Good BMW for ~$12,000?

[len56]

Any good used models for around that price? Anything reliable? What's a good mileage to stay under?
Thanks!

[Jamesons Viggen]

$12k gets a nice e36 M3 or decent e46. That would also buy a nice e39 540.

[len56]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

$12k gets a nice e36 M3 or decent e46. That would also buy a nice e39 540.

thanks for the tips!

[Florida Boy]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

$12k gets a nice e36 M3 or decent e46. That would also buy a nice e39 540.

In florida you can get a e90 325i w 115k miles for 10,900. Looks good

Edit: didnt mean to quote with this reply. E46 best bet.

[wsybert]

My 1999 E46 track car (328i) has 165,xxx miles. I flog the crap out of it at the track year after year, and it still runs like new. It burns no oil, and starts everytime after sitting for months.
Just about any model E46 from '99 to '05 will serve you well, IMO. I would go for a 2002+ 330.

[atenzany62]

e46 are now around 5k to 15k depending on mileage and year in my area. 7 series e65, and 5 series e60(545i mileage over 100k) are all within 12k range. i'm selling my z4 for 12k with 78k miles but i'm from nyc though lol...

[ansonivan]

Whichever model you choose be sure to have it checked out by a BMW specific indy shop. Also bear in mind that even though you can buy an e66 for $12k it cost $90k new and maintenance costs will be in line with that.

I would stay away from the V8 models, they are fun but they tend to have more problems than the 6 cylinder cars.

[Christopher110]

You can definitely have the best car for about like 12K to 13k you may have the e36 M3 or decent e46 with such amount of money well the prices may differ from various states to states but the difference might not be very much........ as you could ask your nearest car dealer...
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[cuiter23]

Originally Posted by len56

Any good used models for around that price? Anything reliable? What's a good mileage to stay under?
Thanks!

In the states it may be a possibility to get a pretty high mileage e90 325i around that price range.

In Canada, any e90 model would run you close to 20k for the cheapest one. You are better off with a e46 325ci with your price range.

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by ansonivan

Whichever model you choose be sure to have it checked out by a BMW specific indy shop. Also bear in mind that even though you can buy an e66 for $12k it cost $90k new and maintenance costs will be in line with that.

Listen to this guy.

The true cost of a used $12k German performance auto is not the same as a used $12k Japanese econocar.

I can't fault you for wanting to get into a BMW (I drove lesser cars for 18 years before I got mine), but it could be the wrong choice for you if you don't have the money for maintenance and repairs.

If you're taking the extra expenses into account, then best of luck and let us know what you choose! One way to defend against costly repairs is to find a car that's not terribly complex in the first place: manual transmission, minimal electronics, etc.

Did a quick search:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...29897050&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...26976843&Log=0

How's this for depreciation?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...29011438&Log=0

[DSC OFF]

How about a nice clean modded e30 and still have 4 grand left over...

[2ndname]

I love my E30 but I wouldn't recommend it as the only car that you'll be driving. It's good a project/side car.

You can get a decent E90 325i for that price.