hey guys,

so tomorrow i'll probably purchase my first car here at LA. I'm going for an E46 325 (2004), White color and it has 66000 miles on it. With license and registration the guy is asking $16,000. Im going in tomorrow and if he agrees on $13000, i'll make the purchase. The car is not certified. What do you guys think? Is it a good deal if I get it at $13,000? I know its way below the blue-book price, but i'm paying cash and thats all i can afford.

Should I have the car inspected by a mechanic before i make the purchase? and should i get an extended warranty if possible? any other comments/suggestions?

any input would be greatly appreciated...thanks...

 

Absolutely - spend a few dollars for a QUALIFIED mechanic to do a complete inspection - that will give you additional leverage for price should any major service or repair need be found. And spend the few $$'s to run a carfax OR, and many used car dealers will, have them run one for you. If you have a 'relationship' with a BMW dealer run the VIN to determine what if any potential problems or recent dealer repairs have been made. You will also be able to determine some history on the car.

The price of an extended warranty on a BMW of this year and miles is usually not a good buy - dealers pack these on for extra profit.

 

oops, i posted this on the wrong thread...it was supposed to be in the 'other bmw models' thread...

 

i recommend taking half that money get in a lease that way you wont have to worry about damages remember this vehicle is out of warranty im telling you from experience with out of warranty vehicles.

 

I love the previous gen 3 coupe. Flush all the fluids as soon as you get it. And change your oil (synthetic, of course) more frequently than what they say in the manual.

 

Why dont you just buy a new honda civic for that price...You said, you are only going to keep the car for a year until you graduate....Then you're going to get a new car for graduating right? This way you dont have to worry about some expensive maintenance that may occur...Just my 2 cents....

 

^^^that option is smart too

 

+1 I know something about expensive maintenance/repairs...

 

thanks for all the input guys...

i had honestly made up my mind about buying this car...i never thought maintenance would be that big of a deal...but from what you all are saying here, it seems like it is...so i'm considering other options now..

if maintenance was not the issue, i would rather drive a used BMW than a new civic...

anyway, i spoke to my dad about the warranty issue and i have now decided to wait and not buy a car at all....i have 2 more months for my current semester to end after which i'll go back to Bangladesh for summer...when i come back for fall, dad agreed to get me a new BMW...in that way, i wouldn't have to worry about warranty/maintenance for a while...plus i get the joy of owning a brand new car...and during the summer, i can always enjoy the e60....

now that im thinking about it...not having a car for 2 months will be one less thing to worry about for the time being...although it does come at a price of not being able to get around conveniently...

once again...thanks for all the advice...u all made me change my mind...

 

Why does your sig havea 525 ?