[GlobalScientist]

My nephew drove my car and now wants to buy a BMW. He test drove a 228i and wants to buy it. Seems like a good car (my first was a 328I). He was looking to spend $330 a month and has enough for a down payment. He wants manual trans. Is it worth it to get it new or get a used Audi, BMW or something else? I was thinking a used 335i. Any suggestions?

[Vectors2final]

How old is this character? Financials? Does he have credit?

A lot a variables, but $330 a month? That's lower end lease payment new, but if there's no credit, it's not even an option. Sounds like a higher mileage 335i for that payment. I dunno, maybe I'm crazy.

[karussell]

find a used 128i manual. NA I-6. last one bmw sold I think. rare. cheap. worth it! get him hooked the proper way on bimmers. 228i will depreciate quite a lot and for a young person. thats never good. second choice would be a $15k 335i sedan with manual. fun car. but more expensive to maintain. at least its depreciated $40k now and if you look hard enough can find one thats fairly decent in below $20k.

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by karussell

find a used 128i manual. NA I-6. last one bmw sold I think. rare. cheap. worth it! get him hooked the proper way on bimmers. 228i will depreciate quite a lot and for a young person. thats never good. second choice would be a $15k 335i sedan with manual. fun car. but more expensive to maintain. at least its depreciated $40k now and if you look hard enough can find one thats fairly decent in below $20k.

Agreed 100% with this assessment. Used E9Xs can be taxing in the service department in the long run. A lower mileage 128i is an awesome option as an intro car into the BMW world.

[GlobalScientist]

He's 25, has great credit - close to 800 (a bit better than I). Helps out with his Mom (single) and his younger sister and wants the car as a fun outlet. Works a lot, responsible, and hasn't really indulged in any big purchases for himself. All and all a good kid. I think he wants to buy because he'll probably drive the heck out of the car. He like the 5.3 (0-60) secs spec on the 228i. I'd probably help him out a bit on the deposit, but great point on the depreciation (Karussell). I'd have to research on how big a tech difference it is between the 128i and 228i, but good suggestion.

[karussell]

128i. 240hp no turbo's. easy to maintain it. great first bimmer. cheap on insurance (relatively) if he has speed on his mind that car is perfect. no turbo cheating torque to mask mistakes. all him. enroll him in bmw cca. get him and yourself in autocrossing with local chapter. low cost. lower risk. he will be hooked by the time he passes the first set of cones. after that nature will take its course. he has no power in his car so he gotta learn to make it quick. slow car fast is way cooler than fast car slow. then in about a year or two he will probably be in an M3 and kicking all our asses. i miss being in my 20's. takes too long to learn nowadays. anyways you sound like an awesome uncle! enjoy!

[nicknaz]

I would suggest an E90 328 6MT sport package. That was my first BMW and I really liked it! Great fun and good intro to RWD. N52 is very reliable. similar concept to the 128 suggested above

If he is going to "drive the heck out of it" how about a left over 2014 Mustang GT 5.0 with track package. That is going to be a LOT cheaper and a LOT faster and a 128 or 228 (or stock 335 for that matter)

EDIT: If I could go back in time, rather than getting a E90 328 I would have gotten a '07 Miata, installed a roll cage and MS-R package and tracked/autocrossed the heck out of it

[GlobalScientist]

Wow. Great suggestions. I guess looking at leasing versus buying and the maintenance are the next things to scrutinize over. I don't have first hand knowledge on the Mustang, but looks like a decent car from the outside...

[GlobalScientist]

He ended up ordering a 320i (Black). He said the 220i and other models were too small for him. Also, the back seat was fairly compact for passengers in the 220i.