My first BMW - What's yours?

[4Hockey4]

We stole this 01' 330ci for our/her fun weekend car almost 2 years ago, and then last October I picked up the 16' 235i.

[Yeahanxiao]

My first BMW is 2016 X1 and I pretty enjoy it.

[Joeloy]

2012 335is Convertible was my first BMW that I ordered and I still have it.

[todhelf]

328 2000, bought it from my father with no discount given.

[JP X-Driver]

My first BMW was 2008 E90. New, black and handsome car. After that I had 2011 F25, 2016 F15 and now I drive 2021 G05. But long time ago, my first love, was 1991 Saab 9000 CD 2,3 turbo. It was the greatest car of all!

[chinniciF32]

In 2005 when I was 15 and looking at my first potential car I wanted a 2003 330ic Coupe soo bad, I just loved the way the kidney grilles looked with the blue and white badge on the front center of the hood. I knew nothing about cars back then or horsepower or anything, I saved some money and begged my parents (spoiled I know) to help me out in buying one my mom said yes but my dad didn't like buying used cars.

So instead I drove around my moms 04 explorer for a while then I bought a brand new 07 Sentra great car but i always wanted a BMW and envied all who had one. Fast forward to 2019 I pulled the trigger and bough a 435i f32 coupe and I couldn't be happier its the perfect entry level BMW sporty yet not over the top. I love the car everytime I sit down in the drivers seat I always think of how much I appreciate the car because I worked hard for it. I love all BMW's!...except the i4 lol

[br2wdc]

I really loved my 2006 330i 6MT, extremely capable all around swiss army knife type car that could do it all, in style, with decent gas mileage.

Before I finally found my E90 M3, I began to look at 2006 Z4's equipped with the same engine/6MT as my 330i because it was so much fun to drive, I realized a convertible would increase fun exponentially.

Congrats on the M2 Comp; I drove one down at a BMW event in Spartanburg, and it was completely bonkers and insanely fun.

Originally Posted by mj1jmvt

Newbie to the forum....first BMW was a 2004 325xi. It was only 3 weeks old when someone backed up into the driver side and didn't leave a note. Next was a 2006 330i 6speed with sport package. Loved that car. Newest addition is 2021 M2comp, now I know what TRUE love is!!

[br2wdc]

What a beautiful 01 330ci! What are some of the details on how you found it, how much, how often is it driven? Right now Fall in DC is the perfect time to drive it!

I considered an Z4 before I got my E90 M3, but hadn't thought about an E46 convertible. Smart move, because you avoid the issues and expense of the hardtop E90 convertibles.

Originally Posted by 4Hockey4

We stole this 01' 330ci for our/her fun weekend car almost 2 years ago, and then last October I picked up the 16' 235i.

[4Hockey4]

Originally Posted by br2wdc

What a beautiful 01 330ci! What are some of the details on how you found it, how much, how often is it driven? Right now Fall in DC is the perfect time to drive it!

I considered an Z4 before I got my E90 M3, but hadn't thought about an E46 convertible. Smart move, because you avoid the issues and expense of the hardtop E90 convertibles.

By accident, local Ford dealer had it listed as manual, of course we showed and it was auto. One owner, 47k miles, never wrecked, older guy garaged, some rock chips but not another mark on it, leather seats/interior a 9. Even front lamps were new/clear. Brand new tires.

They had just dropped to $9,999. New manager and didn't want an old car on lot/no warranty etc. So we discussed him wholesaling out. Short story, paid $6,700.

$250 for power electric cord and probably needs lower arm bushings (20 years old) but after 5K of miles, runs great. We use to run out to Blue Ridge parkway and hiking etc.

[M340i Pride]

Originally Posted by 4Hockey4

By accident, local Ford dealer had it listed as manual, of course we showed and it was auto. One owner, 47k miles, never wrecked, older guy garaged, some rock chips but not another mark on it, leather seats/interior a 9. Even front lamps were new/clear. Brand new tires.

They had just dropped to $9,999. New manager and didn't want an old car on lot/no warranty etc. So we discussed him wholesaling out. Short story, paid $6,700.

$250 for power electric cord and probably needs lower arm bushings (20 years old) but after 5K of miles, runs great. We use to run out to Blue Ridge parkway and hiking etc.

Sorry no pics, 1988 325i bought for $800.

What a great daily driver it was. felt fast, low and great handling. Even now, i would have driven it.

too bad it had a bad gasket and blew smoke in the exhaust. i would have kept it but after so many plug-a-gasket (metal powder that you pour inside of the coolant and it will freely float until it plugs the holes in the gasket.)

Had to junk it eventually, but I miss it sometimes.

[213e90n51]

at 17 years old and half a year of working at my dads place I finally got my own car. My fam use to have a e46 zhp that shuttled me to school and places. After driving my dads GL450 and C300 for a year it was time I wanted my very own vehicle. I wanted a RWD car with a motor that would sing. it had to be my daily and be super fun to go anywhere to. Also have a solid feel like the mercedes cars i was use to but needed to be a more direct feeling car for the driver. I test drove infiniti g37s and other "sports cars" but when i drove the e90 for the first time, it was a dream to drive and other cars lacked its soul. It already had an exhaust on it and M3 upper and lower control arms. I was my car to go to the beach with all 4 freinds sitting. I remember letting people drive it cuz i was to drunk and them saying how amazing the car feels and how the steering is so tough LOLOL Hydraulic steering is the BEST! I took many trips to the mountains and bike paths to bring out my road bikes as well as other bikes my friend's had. Its been 4-5 years now and the vehicle has been slightly different than when I first got it. My favorite new edition are the Apex arc 8s. Never lifted a wheel so light LOLOL.

