mink92890

So when I buy the car, I'd ask the previous owner for the previous papers? How would I go about asking for an independent inspection... How would I tell the owner, etc. Thanks for the heads up on the above average reliability of those years 5-series. I'll also look into the older 3-series, M3 if possible.

Thanks and anymore car suggestions are welcome.

Mink92890

mmarshall

Be careful with older M3's. Some of them had defective engines. BMW supposedly covered this with a major campaign, but there could still be a few turkeys left out there. Even with replaced engines, M3's tend to be driven quite hard....they are generally not bought and driven by people who go 25 MPH in the left lane to church on Sunday once a week.

mink92890

Haha... I could never picture an M3 driven granny style. Thanks for the headsup... Honestly with the BMW's, I will not go past a 2000 year. Mmarshall, could you answer the question about the inspection, and how I would go about that.

Mink92890

juniorEXE

If you are considering a BMW there is bimmer forums

If you are considering an Infiniti there is Fresh Alloy

Research these cars and the common problems to get an idea of what you can handle and what years to avoid.

92 SC400

Am I the only one that thinks the cars being mentioned are going to be a little hard to come by for $15k? I can see the E36 M3 being found for that much with decent milage for its ages. But, I find it hard to believe an E39 5 Series or an older G35 will be found in decent condition and without super high milage for $15k. The IS I think can go either way, Ive seen some decent ones fairly cheap and see also in the $20K range... Really depended on year and milage.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I agree. $15K for those types of cars is kind of low for a good example. I guess you can find high mileage beater cars for that price though, but I'm not sure I would want to buy it. If you could bump the price up another $5K I'd look for a 2002 BMW 330, or you may even be able to get a 2002 E39 530i.

mmarshall

if you are referring to the inspection of an M3 for a bad engine, there are several ways. First, BMW's own records should indicate if the car had a new engine or major work under warranty. In most cases that will also be listed on CARFAX....a service most dealerships today also have as well. You can also have an independent mechanic or technician you trust look at the car and test it for you....how much they charge for this may depend on how close a friend he or she is.
If you want to look at the engine yourself, one old tried-and-true method of determining internal wear and damage is to start the car up, get it warm for a few minutes, then slow down to about 10 MPH or so in second gear, check and make sure the road is clear in front of you and in good shape, and then nail the gas pedal up to about 50-60 or so, keeping one eye in the rear-view mirror. If you see a significant amount of blue or bluish-white smoke coming out the tailpipe, that is a dead giveaway to oil burning from excessively worn piston rings, valve seats, or bearings, and that expensive engine work or a new engine may be needed. All that oil smoke, if prolonged, will mess up the catalytic converter as well.
( be careful not to red-line the engine while doing this....obviously, that wlll cause even MORE damage, Shift up to third if you have to. )

92 SC400

What year(s) M3s does this effect? All E36? I know in '96 they went to the 3.2l from the 3.0l, was it then they started to have this problem?

mink92890

I havent looked at the M3, but for the 5-Series, I have found $15,250 for an 02 with about 60-70,000 miles. I might have to go to a high mileage car, and in which case I'd probably go for the IS. Thanks MMarshall for the tip on how to test the engine.

Thanks

Mink92890

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

For 15k here in NYC you can get a clean last gen BMW 325/330I with under 60k miles. It comes with an excellent suspension from the factory, and is one fast ride. That would be my pick if 15k is my limit.

mink92890

How do NYC prices stack up against Georgia's? I love the look of the older 3-series and it does not look outdated at all.

Mink92890

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

2001 and 2002 E46 M3's I believe. No E36 though. Although, unless the M3 owner was sleeping under a rock, most should have already had the recall work done by BMW. I know I would have had it done rather than sit on a time bomb if I owned that year M3.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Which model 5? %25's should be fairly easy to find as there are tons of them around. If you are looking at a 540i, check over the engine carefully as it may have a sludge problem thus the cheaper price. The 530i would be my choice if you don't need the V8 power in the 540 because the I6 makes about 225 HP which is pretty decent, and it is a work horse engine. Those I6 BMW engines are pretty rock solid.

mink92890

I dont need a V8... I would be satisfied with a 3.0 V6...

Lower that insurance

Mink92890

r4z0r3ck

if you look hard enough i would say u should shoot for a 60k-75k 1998+ gs300.