Who here owns a BMW as well?

[Wayne 962]

Broke down last week and bought a 325is coupe for the wife. Also corresponding with this purchase is the recent budget approval for 101 Projects for Your BMW 3-Series.

Now before anyone accuses me of selling out, let me start by saying I never bought in to begin with. Always been a car nut, and always wanted an early-model mustang as a kid. I do have to say that these BMW 3-Series cars are very nicely put together for what they are (driving coupes and sedans). I don't really put them in the same category as the 911 - I doubt my wife would enjoy driving the 911 too much. Besides, I would have to install curb feelers on the 911, but that's a differnt story altogether.

How many of you also own a BMW, or a 3-Series?

-Wayne

[Leland Pate]

I have a soft spot for BMW 2002s and 3.0CSs.
Preferably '72/'73ish???
I was in the BMW car club for many years... hell since I was 14!

[ChrisL]

Wayne,

What year? Years ago, I had an E30 two-door that I thought was awesome. It had the eta (low-reving, high torque) engine and a five-speed that were perfectly matched. The smoothness of that engine and transmission and the solidness of the chassis were amazing. The sport seats were also very nice. I've often thought of buying an E30 convertible (there seem to be tons from the late 80's), but so many of them are ragged out, high-mileage examples. I understand they cheapened down the interiors on the E36, but retained the smoothness of the engine and transmission.

Chris.

[Jack Olsen]

Who are you and what have you done with Wayne?

[Wayne 962]

Tom's got an E30 318, and I've got an early E36. I must say that I am impressed with the car (1993 w/ 72K on the clock). I am surprised that there are so many little things wrong with it:

- broken heater
- wipers don't return
- broken CD
- worn carpet
- leaky oil line
- leaky tranny line (low fluid)
- tach broken
- right turn signal light out
- fog lamp lenses cracked
- missing front air pan
- rattle from engine compartment

A lot of things are broken that I wouldn't have expected to be broken on a car with only 72,000 miles. It was really good for me, as these are all very easy things to fix, and are especially good for the next 101 book.

I have always thought that the E36 series was probably the best looking sports sedan and coupe around. (of course the 911 and the BMW are not in the same category).

-Wayne

[speeder]

Have owned many, currently own an old 1984 533i sedan, 5-speed, not sure but it might be faster than my SC, it SCREAMS!

[epbrown]

I've never owned one, but I've always admired them. I was very close to getting an old M5 when I bought the Rolls, in fact. About a year after I bought the SC, I was told by someone that owns a bimmer that Porsche owners and BMW owners are bitter rivals, which was quite a shock - though both companies are German, they never struck me as competing for the same markets. Reading some BMW boards and mags, I've learned that they do tend to take digs at Porsche quite a bit. Wierd.

Emanuel

[82SC]

my friend has owned the E36 M3 and the new M3 convertible

AMAZING cars...

(but I do remember the E36 having tickytack things go haywire...and the new M3 has a rear differential problem...they are on the verge of recall...he had his whole differential replaced cause is was shredding...and supposedly this is pretty common)

the E36 was awesome...such a driver's car...pedal, shifter, wheel all perfectly placed...but missing that quirky character of 911's...really really really fun car...

the new M3 is RIDICULOUS....endless power on tap...drove it when it was brand new so no chance to open her up...but as a passenger all I can say is incredible

other friend is toting around in a 2001 540 sport...6 speed...GOBS and GOBS of torque...really cool car...have opened her up on a few occasions...

Get some performance BMW parts...my friends would be VERY interested...I used Pelican to do a brake pad change for his E36...which incidentaly drew the attention of a Ferrari 275 to stop by my driveway...WOWOWOWOWOW...dad was showing his son how to drive it...lucky SOB

but 911 takes the cake for challange...utter visceral nature...and pure fun...as well as pride factor...

plus you have people from 4 year old - 50 stopping me and admiring the car...even more then a Monza red 2001 M3 convertible....

[dickster]

i think its off topic somewhat - but yes i've owned one (E30 325i convert.), sold it to buy the 911. i had it 5 years and it was the most reliable thing (even with 120k), well built car.

so no more bmw's please (i loved that car, sob, sob, sob).

LOL - but you only know true love when you've owned a 911.

so enough of the market research wayne (and answer your emails - PLEeeeaaaASEE)

richard

[steve911]

Surprised my wife two years ago for her birthday with a new 528i. Great car.

[911nut]

Wayne, I have to chuckle when I read that list of everything that was wrong with that E36, yet people are always talking about what high-quality cars they are and lining up to buy them. Yet, it seems that every time that there is a discussion about American cars here on the board people just go out of their way to slag them.

I live in the Detroit area and work in the auto industry. All of my daily drivers have been American cars. Even when the quality of American cars was not the best (1975-1985) IMO it wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. Currently I have a '96 Taurus wagon with almost 90K miles on it. Aside from wear and tear items I've had to replace the turn signal stock. That's it. A whopping $60 in six years of service. Granted, a Taurus wagon doesn't have the sex appeal of a BMW but it's a hell of a lot cheaper to buy and drive, leaving more cash for those 911 projects.

