Can they be trusted?
Discussion
Ifeelaneedforspeed said:
Thank's Isore, I might raise the budget to 2500 (that's preferable) but if not I'll raise it all to 4000. Am I more likely to get something worth while at that price.
Regarding the e36:I bought my 99 328 avus sport in 2011 for £1600, I knew it had suspension problems and some beat up bodywork but the engine was strong and I just couldn't see such a rare example end up in the crusher. Over the 4 1/2 years it was on the road i must have dropped around £1k a year on essential maintenance but i was prepared to do so because of my love for the car.
If you want a hassle free experience then imo looking at the market you are looking at between £6-7k minimum for a tidy unmolested and well maintained 325/328 coupe (if you can find one that is!)
Three years ago I test drove a 318 compact and fell in love with it so I bought one; 2002/52 in metallic red with 120k. To me it felt like driving a big MX-5 and I got used to it faster than any other car I've ever driven. Definitely the best car I've ever owned apart from of course the MX-5 and the 944.
HOWEVER: It cost me £2000 and during the year or so I had it, I spent another 2K on getting all the problems sorted out. I've always said that anything under 3K is a bit dodgy, under 2K very dodgy, under 1K you're just buying trouble (but I don't always listen to myself).
HOWEVER: It cost me £2000 and during the year or so I had it, I spent another 2K on getting all the problems sorted out. I've always said that anything under 3K is a bit dodgy, under 2K very dodgy, under 1K you're just buying trouble (but I don't always listen to myself).
With your budget constraints as has been said its almost impossible to guarantee a BMW or any other car will be reliable.
However there are a couple of sensible actions you can take.
I would stick with a 6 cylinder car as they are generally very robust. You will however have to look after whatever you buy to maintain it over the years so don't expect to buy a car spend nothing and for it to last. I would advice against the diesels as at that price you will be unlikely to get anything unless it has Death Star mileage.
I would not focus on a model. I would focus on the previous owner. You want to find a car that's been owned by someone that can afford to run the car properly. Look for a low owner and mileage car if possible that has clear evidence of being looked after. Good pointers would be premium branded tyres, recent history showing not just servicing but preventative maintenance.
As an example I helped a friend who wanted a diesel BMW for £1500 which I did not advice. He got a 530d with 180k on clock, but it had 4 brand new Goodyear tyres. New discs and pads, swirl flap removal and an aftermarket sat nave and clearly had money spent on it despite its low value. 3 years later it's still going with 260k on the clock. It's needed tyres and more brakes and a couple of services. So it can be done.
I would consider any 6 cylinder e39 you have the early 2.3 and 2.8 and the later 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0. Jacking point rust is the biggest problem
E46 early 328i and 323i then later 320i (6cylinder 2.2) 325 and 330, although I doubt you will get one of these in budget. The early cars don't seem to have rust issues.
Don't discount a 728i great cars.
E36's are also good, but an e46 is a big step up in terms of cabin, and the newest e36 is not far of 20 years old now.
You will almost certainly need a radiator if not changed and water pump so look for cars that have had this work done.
Hope this helps
Good luck.
However there are a couple of sensible actions you can take.
I would stick with a 6 cylinder car as they are generally very robust. You will however have to look after whatever you buy to maintain it over the years so don't expect to buy a car spend nothing and for it to last. I would advice against the diesels as at that price you will be unlikely to get anything unless it has Death Star mileage.
I would not focus on a model. I would focus on the previous owner. You want to find a car that's been owned by someone that can afford to run the car properly. Look for a low owner and mileage car if possible that has clear evidence of being looked after. Good pointers would be premium branded tyres, recent history showing not just servicing but preventative maintenance.
As an example I helped a friend who wanted a diesel BMW for £1500 which I did not advice. He got a 530d with 180k on clock, but it had 4 brand new Goodyear tyres. New discs and pads, swirl flap removal and an aftermarket sat nave and clearly had money spent on it despite its low value. 3 years later it's still going with 260k on the clock. It's needed tyres and more brakes and a couple of services. So it can be done.
I would consider any 6 cylinder e39 you have the early 2.3 and 2.8 and the later 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0. Jacking point rust is the biggest problem
E46 early 328i and 323i then later 320i (6cylinder 2.2) 325 and 330, although I doubt you will get one of these in budget. The early cars don't seem to have rust issues.
