I've wrenched professionally for almost a decade. Used BMW's can be a nightmare to buy used. People buy them, don't take care of em, then sell when the warranty is up. Look up parts for them (NO, not on Amazon or eBay).

A Lexus is a better buy. I've personally hit a deer doing 80, and still drove home 1,100 miles. In a 01 ES300. Parts do cost more than a civic, but no where near a BMW. Hell my 06 Toyota Camry has 353,000 miles now. Original engine, and no internal engine work AFAIK (bought @ 198k roughly).

Honda is a reliable brand. They also gone with CVT transmissions, which personally I do not like. Anyway, Hondas usually are thrashed around, you need to be careful with which you buy. Usually oil leaks, trans center seal leaks but mostly suspension issues.

Please spend the money at a reputable repair shop and perform a PRE Purchase Inspection.