anybody like BMW.s

[bob 351]

gday guys i have the oppurtunity to buy an early BMW so just wondering anybody had any experience with them any thoughts

[Kryton]

make sure its in good condition as parts can be stupidly expensive.
what BMW are you looking at?

[cupic]

M3 Rocks and thats the 6 model

But in all seriousness parts are at a premium so this is the first indicator

[Polyal]

Whats the model number?

[flappist]

Be careful if it is a late 80s, early 90s. The computer systems are very complex and cost many thousands. If it cacks you stop and there is no plan B. Tyres can also be silly sizes that cost lots.
My little brother bought a 96 730i for $18k ($240k new) and was quoted $14,000 to fix it when it went silly. Luckily it was just a wire that fell out of a plug and not the computer itself so he was saved.

[Auslandau]

Buying one is the cheapest bit ...... There is a reason that 10 + year old models are cheap compared to there original price. That goes for Audi's, Merc's, jags etc



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[mik]

could it be true $700 for plug leads

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by flappist

My little brother bought a 96 730i for $18k ($240k new) .

By crikey...and I thought Falcon depreciation was a shocker !!!!

[bob 351]

The one i am looking at is a 1974 two and a half litre e3 havn't actualy seen it in the flesh yet but hope too tommorow it is supposed to be in good condition and runs well being an older model i would assume there would be no computer i hope

[Tles]

Best was the 2002, great little driver's car.

Otherwise the advice goes along the lines of if you can't afford to buy it new then you shouldn't buy it used.

[bob 351]

Otherwise the advice goes along the lines of if you can't afford to buy it new then you shouldn't buy it used.

so what you are saying is they are only sutible for politicians and pornstars and seings i am neither what do i do i want one

[Melchior3]

The most common thing I hear about used BMWs is repair costs...both on forums and from friends. As nice as they are, I'd skip it to be honest.

[Kryton]

the best thing you could do is pay for a proper inspection for this car.
yes, it may be cheap, but whats the cost of getting it on the road in a reliable condition?

sign up to some BMW forums and see what the common problems are for the car, ask for some advice and go from there.

these things are really hit and miss.

[blackers10]

parts are hard to find for some models
or they are expensive or need to come from germany

my brother is fixing up an E30 323i 4 door

also BMW has lots of technology.. they have EFI in "old" cars;)

good luck
think HARD about it

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by bob 351

The one i am looking at is a 1974 two and a half litre e3 havn't actualy seen it in the flesh yet but hope too tommorow it is supposed to be in good condition and runs well being an older model i would assume there would be no computer i hope

As you have been advised by other forum members, do yourself a favour and give it a miss, no matter how good it looks.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by TTonka

Best was the 2002, great little driver's car.

Otherwise the advice goes along the lines of if you can't afford to buy it new then you shouldn't buy it used.

I'd say the 850iL circa 1990....Only on the market for 3 years but one hellova car...similar to the 7 series but in 2 door coupe configuration, then next would be the 635CSi.another coupe, the late 70's early 80's version

Repair costs make these cars poor choices similar to Mercs and Jags...A mate with a 1995 XR6 Jag paid $3,000 for a rear muffler.

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

Repair costs make these cars poor choices similar to Mercs and Jags...A mate with a 1995 XR6 Jag paid $3,000 for a rear muffler.

they do.
i was looking at a late 80 model 7 series V8 some time ago (ok, it was around 2000) and done a bit of research on actual costs.
the car was reasonably priced but i found it had 6 shocks (2 up front, 2 on each rear corner of the car).
priced these shocks at the cheapest i could find and they were OVER $600 EACH shock.
that in itself steered me well away from it.
i would hate to imagine if something mechanical had happened.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

I'd say the 850iL circa 1990....Only on the market for 3 years but one hellova car...similar to the 7 series but in 2 door coupe configuration, then next would be the 635CSi.another coupe, the late 70's early 80's version

Repair costs make these cars poor choices similar to Mercs and Jags...A mate with a 1995 XR6 Jag paid $3,000 for a rear muffler.

