NPoCP: "HOLY CRAP E36 IN MY PRICE RANGE" Edition

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
07/06/2014 at 04:56 • Filed to: None

1996 328is.

It's a coupe, but I could deal with that.

It has 240,000 miles

There a touch of rust on the right rear quarter, look easily fixable.

MANUAL

Some lovely E46 wheels that actually look nice on the car.

Clear coat is basically gone off the roof.

Seller wants $2400

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4552964496…

DISCUSSION (19)

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 05:06

dude, that thing is nice! go buy it! time to trade in the Chevrolet shaggin' wagon for a sweet piece of german coupe!

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 05:20

If I remember correctly, the 328 is a pretty brisk machine.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
07/06/2014 at 05:23

190 horsepower and 207 ft-lbs of torque in a car that weighed only about 3100 pounds, I'd call that fast material.

Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 05:33

It is funny how always cars in USA are cheaper compared to Europe, except for used BMW. Maybe that is because we are flooded with them mostly because of the engine variety that we have. I could find you the same car in better condition, better color and much lower miles here in Europe for that money. Still this is a NP even if I would not give those money for this particular car.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa
07/06/2014 at 05:38

Hell, it's just my region that I'm in. If I look on say, LA Craigslist, I found a white sedan, with half the miles, in better condition, with all factory rims/lights/etc, with a manual for only $100 more.

Apparently no one gave a shit about BMWs around here until the E46 model, those are all over the place.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 06:13

CP at those miles. I've heard of Los of cracked heads on those engines. I didn't read the ad, so bear with me. All of the plastic and rubber parts are living on borrowed time. Suspension bushings, hoses, connectors. Interior is probably horrendous.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/06/2014 at 06:20

Quick google search shows me that isn't really a common problem.

The seller says it was serviced at a dealer annually. They'd look for those kind of things, wouldn't they?

Just because a car has high miles doesn't mean it wasn't taken care of.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 08:38

http://omaha.craigslist.org/ctd/4525228630…

E92M3 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 08:45

If you bought it understand you will have a hard time selling it again. The percentage of people willing to buy a car with 250k miles is less than 1% of the population.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 09:35

Looks nice, but if it's near the top of your price range I'd have to pass. From experience with old German cars in the family, You've got to keep a bit of excess sitting around if something gets fucked up.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 10:25

DO IT

VincentMalamute-Kim > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 10:26

Probably wouldn't see a cracked head until it happens and you lose coolant. They might see it if it happened to be external. And like AMG says, all the rubber parts are at the end of their life. Dealer likely wouldn't be checking those and recommending replacement. Even if he did, the owner likely wouldn't replace those parts until they actually failed, even if he was an owner taking good car of the car. Even if it wasn't German, with these miles, like jkm says, you should have another thousand or two dollars ready on top of the $2400.

PS9 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 10:55

It does mean though that the car is pretty much at the end of it's life. You're going to need to make an effort if you want it to see another 240k miles. Unless it's a W123 diesel, them and the cockroaches will still be around after we've nuked eachother to death.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 11:01

I would recommend these options as well!

1. Zombie Respose Jetta. Just look at it:

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4551359811…

2. 1984 BMW 535i Manual. It runs strong and has little miles at 132k, only issue is the body. But, it is in budget.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4510675770…

3. 1996 Chevy 1500 Silverado stepside manual. It has the 4.3 with manual that the owner put new and has a few miles on it. Ony minor dents and body work for $1975

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4529069424…

4. 1996 Jeep Cherokee 2 door Manual in Green! This is a nice looking truck, it has high miles, but the engine is known to be bulletproof. $1,700 bucks.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4492982750…

MAXIMUMVRM > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 12:02

keep looking unless seller has recent repair/service. You can find with way less mileage ( might be 4 door though)

MAXIMUMVRM > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 12:19

if your close to st Louis look in Chicago tons avail

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 13:11

Fair enough. That's just what a BMW shop owner told me once, and I've seen a couple myself. Maybe those were newer iterations, I'm not sure. I've got no problems with high miles add long as a car was taken care of, like I said, didn't read the ad as it was 3am. It's rare to see e36's with that kind mileage let alone in good condition, not that I'm around BMW's much.

153624 - Straight Six > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
07/06/2014 at 13:52

240 000 miles is admittedly a lot. But, if the car has been serviced properly and cared for then it doesn't really matter on these cars. The engines last a long time and everything else can be fixed (or ignored, who needs A/C?).

Just keep in mind that you will likely spend more than $2400 over however long you own it. The 328 engine is pretty good and is the next best thing beside the M engine.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > E92M3
07/06/2014 at 15:09

I'd probably end up driving it until it died, so no problem there!