Question at the chav end of the scale...
Discussion
Having driven a few bimmers now I love them, but the question is for £1000-ish do I go for a 325, a 530 or a 535? No I don't mean for the deposit I mean the whole car 
I'm not scared of a few miles and do my own work so I'm looking at a 94-ish 5 series or a few years older e36 325 - (they didnt make 328's in those years did they?) Its going to be a fair search cause most of the 5's are autos and most of the 3's are dog rough but I'm in no rush...
Anyway has anyone run something that type & age for any length of time? Am I insane or what?
I'm not scared of a few miles and do my own work so I'm looking at a 94-ish 5 series or a few years older e36 325 - (they didnt make 328's in those years did they?) Its going to be a fair search cause most of the 5's are autos and most of the 3's are dog rough but I'm in no rush... Anyway has anyone run something that type & age for any length of time? Am I insane or what?
I run a 94 525i touring as my everyday commuter. I do nearly 100 miles a day and the car is great. Some things wear out (eg rear wiper has packed up) but the engine, reliability, comfort, perf etc are all fine and I cant really justify getting rid of it for £1500 - £2000 when it is such a great car.
I would ahve thought at £1K though that they are probably a bit ropey!
Also the car is cheap to run - fuel economy is ok 450miles on a tank (£70 worth) and servicing at my local garage is £100.
I would ahve thought at £1K though that they are probably a bit ropey!
Also the car is cheap to run - fuel economy is ok 450miles on a tank (£70 worth) and servicing at my local garage is £100.
I run a 90 E30 325I touring and I love it 
Fantastic cars and even my local BMW dealer called it collectable. Now't chavvy about it whatsoever, hewn from solid granite.I've posted this before...
My E36 3251 has done 136000 miles. I've done over 100,000 of them.
Faults so far:
airbag light came on - expensive module from BMW dealer
Driver's window glass fell into door. Replaced a couple of nylon pegs with over the phone advice from local specialist.
Horn ring on steering wheel squeaks - it still does, not worth expensive repair.
Driver's seat squeaks.
Sunroof cables rattle
That's it. All the rest of the costs have been 'normal maintainance'. I always use good quality brake disks and pads, genuine filters. Never miss an oil change. Replace brake fluid and coolant every two years.
It goes like a train, it had new suspension bushes, and bilsteins all round at 100,000 and handles really well. Still enjoy it, still a quick car.
If I could afford it, I'd replace it with a 330. But since I haven't the cash and won't borrow money, I'll be keeping the old 325i for some time.
My E36 3251 has done 136000 miles. I've done over 100,000 of them.
Faults so far:
airbag light came on - expensive module from BMW dealer
Driver's window glass fell into door. Replaced a couple of nylon pegs with over the phone advice from local specialist.
Horn ring on steering wheel squeaks - it still does, not worth expensive repair.
Driver's seat squeaks.
Sunroof cables rattle
That's it. All the rest of the costs have been 'normal maintainance'. I always use good quality brake disks and pads, genuine filters. Never miss an oil change. Replace brake fluid and coolant every two years.
It goes like a train, it had new suspension bushes, and bilsteins all round at 100,000 and handles really well. Still enjoy it, still a quick car.
If I could afford it, I'd replace it with a 330. But since I haven't the cash and won't borrow money, I'll be keeping the old 325i for some time.
i run an 89 e34 535. bought it with 82000 miles on the clock with FSH (a must). 5 years on, done 125000 and the car has let me down once, head gasket failure.
the acceleration is superb, and the noise from the smooth straight six is luvverly..
i would recommend one to anyone. bit juicy obviously but as it never goes wrong i havnt spent a fortune on repairs....
you know you want one....
tt
the acceleration is superb, and the noise from the smooth straight six is luvverly..
i would recommend one to anyone. bit juicy obviously but as it never goes wrong i havnt spent a fortune on repairs....
you know you want one....
tt
Yep a 535 would be the car of choice but what kind of real world MPG do you get from a manual?
£1k probably is pushing it a bit, I don't mind waiting for the right car at the right price though, maybe even something repairable? A manual 3.0 V8 went for 800 a week or two ago, needed a front bumper and a rad and thats very do-able. I just forgot how ace RWD is having driven a primera for a while and I've got the itch back big time
£1k probably is pushing it a bit, I don't mind waiting for the right car at the right price though, maybe even something repairable? A manual 3.0 V8 went for 800 a week or two ago, needed a front bumper and a rad and thats very do-able. I just forgot how ace RWD is having driven a primera for a while and I've got the itch back big time
Now, wheres that rocking horse doodoo, I know I left it round here somewhere....Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff