Buying a car

[BMWLaxer]

I'm looking for a BMW that is cheap to repair, relieable, and accepts bolt-on's easy. If you have any ideas? please help

[dhcomp]

There isn't one.

Parts are cheaper for the older 3's (E30), but there isn't really any BMW's that are cheap to maintain. And the become less reliable the more you skip on maintenance.

They are awesome cars, don't get me wrong, but the comment about cheap maintenace makes me want to say "if you have to ask, you can't afford it".

The bolt on comment kinda scares me too. Lots of cars accept bolt ons, but not many get much benefit besides looks from standards "bolt ons"

[Binjammin]

There's nothing more expensive than a cheap car. Unfortunately that applies to BMWs more than most cars. They can be very care-intensive, and things will wear out on them. If you buy a BMW, there's only a couple ways to go about it, and they'll both cost you money. You can either buy a car that's been neglected and spend the money bringing it up to snuff, which in all likelyhood will cost you more than the car is worth (depending on what you buy of course) or you can buy a car that was well cared for, drive the hell out of it and wear out parts, and replace them as you go. A well cared for car will bring a premium over a rat, but it's almost always a better place to start.

An e34 is a great place to start, as they've only recently depreciated in a major way. They're pretty much not worth a hell of a lot these days, meaning you can pick up well cared for examples that are in good shape for quick money. They're not *huge* cars, in fact size wise they're basically e46s with an extra 8 inches on the trunk. Parts are available new and used, and depending on your local junkyard very affordable. Fortunately there is a large community (support group?) for damn near every model BMW ever made. It helps to have a shoulder to cry on, you'll need it for your first breakdown, both nervous and mechanical.


So far as bolt-ons go, a 3 series is pretty much the bread and butter for that market. There aren't a lot of companies making bolt-on parts for big sedans, and the parts available don't really hurry these cars up too much, nor are they very affordable. Your best bet with an e34 is to buy either a v8 car and just drive the hell out of it, or buy an m50 car and chip it or chip it with cams.

Good luck in your shopping, post more questions if you need them.

[BMWLaxer]

I'm new to the bmw world because my parent gave me the 540i and i was wondering what is the "e34"

[black535]

E30 with a 540 six speed swap, reliable affordable economical daily driver...well it would be cool

[BMWLaxer]

are they common

[black535]

yes....your folks have a 540 right/ get a cheap e30..wait till parents go out with the mini van. have the engine hoist ready..plead ignorance

[Binjammin]

You have a 540 and it's not enough car for you? Is it an automatic or manual?

[PorscheH6]

*Sigh*

[Lord DRIFT]

:confused


If he sez manual, i vote to ban for life!

[DIL]

C'mon, OP. The 540, auto or manual is the only car you're ever gonna need. If you're looking for acceleration numbers, you nearly have an M5. You don't need bolt-ons from Pep Boys and e bay. Do a safety school with CCA and you're set hands down.

Referring to the initial posting, a 2002 would probably fit the bill nicely, and they don't need mods to be fun. Besides, as the bf.c usually says: "maintainence before mods."

[Lord DRIFT]

C'mon, OP. The 540, auto or manual is the only car you're ever gonna need. If you're looking for acceleration numbers, you nearly have an M5. You don't need bolt-ons from Pep Boys and e bay. Do a safety school with CCA and you're set hands down.

Referring to the initial posting, a 2002 would probably fit the bill nicely, and they don't need mods to be fun. Besides, as the bf.c usually says: "maintainence before mods."

You forgot Auto zone.

I gotta tell you. This thread has me feeling prettee prettee prettee good- about my 540i.

[DIL]

You forgot Auto zone.

I gotta tell you. This thread has me feeling prettee prettee prettee good- about my 540i.

Don't blame you a bit. I took a 540/6 out for a spin some time ago and it was simply great. My car seemed...meek by comparison. If I were the OP's position, I'd worry more about learning to drive the damn car properly (ie. safely) then adding a $500 supercharger. Its not everyday that a 540 wanders into your driveway.