E36 Convertible as first car and help with rims please...

Hey guys, I'm new to this whole website so please excuse me for any thing thats wrong.

Well I'm 17 and I'm thinking of getting a BMW 325i or 328i Convertible as a first car, the year doesn't really matter and id prefer automatic but if i learn manual then i wouldn't mind either. So can you please tell me about which is better reliability etc for a first car (325i or 328i).

Also can you please tell me the name of the rims in the links inserted, Thank you in advance

http://i49.tinypic.com/v99xx.png
http://i49.tinypic.com/a43486.png_a_

get a 325

manual

and dont put rims on it. put money into it.

M50 and M52 are both good engines so 325 vs. 328 really is moot. Manual tranny is definitely preferred over the auto. Everyone should learn to drive a stick shift at some point in their life anyway, might as well start now. Aside from the usual mechanical checks you'd do on any car, with a vert you need to check that the top is fully functional, and that it's in good condition (no degradation of the seams, the rear window is relatively clear and uncracked, the headliner is in place and in good condition, etc.). DIY vert top replacement costs about$800-$1K for the parts, having it done is $2K to $3K so you want to ensure you buy a car that's got at least a few years wear left in the top.

First things first - you're 17.

Do you have a job with extra income for repairs (or parents that will pay for repairs)?

If not, do you have a decent savings? You'll want to leave at least 1500 in savings for repairs as a MINIMUM, more if you don't want to do the work yourself. Things will break, and these are not Hondas that you can just keep driving without caring for them.

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This one:

http://i49.tinypic.com/v99xx.png

is a Style 67....

and this one:

http://i49.tinypic.com/a43486.png_a_

Appears to be a CSL reproduction

I may not be a BMW vet, but I am a mechanic. A BMW is an expensive car to fix, it is a very expensive car to have fixed. Nothing is more expensive than a cheap BMW, or so I've heard... The plus side is that, when maintained well they are very reliable. +like 15 on the manual trans

Originally Posted by hiroshima

A BMW is an expensive car to fix,

I wouldn't say they're expensive to fix if you diy. Parts are pretty reasonable aside from the dealers

Originally Posted by hiroshima

it is a very expensive car to have fixed.

Generally true, although at the right shop that knows BMWs inside and out it can be reasonable

Originally Posted by hiroshima

Nothing is more expensive than a cheap BMW

Very true.



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If you can spin some wrenches on your own, E36s are very affordable cars to maintain. If you can't, then yeah, your wallet is going to take a hit every time something needs to be fixed.

I think they're a great platform for learning how to work on cars, though. But +1 to having some money in the bank to pay for basic initial repairs and maintenance. The initial year of ownership is usually pretty expensive with a BMW, since with most older BMWs, you soon discover that practically every major system in the car needs to be totally overhauled. Once you get over that hump, they're very reliable and cheap to keep on the road.