Looking into buying an e36 in the future

[Shadow86325e]

well, for my mother, anyway. Would the e36 be an ideal car? how are the automatic transmissions on them? fuel consumption, maintenance?

Also, what are some things to look for when buying one?

[foltzE46]

Well they are great cars but, how much work can you do on your own is the real question. Unless you do not care about maintenance costs. you have to recognize that unless you are buying an M/// the newest one you can get is a 98. Not that that is a bad thing but they are just getting old, we all know what that means, shi* starts to go wrong. they are great cars but not without their quirks, try to find low miles, etc. I have never owned an auto e36 but i have a first gen e46A. the tranny is fine, not great but fine.