Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: Suggest me a model...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i

    Suggest me a model...

    So I'm selling off all my bikes and some other stuff and buying a car. My last BMW was an E39 540i/6 and I loved it but sold it before I put many miles on it. Prior to that I had an E36 328i that I put over 100,000 miles on and I loved that car. I'm going to have a budget of $6000 or so and my plan was to look for another E39 540i/6 or an E36 328i. But looking around I'm seeing E46's and E90's and even some E50's are really close to my budget.

    Basically, I was planning on buying what I know and have experience with and planning on updates and repairs coming out of my budget...but is it worth looking at some of the newer models? What would you guys suggest? I know that's going to be a question loaded with preference, but my concern is that I don't know any of the quirks of the newer models...I don't want to spend my whole budget on a 545i and then find out their all subject to some catastrophic quirk after the fact. My only requirements are four doors and manual transmission.
    Last edited by makenzie71; 05-28-2017 at 11:07 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,108
    My Cars
    z3
    Buy a $4-5k car and save the rest for repairs imo. That's decent E39 or worn out E36 M3 money.

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i
    That's basically what I was looking at doing...buying a beater E39 and sinking the rest into tires, brakes, general service, etc. 540i's are running between $3 and 4k for running jobs that need help. I've looked at a couple of E36 M3/4's...when I had my 328i that's what I really wanted...but man $3000 M3's are run flat into the ground. I can't get one cheap enough to be able to repair them properly, and getting one that doesn't need much in the way of repairs is way over budget.

    I just thought I'd pop this up because I'm seeing newer models well within the price range (a 330iX for $3800 for example)...but I know next to nothing about these cars. I still hope to snag up a beater 540i.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Chicago, Illinois
    Posts
    3,842
    My Cars
    are slow
    Shoe stringing a 540 is my specialty. My advice to you is to get a car that has had the guides done (with proof), otherwise there's literally nothing that can throw a wrench at your plans.
    Last edited by XAlt; 05-29-2017 at 12:11 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    25,402
    My Cars
    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    E90 or E92 335i would be my performance budget choice in 10 year old BMW. The older ones are getting too old, but are still good as labors of love or for young DIYers with more time than money. I have a turbo E36M3 that I bought stock in 2005 and an 08 E90 M3 that I bought in 2011 and an 08 E61 535xi that I bought in 2011. The E36 will go when I buy another car. Were I looking for a car today I would probably buy an E92 335i from 2007-2010 for $8k to $15k or an E90 or E92 M3 from 2008-2010 for $20k to $25k.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    NNJ/NYC
    Posts
    1,648
    My Cars
    1997 528i/5, 1997 528i/5
    This. I also highly recommend the E39 in 6 cylinder variety. A nice facelifted car with records is within your budget.

    Quote Originally Posted by XAlt View Post
    Shoe stringing a 540 is my specialty. My advice to you is to get a car that has had the guides done (with proof), otherwise there's literally nothing that can throw a wrench at your plans.
    Wade

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    McKean township Pennsylva
    Posts
    10,542
    My Cars
    1999 M3 , 1999 328is
    It is hard to get into an e36 M3 at that budget but of the cars you have mentioned it would be my choice of car, or an e36 328is.

    Is there a reason you are not really looking at the e46s? A 330ci or 330i is a heck of a car. From the ones I have driven they don't quite feel as raw as an e36 328is but they are definitely quicker and probably at the bottom of their depreciation curve unlike the e36s which seem to be appreciating.

    E39s are great, I owned an M5 for 3 years and loved almost every minute of it. However after I drove an e36 the 6 cylinder bug bit me hard and now I am addicted.
    Current fleet:
    1999 BMW e36 M3
    1999 BMW e36 328is with rotary valve engine head
    1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
    1990 Jeep Comanche Eliminator
    1962 Austin Healey Sprite

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i
    The problem with the M3's in my price range is that it's hard to find a 4-door and, when I do, it's run into the dirt. I'm not opposed to the E46...a 330i would probably suite me nicely and they fall well within my price range. But the 5-series has a little more room.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i
    Can someone explain what it is about >100k 545i's that makes them practically worthless? Under 100k miles and 545i's are nowhere near my price point. >100k miles and it's easier to get a 545i than it is a 540i.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Los Gatos, CA
    Posts
    2,795
    My Cars
    05 330i
    In terms of leg room between an E39 and the E46 is not very much. Front is 41.7" in the E39 and 41.4" in the E46 and rear is 34.2 (E39) and 36.6 (E46). E46 has a bit more more head room, and E39 has a little more shoulder room. Trunk is slightly bigger by .4 cu ft.
    05 330i Alpine White
    Past:
    02 330i Titanium Silver
    R56 MCS
    00 540i6

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    .
    Posts
    7,708
    My Cars
    .
    Quote Originally Posted by makenzie71 View Post
    Can someone explain what it is about >100k 545i's that makes them practically worthless? Under 100k miles and 545i's are nowhere near my price point. >100k miles and it's easier to get a 545i than it is a 540i.
    Because they turn into absolute garbage past 100k miles. Oil starts pouring out from everywhere. The valve stem seals leak, and the car burns oil and blows smoke when pulling off from a stop light. The auto transmission shifts like a horse and buggy past 100k miles. The secondary air passages in the cylinder heads clog with carbon and the check engine light comes on and stays on. Then the car won't pass emissions without $3k engine rebuild (or more depending on who does it). The interiors fall apart. All the trim peels off. The CCC head units fail. The navigation system is terrible. The logic 7 amps short out.

