I would say if you are interested in doing your own maintenance and are slightly mechanically inclined this is a great car to get. If you are looking to get a car and to just drive it and have jiffy lube change the oil every now and then get a honda or toyota.
I have owned nothing but japanese cars before the my 318ti and have done most the work myself. Mostly just figuring it out on my own and with the help of the internet. I feel like the BMW has been easier to work on and parts aren't that expensive or down right cheap in some instances (brake rotors, radiator, water pump)
The build quality is much better and things go back together like the should. When working on my japanese cars it always seemed like things didn't go back together right. Things get bent or parts aren't as precisely engineered. The BMW has been joy to work on. I look at doing the maintenance as a hobby that i enjoy.
If you are looking for another hobby then these are great cars.
I dunno, just my .02 |