81 320i?

[craigster59]

I don't know if you have heard of these guys, but it might be worth a shot if you don't mind buying from a dealer. http://www.californiabeemers.com/index3.cfm

[Todd Simpson]

E28 M5's are awesome but you'll need 10K to get a decent one and as noted no auto.

www.mye28.com has a good classifieds section. The 535is is pretty quick and with an auto not too expensive.

Edit...the site is down now for some reason...

[nostatic]

if my leg heals I'd actually consider an e28 M5 as a daily driver. I've always like the looks of them. California Beemers is actually about 6 blocks from my apt. They only have late model stuff though...

[nostatic]

hmm, anyone know anything about Subaru XT6? I found one with low miles and cheap. Kind of funky stying...

[speeder]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
True on the hp thing, but remember, hp is fun to talk about, but torque is what moves the car down the road.

The "e" engine peaks 174 lb/ft of torque at 3250 rpm and has a very flat, useable powerband.

The "i" engine peaks at 164 lb/ft at 4300 rpm and has a far peakier powerband.

With a manual trans, no doubt the "i" is the choice. A 5 speed "e" isn't much fun because it has a low redline.

But for a daily driver automatic, the "e" is certainly not a bad choice. They get great mileage, AND in automatic form are faster in normal "stoplight to stoplight" driving. You really can appreciate the high torque, low rpm powerband in normal driving. The way the "i" automatic shifts, unless you are really booting it, you are always way out of the powerband. They both have the typical BMW straight 6 turbine-smooth feel, but I think the "e" even a little moreso than the "i."

Neither is a bad choice, though. Both the "e" and "i" engines were also used in the heavier 5 series, so don't have a problem pulling the 3.

Good summary of the engines/cars, my only difference would be that I owned a mint '86 325es 5-speed, and it was an awesome car. Great in the city, great over the road, and had good "squirt" w/ the torque motor and manual trans. Fun w/ a gearbox happens because of a power/torque band, not just at high rpms.

The eta motor would unquestionably be better than the "i" in an automatic, it is just a match made in heaven. That motor is the gold standard to this day for displacement and torque in relation to gas mileage. AND it runs on regular and they don't break if maintained. Did I mention how cheap they are on the used market?

[nostatic]

they're cheap, but most appear to be very thrashed. Haven't been able to find a decent/clean one except for one or two that are asking top dollar.

Pondering the GTI w/DSG tranny again. Might be a good long-term daily driver...

[deathpunk dan]

keep in mind that the 88 'e' is the plain 325 with the 'super eta' engine with a ton more potential that the crapulent eta 2.7. The super eta will accept the entire i head/intake/throttle body with no modification for a CHEAP and FUN stroker motor. Also, though the 88 cars still have metal bumpers, plastic 89-91 bumpers bolt on with zero modification as well, unlike the earlier diving board bumper cars.

The super eta 2.7 was also found in the 1988 528e as well.

So to recap, the recipe for a cheap and super fun E30 3 series:
-1988 325...not i not is. plain 88 325 5 spd.
- any 2.5 liter M20 i engine head, throttle body, and intake manifold. You will also need an 'i' computer. I recommed using the 89+ as to get motronic 1.3. It's slightly better. Try to find an alpina or similar 2.7 stroker chip on ebay (try ebay.de as well)
for better fuel management.
- MAF conversion from an M30 engine (big six found in E24/E28/E34 cars) is a nice bonus for a few extra ponies and better throttle response.
- run a 3.73 ltd slip diff from the IS cars with a lightened flywheel.

CHEAP BEAST!

[Tim Hancock]

To each their own, but I still think the '92-'98 E36's offer a little better value as a comfortable daily driver. There are a bunch of them on the market, some of which are pretty cheap yet still in pretty good condition. The older you go, the harder it will be to find a car that has not passed thru one too many teenager's hands (which might mean many cobbed repairs etc etc).

[deathpunk dan]

Tim
FWIW I drive a 95 325is I've had for 4+ yrs. My Dad bought a 92 325i around 94 or so and just sold it. They are also fantastic cars. I'm actually in the process of attempting to reupholster the headliner from my car now.
Up next - the dreaded rear subframe and rear trailing arm bushings. Then, most likely, a clutch.

I can't complain. This car is incredibly reliable and easy to work on...I bought it with 70k and am closing in on 200k now.

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by serge944
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:

Serge944, is that boat in the background a Chrysler?

[Tim Hancock]

Dan, believe it or not, the clutch in mine at 268,000 miles is still original!
I can't fathom why it has lasted this long, as my wife and my teen daughters have put approximately 100,000 of those miles on it!

I bought the wife an Audi (PIA to work on) then decided that I just can't part with the BMW, so I am daily driving now and letting my daughters use it when they need a four seater. No *****, the thing runs and drives perfect. The only issue is a faulty brake light error message on occasion and a sunroof that rattles on rough roads.

[VaSteve]

Todd

I have a 99 Cherokeee I need to sell. Not sporty, but it does say "Sport" on the side Easy ingress/egress. Unfortunately located on the east coast.

[Owain]

I like my old e28 533i (although I'm selling it, but not 'cause I want to). The m30 engine has lots of torque; chain-driven cam, so no timing belt to replace; and a great sound. The cabin has lots of room for passengers, the trunk is big enough for anything I've wanted to put in it, and to me, the thing just looks cool

It probably doesn't get quite as good gas mileage as a 325i would, though, if that's important.

I'm asking $2800, and that's Canadian money, although I'm a little far from you

[serge944]

Originally posted by notfarnow
Serge944, is that boat in the background a Chrysler?

No idea - I'll ask my friend next time I'm over.

[nostatic]

Owain, if you were closer I'd buy it. but the shipping from Vancouver would be almost the value of the car

I found a 325i which appears to be very clean, but he's asking $3650 which is about $1K over KBB.





Gonna try and test drive a GTi DSG soon...

[Owain]

Originally posted by nostatic
Owain, if you were closer I'd buy it. but the shipping from Vancouver would be almost the value of the car

Yeah. Also, it's got a 5 speed. And the speedo is in km/h; you'd be cruising down the highway at 75 and little old ladies in Corollas would be tearing past you

[fastpat]

Originally posted by nostatic
Owain, if you were closer I'd buy it. but the shipping from Vancouver would be almost the value of the car

I found a 325i which appears to be very clean, but he's asking $3650 which is about $1K over KBB.

That's probably a '91, one of the last years. It has the bumpers that look like the euro-spec bumpers instead of the diving platform bumpers, like mine has.

[Jays72T]

Seems like a nice car but there are a bunch of e30s out there for less $$, keep looking.

FWIW, I had an '87 325is(5spd) and it was a great car and also had a e28 M5, that was an awesome car. Personally in your situation, I'd look for an e36. Newer and more comfortable and some are going cheap now. Good luck.