My friend has like a $5,000 budget for a car and he keeps looking at BMW E36's

thoughts? Being that he is budget conscience is that really a good idea?

 

As long as he also budgets for the maintenance, sure...and he is prepared for the subtle nuances that are particular to E36 BMWs (door handles breaking, radio/HVAC display failures, etc.).

You can find good examples of early E36 325s for under $3K...but expect another $1.5-3K in service right off the bat.

 

Buying the car is always the easy part. It's everything else that keeps the car going...

 

Dan, I think you should buy an SRT-4 Neon. Has four doors, is fast, small (good for parking in the city), what else could you ask for? Decision made, BOOM!

 

Agreed. That was the nice part about the Evo and tracking or autoxing it. It was new, there was nothing to worry about or replace.

Dan - I would stay away from the 911 unless you plan on maintaining it yourself. I think the s2k is the way to go for a DD if you don't need back seats, if you do, might as well go e46 M for the 15-18k range.

 

15k E46M = beat to hell?

 

Nah, I think $15K should be about right for a mid-high mileage E46M3. E36M3s are going for $6-9K in decent condition (mine was $7K and initially needed about $1K to make it reliable).

 

is a high mileage E46 considered reliable?

I was just looking at a couple and they are in the low 20's for a decent one.

 

James...that is all.

 

BOWDOWN



Check out this car... DO WANT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...#ht_500wt_1182

 

...plus optional:

 

That's the plan. Delivery truck made an appointment to show up between 10am and 5pm.

If they are anything like the older ones oil changes are a snap. Only problem is they take like 12 or 13 quarts of oil. (Check the dipstick with the oil hot) I refilled it with like 15 quarts my first time and had to drain some back out.



E46=nice Fast sh*tbox with tons of scratches=way better and more fun for commuting!

 

Foren, have fun this weekend. As you already know, its not all that bad, just time consuming!

 

Foren, get that ish in over the weekend and break it in on the drive to LVGP on Monday.

 

not gonna happen! 4 hours driving to hit some gocarts? I don't think so.