WTB: M3, 328is, 540i or 1st gen M6

[mageep]

All over the map, I know!

Serious enthusiast looking to satisfy some BMW curiosities. Those curiosities come in the form of...

- 328is
- 540i (either gen, as long as it's a manual)
- M3
- M6

I will seriously consider any of the above, as long as the mileage is at 100K or less, is in good shape (of course!!)...

Have a budget of $12-14K (or less of course!).

Also have a very good condition, SCCA C-Stock competitive 99 miata Sport Package that could be part of a partial trade, if you were so inclined...

Let me know!

Thanks,

Paul
mageep@diebold.com

[ryanbimmer]

how are you gonna buy a m6 for 15000?

[ashirji]

An E24 M6 can be had for 15K if you look hard enough.:)
Mageep, I have owned 3 of the 4 choices you listed. (no M6) and it all boils down to what you want to do with the car. If you are looking for a DD with 4 doors to haul the family, E39 540/6 is the correct choice, hands down if initial and running costs are not a concern. If they are, then do the 328. M3 is a surgical tool for carving corners, but the suspension is a bit too stiff (if modified as mine was and most cars on the board are) for daily highway use. Either way you have great taste, and I wish you the best of luck.

[ohnoes]

The 540i/6 is indeed a wonderful car, but I've heard that you'll basically end up having to replace the whole cooling system, as it simply wasn't built to handle the temperatures and stress caused by the M62's 8 cylinders. The radiator will probably explode, if it hasn't already, and you'll have to spend at least a thousand or two to replace a lot of that stuff. One of my acquaintances has a 540i/6 and has gone through this experience; it is really frustrating for him, and I don't imagine it will be less so for you.

[ashirji]

The 540i/6 is indeed a wonderful car, but I've heard that you'll basically end up having to replace the whole cooling system, as it simply wasn't built to handle the temperatures and stress caused by the M62's 8 cylinders. The radiator will probably explode, if it hasn't already, and you'll have to spend at least a thousand or two to replace a lot of that stuff. One of my acquaintances has a 540i/6 and has gone through this experience; it is really frustrating for him, and I don't imagine it will be less so for you.

Agreed. I had to do the same on my 540, hence I put the caveot " if cost is not a concern". Having said that, the E39 540/6 has a performance envelope that is simply amazing for a 4 door sedan, M5 not withstanding. If the fixes have been done to to a car he is considering then it should be good to go for a while.

[SlvrBullit]

95 m3 for $13K, slightly over 100k though...details and pics on link:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=540365

[Spieluhr]

96 328is for 11k, 86k miles. PM if interested.

[Gregg]

The 540i/6 is indeed a wonderful car, but I've heard that you'll basically end up having to replace the whole cooling system, as it simply wasn't built to handle the temperatures and stress caused by the M62's 8 cylinders. The radiator will probably explode, if it hasn't already, and you'll have to spend at least a thousand or two to replace a lot of that stuff. One of my acquaintances has a 540i/6 and has gone through this experience; it is really frustrating for him, and I don't imagine it will be less so for you.

You have to do the same with a M3. BMW really dropped the ball on their cooling systems in the 90's. Radiator, Water Pump, T-Stat housing etc... all need to be swapped out eventually. A good rule of thumb that WiseguyON taught me is expect to pay $1K to $2K on a car to get it in shape after buying it.

[LarryL]

Slightly negotiable. :)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582827

[Leo540i]

check out my 540i6 ;)

the one in my sig is for sale, 11.5