Guys...

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
12/26/2014 at 21:23 • Filed to: bmw

I get it now. I’ve been driving !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! around all day and I just... I just get it now. I get why everyone is so in love with the brand. In fact, I like it so much that I might buy this one off my parents. Details inside.

Here’s the story of the car: My parents own a garage. The previous owner blew the clutch so badly that the car couldn’t even move when in gear, and brought it to them to get it fixed. Turns out he couldn’t afford the parts and labor (~$3k), so my parents bought it off him for pennies on the dollar and fixed it themselves. They’re trying to sell it for a profit (although my Mom is thinking of keeping it for herself) but I’ve been given first preference if I want it.

It’s got a few minor issues like a busted speaker and nonfunctioning rear defroster, but considering the age and mileage (235k) it’s in fantastic shape and it runs and rides beautifully. The interior is in great condition and so is the bodywork.

Sure it’s gonna run into possibly expensive issues, but again, my parents own a shop. I can pay wholesale prices for parts, and I have access to a workspace and a full suite of tools to work on it myself.

DISCUSSION (21)

E92M3 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 21:25

Yes! Another convert!

jkm7680 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 21:25

Do it! You're right about the issues though, 240k is a shitload of miles. Especially for a 528i.

I suggest you keep the Neon? alongside it though.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > jkm7680
12/26/2014 at 21:34

My concern is that when the miles get that high, you start seeing failures in parts that were never really meant to be replaced. Parts that are expensive and require disemboweling the car to get at. But as a counterpoint, I'll just refer you to my last paragraph above.

And yes, the Neon will be kept. It's a blast to drive, nothing's quite as exhilarating as a small, light car. I don't want to get rid of it, it'll always hold a special place in my heart.

Tapas > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 21:38

Might I suggest.... http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/speed-on-a-bud…

Manuél Ferrari > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 21:40

manual 5 series?

Perfection

jkm7680 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 21:41

That's also what I would be concerned about if I were you. It's pretty rare for me at least to see these cars with such high mileage. Like with an FCV, or Town Car. It's expected, and they'll still soldier on. But with European cars, rarer problems will come up around 180k depending on what kind of car it is. That probably is a bit annoying because most of these have hit the crusher it seems by around that milestone. It's a good sign that this example is still alive, but I'd be very concerned if it would actually stay alive. If you feel that you can get the car very cheaply, and that it will pass inspection and emissions without needing any work, Go for it. Otherwise, I'd say if you can't try and part out what you can. There won't be very many takers for an engine with that many miles on it though.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > jkm7680
12/26/2014 at 21:44

The inspection sticker is only a few months out of date, it was driven right up until the clutch asploded so I'm not worried about that.

I am however worried that I'll have to change my username.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Manuél Ferrari
12/26/2014 at 21:45

That dogleg reverse is gonna take some getting used to, though.

Manuél Ferrari > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 21:48

My first car was an e30 318i Manuél

So everything BUT dogleg reverse is weird to me

jkm7680 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 21:51

Oh, Haha. SXT.

Just make it EssExTee+528i=Yes?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > jkm7680
12/26/2014 at 21:54

I dunno. I like to keep it simple. Too many people have overly long and/or alphanumeric names.

Such as jkm7680.

jkm7680 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 21:56

Haha, I randomly chose some letters and numbers.

How about 6969696969696959g9f9dgfd9gdfjhghfdvjxweiucidskaksadkpenishjreskfjsdivcdsuirjdsfjdsfjdsjfjdsfnvdsnvsjrelishrewjfkwejviowevoewrfoweof?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > jkm7680
12/26/2014 at 22:03

No, I think there's still a 30 character limit.

jkm7680 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 22:06

I think there's a way to surpass it. But that's for the Kinja Gods to handle.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 22:13

Go for it! An E39 with a manual will be my next BMW. I'm sure it's much like my E34, but newer and better.

When I let my little sister drive my 525i she turned to me and said, "My god, this is better than sex!"

I converted a friend of mine to the brand, and he's gone a little overboard. He was a die-hard Mopar fan until he experienced my E21 and E34. Now he has 3 or 4 BMW cars plus a BMW motorcycle. He was kicking himself a bit; when in the military he was stationed in Germany, and instead of buying used German cars he bought a new Chrysler LeBaron and had it shipped over there instead. D'oh!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
12/26/2014 at 22:14

Hah!

Kaizer Soze > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/26/2014 at 23:31

How much would you pay for it? My uncle had one (540) With almost 400k miles but that was probably a rare exception.

That was probably the best era for BMW in terms of reliability though. If it is cheap enough you can probably use it for a year or two and either scrap it or sell it for a minimal loss.

trey0four > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/27/2014 at 00:11

I've always wanted one of these, they strike me in a weird way

Jay Lauer > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/27/2014 at 00:47

Yeah, don't do it.

My dad owns a shop. I flip cars. I bought an E46 once, the parts are still expensive and there's many to come

theloudmouth > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/27/2014 at 02:55

For the love of god never drive an F-chassis BMW and you'll remain smitten for eternity.

I kid you not, I could not wait to get out of the F10's I've driven (they're over-assisted boats) and the F3X's were so disappointing it beggers belief (I have an E92, but I test drove a 2011 E90 328i back to back with an F30 328i and it was no contest, the F30 was a great commuter, the E90 I couldn't get the grin off my face, just like the E46's and before I'd driven).

Jonathan Harper > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/27/2014 at 11:54

Welcome aboard!