Best PNW DD for under 5k?

[Twelvizm]

TDI service may be more expensive than that of an M20 car, but it's about as difficult as any other newer VW. And the Passat's front end comes off in 8 bolts, it was specifically designed to easily come off for engine servicing.

Any added expense of maintenance is absorbed in fuel savings within months.

[mayko5]

An e39 takes my vote mine has been with me about 8 years and extremely reliable plenty of space and great on gas. It has plenty of power, is fun to drive and super easy to maintain.

I assume not the v8? I'm looking at picking up a good daily so I can take the e30 under the knife. After a good bit of research I'm leaning towards a e39 530 (Hopefully with a manual trans).

As for a car under 5k, I second the vote on an e36 325i if you want to stay BMW. The M50's are pretty rock solid. I find Subarus to be really expensive for the mileage in the PNW.

[mulletman]

Early 90's 4-Runner.

[Badwayz]

W210 Mercs are crazy reliable and easy to find parts for, Ive had 3 and all have been excellent and dependable DD's, varying in maintenance cost of $200-$500 a year, including the small stuff like oil changes and wipers. Last year my 2002 E55 cost me about $350.

As much as I love BMW's, and will always have one or two, they have always been trice as expensive to keep up (all models) and I always have to have a back up driver just incase.

Here is a diesel version

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4359833786.html

and an AWD wagon version at a dealer, if financing is needed, though that color is less than desirable.

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/4345714278.html

[Turf1600]

I had no idea that I posted this until 5 minutes ago. This was like 45 minutes after I had taken an ambien...

Anyways, my heart sinks when I think about getting something that's not a BMW. Thinking 4 door e30, e38 or e39 at this point.

[Turf1600]

My daily for the past 6 years has been my e38 love her one of the best cars I've ever owned

What's maintenance like on these? Is the myth of crank bolts falling off true?

[hendrixvodu]

What's maintenance like on these? Is the myth of crank bolts falling off true?

ive heard of the sump bolts backing out on early b40 cars checked mine when i did my timing chain...99-01 is the problem year with the single row chain and water cooled alt. ive done the chain and guides on my and alt...its not too expensive no more than an e39. car has never left me stranded or emptied my wallet, the most expensive thing ive put into it was the alt it was just shy of $500 for a reman...if you can do the work yourself they are cheap if you cant they arent...but thats any bmw imo

best part about the 7 is 98mph at 3k with a 3.15 lmfao amazing highway car

[Killacortes]

Damnnn I need an e38 in my life

[Erik]

saying fuck it and buying a new subaru.

Your best idea.

[Ryann]

..the Passat's front end comes off in 8 bolts, it was specifically designed to easily come off..

This is what people say who haven't had to deal with several different types/sizes of seized, rusted out, low quality torx fasteners that are holding together shitty brittle plastic and sheet metal doodads that have been exposed to multiple low speed parking lot impacts.

Not to mention the fact that the cooling system is all plastic. Water pump impeller, thermostat housing, radiator.. the coolant hoses are plastic snap on pieces with o-rings ala e46. Got a leaky one? Remove front of car.

Then there's the electrical system..

[ck_taft325is]

A subaru timing belt is $40 any where. Go to autozone

A sohc subaru timing belt is easier to change than a M20 timing belt. If you bought a DOHC subaru I feel bad for you.

Water Pump and idler set shouldn't be over 80bux

If you get raped by boxer engine hipster tax might as well buy a cargo bike also for mor tax

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I ended up with an '02 and the cheapest I could find the timing belt kits was $249.00 which has every part most of the Subaru forums suggest not getting. I personally hated working on the motor as the only motors I have any real time with are BMW's. BMW's seem much more straightforward to me than the WRX ever did.

I didn't realize the made fairly newer SOHC Subarus?

[Mlarsen]

This is what people say who haven't had to deal with several different types/sizes of seized, rusted out, low quality torx fasteners that are holding together shitty brittle plastic and sheet metal doodads that have been exposed to multiple low speed parking lot impacts.

Not to mention the fact that the cooling system is all plastic. Water pump impeller, thermostat housing, radiator.. the coolant hoses are plastic snap on pieces with o-rings ala e46. Got a leaky one? Remove front of car.

Then there's the electrical system..

This, I absolutely loathe working on anything vw.

[e30austin]

This, I absolutely loathe working on anything vw.

I second that. They are not enjoyable.

[Pdxseth]

E28's are good in the snow, just drove ours from oregon to Wyoming and back. It was blizzard conditions(same time it snowed here) the whole time, clutch master went out on the way but we still made it there and back. We went over the pass with no chains and probably 20% tread. Awd is over rated.


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[bmwm42]

Ive overhauled the timing chain system on a vr6 golf its not that bad I just hate the transverse engine