Oppo, tell me what to buy

"RPM esq." (rpm3) 09/12/2016 at 15:07 • Filed to: HELP, SHOPPING, BMW

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It would be essentially a weekend/car meet/fun car. I want something that won’t lose too much value, that is interesting enough to be worthwhile to take to meets/C&C, that is fun to drive, and not too expensive or difficult to maintain. Manual transmission is required. Oh, and German.

Right now, three realistic options have presented themselves:

1. BMW E30 swapped to an E36 M3 engine.

2. BMW E34 540i 6-speed with some very cool original tuner goodies

3. Wait for the right E24 to pop up. Probably worse to drive, frankly, but so nice to look at.

All other things being equal (i.e. condition and price), which should I buy?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:11

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First gen Tercel SR5.

DanZman > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:12

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Option #2

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:12

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E36 compact. Light, tail happy but not dangerously so, manual, can be had with a 6cyl, roomy for a small hatchback, plenty of parts since 70% of the car is the same as the rest of the e36 family.

TysMagic > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:12

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b4 audi cabriolet then engine swap the 5 cyclinder manual and quattro in to it. Unique AF

Pic of the one I used to own for reference (fwd 2.8 na auto though)

CalzoneGolem > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:12

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Something that isn’t a BMW.

lone_liberal > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:13

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“...not too expensive or difficult to maintain” “Oh, and German.” If you are going to keep contradicting yourself we’ll never get anywhere.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:16

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None of the above find a Lada or Trabant. Stand out from the crowd.

S65 > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:16

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First gen Boxster?

BorkBorkBjork > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:17

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Pontiac GTO

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/…

The Stig's former college room mate > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:18

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E30's are over rated (that’s right! c’mon at me bro!), as are e36 m3 engines. Besides, all I can think of when I see E30's are the preppy douch bags from high school driving their mom’s 325i convertible. That has forever ruined the E30.

I vote for the e34 540, or even better, an e39 540 (poor man’s m5) if you can find one in your budget. V8 rumble and better burn outs for when you leave cars & coffee sideways (watch out for mustangs)

LongbowMkII > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 09/12/2016 at 15:18

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There’s a trabant local to me owned by a 20 something couple local to me. I want to be their friend.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > TysMagic 09/12/2016 at 15:19

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I didn’t know that Audi had ever sold the B4 in the US until I saw a pearl white Cabriolet in bumfuck Tennessee a couple of years ago.

LongbowMkII > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:20

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924.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:21

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#2

RPM esq. > CalzoneGolem 09/12/2016 at 15:21

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No.

The Stig's former college room mate > BorkBorkBjork 09/12/2016 at 15:22

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he said german, not australian. although I would buy one and swap a Monaro nose and badges onto it.

Stapleface > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 09/12/2016 at 15:22

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North America never got the big engine in the E36 Compact. We were stuck with the 4 cyl unfortunately.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:23

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How about another LS swapped into an E30 M3 like at the car show?

Batman the Horse > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:23

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3.0cs

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:24

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This:

http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/deta…

Batman the Horse > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:24

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Also, E24 because always E24.

Berang > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:25

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“Interesting” “fun” “not expensive to maintain” “german”

How about a VW Type III?

At least it’s not a BMW.

The Stig's former college room mate > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 09/12/2016 at 15:26

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if he’s in the states, the only e36 hatch we got was the god-awful 318. I say buy one and swap in a small block ford

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > The Stig's former college room mate 09/12/2016 at 15:27

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Yeah, a 4.9 swap would be cool.

Batman the Horse > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:28

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190E 16v Cosworth (do it!)

RPM esq. > The Stig's former college room mate 09/12/2016 at 15:29

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I had an E30 in high school that I bought myself...325es with a manual. Very fun first car. Slow but great to drive. I drove the bejeezus out of it, so possibly I contributed to the ruination.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > The Stig's former college room mate 09/12/2016 at 15:30

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I have the 316 and the engine isnt so bad. Its not fast of course, but no slower than an mx5 (miata).

RPM esq. > Batman the Horse 09/12/2016 at 15:30

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I tried to buy one earlier this summer but missed out on it by a couple hours!

CalzoneGolem > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:30

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You asked me to tell you what to buy.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Stapleface 09/12/2016 at 15:31

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The 4cyls arent so bad still. Putting a bigger motor in would be a fun and not massively challenging project.

RPM esq. > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 09/12/2016 at 15:31

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I like these but they’re so goddamn slow.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:33

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Honda Civic or CRX Si from early 90's.

http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/5776046200…

RPM esq. > TysMagic 09/12/2016 at 15:33

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Is it even legal to own an Audi (or VW) cabriolet if you don’t live in a sorority?

TysMagic > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/12/2016 at 15:33

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was it east TN? Because we owned that black one and a pearl white one at the same time.

RPM esq. > Berang 09/12/2016 at 15:34

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I like BMWs and don’t like going slow, although that picture is so cool I might have to think about it.

RPM esq. > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/12/2016 at 15:34

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There’s now one in my neighborhood....it sounds surprisingly good. Maybe I’ll just bug that guy every day until he sells me his car.

