total noob looking to move in to BM stable

[offset 0]

hey all,

I'll kep this introduction short and sweet, not too much talk, and brief.

Im Ben, have been in to cars all my life bla bal bla.. ..

Have been an import fan for a long time, and one of the more hated car manufacturer stables, 'honda's.

been driving hondas for along time now, but recently acquired a serious lick of flavour for BMW's.

Obviously being young, we can only dream of owning late model top of the line, due to financial reasons, I'm going after the lower spec, less fancy etc etc.

I am planning on moving to a BMW in the future, if I can find one at reasonable price and in the condition I'm happy with. Particularly looking at E39 5 Series, and also E38 7 series, or even maybe an E46 3 series, (although preferential in that order).

I dont really know a hell of a lot about the vehicles, and from time to time, I probably will ask some noob questions, or some questions that you've probably heard billions of times, but bare with me.

hopefully if and once i do make a purcahse on a BMW, I will be happily looking forward to meeting some of you, and coming along to some meets as well as checking out some of the rides that are in the club, and getting active within the BS community.

[e30plz 1]

Welcome.

Get an E30.

[offset 0]

hey,

thanks for the welcome. Im not too much of an E30 fan to be honest (runs and hides), although I have seen some in the past that have been nicely modified, and I also appreciate the few that I still see around, owned by elderly mature owners which are immaculate (showroom condition etc) !!

but am only really lookin to go in to an E39/E38/possibly E46 .. ..

I do notice that a lot of the forums content is based a lot on E30's, and I have recently seen a bit of light to see that they are a good cheap way of getting in to motorsport/track racing etc

[[email protected] 0]

Pretty big difference to Honda's these cars.

For one, they are rear wheel drive and weigh one and half times as much if not more.

E39's are fairly good, but what model you are interested in? They do seem to have more problems and be less quality than E34 from what I've seen (and not look as good)

E38's are rather fantastic, as long as you spend the money on a good one, as you can get yourself into a real financial nightmare with a problematic one. Same goes for most cars of course, but in particular these as you must remember they were one of most well optioned vehicles of their class in the mid 90's. If you do go for one it has to be a 740i, you will be wasting your time with a 728 or 730i - you may as well get out and walk.

E46, Well I don't know too much about them, but they are far stretch nicer than E36's. A E46 330 or 328 would be my pick of the bunch.

Let us know how you get on.

[offset 0]

Hmm, thanks.

As I stated before, my budget isn't huge, and I dont plan on hanging on to the bimmer (if I end up getting one that is) for a long period of time anyways as I do see it getting expensive. As a person who does clock up the kilometers a bit just from driving to work and back during the week, I dont really plan on holding on to one for long.

I know the older models are great cars! although, they are getting old, and my taste for older cars, or want for owning one has grown short. Hence E39, or descent year E38.

E38 wise - am not looking forward to getting anything beasty like the V8 model. Probably just a 728, and E39 wise, it'll be basic model once again (not Mspec'd or V8) - possibly 520, 523, 528.

E46 wise, pricing is great, these days, the M specc'd ones are hitting dealerships at around the $11k mark on the low, and few are popping up here and there privately around that kind of mark as well. but thats still out of my budget.

Totally understand that these vehicles are totally different to what Im use to driving, but I need a change.

Im not really looking to go for the performance side of the bmw, so having the bigger v8 engine etc isn't an issue for me, it'll just cost me more in fuel bills unfortunately.

although bmw's seem to be hard to pick the good ones/bad ones, mint forgiving ones, and unforgiving lemons which prove problematic.

[[email protected] 0]

Ah I see.

So your after something mid range, thats you can sort of treat as a 'trial' BMW that you wont have to keep for too long.

If thats the case, it would probably be best to find something at a good price that you can sell later for the same sorta money, or more if you tidy it up.

E39 525i's and 528's are probably your best bet. They aren't the fastest cars around, but still have the go when you need it, a shade under 145kw's I recall.

There can be pretty good deals for those currently so have a look around.

If your doing short trips, a 7 Series is not so ideal, a 5 would be more suited. The 7 should be more seen as a motorway mileage clocker, where you regularly travel long distances. Also being they are quite large cars especially, and weighty they can be excessive on gas in cities.

What range is your budget exactly by the way?

[offset 0]

well have been looking at the market for quite some time now. and know a few guys who deal bimmers here and there, so know what Im looking for, and Im sorta looking for a 'good deal'.

Budget range approximately up to $8k ish, but preferrably, a little under. I still have to sell my civic Im driving around in now, so its not urgent, but I am starting to look more seriously. I have seen some that I have liked in the past for very very good pricing well in line with mileage and condition, but due to the fact still having a car and not having the funds then and there caused me to miss out on quite a few descent ones I would've purchased had I had the money. So Im realistic. at that budget though, its a good step up if I stretch more (which i dont plan on doing), or a descent step down in terms of high mileage, condition, few minors here and there if I go below.

I am looking at doing some cosmetic modifications (probably not to the taste of a lot of you here) and nothing like I would do with my hondas, but am probably going to modify suspension, big wheels, plus possibly audio, but nothing much more, along with a bit of descent maintenance, and I know the market is slow, so will possibly just drive it until I can find a buyer for it. Cars don't seem to be selling quick at all, unless they are filthy cheap, and Im not willing to sacrifice too much of a loss if any.

Edited July 7, 2009 by offset

[antil33t 90]

I'd want a larger engine as they are better in every aspect over smaller ones.

E39 525 or 528 would be my pick...

