[b_minus335]

Hello everyone,

I'm really considering buying an older 3 series. The reason being that i only have 2 semesters of school left and would like to graduate with no debt or as little debt as possible. Making payments on a 7 year old car just doesn't seem like the smartest idea anymore (as low as they may be), especially when the car is depreciation anually. I figure an older car that's fully paid off would be a better choice for me so i can graduate and possible go on to grad school with no debt. Ideally i would like to own an e92 m3 someday when im all settled in my career.

Right now i have a 2007 Jet black 328xi e90 auto. I absolutely love my car which is the reason i am looking at an older 3 series. This was my first bimmer and can truly say i fell in love with it. It has sports, premium, cold weather, leather, idrive, bluetooth, nav, dvd. It has more options than i need. Not the fastest, but so fun to drive

The question now is, what to get? I really like the look of e46 coupes but for the year (early 2000s) the car looks older than what it should. Which leads me to the e36. I love the old school look of the car without looking outdated. Looks like a 90s sports car should look like.

So im thinking a 325is or 328is would be a good choice. Mileage around 150k, good interior and good exterior. The thing is, should i even bother getting a sedan? Should i not even consider automatic? Or should i go for an m3 (price seems to be 3-4k more for the M). Obviously the M would be the better choice but is it worth the 3-4K?

So far i have found good deals on M3 sedans, but auto. I found a couple manuals but they were 323i or 325i. Found some good deals on M3 coupes, but price is out of the range and would take away from the point of doing this whole change.

The ultimate question is, what should i take into consideration and what should i not? ie manual vs auto, sedan vs coupe. 323 vs 325 vs 328 vs m3. Any input would be great, especially from anyone who has owned either of these cars.

Thanks in advance!

[derryck]

If you're truly trying to cut costs then why would you be looking at vehicles that aren't considered especially reliable and aren't cheap to fix? If you buy a 'cash car' and your cost on repairs goes up 400%...what did you save? If your goal is really to cut cost and graduate debt free then I would suggest looking at Toyota/Lexus or Honda/Acura products.

[Turb0Surge]

^+1.

Also a 1995-1999 m3 can easily be had for 5-7k.

[techwhiz]

e36 M3 is a reliable car. Not a whole lot special from the regular e36 cars in body panels.
The engine is reliable with the only real issue the water pump.

I'd stay away from e46 M3 cars due to bottom end issue (most resolved) and the fact that the engine is unique and will be more expensive than the e36 to fix.

YMMV.

[Stupenal]

If you don't plan on DIY just about everything on an e36, then it would not be a car that saves you money. If you do, then the cost of parts is pretty cheap and the car overall is a breeze to work on. No valve checks, no coding, engine bay has tons of room to get things done. The interiors are pretty junky and the suspension will most likely be completely shot. Bushings all around will need replacement and you'll have the same e90 fixes such as vanos vcg ofhg control arms water pump and tstat. Add in frequent radiator neck failures plus random e36 specific maladies such as leaky power steering hoses, final stage resistor, subframe mounts, and sway bar mounts and you can see how your operating costs can skyrocket.

I owned an e36 325i and took it to the ship for most everything. Cost me 4k in 2 years and this was early 2000s money. My e36 m3 I did all the work for 7 years and costs were much lower.

[b_minus335]

Originally Posted by derryck

If you're truly trying to cut costs then why would you be looking at vehicles that aren't considered especially reliable and aren't cheap to fix? If you buy a 'cash car' and your cost on repairs goes up 400%...what did you save? If your goal is really to cut cost and graduate debt free then I would suggest looking at Toyota/Lexus or Honda/Acura products.

Good point, but after some research these car aren't completely unreliable. After some researching the car seems to be very DIY friendly, and the biggest issue being the cooling system is not that expensive. Also keep in mind im not getting a 1 or 2k e36 that barely runs. The car would have to be in good condition to the point where i would just do upkeep/preventive maintenance.

Also, i know this is still a bmw so its not going to be dirt cheap, but it is going to be a 15+ year bmw. Easier to work on, and parts are easier and cheaper to get.

[PascalsWager]

GCFSB has a pretty mint white e36 M3 sedan featured today:

http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/1997-bmw-m3-sedan-2/

I'd buy it if I were in the market like you!

[b_minus335]

Originally Posted by techwhiz

e36 M3 is a reliable car. Not a whole lot special from the regular e36 cars in body panels.
The engine is reliable with the only real issue the water pump.

