Help this 18 year old choose his BMW

[PE_in_the_market]

Hey guys, Ive been looking at this whole BMW thing for about a year now, and I am looking to spend all my dosh on a bimmer in the not too distant future.

Heres my situation: The budget is between 70k-90k
I am a student so fuel consumption can not be terrible
A manual gearbox would be nice.
OEM wheels ( style 5's or 32's :mmm: ) am I pushing my luck ??

Apart from that, the two cars I have in mind are the e39 (523; 525 ; 528 )or an e46 (no idea which model would suit me ) Thats why I am asking for some opinions from people who have been around for a while and have some proper BMW experience.

I am unsure about the following :

e39 540i ( to find a six speed finds difficult )
e46 330i ( opinions ?)

I do not want the following:
An e46 compact
An e36 of any form whatsoever
An e34 M5

One last question: how difficult is it to find an e46 with style 32's ? I also heard that the e39 wheels are specific to the e39 and will not fit any other bmw ? and that they came on the facelifted sportpack models ? Please could someone try help me with this wheel confusion.

Thanks guys any help would be greatly appreciated as it all comes down to your experience in the BMW world.

Thank you!

 

[freerider]

style 32'a are OEM on the e36 318 motorsport, they did not come on the e46. Style 5's you will get on a e39, but they are hellish difficult to clean.

You contradict yourself, you say that you are a student and are aware of fuel consumption, yet you looking at model derivatives that are generally not known for being fuel frugal.

Your price range allows you a lot of flexability, but I suggest you go and drive a few of the cars you are thinking about buying and take note of what the OBC says fuel consumption is sitting on, you might get a shock. My 540 used to use 16.4l/100km when I drove her like a granny, and 22-25l/100km when giving her some stick.

 

[msm]

You may find a standard E46 330i at around R90k. Just look around until you get one in good condition with full service history. It provides reasonable consumption. The E39 530i is also quite good and within your price range, but would be marginally more on maintenance.

I would suggest you park your idea of getting any decent mags, as you will struggle to find a car with the set you want. First get the car and keep it for a few months. Sort out all the little niggles - THEN start saving for mags. Just my R0.02

 

[zaleonardz]

I am with Freerider on this one, a 540/6 is not going to be murder on a student budget if you have a led foot....

Two cars for you that come to mind is the 4 cyl 318 E46, plenty of them in manual.

Then there is always a 528 E39, can be had for about half of what you want to spend almost, and that gives you the money to do some repairs.

On the E46, for a nice one, you are looking at about 80k, for a nice E39, your looking at about 50k... so its more or less a no brainer.

Not to mention the fact that the E39 is twice the car the E46 will ever be...

528 in manual, or even if you can find a 530d in manual... buy it... :thumbsup:

 

[P1000]

I'm with Leonard on this one.

 

[PE_in_the_market]

Thanks guys. I am leaning toward the e39, although an e46 318i does also sound good. Is the 5'er really more car for money than the 3 series ?

 

[P1000]

It is much more car for less money! But it is usually very difficult to find a good one with a manual transmission...

 

[moranor@axis]

"e46 318i does also sound good" :thinking:

you dont want a 4cyl e46 it uses more or less the same fuel as a 6cly and costs the same to maintain... get the biggest engine you can afford you wont be sorry just make sure you buy a well maintained one dont get a 330i that has been abused or you will be sorry...

 

[freerider]

http://easterncape.gumtree.co.za/c-...ars-R35K-2001-BMW-530d-E39-W0QQAdIdZ274749623

Date Listed 13/04/2011
Price R 69,000
Address North End, Port Elizabeth 6001, South Africa
For Sale By Owner
Make Other
Body Type Sedan
Year 2001
Kilometers 153000
Transmission Manual
Drivetrain Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Air Conditioning Yes


Silver 2001 BMW 530 diesel E39
153000 km's
Clean Condition
Sunroof
CD Player
Black Leather Interior
Powersteering and Aircon

R69 000 O.N.O
Phone Kobus 0722334823

 

[P1000]

^ that is a killer deal! It even has black interior!

 

[freerider]

I seriously considered that 530d over my 328i, but the 328i won my heart

 

[moranor@axis]

I seriously considered that 530d over my 328i, but the 328i won my heart

on paper a diesel makes so much sense but every time i hear one i just know i cant live with it

 

[Laigo]

Gee that car's close to where I stay

 

[zaleonardz]

moranor,

Fair enough... however have you felt the torque that these x30d's deliver.... I think that balances out the tracker sound...

 

[Clownshoe]

That is a good deal!! But take the badge off.

 

[Hellas]

Gee that car's close to where I stay

PE crowd is picking up momentum on the forum I see

 

[P1000]

I seriously considered that 530d over my 328i, but the 328i won my heart

on paper a diesel makes so much sense but every time i hear one i just know i cant live with it

It doesn't bother you when you are sitting inside the 5. From outside it does sound agricultural, but go and test drive one (with the windows closed)

 

[terrel]

Hi

I agree with P1000, u wont hear the diesal engine inside the car. I used to hate the sound, and after i drove one i have since bought 3 diesal cars. Plus the 30d sounds alot nicer than the 20d in my opinion. Good luck.

 

[moranor@axis]

i have driven a few and yes it is awesome, but i just cant do it i love the sound a petrol car makes and i just dont think i could live without it...

 

[SecondSkynz]

e39 e39 e39 e39........nuff said