Can they be trusted?
Discussion
Hi this is my first post on Piston Heads!
I'm basically looking to buy a fairly cheap BMW between £500 - £1600 preferably between £500-£1000 and I've seen quite a few BMW 3 series around the £900 mark, however I am very weary of these because there's not many BMW 3 series coupe's on the market for that price. I basically want the car for 5 years. Mostly for fun and commuting, but I don't want to be in and out of the garage all of the time. Thanks guys
here's an example of one of these cheaper BMW's that I'm interested in.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
I wouldn't mind something like this 1995-1997, I can understand the cheaper price for this car more since it's 20 years old.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
I'm basically looking to buy a fairly cheap BMW between £500 - £1600 preferably between £500-£1000 and I've seen quite a few BMW 3 series around the £900 mark, however I am very weary of these because there's not many BMW 3 series coupe's on the market for that price. I basically want the car for 5 years. Mostly for fun and commuting, but I don't want to be in and out of the garage all of the time. Thanks guys
here's an example of one of these cheaper BMW's that I'm interested in.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
I wouldn't mind something like this 1995-1997, I can understand the cheaper price for this car more since it's 20 years old.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
No one can give you the guarantee that you seem to be seeking. You might get lucky over 5 years of ownership and you might not.
Let's be honest here, you're talking about bottom of the barrel BMW's in that price range, and cheap BMW's tend to cheap for a good reason!
Most people who buy BMW's in this price range tend to treat them as disposable cars - They run them until something serious goes wrong and then dump them for the next car (BMW's can get expensive to fix quite easily!).
And be aware, The blue E46 that you have posted is wearing God-awful chrome arches which I suspect is to cover up the fact that the arches are rusting badly (a known problem on the E46, especially on the front arches).
Let's be honest here, you're talking about bottom of the barrel BMW's in that price range, and cheap BMW's tend to cheap for a good reason!
Most people who buy BMW's in this price range tend to treat them as disposable cars - They run them until something serious goes wrong and then dump them for the next car (BMW's can get expensive to fix quite easily!).
And be aware, The blue E46 that you have posted is wearing God-awful chrome arches which I suspect is to cover up the fact that the arches are rusting badly (a known problem on the E46, especially on the front arches).
They really aren't that bad if you are patient and scope out a good one. I have been running a 1998 328i for 3 and a half years now and it hasn't given me any more grief than any of my other cars (2 Mondeos and 2 Astras).
Get a 6cyl petrol if you can, watch for cooling system problems and rust, avoid automatics, and you can't go far wrong. They can throw up suspension issues too but that is to be expected from a car of that age.
Easy to work on and parts are pretty cheap if you do run into problems.
Get a 6cyl petrol if you can, watch for cooling system problems and rust, avoid automatics, and you can't go far wrong. They can throw up suspension issues too but that is to be expected from a car of that age.
Easy to work on and parts are pretty cheap if you do run into problems.
Agree with most of the above, a well kept e36 (92 - 98) would be my bet over a very crusty & abused e46.
You should get a nice well kept 323/325 for that with ease.
Look for good history & piles of bills & budget for a full set of suspension bushes all round & water pump/stat/metal stat housing/rad in the first few months unless it has been done recently.
I bought an e36 328 1998 coupe in 2009 for £1650 & it has become a track day car in my hands & has been 100% reliable except for the above, which was precautionary & a battery.
You should get a nice well kept 323/325 for that with ease.
Look for good history & piles of bills & budget for a full set of suspension bushes all round & water pump/stat/metal stat housing/rad in the first few months unless it has been done recently.
I bought an e36 328 1998 coupe in 2009 for £1650 & it has become a track day car in my hands & has been 100% reliable except for the above, which was precautionary & a battery.
I just sold a 2.5l e46 which id owned for six years for 700 quid and I reckon it has plenty of life left. Rust on e46 is mainly cosmetic.
As said cooling systems and eyes open. Great cars IMO. Oh and parts of the body structure made of cheese rear boot floor on <2002 and front turrets can mushroom.
As said cooling systems and eyes open. Great cars IMO. Oh and parts of the body structure made of cheese rear boot floor on <2002 and front turrets can mushroom.
Even though I own an E46 I agree 
but choose carefully a good car will serve you well but a rough beemer will/can break your heart 
Ah thanks guys! I didn't expect this much of a response! Okay I here ya, 'll be looking out for the e36, So scared of rust now though :0. I was going to start another can they be trusted thread, but since you guys were so helpful,
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Could I trust this C-Class for it's price, sorry if I'm breaking the rules, you guys just know what you're talking about
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Could I trust this C-Class for it's price, sorry if I'm breaking the rules, you guys just know what you're talking about
The E36 is affected too, rear arches mainly I think. The E46 really isn't that bad, it is usually the front arches that go and they are easy to replace.
My front sills have been welded at the jacking points, but I think living in the Highlands probably has something to do with that as I haven't heard of many others being affected
If you don't want rust, stay away from that era of Mercedes! Besides that, don't know much about them.
I reckon you should find the best 3 series you can for the price and not worry too much about E36 / E46. There are some gems and nails for both.
My front sills have been welded at the jacking points, but I think living in the Highlands probably has something to do with that as I haven't heard of many others being affected
If you don't want rust, stay away from that era of Mercedes! Besides that, don't know much about them.
I reckon you should find the best 3 series you can for the price and not worry too much about E36 / E46. There are some gems and nails for both.
For that budget, an E46 will probably be shyte. If you must, a 6 cyl 320i or 325i is the only one worth having although the 1.9 318Ci Coupe isn't a bad little tram. Avoid the 1.8 and 2.0 316i and 318i at all costs. Ditto diesels. E46's are generally horrid old snotters though.
You may just get a worthwhile 1.9 16v Z3 for 1500 quid. But it will probably be tatty needing cosmetic work. But they don't rot structurally and are mechanically very tough.
E39 5 Series, now in banger territory but they drive really well. As odd as it seems, the older ones (P/R reg) are a better bet. Simpler and more robust cooling system, everlasting ABS units, single Vanos and they seem to rust less. A 528i manual is the one to have.
The E36 though is the one to buy now, before they have all gone. I would go for a late 1.9 318iS Coupe and look after it. £1000 will buy a very decent example.
AS for Mercs, anything with the old M111 4 cyl engine (200, 230 etc) is a tough old b
d. But rust is an issue.
BMW's are not as robust as old Japanese stuff.
You may just get a worthwhile 1.9 16v Z3 for 1500 quid. But it will probably be tatty needing cosmetic work. But they don't rot structurally and are mechanically very tough.
E39 5 Series, now in banger territory but they drive really well. As odd as it seems, the older ones (P/R reg) are a better bet. Simpler and more robust cooling system, everlasting ABS units, single Vanos and they seem to rust less. A 528i manual is the one to have.
The E36 though is the one to buy now, before they have all gone. I would go for a late 1.9 318iS Coupe and look after it. £1000 will buy a very decent example.
AS for Mercs, anything with the old M111 4 cyl engine (200, 230 etc) is a tough old b
d. But rust is an issue.BMW's are not as robust as old Japanese stuff.
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