Incidentally, BMW, along with Toyota, Honda, Audi, Fiat, Daewoo, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suburau and (most disappointingly) Porsche contributed absolutely nothing to relief efforts for the victims of the September 11 attack upon our country.

[rob911]

I have to admit a sneaking admiration for a few BMW models.

The only 3 series to have are the E30 model, M3 or 325i in either coupe or cabrio. This was the last M3 to be built for racing, they used to do pretty well in the German touring cars (DTM?) series.

The E36 model - even the M3 - was regarded as much less of a driver's car here in europe. Glad to report things really improved with the latest model (apart from recalls )

All of the older generation were massively well built, which is why I have a dead '88 730i on the drive. Every time I close the bootlid or door (it is used for storage ) the car oozes quality. I should just can it and buy another (~£2000 with full history) but it is sooooo nice.

Want the ultimate BMW? Check out the E34 5 series Alpina B10 biturbo - ask anyone with the latest M5 to compare performance - then try to find one of the 407 made.

http://www.alpina.de/english/automobiles/index_e.htm

[autobonrun]

I've owned a 93 740iL for the last 6 years. Had a 735 before that and a 524 Turbo Diesel first.

I've installed the Dinan chip, upgraded the air intake and replaced the stock 2.93 differential with a 3.73 and LSD; a very quick 2 ton car.

I hope Pelican starts carrying parts for the 740's.

I just sold my '87 M3 E30 to buy the 911, it was truly something special, I do miss her but the 911 is even better .

This car was far from perfect, which made it somewhat of a Love / Hate relationship. Around Hockenhiemring she was a dream, full of feel and beautifully balanced, but the following really ticked me off :

1. Oil leak / Usage (1/2lr. very 500Km !!!!)
2. Leaking brake fluid
2. Car computer was on the blink literally
3. New bushings needed
4. Lots of stone chips
5. Lots of cracks in the interior fittings


When I have the $$ I will probably buy another.....

[rob911]

Originally posted by autobonrun
I've owned a 93 740iL for the last 6 years. Had a 735 before that and a 524 Turbo Diesel first.

I've installed the Dinan chip, upgraded the air intake and replaced the stock 2.93 differential with a 3.73 and LSD; a very quick 2 ton car.

I hope Pelican starts carrying parts for the 740's.

Autobonrun

Instead of tuning your car have you ever thought about a german import?

Alpina do their magic on the seven series also. The best news is "in general" german cars are very well maintained, especially on high end models. Even better, depreciation on these specialist cars runs at light speed. Downside is parts will be expensive - still you will be used to that eh!

Saw this one last year on a german equiv. of autotrader

http://62.153.75.210/B12/B12.htm

[Rick Lee]

I have an '87 325is and had a '70 2002. My 325 has 240k miles on her and still runs like new. I got 232k miles out of the first clutch! Someday when I get a real house with a garage, I'd like to pick up another 2002 or a 3.0CS. I was a lontime BMW enthusiast before I got my first 911 and still am -- though the P-car gets most of the TLC nowadays.

[rboylan]

I own a 1990 535i. It's got 200k miles and runs and drives superbly. Wouldn't trade it for any other reasonably priced daily dirver.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I'm still looking for an E30 that isn't clapped out. Now I'm leaning towards a '91 318is so I can have some fun with the engine (E30 6-cyl cam belts scare me). We really need a four-seater...but I keep procrastinating (having too much fun driving the elfer!).

Originally posted by 911nut
Incidentally, BMW, along with Toyota, Honda, Audi, Fiat, Daewoo, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suburau and (most disappointingly) Porsche contributed absolutely nothing to relief efforts for the victims of the September 11 attack upon our country. [/B]

Actually Toyota donated $1 million within hours of the attack. They've also donated trucks to the relief effort. You don't know this because they don't tastelessly toot their own horn about their philanthropy. When a company does that it's a business decision, not charity. I can't say the same for the American automakers.

[dickster]

in the uk german cars in general (not just bm's) are known for their build quality. thats because years ago english and jap cars were bad quality in comparison. rust problems etc.

the list of items wayne has put together could merely be a bit of neglet from the PO's.

anyway enough of bmw's already .....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ..........

richard

[rob911]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
I'm still looking for an E30 that isn't clapped out. Now I'm leaning towards a '91 318is so I can have some fun with the engine (E30 6-cyl cam belts scare me). We really need a four-seater...but I keep procrastinating

Blue

Next four seater I buy will be a 5 or 7 series - they are such good value for money, ideally an Alpina. I just cannot get over 360 Bhp and 0 -100 mph in 11 ish seconds all in a normal looking 1992 5 series. I reckon most 3 series in that age bracket are pretty sh***ed by now, good luck finding one.