"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/25/2015 at 10:30 • Filed to: None
0
23|
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/25/2015 at 10:30 • Filed to: None | 0
| 23 |
The search continues for a fun car that the family will fit in. My friends ‘94 Roadmaster wagon is still a possibility. It’s only $1500, and it’s mechanically solid, but there’s a spot of rust-through on the lower B-pillar that scares me.
So I’m back to Craigslist, and I’m noticing the only 4-door RWD cars with a manual transmission out there in my price range are older BMW’s (except for that CTS you’ve all told me to stay away from, and I will). I’ve never really been interested in BMW’s before, and frankly they scare me a little ... or maybe a lot. Honestly, I know jack freaking squat about them.
Here are a few examples for sale near by:
Any thoughts on either these particular examples, or these cars in general are appreciated. Like I said, I know nothing about these at all.
yitznewton
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 10:37 |
|
Do you have a solid maintenance budget for those Bimmers?
unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 10:38 |
|
1. E34 530i v8 rwd manual with the m60, can’t go wrong really.
2. E39 530i facelift model, 530i inline 6 is lovely to hear to redline,
3. 528i too many high miles, it’s gonna be a major money pit for the first few months.
Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 10:47 |
|
Out of all of those the ‘02 530i would be your best bet. It’s a late year in the E39 generation so most of the kinks should be worked out (plus facelift stuff like colored trim and and factory xenons), the miles are pretty low, the M54 is a pretty reliable motor as far as I know. Plus it’s the best color combo imo. Don’t be scared of these older BMWs, it’s the newer ones that require you to have your battery programed at the dealer that you should be scared of.
Tripper
> unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)
09/25/2015 at 10:49 |
|
This. Also get a pre purchase inspection if you get serious about a car.
|
shop-teacher
> yitznewton
09/25/2015 at 10:57 |
|
Honestly .... not really.
|
shop-teacher
> Tripper
09/25/2015 at 10:58 |
|
I will definitely have it inspected if I get serious. I can inspect a Camaro myself. These ... I got nothin’.
JR1
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 11:25 |
|
What is your price range? I am in a similar boat. Looking for a cheap and fun reliable DD with good MPG
|
shop-teacher
> JR1
09/25/2015 at 11:36 |
|
$6500 absolute max, but I’d prefer in the $3000-5000 range. Mine doesn’t need to be my daily driver, but I want something reliable enough that I can put my kids in it without worrying.
911e46z06
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 12:26 |
|
Ive owned 4 e39s. What do you want to know?
The one thing I’ll tell you is to be sure to have a good BMW shop check out anything you plan to buy. The e39 is an absolute peach if you get a good one, and an absolute nightmare if you dont.
|
JR1
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 13:02 |
|
Hmm that is an interesting price range. I don’t like the looks but what is essentially a 4 door 350Z would be fun.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5198218656…
Klaus Schmoll
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 13:37 |
|
That ‘02 E39 looks good to me. My mum has an ‘02 530 wagon with 200k miles or 320k kms. That thing just goes and goes, no problems whatsoever.
|
shop-teacher
> 911e46z06
09/25/2015 at 14:22 |
|
What specific trouble areas do I need to look for? If I decide to try and buy one, there is a BMW dealer in the town I work in that I’ll have check them out.
|
shop-teacher
> JR1
09/25/2015 at 14:23 |
|
Interesting. I always forget Infinity even exists!
|
JR1
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 15:39 |
|
They have a couple options in that price point might be worth a look!
|
911e46z06
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 15:49 |
|
The main thing to worry about besides the obvious is bushings and bearings and stuff, because they kind of all start wearing out at the same time, so if they’re starting to go, it will be a can of worms. I bought good cars and maintained the hell out of them, so I never had any major problems until well over 200k. The classic knock on them is the transmission, but I pretty much just dealt with window regulators and radiator necks. Might be worth it to drop in an aluminum radiator right of the bat. I cracked the neck in 3 of my 4.
|
911e46z06
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 15:50 |
|
Also, rust really eats them up underneath. Don’t know where you’re at, but buy a west coast car if you can.
|
911e46z06
> shop-teacher
09/25/2015 at 15:55 |
|
Also id stay away from the dealership for inspection. The little independent bmw repair shops are way cheaper and usually more knowledgable. If your town is big enough to have a dealership, it will have at least a couple independent bmw or german repair joints.
|
shop-teacher
> 911e46z06
09/25/2015 at 16:35 |
|
I’m square in the middle of the rust belt, Chicago.
|
shop-teacher
> 911e46z06
09/25/2015 at 16:35 |
|
I’ll look into that, thank you. I’m sure there’s one around here somewhere!
dannyzabolotny
> shop-teacher
09/28/2015 at 18:19 |
|
The 530i is your best bet. Decently low miles, good paint, and a reasonably clean interior. Those seats just need a good cleaning. 134k miles is pretty low for the M54 engine, it’s a pretty robust engine. I have two E39 540i’s, which are the V8 version of this car, and they’re quite easy to work on. You can do all the wrenching yourself, and as long as you don’t overheat the engine, you probably won’t run into catastrophic problems for a long time. These cars are fairly robust and I see them rolling around well into the 200k mile range, even when horribly neglected. Driving an E39 with a manual is like automotive heaven. Superb handling, a near 50-50 weight distribution, a solid suspension, a well-designed interior, and a wonderful engine make these cars an absolute joy. As a bonus, the 530i gets pretty good gas mileage, especially with a manual. Get the 02 530i for $4800 and enjoy life.
dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> shop-teacher
10/01/2015 at 12:48 |
|
If it was about 9 months from now I’d seriously want the Roadmonster
|
shop-teacher
> dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
10/01/2015 at 13:49 |
|
Looks like the Roadmonster is going to happen. My hesitation on it was a bad patch of through rust at the base of the passenger side B-pillar. The owner (a friend of mine) called in a favor with the manager of a body shop, who is fixing it on the cheap. Can I pass on a mechanically solid ‘94 Roadmaster wagon for $1500? Nope.
Maybe I’ll sell it to you in a couple years? :)
|
dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> shop-teacher
10/01/2015 at 13:53 |
|
Just time to move all my things to college!