How much 3 series can I get for $5,000?

[OilStain]

Pretty much says it all. I realize that I'll probably have to go with the less popular automagic variety, and that's ok by me. The idea is to get my gf into a nice car now, and eventually take it over and make a project out of it in a few years.

So, let me know! Thanks!

[///Ficarra]

i sold my 95 325i with 140k on it for $4000. thats becuase i needed to get rid of it to buy the M3, but for $5k, you should be able to pick up a decent 325i or maybe a 325is.

[Forged328]

Or you could pick up a cheaper 318 and later do a little engine swap (S52/S54)

[OilStain]

Or you could pick up a cheaper 318 and later do a little engine swap (S52/S54)

That would be a possibility, but a) I'm not ready to take on the project yet (I need a good running car for a while) b) I don't know where to get BMW engines that don't cost a fortune c) If I do an engine swap, I might as well go full tilt and do an ls1 (but see reason a again)

hmmmm

[quattro santos]

Bought my 318is manual for $3k with 108k miles, a prestine interior, & an engine so clean you could probably eat off of it...well maybe not.

Just enjoying the mpg before I swap in a S52.

[Forged328]

That would be a possibility, but a) I'm not ready to take on the project yet (I need a good running car for a while) b) I don't know where to get BMW engines that don't cost a fortune c) If I do an engine swap, I might as well go full tilt and do an ls1 (but see reason a again)

hmmmm

Answer to B) BFC

[PHARO]

bought my 95 325i for 4600 in march of 2005 with 155000 miles. I now has 193,000. It was in excellent shape and with all records.

[L3000C]

u could probley get a 328i..


it would make a much better track car, since it does have vanos, and because of it has slightly more torque, it feels much different than a 325.......plus the 328 has the same tranny as the e36 m3, so it will cope with much more power than any 325 or 318 could ever...


bro please....please! never get a 318...NEVER! its a good car and all, but come-on man! you would be driving the cheapest bmw out lol! do u want to be labeled like that? (no offence to current 318 owners).

[Ollie1662]

I got a 325is for sale. lemme find my thread


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=647345

[tdalbeytbimmaz]

I have a 1994 318i black on black leather 5 spd looking to sell it for 3500 obo.Changed oil every3k just replaced brakes rotors timing belt brake motors, etc. only 106xxx miles strong running car. trying to get rid of it quick so let me know what you think soon. email me at tdalbeyt@comcast.net or im at tdalbeyt.

[StealthBimmer]

see sig

[quattro santos]

If you know you're going to do a swap eventually...just get the cleanest car in the right color you want.

[OilStain]

Well, I know I don't want the 318, I've got a fwd one now (an integra). The point of buying a better car is to have it better in every way. Luxury is easy, but a 318 would have a hard time beating my little teggy in acceleration and or handling. Either way, the reason I'm not upgrading my current car is because I want a bigger, more powerful engine BEFORE doing any swap-work!

I think the 328 is my best bet at this point, I'd like a body that is in great shape (no rust) and a decent engine that will be fun for a few years.

Ollie, your car is very clean, very sharp, and I totally dig the cyber-punk/industrial park/fight club settings in your pics! If I was dead set on a manual, I would probably go for your car.

At this point though, passing this car off as a psudo-gift means it has to be an automatico, and that means that I can afford to look into the 328s now. Unfortunately at this particular point in time there's something wonky going on with my credit and I can't afford anything as I'm being declined left and right for loans. My credit report looks good, so I don't know what's up. Maybe it's fate telling me it's not time yet.

All this info is great though, because in the next month or so, I'll be in decent shape financially, and I'll finally get my bimmer!!!!! It's been long enough, look at my join date for cryin out loud, I've been on the site longer than anyone who's responded so far! At least you can't say I'm jumping on a bandwagon! I really want my car!!!!

[sausrigging]

u could probley get a 328i..


it would make a much better track car, since it does have vanos, and because of it has slightly more torque, it feels much different than a 325.......plus the 328 has the same tranny as the e36 m3, so it will cope with much more power than any 325 or 318 could ever...


bro please....please! never get a 318...NEVER! its a good car and all, but come-on man! you would be driving the cheapest bmw out lol! do u want to be labeled like that? (no offence to current 318 owners).

All m50 style engines had vanos from 93 on.. :nono

[themadsupra]

I have a 1998 328i that I would be willing to let go for $6000. I know its a little more then what you said but its very clean and is a 328. Trany shifts fine. Its black on black. Has tinted windows. I am located in Idaho. If your interested let me know, my email is wicked91rttt@cableone.net I can provide yah with pics and references, and depending on where you live I can get it shipped for CHEAP CHEAP!

Brett

[newtobimmers]

Well, I know I don't want the 318, I've got a fwd one now (an integra). The point of buying a better car is to have it better in every way. Luxury is easy, but a 318 would have a hard time beating my little teggy in acceleration and or handling. Either way, the reason I'm not upgrading my current car is because I want a bigger, more powerful engine BEFORE doing any swap-work!

