what do you know about bmw

[swynx]

http://lewiston.craigslist.org/cto/3894029936.html

Co-worker is selling this. I'm looking for a rig. I've rode in it it rides good. Decently qquick. Sounds good. Clean. I'm looking for a car I can upgrade over time. I've heard BMW is expensive but so are aftermarket parts. How expensive would it be to build and/or replace as to a mk3 supra.? I've never seen a BMW on the side of the road. I'm looking to out 20+ grand inti an engine over some years period. Not sure if I should jump on it. Surely I can get it for 2000

 

[Andy D]

E30s are plentiful and parts are reasonable. That is a much modified example. I would be checking out the quality of work done on it. There is lots of on line support for old BMWs.

 

[andreww22]

BMW makes good driver cars.
They have good power, excellent handling ,great breaking.

 

[killj0y]

Have an e46. Pretty reliable but you need to do more preventative maintenance mostly. They are well documented online so everything is easy. Get yourself ain't torque wrenches and torx bit set, you'll thank me later. Oh and larger hex sockets. Bmw loves using those guys. I recommend staying stock unless you want to dump some serious money in them. Bolt on mods do nothing since bmw did a pretty good job of optimizing most of the components. Not sure about the e30s but must generations have similar weaknesses so find out what they are and stay on top of it. Cost of ownership isn't to bad so long as your smart and do the work yourself when you can. What shops charge for maintenance on these things is stupid seriously...I've saved thousands versus going to a dealership or Indy shop.

Change the fluids including the tranny and diff, no matter what bmw says there's no such thing as lifetime fluids. Check the cooling system and plan to overhaul it if it's past 80k. Bmw uses a lot of plastic parts like thermostat housing, water pump impellor, etc. Always torque things to spec. There isn't a lot of room for over torqing on these cars before you break something or it doesn't quite work right. Stay away from cheap eBay parts or local parts store parts, they fail quite often. The window regulators tend to go out so get some with lifetime warranty when you do replace them. Also, ask to remove the bottom shroud to check for leaks the shroud hides many you might not see.

http://e30world.com/Maintenance/BMW-E30-common-problems
http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3636
Join a forum and learn about them so you don't get a lemon :thumbup:

 

[Andy D]

The E30 is simpler and more robust than an E46. All you have to do in an E30 is to keep the check lite for low coolant working. Paying attention to that light and changing the timing belt every 60k.is about it. Normal wear items on an E 30 are about in line with old Ranger parts for price. I am not that familiar with E 30s. I have had several E 28s since '96 and DD a pair of them at present