Which BMW for 5k?

[paulpsz008]

Simple really, where would you 5k go if you were in the market now?

e36 M3, e46 330ci, 2.8 z3, e34 m5, e39 540i? Any others?

Also how would running costs compare say the e36 vs e46?

[gizlaroc]

E39 530i sport.

Quite simply the best all round BMW (and possibly car) ever made.

I loved mine and my brother is driving it now with 130k on it. Perfect car.

[Fox-]

If I could find one not for sale in a dodgy area of Birmingham with 11 previous owners and a set of Wan Li's, which I rather suspect is now virtually impossible, I'd have a 530i Sport as well.

[paulpsz008]

Good choice, but is 230bhp enough in an e39?

[paulpsz008]

There's no real requirements, other than I prefer manuals

Only me drving it,
Approx 12-14k PA, a good mix of roads,
Occasional passengers but not important,

Currently in an e36 328i Touring.

[Hammerhead]

paulpsz008 said:

Good choice, but is 230bhp enough in an e39?

It'll do - but 286bhp and oodles of torque from a 4.4 V8 flick my switch (and that's with an auto-box)

[rswheelnut]

With 5k i'd get a 330i sport 4dr (will be lower miles etc with 4dr rather than coupe)

Can get a good, looked after one with sensible miles. They're solid, fun, practical enough and the 3 litre creamy smooth. I have an e39 and also a good car (currently an m5 mind, but i've had a 535i before), and it is simlar but of course bigger and heavier - and feels it. Down to personal pref but 330i M Sport is pick of the crop for that money.

[Fox-]

paulpsz008 said:

Good choice, but is 230bhp enough in an e39?

According to the accurate measurements I have here from the cars original roadtest, in the wet it'll do 0-60 in 6.8 seconds and 0-100 in 17 seconds and onto 155mph.

Quick enough, surely?

[SJobson]

What's the low down torque like on the 3.0?

I never hear 530i owners talking about how much they'd like an Alpina B10 3.3 but that's the obvious progression if you want to stick with a straight six.

[Fox-]

SJobson said:

What's the low down torque like on the 3.0?

Absolutely fine, although the manual box makes a difference IMHO.

[quote]
I never hear 530i owners talking about how much they'd like an Alpina B10 3.3 but that's the obvious progression if you want to stick with a straight six.

I love the B10 but I don't like the way it looks so restrained compared to the 530i Sport. Obviously I appreciate why it looks this way and realise its most of the appeal of the car, but it's the reason why it would never be a progression for me.

[duff]

paulpsz008 said:

There's no real requirements, other than I prefer manuals

I was after a 530 sport a few months ago but there aren't (or weren't) that many decent manuals around with sensible miles for £5k.

[richyb]

E38 750i V12. Job done.

[paulpsz008]

richyb said:

E38 750i V12. Job done.

Will have one of these one day, though I think I'll get bored with it pretty quickly as I like somthing a bit more involved, I havn't tried one yet tho' so may be wrong?

Suprised no-one has gone for the e36 M3, I thought they were the real bargain of the moment?

[duff]

paulpsz008 said:

Suprised no-one has gone for the e36 M3, I thought they were the real bargain of the moment?

Problem is it's a 10 year old £5k car with £40k car running costs. I've had mine 5 months and so far it's cost me £2k and counting.

If you can find one that's been really looked after then fine but ,depsite what people might think, there aren't actually that many around to choose from and most of them are dogs.

[derestrictor]

richyb said:

E38 750i V12. Job done.

For a fiver? I have my reservations, based on experience.

OTOH, the 740 like Rich's example? Oh, yes...

[wezzer-45's]

I've just bought myself an e39 528i sport manual a few weeks ago and so far I've beem really impressed with it. I think I gave strong money for it but it was what I wanted and with low miles.

It has plenty of power although it's no sports car. As for torque, It's happy to poodle around in 4th gear at 30mph and goes really well when pushed. I can also get 28 mpg to and from work while sat in traffic and have seen 46mph at 65-70mph cruise which also impressed me.
The other good point of a pre 2001 car is that it will not get cought up in the higher tax bands.

If your after excitement then it's probably not the type of car for you, If you want refinement and a good practicle car then it ticks all of the boxes.

Just my opinion!

[uk68charger]

Why not a mint, low miles, 1 or 2 owner e30 325i touring.

You'd have change to sort out whatever the previous owner sold it for AND to personalise it!

Otherwise Hammerhead has nailed it - e39 540i.

BUT, what about mint e28 535i (SE if you can find one).

or lovely M635 CSi.

You could maybe find a passable-ish e46 330d touring too?

Nope, it has to be the e39, definitely.

or...

[Digger]

I was recently forced to sell my 2000 E39 540i Sport , low mileage all for a tad over £5k. I'd have it back in a shot! Having said that, in the future I may well plump for a 530i Sport as has been mentioned. . .if only to feel a bit more connected with the car. I am quite sure the 3 litre lump would have more than enough power for my needs.

[paulpsz008]

It's a bloody hard this!!!

[dcb]

Fox- said:

According to the accurate measurements I have here from the cars original roadtest, in the wet it'll do 0-60 in 6.8 seconds and 0-100 in 17 seconds and onto 155mph.

Quick enough, surely?

I couldn't agree more. Even on lovely speed limit free German autobahns,
the 130 mph all day cruise ability is *way* enough in practical terms
to keep up with almost all traffic, excepting the exotica like Porsche
and Ferrari in full chat mode.

Elsewhere in Europe, for example UK, it's a walk in the park at any
even vaguely legalish speed.

90 mph is 3000 rpm and 120 mph is 4000 rpm. Redline is 6500 or so rpm.