Beater for the commute?

Averdi · 01-15-2016, 10:34 AM

What's up guys. I'm going to commute 100 miles a day to college for about 6 weeks. This is a total of 16,000 miles. I have a e92 335i with 77k miles. In this short time adding those miles will kill the value of my car. I'm thinking about spending 4-5k on a older 325/525. I know those engines are bullet proof and pretty reliable. It looks like I can get an 2000-2004 with -150,000k miles on it. My ex has an 04 325 with 200k miles and drives beautiful. Opinions ?

mojobmw_e90 · 01-15-2016, 10:36 AM

I'd stay away from Germans if u want reliability. For that amount of money I'd buy a Honda or Toyota and even if parts fail they are much cheaper and easier to replace. My daily is a 01 corolla and drives like a champ.

tgyberg · 01-15-2016, 10:37 AM

Can ya work on the car older car at all yourself?

Averdi · 01-15-2016, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojobmw_e90

I'd stay away from Germans if u want reliability. For that amount of money I'd buy a Honda or Toyota and even if parts fail they are much cheaper and easier to replace. My daily is a 01 corolla and drives like a champ.

Thanks for you're input. My buddy works at BMW so he does all the work for very cheap so I find it worth it to spend the little extra money to drive more luxurious

udm328i · 01-15-2016, 10:38 AM

I say keep driving 335i and stay on top of the maintenance, i wouldn't worry about current value, car is depreciating anyway

Averdi · 01-15-2016, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgyberg

Can ya work on the car older car at all yourself?

Some items yes, and if not my buddy works for BMW and does the work for dirt cheap. Probably pretty close to what it'd cost an Indy to do the work on a more reliable car

ycehcky · 01-15-2016, 10:40 AM

What Mojo said --> corolla
You will be able to sell it at the same price or higher than the price you get one for.

Averdi · 01-15-2016, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by udm328i

I say keep driving 335i and stay on top of the maintenance, what year is it?

It's an 08. It's not the maintenance I'm worried about its the miles. With these 335s the value gets crushed with the miles

mojobmw_e90 · 01-15-2016, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ycehcky

What Mojo said --> corolla
You will be able to sell it at the same price or higher than the price you get one for.

But it's not luxury tho.😁

Our n54 engines are beasts as well, but it's the other stuff around it that fails.

NOITALL · 01-15-2016, 10:49 AM

Depreciation of the new car
+
maintenance of the new car
+
Insurance of the new car
= more than "added depreciation" of your current car.

Plus, even if the math was wrong and you happened to save maybe a few hundred dollars in the period, were those few bucks enough to make you happier than you would've been driving the car you love to drive and not a car that you hate?

Cheers

Wingnut335 · 01-15-2016, 10:52 AM

I had a 325i and that car was pretty much bulletproof. I wouldn't hesitate to go that route if you can pick up a reliable one for cheap. I'm in agreement with OP that mileage really kills the resale value of these cars. Plus, with an older 325i, you can pretty much sell it for how much you bought it for when you are done with it.

lichtgelb · 01-15-2016, 10:59 AM

Your looking at an older E46 with 150Kish miles to be reliable for 16,000 miles? There are unicorns out there but most E46's in that price range are going to need a lot of work with their cooling system at the very least. I had a 2000 323Ci. It was a beautiful 15 year old BMW but it needed constant attention to keep it on the road. I only drove it local and on short road trips.

fazman · 01-15-2016, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Averdi

What's up guys. I'm going to commute 100 miles a day to college for about 6 weeks. This is a total of 16,000 miles. I have a e92 335i with 77k miles. In this short time adding those miles will kill the value of my car. I'm thinking about spending 4-5k on a older 325/525. I know those engines are bullet proof and pretty reliable. It looks like I can get an 2000-2004 with -150,000k miles on it. My ex has an 04 325 with 200k miles and drives beautiful. Opinions ?