I'd stay away from e46 M3 cars due to bottom end issue (most resolved) and the fact that the engine is unique and will be more expensive than the e36 to fix.

YMMV.

E46 m3 is definitely out of the question lol. So would you say it would be a good idea to go for a 325 or 328? I dont see much difference in the M vs the regualr 3s.

[b_minus335]

Originally Posted by Stupenal

If you don't plan on DIY just about everything on an e36, then it would not be a car that saves you money. If you do, then the cost of parts is pretty cheap and the car overall is a breeze to work on. No valve checks, no coding, engine bay has tons of room to get things done. The interiors are pretty junky and the suspension will most likely be completely shot. Bushings all around will need replacement and you'll have the same e90 fixes such as vanos vcg ofhg control arms water pump and tstat. Add in frequent radiator neck failures plus random e36 specific maladies such as leaky power steering hoses, final stage resistor, subframe mounts, and sway bar mounts and you can see how your operating costs can skyrocket.

I owned an e36 325i and took it to the ship for most everything. Cost me 4k in 2 years and this was early 2000s money. My e36 m3 I did all the work for 7 years and costs were much lower.

I do plan on doing most of the work myself. I figure working on a 15 year old car would be easier than a 7 year old one. Would you say the M was more reliable in the end?

[b_minus335]

Originally Posted by PascalsWager

GCFSB has a pretty mint white e36 M3 sedan featured today:

http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/1997-bmw-m3-sedan-2/

I'd buy it if I were in the market like you!

That thing is nice! But for the price is wouldn't make sence to trade it for my e90.

Would you say it would be pointless to get an M unless it was manual? I found a really good deal here for a m3 Sedan, but manual. Good condition from the looks of it. Techno violet. Dove leather.

[bimmette]

When I read your title, I thought you were nuts, but after reading your post, I applaud you for being financially responsible. Sounds like you can handle the maintenance of an older m3, so you'll be fine. Good luck!

[curiouz_g]

stay away from the e46 m3 if you're not looking for something cheap. Oil changes even when DIY'ing ranges almost $100 for just the oil and filter. Not to mention valve adjustments. That's just maintenance too.

[b_minus335]

Originally Posted by bimmette

When I read your title, I thought you were nuts, but after reading your post, I applaud you for being financially responsible. Sounds like you can handle the maintenance of an older m3, so you'll be fine. Good luck!

Thank you very much. Just trying to be responsible while also having something nice and fun to drive

[b_minus335]

Originally Posted by curiouz_g

stay away from the e46 m3 if you're not looking for something cheap. Oil changes even when DIY'ing ranges almost $100 for just the oil and filter. Not to mention valve adjustments. That's just maintenance too.

e46 m3 is definitely out the question. If anything i would do a 330i e46, but not too sure how i feel about the looks. e46 m3 though

[The HACK]

There are a few questions you must ask first. You had mentioned "making payments on a 7 year old car," how much do you still owe, and how much is the car actually worth? I suspect, 7 years in, your 328Xi may not be worth much, especially if it's got some miles on it. And if you still "owe" money to the bank, you must subtract that from the value of the car.

Let's say, optimistically, the car's still worth $15K (and that's a VERY optimistic figure from KBB, assuming fully loaded and excellent condition). Here's the basic math you must account for:

An E36 M3 in excellent mechanical condition, does not require any additional work currently and ALL maintenance is accounted for, with fresh/new bushings, clutch, brakes, tires...etc, will most likely run you $10,000. There's no if and buts about it. Yeah, you can probably find an E36 M3 with 200,000 hard driven miles with an oil leak coming from somewhere and a cracked subframe for $5,000, but you're going to have to throw another $5,000 on it to make it mechanically as fit as your '07. Subtract what you still owe, you're in essence driving a car that's 15+ years old with 1/3rd the standard feature set.

Likewise, an excellent E46 M3 will probably run you $15,000-$17,000. More than your car's worth. Sure, you can probably find an '02 with a ton of miles on it for a lot less, but you WILL need to throw another $3,000-$5,000 on it to make it up to the equivalent mechanical condition of your '07.

The fiscally responsible thing would be to sell the '07 BMW and pick up something that requires little maintenance and relatively new. Like a '09-10 Honda Fit.

[DC_Oldboy]

Lol...

[b_minus335]

Originally Posted by The HACK

There are a few questions you must ask first. You had mentioned "making payments on a 7 year old car," how much do you still owe, and how much is the car actually worth? I suspect, 7 years in, your 328Xi may not be worth much, especially if it's got some miles on it. And if you still "owe" money to the bank, you must subtract that from the value of the car.

