Should I buy this?

"Nymphicus Hollandicus" (nymhicus-hollandicus)
04/07/2015 at 14:02 • Filed to: BMW, E36, For sale

Someone near my school is looking to get rid of her 1999 BMW 323is coupe for around $1500. The body is straight although the interior is described as "trash". It has 204k on it and is a 5-speed. I may need a car for the summer since my brother may need a car for the summer and he'll want the Pilot.

The only problems are the drivers side door does not open from the outside (I can live with that), the passenger side window does not go down (should be a cheap fix) and the power-steering is starting to fail.

Does anyone have any experience with E36 3-series? Are they generally reliable? Or should I not even look into it.

DISCUSSION (16)

TheHondaBro > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 14:04

How recently was the timing belt changed? If it's old, then look away.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > TheHondaBro
04/07/2015 at 14:05

Doesn't say, though I can ask the owner if I get the go-ahead from my parents to look at it.

Biased Plies > TheHondaBro
04/07/2015 at 14:06

It has a timing chain.

Biased Plies > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 14:09

That would be an e46 3-series, not an e36. Window regulators are a common failure on those. Not terribly expensive to fix but a bit of a pain in the ass. Same goes for the door lock actuator.

Personally I'd stay away from a high-mileage Bimmer of that age. If you do decide to look at it, check into what maintenance the cooling system has had.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 14:12

They're generally pretty good. The I6s of that generation are good, but with a trashed interior and 204k, I'd be thinking super cheap fun toy more than anything. While they're reliable if kept well, they aren't Toyotas of similar vintage that you can do anything to and expect it to still hit 300k miles.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 14:12

There is a BMW with 204k miles that still runs?

old and german, not reliable in my opinion. but thats just me. I wanted a small truck and I ended up with a big SUV.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Biased Plies
04/07/2015 at 14:20

The E36 coupe/convertible models hung around until 2000.

Biased Plies > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/07/2015 at 14:22

Huh, so it seems. Amusingly, my advice is still valid. The cooling system part perhaps doubly so.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 14:24

The E36 is generally reliable. The cooling system is the biggest problem area. At that mileage it should be overhauled if it already hasn't. Other than that though, there's not entirely too much to go wrong. The blower motor for the heater may go out, though.

Also, the drivers door may be as simple a fix as putting some graphite lube in the latch. Mine stopped opening from the outside and that fixed it.

I'd say go for it if it feels mechanically solid for the most part. They drive so well.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
04/07/2015 at 14:25

That's somewhat what I'm thinking for this, just a fun car I can use for a few months, which is all I need.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/07/2015 at 14:28

That's why this car may be of interest for me, I just want something to last me several months, and than sell as a parts car.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 14:39

Rallye36, bro.

Steve in Manhattan > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 15:27

Wait, did I lose the thread? Wasn't there a Buick involved here?

jkm7680 > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 15:43

Hell no, that's a money pit.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Nymphicus Hollandicus
04/07/2015 at 16:29

Based on the experiences I've observed others having with "cheap" BMWs like this, if you want a cheap car, an old BMW like this is a TERRIBLE CHOICE.

Oh sure they're usually reliable when they're new and under warranty. But when they're old and have 200,000 miles on them, they're expensive-to-repair CRAP.

Though they can be less expensive to keep if you're willing to do a lot of wrenching yourself.

Yes they can be "reliable" if you keep them "maintained". And you'll find you'll be doing a lot more 'maintaining' than average with an old BMW.

If you are looking for something cheap and reliable, look for an old Toyota Tercel/Echo/Yaris.

If you willing to spend an extra $200-$300/month over and above what it would cost to own/drive/maintain a cheap Toyota or Honda and you really want the BMW driving experience, then go ahead and get one.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
04/07/2015 at 17:09

I know of this very well, but I am only keeping this car for a few months just to use this summer. The owner is negotiable so maybe I can take the price down just a bit to do some small repairs (door, window, maybe other cheap things). Plus it's being sold under Blue Book value, regardless of condition. When I go back to school in August I would put it up for sale and sell it "AS-IS" or as a parts car. Plus having the BMW experience would be kind of cool for the little bit I own it.