Looking for a wagon, ~3k... volvo vs bmw

[notfarnow]

So, apparently a 1990 4runner with 350k kms, a diesel swap and no air conditioning makes for a poor spouse-friendly 2nd vehicle.

I am on the hunt for a decent 4dr wagon for ~3k. Here are a couple contenders:

1997 Volvo 850 wagon, 224k kms, turbo, cloth interior, 2 sets of wheels + tires $3000


1992 BMW 525, 260k kms, leather, 2 sets of wheels + tires, $2800


The Volvo's ad includes a long list of recent maintenance & repairs:
New: Timing belts & related Parts, Brake pads, Rotors, Callipers, Front Struts, Rear Shocks, Front Wheel Bearing, Battery, Radiator, Various Front End Parts.
Oil Changed ever 5000klms with Castrol Syntec 5W50
New last week: Complete cat-back exhaust system, Another front calliper & rotor, Front Strut mount, CV boots.

Downside to the Volvo is the cloth interior. It would be a mess in no time.

The BMW is a better looking car, appeals to me much more but it is older with higher miles. Not much info in the ad other than "good condition".

Keeping in mind that this would serve as a 2nd "beater" vehicle that wouldn't be seeing a lot of use, is there anything in particular I should be looking out for with these cars? I've been searching a bit for an Accord wagon, but no luck so far.

[futuresoptions]

Between the two, I would get the Beemer... just like the looks better... Think BMW probably makes a better motor also... Might want to also look for Subaru outbacks etc in the price range...

[Dueller]

Jake...I just resurrected my old 92 BMW beater wagon. It has 220K miles on the clock and runs like a champ. I sidelined it 2 or so years ago when one of the rear hydraulic load levelin struts developed a leak. Finally sprung for the $700 single replacement strut and an $80 fuel pump and she fired right up and is purring like a kitten. Everything still works on it now (i.e., onboard computer, AC, cruise, etc etc etc.) I'd forgotten what a great ride it is. Runs smooth, no fluid/oil leaks, leather interior has held up well tho the headliner could use replaceing. For a few bucks more (say $4-5K) I've seen very very clean later model 5 wagons with 100K miles that are absolutely pristine.

I know nothing about the Vulva's.

[notfarnow]

Yeah I am leaning towards the BMW. Good looks and a leather interior go a LONG way. It's about 4 hours away... I may have it checked out for rust and anything glaring before making a run down to check it out thoroughly.

The Subarus have a couple hits against them... smaller than I'd like, and then there's the headgasket issues that seemed to plague them from ~95-2000 or so. AWD would be a big plus though

If I move up closer to 5k, I would probably start leaning towards a late 90's Volvo V70 AWD wagon.

[Dueller]

WEll one thing I do know is the BMW feels like it was machined out of a single piece of billet....very heavy/stable/ solid feel to it. I've ridden in a volvo wagon and it just didn't feel as substantiall as the BMW. Also, in 25% city/75% HIWAY, i GOT 29 MPG OR SO IN THE bmw THIS PAST WEEKEND.

[kaisen]

There's a 1999 Volvo V70 Wagon with leather and 129K miles for $3900 listed on Craigslist here in the Minneapolis area

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Go for the BMW.

I could drive this one up to you:

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/1107057107.html

[mossguy]

I'd go with the Volvo, even with the cloth.

Best,
Tom

[Rot 911]

This month's Bimmer magazine just did their annual update on the 5 series including the wagon. Magazine may still be laying on the floor in the bedroom. As I recall they had good things to say about the early 90's 5 series with the straight six. Said to stay away from the eight cylinder engines. If you want you can either try and find the magazine or I can look and see if I still have it.

[legion]

Come on.

You HAVE to get a Black Audi Wagon.

[beepbeep]

I would pick Volvo 945 wagon. Indestructible and easy to work on.

[Sarc]

I would be happy with either model (not particularly the examples you posted). The BMW would probably be my 1st choice. I've always thought the E34 to be one of the few cars that melded aethetics and mechanicals perfectly.



But there's something about Volvos that appeal to me. Maybe it's the ability to swallow a tremendous amount of cargo and go really fast doing it.



Of course I think you could find one of these in your range (would make a nice stablemate for the W210:

[TerryBPP]

The E34's auto trans suck! Unless its a manual stay away. a volvo vote from a BMW lover.

[Porsche_monkey]

Any maintenance records for the Volvo? I have the same car, same mileage, it is great. Super cheap to drive, pretty easy to fix, and totally reliable. And they do not rust.

I would be concerned about tranny maintenance (the fluid should changed every 50,000 km) and the turbo might be on it's last legs. Or it might not.

I would pick the Volvo.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

So, apparently a 1990 4runner with 350k kms, a diesel swap and no air conditioning makes for a poor spouse-friendly 2nd vehicle.

I am on the hunt for a decent 4dr wagon for ~3k. Here are a couple contenders:

........................The BMW is a better looking car, appeals to me much more but it is older with higher miles. Not much info in the ad other than "good condition".

Keeping in mind that this would serve as a 2nd "beater" vehicle that wouldn't be seeing a lot of use, is there anything in particular I should be looking out for with these cars? I've been searching a bit for an Accord wagon, but no luck so far.

Go with the BMUU. The E34 is a classic shape. There is a cult of Touring owners. Check to see if any maintenance been done on the trans if it is an auto. I love my BMUU Touring.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by ruf-porsche

Go with the BMUU. The E34 is a classic shape. There is a cult of Touring owners. Check to see if any maintenance been done on the trans if it is an auto. I love my BMUU Touring.

Glad you weigherd in, Ruf. Hey Ruf...you think 235x40 x18's would look goofy on an e34 wagon? Same overall circumference as stock 15's,

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by Dueller

Glad you weigherd in, Ruf. Hey Ruf...you think 235x40 x18's would look goofy on an e34 wagon? Same overall circumference as stock 15's,

I run 245x45x17 on M5 throwing star rims for the summer, and 225x55x15 Borbet rims for the winter snow.

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by ruf-porsche

I run 245x45x17 on M5 throwing star rims for the summer, and 15" for the winter snow.

got a pic of the 17s?

[strupgolf]

Originally Posted by Sarc

I would be happy with either model (not particularly the examples you posted). The BMW would probably be my 1st choice. I've always thought the E34 to be one of the few cars that melded aethetics and mechanicals perfectly.



But there's something about Volvos that appeal to me. Maybe it's the ability to swallow a tremendous amount of cargo and go really fast doing it.



Of course I think you could find one of these in your range (would make a nice stablemate for the W210:

What year, model, etc is that blue Volvo wagon? That's awesome.

[notfarnow]

Apparently the BMW needs a fuel tank... smells of gas when it's full. They run ~$500 and don't seem to hard to put in, but not sure if it's worth the hassle. He has no service records, but whaddaya expect for a <3k car.

The Volvo is sold, sold sold, 3rd in a row that's gone by the time I call

A Benz w124 would be a dream, but I can't seem to find one withing a 2-3hr drive. A w124 diesel would by the shizzle

A BAW?!? LOL, an Audi is just a VW with more blown fuses!

Thanks folks! I'll update as I see more cars. I saw a 93 Camry wagon for $2k but it was too damn rusty to even consider. Plus, they are some ugly