81 320i?

[nostatic]

I found a very clean (78K miles) '81 320i. Auto trans (trans replaced recently). Looks very nice in pics. Price is towards the high end (a little under $3K asking), but if it is as advertised could be a good ride. Don't know yet if it has AC. It does have manual windows (less electrical to go wrong perhaps). Anything in particular to look out for with these?

[dd74]

Originally posted by nostatic
Anything in particular to look out for with these?

Yeah, that you don't get rear-ended by a little old woman on a scooter.

Seriously, Todd. Do you really want something like that? It doesn't matter how few miles it has; it's old, it's auto, it's slow, it's boring.

Your previous price range (as of last week) was good. You could pick up a lot of nice more modern/less problematic cars for the money you were willing to spend.

It's just my take on things, but if I were in your predicament, I'd keep looking.

[nostatic]

This fits in the "cheap slushbox that I can flip" category. Anything under $5K to my mind fits that, with the primary concern being to get one that doesn't break down big time in the next 2 or 3 months. Still contemplating assuming a lease if I find the right one.

[Jims5543]

I had a '79 320i. I replaced:

Thermostat - big $$
Fuel Pump - yeeah big $$
Radiator - yup ..
Master cylinder -
Front calipers

at this point the guy at the Euro parts sotre started giving me mechanics prices..

Brake diffuser
fuel filter - size of a coffee can and costs as much as it looked like it cost.
Altenator

The A/c never worked right and was piss poor when it did. It was definatly an afterthought.

It was slowwwww and it was a 5 speed. It had a header and cat back on it too. I also had 15" Rims.

The car looked great and drove great but $50 and $100 me to death. (nickel and dime denominations are just too small for this car)

[Jims5543]

Get a $500 Automatic Honda or Corolla for a few of months until your healed then dump it and get a manual, fun car.

[nostatic]

hmm, that's sobering. How come everybody here talks about how bombproof older bmws are?

[dd74]

Originally posted by nostatic
Anything under $5K to my mind fits that, with the primary concern being to get one that doesn't break down big time in the next 2 or 3 months.

In that case, I truly wouldn't consider the BMW. It's no 911 in reliability - BMW hadn't reached that level yet. I think it's more trouble than it's worth. Heck, may as well go with an automatic VW Golf/Rabbit. If you can drive stick, get an old GTi. A few months back, I saw a Gen I GTi - '82 - for $1500. And it was clean.

[VincentVega]

At least around here that's a lot of coin for a 320. E30's are nicer cars in most every way if you are looking at old bmws.

I picked up a e36 318 for about that money last spring, maybe check them out.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

320i for 3K?

You arent a stupid man. WAY too much. All of a whopping 85 horsepower

I know of two good ones right now for $500 in Portland

On a different note, I got over 400K out of my old one.

They have electrical problems. I had to add four different aux. grounds on it to solve them.

[kaisen]

If you're going to flip it - think demand. How many 'buyers' are going to be interested in your 320i automatic? Not many. How many 'buyers' are willing to line up for a cheap Honda or Toyota automatic? They sell on Craigslist in hours. Find one of those, then sell it again the same way. Kinda like community bicycles in China.

E

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

you wont flip an E21, btw. Aint gonna happen.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

E30 325i or is.

dont be stupid. seriously

There are lots of them out there

[krichard]

I have a '97 f150 4x4 exended cab you can have for $5k. All service is up to date and it runs good. Probably not up you alley and it's a long drive but worth a shot

[Sarc]

Originally posted by nostatic
hmm, that's sobering. How come everybody here talks about how bombproof older bmws are?

Cause they're talkin' about E30s

This one belongs to a member on the board and is for sale (I think), but he wants $$$

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I miss my E30 325is.

Sold it for twice what I paid for it

[nostatic]

OK...thanks for the info. i'm not very up to speed on the various incarnations but learning quickly. I'll pass on the older variants.

There are E30 cars around...mostly high miles but I assume if they have been well cared for it shouldn't be an issue. I found what looks to be a very clean '91 w/151K miles. Asking is $3650 which seems high given other examples, and it has been advertised for awhile. I'll see what else I can find. The other car I like, at least in principle, is the 318ti hatchback.

[Sarc]

Bear in mind these E30s have small back seats, a small trunk, and even a smaller trunk opening. The TI might work better for you in terms of practicality.....

[asphaltgambler]

Look into E30's with 6's - Stay away from the 4 cylinders, no power and poor resale. Nothing wrong with older Beemers.....................to a point. As in; no older than a E30

I've 'flipped' 23 of those things...... 22 E30's and one very nice E21 made good money on every one.

[speeder]

I've owned a couple of 320i cars back in the day, they were good cars but slow. An automatic would lose races to city busses that did not even know you were racing, as the old saying goes.

The real world, "flipping" value of the car you describe is under $1k, and that's if it's perfect. Otherwise, you would have to literally give it away. We are living in a world so clogged with used cars that late model (late '90s) cars are sometimes available for a couple thousand dollars w/ 100k+ miles. A 30 y.o. BMW that is not remotely collectible is in the hundreds, not the thousands. Hell, even mildly collectible cars are practically worthless these days as fears of $5.00 gas dampen all enthusiasm for cars in general for most people. (Does not apply to truly collectible stuff).

Look on ebay under "completed auctions" for 3-series BMWs, that is what they are really worth. Your mileage may (not) vary, it's harsh reality.

I would be happy to assist in any way, including driving you around to look at cars if you want. I'm an animal when it comes to scoring deals. Let me know.

[Jims5543]

318ti?