Beater bimmer recommendation ?

[Deschodt]

I returned my lease and I need a commute beater. Parameters: Automatic (mega trafic jams), 4 seater (but 2 doors is OK), not too boring for when there is less traffic but nothing too fancy needed feature or power wise. RWD. Have other cars in case it needs repairs, just trying to avoid *constant* repairs.

My initial thought was an E39 - had one before (528i), comfiest car I ever owned, good looking, pretty reliable -at least mine was. Those are $3000-7000 in decent shape for an end of run 530i. The problem there is the mileage is getting spectacularly high. Hardly any car under 120K mi, lots in the 200K range !

Other thought is a cheap E90 coupe (just because they are way prettier than 4 doors), 328 form meaning no turboissues to deal with. Those are 8-10K. A little more $, but less miles - 50-70K in general. I know those less, and read a recent thread here about $$$$ labor to replace weepy gaskets or the plastic cooling system failing at 70K mi... Is it really that bad at 50K miles ? I'm good w/ adding oil instead.

Between the 2, opinions? Try as I might I'm not super excited by a (supposedly more reliable) Japanese beater. I also left out E46s because I've had one before and unless it's M, it's kinda blah. (E39 was at least vastly more comfortable and bigger, the E90 more modern but zero experience there)... Go ahead, shoot me down or reinstate the E46 ;-) What would you do for a beater, 40 mi a day, street parking, pothole warrior...

[freeform911]

Not a bmw...but how bout a lexus IS 300, 350..
fun, fast and reliable..

[Deschodt]

A friend mentioned those too. I’m gonna have to investigate. Thanks !

[John2244]

I have a 2011 BMW 328 convertible hard top, just turned 41,000 miles. I am thinking of selling just to reduce the number of cars in my family. I haven't checked pricing but probably $16,000 or so.
John
San Clememte

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sorry but any cheap BMW is going to need a lot of TLC. Why the fixation on that one option? What’s your price range?

[Moses]

I have a 2003 e36 BMW 325 coupe. Handles beautifully. Needs a headlight. I’ll be selling it soon.

[RedBaron]

BMWs get bashed on this forum a lot. I guess there is a reason for that, many people lease these cars and then thrash them. I would spend a little extra and buy an E36/39/46/60/90 from a BMWCCA member (you can look at the classifieds for free). Chances are you will be buying a car from an enthusiast who took care of the car and did preventative maintenance. Best of luck in the search.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by RedBaron

BMWs get bashed on this forum a lot. I guess there is a reason for that, many people lease these cars and then thrash them. I would spend a little extra and buy an E36/39/46/60/90 from a BMWCCA member (you can look at the classifieds for free). Chances are you will be buying a car from an enthusiast who took care of the car and did preventative maintenance. Best of luck in the search.

I went through three such cars before giving up. IMHO BMWs have more problems associated with crappy build quality than any other car that I have owned. I love how they drive and still flirt with the idea of buying another, but always talk myself out of it.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

I returned my lease and I need a commute beater. Parameters: Automatic (mega trafic jams), 4 seater (but 2 doors is OK), not too boring for when there is less traffic but nothing too fancy needed feature or power wise. RWD. Have other cars in case it needs repairs, just trying to avoid *constant* repairs.

My initial thought was an E39 - had one before (528i), comfiest car I ever owned, good looking, pretty reliable -at least mine was. Those are $3000-7000 in decent shape for an end of run 530i. The problem there is the mileage is getting spectacularly high. Hardly any car under 120K mi, lots in the 200K range !

Other thought is a cheap E90 coupe (just because they are way prettier than 4 doors), 328 form meaning no turboissues to deal with. Those are 8-10K. A little more $, but less miles - 50-70K in general. I know those less, and read a recent thread here about $$$$ labor to replace weepy gaskets or the plastic cooling system failing at 70K mi... Is it really that bad at 50K miles ? I'm good w/ adding oil instead.

Between the 2, opinions? Try as I might I'm not super excited by a (supposedly more reliable) Japanese beater. I also left out E46s because I've had one before and unless it's M, it's kinda blah. (E39 was at least vastly more comfortable and bigger, the E90 more modern but zero experience there)... Go ahead, shoot me down or reinstate the E46 ;-) What would you do for a beater, 40 mi a day, street parking, pothole warrior...

