Advice on the next car

[smokeyyank]

Howdy all,

I’m in the process of considering a 4 door sedan as a DD and a 1997-2002 540/530 is one of my top picks, along with a 1999-2005 330i or 328i. I just have a few questions I’m hoping I can get some answer on. Currently, I have a 88 325i vert and a 93 Jeep Cherokee. I drive both of them but my Jeep is my primary especially during winter. I LOVE my E30 and kick myself daily for taking so long to get one. Hands down some of the most fun I’ve had in a car. What I am looking for is something a little more family friendly but is still sporty and reliable. Don’t have ankle bitters yet but will soon. I don’t plan on selling my Jeep or E30 just want a “family” car. I’m fairly competent when it comes to working on cars and don’t mind it, just don’t want to be doing it every weekend. I can do just about anything except a major engine or tranny overhaul. On my E30 I just did the timing belt, water pump and majority of all the other “things” that needed to be done. On my jeep, well it’s a Jeep, so I’ve done pretty much everything. I know I’m asking in a biased place as to why I shouldn’t get another BMW, but I feel a lot of the newer German cars get a bad rap for their “reliability” and cost of repairs so I need some convincing that a Bimmer won’t fit that mold. Personally, I don’t want a Japanese car. I know they score higher I reliability but I think most of their cars are god awful looking and under powered. The only one I would consider would be a Infiniti G35 or G37 or a Acura TL or TSX. Think the IS350 is nice but I still think of Lexus as a old person car. As far as the other European cars, no VW’s think those are for hipsters and chicks. Love 2008+ Mercedes and had thought about another C class (I used to have a C350 and loved that car). Audis are out, too many problems. Thought about a Volvo S60R too. Past that nothing else I have considered but would be open to hearing opinions. Thanks.

What I am looking for is the best choice with the below stipulations……

1. Cost wise I’m looking to stay at or below 15k, really not more than that.
2. Don’t want AWD as I don’t need it.
3. Has to be 4 doors.
4. Obviously has to be reliable.
5. Would prefer a manual, but can settle on a auto for this one
6. Doesn’t cost a lot to fix and I can do most of the work myself. Stuff like brakes, oil changes, suspension and a few other small task.
7. Prefer mileage to be <100k
8. Gas mileage doesn’t matter

Thoughts?

[MarcoZandrini]

While I've had three 3-series cars (and a 2002), I've always considered the E439 chassis (5-series from late 1990s to 2003) to a great car. Some have written that it's BMWs best chassis ever. I don't know the size of your family but I'd spring for a 530i. The car has the M54B30, a much beloved inline 6 cylinder engine (my 2001 330Ci has this engine).

[smokeyyank]

Cool, thanks for the info. I've also read that is BMW's best chassis, and that engine is great.

[MarcoZandrini]

The first thing that needs to be done on any car you are seriously considering is a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). The next thing is to go through the maintenance records with the proverbial fine tooth comb. Two critical things are the overhaul of the cooling system and the replacement of the fuel pump. The cooling system needs to be overhauled at about 100k miles installing ONLY OEM parts, and a mixture of BMW coolant and distilled water. The pump needs to be replaced also as this is standard wear item. They seem to start causing issues at about 100k miles. These issues include a weird combination of fuel related codes, intermittent running and no starting. A vendor bmaparts (?) has a great price on the pump (less than $140). Change the fuel filter at the same time.

[pbonsalb]

2001-03 E39 530i with 5 speed manual. Great car. For more speed, try a 2008 E90 335i with either auto or manual (both offer the same performance in the 335i). And the 335i has AWD if you want a better winter car.

G37 would also be a great choice and almost certainly more reliable (and AWD available --add snows and you have a good winter car). The Acura don't interest me except maybe the Type S or SH and the SH is AWD and you don't want that (but if you wanted the best car for snow driving, one of those with 4 snow wheels would be a good choice).

[DominicDinan]

I have a 2000 540i. It has about 60 something thousand miles and has been sitting in a garage for most of its 15 years. I love the car. It is very sporty, perfect size, 4 doors, and just all around great. However, it is not the most reliable car. Some basic things such as the alternator, water pump, and fan clutch have gone bad. They were all replaced with original BMW parts. From FCPEuro.com it was about $1400. This also had other parts that added up to 500-600 dollars. So it isn't as bad as can be. It is RWD, and the manuals are plentiful.