Recommended E34 for student.

[liquidtiger720]

Seriously...maintnence is a big factor.

Better save your pennies.

I know I am. (fellow college e34 owner).

[ThoreauHD]

I would not have been able to afford this car in college. Even though the upfront price is fairly low, you are buying essentially a kit. You have to put it together and maintain it. That's where the money comes in.

If you are just worried about gas, you really shouldn't buy this car. Buy a Hyundai or ricecar and run it into the ground. Nobody cares about those cars when they die and you won't either.

Being a student means that you need dependable, and this age of a car means that it "needs" maintenance. It's dependable after the maintenance is done- but not before. So, that's the threshold.

If you can grab a car from one of the people on this forum, you have a real shot to have the best of both worlds. If you buy some cracked pile of **** from some lady that has yet to discover using the gas and brake pedal seperately- then you are screwed. You have to then look at asian crumple boxes. Not very safe, but very dependable.

Happy July 4 Americans!

[wingman]

I have to agree with the maintenance issue. These cars need regular servicing and if something breaks your Austudy wont even cover the labour charge (just ask Mattyb how much his tranny is costing to be rebuilt!!!). You are right in thinking that the E34 is a great car but I wouldn't consider one until you've got your degree and can throw the money they need at them OR study to be a BMW tech and get a job selling BMW spares. I don't mean to dishearten you but it's a reality. Feel free to PM me if you are interested in servicing and parts prices in OZ.