BMW as a beater

momo786 · 01-26-2012, 11:21 AM

I was looking at a 99 3 series convertible as a beater car so I don\'t put insane miles and wear on my 335 coupe. As Bimmer enthusiast I love it but maybe it\'s more practical to get an old civic. What do u guys think? Do any of You guys have experience with these older BMWs. Are they reliable?

project6 · 01-26-2012, 11:28 AM

It's a 99...it's still around. At the very least it was maintained well enough to still be driven.
But yes, it is more practical to get an old Civic.

Syndicategt · 01-26-2012, 11:34 AM

Beat your 335i

thats what I do.

Bcube · 01-26-2012, 11:34 AM

I've never prioritized practical above "fun-to-drive". As a long term high-mileage commuter, I couldn't stand to be stuck in a mundane vehicle. Of course, some practical ownership costs come into play, otherwise I would have 190K miles on a M3 or Maserati.

islandbimmer · 01-26-2012, 11:54 AM

I have a 99 e36 daily and it is a very economical yet fun to drive, manual of course, I do my own work on it as it is a fairly simple car to work on. I would tend to stay away from convertible as the tops with time become troublesome.

2kaccordocoupe · 01-26-2012, 12:01 PM

a 335 coupe is not a prized possession, why not drive it? It's not going to magically appreciate in value while sitting idle in your garage... Just saying.

Wouldn't you get more enjoyment out of it vs the e36?

ZheHbKa · 01-26-2012, 12:28 PM

i have a civic around the city, but for other reasons, pot holes in NYC are a foot deep, didnt feel like changing wheels every other week.

plus if u have to drive long distances u can save on gas

mike3000fl · 01-26-2012, 01:25 PM

the 3 series is a taxi/cop car in some countries.

ndog14 · 01-26-2012, 01:40 PM

If you want a beater car, get a Toyota 4Runner. Great for snow and hauling, and reliable as an apple falling from a tree.

idrift4wd · 01-26-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

a 335 coupe is not a prized possession, why not drive it? It's not going to magically appreciate in value while sitting idle in your garage... Just saying.

Wouldn't you get more enjoyment out of it vs the e36?

For some people its their weekend car, a car they worked their asses off, i can understand why they wouldnt want to always drive it.

IMO get a 330 E46.

or an e36 M3.

Majikthese42 · 01-26-2012, 01:56 PM

I'd think about buying a vehicle that does something that the other vehicle doesn't do well.

A pickup truck or SUV could complement a coupe better than a convertible or a sports car.

John 070 · 01-26-2012, 05:43 PM

imho that's vanity at its best. My friend has a '99 and he just spend 4k refreshing the suspension. I don't see how any BMW can be considered a beater, it costs a lot more than a normal car to replace worn parts.

UD2 · 01-26-2012, 06:27 PM

Buy a Lexus RX350 to beat around in. Its tall, comfortable, and doesn't like to break down.

For any price point, there will always be a more comfortable car to commute in than a BMW. The brand is simply not designed for you to relax in.

01-26-2012, 11:21 AM	#1
momo786 Premium, Sport, Navi, Comfort, Cold, Step, & More 2 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 335I Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (2)	BMW as a beater I was looking at a 99 3 series convertible as a beater car so I don\'t put insane miles and wear on my 335 coupe. As Bimmer enthusiast I love it but maybe it\'s more practical to get an old civic. What do u guys think? Do any of You guys have experience with these older BMWs. Are they reliable?
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01-26-2012, 11:28 AM	#2
project6 TOML Rescue 6 Rep 664 Posts Drives: Prancing Horse Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	It's a 99...it's still around. At the very least it was maintained well enough to still be driven. But yes, it is more practical to get an old Civic.
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01-26-2012, 11:34 AM	#3
Syndicategt Brigadier General 153 Rep 3,730 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (11)	Beat your 335i thats what I do. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i e90 - Sold - Rob Beck Turbos / PROcede V5 / Aquamist HFS-4 / AR Downpipes / AE Exhaust / ER Comp FMIC / ER CP / TiAL BOV / Custom Intake / RPI Scoops / Quaife LSD / Swift-Koni Coilovers / DSS HS / Morr VS8.2 Sig Black / Michelin PSS / P3 Boost Guage / M3 body / M3 steering wheel / Adam's Rotors / Hawk HPS / SS lines /
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01-26-2012, 11:34 AM	#4
Bcube Been there, wrecked that. 18 Rep 547 Posts Drives: '07 E93 335i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I've never prioritized practical above "fun-to-drive". As a long term high-mileage commuter, I couldn't stand to be stuck in a mundane vehicle. Of course, some practical ownership costs come into play, otherwise I would have 190K miles on a M3 or Maserati. __________________ -Brian ~199K miles. I -still- don't fear my 335i.
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01-26-2012, 11:54 AM	#5
islandbimmer First Lieutenant 16 Rep 346 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 SG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Victoria BC Canada iTrader: (1)	e36 I have a 99 e36 daily and it is a very economical yet fun to drive, manual of course, I do my own work on it as it is a fairly simple car to work on. I would tend to stay away from convertible as the tops with time become troublesome.
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01-26-2012, 12:01 PM	#6
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1274 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	a 335 coupe is not a prized possession, why not drive it? It's not going to magically appreciate in value while sitting idle in your garage... Just saying. Wouldn't you get more enjoyment out of it vs the e36?
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01-26-2012, 12:28 PM	#7
ZheHbKa Lieutenant Colonel 78 Rep 1,793 Posts Drives: the Wind Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335 Xi [10.00]	i have a civic around the city, but for other reasons, pot holes in NYC are a foot deep, didnt feel like changing wheels every other week. plus if u have to drive long distances u can save on gas __________________ 2014 F30 335 X-Drive \| 6-MT \| Alpine White/Coral Red \| ZMM ZDH ZDA \|
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01-26-2012, 01:25 PM	#8
mike3000fl Banned 138 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	the 3 series is a taxi/cop car in some countries.
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01-26-2012, 01:40 PM	#9
ndog14 Banned 52 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: E90 328xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	If you want a beater car, get a Toyota 4Runner. Great for snow and hauling, and reliable as an apple falling from a tree.
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01-26-2012, 01:56 PM	#11
Majikthese42 Philosopher-king 20 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: 2008 E91 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: People's Republic of New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I'd think about buying a vehicle that does something that the other vehicle doesn't do well. A pickup truck or SUV could complement a coupe better than a convertible or a sports car. __________________ E91 6MT Alpine, Terra, Xenons, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, PDC, CA, alarm, M shifter and M brake handle, Euro rear fog light switch, Euro aspheric mirrors, rear power outlets, Garmin nüvi custom cupholder mount, Lidatek, V-1 built-in remote display, tire pump, jack, floor mats.
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01-26-2012, 05:43 PM	#12
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	imho that's vanity at its best. My friend has a '99 and he just spend 4k refreshing the suspension. I don't see how any BMW can be considered a beater, it costs a lot more than a normal car to replace worn parts.
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01-26-2012, 06:27 PM	#13
UD2 Enlisted Member 4 Rep 34 Posts Drives: E90 323i & F48 X1 28i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Buy a Lexus RX350 to beat around in. Its tall, comfortable, and doesn't like to break down. For any price point, there will always be a more comfortable car to commute in than a BMW. The brand is simply not designed for you to relax in.
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