e90 and e30 BMWs

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by speeder

Nice car. But still, with a $7k budget I can have my choice of amazing E30s every day of the year. They sold many a boat load of them.

Where?

[Don Plumley]

This is worth a conversation. My kid's first car was a mildly beat up e30. We started doing the maintenance on it together. The other weekend he changed the timing chain on his second e30.

That being said, it's a bit small, does not have second generation safety systems, and if we didn't live up here in the sticks, I would have not had this as a first car.

My daughter had an e36 as her first car, that's a small step up in safety and comfort. I'm going to be selling this car.

My Son also bought an e46 that he's been really taking care of, it was owned by another Pelican (euro delivery). He's going to be selling this car.

IMHO, I think the first car, especially in LA, text-addled traffic, should not be a manual. Get a couple of years under his belt to where every drive is not a new experience, then get the manual.

Finally, let's get him into Street Survival or the equivalent.

[VincentVega]

I've had a few e36's and liked each one. Sure, the interiors dont hold up but overall they've been reliable and cheap to run. I sold the one with over 240k and the last with ~180k so they do hold up. I'd be interested in another if it was clean and the $$ worked. It doesnt make sense to me to dump a ton into such a car, just keep the brakes in good shape and tend to big stuff.

I've thought about moving up to an e46 for the next one, they seem to be a pretty good deal for little $$. As long as you dont wreck it most parts are reasonable.

[RANDY P]

My ex's 93 had failed clearcoat and door panels by 40K miles- Compared to my previous e30 the build quality is a joke. They are like a snap together model. The general consensus on the interior fix is to use get this- windshield caulk and clamp the interior pieces together overnight.

I would still own one given the prices they are today, I like the body style, and the interior is just an annoyance, fixable.

[nostatic]

Agree on most all accounts - hence the e90 talk as that is "safer" and easy to find in auto. But might not be worth the headaches.

Also, Calvin isn't going to wrench anything but a game engine.

This is worth a conversation. My kid's first car was a mildly beat up e30. We started doing the maintenance on it together. The other weekend he changed the timing chain on his second e30. <br>
<br>
That being said, it's a bit small, does not have second generation safety systems, and if we didn't live up here in the sticks, I would have not had this as a first car. <br>
<br>
My daughter had an e36 as her first car, that's a small step up in safety and comfort. I'm going to be selling this car. <br>
<br>
My Son also bought an e46 that he's been really taking care of, it was owned by another Pelican (euro delivery). He's going to be selling this car.<br>
<br>
IMHO, I think the first car, especially in LA, text-addled traffic, should not be a manual. Get a couple of years under his belt to where every drive is not a new experience, then get the manual. <br>
<br>
Finally, let's get him into Street Survival or the equivalent.

[speeder]

<!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->
<div class="pre-quote">
Quote de <strong>speeder</strong>
</div>

<div class="post-quote">
<div style="font-style:italic">Nice car. But still, with a $7k budget I can have my choice of amazing E30s every day of the year. They sold many a boat load of them.</div>
</div>
<!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->Where?

eBay and Craigslist + autotrader. ebay has a ton of them from junk to high dollar, everyday of the week.

If you're one of those people who will not use eBay, I can't help you. Give your $$ to the local west side car flippers who prey on people who can't shop them.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by speeder

eBay and Craigslist + autotrader. ebay has a ton of them from junk to high dollar, everyday of the week.

If you're one of those people who will not use eBay, I can't help you. Give your $$ to the local west side car flippers who prey on people who can't shop them.

When was the last time you looked? Clean ones are few and far between. There are two reasonable e30s on CL in SoCal - one is $8500, the other is $12K.

ebay (within 500 miles of LA): BMW 3-Series | eBay

I'm not seeing a ton of good choices...

[VincentVega]

Just doesnt make sense to me. You'll get an excellent e36 m3 or clean e46 for that $$. At this point you really need to love an e30 to spend that $$. Civic/Accord/Mazda3... lots of safe, reliable options for less money.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Also, Calvin isn't going to wrench anything but a game engine.

Then I wouldn't consider any BMW short of a new one with a full warranty. SOMEBODY is going to be working on it. If not the son then it's either you, the dealer at $150+/hr, or an independent for $100+/hr. There's a reason why the Japanese sell lots of cars.

[nostatic]

Yeah, that is the logical approach. Just "exploring the space with the cowbell" at this point. I still think a Honda for the boy with a slush box is the way to go. Then I should lease a Scion FR-S to flog at the track. Or find a cheap Boxster - I'm sure that wouldn't cost me much in the long run

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have a nice 1997 Boxster for $8750. Lightest year for the Boxster, total base model. Just begging for the track.

Don't forget about Mazda. They tend to be cheaper than a Toyota or Honda, equally well built, and much more fun to drive. I would take a Mazda3 or Mazda6 over any comparable model from Honda or Toyota. I have a SIL with a 2005 3 with 150k, another SIL with a 6 that has 80k, another SIL with a 3 that has 40k. All flawless and wearing well, despite teen drivers. The next teen SIL is car shopping, guess what she's buying? We currently have a 2013 Mazda5 for our family truckster, and have previously owned an MPV, Protege5, and RX8. All great cars.

[speeder]

I looked at eBay since you started this thread, yesterday(?). Within 500 miles of here is the worst place possible to look for clean old German cars. North of SF bay it starts to get a lot better but of course there are exceptions to everything.

I bought the clean '79 MB 300SD I'm sitting in right now from Napa on CL, sight unseen w/ no PPI, pay palled the $$ while I was on the phone with her and found a shipper on uship. All based on a few crappy photos. I knew exactly what I was looking at and I scored. Every time I park it, someone comments and tells me the story of the one they had back in the day. Incredibly rich people admire it to no end. Long distance CL score.

[Rick Lee]

Give him your GS. There's no chance he'll touch a cell phone while on it and it will make him the most aware driver ever when he gets behind the wheel of a car. He can't take friends with him either. Great mileage. easy oil changes, free parking everywhere, lane splitting. What could go wrong?

[porsche4life]

He hits a coyote?