Having said that I didn't consider your personal circumstances...I work as a CFO for a law firm. We have a corporate car insurance policy and on looking at the list of cars on that policy half the partners drive BMW's and the rest a mix between Mercs, Audi's, Porches and SAAB's....None drive Fords or Holdens. Now to pay $3,000 for a muffler is 5 hours pay to them, so not an issue....If you're in that position then it may be worthwhile.

One of the lawyers is a car fanatic and bought a 1967 Merc a few years ago in need of some work...He paid $35k for the car and another $40k fixing it up back to stock and it's now worth close to $150k as a collectors item.

[nb_351]

One of the lawyers is a car fanatic and bought a 1967 Merc a few years ago in need of some work...He paid $35k for the car and another $40k fixing it up back to stock and it's now worth close to $150k as a collectors item.[/QUOTE]
wouldnt it be rgeat to be able to do that without thinking twice...
try and find things like crank angle sensors etc, usually you cant get them aftermarket, same with things like certain gaskets etc, paid over 150 for a sump gasket for a 6 cylinder beemer not so long ago...
and trying to find problems like driveline clunks is a task...
they have so many different parts...
but if its a decent car youll never know until you buy it...
so its up to you...
i have driven 40 year old german cars that feel better than our ba ghia...

[bob 351]

it sounds like with all the info i am recieving i might give it a miss and spend the dollars elsewhere even though i like beemers sounds like it might be worth more trouble than i need thank's for all the input guys

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by ozmale42

Now to pay $3,000 for a muffler is 5 hours pay to them, so not an issue

care to name the firm?
im not going to nit pick but im yet to meet a lawyer that earns $24000 on a 40 hour week.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by davway

care to name the firm?
im not going to nit pick but im yet to meet a lawyer that earns $24000 on a 40 hour week.

Can't name the firm for obvious reasons, but on average each partner earned $1.6M last year charging out at $650 an hour...Mostly because they have a great finance guy running the joint ....lol (joke)

[Kryton]

im sure youll find that amount is inclusive of the bonus, not exclusive (as in a base rate).

and thats also 47 hours a week for 52 weeks of the year to get $1.6M.

anyway, back to the BMW...............

[bob 351]

i think i might study to be a lawyer and not politician or porn star 650 bucks an hour what a rip off

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by bob 351

i think i might study to be a lawyer and not politician or porn star 650 bucks an hour what a rip off

unless its your butt on the line...its well worth the money if it spares you a lifetime of hell (or jail time).

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by davway

im sure youll find that amount is inclusive of the bonus, not exclusive (as in a base rate).

and thats also 47 hours a week for 52 weeks of the year to get $1.6M.

anyway, back to the BMW...............

The $650 is a gross rate before overheads (i.e my salary, rent, etc) so the $1.6M is after expenses. If you wanna be technical it would be 11 hours pay for that muffler assuming a 40% profit margin...but you see my original point.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by bob 351

i think i might study to be a lawyer and not politician or porn star 650 bucks an hour what a rip off

Nah...more fun being a pornstar Bob !

[atec77]

Originally Posted by bob 351

it sounds like with all the info i am recieving i might give it a miss and spend the dollars elsewhere even though i like beemers sounds like it might be worth more trouble than i need thank's for all the input guys

If you want a handler then look at a 70's jag , I have several and they are often very cheap to repair , one of them blew a motor so I swapped to a chev because it was just an xjs but the others are as factory and great to drive with 300+ hp from 4.2 litre 6 pots , the older mercs are cheap as well as long as its a 70's pre computer... or Bosch mechanical injection .(lpg is a viable option)
Generally the Euro's are better built and more fun to drive than a similar Aussie car as long as you pick the right one.

[atec77]

Originally Posted by bob 351

i think i might study to be a lawyer and not politician or porn star 650 bucks an hour what a rip off

last time I used a Barrister ripped me for a grand . 1.3 hours of talking

[Kryton]

steer clear of Jags if anything.
they were the worst of the bunch.
also a350 conversion will cost you engineering money as well so it isnt a cheap option.