[Glau]

Well the poll is pretty self explanitory. The details are my wife's car got rear-ended by a very old lady. Luckily she is fine but her car is done. She wants the replacement by Wednesday, haha.



[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]



[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]



[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Ceenit]

4 door 3 series would be my choice, but probably the more expensive of the options. My second chouce would be the Audi, only becuase of the conveniece of 4 doors.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[RPM]

I would make the call on mechanicals, records, and maintenance. The Audi, despite lower mileage, is the most expensive of the three to maintain (I wish I did not know this so well). Take a look at a slightly newer Volvo S60 T5. I got a 2002 certified used for my wife and it is a great car. They are 10-20% cheaper than a comparable A4 or 3 Series so you may get a newer car with lower mileage for the same money.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968gene]

Have someone explain putting the Audi into "Service Mode". If the major service has not been completed (60K I think) then the next one will be pricey! BTW, the Audi would be my choice based upon room, performance, and quality.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Glau]

Thanks for the input so far. She has decided to focus on the E36 or newer 3-series. And yes 4-doors is a big plus for her. She also wants an automatic.



She really likes the Audi A4 but we have been warned a number of times about repair costs and the one she like best that's available locally is black on black which is not her favorite color combo. The Audi A4 was her favorite performing car so far and she has driven a lot of cars the last few days. She isn't so excited about the looks though.



The 323i pictured is a pretty good car. It has a ton of rock chips on the nose, curb rash on one rim, very dirty oil, and brakes, tires, and belts done fairly recently at a large chain tire store.



The M3 is still a bit of a mystery. We looked the car over but couldn't test drive it because the seat are being redone. She probably will pick a car before the seats are back.This car looks much better in person than this photo suggests. This one came under her radar because she likes the metallic blue color and likes the idea of the M3 holding its value a little better than other 3-series. She doesn't really care about the performance but does like the idea of making some of our friends worry that she has a faster car <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



She has also been looking at Saabs, Volvos, and 5-series. Although she feels all are a little on the big side for her.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

we have an 02 E46 convertable, and love it - very solid car - only a couple of things that needed easy fixing at now nearly 60k



i've had an E30, and driven a few E36s - the E36 can be faster, mostly because of better hp/weight, and there is a lot of aftermarket stuff for it, but it isn't as nice of a car on the inside - the 46 has a better fit and finish, especially in leather



we did a lease at first, and then bought it from our lease - at the time we did it, we were about 6k ahead of blue book - definitely held its value - at the time we were looking at a lot of new cars, including the new 6 series prototype, but when bangle got ahold of it, and turned it into what it is now, we decided there was nothing out there that was better than what we already had, and chose to keep the 46, and plan to hang onto it for a few more years



it has been a great car

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[TheMirror]

Far better crash ratings on the e46 than the e36.



http://www.crashtest.com/bmw/



Run away from that Audi as fast as you can.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Lemming]

I loved my '95 E36 M3, so that's my pick. Don't go with a '98 Audi 2.8L, mine was nothing but trouble. Luckily the X took it with the divorce, three months later the water pump went out as well as some suspension components that she couldn't remember. She took a major beating on the trade in; speaking of cars - not husbands <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> .

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Glau]

And the winner is a 1996 BMW 328i -- It is in amazing shape, both exterior and interior are almost flawless and we got this car dirt cheap. Anyway she is going to stay in the market and watch for something she can't pass up now that she at least has wheels again. Also, we are still going to test drive the M3 when the seats are done but for now she is happy.



My only comnplaint is it is a second white car.



[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]



[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]



[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]



[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]



[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.