Okay, Oppo, help me decide whether to get this E36

"LeadfootYT" (leadfootyt)
08/30/2014 at 09:23 • Filed to: None

So I found this thing on Craigslist a few weeks ago, and have been back and forth over whether to go for it. I was originally looking at a clean '98 323is with 100k on it for a price way below what it was worth, but the seller was being strange and then sold it and tried to sell me an E46.

This car had been a backup. I think it looks amazing, but I need something to commute between Vermont and South Carolina, and had really been looking for an E34. I move in January, so I do have some time, but I also think this would be a fun, good looking car to have. And even though I've been looking at E34s and E38s with that mileage, I'm hung up over this one.

The seller has been very quick to answer questions, but also has either installed or continued to use the infamous(ly tasteless) double DIN head unit and bumpin' subs the car has, so I'm not sure on his judgement.

Mainly, I need a four-door vehicle for highway driving. I think this would be fun, but I don't have the time to have a car fail on me by the side of the road in the middle of a 14-hour trip. So what say you, Oppo? I have a fairly good understanding of the E36 platform, and love the way this car looks, but... I don't know. Help me decide, Oppo.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The car is about 3-4 hours away from me, although I've been able to talk him into meeting me in Poughkeepsie, which is about 2.5 hours away.

DISCUSSION (13)

jkm7680 > LeadfootYT
08/30/2014 at 09:28

I'd be really careful about the title, and the overall condition of the car since it's been modified and has a good amount of miles. The reliability may be a small problem also but you've really got to drive the car to get a better understanding of that.

Nibby > LeadfootYT
08/30/2014 at 09:35

You don't want a cheap BMW from Uniondale. As someone who lives on Long Island... trust me. Everyone here drives like a complete maniac.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > LeadfootYT
08/30/2014 at 09:39

Even if you intend to have a low car I'd be concerned about buying a car someone else has lowered. Give the undercarriage a thorough check if you do go look at it.

Orange Exige > LeadfootYT
08/30/2014 at 09:46

Wow what a coincidence - I'm living in Poughkeepsie at school now!

But that E36 is sweet. I love a good E36. I think $4k is a little but much though - E36's (and this isn't even a low mileage one) aren't worth a lot and this guy's doing the old "well I put $5000 in mods on so my car has gotta be worth a ton more". But I must say the car looks great and from the photos, it looks like it was treated well and maintained well.
I don't have any experiences with BMW's but when I looked at cars for myself in the past few years, I was always looking at E36's. I mean, they're German but I'm not under the impression that they're really that quirky or anything. I think they're well-built cars and I'd believe that if it was treated well, it'd last a while and be reliable.

mcseanerson > Orange Exige
08/30/2014 at 10:35

My first instinct was that price seems about $1k too high especially considering the mileage. The problem with mods is no matter what they are they indicate the PO drove like an asshat or he babied it. The area where I lack perspective though is when I look for E36's I look for track rat so I don't have the best idea of a nice DD. I would think this is worth 2k in track rat condition and 3k in DD condition. Adjust based on how the opinion you get of the PO.

mcseanerson > Nibby
08/30/2014 at 10:38

Is $4k for an e36 with 150+k miles considered cheap there? I was thinking it's a bit high.

 > LeadfootYT
08/30/2014 at 11:00

Do you really want to be known as the guy who bought a BMW that all the high schoolers are buying?

Corey > LeadfootYT
08/30/2014 at 16:27

No. No to the e36. The e36 chassis is fan-freakin-tastic if you want a daily driver that'll be efficient, reliable, cheap(ish) to fix, and still fun to pitch around. However, on a 14 hour trip, you want something comfortable. I have learned this the hard way (e46 M3 from CO to GA).

5-series is the way to go. Still solid and responsive, but smoother ride quality. I suggest e34 or e39. Serviceable (perfectly fine, but high mileage) examples can be found sub-$6k.

Let the Oppo world argue on this, but my ass knows the truth.

Dsscats > LeadfootYT
08/30/2014 at 16:48

That E36 is worth $3500 MAX. And (not to offend), if you're looking at $4000 E36s, you can't afford maintenance on an E38. I have friends who have spend up to $3500 A YEAR on maintenance alone.

LeadfootYT > Dsscats
08/30/2014 at 17:22

I'm looking at $5000-7000 E38s. I'd like to own an E36, but I'm not interested in paying E38 money for a non-M, and nor am I interested in getting an M. And I have enough experience with the M62 and M62tu as it is through a friend of mine with an E39, and have turned down E38s even in that price range due to potential timing chain tensioner and transmission issues.

I've never understood the idea of having one price range between very different cars.

LeadfootYT >
08/30/2014 at 17:25

I'm not really concerned about image. It's an excellent chassis combined with an excellent engine, and from an era where technology still hadn't turned cars into mobile desktops. And I've seen far higher ratio of E36s at BMW CCA performance driving events than at any high school haha.

LeadfootYT > Nibby
08/30/2014 at 17:26

Ah. Tips appreciated. I avoid cars from Jersey for that reason.

Finn's arm > Corey
08/31/2014 at 20:21

This. My ass agrees with you.

I love my E36's I've had over the past decade, five = winner. E39 over a E34 too. Easier to diagnose issues, parts are have better availability due to higher production even if the parts are a little more expensive. The leather is better in E34's compared to E39's, but you can always put better seats in an E39....