Quick Question 

"Jack Does Cars" (jackdoescars) 06/19/2016 at 11:12 • Filed to: E36

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Actual vehicle pictured.

Would buying a one owner, fully maintained, 1999 BMW 328i convertible with 200,700, that has lived it’s entire life in McLean, VA be a bad idea?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:14

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Buying an e36 is never a bad idea. I’m definitely not biased.

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:21

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Manual, do it.

Automatic, no.

Schaefft > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:29

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Nothing apart from usual wear items that can break really, the M52 is indestructible apart from the Vanos seals.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:29

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Drive it, and see. The only concern I’d have with a high-mileage e36 is the interior rattles. My car with 175K was a rattle trap. This one sure looks clean and shiny...

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:30

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Nope, I’d go for it.

Also, I have those same wheels for my winter tires on my E39.

Jack Does Cars > Schaefft 06/19/2016 at 11:35

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According to the dealer, VANOS seals have been replaced (with documents), so that’s good.

Jack Does Cars > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 06/19/2016 at 11:35

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But this one has two more cylinders.

Jack Does Cars > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 06/19/2016 at 11:36

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They’re classy.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/19/2016 at 11:36

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Is a manual. $3,500, too. Capital City Auto Brokers on Capital Blvd.

Schaefft > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:37

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Not much apart from interior and suspension bushing wear to stop you then.

Jack Does Cars > wbizarre - OEM fetishist 06/19/2016 at 11:37

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There is not a blemish in the interior. All the paint is still on the buttons, there isn’t a crack nor peel in the wood, and it looks like nobody ever say in the seats. It’s almost too clean.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:37

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That looks like a lot of driving fun for $3500, and I'm not a BMW fanboy.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:39

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They should replace the seals with new seals, not with documents.

#IllSeeMyselfOut

Jack Does Cars > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 06/19/2016 at 11:39

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It’s amazingly clean as well.

Jack Does Cars > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 06/19/2016 at 11:40

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Ha. Haha. Right.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:41

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No

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:41

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I'm a child.

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:41

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Nope. Not from them. Pretty sleezy. Also that’s a lot for 200k+. $1700 max.

Jack Does Cars > Schaefft 06/19/2016 at 11:43

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There isn’t a blemish in the interior. No paint missing from the buttons, no cracks or peels in the woods, and the seats are absolutely perfect.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/19/2016 at 11:44

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Why.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/19/2016 at 11:44

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They get really, really good reviews. And it’s hard to find cheap E36s.

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:46

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Yeah... but does the glovebox close tightly?

That’s pretty impressive. I guess convertibles tend to live gentler lives, but then the mileage is surprisingly high. If it’s that clean, and similarly good mechanically, I don’t see a downside! These have great steering feel and seating position. This one doesn’t look like it has sport suspension - mine didn’t either, and was fine, especially as a daily.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:47

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If it’s in good shape, then you get a convertible E36, a appreciating asset (really, all classic BMWs are) for only $3500. It’s a great idea.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:53

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I’m honestly surprised someone that has lived in McLean that long has put that many miles on a car and still has it. Assuming it checks out that is probably a well driven but well taken care of BMW.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:55

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It’s past the point where everything is going to need replacing so that’s a plus. It appears to be a sport package car, and someone cared enough to add an M-Technic front bumper and the thicker M-Technic bump trim to the doors. It’s the best non-M E36 color. Looks ridiculously well cared for. And it’s a final model year E36 so all the kinks are going to be worked out. The interior is going to have ALL the rattles so if that bugs you don't go for it.

Go for it, you’d be mad no to. Ask about the cooling system. Try to get it for $3000 if you can though.

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:58

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They get a C rating from BBB.

Their website is trash.

Also:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5631474611…

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5591931366…

Monkey B > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 11:58

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buy it or I will

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/19/2016 at 12:00

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Sadly, that silver 323is is in quite poor shape. But I haven’t seen the black one.

Jack Does Cars > Monkey B 06/19/2016 at 12:00

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No it’s mine.

Jack Does Cars > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 06/19/2016 at 12:02

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It’s a real factory M-Technic car, which is real neato. Avus Blue is beautiful. And the interior is perfect. Like too perfect. Like, "nobody ever sat in the car," perfect.

Jack Does Cars > Phyrxes once again has a wagon! 06/19/2016 at 12:03

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It has an amazingly clear CarFax. It’s now for sale in Raleigh, NC.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/19/2016 at 12:03

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It’s in Concours level condition, assuming they do E36 concours...

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:05

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You would have loved my e34.

Schaefft > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:11

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Sounds like a decent buy then.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:13

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Given the average house price in McLean I am assuming that the PO retired and moved south and has since replaced it with one of this very expensive golf carts people drive around their over 55 communities.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:25

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Two extra awesomes.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:31

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Give it 25 years, and they’ll be there.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/19/2016 at 12:34

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Hell yea. Might as well get on the bandwagon now.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/19/2016 at 12:36

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I was so close to calling you about it. Do you know where it is now?

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:36

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DDDDDDOOOOOO IIIIIITTTTTT!!!!!!

Jack Does Cars > Phyrxes once again has a wagon! 06/19/2016 at 12:38

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It lived it’s whole life in McLean before going on the auction block. I wish I got it at auction as there would be no markup.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/19/2016 at 12:39

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It might happen, and if it does, you can drive it whenever you’re in the Raleigh, NC area.

Jack Does Cars > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 06/19/2016 at 12:39

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Exactly.

Jack Does Cars > Schaefft 06/19/2016 at 12:39

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I’m hoping. Going to (maybe) look tomorrow.