If you really want to rack up miles on a beater... buy an actual great gas mileage beater (Like a CPO civic or the like). keep your cost of ownership low, because you honestly shouldn't care about the car if its a beater. What about a used prius (I hear they have auto accelerate)?

tuco44 · 01-15-2016, 11:09 AM

As has already been said, keep the one you have and drive it. It's going to depreciate anyway, and the extra mileage, if well maintained, won't matter that much. I have gone the beater route in the past to "save" on the one I want to keep, but would not bother with a beater again. It's false economy IMO, and you end up driving something you don't like as well as your regular car.
If you must get a beater, get a Toyota or some such, not another BMW.

fazman · 01-15-2016, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco44

As has already been said, keep the one you have and drive it. It's going to depreciate anyway, and the extra mileage, if well maintained, won't matter that much. I have gone the beater route in the past to "save" on the one I want to keep, but would not bother with a beater again. It's false economy IMO, and you end up driving something you don't like as well as your regular car.

But if you only have one car and it needs work or is out of commission for whatever reason... now you have a problem. The beater approach gives you the flexibility to drive both cars and focus on the beater for most of the daily driving (cost savings). It's always nice to have a "nice/project/show car" and then the daily dependable beater ride.

Averdi · 01-15-2016, 11:19 AM

I appreciate all of the responses. Maybe I'll just drive my car too the wheels fall off. I really love this car but I can't see myself driving a Toyota or Honda 100 miles a day just because I'm so used to my beautiful 335

MuffinMan910 · 01-15-2016, 11:42 AM

+ 1 to everyone that posted something about just driving the 335. Personally I rather enjoy the drive than drive something I rather not be in since I'd have other options

335commuter · 01-15-2016, 11:42 AM

I bought my 335 to commute in (90 miles each way). Fact of the matter is that 16k miles on your car will make minimal difference in value. Certainly less than the cost of a new car, taxes, registration, insurance and the hit you will take when you sell it.

tgyberg · 01-15-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Averdi

I appreciate all of the responses. Maybe I'll just drive my car too the wheels fall off. I really love this car but I can't see myself driving a Toyota or Honda 100 miles a day just because I'm so used to my beautiful 335

Probably best. Then get another one!

MadeInPhilly · 01-15-2016, 11:52 AM

2008 335i with 77k miles. Current value is prob $12-$13k max for that car stock in good condition. Once it hits 100k it will be valued closer $10k. It's a Pre-Lci E92 that is 8 yrs old.

I say drive it and keep on top of maintenance. Once you get a beater you end up spending more time in the beater and paying insurance for the 335i you barely drive.

Some Asian Guy · 01-15-2016, 12:10 PM

I guess my abacus must be broken, but how does 100 miles a day for 6 weeks come out to 16k miles?

Averdi · 01-15-2016, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Some Asian Guy

I guess my abacus must be broken, but how does 100 miles a day for 6 weeks come out to 16k miles?

100x7x4x6= 16800?

01-15-2016, 10:34 AM	#1
Averdi Colonel 160 Rep 2,016 Posts Drives: 2010 335i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Beater for the commute? What's up guys. I'm going to commute 100 miles a day to college for about 6 weeks. This is a total of 16,000 miles. I have a e92 335i with 77k miles. In this short time adding those miles will kill the value of my car. I'm thinking about spending 4-5k on a older 325/525. I know those engines are bullet proof and pretty reliable. It looks like I can get an 2000-2004 with -150,000k miles on it. My ex has an 04 325 with 200k miles and drives beautiful. Opinions ? __________________ Instagram~~"alexverdii"~~~
	Appreciate 1 Tweet Quote

01-15-2016, 10:36 AM	#2
mojobmw_e90 Major 380 Rep 1,497 Posts Drives: 2014 E63S Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (3)	I'd stay away from Germans if u want reliability. For that amount of money I'd buy a Honda or Toyota and even if parts fail they are much cheaper and easier to replace. My daily is a 01 corolla and drives like a champ.
	Appreciate 2 Quote

