Best BMW daily driver for a single dude <$10k

[lendaddy]

There you have it, either 3 or 5 series. Owner is 32, single and handy. What would you recommend? Will be driven year round in Michigan.

FWIW, his '91 318is blew the motor so this is not his first BMW.

[David]

You could pick up a 99 e46 323i for about $10K.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by 125shifter
You could pick up a 99 e46 323i for about $10K.

That's actually a 2.5L right?

[widebody911]

325is - a friend of mine picked one up for $3000

I see the occasional E36 m3 for just under $10k, but that's going to be a high-mileage car.

[lendaddy]

We've been looking at the 325is's too. Seems they all have 100k+ and are about $8k.

[lendaddy]

What is the best 5 series you can get for under $10k? M cars need not apply (I get to pay his insurance)

[TerryBPP]

Go with a e34 5 series 89'-94'. They either have a m30 or a m50. Both 300k mile motor and cheaply replaceable.

One with low 100k miles can be picked up for $4k-5k.

Or for around $10k he can get a 540 with a 6spd. Fun car, less reliable.

I'm looking for a low mileage touring as we speak.

[lendaddy]

What year on the 540? That sounds like his style. He's a really tall and built guy and he looks a little weird getting out of the lil 3 series

[kqw]

A nice 528 or 530 would be my choice if driven daily in MI. Good size, fairly reliable and easy to work on. It will need All Season tires to negotiate your winters though.

The 540 has a less than stellar rep for reliability however, it is a fast sedan.

[lendaddy]

He's looking at a '97 5401 w/130k for $8500. Good deal?

[kqw]

Originally posted by lendaddy
He's looking at a '97 5401 w/130k for $8500. Good deal?

Not a bad deal however, maintenance history is important on those 540's.

Records should indicate at least 4 major services done timely, brake work, oil changes, if a 6 sp. a clutch, ensure ALL electricals are working properly, check front suspension for any wear especially the steering rack and power steering.

Good Luck..

[RANDY P]

E28 535IS or 635CSI (88 or newer) would be my vote..

Thats pretty close to the top of the list budget - wise

rjp

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by lendaddy
He's looking at a '97 5401 w/130k for $8500. Good deal?

Look down the oil filler hole for sludge.... test the cooling system well - all later BMW's eat radiators...

[David]

Our 99 323i (it is a 2.5l) has a lot of leg room. I'm 6'3" with freakishly long legs and I don't even put the seat all the way back. If your friend's pretty wide the 5 series may be better since it has a couple inches more shoulder room. I would lean more toward a 6 cylinder 5 series for reliability. The early V8's had some problems.

[kach22i]

325xi is AWD, gotta get around in the snow.

Would a 2000 be about 10k?

[kqw]

What David said......

Reliability on the 6 cyl. is high.

[wludavid]

Originally posted by kach22i
325xi is AWD, gotta get around in the snow.

Would a 2000 be about 10k?

Not even close for a decent example. The xi's didn't come out to the 2001 and the 1999/2000 model 323i's are just now flirting with 10k for decent cars.

'97-'99 528i's can be had for under 10k right now, and with the 5-speed manual tranny are a lot of fun. I have one right now that I bought last summer. Expect to replace some rubber in the suspension - the front thrust arms ands rear control arm ball joints are ready to go by about 75k miles and are really asking to be replaced at 100k. Rads should be replaced around 100k.

And yes, all the 323i cars were actually 2.5L motors. The e36 body had a weird 1-to-2 exhaust downpipe that limited power, but that was fixed with 2 pipes all the way to the manifold with the e46.

[wludavid]

Originally posted by 125shifter
Our 99 323i (it is a 2.5l) has a lot of leg room. I'm 6'3" with freakishly long legs and I don't even put the seat all the way back.

Apparently there are a lot of tall Germans. I'm 5'8" (with long legs for my height) and I have the seat in my e39 pretty much all the way forward. Granted, I'm a student of the track so I like more leverage on the wheel.

[TerryBPP]

Originally posted by lendaddy
He's looking at a '97 5401 w/130k for $8500. Good deal?

Good price but make sure he gets a full PPI. The V8 is one of the more expensive motor to replace/fix/maintain.

[arcsine]

The previously mentioned 6-series will not work. I am only 6'2" and could not fit in the car. I loved it but having to drive with my head tilted sideways or with the seat leaned back so far I drove with straight arms got old fast.