Talk me OUT of a e23 to DD as a summer cruiser

[Mr. Burns]

Long story short, my wife is heading on maternity leave for a year.
That means, she will have the "safe" car lol.

I'll have the 2nd car which is a 2003 Ford Focus...mechanically perfect.
The body however, is rotting around it's own shell. (salt, Canadian winters).

I have the opportunity to pickup a 1985 BMW 735IL on the cheap.
The body is clean, paint is faded and the underside floors/frame are solid.

Having just swapped over an M30b35 into my E30, I feel I have a pretty descent understanding of these engines now. (even tho, it's a M30b34 in the e23)

I'd use it for daily driving to work...I want something floaty and smooth, along with the classic looks of an 80's icon lol.

polish it up, lower slightly with some style 5's and call it a day?

or cancel idea alltogether as these cars are nightmares?

[ELVA164]

Talk you out of it? Okay....uh, they're big and fat and stupid and people will make fun of you and call you big and fat and stupid too.*








*I can't prove any of this.

[Mr. Burns]

hehehe I know what you mean;)

I think i'm reaching a point where I've done so much to my e30, I only want to drive it "occasionally" in the summer...

I do truly enjoy the styling of these old 80's luxo-barges, however there doesn't seem to be all that much appreciation of them.

was mostly looking for any feedback on them as a whole...i'd keep it stock for the most part and just enjoy it, wax it and clean it

[red325ix]

I had an e23 as my first car 16 years ago. It was mint and I drove it for a few years with no issues at all. These cars are known for issues with the climate control systems, they are vacuum operated. So that is something to watch out for.

It made a fine daily driver, although a bit of pig around town and up hills. It even did fine in the snow with some skinny snow tires on it.

[jakeb]

I had one for 2 years. I LOVED it. awesome driver

As said before the HVAC systems can be weird.... But not that scary as people say they are.

[russc]

I think the main argument against buying an E23 is that you can get a better specced, better built, and (at least in North America) better looking W126 Benz for the same money.

I like the idea of an e23, but it'd have to have either a stick, or euro bumpers to make it worthwhile.

[TSI]

I think the main argument against buying an E23 is that you can get a better specced, better built, and (at least in North America) better looking W126 Benz for the same money.

I like the idea of an e23, but it'd have to have either a stick, or euro bumpers to make it worthwhile.

This. Exactly this.

[flyboyx]

it seems to me that buying this car would be counter productive for you? it ain't no e30 thats for sure. somehow in what you wrote, i detect you want to buy this car more because its a good deal rather than from a practicality standpoint. sometimes "good deals" are the worst deals of all. just ask me sometime about the robalo center console fishing boat i used to own. i see this car in same light. there is very little re-salability in that car. there are lots of other vehicles/models that would make a more suitable daily?



if i were consider it(because i bumped my head), the price would have to be south of 2k.

[mbonder]

Why not move up to a newer 7? e32 or even e38 would be only a few grand more and they are way more advanced in just about everything.

[bumada]

Why not move up to a newer 7? e32 or even e38 would be only a few grand more and they are way more advanced in just about everything.

Way more advanced and a huge headache. E38s have many common problems that can add up in a hurry from common cooling system failures, leaking valve covers, poor power steering systems, weak transmissions, abs modules failing, interior falling apart.

Completely unrelated, you can buy my e38 :)

[BobombETA]

Meh. I dd'd an e28 for a few years. It got old. I know it's not the same, but it kind of is.

How about an e34?

[Mr. Burns]

it seems to me that buying this car would be counter productive for you? it ain't no e30 thats for sure. somehow in what you wrote, i detect you want to buy this car more because its a good deal rather than from a practicality standpoint. sometimes "good deals" are the worst deals of all. just ask me sometime about the robalo center console fishing boat i used to own. i see this car in same light. there is very little re-salability in that car. there are lots of other vehicles/models that would make a more suitable daily?



if i were consider it(because i bumped my head), the price would have to be south of 2k.

there is ALOT of truth to this...thank you for you bringing this to light, as sometimes it needs to be said.

the price is south of $2k....it's $650. runs smooth, shifts smooth I think it needs pads.

[Mr. Burns]

Meh. I dd'd an e28 for a few years. It got old. I know it's not the same, but it kind of is.

How about an e34?

too "new" as part of my "enthusiasts car collection"

I'm not a fan of drive-by-wire, and prefer less complex mechanicals.

[jalopi]

made by yours truly. *edit* it seems i fucked up one of the arrows that's supposed to be pointing away from babymomma, not towards

[BobombETA]

too "new" as part of my "enthusiasts car collection"

I'm not a fan of drive-by-wire, and prefer less complex mechanicals.

Might be thinking of an e39?

e34 still has a traditional throttle cable, mechanical steering, etc. It's the last of the "old" BMW's (imo) but with many modern improvements and conveniences.

e34's also have an astounding track record for reliability.