Buying advice: M50 318ti vs. 328i vs 530i

[NeoMishMoo]

Hoping for some help deciding on my next bmw purchase
Main use will be driving 11 miles to work on a somewhat winding country road.

Contestants:
'95 318ti with m50 swap. Seller will include m54 rotating assembly and gaskets to start stroker build. $3300
mileage unconfirmed on engine. 900 miles away.

'98 328i black on black $3500 local dealer. 164k on the clock

'03 530i only 82,000 miles. $4,999 negotiable private local seller.

All are manual transmissions all have cold AC. I'm located in Dallas area. My previous vehicles: '87 325es, Turbo 318ti,'94 F350 diesel.

Really leaning towards getting another ti. They're amazingly light and the hatch is incredibly useful however would have to have it shipped from AL to TX. And while a stroker build is inticing I dont have nearly the free time I used to have.

I'd like to test the legend of the e39. I've always dreamed of owning an m5. The 530i Mileage is way lower than any other e36 or e39 I've seen on the market. However coolant system is all original so I expect id have to put some money into preventative maintenance.

The 328i is really just a compromise. Price is nice and I've heard good things about the m52. Never been a fan of e36 outside of ti.

Just want something enjoyable for my short commute. Not looking for dream car. Will probably sell after a couple years.

[idriveastick]

Not even a contest; 530.

[pbonsalb]

The 530i is a fine car. A lot of car for the money. But if you must have a little go kart, it is not one. Straight line speed might be similar. Power to weight is the same for a 225 hp 3400 lb E39 as for a 190 hp 2900 lb E36 and the 3.0L has more torque than the 2.5L. Put schmiedman headers and midpipes on the M54 in place of the factory catted logs.

[NeoMishMoo]

Under 100k miles and under $5k And manual transmission with rack & pinion might just be the winning combination. A lot of car but still only the same size as a modern 3 series

[BimmerBreaker]

I'd offer less for the E36. But only because E39's are kind of boring to me, at least in non-M trim

[NeoMishMoo]

E39's are kind of boring to me, at least in non-M trim

Agreed but could buy some M body pieces down the road.

Might just buy both e36's so I have something to drive while I do the stroker build.

[Doge]

Might just buy both e36's so I have something to drive while I do the stroker build.

Daddy Warbucks over here.

[NeoMishMoo]

They went down to $2700 on the 328 its a total beater but pulls hard and passes obd2 Texas inspection. Took off nicely from dead stop in 3rd. Going to bring cash and try to get it for closer to $2k. Interior is shot metal plate replaced moon roof. Leather torn. No glove box latch missing pillar covers.

But I am without vehicle so it will do for a point a to point b. Until I find something more dreamy.

My wife told me the e39 would be good for her grandmother.

- - - Updated - - -

Kbb barely showing $2k value. Might try for that. Forgot to test AC...