Also, almost certainly out of my price range.

RPM esq. > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/12/2016 at 15:35

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I’m 6'3" and not thin. This suggestion does have comedy value going for it.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:35

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The bigger e36 engines fit, hint hint. Exact same engine bay as the e36 saloon.

TysMagic > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:37

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I guess? I got away with it for a while. My nursing major girlfriend of the moment looked great driving it around I’ll give her that

Berang > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:38

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There’s basically a universe of go-faster parts for air cooled VWs... or subaru engine swaps if one wants to destroy everybody.

ZoopZoopLoops > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:43

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I like your ideas, but you’d be most simple off with a regular E36 M3 in terms of cost effectiveness and good to drive.

Or you can drop your German requirement and actually have the things you desire. Such as an S2000.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:44

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A Z3m roadster maybe?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:47

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Well the only real answer is the E24. Avenge my death.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > TysMagic 09/12/2016 at 15:50

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It was more in south Tennessee, somewhere between the Shoals in AL and Lynchburg TN. Very inaccuarte information, I know haha.

The Stig's former college room mate > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:51

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I doubt you contributed, unless you wore Sperry top siders with pastel shorts and button down shirts and drove around in your mom’s car blasting Journey and Boston, acting like you’re better than everyone else because you drove a (your mom’s) Bimmer. This was late 80's so these cars were still new then. Imagine every cheesey 80's high school movie. It was exactly like that.

This is also the same reason I hate IROC Camaros and Fox-body Mustangs.

RPM esq. > The Stig's former college room mate 09/12/2016 at 15:54

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Oh yeah, that sounds awful. I was in high school at the turn of the century, so my E30 was fairly old and cheap.

Unfortunately I’m pretty much wearing the business casual version of the preppy clothes you described at this very moment.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 15:58

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You would fit fine height wise, not so sure about width. The side seat bolstering is fairly narrow. I fit fine at 6' 4" and 180 lbs.

RPM esq. > ZoopZoopLoops 09/12/2016 at 15:58

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My ideas are actual cars I’m considering making offers for...I had an E36 3-series before, which was nice but I don’t want another one. S2000 is a good idea but there’s admittedly a bit of style over substance going on here, because I just love the way ‘80s and some early ‘90s BMWs look. I’ve owned several, and it’s time to get another.

By the way, do tall people fit in S2000s?

RPM esq. > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 09/12/2016 at 16:02

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Not a bad idea although I live in Seattle and don’t have a garage...so probably not buying a convertible. Also, I just sold an E46 M3 and looking to go older and cheaper.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 16:10

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I have to imagine there is a removable hard top available for the Z3. Z3 roadsters are suuuuuper cheap. Like Miata cheap but less reliable but more spacious.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 16:23

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From your list, I think the e30 with the e36 swapped engine sounds pretty good.

Have you considered the 535i versus the 540i? I opted for a 535i for maintenance reasons and in terms of the engine, I’ve been happy I did. It’s got good torque, you can mod it a little for a bit more oomph, and it opens up the E28 as an option which gives you a shark nose. I saw that you were in sea, so here’s a couple:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/573627…

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/577549…

I more recently bought a 944 and honestly, it’s a good alternative to an e30. A bit lower but similar size and weight. A 944S would get you a bit more speed and would probably be similar in price to the e30 you mentioned.

One final thought on 80s German cars, is Audi Quattro Coupe. Have not seen a decent example for sale but damn they're cool.

Decay buys too many beaters > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 16:25

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You can buy my E39 540i. It’ll be for sale in a couple weeks.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 16:48

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1968 Mercury Montego MX

I don’t care about your rules.

Aaaron > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 17:46

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Sheer curiosity, but why do you keep getting rid of your BMWs if you like them? Any reason you got rid of your M3 in the first place if you want a car like it again?

Aaaron > Berang 09/12/2016 at 17:50

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ACVWs are a pretty niche thing. In some places it can be hard to find decent mechanics for them. I don’t live in a big city, but it’s not a small town by any means, about a million people and there are like two decent VW mechanics, and only one that I’d actually take my car to.

Also the more you modify the engine to go fast, the more constant fiddling you will have to do with it.

RPM esq. > Aaaron 09/12/2016 at 18:57

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Same reasons anyone sells a car and buys a new one. 15 years ago, I was in high school and wrecked my first car, an E30. Then an E36 developed emissions problems that wouldn’t pass smog and would cost double what the car was worth to fix. After grad school, I traded an E34 in on a newer, nicer car when I got a job and could afford it (E46 330ci). I sold the 330 when I found the right M3.

I sold the M3 to buy a daily driver big enough to drive my family and dogs around in. I’m now shopping for a weekend car that is only like the M3 in the sense that it is also a fun-to-drive BMW. But we’re talking about a budget more than $10k less than what I sold the M3 for, and 10 years older, because that $10k+ and expensive insurance had to go toward the new DD.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > RPM esq. 09/12/2016 at 19:56

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Why not something even more impractical than a E24? Like maybe a 450SL?