Intend of buying used E90 05/06 model, advice please

[Rotiboy]

Hi there all, i`m actually planning of buying a new car, at the moment i`m driving around an E30. I would still keep my E30 as a weekend ride. I`ve always wanted to get an E90 but i cant afford to get a new one. Will go for 9 years loan on a used ones. How is it like maintaining a used 05/06 E90? the reason y i stated 05/06 model because those are the numbers that i could afford, 2008 models and above are bit pricey for me. I saw plenty on mudah, and my budget is around 120k, should i go for it or should i get a new easy to maintain brand new car like the mazda 3, forte 2.0, or even chev cruze. Really need your advice on this as i always love driving a beemer. But not my E30 la, cant really use it as my everyday ride. So advice please people, go for a used E90 or a brand new car with that amount of money, Cheers!

 

[initialM]

Avoid 320. but your budget is quite low. Another thing buying and maintain is 2 separate things. Being a used car must prepare to repair. Magnesium engine is much more expensive to maintain. 1 thing I can tell you E90 without active steering is hell of a car. bring the back the E39 feel. By the way I might sell my E90 if price is right but definitely not below than 135k

 

[Rotiboy]

Thanks for the advice! i saw quite a number of 05/06 E90 Models selling around that price, cheapest ive seen is 117k. If u think i should avoid the 320, i will then. 2008 models are within 135k which is pretty out of my budget. So i`m guessing i hafta forget bout gettin one then? i too have doubts that i`ll be able to maintain the car. I dunno, its hard to say really considering maintaining an E30 is not easy as well.

 

[ck318ci]

Depends on how you want to use the E90, if you mainly want a trusty 4 door junior exec to drive around, do your daily beating. The 320I is more than sufficient enough. Handles well, decent power, efficienct, relatively low cost maintainece( provided you find a good one)
If you want the oomph each time and have a motto like no replacement for displacement, you will be dissapointed as your goal was to set at high CC cars. better save up the bullet and bite it once and jump straight into the 330i circa 150k. If cant stretch that budget, Late 04 E46 are equally competent and they do drive very different from the E90, Much more raw and " BMW" like. 330i can get around 80k and 325 to 110k depneds on spec. Mind you, last batch cars always have full options.

ultimately is what you need and what you desire. no right or wrong, Like BMW vs Mercedes, just personal preference

If daily beater, a E90 320I will fit my bills nicely

I am planning to do some nip and tuck to the old girl soon....

 

[Rotiboy]

I really do thank for your advice! I did consider for the extra power feel such as the e46 330i or the 325, but the mileage scares me off abit (all mileage 130k and above) . Although i do feel tempting at times looking at all the m3 mods they have did. I too prefer the e90 320i for the more luxury look and also a newer model. I`ve been setting up many appointments in looking for a decent reasonable E90, but you`ll never know, for my age, i might end up with the e46 330/325 without caring too much about the mileage as the fierce looking looks always been sooo tempting for me. Hopefully maintenance will be alright for me as I`m a regular at M1 motor works

 

[initialM]

Those 3 new cars u mention is not cheap either yet don give me sextifaction. I rather drive an E30 or E36 which are in mint condition. It also depend on your expectation of a car. For me car beside than needs is my hobby too. Whatever it still depend on you.

 

[Daniel E30]

E46 325 white 2002 at 75k. Saw it, test drove it.. Not bad condition.....Pm me if u r interested, will give u d contact

 

[ck318ci]

There is one looking very nice by our forumer..

check out classified.

this one also worth checking out

http://www.mudah.my/Bmw+e46-12343172.htm

 

[Daniel E30]

Looks nice....somemore 4 door...convinience...

 

[Rotiboy]

http://www.mudah.my/BMW+E46+3+series+fully+converted+M3+Style-11548469.htm

http://www.mudah.my/BMW+E46+325i+Exclusive+model-11466813.htm

These two are in my list atm, need to do a real good inspection on the car. I`m not sure whether i can trust a high mileage car, but we`ll see how it goes, saw one unregistred ones as well at mudah. Such in a dilemma now whether i should go for e90 or one of these two. All i can do now is make appointments and see which will end up being mine.

 

[bmw7833]

U can check this one too.

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?43292-WTS-E46-325-M-sport-2004

 

[vengatesh]

Just curious finally what u got.. I have a e30 to.. Also thought of getting a e90.. E30 will still be kept..