Thanks for all the info. At the moment I'm leaning towards just that, late 80s/early 90s 325i. I've found what appear to be two clean ones with asking around $3500. That seems high, but asking is asking. The only think I really want to check is if my larger speaker cabinet will fit in the trunk. Not the end of the world, but it would be nice if it did. The 318ti might be a better fit but they are also about twice as much money.

So why aren't we discussing the E34 5-series? Those seem more appropriate for Todd's intended use. I'd be looking for a well-cared for 535i(s), if I were Bimmer shopping. But I'd actually just get a beater Taurus or something and not worry what happened to it. There's a certain liberation that comes with not caring about what you're driving - parking's easier, dings and nicks cause no stress.

Pass on the e21. 3k - that is absolutely outrageous. People can't get rid of these cars, and I'd expect ot pay 1000-1500 for a decent one. They are not fun cars, way too sluggish and old.

If you're going with an older bmw, stick with a 325i/is e30.

This is what $2500 gets you:

http://tworock.shackspace.com/myspace/rs2.jpg
http://tworock.shackspace.com/myspace/rs22.jpg

Damn, years ago I had right of first refusal on an E28 M535i for $5k. I'm still kicking myself for that one. :(

that is a beautiful 325is. I really like the e30 coupe body style best of any of the years I think. We'll see, I'm waiting to hear on a couple now. Maybe I'll ping Denis to help look them over and grind them on price ;)

Todd - is there a particular place or site where you're seeing these BMWs for sale?

What the Fk...HMMMMM let me think now.....isn't the $$$$$ against the DM at low ebb...and wasn't there a Thread recently about the decline of the $$$$...and U want to go buy a German car that has German parts in it....and buying an older car means more frequency of replacing parts, which also means down time. HA this is a good one...

Go buy a used Taurus...its American... as well... as Ford is...The upkeep is much lower and who cares just drive it till it drops.

Your a GD Fool if U buy a Bimmer...its as if U have this thing in your head about the status of driving a precison engineered German car..

I had a 90 325i automatic. It was a rocksolid car, and never gave me problems. Do not compare the E30's to older cars. If my wife did not have the accident at 170k miles that wrote the car off, we would probably still have had it.

A friend of mine still has a 89 320i auto as his daily driver. That thing must have 350k miles on it. It is no rocketship compared to the 325i, however.

Good luck finding your new ride.

LOL! :D

You can find minty 320i's for less than $2500. Keep in mind the suspension is loose. Miles of oversteer & not well balanced. E30 on the other hand is very tight, oversteers if you want too, and has about 100 more hp.

I do like the euro version of the e21 though.

A couple of suggestions here. First, ignore the comments from those that have never owned these cars (E30 BMW). Those that have owned one, perhaps two, look at their comments through squinty eyes.

An E30 is a good car. So much better than an E21, you'd be a fool to look at the earlier car. Heed the advice about the eta/4 speed car and at least drive one before you make up your mind. The 325i needs revs to perform. You will find a 325 auto to be lacking in grunt at city speeds.

Keep another thing in mind. Apart from those examples owned by enthusiasts like me, most of these cars are just transportation for their owners and are the poster children for deferred maintenance. I have spent months and huge dollars sorting out low mileage garage queens, so something with high miles that has been put away wet it's whole life should be inspected REALLY well before purchase. Caveat emptor.

The advice about the Hondas is also good. I can't stand to drive one (even though I used to be a Honda dealer) but perhaps you can overlook their appliance quality. They can be good, reliable cars if maintained properly.

Also good advice from others is the notion to buy something a little newer. Lot's of reasons that this makes sense. I wouldn't suggest a Taurus, or any American car. Who is this tabs person anyway?

I'd also consider waiting till you have more of an idea about the leg's prognosis. A manual gearbox is much better for a cheap car, if you can use it.

JR

I posted this on your other practical car post Todd. Maybe you missed it or maybe you dislike E36's.

