We went and looked at the BMW

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno) 01/20/2015 at 17:08 • Filed to: None

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It's not perfect, but really nice actually.

The body's straight and rust free, the interior is in good condition from the headliner down (really needs a new headliner), and the engine sounded good. I also checked all the front panels and they all still had a BMW stamp/sticker on them.

The floors desperately needs to be cleaned and it needs new floor mats. There's a bit of a vinyl patch on the back seat, but it looks decent.

I have the VIN if anyone can run it for me: WBACC9328VEE59048

My dad's going to talk to my mom about it when she gets home. He already talked the guy down to $2,000. So if we get the green light from my mom, and it drives well, I might have a new car.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:11

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Fingers and everything else crossed for you.

bob and john > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:12

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dont worry, someone just bought it after you left XD

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 01/20/2015 at 17:13

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I'm not getting my hopes up...

but I'm getting my hopes up.

Manuél Ferrari > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:14

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yeeeesssss

ONE OF US, ONE OF US!

join the bmw dark side

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > bob and john 01/20/2015 at 17:14

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We were literally the only people that have came to look at it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Manuél Ferrari 01/20/2015 at 17:14

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Join the manual BMW dark side.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:18

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Looks pretty good!

The price is suspiciously low though, If nobody here can run the Carfax I'd personally buy one if I were you. Remember what happened to JQL213?

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:21

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DOING IT DOING IT DOING IT

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:21

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BURN!

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680 01/20/2015 at 17:23

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Actually, KBB only values it at about $2,000... Which is surprisingly low.

We'll probably buy one if no one can provide.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:24

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Good plan! Also ask for service records if you haven't already.

I presume you and/or your father can drive stick?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve 01/20/2015 at 17:24

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THIS MIGHT ACTUALLY BE HAPPENING.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680 01/20/2015 at 17:26

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Dad can, will be teaching me.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:26

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hopefully it will drive well! Don't be afraid to say no and wait for a nicer example though. E36s are very unreliable if not maintained properly, though they will run for a long time when taken care of. My friend bought his 6 years ago, and it now has 230k mi on it. His 328is was also $2000, but had a bent rod when he bought it and has broken down 2-3 times per year ever since. We joke that it's a bavarian alfa. You will thank yourself later for buying a nicer example. You'll still have a lot to repair/replace with an e36 even if you buy a nicer one for 3-4 k instead of two. Always remember, there is no such thing as a cheap used BMW and you get what you pay for. Any cash you save on the initial purchase will likely be dumped into repairs. How do I know, you ask? At age 17 I bought a used 635csi and by age 18 I had spent more than my purchase price just keeping it on the road, and by age 19 my beloved 6er was gone because I bought an example with too many miles! (140k). I should've saved up a little more.

BeaterGT > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:27

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I lika dat blue

Manuél Ferrari > Vicente Esteve 01/20/2015 at 17:31

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hey SMG and DCT are *kind of* manuals ;)

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Noah - Now with more boost. 01/20/2015 at 17:32

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I've done my research and gotten advice from people here, this one seems solid mechanically. The temp needle didn't ever go more than half way on the gauge, meaning the cooling system is fine, and the heater worked and blew strong. Those are the two most common issues E36s have, IIRC.

I've waited and waited for a solid one, and this one seems to be.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > BeaterGT 01/20/2015 at 17:32

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The paint is why I originally clicked on it on Craigslist, such a pretty color.

DrScientist > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:35

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i forget if it was here or on another car-specific forum that the request was made to not run carfaxes for others.

not trying to be the old-fuddy-duddy here, but it had something to do with legal issues and such.

or maybe the dementia is setting in.

you also may try to call a local bmw dealer to see if the service has been maintained there. although not sure if they'll keep records for that long.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 17:44

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Here's one record. It was sold at an auction in 2008.

https://www.vininspect.com/en/check-vin-n…

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > jkm7680 01/20/2015 at 17:46

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Eh, that doesn't mean much, we bought my dad's Tahoe an an auction and it was perfectly good.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 18:01

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Specs and mileage? Looks like a clean car and not a very common colour!

Reading through the comments sounds like you've done your homework and researched weak points on these cars and taken a good look at this one. Just make sure everything feels right to you - if there's any hesitation, remember E36s are still pretty common and shouldn't start skyrocketing in value just yet so you can always keep looking.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 18:02

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hell yeah, sounds like you've done your research! My friend has replaced the thermostat 2x lol. And his heater is a joke! Its a great car though, I have many fond memories of it. Lots of fun to be driven around in/sounds great! As someone else said - welcome to the BMW MT darkside! I hope the test drive goes well/that your e36 behaves most of the time! My friend buys a lot of used/refurbished parts so that may account for many of his troubles haha

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 01/20/2015 at 18:08

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It's a '97 318i with a 5-speed and 177,xxx miles.

Yeah I've done my homework, and so far this one is feeling right.