Don't discount a 728i great cars.
E36's are also good, but an e46 is a big step up in terms of cabin, and the newest e36 is not far of 20 years old now.
You will almost certainly need a radiator if not changed and water pump so look for cars that have had this work done.
Hope this helps
Good luck.
How about this
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
1 owner full service history, expensive area, manual 525i. Can't go wrong with this
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Low owners and mileage. Bit over budget but looks nice
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
As above
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
328i couple not far off budget sporty and nice spec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Another 328i under budget
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
1 owner full service history, expensive area, manual 525i. Can't go wrong with this
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Low owners and mileage. Bit over budget but looks nice
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
As above
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
328i couple not far off budget sporty and nice spec
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
Another 328i under budget
Edited by Sohlman on Saturday 14th November 13:11
I've bought two sub £1000 (£700&£795) BMW E36 cars in the last two years plus a cheap Z3 and all have been fantastic trouble free cars...
My first one I only had for a day which was a little 316 automatic compact and on the way driving it home I popped into see my father and he loved the car so much I ended up giving him the keys and two years later he still has the car and he wouldn't drive anything else.
This time I decided I wanted a manual version Ti E36 compact as its basically the Hot hatch version and again this one has been such a reliable car and a hoot to drive that I can't see me parting with it anytime soon as was bought so I could garage my Z3 during the winter months..
Both the E36 compacts I bought were both low mileage ( both had done 57000) time warp motors and still look and drive as good as new without a speck of rust anywhere.
Although a good E36 is thin on the ground there's still the odd gem about for under a grand if your prepared to travel but your best bet for that price would be a compact as most decent 6 pot models are over a grand these days.
It gets confusing though as apart from the wheels the cars look nigh identical lol
My first one I only had for a day which was a little 316 automatic compact and on the way driving it home I popped into see my father and he loved the car so much I ended up giving him the keys and two years later he still has the car and he wouldn't drive anything else.
This time I decided I wanted a manual version Ti E36 compact as its basically the Hot hatch version and again this one has been such a reliable car and a hoot to drive that I can't see me parting with it anytime soon as was bought so I could garage my Z3 during the winter months..
Both the E36 compacts I bought were both low mileage ( both had done 57000) time warp motors and still look and drive as good as new without a speck of rust anywhere.
Although a good E36 is thin on the ground there's still the odd gem about for under a grand if your prepared to travel but your best bet for that price would be a compact as most decent 6 pot models are over a grand these days.
It gets confusing though as apart from the wheels the cars look nigh identical lol
Edited by Vince70 on Saturday 28th November 18:13
Edited by Vince70 on Saturday 28th November 18:14
Edited by Vince70 on Saturday 28th November 18:16
Three years ago, just over, I bought a £650 E36 316i compact of a slightly dodgy 'modern classic dealer' via the PH classified. Advertised for £850, haggled a bit, etc. 8months MOT on it.
I got it home and it boiled over the first time I was in traffic, which was annoying, chased round messing with thermostat and viscost fan unit (apparently both common) before fixeding it with a new radiator cap! £7.
- Then the first MOT it got pulled for front wishbones, subframe mounts, antirollbar droplink, etc £500. Arse again.
However it then did three years trouble free, £12 for a new lamda, £8 for a new intake boot, and £45 each for a pair of tyres fitted and balanced. Returned 32mpg, trashed hard, great fun, used it for autosolo test, towing the kitcar with it and everything.
Needed a new cat this year £90+30 as I did the backbox too, otherwise another clean test.
Any £1500 or less car is a mild punt, but also, worse case you can get another for what some people pay per month on finance!
Daniel
I got it home and it boiled over the first time I was in traffic, which was annoying, chased round messing with thermostat and viscost fan unit (apparently both common) before fixeding it with a new radiator cap! £7.
- Then the first MOT it got pulled for front wishbones, subframe mounts, antirollbar droplink, etc £500. Arse again.
However it then did three years trouble free, £12 for a new lamda, £8 for a new intake boot, and £45 each for a pair of tyres fitted and balanced. Returned 32mpg, trashed hard, great fun, used it for autosolo test, towing the kitcar with it and everything.
Needed a new cat this year £90+30 as I did the backbox too, otherwise another clean test.
Any £1500 or less car is a mild punt, but also, worse case you can get another for what some people pay per month on finance!
Daniel
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