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Smart, very smart (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 5-series (E34) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Bill B. on October 08, 2001 at 14:15:04:

In Reply to: Re: 525i for 16 year old son? posted by Myron on October 08, 2001 at 13:18:42:


A 525i would be a great ride for any teenager. As previously stated, your son would be spoiled for life.

I have taken a slightly different course with my own 16yr old son. He has been a passenger in both my '85 535i and '92 525iT on various transcontinental journeys. He has seen what a BMW can do out on the road.

While BMW's tend to be very reliable, some repairs can be beyond the earnings capability of your average 16yr old. Therefore, I have used an old '82 Volvo 240 as a learning experience for my son. He has helped in it's restoration and has paid for parts with his earnings from a local supermarket.

Some of his friends at school were given new $25K SUV's by their parents. More than one has been turned over in a ditch.

While my son really doesn't love the performance of his car, he appreciates the fact that he pays $90/month for insurance while many of his friends pay more than $200.

By the time my son reaches college, he will have many of the skills needed to maintain his own car. He then then go out and buy an E34, E36, or whatever else he can pay for.

Just my $0.02 on this topic.

Regards,

Myron S. Marcyniak
Lone Star Chapter BMWCCA
'92 525iT (supercharged)

I helped restore my first car, a 1952 Ford Mainline. Replaced factory inline 6, 3 on the tree, with a 351W V8, C4 automatic. I loved that car, and it met an untimely demise one night because I just didn't see that LeSabre coming. We rescued my second car, a '80 RX7, from the clutches of a race team about to make it an ITA racer. $900 for the car, engine, and tranny. Spent a summer restoring it, and was the envy of many dorm-mates my freshman year in college. Gosh, I miss that car. 100 hp, and it taught me so much about driving responsibly, cleanly, and safely.

I agree, don't throw too much of a car at him right off. Let him learn in something easy to maintain, something you won't mind seeing a dent or two in, and something with enough power to stay out of harm's way but not enough to get into harm's way!

Just my thoughts...

Bill B.
'95 525ia, not too far removed from that first car...


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