Sam > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 18:14

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Nice! And if I were you I'd do something about those funky-looking turn signals...

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 18:16

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One of my friends had a 318i back in the day - great little engine - felt plenty spritely without being too much. Great gas mileage too, if I remember correctly - especially for the driving characteristics and creature comforts you get with it.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 18:16

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Just putting it out there. Doesn't necessarily mean damage, But it might.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Sam 01/20/2015 at 18:16

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Yeah, those would be going rather quickly.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 01/20/2015 at 18:18

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Edmunds says about 30 highway, which is a big step up from my 11 I get in my Safari right now.

It's also about 6 seconds faster to 60, at least it was when new.

Stephen the Canuck > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 18:29

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So I vote just remove the headliner if you get it.

Pros: more head room, less weight, lower centre of gravity, uniqueness, inexpensive, less work, can paint the ceiling to whatever you like, more room for future roll cage.

Cons: some guy on the internet suggested it?

See, nothing to lose.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 18:45

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I can't believe this kind of depreciation is really a thing! That's a nice looking car... Aren't you slightly concerned why it has pretty much no value?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > jkm7680 01/20/2015 at 18:48

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It is always wise to be skeptical. Then again the car isn't worth much anyway... That's just crazy. $2k kbb...

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/20/2015 at 18:51

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Manual, old BMW, smaller engine. It has everything going against it holding value.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 19:01

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God damn. Dat blue.

bob and john > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 19:05

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that day*

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 19:08

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Hmm, everything you just listed are the things I like about this car. *shrugs*

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 19:26

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Heres what I could find for the service history.

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 19:30

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Here are your E36 options. I hope kinja shows this.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) 01/20/2015 at 19:48

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Dang, I didn't think it had that much stuff put on it.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 20:12

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As I learned the four or five times I really came close to getting a car but didn't (I'm looking at you, Outback, Aurora, and Trooper) something better WILL come along. That's an awesome car, but if it doesn't work out, something else cooler will. That's how the universe works, I think.

Vicente Esteve > Manuél Ferrari 01/20/2015 at 21:29

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NO CLUTCH

NO MANUAL

Haha, they are. How is the DCT anyway?

Dsscats > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/20/2015 at 23:26

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Wow, that actually looks really clean. Screw the headliner, for unsprung weight, and get new center caps/floor mats from a junk yard, and you've got a clean, stick E36!

Dsscats > jkm7680 01/20/2015 at 23:28

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But he bought a salvage car with a mismatched front bumper and wheels, then expected it to be perfect when it had clearly been abused and thrown back together....

Jimmy Tango > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/21/2015 at 01:00

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I look up the spec for you

You can check it out yourself too! http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-de…

http://cl.ly/3q220n0H0916

jkm7680 > Dsscats 01/21/2015 at 07:27

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Good point! I'm just getting the idea out there that there possibly is something a little bit fishy.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/21/2015 at 07:38

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Neat :) what model is it?

I bought a 325i 4-door manual off my mate for £275 as an MOT failure, fixed it up for cheap and hooned it around for 3 months or so. Great fun car, really nicely balanced and the engine is sweet too (not quite as good as the 2.5l V6 in my Alfa 156, but well up there).

Eventually I crashed it trying to pull a slide off a wet roundabout :S be careful of that, they're not as tail-happy as the old E30s but they will still bite you if you're stupid. Fixed it and sold it to the people I bought my Citroen BX off so they can go hoon it a little :)

finn's arm > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/21/2015 at 12:23

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It's pretty spartan - only additional extras are the sunroof & hifi

Manuél Ferrari > Vicente Esteve 01/21/2015 at 19:31

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i know, i know!

but the VAG-owned 997 has a proper 6 Manuél! that should make you happy

this is the best way to describe the DCT in 3 sentences:

1. boring as fuck if you are gingerly driving around time. basically just like a slushbox

2. amazeballs if you put the car in M mode and drive with some gusto. the DCT feels totally different when you hit that button to tell the car to be more aggressive and give it a bit more throttle and wait longer before upshifting. when you're driving harder you get a nice kick in the pants when you upshift and some cool noises from the engine on upshift and downshift

3. a fucking lifesaver when you're doing business stuff in heavy traffic. it just took me 2 hours to drive back from LA. which is terrible traffic because it is only 40 miles. i was able to put it in auto mode and make phone calls comfortably. that would have been doable but more tiring with Manuél

Vicente Esteve > Manuél Ferrari 01/21/2015 at 19:47

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Great insight on DCT, and I keed!

Manuél Ferrari > Vicente Esteve 01/21/2015 at 20:32

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i know! keeding is the best!

i saw three VAG-owned exotics today while driving - Aventador and final year Gallardo and R8 V10 Spyder

and about 100 997s/991s

the 911 is so common around here! it's the opposite of exclusive. just a fancy beetle ;)

Conan > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 01/22/2015 at 02:04

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Manual BMWs are a glorious thing. Good luck.