"You can buy E36 BMW 3 series (92-98) for 5k all day long. With performance shocks/springs, they are fun cars. I have 268,000 miles on my '92 325i and it still runs/drives perfect. They have timing chains instead of belts like the "god awful to work on" Audis. I am highly impressed with the build quality of the E36 BMW's. The car burns little oil and still feels solid. I get nearly 30 mpg with mine and I intend to "daily drive" it for many more miles.

Seems like someone just came out with a book on these cars too!"

Parts for E36 cars are not super expensive anymore. There are many places on-line that you can purchase parts at fair prices (obviously Pelican offers them too). 268,000 miles on my 325i with no MAJOR problems, is proof that these are good cars.

I bought it with 140,000 miles at which time I repaired the AC and installed Bilstien shocks and sport springs. Since then, over the last 8 yrs and an additional 100+K, I replaced a wore out voltage regulator (brushes were worn out), a radiator, brake pads and rotors, a muffler, belts, spark plugs, tires, multiple oil changes and I had to clean the idle control valve once.

That is as good as any Honda could have done with similar miles and usage.

Here is a pic of it getting a DIY alignment check.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1156942226.jpg

dearest Tabby, this has zero to do with status. After all, I have no status per you. And in LA, BMWs are as common as Hondas, cockroaches, and waiters who have a headshot. It has to do with some modicum of entertainment while driving and some bit of "vibe." Sorry, a Taurus ain't gonna happen. I've driven one. I hate it. I'm not going to drive something I hate, even if it is for a short time.

Tim, I'll check out some e36 cars. I like the looks of the e30 better, but you're right about there being tons of e36s out there. They are a fair chunk more money though, but if that results in no maintenance costs during the months I have it, all the better.

Ever consider an E28??

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1156951404.jpg

Over the long haul, maybe. But short term (Todd said 12 months) I'm not sure you'd see a significant difference. Both American and Japanese would be a crap shoot. Most $3000 cars are on the market because their owners have finally decided not to invest $X to fix it. They are selling it knowing it needs $X. If it didn't need $X, they wouldn't have the need to get something different. The challenge is to find the exception.

As most of you know, including Todd, I still believe that American cars are as good (per dollar) as foreign cars.

But Hondas and Toyotas bring more dollars for the year and/or miles. In other words, you could buy a newer and/or lower mile American car for the same money.

If you're just going to flip it, it might not matter too much. If you pay $3000 and fix something for $500 then sell it for $3000, it cost you $500 to drive the car, plus a relatively small 'opportunity cost' (interest?). If you pay $8000 to buy a nicer car and fix nothing and sell it for $8000 then it was free, plus a larger opportunity cost. Just buy something you think you got a good deal on, that has a large enough market where you'll recoup your money fast when it's time.

E

I wouldn't consider an E30 earlier than an '87, the first year for the "i" engine. Previous E30 has the 2.7 liter "e" eta engine, which does get pretty good mileage, but is an anemic 120 hp. The 325i has a 170 hp 2.5 liter, same basic block as the 2.7 since they're M20 engines, but the cylinder head, intake, cam, and assorted other components are beefed up on the "i" engine. There are lots of auto tranny 325i's out there. A four door might go for right around $2000.00 in good condition.

For an automatic DD, you can't go wrong with an Eta. However, they only come in "diving board" bumper form and dont have a nice front valence as the later Is.

I thought I had found a clean one...150K miles, one family car, $2200. But somebody got there first. It is annoying...seems like almost all of the cars are independent dealers. Very hard to find a private party car for sale, especially one with some service records.

If anyone knows of one let me know. The diving board front end doesn't bother me. I assume that timing belt is one of the major things to ask about? ANy downsides to the e28? I assume probably a bit worse gas mileage...

E28 M5 version is one I'd consider. Those were some of the nicest looking full-sized sedans I've seen, next to the 6.3 Mercedes of the early 70s.

Those early M5s were pretty quick, too.

Huge financial risk in an M. No way would I consider one for a quick flip. And no automatics, so not for Todd. M's are a labor of love. Not for the faint of heart .... or wallet.

E