New daily driver options

[Dr3K0]

Hi Guys, I want to get a new car for daily use. I have 2 options as of today.

1. 95 M3 automatic $3900
2. 2001 325i automatic $5900

What you think

[Red Bread]

I think you need to learn how to drive a manual, or just buy a Civic. But given those two choices, the one that is only eleven years old sounds preferable to the one that is seventeen years old.

[3002 tii]

or maybe OP knows how to drive a manual but prefers auto for a DD. I know I do for my 70 mile daily commute...

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

or maybe OP knows how to drive a manual but prefers auto for a DD. I know I do for my 70 mile daily commute...

Could be, I DD my twelve year old M Coupe, five and half miles total, but have done as much as sixty round trip. Having driven a friends US E36 M3 with a slush box a few times, I can say I'd certainly pass on that car, the 325i just seems better suited to daily driving, and an automatic.

[ragingclue]

I thought a DD was supposed to be inherently reliable, not a 10+ year old BMW.... I think the term here is "beater"...? A used Civic or Accord or Camry would be what I would suggest for a DD, a 10+ year old BMW is what I'd suggest as a beater. Is the reliability aspect important to you?

'95 M3, if not taken care of meticulously, will be an absolute nightmare unless you're willing to shell out some decent money and/or time to get it back up to speed once you've bought it. The E46 also has its share of issues. Look into common and dire problems that manifest themselves in these cars and make sure your two candidates don't have these issues (nor the beginnings of these issues).

[kdiggz]

+1

if you are going to have 2 cars then 1 should be completely fun and impractical and the other should be completely reliable and practical. your practical car is your weekend car and your unreliable car will be your daily driver? that seems backwards

out of those choices m3 but those are bad choices imo

[GreyCoupe]

When you buy parts, the non-M option will be relatively much cheaper. Not cheap, mind you!

[Sy546]

why so much for the 2001 325i? Its a POS IMHO. My family has a 03 325i with 125k miles. SO many fuckn bullshit problems. Windows stopped working, fuses kept blowing, Windshield wiper motor stopped work; etc. Now its looking like there is front end issues.

I would take that $6k and go buy a nice accord/civic for a DD.

[Sy546]

why so much for the 2001 325i? Its a POS IMHO. My family has a 03 325i with 125k miles. SO many fuckn bullshit problems. Windows stopped working, fuses kept blowing, Windshield wiper motor stopped work; etc. Now its looking like there is front end issues.

I would take that $6k and go buy a nice accord/civic for a DD.

[Bruck]

My DD is an automatic. No harm in that. I just picked up a VW GTI - while the '11 that I picked up is out of these car's price range, I have been very happy with it. If its a DD do you really need it to be a BMW? I found that by letting go of the luxury brand and the luxury car line, I could get newer, more reliable and with a warranty for much less $$.