Need some advice on a used 3 or 5 series

Within the next 6 months I am looking at buying a used car. I'm considering going cheap and reliable with a 2004 Honda Civic (~14,000$), but what I really want is a BMW. My budget limit is 15,000 MAX, so I am looking at either a 98-99 5 Series or 99-01 3 series.

The only thing that concerns me is the maintenance costs for a higher mileage BMW (80,000+ miles). This car needs to last me for 5 years or more atleast, and hopefully without any major mechanical heartaches. I realize that maintenance in general is going to be more expensive on a BMW vs. a Honda, but how much and how frequently?

I nor anyone in my family has ever owned a BMW, so I don't have any firsthand experience, but I have heard horror stories of chronic repairs on BMW's, especially somewhat higher mileage BMWs.

Thanks in advance,
Chad

Reply » Need some advice on a used 3 or 5 series

There are significant costs in any high mileage vehicle. The costs are higher relative to the original cost of the vehicle simply because parts cost more.

If you are worried about costs overall, I would get the Honda.

If performance was your first priority I would get a bimmer, audi, or something else.

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Reply » Need some advice on a used 3 or 5 series

i have a 94 318is....180,000k and it drives better than any 2005 honda u can buy....absolutelt destroyed a 180 hp accord...mine has 135... When i grew up, my parents never owned anything but BMW's and every one was superbly built....YES when you do need service done it will cost you... but they are engineered to not need servicing all the time...the newer BMW's were not built as well as the older ones...my dads 02 5 series has had toruble, but only exterior stuff (front bumper coming a little loos every thime u park your car on those curb stopper things...) its a great car...well worth the money and the second you you drive one you'll know it

Reply » Need some advice on a used 3 or 5 series

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for a little more cash, get the 06 civic si, its the car of the year. If you cant be the best in a bimmer, be the best of another.

Reply » Need some advice on a used 3 or 5 series

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for a little more cash, get the 06 civic si, its the car of the year. If you cant be the best in a bimmer, be the best of another.

I agree my friend jus got the '06 civic for his mom (not the si version) but hey that thing drives like a dream and the interior on that is simply stunniG!

I am very impressed with the new civics that they have released this year...apparently here in canada you cant leather on the civic sedan but your case maybe different.....so i wud go for the civic handsdown! unless you spending $25-30K where you can settle for a BMW!

Reply » Need some advice on a used 3 or 5 series

So not many proponents of a used 3 or 5 series, eh? I guess that should lead me to believe that the maintenance costs are going to be frequent and on an astronomical scale.

I know strictly from a monetary standpoint that the Civic is the better option..........However, what I really want is a BMW, and soon I will be graduating from university and I do have a job gauranteed. My worry is that in a year I will be disappointed that I didn't buy what I really wanted the first time around, and I will lose money on trading in for what I really should have gotten in the beginning.

I guess it's the age old question of want vs. affordability

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