newer BMW's suck

[uofom3]

I tend to agree with a lot of what has been said here...

I agree that the e30/34/etc. are without question easier to work on and have fewer problems. BUT... you are going to start having major issues with these cars over time. Not uncommon to see people replacing a LOT of little shit on e30/34 cars. I know this from experience like everyone else. That stuff adds up over time thought possibly not to the extent of repair costs on newer cars.

A friend of mind has an 07' 530. That thing is serious fun to drive. I got a 328i e90 as a loaner car and that was a lot of fun to drive even with the auto tranny. The e90 in semi-stripped down trim is really pretty basic. It isn't full of all of the bells and whistles of some of the others. I actually made a comment to my dad (die-hard e30 lover) that a lot of the simplicity in the e90 I drove reminded me of the e30. It handled awesome, had plenty of power, was quiet, etc.

Funny that blunt called out the radiator... I've had the plastic radiator die on my 91 318is, 95 m3, and 01' x5. Shitty design.

I've never purchased/owned/driven in an e30 where everything works. by that I mean every installed aftermarket part/gauge/mechanism/x work perfectly. If you added all that up, even at used prices... it's a lot to keep it going properly.

I hate to just echo heeter, but I'll probably end up selling the x5 and getting an e92 m3 on lease as soon as possible. Drive it for a few years under warranty, turn it in, get something else. I don't want to have to worry about anything on my DD, the m3 is enough of a basket case to keep my wrenching.

[CleanAzzE30z]

what a joke of a thread! hahah.

muy e46 has 170,000 miles on it now- bought it with less than 30,000 and have had to put only 1 window reg. and a air flow meter in it(other than brakes and tires) and still runs like a champ.

e30s were (pieces of crap) when new too.
maybe your streets suxor or your wife does'nt know how to drive if you went through so many front end parts, and there are always lemons in every bunch---0---
sorry you got one.

the build quality is 100000000000000000000 better on the newer cars vs. the e30-- there is just alot more that can break/ and will.

I hate to tell you man. But youre the first person Ive heard say that. Including people who work on these cars all day. You may have caught a good one. Also, the decline in build quality amongst BMW's, amongst others, has been well documented in the automotive press. Thats not even mentioning my personal experience.

i think we are saying new bmws suck because we can't afford a new one .

:(

mmmmmmmmm......no.



Mariano

[Dave]

Well, I don't drive it that hard. It's a commuter for me. So, I'll go with the 750 bushings for now, but if they go to hell, I may try the 850CSi ones. I have M5 ones in there now.

I get the 83-86 shake, but it is waaaaaay less pronounced than the 50mph one.

I just pulled off the M-Parallels and went to the stock 15s and fatter sidewalls of my winter tires. That made a huge difference. The Pilot SPorts on the M-Parallels are wearing out.

Headliner - well, us Touring owners have an advantage in that the headliner is in sections, not one huge piece. Though I have two sunroof panels to consider and not just one . . . .

There are a couple of good writeups on how to do it. I'll find the link and send it to you via PM.

[Denton]

That works out for me, because I need to get mine to match my Euro M5 seats, but it should not be that way. When BMW went to the cheaper US style headliner with the fabric glued to a fiberboard, they failed. The glue and/or the foam backing of the fabric disintegrates and you get sagging. Most every e34 or e36 owner knows this.

Same with the craptastic doorcards. I only have one that has needed repair, but it was a poor choice of materials.



The radiators and the ever changing water pump imeller design/materials have been the achilles heel of the M5x motors. That is statitically fact. Glad yours is holding up.



I may be joining you soon. Mine is starting to 'pause' when up shifting from 2nd to 3rd.



If you took a survey of the e34 and e39 owners who have or have had the 50-60 mph "shimmy" from the shit thrust arm bushing design, you'd see that you are one of the lucky ones.

I'm not ready to put the car in a ditch or anything, it just isn't made as well as the e30.

Just ordered a set of thrust arms with 750iL bushings a few minutes ago - next weekend's project.

If I were you I'd return the 750iL bushings for M5 ones, or if you want to spend some cash, 850CSi spherical bushings. Apparently the 750iL bushings are trashed early, and really get torn up in hard driving.

I have the shimmy when braking but nothing too wild. I have a pretty bad shake in the mid 80 MPH range...not sure what it is.

My automatic had low line pressure in reverse, took two seconds for it to engage even when I bought it at 102k. The TC was sketchy too, would unlock and lock on the highway. May that craptastic auto rot in hell.

I have the nice gathered leather '95 door panels but they still delaminate, although mine look new. I'll find a solution for that someday.

Right now my main concern is the headliner. I don't know how to properly do one...going to be quite a bitch.

[atomic]

I would rock this if it comes out in 2010 as it is suppose too...

Suppose to be a entry level car under the 1 series.