[MaxwellM3]

Originally Posted by 213e90n51

at 17 years old and half a year of working at my dads place I finally got my own car. My fam use to have a e46 zhp that shuttled me to school and places. After driving my dads GL450 and C300 for a year it was time I wanted my very own vehicle. I wanted a RWD car with a motor that would sing. it had to be my daily and be super fun to go anywhere to. Also have a solid feel like the mercedes cars i was use to but needed to be a more direct feeling car for the driver. I test drove infiniti g37s and other "sports cars" but when i drove the e90 for the first time, it was a dream to drive and other cars lacked its soul. It already had an exhaust on it and M3 upper and lower control arms. I was my car to go to the beach with all 4 freinds sitting. I remember letting people drive it cuz i was to drunk and them saying how amazing the car feels and how the steering is so tough LOLOL Hydraulic steering is the BEST! I took many trips to the mountains and bike paths to bring out my road bikes as well as other bikes my friend's had. Its been 4-5 years now and the vehicle has been slightly different than when I first got it. My favorite new edition are the Apex arc 8s. Never lifted a wheel so light LOLOL.

the car looks more aggressive now with those rims. I see you removed the bike mount. It looks clean without it. Nice car.

[br2wdc]

Great story, and what a fantastic find! Congrats and please enjoy the current DC weather and I hope you can get out to Blue Ridge.

BTW the Washington Post has an article on Fall Drives, and mentions a good alternate route into Blue Ridge to avoid (potentially) the two hour backups:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/going...6ed_story.html

Originally Posted by 4Hockey4

By accident, local Ford dealer had it listed as manual, of course we showed and it was auto. One owner, 47k miles, never wrecked, older guy garaged, some rock chips but not another mark on it, leather seats/interior a 9. Even front lamps were new/clear. Brand new tires.

They had just dropped to $9,999. New manager and didn't want an old car on lot/no warranty etc. So we discussed him wholesaling out. Short story, paid $6,700.

$250 for power electric cord and probably needs lower arm bushings (20 years old) but after 5K of miles, runs great. We use to run out to Blue Ridge parkway and hiking etc.

[ShopVac]

Technically, my first BMW was not a BMW. Bought in 2006, I kept this for 12 years. Fun little car, wish I could have kept


But did follow it up with an E92 6MT shortly after

[f30modern]

My first BMW was a used 2012 BMW 328i modern line edition. I loved the oyster interior. I got scared of the timing chain issue and traded in my car after 98,000 miles. After a couple years in a 2019 Camry I kept going back to bmw. With Covid, I got a great deal on trade in and upgrade to a CPO 540i 2017 in Carbon Black Metallic. I love this cruiser and am in a happier place right now!

[erickonphoenix]

2004 E46 Touring was my first. I drove all over Texas in this thing and got a surprising number of compliments on it. Even in my home town of redneck Beaumont Texas, after a few obligatory soccer mom comments the good old boys conceded it was a pretty sweet.

[213e90n51]

Originally Posted by MaxwellM3

the car looks more aggressive now with those rims. I see you removed the bike mount. It looks clean without it. Nice car.

LOL the car first came with 19in rims. I swapped it out for BBS style 197s 18 inches. Finally a 17 inch rim. As i got older I got smaller rims LOL

[HereForever]

Originally Posted by snwtoy

New forum member, first post here, first BMW!

I have just bought a 2013 320i for my partner. I work in IT and am absolutely LOVING the configurability of this car. It's our first ever euro. My own car is a 2011 Mitsi Evo X, and I've got to say that the level of tech and customization ability in the BMW is far ahead of anything I was expecting, even after driving brand new jap cars. I also rented a couple o other cars to test from https://realcar.nyc/ but this one seemed the best.
The car needs maps and radio update to NZ (jap import), so I'm looking for ways to do this. Unfortunately I've just been laid up with a broken patella so getting in and out of cars is off the menu for a couple of weeks. Researching and preparing in the mean time.

I've so far got a bluetooth OBDII connector, and the bimmercode app. Looks like I might need an OBD cable as well? Any other tips for a first time owner?

320 is a great car, nothing to add to it. My father owned one like 5 years ago before he switched to 535. Can say for sure it will last you long.

[Fast.F10]

06 Indy Red E60
16 SilverStone II F10

[psuibmw]

First BMW, though 328 it was fun to drive

[4Hockey4]

Originally Posted by br2wdc

Great story, and what a fantastic find! Congrats and please enjoy the current DC weather and I hope you can get out to Blue Ridge.

BTW the Washington Post has an article on Fall Drives, and mentions a good alternate route into Blue Ridge to avoid (potentially) the two hour backups:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/going...6ed_story.html

We lived in Cville, and I spent my childhood in Shenandoah camping/hunting etc. Plenty of places not on parkway to drive and relax/hike. South of Waynesboro and west of ridge is nice area...road (664) runs parallel to parkway south, nice lake there to hike etc. (Sherando)

[rak299]

1984 733i 5-speed manual
I bought it new as a fortress to deal with a screaming baby at home, a terrible job and a worse commute over a bridge. I could roll up the windows and have my only quiet time of the day. This was before cell phones. Unfortunately, the electronics were flaky. Computers were less refined and civilized than they are now. I had warning lights of every sort coming on all the time. I only kept the car 2 years. During that time, I went through 5 cruise control modules and at least 10 extra trips to the dealer. I had 3 or 4 CEL experiences, brake sensors, bulb sensors, etc. A friend was driving a big Jaguar and his car (with all the things made by Lucas, the prince of darkness) was more reliable than mine. That started my 10-year run with Toyotas and Hondas. They were considered boring, but to me, that meant every time I turned them on they started and went where I wanted. After the electronics got more mature, I switched back.