[pilotkman]

Hello all. I am new to this website. This is my first post.

So, I am looking for my first car! I am going off to college in the fall. I originally thought a 335xi, but I want/need something bigger. So I am looking at a used 2008 535xi with about 80k miles on it. Would this be a good car for a college student? I like the looks of the car, it seems classier than the 3 series. I will get it checked out by my local BMW dealer before I purchase. But I am just looking for your guys' feedback on my first BMW! I am absolutely in love with the brand! I have researched for hours and hours! I'm not just buying for the name at all. I just love the cars and appreciate how they are built.

So I would greatly appreciate all feedback that you may have for me!

Thank you!

[Red Bread]

I'm 41 and still think of 5ers as old people cars. It will be at least another decade before I consider one. Get something fun for college.

[BEM-S4]

A friend had an M5 in college, traded it after 6 months for a Escalade. Honestly college car vs real world car is night and day different. You want to haul your buddies around town, do the occasional road trip, and be able to easily hose it off when someone pukes in it. Regardless of how careful you are it will get fucked up. I'd check out a 4-door Rubicon if I were you, take the top off in the summer and just beat the snot out of it. Then get a nice car when you graduate.

You are also in a weird spot in that you're not looking at something like a 911 so it's not like you'll look like a trust fund douche, but at the same time with the 5 you'll undoubtedly look like you're driving daddy's car that you borrowed for the weekend.

[Twix]

What Red Bread said. Also, used, older bimmers will cost you $2000 per year on maintenance and small repairs. Easily.

If you're looking for driving dynamics, BMW is for you. If you want a big soft car, not sure a BMW will fit that.

Get something like a 330i, N/A engines tend to be more reliable than turbo.

[pilotkman]

So in reply to Twix,

you are thinking something like this: http://www.carsoup.com/details/used/...JhZGl1cz01MA~~

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by pilotkman

So in reply to Twix,

you are thinking something like this: http://www.carsoup.com/details/used/...JhZGl1cz01MA~~" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.carsoup.c...l1cz01MA~~</a>

We had one that era, from day 1 it was in the shop ALL THE TIME. Granted we had a bad one and that's not a guarantee that something similar will happen, but you're talking a high output motor with turbos etc etc etc. Lots of expensive shit to break. If you've got the budget for it great but the last thing you want is some expensive German lawn art that you can't afford to keep running.

[fecurtis]

You drive a Focus now...why do you need something as big as a 5 Series? You'll be in college so you won't really be driving much except for the occasional trip home or on a road trip elsewhere.

[Twix]

Something like that would be better than a 5er.

[BEM-S4]

I didn't realize you already had a car. Just my $0.02 but I'd take that one to school with you and after a few months once you actually see what your driving habits are like, then make a move if you need to.

[pilotkman]

Okay. Well that's what I will probably do. The Focus is my mom's but she let's me drive it. I will just see how things work out and then look at a car. Good suggestion.

But overall then, do you think a 330xi would be a good car for me?

or would there be a particular engine combination that you would suggest?

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by pilotkman

Okay. Well that's what I will probably do. The Focus is my mom's but she let's me drive it. I will just see how things work out and then look at a car. Good suggestion.

But overall then, do you think a 330xi would be a good car for me?

or would there be a particular engine combination that you would suggest?

Well it all depends. Is there a BMW dealer near where you'll be going to school? Should anything, from simple routine maintenance, to something going wrong, if you're hours away from the nearest BMW dealer, it could prove to be more trouble than it's worth.

Otherwise, a 330xi is a good, fun car. On long road trips, occupants in the back may get uncomfortable, especially if they're tall.

I know when I drove my car when I was in college, I had my tires slashed and someone tried breaking into my car, unsuccessfully. I could tell because the keyhole was all messed up one day when I went to check on my car.

It also got a few door dings. Also once, when I was living in an apartment off campus, a bunch of drunk college kids over halloween threw a pumpkin off their balcony which in turn hit my car. Luckily I drove a beater through college and I didn't care...aside from the slashed tires. Something else to think about when driving somewhere where there'll be a lot of drunk people.

[Meeni]

I have a wife and 2 kids and carry them in a 3 series. I can't see any scenario in which a single college student would -need- a bigger car. If you like the 5, fair enough, but you should look at something smaller while you are single (think Miata), or something more practical if you are into bicycling or some sport with lots of gear (think jetta sportwagen, mazda 3 hatchback, focus hatch, hell a prius even).

[pilotkman]

Okay. Thanks everyone for your help!

[pilotkman]

Originally Posted by Twix

What Red Bread said. Also, used, older bimmers will cost you $2000 per year on maintenance and small repairs. Easily.

If you're looking for driving dynamics, BMW is for you. If you want a big soft car, not sure a BMW will fit that.

Get something like a 330i, N/A engines tend to be more reliable than turbo.

Okay, well would the same be true for a 530xi in terms or reliability?

the N/A 530xi engine would be more reliable than the 535xi?

[dtn]

Best bet is to go test drive a couple of cars and see what you like.

I drive an F30 and love it. I'm not a big-car kind of guy. Even the F30 is ALMOST too big for me. I was lucky enough to get a good deal on a F10 rental this past weekend while I was out of town and it confirmed that I am very pleased with my F30. The 5er is a great car, but doesn't fit my lifestyle. I don't think it'll bode well with the college lifestyle either. Unless you're going for image, the F10 may seem "more luxurious".

Test drive!

[DanG]

What I would get is a 128i. Small and reliable plus not too expensive. It is also fun to drive.

[cwazy1]

In my opinion, it sort of depends on the school you go to. If I went to a uni that was in the heart of the city where parking is a bitch, I'd never ever get a big car. If you plan on schooling in a place where plains and fields are everywhere, then why not.

I personally went to University of Washington, which is in the dead of Seattle. Parallel only. I didnt have a car for my first 2 years, and then brought my old 06 c280 to school for the last 3. Keeping in mind that the c280 is about the same size as a current generation 1 series. For me, this was the perfect car to drive around and easily whip around, as well as hauling people from point a to point b.

After graduating and getting a real job, I bought my current 2014 3 series. I am still worried every time I take it back to University District as the spots are always too damn small and its so fuckn ghetto in some areas.

What I'm getting at is that you have to take into account your setting, as well as your usages. What'll prove to make your life easier? You'll be spending time doing stuff (its college, live it up!!), and not just in your car.

Just my $0.02

[vladberca]

At least go for an M Sport model.