I am considering buying a BMW 328i 2008 as my first car...i just love the car ever since someone took me for a ride in it some years back.

Please BMW car experts in the house, kindly assist. What is the cost of maintenance like?

The ultimate driving machine!
Go for it, it's maximum fun to drive. Also Make sure you live near a very good auto-electrician, because you and your car will likely be spending many weekends at his workshop.

I've not used this model before but I learned it can be trouble. You see slot of them parked in mechanic shops.
The 335i is worse, super performance along with super problems. Even whiteys are complaining.

laivwire:
I've not used this model before but I learned it can be trouble. You see slot of them parked in mechanic shops.
The 335i is worse, super performance along with super problems. Even whiteys are complaining.

What bmw model would you suggest I go for?

dgitrader:
The ultimate driving machine!
Go for it, it's maximum fun to drive. Also Make sure you live near a very good auto-electrician, because you and your car will likely be spending many weekends at his workshop.

Is it that bad?

Cc uboma and kingreign

It's not a bad car. It's a very much driver's focused car. It's more sportier than the the rest of the competition.

It's not as luxurious and smooth as the competition. As with all new models, I'd advice you avoid the first year release models, if possible, do the post LCI where all gremlins were corrected.

The most common issue with these cars are over heating, due to its propensity to generate much heat. It's water pump are electric driven and could fail. Also, vacuum lines too could break and thus would cause hissing sounds, hesitation, mild misfires etc.
In addition, they can leak oil from various parts.

On the whole, when they're pampered, they are good.

dgitrader it cannot be bad as you made it seem even though you used "likely". I appreciate your concern to Op but I feel you exaggerated the flaw. No doubt at least we both agree that its a great ride as the car is very interactive, I for one even have an eye on the car.

Op just know beamer mechanic are NOT rampant unlike Toyota but I would advise you ask the person you rode in his beamer about the car maintenance and a good mechanic as well. I am sure king reign and Gazzuzz will say it's a great car but I am not sure if they would recommend the car as a first car for a potential car owner.

MODIFIED
Kingreign has spoken

Virginkpekus:

Is it that bad?

It's a sophisticated car, even for the U.S technicians, despite all their modern diagnostic tools. Google before you leap.
Millionaires in the US that drive BMW's mostly lease it, not buying it. Them get sense pass us for many reasons

Virginkpekus:

What bmw model would you suggest I go for?

My rule of thumb, is to go for the last 2-3 series of a particular model.

That will be the 2012-2014. Any serious issues should have been rectified by then.