Advice Needed on '95 325i

[PocketPlayer]

Hi
New here! I own an '85 325e. Love it--still think it has the best profile of any BMW--but it is older and some repair costs don't match the worth of the car (market value that is) so I am looking for another car. A buddy mentioned the Infinity G20. I found one ('95 G20) in almost mint condition/53K miles/one owner/garage kept...$6900 FIRM. I have until 10AM Monday to decide.

Then I had to check an ad for a '95 325i. Another immaculate car fully loaded. Black ext/ black int/ tinted windows that actually look good/ 4dr/ auto-man tranny...beautiful. 83k miles, 2nd owner, traced w/CarFax and all looked good. He wanted $9500. After a three hour conversation mostly about music and women, he said $8000 is the lowest he could go (that's $500 off from girlfriend and $500 off for himself). He's moving to Texas--showed me the job transfer form...even offered me a job.

My dilema...the repair costs of the BMW. I hear the water pump of the '95 are lousy plastic deals. My '85 325e has got something wrong every other month and I'm tired of it. So it's time for a change.

Any and all opinions are wanted. I know this is a BMW board, but knowing what you know about maintenance...is a '95 325i going to be a nightmare??? It was so sweet looking and drove great. I will get a safety inspection before I decide.


He wanted $9500 for it. It was immaculate...almost perfect less a little ding in the front grill. Balck exterior/black leather interior, tinted windows all around. It was as clean as a car could get. 83K miles--2nd ownder--CarFax checked out.

We spoke and hit it off. The guy is moving to Texas in three weeks--all his paper work and stories seemed to check out. After we spoke and did some $$ back & forth he said his lowest price was $8000. This is a great price. The Kelly BB is at $13,000. The odometer light display reads at 50% until you drive for a bit and the Water Coolant light displays when starting. Signs of greater problems?

The only hesitation is the prediction of repair costs. I didn't even see an engine with the hood open! How do you cange the oil? Water pumps seems to be bad on this model--easily a $450 job.

[Rahul325]

the waterpump failure is pretty common in the E36's(95 325i is an E36 model), not exactly sure abt the costs but definitely around $250 parts and labor if u get it done at a shop, if ur mechanically sound and work on cars, there are lots of sites with good instructions so that u can DIY.

another point of failure of the radiator, u want to change it every 60K miles if u dont want to get stranded with a broken radiator(actually its the radiator neck that breaks and it breaks w/o any warning) but changing the radiator is very easy and the part itself costs around 150.

regarding the water coolant light, add some coolant and the light shud go off, if it does not the coolant sensor is broken, changing that also shud not be a biggie.

oil change is very easy if u have access to a jack, check out the parked post in E36 forum that has a website for DIY links for E36.

i have a 95 325i, bought it in 2000 with 60K and its at 104K now, i got the waterpump changed at a shop, replaced the radiator on my own. i love my car.

go for it dude, u will NOT regret it :D

[PocketPlayer]

I ended up not buying the '95 325i. It was a great car but in the end I couldn't afford the insurance on it.

It's still available. Call 818 348 2217 ask for Nick
Area is Canoga Park, CA

For a pic & specs, click here:
http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/standard/results/single/nl/detail.jhtml?paId=137661504&aff=recycler&src=&cid=null

You could probably get this car for $8000 if you mention the fact that it needs brakes after you closely inspect it. I had a safety inspection and that's what they mentioned. They quoted me it would cost $950 to do. If you know car, I'm sure you could do it for less than the guys at Firestone.