    Does that answer your question about 545's? This also applies to 745, and 645. The 550, 650, and 750 variants still had some of the same issues, but were vastly improved.
    ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i
    Quote Originally Posted by White94RX View Post
    Because they turn into absolute garbage past 100k miles. Oil starts pouring out from everywhere. The valve stem seals leak, and the car burns oil and blows smoke when pulling off from a stop light. The auto transmission shifts like a horse and buggy past 100k miles. The secondary air passages in the cylinder heads clog with carbon and the check engine light comes on and stays on. Then the car won't pass emissions without $3k engine rebuild (or more depending on who does it). The interiors fall apart. All the trim peels off. The CCC head units fail. The navigation system is terrible. The logic 7 amps short out.

    Does that answer your question about 545's? This also applies to 745, and 645. The 550, 650, and 750 variants still had some of the same issues, but were vastly improved.
    Pretty much answers my question. There was one out of Oklahoma City that came up (I asked about it here for advice at the time) that the guy was asking $3k...the guy says it squealed at start up and smokes a lot from stops and he had a picture of some of the headliner peeling away. Also all the paint was peeling off. Sad that it seems like the norm as oppose to an exclusion.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    McKean township Pennsylva
    Posts
    10,542
    My Cars
    1999 M3 , 1999 328is
    Yeah, the X45 cars were just garbage. They have pretty much the worst reputation for reliability of any BMW models ever built. They were scary high technology vehicles with a lot of first generation tech. They haven't stood well to the test of time and honestly, have had a bad reputation since new.

    A beat to crap e39 540i is a savable car, a beat to crap e60 545i is not worth much more than the tires it sits on.
    Current fleet:
    1999 BMW e36 M3
    1999 BMW e36 328is with rotary valve engine head
    1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
    1990 Jeep Comanche Eliminator
    1962 Austin Healey Sprite

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    25,402
    My Cars
    F90 M5; E36 M3 Turbo
    E60 535i is a decent car. Get a 2008-2010 model with N54 and add $500 JB4 tune and you have 550i power.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i
    So right now I'm fancying a few 540's.

    A 1995 6-speed that is what I've always wanted for $3500. 170k miles

    A 2001 6-speed with some body work needed and 170k...this guy wants to trade straight for my bike.

    A 2001 6-speed with a blown engine for...$700...but it's clean and has the split fold seats I want.

    Basically I'm deciding between picking up both the E39's or getting the E34.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    .
    Posts
    7,708
    My Cars
    .
    170K is a lot of miles if it's still got the original timing chain guides. Maybe get both E39's, pull the 170k motor, rebuild it, and drop it in the other E39?
    ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician

  17. #17
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i
    My line of thinking is to replace or rebuild the engine in the one, fix the body on the other, sell the lesser of the two and dump the profit (if there is any) into home improvements. That's the appeal of buying the E39's over the car I've wanted since I was in high school...I'm pretty confident I can turn a profit in six months.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i
    Well, the bike has to go either way...I guess that will be the deciding factor. If the guy with the E39 shows then that settles it. If the bike sells, I'm going to go pick up the E34. If neither happen in time I'll go pick up the one with the dropped engine and wing it lol...I may go pick that one up regardless. The local wrench-a-part has a 540 I can get the engine out of for $475 and it has a start up guarantee. It's clean in and out...seems like a good investment.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,108
    My Cars
    z3
    I cant imagine that start up guarantee covers timing chains

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  20. #20
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Texas...all of it.
    Posts
    2,162
    My Cars
    328i
    If I go that route that'll be the tricky bit...it's only something like a 7 or 14 day window to start up. I'll have to get the car ready, go get the engine, stab it in, test it, then (if it runs and doesn't overheat), tear everything all back down again and replace the guides. Plus it's a "it starts or refund" situation...not really a warranty. They're not going to repair the engine if there's a problem.

    I'm considering buying the $750 car now and pulling the motor and seeing if it really needs to be replaced. The guy says it locked up because of low oil...but unless you're shooting a geyser somewhere I just can't imagine that really happening. I think it's more likely the guides failed and the chain slipped or broke. If I understand it these are interference engines so that scenario would be rather catastrophic. But maybe there's something else and the engine is recoverable. It's a small investment with decent potential for return. If the engine isn't recoverable, it's a sport package/6-speed swap for a wagon.

Similar Threads

  1. Any Audio/Sub Suggestions for Touring Models?
    By coop540iT in forum Car Audio & Electronics sponsored by Bavsound
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 12-16-2004, 02:48 PM
  2. Can someone suggest me a good floor jack?
    By potomac in forum General BMW Mechanical Help sponsored by RM European Auto Parts
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 07-02-2004, 11:35 PM
  3. Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-12-2003, 08:29 PM
  4. suggest me tires
    By speedhunter12 in forum Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-24-2003, 09:58 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •