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

[Holland]

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.

Pretty much this. The v8's are notorious for timing chain guides, leaks, and carbon build ups. Everything is expensive to fix on these engines. Granted if they have the maintenance they will go forever. E39's have always felt poorly built to me and honestly if I had to have the V8 then I would get a short wheelbase E38. A six is going to be your best option for fun/reliability/cost.

[agent]

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

This.

You can pick up a pre-facelift E39 540i/6 for $4-5K pretty easily, though at that price whatever you have left to spend will be gone quickly in repairs and (neglected) maintenance. The cooling system parts for either the I6 or the V8 are going to run ~$700, and that's if you do all the work yourself. Well-sorted post-facelift E39s are going anywhere from $9-12K locally.

[Cliche Guevara]

Pretty much this. The v8's are notorious for timing chain guides, leaks, and carbon build ups. Everything is expensive to fix on these engines. Granted if they have the maintenance they will go forever. E39's have always felt poorly built to me and honestly if I had to have the V8 then I would get a short wheelbase E38. A six is going to be your best option for fun/reliability/cost.

That's what I was thinking. A 5-speed 530i would be ideal. Actually, other than another E30, I'd really like to get myself a 635. Damned hard to find one with a stick, though.

[agent]

E39's have always felt poorly built to me...

Blasphemy!

[DisgustipatedAP1]

E36 M3. Do it.

[nokincy]

You didn't say that space was a requirement so I recommend a NB Miata. Cheap, Cheap to repair, super reliable, efficient, and ridiculously fun. Plus if you want to screw around with it they have a pretty big aftermarket support.

[redsubdivisions]

My other car is an E46 330i which was kept in great shape. Surprisingly good gas mileage too. I did 28 on the highway last week and I get about 380 miles to the tank and that's with a little bit of spirited driving here and there. It cost me $9k, though. But well worth it in my opinion.

[Cliche Guevara]

If I can luck out and get one that's been well taken care of and has a manual then an E46 would be cool. I just don't think I'll find that in my price range.

[harv]

I guess I should have qualified my statement.

The two friends I have with 528i's both have said that they wish they were 540's. Lots of little things that were 528 specific.

Oh well, what do I know?

I'd prefer the six too.

John

[Farbin Kaiber]

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/3011296668.html

[Cliche Guevara]

http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/3011296668.html

Already contacted him about getting some interior pics. That's #1 on my watch list so far.

[Nygdup]

E39 540's with the manual are great fun, but most everyone here has hit on the main problem with them... they aren't exactly cheap to fix! Suspension overhaul is probably due on any E39 you can find in this price range, and that's not cheap. Timing chain guides and valley pan gaskets are two things you should ask about. Like any BMW, the cooling system will eventually break too. All that being said, I'm a year into owning mine and loving it.

E46s can be had in this price range too. Window regulators, cooling systems, sun roof rails and subframe damage are all things to keep an eye out for. The window regulator repair is an easy job for a DIYer, though. E46s handle great though. I was thoroughly impressed with how mine drove the short time I had it. I just couldn't get over the auto trans that came in my car.

A well sorted e36 M3 could also be had at this price. Problem is, regardless of how well it has been taken care of, these cars are getting old. Everything is subject to failure at this point. Ownership experience now borders on a similar experience to owning an e30. Seems easy to work on, because we're forced to do so.

[rustybullet]

If you can't find a BMW then I recommend a Nissan 240sx Or even a Mercedes

[Cliche Guevara]

I've owned an E21 for more than five years (it was my first car) and then of course I had the E30, so I'm plenty accustomed to working on my car. I just want to a) be able to work on it and b) be able to afford working on it. That certainly rules out a 540 and more likely than not E39s in general. I'm really hoping that E34 in Idaho pans out, the seller sure it taking his sweet time to reply to me.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Already contacted him about getting some interior pics. That's #1 on my watch list so far.

He is a forum friend of mine.

Here is the FS: from when he bought it a few months ago.

http://www.idahomotorsports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63252