01-15-2016, 10:37 AM	#3
tgyberg Second Lieutenant 88 Rep 261 Posts Drives: E90 328 6MT / E36 M3 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0)	Can ya work on the car older car at all yourself? __________________ Save the manuals!
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01-15-2016, 10:38 AM	#5
udm328i Lieutenant 57 Rep 503 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Westchester🇺🇸 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW 328i [9.00]	I say keep driving 335i and stay on top of the maintenance, i wouldn't worry about current value, car is depreciating anyway __________________ ZSP/ZPP/BMW PE&PI/ BMW CF STRUT BRACE/ EIBACH PRO SYSTEM / H&R WHEEL SPACERS
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01-15-2016, 10:40 AM	#7
ycehcky Private 13 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Sport Package Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia iTrader: (0)	What Mojo said --> corolla You will be able to sell it at the same price or higher than the price you get one for.
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01-15-2016, 10:49 AM	#10
NOITALL Banned 158 Rep 687 Posts Drives: 4 wheels Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Interwebs iTrader: (0)	Depreciation of the new car + maintenance of the new car + Insurance of the new car = more than "added depreciation" of your current car. Plus, even if the math was wrong and you happened to save maybe a few hundred dollars in the period, were those few bucks enough to make you happier than you would've been driving the car you love to drive and not a car that you hate? Cheers
	Appreciate 1 Quote

01-15-2016, 10:52 AM	#11
Wingnut335 Lieutenant 71 Rep 477 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335XI Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I had a 325i and that car was pretty much bulletproof. I wouldn't hesitate to go that route if you can pick up a reliable one for cheap. I'm in agreement with OP that mileage really kills the resale value of these cars. Plus, with an older 325i, you can pretty much sell it for how much you bought it for when you are done with it.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

01-15-2016, 10:59 AM	#12
lichtgelb Lieutenant 107 Rep 485 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 335i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Flyover Country iTrader: (0)	Your looking at an older E46 with 150Kish miles to be reliable for 16,000 miles? There are unicorns out there but most E46's in that price range are going to need a lot of work with their cooling system at the very least. I had a 2000 323Ci. It was a beautiful 15 year old BMW but it needed constant attention to keep it on the road. I only drove it local and on short road trips.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

01-15-2016, 11:09 AM	#14
tuco44 Colonel 645 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	As has already been said, keep the one you have and drive it. It's going to depreciate anyway, and the extra mileage, if well maintained, won't matter that much. I have gone the beater route in the past to "save" on the one I want to keep, but would not bother with a beater again. It's false economy IMO, and you end up driving something you don't like as well as your regular car. If you must get a beater, get a Toyota or some such, not another BMW. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
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01-15-2016, 11:19 AM	#16
Averdi Colonel 160 Rep 2,016 Posts Drives: 2010 335i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	I appreciate all of the responses. Maybe I'll just drive my car too the wheels fall off. I really love this car but I can't see myself driving a Toyota or Honda 100 miles a day just because I'm so used to my beautiful 335 __________________ Instagram~~"alexverdii"~~~
	Appreciate 1 Quote

01-15-2016, 11:42 AM	#17
MuffinMan910 Lieutenant 135 Rep 524 Posts Drives: 2013 f30 335i xDrive mSport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	+ 1 to everyone that posted something about just driving the 335. Personally I rather enjoy the drive than drive something I rather not be in since I'd have other options
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01-15-2016, 11:42 AM	#18
335commuter Private 50 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: May 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I bought my 335 to commute in (90 miles each way). Fact of the matter is that 16k miles on your car will make minimal difference in value. Certainly less than the cost of a new car, taxes, registration, insurance and the hit you will take when you sell it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-15-2016, 11:52 AM	#20
MadeInPhilly First Lieutenant 43 Rep 301 Posts Drives: E30 318is, E90 335i, 03 GTI Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	2008 335i with 77k miles. Current value is prob $12-$13k max for that car stock in good condition. Once it hits 100k it will be valued closer $10k. It's a Pre-Lci E92 that is 8 yrs old. I say drive it and keep on top of maintenance. Once you get a beater you end up spending more time in the beater and paying insurance for the 335i you barely drive.
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01-15-2016, 12:10 PM	#21
Some Asian Guy Second Lieutenant 71 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: DFW, TX iTrader: (0)	I guess my abacus must be broken, but how does 100 miles a day for 6 weeks come out to 16k miles?
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