car.

I would recommend a low milage E39...especially a 540i

Here is a 6MT up in San Francisco.

http://cpo.bmwusa.com/used/BMW/2003-...m?geoZip=93940

There are a few under 100K for less than 10K if you are willing to travel. You also might want to consider the 128i. Much maligned like the 318ti was back in the day. But, outside an M car the 128i mated with a manual transmission is flat out fantastic.

[ThatRWD]

Get a 2004+ E46 330i instead imo, or atleast 328i if going E90. They should last 175k+ under most circumstances, many of them are well over 200k (E90 325/328s).

[StickMon]

Thanks. When I made the promise, I did actually say 328i.
That said, an E46 isn't out of the question.
My 2006 Z4M just did this, and aside from the road rash, it's mint.
I hope to get a picture when it hits 222,222 miles.

[E46driver]

IMO an LCI e46 330ci would be the best choice.

[smellthebeans]

Lucky dog! I have been looking for a M coupe.

You live in a fairly rich BMW environment so you should have several options to choose from.

I have a N52 powered 328i converted to a 330i and I love it. with a manual naturally

Originally Posted by StickMon

Thanks. When I made the promise, I did actually say 328i.
That said, an E46 isn't out of the question.
My 2006 Z4M just did this, and aside from the road rash, it's mint.
I hope to get a picture when it hits 222,222 miles.

Attachment 1118315

[335NJ]

Get a manual, that's my best advice. The N/A motors have plenty of power for a new driver, and the 6MT will eliminate (greatly reduce) two things, texting/calling while driving, and you won't have to worry about his friends driving it

[StickMon]

Yea, but then I'll have to worry about him taking my Z for a spin.
I've been surfing cars_dot_com, and if I open my wallet just a little wider there's 84 328i's within 30 miles of me.
They are just about as common as Toyotas around here.

[Indygiant]

I'm still in high school and my parents got me the exact same car the OP suggested getting for his kid. E39's can be trouble with their age and they often become money pits. The E90 325i is a practical, safe car with limited power.

[rick100]

e90 330 would be nice. or a e90 328 , plenty of power for a highschool kid ... actually it may be too much power ...

I wouldnt get an e46 since it already looks outdated, unless its a M3 but for 10k i highly doubt you could get one....

[Bob Shiftright]

Originally Posted by StickMon

What's the expert recommendation on a high mileage E90?

I'm no expert, but I'd buy a low mileage E46 328i before a high mileage E90 328i. If you plan to wrench on it yourself, the E46 is probably more wrench friendly.

[Kevin52]

My Dad bought me an e90 n52 in high school and I cherish it to this day. It's Perfect car for me and I hope to keep it for at least another 5-7 years. I recommend that you make him pay for gas so he's not tempted to floor it often- it worked wonders for me lol.

[ThatRWD]

Ask him about it, quite a few people prefer the look of the E46, and I think a 328i can be modded to a 330i fairly easily without much cost, might be wrong on the cost part.

[e90Cam]

If you stick with the "entry-level" 3 series sedan so like the 320, 325 or the 328 you should be generally fine. Every car is different but it can usually drive up to 300-400k miles.

Also I agree with another member here who said leasing the car would cost far more than buying a cheap used one.

Good Luck

[udm328i]

That 325i looks sweet

[StickMon]

Thanks for all the info.
His birthday isn't until May 3rd, so it will probably be a few months.
They've been running lease deals on 328i's for the last few years around here for $300-$350 a month, and the roads are thick with them.
As expected, many of them are now coming off lease and there's a glut of them for sale.
Just looks like I'll have to up the ante closer to $15k, then there are so many E90 328's it'll pretty much come down to "pick a color".

I'll post pics when we get it, and then follow with lot's of maintenance Q&A.

[koches]

I'm a senior in highschool with an 06 330xi (e90). We paid a little over 10 with 70k on the clock. Water pump/thermostat replaced and other normal maintenance and its an awesome car. My dad makes me pay for gas and it does make me drive conservatively.

[uberbeast21]

I would ask him which car he wants firstly but I would get him the e90 328i if he really earned it then get him something cool haha

[roundle]

I'd recommend an E46 330i.

If you go for the E90, get one that is post 2008. The early cars had some problems with cylinder head lubrication (leading to noisy valve lifters) and the other, typical early life cycle issues.

The E46, especially if it's a coupe with ZSP or ZMP, is a sportier car than the E90.

Alternatively, the 128i with a 6MT would be a fantastic first car. Having said that, an clean-ish E36 M3 might be equally as exciting (if the boy appreciates history and/or the feel of hand tools).

Enjoy spoiling your son--I look forward to doing the same in about 11 years.

Best regards,

R

[burton227]

I would say get him something you can afford to fix the body damage on. Because having just graduated high school a couple years ago, I can vouch that kids are mean as hell. He will have scratches on the roof from kids putting backpacks on it, dents on the side from doors opening on it, spit on the hood from jealous kids. And the list can go on and on. He could be the best driver in the world but other kids will find ways to still trash his car. I would say wait until he gets out of high school until you get him something he can truly enjoy.

[MoserBMW]

Currently 19 with a 2008 328i, and I could not have imagined a better car at this age. Got it with ~80k miles for $10,500. It took me a few weeks to find it, but it definitely can be done. Not too much power, and an amazing daily driver. Seems like your son has been working hard to earn it so I hope he enjoys whatever he ends up with

[StickMon]

^WHS
Thanks everybody.
His other choice was a Jeep, but I was able to talk him out of it pretty easily.
If we still lived in Chicago, yea, but a Jeep is wasted in So-Cal.
Nearly certain it'll be a 2008+ E90 328i, but a 330i will be first choice if I can find one.
He said he's up for an MT, but I remember what a hassle that was with my first car, trying to worry about laws and traffic while not stalling it in 1st.

Another factor in getting another Bimmer, aside from it'll look nice on the driveway, is although he'll be doing all the work on it, I have lots of special Bimmer tools and software.
I don't want to tool-up and learn another make of car.

P.S. He took me for my first ride with him in the Wife's Expedition tonight.
Did pretty good for his second day behind the wheel.