thinking about getting a BMW in spring, opinions?

phantomFE3 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 03:45 PM

in the spring im thinkin about getting a BMW, not a fancy new one or anything, and i dont have much to spend, only about 3,000 to spend at the max, do you think i could get a BMW for that much? like maybe an 80's model? i know 3,000 isnt alot but i dont need anything fancy, ill be 17 in may and so my dad doesnt want me having a hot rod with tons of power, im just lookin for one thats clean and trouble free, nothing fancy. what models should i look for and how much should the prices be for them? any major problems or things to look for? thanks

Kompressor · #2 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 04:05 PM

Save up til you're 18 and get an E36.

si666treme · #3 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 04:13 PM

you could get an e30 (mid 80s- early 90s). i got an e36 for $5000. it has a few minor mechanical problems but they are easily fixed.

phantomFE3 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 05:14 PM

i wouldnt have to wait till im 18 to get 5 grand, i just want a little average BMW to putt around in during the summer and the winter (i know they are back wheel drive, but ill get blizzaks or chains or something for the snow) untill i can save up and get a nice camaro.

in the summer i mow the lawn at my dads work and most of my relatives houses and at my dads work i get paid 13/hour and i have to work about 20 hours a week or so during the summer because the grass is healthy there and i have to do other stuff like trim hedges and stuff, so thats like 260 a week, about about 4 grand over the whole summer, depends on how much i work, im gonna work my ass off this summer so it will probably be more than that and ill see what i can do with that... so the main verdict is an e30 so far.. ill look into those

Syko · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phantomFE3
[b] (i know they are back wheel drive, but ill get blizzaks or chains or something for the snow) [b]

BWD!

Scorp965 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phantomFE3
untill i can save up and get a nice camaro.

phantomFE3 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 05:36 PM

bwd? back wheel drive? what? confused!.

i found a '85 745i turbo for $1000 bucks, doesnt run, said he drove it into his driveway fine 5 years ago but its been parked for that long and the battery froze since then and it doesnt start and he hasnt tried putting a new battery in it and starting it, how does that one sound? it seems like it just might need a new battery and maybe some other things to get it running again, doesnt seem too bad for the price...

Scorp965 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 05:59 PM

The E28 745i turbo is a very high-maintinance car, I doubt his story quite a bit and even if it is true (which it isn't, it was too expensive to fix 5 years ago) the car will need a lot of work, the automatic transmissions on these cars are notorious, and the turbo is probably going to need a few grand put into it as well if it has been sitting...

Your best bet, in terms of a bimmer, is a cosmetically ugly (but well-maintained) E30 325i with the M20 motor - other than that you are looking at a project or something that will cost you $$$, if you are able (and are opposed to the idea of an E30) save up for a '92 E36 325i 5spd... perhaps you will end up liking this car better than your idealized camaro?

phantomFE3 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 06:07 PM

hmm, so the 745 is out... back to the e36... i already have a camaro and i like it alot, ive always liked manual transmissions and the camaro is only a 3 speed manual so i dont shift very often, but its pretty fast... ill have to look at the cars for sale on the net and check local places here and see what i can come up with

3ZTT · #10 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 10:06 PM

3 speed? haha, damn. And here I am complaining about a 5 speed.

3ZTT · #11 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 11:00 PM

http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic125587.htm

phantomFE3 · #12 (**permalink**) 12-18-2003, 05:53 AM

haha yeah thats mine, i have the thrush dual exhaust and all that stuff, how did you ever come accross that?

Matthew C Smith · #13 (**permalink**) 12-18-2003, 09:16 AM

How about an e30 318? They're stout little cars and the 318is handles really nicely. I was pretty close to buying one.

The problem is the maintance. Unless you've got some more money coming or could get some help from your folks with up keep on the car, I'm not sure this is your best option.

MacDubois · #14 (**permalink**) 12-18-2003, 09:51 AM

E30 3-series is a good choice, so are E28 5's. And there are turbos out for all the motors, should you get the need for power.

And for 3grand you can get a very clean car. Except look out for rust, salt kills MN bimmers. Oh, BTW chains are illegal in Minnesota, even for BWD cars

phantomFE3 · #15 (**permalink**) 12-18-2003, 03:46 PM

yeah i hate salt, even though my phantom has rust on it i have it washed every week to get all the sand and slush and salt and everything off, and i probably wouldnt drive the bmw in the winter, i would drive the phantom in the winter and the bimmer in the summer now that i think about it