[mlmorar]

Hello,

I am currently 17 years old and my parents have decided for me to get a car. I am wondering if a BMW 3 Series would be a good choice. I will pay for the insurance so it's not that big of a deal. In terms of overall looks, maintenance, reliability will a BMW be a good first car. Right now I am considering a 2009-2011 E90 with low kms. Here are some links for cars similar to what I am looking for to see if they are good buys. Any answer helps.

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Se...&orup=22_75_24

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Se...&orup=18_75_24

[NA Fanatic]

If being the recipient of a late model BMW as a first car is no big deal, I guess I've expected too little from life!

A 323i should be predictable in most conditions, safe, and pretty good on gas while still being nice to drive and attractive. Seems like a good candidate to me.

[m42stanle]

Originally Posted by mlmorar

Hello,

I am currently 17 years old and my parents have decided for me to get a car. I am wondering if a BMW 3 Series would be a good choice. I will pay for the insurance so it's not that big of a deal. In terms of overall looks, maintenance, reliability will a BMW be a good first car. Right now I am considering a 2009-2011 E90 with low kms. Here are some links for cars similar to what I am looking for to see if they are good buys. Any answer helps.

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Se...&orup=22_75_24

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Se...&orup=18_75_24

As a current 323i owner since new, I have found N52B25 engine is pretty solid but you will still need to set aside an above average amount of $$ for maint/repairs compared to other cars out there. It's not as sexy but if you are also trying to save for school a Honda Accord/Civic or Toyota Camry/Corolla is hands down going to be a better choice for a first car.

If you do decide to go ahead with 323i, keep in mind they are all RWD for those years so you need to budget for a set of winter wheels/tires (and a couple of changes of underwear if this is your first time driving a RWD car in SW ON winters) but properly equipped and with experienced driver you will be fine.

Also if you can drive standard the 6MT is the better choice vs auto especially for that car. I have driven both and it is night and day in terms of performance.

[bimmette]

I would tell a 17-year-old to get a Honda as a first car.

[335iAP]

Nothing wrong with the car itself, but even trying as hard as I could not to, I managed to dent/bump/otherwise go through teenage growing pains in my first car (a mustang). Maybe better to get something a little easier to fix/maintain while you're starting out, or at least something you won't be as sad about if anything happens. My BMW was my second car and I'm glad I was able to take better care of it after driving for a few years.

[dspence44]

Seeing that you are from Canada, and this is your first car, you might want to either opt out of jumping straight into a BMW or at least look for an ***Xi car so that you can have the all wheel drive in the winter. Learning to drive a new RWD car in a Canadian Winter could be atrocious for a new driver. I am not assuming you are a poor driver, but that is just my $0.02. If you go for a RWD BMW, you will definitely have to take M42stanle's advice and invest in some good winter tires to keep you straight on the roads. Good luck in your decision!

[BSM n54iS]

Isn't this the only criteria op needs to go by?

[Mrbmw17]

Originally Posted by mlmorar

Hello,

I am currently 17 years old and my parents have decided for me to get a car. I am wondering if a BMW 3 Series would be a good choice. I will pay for the insurance so it's not that big of a deal. In terms of overall looks, maintenance, reliability will a BMW be a good first car. Right now I am considering a 2009-2011 E90 with low kms. Here are some links for cars similar to what I am looking for to see if they are good buys. Any answer helps.

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Se...&orup=22_75_24

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Se...&orup=18_75_24

First car BMW owner here. I absolutely love my 328i. I've owned the car for about a year, yet only minor things have costed me $. I have replaced air filters, bulbs and oil all myself with the help of the DIY section. If you want a BMW, you better be ready to pay for it and take care of her IMO.

[Sly-Creed]

Originally Posted by Mrbmw17

First car BMW owner here. I absolutely love my 328i. I've owned the car for about a year, yet only minor things have costed me $. I have replaced air filters, bulbs and oil all myself with the help of the DIY section. If you want a BMW, you better be ready to pay for it and take care of her IMO.

It actually depends a lot on the car you get OP. Mrbmw has had a good run with his car. I got a 335i 10 months ago, and I ended up spending around $6000 on repairs, and still did my own DIY for some of the other things like some of the oil leaks. If you are looking for a 335i, I'm sorry but I highly recommend you do not get one. All you will be doing is bringing added stress to your otherwise, stress free years. Which leaves you to the BMW 328 or BMW 323. I am 21, and even now, speed matters to me more than anything. I don't track my car, so it's not worth it to me to get a 323 or 328 just because they are the ultimate driving machine. I would rather pick up a 2010-2013 Accord Coupe, G37, G35, Hyundai Genesis.. etc. more speed, more reliability. There's no reason to get a BMW at that age unless you really care about the performance/handling, or the brand. But in my opinion, none of that is worth the amount of money wasted from maintenance or the stress that comes due to the high maintenance. Once you are making your own good money, then it will be a better time to get a BMW.
So to summarize it, even though the 335i was the best car I've driven, and always put a smile to my face, it wasn't worth the repair bills and added stress.