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:43

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My dad ended up selling it when I went back to school. I had already bought and registered the Ranger so I wasn’t going to bring the rust free German car to snow covered Boone when I had this Ranger that can take abuse and has ground clearance that could do much better.

Some State students bought it and are apparently restoring it. They called a few days after and apparently all the speakers were blown. They didn’t want them fixed, they were just curious if we knew.

I never noticed.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:43

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It seems this is one of those cases where proper maintenance is more important that miles clicked over. An unloved 100,000 miles car can have way more problems than a well loved 200,000 miles car.

In fact my bro in laws car is one of those, he bought it 50,000 miles ago, but now with 220,000 miles but it’s in near perfect now, where as it was a wreck when he got it.

In other words. Clean car is clean, color is good, right engine right equipment. If you like it, I saw scoop that baby up.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 12:46

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But seriously it looks good and theyre reaching modern classic status now. Shouldnt lose any value and may even gain some if you tire of it.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/19/2016 at 12:59

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E34s are so good. There’s noyou a lot of good manuals for sale here, which kinda sucks. I got a ride in an E34 M5 when I was like eight years old, and it was euphoric.

Jack Does Cars > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 06/19/2016 at 12:59

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It’s got 200,700 miles, but it’s absolutely perfect.

Jack Does Cars > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/19/2016 at 13:00

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I love it, and I completely agree. Perfect shape, really is.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 13:02

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Mileage isnt a problem if its been looked after properly.

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 13:07

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Watch out for the interior, a friend’s grandmother has one, and it’s completely trash at 170K.

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 13:09

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From my experience sub $5k BMWs are fun, but not cars that should be daylys for people like us. You can say they’re reliable and cheaper than you think to fix but you’re wrong.

I spent $2000 in maintenance in my 6 months of ownership. Alternatively I paid $300 for 9 months with my Tacoma and have now owned the Ranger for 6 months and have only spent $400.

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 13:31

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I mean, my e30 had 360,000miles and its still ticking somewhere in new Jersey

Jack Does Cars > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 06/19/2016 at 13:43

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This interior is cleaner than Will Smith lyrics.

Jack Does Cars > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 06/19/2016 at 13:44

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I’m scared of New Jersey

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 13:53

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Damn. I thought that was impossible.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/19/2016 at 14:03

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I like to live life on the (Castrol) edge.

Jack Does Cars > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 06/19/2016 at 14:03

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As did I.

Jack Does Cars > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 06/19/2016 at 14:04

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It is impossibly clean.

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 14:05

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Alright moneybags Jack.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/19/2016 at 14:10

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*checks wallet* I have $13 and a DQ punch card. Ah hell yea.

Slant6 > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 14:11

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I have a dollar bill I folded in to a horse once on a plane to California.

Jack Does Cars > Slant6 06/19/2016 at 14:35

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One time a depressed dentist gave me three mini vodka bottles on a Seattle to Newark flight. When I told him that I was underage, he replied with, "good."

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 16:55

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Where are you going to get the cash?

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/19/2016 at 17:07

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Hopefully selling the TrailBlazer.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 18:25

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I thought your parents were making you keep it.

Chasaboo > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 18:30

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Go for it. You can then better understand the axiom, The most expensive car in the world, is a cheap German car.

Jack Does Cars > Chasaboo 06/19/2016 at 18:52

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Rad.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/19/2016 at 18:53

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They are, but I am fighting.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/19/2016 at 19:10

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Honestly, if you push them hard enougu, they’ll probably give in. My parents were originally opposed to the idea of me getting an old car for my first car, but now it’s “whatever you want, as long as you buy it with your own money.”

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/19/2016 at 21:11

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What are you looking at?

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/20/2016 at 00:00

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Pretty much anything pre - 1990 for under $2k that I can learn how to wrench on, namely old Beetles, MGs, old Fords, Austins, MOPAR A Bodies, and Jeeps. At this, it's still a ways a way, but I definitely in the foreseeable future.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/20/2016 at 08:49

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Very interesting, and good choices all around. You could Malaise Era land yachts for like seventeen dollars.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/20/2016 at 15:56

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I’ve thought about that, and it’s definitely a possibility. However, I don’t want to be paying out of the ass for gas whenever I drive anywhere.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/20/2016 at 17:03

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Good point. But I just met Bob Ingram, if you know who that is...

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/20/2016 at 17:53

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You need to get a free tour of his collection out of this. His ‘49 Gmund is gorgeous. Where did you meet him?

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/20/2016 at 19:56

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Porsche at Southpoint. He was getting work done on his 997 GT3RS, and we started talking. Super nice guy. Aren’t you in the local area?

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/20/2016 at 20:47

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Yup, down near Chapel Hill.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/20/2016 at 22:39

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Oh, I didn’t know you were that close, I’m in Apex.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/20/2016 at 22:57

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.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/20/2016 at 23:05

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Do you frequent the Cars and Coffees in the area?

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/21/2016 at 16:09

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Which ones are there? I actually haven’t ever been to one.

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/21/2016 at 17:16

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Morrisville every first Saturday, Porsche at Southpoint every first Saturday, Wake Forest every last Saturday, and Greensboro every third Saturday. I think they all go from 8:00-11:00 AM.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/21/2016 at 17:20

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Thanks!

Jack Does Cars > Spridget 06/21/2016 at 17:25

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I know I’ll be at Southpoint in July, and I might hit up Wake Forest next weekend, but I could be at Wrightsville.

Spridget > Jack Does Cars 06/21/2016 at 18:34

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I might be at Southpoint, but definitely not Wake Forest.