$7,000 for an E30 replacement....

[Cliche Guevara]

I just recently totalled my E30 when I tried to avoid a deer and ended up in a ditch. Yeah, I should have just hit the damned thing, but my instant reaction was to try to avoid the bastard.

Anyway, I find myself in need of a car. Obviously another E30 would be perfect, but considering I need a replacement by mid June I'm not sure that's feasible. Right now I'm looking at E39s, E34s, E24s, and E36s, but outside the world of BMW I'm not sure what to look at. I absolutely will not buy an automatic and I reeeaaaally don't want fwd. Also, I'm driving to Utah from Oregon in June to visit my brother so it's gotta be something I can count on for a trip like that.

What does r3v think I should look into?

[redsubdivisions]

Wow. $7k for an E30 isn't too bad.

E39's are pretty solid for DD's, so I would go after that if you're staying strictly in the 4 chassis codes you stated.

[Cliche Guevara]

Wow. $7k for an E30 isn't too bad.

$7,000 is my max. The issue is finding a decent E30 in the time that I have.

E39's are pretty solid for DD's, so I would go after that if you're staying strictly in the 4 chassis codes you stated.

Definitely not attached to only those four choices, they just seem like the best options I have. Other suggestions are welcome, that's the point of the thread. And I am leaning towards an E39, I'm just having trouble finding one with a manual and a decent service history.

[harv]

If going e39 I'd only go with the V8. My friends with 528's seam to have a lot of 600 dollar problems.

John

[325ix]

If going e39 I'd only go with the V8. My friends with 528's seam to have a lot of 600 dollar problems.

John

I just got a 540i/6. I love it so far. All e39's have cooling system problems so why not go for the one with the v8?

[JGood]

If going e39 I'd only go with the V8. My friends with 528's seam to have a lot of 600 dollar problems.

John

Not that m60's and m62's are unreliable, but the cost of repairs and maintenance to them far exceed the 6 cylinder models.

e39's in general will be much more expensive to repair and maintain then any of the other models listed.

[Cliche Guevara]

If going e39 I'd only go with the V8. My friends with 528's seam to have a lot of 600 dollar problems.

John

It was my understanding that the V8 models were less reliable than the straight 6's.

[evandael]

E36 M3/4/5 or E34 535 are my suggestions.

[M-technik-3]

E46 fits in this category.

[lolcantturn]

A shitty 400,000mile 15 owner 4 accidents salvage-by-flooding stolen E46 fits in this category.

fixed



With your price set at $7000, you will find a much better example of a lower-priced car like an E30 or E36 than buying an E39 or E46 which will usually be shitty examples like automatic 323's, but sometimes you can luck out.

But really I was exagerrating about the fixed post, just remember that buying a cleaner example of an E46 will be better for your wallet in the long run...

[Vtec?lol]

I just picked up the e39 540iA with the vanos m62
I absolutely love it.
Is it worth it? yes, the vanos gives it sooo much torque in the botom end so from take offs it's a beast. 325ftlbs. It pulls all the way to the redline unlike the nonvanos m62s I drove.

Cons of an e39
4link rear end needs about $1200 of parts to refreash all the bushings and links in the 4-link suspension setup.
Nothing is cheap on the v8 models. at all.


.... But everytime my big toe wanders into the accelerator, my entire body generates a huge grin on my face.

[Cliche Guevara]

fixed



With your price set at $7000, you will find a much better example of a lower-priced car like an E30 or E36 than buying an E39 or E46 which will usually be shitty examples, but sometimes you can luck out.

Yeah, I noticed a few E46s popping up in my craigslist searches, but I was a little weary of what kind of shape they're in. Same thing for the E36 M3s I've seen. You think that applies to E39s too? I've seen quite a few in pretty good shape with good maintenance records (though nothing with a stick)?

[mikeedler]

It was my understanding that the V8 models were less reliable than the straight 6's.

this is true with what I've seen here in Germany. E39s are getting to that old age now, and are needing alot of repairs.

buy an e46.

[M-technik-3]

fixed



With your price set at $7000, you will find a much better example of a lower-priced car like an E30 or E36 than buying an E39 or E46 which will usually be shitty examples like automatic 323's, but sometimes you can luck out.

But really I was exagerrating about the fixed post, just remember that buying a cleaner example of an E46 will be better for your wallet in the long run...

In your neck of the woods maybe..plenty of nice 330i's out there. I have three coworkers that have bought nice e46 330i for under 8K

[JGood]

It was my understanding that the V8 models were less reliable than the straight 6's.

Not really less reliable, just more expensive to fix when something does break. It's a 32 valve engine with 2 cylinder heads and a maze of timing chains and guides. It all works great, as long as you do the proper preventive maintenance and replace parts when they've exceeded their lifespan. Most people just drive them until they break, then bitch and complain when they get a price on a crate engine and the labor involved, and end up selling the whole $10k+ car for less then $3k (e38's, e39's, e53's). Really gives these engines a bad rep. My 160k mile m62b44tu is still running great, not a single flaw or issue with it, runs like new. Doesn't burn oil or leak a single drop of fluid. And I fully expect to get another 100k+ hard miles out of the 135k mile m60 that's going into my e30.