You have 7000 grand to spend?

[bob318]

If you had $7000 to spend on a BMW, what year and model would you get? Thats pretty much the situation im in. Any ideas guys?

[Torque]

89 325is 5sp with some goodies, or a e34 535i 5sp.

[Dactyl]

A '94 or '95 3-series. Look into the sticky thread 'Are you thinking about buying an e36'. I spent a few days looking around on BMW forums on the internet and that thread was the best help and the reason I mainly just read this board. I spent 7,000 on the penny for my '94 325is and it rocks!

[Aether]

Originally Posted by Torque

89 325is 5sp with some goodies.

+ Suspension.

[Torque]

Originally Posted by Aether

+ Suspension.

That's mainly what my 'goodies' implied, but with that much you could do a lot more.

[drz]

I, personally, would look for an e30 -- 1991 325is 5-sp. Since you are posting on the e36 section, I will make the wild assumption that you want to get another e36. In that case, I suggest a 325. Get a 1992 if you are willing to reinforce the subframe and want a non-vanos engine. Otherwise, I would encourage you to get the newest 325 possible, 1995. OBDI for teh mods for teh win!

Note: It may cost you $7000 just for the car, hopefully including registration. Take into consideration that with used vehicles comes the need to spend some cash to get it back to tip top shape.

[bob318]

I have to do somthing cause my 318 is falling apart. I just hit 120k and its been one thing after another. Itd be different if it was a honda and i could get parts cheep but these bmw parts are out of controle expensive. I really wanna get a 95 325i. Its always been one of my favorite bmws but im kinda scared to get another 95 cause im assuming im gonna have to get one with just as many miles on it as my 318 if i have only 7 grand to spend. Well i have some decisions to make. Thanks alot guy.
BOB318

[SpeedInfusion]

Originally Posted by bob318

I have to do somthing cause my 318 is falling apart. I just hit 120k and its been one thing after another. Itd be different if it was a honda and i could get parts cheep but these bmw parts are out of controle expensive. I really wanna get a 95 325i. Its always been one of my favorite bmws but im kinda scared to get another 95 cause im assuming im gonna have to get one with just as many miles on it as my 318 if i have only 7 grand to spend. Well i have some decisions to make. Thanks alot guy.
BOB318

are u gona sell ur 318?if so pm me with all the issues its having...

[Aether]

Originally Posted by drz

I, personally, would look for an e30 -- 1991 325is 5-sp.

1990 was the last year for the 325is, although you could buy a 1991 325i coupe with the sport package, which included the suspension and seats that made the is different. Random trivia.

Originally Posted by bob318

I have to do somthing cause my 318 is falling apart. I just hit 120k and its been one thing after another. Itd be different if it was a honda and i could get parts cheep but these bmw parts are out of controle expensive. I really wanna get a 95 325i. Its always been one of my favorite bmws but im kinda scared to get another 95 cause im assuming im gonna have to get one with just as many miles on it as my 318 if i have only 7 grand to spend. Well i have some decisions to make.

Depending on exactly what's going wrong, you could throw an M50 in your 318 and beef the suspension a little for the extra weight. $7,000 can go rather far if your chassis and electronics are alright. That may not be an option if your problems aren't just in the engine, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. Also, post-95 E36es are OBD2, so if you get a newer one you'll be dealing with a restrictive DME and the modifications will be more difficult unless you revert to OBD1.

Hope everything works out.

[drz]

My 1996 328i has over 186,000 miles on it. No major issues. You can find a good 1995 or even older, even if high mileage. Just don't get too excited about any car until you know that it is in good shape.

Aether, thanks for th trivia bit. I don't mind if it is an 'is'

I want a 1991 e30 coupe -- at least that is all I had in mind. I thought that was what the 's' stood for (coupe).

[Aether]

Well, not directly.
the s in 325es, 325is, or 318is just means it's got special suspension stuff and maybe seats and a steering wheel for the 325is. All of those are coupes, but not because of the s. There are 318i, 325e, and 325i coupes as well. 1991 was the last year for the US hardtop E30 though, and I'd also want a 1991 regardless, since they're all so old now.

What I really want is a 328.

[tomctx]

In the E30, the "S" meant a special package on a coupe. In the E36, "S" means it's just a coupe, no special package.

[BImmerN2B]

I feel the same bob, my 318 took me a year just to get it in decent shape, needs paint, has a lot of dings and scratches all over. I will sell it in about 6 months when I leave for overseas. I will keep all of you guys posted about that later.

[bob318]

All i know is that i should have just waited and found a 325i. But this car did catch my eye. Its a great car it just frustrates me when multipul things happen at the same time. The clear coat is coming off my roof too. I noticed that the other day when i washed it. Anyone else have problumes with that?

[leetman]

Hey Bob I am in the exact same situation as you! I too have $7,000 to spend on a BMW (including tax and title.)

I am totally hoping to find a 328IS for that price but I have been in the market now for about 2 months and have seen none I can afford. I looks like I might have to be satisfied with a 325IS...

Do any of you feel 328 is totally worth waiting for? I know that it has 1 more HP and about 20 more torque, and so I hear its a little faster at low RPMs.

My dilemma is, either get a 328IS with hella high miles, or get a 325IS with a more reasonable amount of miles. But the way it’s looking in the Seattle market I probably won't be able to get either (for the amount I have to spend.)!