E36, E39 or E46 for £1500??
Discussion
Looking to get a fun car for evenings and weekends. Fancy a bmw as I've not had one before. Doesn't need to be the top engine although the more power the better of course!
It won't do lots of miles but I'm concerned about buying something that's going to cost me loads to maintain and take the fun out of having a second car. I want to be able to get in on a Sunday and go for a nice drive out into the countryside.
What would you buy?
It won't do lots of miles but I'm concerned about buying something that's going to cost me loads to maintain and take the fun out of having a second car. I want to be able to get in on a Sunday and go for a nice drive out into the countryside.
What would you buy?
Probably something which is actually fun. Maybe some sort of sports car - MX-5 obvious choice, MR2 etc.
E36/E46/E39 all decent cars but comfy saloon cars at the end of the day designed for transporting tired salespeople up and down motorways not fun drives at the weekend (unless you go for version you won't find for £1500).
E36/E46/E39 all decent cars but comfy saloon cars at the end of the day designed for transporting tired salespeople up and down motorways not fun drives at the weekend (unless you go for version you won't find for £1500).
5RedLights said:
Combining the MX5 suggestion and your desire for a BMW, why not look at Z3s? You should get plenty for £1500, probably the odd 2.8 as well.
Just looking on Autotrader. There's only one solitary Z3 (and a 1.9 at that) for £1500 or under.As said above, everybody's definition of "fun" is going to be different but I think for £1500 you're going to struggle to find a "fun" BMW for £1500?
E36 Compact with a 2.8 conversion? I built one and was the probably the most fun car I've owned so far, bought & built for under £1500 inc a set of 18" BBS split rims, some real bargains pop up on ebay now & then. Quite a few for sale, some are piles of turd though.
I've also got an E36 M3 track car & an E36 328 Sport but the Compact is the most fun on the road out of the 3.
ETA - The Compact has the 1.9 diff so the acceleration is great, tops out around 135mph though - more fun than any standard E36/46
I've also got an E36 M3 track car & an E36 328 Sport but the Compact is the most fun on the road out of the 3.
ETA - The Compact has the 1.9 diff so the acceleration is great, tops out around 135mph though - more fun than any standard E36/46
Edited by Sea Demon on Wednesday 30th July 10:47
mrtwisty said:
I think E36 328 is usually the answer here.
I do think though that the Z3 suggestion is bang on though for a weekend car. I would think a 2.8 would be unlikely at that price though?
When I was looking on ebay a while back, the occasional 2.8 came up under that price range. You have to be patient and wait though, but I assume OP isn't in a rush as it's a weekend car? I do think though that the Z3 suggestion is bang on though for a weekend car. I would think a 2.8 would be unlikely at that price though?
I'd also say that you're not going to find any good Z3s under £1500 at the moment because of the weather. Wait until September and the sun has gone, then there will be plenty.
I find my E46 328 pretty good fun to drive down the lanes, I've had MX5s and stuff as well, just because something is refined doesn't mean it can't be fun. Its much faster than an MX5 for a start, handles nicely and sounds better than an MX5 ever will.
I've had an E36 328 as well, also a good steer.
You should be able to get a 328 for £1,500, I'd say that was all mine was worth. Ignore the naysayers and try one for yourself. Opinions are like a
holes etc...
I've had an E36 328 as well, also a good steer.
You should be able to get a 328 for £1,500, I'd say that was all mine was worth. Ignore the naysayers and try one for yourself. Opinions are like a
holes etc...Sea Demon said:
E36 Compact with a 2.8 conversion? I built one and was the probably the most fun car I've owned so far, bought & built for under £1500 inc a set of 18" BBS split rims, some real bargains pop up on ebay now & then. Quite a few for sale, some are piles of turd though.
I've also got an E36 M3 track car & an E36 328 Sport but the Compact is the most fun on the road out of the 3.
E46 325ti Compact as well - same power and already built by BMWI've also got an E36 M3 track car & an E36 328 Sport but the Compact is the most fun on the road out of the 3.
WhyAyeMan said:
I find my E46 328 pretty good fun to drive down the lanes, I've had MX5s and stuff as well, just because something is refined doesn't mean it can't be fun. Its much faster than an MX5 for a start, handles nicely and sounds better than an MX5 ever will.
I've had an E36 328 as well, also a good steer.
You should be able to get a 328 for £1,500, I'd say that was all mine was worth. Ignore the naysayers and try one for yourself. Opinions are like aholes etc...
A 328 has about the same power to weight ratio as a 1.8 MX5 so I wouldn't say they're much faster (obviously more top end). Handling wise...well as you say, we all have our opinions but having owned both the cars in question I'm astonished that anyone could think the BMW was anywhere near as entertaining to drive. I've had an E36 328 as well, also a good steer.
You should be able to get a 328 for £1,500, I'd say that was all mine was worth. Ignore the naysayers and try one for yourself. Opinions are like a
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