New here and looking BMW

[rockout]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to get a BMW that's 2-3 years old (can't afford a new one yet). I was browsing the forums and I guess I have a lot to learn, all the xi and 3x and that kind of stuff is confusing, so try not to make too much fun of me (at least not yet).

I'm thinking probably the 3 series is where I'm heading - and maybe AWD. Just looking for some general opinions on what to look for, what to stay away from, and if anyone has any experience with a circa-2002 325 or 330 (any and all models). Thanks!

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

first off welcome to the board, the 2002 are very good models and i have heard nothing but good about them, heres a little background info:
xi - 4 wheel drive
i - rear wheel drive
325 - 2.5 liter engine
330 - 3.0 liter engine
in my experience and since i have been on the board i think that both the 325xi and 330xi are very good models and you should be good on both models...hope that your purchase goes well, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask

 

[Big Daddy]

Try this link for further information

Actually the "i" indicates fuel injected, but this link can do more justice than I:

John G. Burns Home Page

And

A Little History

 

[rockout]

Thanks guys

That was indeed useful info.

One question - I've noticed that there's a ton of 2001s for sale around where I live, many more than 2002s. Is this due to the fact that there's a lot of 3-year leases? (I've never leased). If so, I guess I can wait a few months for the 3 years to expire on all the 2002 leases.

 

[codex57]

Yup, BMW is very big on leases. Particularly on 325i cars (the sedans in case you haven't gotten the hang of the naming system yet). If you can wait, just wait a few months for the flood of 2002s to come. They should already be coming in though. What's nice is the leases almost always are for very low miles (10,000 per year) so a 3 year old car isn't gonna have a lot of miles (for a SoCal resident anyways since we drive so much).