I think the 328 is my best bet at this point, I'd like a body that is in great shape (no rust) and a decent engine that will be fun for a few years.

Ollie, your car is very clean, very sharp, and I totally dig the cyber-punk/industrial park/fight club settings in your pics! If I was dead set on a manual, I would probably go for your car.

At this point though, passing this car off as a psudo-gift means it has to be an automatico, and that means that I can afford to look into the 328s now. Unfortunately at this particular point in time there's something wonky going on with my credit and I can't afford anything as I'm being declined left and right for loans. My credit report looks good, so I don't know what's up. Maybe it's fate telling me it's not time yet.

All this info is great though, because in the next month or so, I'll be in decent shape financially, and I'll finally get my bimmer!!!!! It's been long enough, look at my join date for cryin out loud, I've been on the site longer than anyone who's responded so far! At least you can't say I'm jumping on a bandwagon! I really want my car!!!!

Are you saying 318s are FWD? If so they are not.

[OilStain]

No, I'm saying I have a car that handles well, has a 1.8 liter engine and is slow as hell. Mine just happens to be FWD.

So I said I have the equlivilant of a FWD 318. Just not quite as nice of an interior.

But anyway, thamadsupra, it is a bit more than I want to spend, but I'll email you and look at your pics anyway :-) Who knows...

[JustinE36M3]

i wouldnt say a integra could out handle a 318 either, i hate fwd with a passion. my brother in law used to be into integras and id HATE driven them things.

[OilStain]

i wouldnt say a integra could out handle a 318 either, i hate fwd with a passion. my brother in law used to be into integras and id HATE driven them things.

Thank you for your assessment of something that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS TOPIC!!! :rolleyes

I didn't say or imply that "a integra could out handle a 318" I said (again) that my integra handles well and it is slow. It is commonly agreed upon that 318s handle well and they are slow. Do you see the similarity? Good. Now, if you want to start some great debate, please feel free to make your own post under the Bench Racing forum. Now shoo!


Ok, back to the topic: It looks like my best bet is to be patient, yet dilligent, and look for a nicely maintained auto 328. That way I will have a dependable daily driver for a little while, and a great foundation of a project car when I'm ready. It can be done in my price range, I'll just have to be patient (always tough when it comes to buying a car!)

[SoonToBeM3]

Hell if you were interested id sell you my 325is. Clean title california car ;)

[89Bimmer89]

Get E30

[bawareca]

You can get a wonderful 96328is manual for just 5 grand:alright

[miklm]

I just paid $4400 for a mint '92 325is coupe, 5sp, with DS2 wheels. Car is almost perfect. If you're patient you can find the right one, but there seems to be a lot of sellers asking premium prices on this forum. There are cheaper options...

[drmattyg]

You can get an ungodly sick E30, A reasonable E36, or a wrecked E46.

[L3000C]

You can get an ungodly sick E30, A reasonable E36, or a wrecked E46.


lol so true.....id go for the e30 personaly, its better looking, and much cheaper/faster....its just that you have to live with a ~20 year old car....

[OilStain]

I just paid $4400 for a mint '92 325is coupe, 5sp, with DS2 wheels. Car is almost perfect. If you're patient you can find the right one, but there seems to be a lot of sellers asking premium prices on this forum. There are cheaper options...

Care to elaborate? Sending you a PM wasn't an option. I'm also checking Craigslist (mostly scams), Cars.com (meh), Autotrader (more meh), and ebay (premium prices for who knows what).


You can get an ungodly sick E30, A reasonable E36, or a wrecked E46.


lol so true.....id go for the e30 personaly, its better looking, and much cheaper/faster....its just that you have to live with a ~20 year old car....

Well, e36's aren't exactly young any more either. But to my eyes, the e36 is the best looking out of all, then the e30, then the e46 which I think looks weird/chubby (but that's just me).

[SoonToBeM3]

92 3 series also didnt come with vanos so they are a tap cheaper (imo) than a 93-99 E36. Unless you wanted to go FI then 92 all the way.


Care to elaborate? Sending you a PM wasn't an option. I'm also checking Craigslist (mostly scams), Cars.com (meh), Autotrader (more meh), and ebay (premium prices for who knows what).





Well, e36's aren't exactly young any more either. But to my eyes, the e36 is the best looking out of all, then the e30, then the e46 which I think looks weird/chubby (but that's just me).

[miklm]

Care to elaborate? Sending you a PM wasn't an option. I'm also checking Craigslist (mostly scams), Cars.com (meh), Autotrader (more meh), and ebay (premium prices for who knows what).


Craigslist is good, use www.crazedlist.org to search multiple states/areas

eBay can be good if you're patient, but the best bargains are usually found off-line. Search your local classifieds, BMW CCA for-sale, etc.