Budget? How far do you commute?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Other thought is a cheap E90 coupe..........

General observation. Most BMW discussions only mention the three digit identifier as to what the car is.

Why can't peeps just say the year and the model? Not you, Deschodt, it's pervasive, and I'm just having an off topic mini rant.

I don't know an E36 from an E90 but I have repaired far too many of these pigs and they suck it.

However, I would own a BMW because they are snappy, but never and Audi or VW again.

Done.

[freeform911]

Originally Posted by Moses

I have a 2003 e36 BMW 325 coupe. Handles beautifully. Needs a headlight. I’ll be selling it soon.

I have a 93 325 that i built for track duty. With that being said the OP wants an automatic, e36 autos are horrible..very sluggish..
E36 is a great car, parts are inexpensive and readily available..


To the OP,
Definitely check out the lexus, you won'tbe disappointed..my wife drives a 2015 350, its a rocket. Before that she drove a 2006 350 is, never a single problem with over 80k when we sold it.

[908/930]

How about a E28 535I, quite reliable and easy to fix.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by 908/930

How about a E28 535I, quite reliable and easy to fix.

See what I mean? What year or range of years is the farking car?

How hard is that?

Too hard, I guess.

[chapo]

Had an e46 , 2001 5 speed 328. Amp me of the best cars I’ve ever owned and was stupid to sell it. Close to 30 mpg highway, bought it as a commuter with over 100 k on it for $2000, put over another 100k on it with just a clutch, brakes, and radiator. Parts are cheap and it’s super easy to work on them. The typical bmw coolant replacement is water pump, hoses, and radiator at the same time. Easy to do and cheap. Fast, got two tickets in it lol. Sold it for 4 k to the first guy who looked at it, no haggling. Ask me about my 740il and it was a great car until $$$$

[freeform911]

Why the fixation on BMW's?
There are cars built better and more reliable then most modern BMW's.

Infinite g35 or g37.
Want something a little more roomy try a m35/45.

I drove an infinite m35 for over 130k problem free. Very sporty feel for a big luxury car. Plenty of power with 300hp.

Just saying look at other then bmw, you mite be impressed.

[chapo]

Had a Lexus gs300, great car, over 260k on it, put a radiator and a heater core in it. No problems, just boring.

[908/930]

E28's 535i are from 1985 to 1988.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by freeform911

Why the fixation on BMW's?
There are cars built better and more reliable then most modern BMW's.

Infinite g35 or g37.
Want something a little more roomy try a m35/45.

I drove an infinite m35 for over 130k problem free. Very sporty feel for a big luxury car. Plenty of power with 300hp.

Just saying look at other then bmw, you mite be impressed.

The Japanese definitely have come up w some stiff competition for BMW in recent times but I have a hard time w a lot of their styling and lack of soul. I know, I'm a car geek. Isn't that what this sub-forum is broken off from? A hard-core German car enthusiast's board?

I always wonder when I read threads where people are fawning over the latest Mazda or Infinity. Are they great cars? Of course. Do I want one? Hell, no.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by chapo

Had a Lexus gs300, great car, over 260k on it, put a radiator and a heater core in it. No problems, just boring.

My feeling exactly. Awesome appliances. I'll drive a BMW or Porsche and fix the thing once in a while.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

The Japanese definitely have come up w some stiff competition for BMW in recent times but I have a hard time w a lot of their styling and lack of soul. I know, I'm a car geek. Isn't that what this sub-forum is broken off from? A hard-core German car enthusiast's board?

I always wonder when I read threads where people are fawning over the latest Mazda or Infinity. Are they great cars? Of course. Do I want one? Hell, no.

Own a few BMWs. When the door panel vinyl starts peeling off due only to age on your babied enthusiast owned car, when the interior plastic panels crack due only to heat cycling, when the suspension self destructs before 100k, etc etc etc, you’ll get it. Cars age, I get it, but they are an entirely different level of cheap and shoddy build quality. Besides I frankly get equal enjoyment from my boring Japanese car that has not broken in one single way in close to a year of my ownership. Given a chance you might find that the Japanese stuff is pretty damn good, while also being more reliable.