[Dave]

Headliner is an excuse to get it recovered in suede. Mine is sagging in the oh-shit handle area and sunvisors.

That works out for me, because I need to get mine to match my Euro M5 seats, but it should not be that way. When BMW went to the cheaper US style headliner with the fabric glued to a fiberboard, they failed. The glue and/or the foam backing of the fabric disintegrates and you get sagging. Most every e34 or e36 owner knows this.

Same with the craptastic doorcards. I only have one that has needed repair, but it was a poor choice of materials.

Radiator has 75k on it and is fine. Original everything else except hoses.

The radiators and the ever changing water pump imeller design/materials have been the achilles heel of the M5x motors. That is statitically fact. Glad yours is holding up.

Crap automatic died at 126k, swapped to a manual.

I may be joining you soon. Mine is starting to 'pause' when up shifting from 2nd to 3rd.

Not true on front suspension. Have 80k on LCABs and sway bushings and dogbones, everything else is original at 135k (and needs to be replaced...I'll give you that).

If you took a survey of the e34 and e39 owners who have or have had the 50-60 mph "shimmy" from the shit thrust arm bushing design, you'd see that you are one of the lucky ones.

I'm not ready to put the car in a ditch or anything, it just isn't made as well as the e30.

Just ordered a set of thrust arms with 750iL bushings a few minutes ago - next weekend's project.

[E30_Pare]

Seriously.. I curse my e30 when I need to replace something every so often.... but everything is SOOOO easy and cheap. I can't bring myself to get rid of it. Thankfully my GF drives a 2000 Camry... so I don't have to worry about that.

That is exactly the reason why i'm keeping mine. My dad wanted to get me a new car, but I decided that since it runs fine and parts are cheap was the point. We have a 97' Range Rover and that thing gets 14mpg on a good day and is always prone to mechanical failures.

[vivalegreg]

e30s FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!~

[Denton]

Solid - except for the headliners that sag, and the door panels that delaminate, and the plastic radiators, and the crap transmissions, and the front suspension parts that last 2-3 years tops, and . . .

I know you own one but it's part of the game.

Headliner is an excuse to get it recovered in suede. Mine is sagging in the oh-shit handle area and sunvisors.

Radiator has 75k on it and is fine. Original everything else except hoses.

Crap automatic died at 126k, swapped to a manual.

Not true on front suspension. Have 80k on LCABs and sway bushings and dogbones, everything else is original at 135k (and needs to be replaced...I'll give you that).

[Denton]

I feel the same about an E34s look, such a great shape and with clear corners and some nice smileys look modern while staying classic.

I heard they all have heated seats too, they just have to be plugged into a switch.

Not sure if anyone has said it but:
No clear corners but get Euro trim and smileys

Not true about the heated seats, the element is also sewn into the cushion, bad design.

Here's mine, full M-tech, smileys, staggered Style 5s, sport seats, Eibach/Koni, blah blah blah:

[Tbolt]

I just think e30s look cooler and more solid. the new bmws are cool too but they seem to big and not sport enough(even the 1 series is bulky i feel). Personal opinion though. Boxy euro coupes always make me smile though...

My first car (95 jetta 2.0) was a pretty solid car besides needing a new master cylinder and the exhaust literally falling off on my way home from baltimore. Now I have a b5 passat and its not bad, I have yet to do anything but oil changes...but its 10 years old and even though it only has 52k miles, the timing belt needs changing soon and I dont want to do it. time to sell and buy another e30 and fix my vert. 2 e30s > *

[blunttech]

i think we are saying new bmws suck because we can't afford a new one .

:(

im saving up for an e32 .

[blunttech]

what a joke of a thread! hahah.

muy e46 has 170,000 miles on it now- bought it with less than 30,000 and have had to put only 1 window reg. and a air flow meter in it(other than brakes and tires) and still runs like a champ.

e30s were (pieces of crap) when new too.
maybe your streets suxor or your wife does'nt know how to drive if you went through so many front end parts, and there are always lemons in every bunch---0---
sorry you got one.

the build quality is 100000000000000000000 better on the newer cars vs. the e30-- there is just alot more that can break/ and will.

we are all real proud of you . there is always one good car in every bunch. glad you got one. eat a poorly built dick

[NOMAD]

Acura TL-S is a nice option, power and comfort, can also be made to look different from the rest, but looks a bit pedestrian off the lot. There are also the CL-S if she doesn't mind a two door.

Of course, you could always go in the opposite direction and get her the Hyundai Genesis as it'll have the same issues but cost you less than the BMW it is copying.
Or try the Kia Amanti, it's a turd for people who think they'll fool their neighbors with old mbz headlights.

[Beastolizer]

Quite frankly, I just don't think BMW distinguishes themselves from the rest of the car makers anymore like they used to. Look back at them from 90's-previous, they made some kick ass cars. Not saying new ones aren't cool, just not up to my old BMW standards :???: