BMW advice

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Kind of off topic but I hate CVT's!

Mom has one in an '08 Caliber and I've never hated the way a vehicle drives more than that car.

If I can at all avoid it I have no intentions on ever buying a car with one. I'd have to LOVE everything about the car to deal with a CVT.
 
I'd pass. With a bun in the oven and your wife's Sentra paid off, take that $2000 and put it toward a minivan/transmission fund. Going back in years is admittedly a scary proposition, and if she wouldn't appreciate the better driving experience or allow you to enjoy the BMW, it's a pass in my book.
 
My BIL had 2003-2004 530 for about 2-3 years, one thing after another went belly up, he spent so much money and time to replace one thing one weekend and another 2-3 weeks later. He got tired of spending so much time(and money) he got rid of it last year.

Kid and minivan, you don't need minivan when you have less than 4-5 kids. I never have anything but car when we have 2 kids. Two car seats on the back are plentiful and 12-13 Cu-ft trunk is more than enough room for diapers.
 
For $2K, buy it, the E46 3 series is a reliable car, I have owned a bunch of BMW's over the years and as others have said, there is a wealth of information on the web to help you maintain the car, my E90 wagon which has 170K miles has not been to the dealer since the warranty expired years ago,the head work was probably due to the cooling system failing, Stewart Warner makes a water pump for this model with a metal impeller and will last for years, replace the cooling system, hoses,fluids, serpentine belt and tensioner and enjoy,
 
In addition to the above, I would also find out if the suspension has been overhauled. An E46 suspension with that many miles should have seen LCA bushings by now, and the shocks/struts are probably quite tired.
 
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
you don't need minivan when you have less than 4-5 kids.

You do if you want to be able to comfortably transport your parents and/or in-laws at the same time.
 
My best friend has a 2007 Altima and was trying to sell it due to the CVT starting to fail with 99.xxx miles on it. took it to Carmax and they informed him that Nissan extended the warranty on them to 120,000. Not sure if it's the exact same trans, but def worth a look. Replaced for free.
 
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For $2000, i'd definately buy the car you described. Should run long enough to get your money out of it, and if something major does go wrong or need to be addressed down the road, you can just drop the car off at a junkyard.
 
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
I would skip on buying that BMW.

It could turn into a money pit while the car just gets more expensive to keep on the road.



Exactly! I have BMWs with 203k miles, 171k miles, and 140k miles. How I wish I could flip them for some anodyne appliances...
 
As someone who's owned used BMWs I'd say go for it. That's a very good price and if you are able to do the routine things like brakes, oil and filter, trans fluid, plugs, wires and coolant changes yourself the cost of ownership isn't that bad unless something major breaks. My wife also thought cars were just appliances until we got her an e30. Now it's a whole different story. I've never owned an e46 but from what I've read it is considered by many to be the last of the 3 series with the traditional 'drivers car' feel/handling to it. Good luck with your decision.
 
Same story with my dad. Couldn't even fathom the idea that a car could be anything but A-to-B transportation, until he got his 128i. Now he legitimately loves driving.
 
Do you really want THAT call when your at work that the car overheated and now requires a pricey headgasket fix?

IMHO she's you wife and carrying your baby. Why would you risk anything older/needing more "servicing" than the current car?

Save yourself the headaches my friend, when that baby is born you'll have far more important headaches to deal with.

FWIW I own one newer daily (07 Focus) and one BMW (88 3 series) I've also owned older VOlvo's and other BMW's. The 3 series is the project car my fun money goes to, while the Focus never misses a beat. I can trust my GF to it and know she wont' have any breakdowns/problems to deal with when I'm not around to help her
 
Originally Posted By: Throt
Kind of off topic but I hate CVT's!

Mom has one in an '08 Caliber and I've never hated the way a vehicle drives more than that car.

If I can at all avoid it I have no intentions on ever buying a car with one. I'd have to LOVE everything about the car to deal with a CVT.


OT yes but the Caliber(and Compass/Patriot) and its application of CVT/that noisy engine is absolute garbage and you cannot judge other CVT based on this pile of dung. I think the worst I have rented besides the Nissan Versa.
 
My recommendation on an old BMW is to ask around for a great indy in BMW. If you cannot find one move on unless your are DIY. Indy's crop up since the service is exorbitant at dealership for BMW and satisfaction mixed.
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Is there a nation wide database for indy specialists?

Probably need to ask for feedback/recommendations on some regional BMW forum.

Originally Posted By: rjundi
My recommendation on an old BMW is to ask around for a great indy in BMW.

IME, a great indy that knows what they're doing will charge you similar rates to a BMW dealer.
 
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