Ok, I know this is my millionth thread on buying a used car, but I know someone else has been there and I want to learn from your mistakes rather than make my own...


I am looking at a 94 BMW with around 128,00 km on it. It is loaded, power, leather, sunroof the whole bit. No rust, rear wheel drive, great shape, 2.5l 6cyl.

I was looking at Hondas from the mid 90s with similar km on them and the diffference in price between a BMW and a Honda is very little, just a few hundred dollars.

Is it safe to assume that a BMW (and the other Euro cars for that matter) will go as long as a Honda? Most people I have talked to say yes.

What are the pros and cons of buying a used BMW?

 

I believe the BMW's from that era are very reliable. My neighbor has one about that age. That bad part of it is the parts can be realtively expensive when you do need to have something fixed. If it doesn't have a lot of power parts then it should be ok. Just to give you an example, my wife's Lexus has power fold in heated etc mirrors and they cost $600 to replace. I don't know much about the BMW's but I would imagine if it needed any transmission/engine work it'll be pricey.

 

I bought a '98 last year for $8,000 with 104,000 miles (165,000K ?).

I've put 4,000 miles on it and 3,000 dollars in it.
(and they weren't mod dollars)

The car is beautiful, comfortable, quick, handles great and gets 26 mpg.
However, the guy who works on it wears a white labcoat.

Parts are even more outrageous than labor.

If you are good mechanic, can read German, have hands the size of a pygmy and the temperament of Job, a used (Broke My Wallet) er...BMW is great.

If you go to a shop that works on BMWs, you'll find that all the mechanics drive used ones. They work on them after hours, get their parts below cost and get sweet deals on them after the previous owners finally say "enough is enough" and give up on them.
(I'm not there yet. Don't know if I'm stubborn, stupid or both)

 

I had a 99 M3 and then an 04 M3. My brother has an e46 330, my friend has an 80,000 miles 01 M5, my wife has an X5, my other friend has a 325, my Dad has a 745.

BMWs ARE the best cars money can buy. The 3 series also has the best resale of any car.

My good friends shop gets alot of e36 3 series with well over 100,000 miles for basic stuff like brakes and oil changes.

What kind of 1994 BMW are you looking at? If its a 3 series, that car will run for ever. The only things on the e36 (that model 3 series) BMWs that was problematic were the front ball-joints.

That would be a good choice.

Hondas are good but any honda from that same era is going to be an out-dated tin can.

BMWs are also nice because, even though its an old body style, its not as outdated as a same year toyota or honda.

I say go for it. That car will be solid as a rock if you get one that hasnt been neglected.

BMWs are fairly simple to work on.

Parts, unless you get them from a dealer, are pretty cheap. My friend just did cam sensors on his M5. I think the dealer quoted him like 500 bucks. My friends shop, as I mentioned above, got them for like 100.

 

I'll echo what was already said. Friggin' GREAT cars to own & drive. Can be quirky early one but if treated well they will run and run and run and run... if they do break it WILL cost more to repair than the honda. But hey, nobody smiles while carving up the road in their friggin' Honda whatever... and chicks don't give you a second glance in your Accord.

I speak as a former e46 325i driver & overall BMW enthusiast.

 

You can see why I'm being hardheaded about this car, 1998 328i.

I'm at $11,000 and with the next issue I'll be upside down on this one and I'm just not used to that with my vehicles.

I travel quite a bit and had hoped to transistion from my truck to this but, the confidence just isn't there. I'd get in my '99 F150 with 95k and drive to California tomorrow without a thought.
When I drive this car to 7-Eleven, I take my cell phone with me.

 

It is a 1994 BMW 325IS coupe, I assume that is the "3" series?


I have a mechanic that does imports but isn't a BMW dealership guys, I I will save on the labor (cash deals are great).

 

Raoul.......that's a beautiful car! BMW's are my favorite.

 

I always say you should make good use of the resources you have at hand. If you fear it will break down, may I suggest this option:




Being someone who survives by passing bad cheques, why would this be a concern?

 

^^^hahahaha^^^

 

I didn't even think of using the goats.
I only bought the damn car because I had read a while back how much Lovetrucks liked them.

"Pick you up at eight sweetheart. I'll be behind the wheel of my BMW. It'll be sitting on top of a flatbed Isuzu diesel."

 

FordWask, sounds like your hooked.
That's a good looking car. The only other advice I can offer is to pass on the deal if it's an Automatic.

These cars were built 'to be driven'.

Best of Luck to you on all of it.

 

That's the most important thing, to have a mechanic you can trust.

My mechanic is honest with me.
I took the car in for 'rough idle'.
When I went back to pick it up he said,
"I fiddled with the carburator and seemed to have it running fine. Then I got this bill from my daughter's orthodontist and we had to pull the engine.".

 

 

Nice. It has e36 ///M3 wheels too.

Looks like a nice one.