Let's say, optimistically, the car's still worth $15K (and that's a VERY optimistic figure from KBB, assuming fully loaded and excellent condition). Here's the basic math you must account for:

An E36 M3 in excellent mechanical condition, does not require any additional work currently and ALL maintenance is accounted for, with fresh/new bushings, clutch, brakes, tires...etc, will most likely run you $10,000. There's no if and buts about it. Yeah, you can probably find an E36 M3 with 200,000 hard driven miles with an oil leak coming from somewhere and a cracked subframe for $5,000, but you're going to have to throw another $5,000 on it to make it mechanically as fit as your '07. Subtract what you still owe, you're in essence driving a car that's 15+ years old with 1/3rd the standard feature set.

Likewise, an excellent E46 M3 will probably run you $15,000-$17,000. More than your car's worth. Sure, you can probably find an '02 with a ton of miles on it for a lot less, but you WILL need to throw another $3,000-$5,000 on it to make it up to the equivalent mechanical condition of your '07.

The fiscally responsible thing would be to sell the '07 BMW and pick up something that requires little maintenance and relatively new. Like a '09-10 Honda Fit.

As stated before, an e46 m3 is completely out of the question. I am looking to save money (avoid car payments) not trade my car for the hell of it. Again, looking to avoid payments so a 09 honda fit would definitely not be an option.

I agree with you on the 10k price point though. Seem like this is what a e36 is worth. Weather it be a 10k price, or a 5k price with 5k in repairs.

Is there no middle ground though? Will it not be possible to get a 4-5k e36 with minimal if not any repairs needed.

As stated earlier, the biggest issue these cars have, if they have been taken good care of otherwise, is cooling system and bushings. Will that really add up to 5k?

I know im not going to get a reliable car, at least as reliable as an 07, but i am looking for an okay condition, older, fun car, that i enjoy. Of course, my best bet would be to get an 02 corolla an call it a day; but thats not what im looking for either.

I'm 22, have a good job, still at home, so im not completely broke. I can afford to keep my e90, but its probably not the smartest thing to keep it.

Thanks for all the advice and input though, this is exactly what im looking for.

[fravel]

I'm in the same boat OP, except for I've already graduated college only to find that the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. I bought my e90 thinking I was being conservative, but after driving it for 2 years I'm realizing I overextended myself. I'm looking real hard at a 2011-2012 Honda CR-Z. I can get into one for pretty much a straight trade, and the gas alone will save me $200/month, not to mention the maintenance savings going from an 8 yr. old, 112k+ miles bimmer to a 2-3 yr. old Honda with <20k miles.

[MrPig]

If you're going for the e46, get a 330i ZHP. I would also echo the sentiments of some of the posters here; the best financial choice would be to buy a car that is cheap to buy, cheap to drive and cheap to maintain. A BMW can be that car (e36 or e30) but you'd have to learn to DIY and that's not always easy.

[Turb0Surge]

Originally Posted by b_minus328

E46 m3 is definitely out of the question lol. So would you say it would be a good idea to go for a 325 or 328? I dont see much difference in the M vs the regualr 3s.

Drive them back to back. m3 vs 325/328 is a big difference.

[b_minus335]

Originally Posted by MrPig

If you're going for the e46, get a 330i ZHP. I would also echo the sentiments of some of the posters here; the best financial choice would be to buy a car that is cheap to buy, cheap to drive and cheap to maintain. A BMW can be that car (e36 or e30) but you'd have to learn to DIY and that's not always easy.

Love the 330 ZHP, but that is also pretty high up. A good condition one would run about 10k. Might as well keep the e90 for the payment im making.

DIY will definitely play a big role. But i figure DIY will be a lot easier on a e36 than a e90 (no warranty)

[NormE91]

Originally Posted by b_minus328

I do plan on doing most of the work myself. I figure working on a 15 year old car would be easier than a 7 year old one. Would you say the M was more reliable in the end?

I don't know... I've had my share of 15 year old cars and I'll tell you... things break on them and need replacing that are still good on a 7 year old car. Also, bolts and other things are a LOT rustier and stuck than they are on a 7 year old car.

I would seriously be considering a Honda or Acura if I were you. Heck, I'm thinking about Acura next time around! There really is something to be said about reliability and inexpensive repairs, not to mention fuel economy.