BMW Wagons: Rank them from Bad Idea to Worst Idea!

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/01/2017 at 23:39 • Filed to: BMW, WAGON, Craigslist

I’m craving a manual BMW Wagon so I searched CL and these are the mistakes most accessible to me. Rank them from “Don’t do it” all the way to “It’ll ruin your life, //AMG = AutoMatic Gearbox!”

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https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/d/bmw-325i/6277494679.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d/92-bmw-525i-wagon-5speed-swap/6311765260.html

The E34 in the last ad is especially tempting...

DISCUSSION (11)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > way2blu does a rev update
10/01/2017 at 23:49

The E46 is so least bad, that it’s good. But the price is not.

Party-vi > way2blu does a rev update
10/01/2017 at 23:49

Oh man all these look like turds except that 2000 528i. That $8,000 325iT is insanely priced. They’re trying to recoup maintenance costs I’m sure. That’s why these cars are crap shoots - I cannot imagine what they spent $15,000 on in maintenance unless they purchased three other BMW wagons.

WilliamsSW > way2blu does a rev update
10/02/2017 at 00:10

Ick. And I say that as an owner of a 2000 BMW manual.

The only one that looks decent to me is the 2003 525 but it’s NOT a manual.

way2blu does a rev update > Party-vi
10/02/2017 at 00:57

Funny enough, a 325iT xDrive is my ideal BMW. Unfortunately those are even rarer and more “bad idea” than the $8k RWD model featured there.

way2blu does a rev update > WilliamsSW
10/02/2017 at 00:58

Hmm. What’s the worst headache your BMW has caused you so far? I need extra reasons to avoid these...

way2blu does a rev update > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/02/2017 at 01:00

I guess I have to wonder if it’ll cost another $8000 to fix it if their $15000 in maintenance doesn’t hold up. Might as well open the oil filler cap and pour the Benjamins directly into the engine...

gmctavish needs more space > way2blu does a rev update
10/02/2017 at 01:40

The E46 seems good, but the price is totally insane. Also, it looks like he’s getting free oil changes in exchange for plastering ads all over the car, which makes me question other car-related choices he’s made....

Too bad the second E39 is auto, it looks pretty good

gmctavish needs more space > way2blu does a rev update
10/02/2017 at 01:42

Wow I just noticed the swapped E34. It’s by no means mint, but that’s awesome

RPM esq. > way2blu does a rev update
10/02/2017 at 02:45

I think a clean-ish example of any of these is likely to be a very serviceable used car. These are all just..not clean. I’d go for the E34, personally. I had an E34 525i manual (but, you know, factory) for almost 5 years —the longest I’ve ever owned a car—and loved it.

functionoverfashion > way2blu does a rev update
10/02/2017 at 09:40

Ugh, that’s not a great selection. First of all:

Kinja'd!!!

If you can’t afford a clutch pedal cover or a proper floor mat, you can’t afford to properly maintain an old BMW. SOOOO much nope.

Can I answer D) None of the Above? Keep looking.

I’ve owned 3 high mileage manual BMWs and two were wagons, two we still have and daily drive, ~200k and ~162k. My ‘03 was ~$6k in 2014 and I’ve had no major issues with it. I sold my manual ‘01 wagon in 2014 for $3,500 with no issues.

Keep looking. Wrong coast, I know, but here’s a nice ‘07 for under $10k:

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/ctd/d/2007-bmw-328xi-wagon-6-speed/6317035918.html

WilliamsSW > way2blu does a rev update
10/02/2017 at 11:31

Well, then - you *don’t* want to talk to me. Mine is a 1 owner car (me - really), with 108k miles on it. The only time it’s stranded me was when the throttle failed, of all things, about 7 years ago. The only other thing I can recall touching on the drivetrain was a slowly leaking gasket that I replaced ~3 years ago.

Besides that, the HVAC radio head was replaced - under the original new car warranty, plus numerous batteries and 2 frozen calipers (car sat too long), a bit of suspension refresh a few years ago, and 2 convertible tops (1 warranty, one my $$ -vandalism).

Two things about the car, though - it’s been well-maintained from day 1, and it has the older M52 engine. I have no data to verify, but I suspect it’s a bit more reliable than the M54 that superceded it.