For $5,488 USD, Get a 325is

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
10/12/2013 at 12:00 • Filed to: NPOCP, BMW, Bimmer, BMW 3 series, BMW 325is, Used car

Today's NPOCP BMW is sitting on a dealer's lot, but will the price make you not care?

Let's face it. People love BMW. They love the way they drive. They love the image. Car and Driver has given the 3 series a 10 Best Award over 20 years in a row. In fact, the only flaw is that the majority of them drive like asshats. But, for $5,488, will the 1993 325is change your feelings towards the company?

The hunt for the first car is still going. The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I wrote about a few weeks ago was sold before I could get up there and see it. Since then, I looked at a 2007 VW Jetta (was in an accident and has a rebuilt title, so no go), a 2005 Hyundai XG350L (also in an accident with rebuilt title), and a 2004 Isuzu Rodeo (not sure if I can take the gas mileage hit). As you can tell, my range for a vehicle is very broad. As I stated in the Mercedes review, getting a whole group to approve a car is nearly impossible. Maybe this BMW will make them come to a consensus.

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The kidney grille. The oversized rims. The blue and white circle. It can only be a BMW. This particular model, a 1993 325is coupe, appears to be a pretty good find. The odometer reads just under 124,000 miles. The price is just under $5,500. It appears clean. A Carfax report shows no accidents and two owners. It was also a Florida and Georgia car, so no snow and salt. The one thing confusing me is under this dealer's "ownership". It says it was detailed and cleaned, and Accessory Removed. What does that mean? Was it messed with? I'd have to contact the dealer to find out.

The body looks to be in great shape. I cannot tell if it was stanced or not or if those are the original rims it left the factory on.

It does appear to have an aftermarket exhaust however. Some work was done to this car before the Cadillac dealer got hold of it.

Interior is very clean. It looks to have aged well. The seats aren't torn up and the dash has a carpet on it, so hopefully it is not cracked.

Being a 1993, it has an airbag and ABS was standard. This example is equipped with an automatic, which is good for me, since my grandmother won't drive a manual.

And it has a big sunroof! Which is great for cruising in Florida.

The dealer is asking $5,488 on this car. I'm sure with some haggling, you could get it for $5,000. But, for the list price, what do you think? NPOCP?

Link to car here

DISCUSSION (9)

153624 - Straight Six > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/12/2013 at 12:40

Looks clean. I can't say I'm a fan of the colour though (on the inside and outside).

For just over $1000 more you could get yourself a raggety-ass M3 with higher mileage.

I guess depending on you priorities it might be NP (clean, lowish mileage) or CP (not an M3).

Also that pinstripe down the side makes me a bit concerned, since my E36 had one put there by the PO to cover up a paint blend from an accident.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/12/2013 at 12:46

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/12/2013 at 12:51

Looks nice! Beware of the E36 automatic transmissions, though—they were made by GM and came with "lifetime fluid" in them. It seems pricey, but you get the dealership perks. I am in the middle of the scale as far as NPOCP goes, but good luck finding a car!

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/12/2013 at 13:06

Something about this car screams body work to me. I know the CarFax says otherwise but the panels don't seem to line up on the front. Still think its a NP though.

atk09 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/12/2013 at 14:03

Kinja'd!!!

And let me explain why. The only E36s pulling that kind of money are fresh restos, or hurting M3s. The more reliable, and easier to repair E46 generations are floating around that price point with better features and updated styling. You can find a good, reasonable mileage '99-02 323i sedan with heated leather seats and maybe even the Sport package for $5k easy. 2 years ago I was in the market for an E36, because I was unaware the E46s had come down in price so much. After enough research online and speaking with mechanics who have experience working on both gens, the E46 is largely recommended (not counting M3s, I don't want to start that argument). Seriously, do yourself a favor and look at the better cars.

Also, it's an Auto dude..c'mon.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > 153624 - Straight Six
10/12/2013 at 14:21

I actually went over to the dealer to see it and learned more about it.

The car was owned by a military pilot. He was on the base in Orlando. Many of these men on the base enjoy tuning their cars (I don't know why but they do).

He was second owner bought it stock in 06. He lowered the suspension (dropped front more than rear) put on M3 rims, stuck a big (IMPO kinda cheesy) exhaust pipe on it, and pinstriped it.

He decided to buy a Caddy so he went to the dealer, and traded it in. The internet manager (who I was talking to on the lot) told me that it isn't a common car on their lot. They don't sell anything really under 10 grand and over 10 years old. They really do not take modded cars either. But they wanted to help the guy out.

He told me that he'd take $5K for it (dealer fees included) since they don't want it on the lot anymore.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
10/12/2013 at 14:49

I think that may be due to the suspension drop...I don't know how good it was but that may be it...

153624 - Straight Six > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/12/2013 at 16:11

Doesn't sound terrible. I have a 320 with roughly the same mileage and I've put in about $3000 to keep it on the road.

Also, auto. Definitely CP. Auto E36's are worth jack shit. I have to agree with ATK09.

Checkin' Pockets > atk09
10/13/2013 at 13:19

This all day long... as a multi e36 owner go manual and dont pay over 4k unless m3. If you need help looking in a different area of Florida lemme know as ive got a good amount of experience doing this. Just got my friend an e46 328 with nice and pricey mods and 101k for 6800 and thats a near perfect manual car.