[Black widow]

Originally Posted by mlmorar

Hello,

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Se...&orup=22_75_24

http://wwwb.autotrader.ca/a/BMW/3+Se...&orup=18_75_24

Might just get these one

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/c...ationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/c...ationFlag=true

Get a 328i... no point to buy a 323i

[OuttaTheWoods]

Originally Posted by Black widow

Might just get these one

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/c...ationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/c...ationFlag=true

Get a 328i... no point to buy a 323i

I don't think the first car has ZSP? The ad says he does though :S

[shuaige]

335 or bust. Or get a Toyota/Honda.

[Efthreeoh]

If you are already an accomplished home mechanic and have a good set of tools, and know a lot about the mechanical properties of how cars work, and have a decent amount of money to buy parts, then sure.

Otherwise... NO.

[Black widow]

Originally Posted by OuttaTheWoods

I don't think the first car has ZSP? The ad says he does though :S

What's ZSP

[Nitrousbird]

Originally Posted by mlmorar

In terms of overall
1 looks,
2. maintenance
3. reliability
will a BMW be a good first car. .

1. Subjective. I like E92's better. The lower end E90's look especially bland to me.
2. Unless you DIY, not a good pick. Can cost a fortune
3. See #2. These aren't know for being the most reliable cars. Don't think low mileage (or km's) will save you - it won't. There were complaints when these cars were new.

[Matte90330]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

If you are already an accomplished home mechanic and have a good set of tools, and know a lot about the mechanical properties of how cars work, and have a decent amount of money to buy parts, then sure.

Otherwise... NO.

+1 If you DIY the car is cheap to own. It's also funny the comments you get for being young and having a nice car. It's all about perceived value lol

[OuttaTheWoods]

Originally Posted by Black widow

What's ZSP

Sports Package

[Jyadz]

Yes a bmw is a great first car! I think I can speak the best because I'm 17 and I have an e90 325 6 speed as my first car for about 9 months now and it's been great. Also my friend has a 335 coupe as his first car and he loves it they are great cars.

They're are great looking cars and and really stand out in the crowd of high school cars.

I terms of reliability and maintince my car had been fairly reliable however not amazing. Now I'm my case that's okay because I have the full backing of my parents and if something breaks I know that their the ones that are going to pay for it so it works out for me. However if your going to be the one paying for it if something breaks I wouldn't do it, it its very expensive when they do break or even normal maintince is expensive. Their are other fun cars out their that are much Cheap however if you do have the backing of your parents then 100% go for it. such fun cars and theirs nothing like riping up a back road with your friends on a Friday night.

Also I don't know much about a 323 we don't have those in America I don't think however I could be wrong. But Those seem to only have 200hp so if I were you I would go for a older car say and 2007 328xi and get the the extra power trust me you'll want it. Also definitely try to get a car with a sports package the ones with out them really kinda suck if you ask me to me a sports package is a must!!

And back on the note of reliably my other Freind has a 2007 328xi 6-speed with 204,000 miles on it and he takes that car to redline almost every day and has had almost no problems with it so yes they can be very reliable but like I said before if you don't have the backing of you parents to pay for maintenance and repairs don't do it but if you do I would definitely go for it!!

Hope that helps!!

[Black widow]

Originally Posted by OuttaTheWoods

I don't think the first car has ZSP? The ad says he does though :S

None of these E90 have sport package, people just like to say it has "Sport Package" to make it sounds cool, but really it's just a base model.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by bimmette

I would tell a 17-year-old to get a Honda as a first car.

My 17 year olds (yes, plural) are looking at BMW first-cars. But honestly, the only reason this makes sense is because they are my sons, and I've owned/maintained BMW's all my life. If you are not familiar with BMW's, or otherwise don't know anything about wrenching cars, then listen to Tara - run...run away and don't look back.

[OuttaTheWoods]

Originally Posted by Black widow

None of these E90 have sport package, people just like to say it has "Sport Package" to make it sounds cool, but really it's just a base model.

I've noticed that too.. a LOT of people do that for some reason

[Black widow]

Originally Posted by OuttaTheWoods

I've noticed that too.. a LOT of people do that for some reason

yea so their 130km 328i/323i can go from $15k to $17k ... basically a scam