Shopping for my new car! :D

[Canyonero]

I've been thinking about getting a BMW for a long time, think I posted a thread here some time back asking if they were any good (the overall opinion was YES).

Well, it's time. I think I have a buyer for my little diesel coming next weekend, he's another Isuzu enthusiast so I'm letting it for a pretty darned good price. Passing on the sweet deal I got on it, not looking to make anything (I've owned it for two years and put 10k on it, so if I get my money back out of it I call that a win for both of us).

So, with that being sold, I've budgeted some funds for my BMW. I'm wanting a 328i, looking at somewheres around a 2000 model year. Going ten years back, with my budget, I'll be looking at cars over 100k miles. I don't know about the longevity of BMWs, think this is a good idea? Like I mentioned with the I-Mark, I put 10k on it in two years, so I don't really drive a ton. But that is subject to change with a possible move and job change this year, and the fact that I might want to drive a BMW more than my 51hp diesel.

So far, I've given my preferences and budget to a broker my family has used before, and I'm watching the classifieds. Just spotted one about 115 miles away from a private seller, exacty what I'm looking for, has all the sport goodies, price is right within my budget with 137k miles.

Thoughts? Used BMW buying advice? I'm debating if I should invest a bit more money to get something with lower miles. I just don't know if it would be worth the additional $2000 or so that it would take to make a difference.

[pocket-rocket]

3 series FTW? I have no Bimmer input, but I do love the 3 series.

[Canyonero]

And don't worry, I've got far too much blood sweat and tears into the Trooper to get rid of it. I'll still have my 60-deg V6 project. :P

I've never driven a BMW, but everything I've seen and read tells me I should do it. There really aren't any other sporty sedans that are calling to me, and the prices on used BMWs are fairly reasonable, so why the heck not?

My Trooper and my little diesel coupe are RWD, the Trooper now has limited-slip too. I love the feel of RWD, loads of fun.

[pocket-rocket]

I remember riding with Nico P. when Ben was buying his Cutty DOHC 5 speed car from him. We flew into Boston, Nico picked us up in his 3 series that had some M3 parts on it with an aftermarket suspension I believe. I also remember us doing about 80 down the highway and suddenly there was a mattress in our lane and Nico swerving right around it maintaining speed. That car felt like it was on rails. Eventually I want to get a BMW 3 series too, when funds permit...

[robertisaar]

i don't know if it's my affection for larger cars, but i would be at a 5 or 6 series... minimum.

[RedZMonte]

[QUOTE=pocket-rocket;416241]Nico P.QUOTE]

now thats a name i havnt seen in god knows how long.

[ForcedFirebird]

Is there a reason you are looking that new? For about the same price, you can scoop up a mint/refurbed 82-93 e30.

Don't know why I would be partial to them :P

My buddy picked one up for $5k, all M3 goodies, brakes, remaned engine, all new rubber, bushings etc - it's like a brand new car (these years typically go about 300k miles or more)

[pocket-rocket]

now thats a name i havnt seen in god knows how long.

Probably since EFI Street had a forum

[Canyonero]

Is there a reason you are looking that new? For about the same price, you can scoop up a mint/refurbed 82-93 e30.

Don't know why I would be partial to them :P

My buddy picked one up for $5k, all M3 goodies, brakes, remaned engine, all new rubber, bushings etc - it's like a brand new car (these years typically go about 300k miles or more)

Just looking for the luxuries, comforts and stylings of a newer car. I'm not looking for a project this time.

[ForcedFirebird]

Just looking for the luxuries, comforts and stylings of a newer car. I'm not looking for a project this time.

I'm talking about an already finished car that you can drive daily

One local picked up an e30 with a '98 Bimmer motor swap for 10k, it's just like a brand new car.

All the same comfort features are on the older ones, but parts are a LOT cheaper and they are easier to repair for a DIY'er.

[Canyonero]

I suppose if I could find such a car in this area (soon), I would consider it. But I'm possibly selling my little car next weekend, and I'd like to have another car within a few weeks or so.

I spotted an '00 328i on the classifieds a couple hours from here, with the 5-speed and sport goodies. Moderately high miles (137k), but if it's as nice as it looks, I'd probably go for it. I have a broker looking, but I haven't heard a peep since I called him early last week. I'll check in with him on Monday and if he doesn't have anything promising, I'll try following up on the ad.

[Canyonero]

More miles than I was hoping for, but it was also cheaper. '99 BMW 328i

[ForcedFirebird]

Congrats! You will fall in love HAHA.

[Canyonero]

It was relatively cheap because it's got loads of highway miles (Tacoma to Seattle every day), but supposedly it was religiously dealer maintained. I bought it from a ricer kid who bought it from the original owner (family friend) a few months ago. The kid's other car was a twin turbo Toyota Supra, said he was talked into buying the BMW but hardly drove it.

I've confirmed that it easily gets 30MPG with the few hundred miles I've put on it so far. Does have a few things I want to address before too long, and since it was a private party sale it was never detailed. So some work to do, but nothing to prevent it from being an immediate daily driver.

[IsaacHayes]

Good luck. My Dad's 97 528i is high maintenance. Every part has failed... LOL Constantly fixing something. Parts are not cheap either. Maybe he has a lemon... lol. By the time he is done fixing everything it will be a new car...