Too many unknowns to make much of a suggestion. If dad is paying for all the maintenance etc a bmw in theory will cost more in general. Does not matter who is paying actually on average it will cost more.

There is much to be said for Hondas and Toyotas for reducing overall costs. Still you want one with as low of overall miles as you can find for the dollar. Better on fuel consumption as well and that may or may not matter. Possibly cheaper on insurance as well.

Then again if money is no object.