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Is a BMW M3 a good first car?

My teenager just got their license, and I promised to look into helping them get their first car. We came across a used BMW M3 that they liked the look of, but it’s an older car and I have my reservations. I don’t want to disappoint them, but I also don’t want to make a bad investment. Is a BMW M3 a good first car?

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Kathryn Mae Kurlychek · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The short answer for is a BMW M3 a good first car is: it depends.
The long answer is: the vehicle’s age, model, and trim level can impact how reliable an M3 is—and whether it’s worth buying for a first-time car owner.
There are several BMW M3 models out there, ranging from the early E30 and E36 to the newer E46, S54, and E90-93. Across the board, you can expect solid reliability (M3s are known to last well past 100,000). But as performance-based cars, parts also tend to come at a higher price—meaning that mistakes may be costly for first-time drivers.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the specifics. An older M3 needing extensive repairs may not be worth the investment—but newer models could be the right, dependable, everyday driver that leaves you room to grow.
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MORE: Are BMWs expensive to maintain?
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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