Or as E30ONP Says... Get an E30

Welcome to BS Dude

Edited July 7, 2009 by antil33t

[Cale 36]

Hi and welcome to bimmersport, and soon bimmers mate

Good luck with your search!

[martyyn 2]

Budget range approximately up to $8k ish, but preferrably, a little under.

The short and sweet answer is that for 8k you are only going to be looking at the very earliest of e39 528's with few if any toys. They will be high mileage cars and will more than likely to have already had one owner who couldnt afford the maintenance.

The same goes for an e38. Only the very early cars are around that price (were talking the '96 models here), high miles and the potential for high maintenance bills.

I dont doubt for one minute that you will be able to find something but you are going to have to be very careful, do your homework and get a full appraisal done before laying down any money.

Good luck.

[Nobimmer 694]

Welcome mate, As Martyn said above you won't get much for 8k unless your REALLY lucky.

I had an E38 740i with more than 200k's and it was sweet, had no problems with it-ever. Some tight ol' bastard must have looked after it

Edited July 7, 2009 by Indecorous

[jordyboy2 0]

Welcome to bimmersport mate

[isis 16]

8k budget for an e38/39? LOL

I'd stay away from these cars as i doubt you'd be able to keep them acquainted to its maintenance schedule.

Cosmetics - that's real important to keep these oldies running

we dont need more shitty bimmers on the market with owners that dont maintain them and the flick them off as soon as trouble brews, only to leave the next owner with a sour taste of bmw ownership.

[offset 0]

you guys make it sound like its hard to find one at that price. They're around though, a lot of with high kms, but theres also a few that pop up, I've seen alot without the leather interior, which is a put off for me, but with descent ks. m talking around the 130k mark.

E38's are hard to find these days even at like $9-10k with mileage under 150ks.

hence why I dont really mind settling for a 520 as they seem to be the cheaper option.

[Guest Simon*]

Wow what a cheery advert for BMW ownership you lot are!

E39's are fine cars with a good pedigree. More reliable than your average Holden and in the case of the bigger 6 and 8 cylinder engines, good for a lot of mileage. Agreed, that like any car, maintenance and care is a must, and ideally you could get a NZ New example with a good service history but I don't think there's much reason you couldn't get a decent 528 or even 740 if you do your homework and have access to "mate's rates" pricing like you said. Good examples come up at Turners all the time.

Good luck and welcome along Don't be put off

[kiwi535 538]

one thing to do tho...if you find a car you like YOU MUST GET A CHECK AT A BMW DEALER OR AN QUALITY INDEPENDENT BMW EXPERT.i know i was shouting but it could save you hundreds if not thousands of $$$$

[offset 0]

yeah I've had that in the back of my mind.

whos the best priced/ or most recommended, i dont know a lot of places as I've only started looking in to stuff like that, but i know theres a few out east/south aucks, the BM Workshop in greylynn, Bugers Motor Works (northshore)?

[Mark 178]

Welcome mate.

One piece of advice.... spend a LOT of time researching on the net about the cars you wish to buy. By a lot I'm talking a couple of months at least. I spent about 3 months trawling the net absorbing everything I could about E36's and BMW's in general before I bought my old car. And even then I came across unexpected problems that I hadn't studied up on.

The more you know, the more money you can save and the fewer times you'll have to drop $150 on an independent inspection at a reputable BMW workshop.

[Greg111 13]

Don't be too quick to say the V8s are gas guzzling, mines quite economical........compared to my six anyways.

In saying that you would only find an E34 V8 for your price range.

As others have said, just do your research on the model(s) you are after.

Welcome BTW.

[offset 0]

thanks for the good words guys!

[lounit 0]

thanks for the good words guys!

i agree you get wot you pay for, try find the one unmelested...with good service history.

[Apex 693]

hey,

thanks for the welcome. Im not too much of an E30 fan to be honest (runs and hides)

You will be. Slowly but surely you will be.

Welcome to Bimmersport.

Lots of jap import under maintained junk in that price range, my sister just sold her average 96 528i for under 4k

Just remember. Depending on how well you want a mid nineties high end BMW to run and drive allow for anything in-between $2,000-$8,000+++++ a year in maintenance costs. You are looking at cars that were $130,000-$200,000+ new, the cost of the cars have plummeted butt the cost of the parts have not.

[aaron.b 0]

I say +1 to E46 (but I'm biased )

You could get a fairly decent 4door on trademe around 11k.

And for resale it's the more modern of the lot for that price so should be easier to sell if you want.

Welcome to BS I'm a honda > BMW convert myself haha

[1rotty 40]

I know its over your budget but just an example of a really good deal.

99 facelift 740,nz new,1 owner,full serv history,mint,about 180ks(from memory-which is nothing for this motor)$12k on TM.

As a lot of the guys have said-dont discount the v8,they're bulletproof & more economical than some of the 6's.

Oh & PS; Welcome

Edited July 10, 2009 by 1rotty

[bimmer boy 21]

Welcome aboard mate. I personally dont have a problem with the likes of a 520i or a 728i, sure they arnt the fastest but they are still good cars. As people have already stated if you arnt too familiar with BMW's then its best to get the car you are keen on inspected by a BMW specialist or just go to a BMW dealership and they should be happy to give it a look over and tell you whats what about that particular car. Its usually around $150 but its better to spend that much than get a car that could potentially have a lot of problems..

But that all aside I think you will find you will enjoy driving a BMW they are pretty comfortable cars to drive in as you said you got to drive quite a lot and the handling is usually much more superior when compared to other cars of around the same era.

Hope this helps.

Ryan