BMW fans ... pro/cons to owning one ....

[lopxtc]

I am looking at a 1994 BMW 530i series ... got 99k miles and a price tag of $8900. I am going to check it out this week and see how it sounds and how it drives. Unfortunately there is only one BMW shop in the area and they want normal $$$/hour amount to just check it out briefly.

Black with tan leather interior ... 6-disc changer with the chager controls built into the dash ... over all looks nice, really interested in driving it.

Any fans got any pro/cons that I might want to know?


Aaron

**Edit** typed in 350i and meant 530i

[WicKeD_WaYz]

My friend has one and I only see one con.


every time it has broken down it has cost him a minimum of 300$ to fix. Basically they can be expensive to maintain so try and make sure the one you buy is in good working condition with little to no problems.



EDIT: oops Irbo already mentioned that.

[lopxtc]

You are correct ... I fat fingered the keyboard ... is a 530i not 350i.

Aaron

Originally posted by irbodden
350? I don't think there ever was a 350, I think the 3 series was 318, 325, 328 in 94... If I am wrong though, a 350 would be INCREDIBLY fast, a 5 liter engine on a 3 series... wow

[Gitaroo Man]

They are nice, I have a 325i 1990 and a 2002 530i.

For yours make sure you have a mechanic check it out! I have spent soooo much money on my BMW fixing parts that I should have seen coming. If the car checks out then get it. I love BMWs!

[ASDadam]

BMW's are in fact incredibly reliable. Take good care of em and they will last you forever. Owned a 325i and it gave me absolutely no trouble, except replacing the starter solinoid once. But that was easily done myself. My uncle has the 850i(For people who don't know BMW's this is a V12 Coupe...fast...VERY fast) and he has over 260k miles on it with no problems. His son has a 88 6 series and has had no problems. He just bought his daughter a 95 325i and only had to replace the exhaust after 150k miles. Highly reliable cars but like they said, if they break, go ahead and break the bank.

[irbodden]

I have always wanted an 850, but between gas and insurance I could never afford one...

How fast is "fast", is it comprable to an M3? or like a 330?

[ASDadam]

Its not as fast as an M3, remember, this car is from 91. BUT it is exceptionally close to the M3. Its a heavier car. BUT compared to most of the cars out there, it'll leave them behind. My cousin was at the tennis courts with my uncle beside her. She floored the gas pedal instead of hitting the brake (Don't ask how or why we never figured this out) And instead of stopping she Literally made the 850 jump the parking bump and run HALF WAY up a 10 foot fence. It was an extremely scary moment, but the BMW came away with no damage except a few scratches on the front bumper. Just a show of the power this thing had and the reliabilty(and luck) of BMW

[giblit]

i own a 88 325i convertible and hate it, i hate the car and i would sell it if it was my car but i cant cause its my parents, totally unreliable, breaks down couple times a month, my friends 5.0 gets better gas milage... all i know is ill never buy a bmw in my life.

[irbodden]

Originally posted by giblit
i own a 88 325i convertible and hate it, i hate the car and i would sell it if it was my car but i cant cause its my parents, totally unreliable, breaks down couple times a month, my friends 5.0 gets better gas milage... all i know is ill never buy a bmw in my life.

It is a 15-16 year old car...

How well was it kept? Always in a garage?

[MarkM]

Re: BMW fans ... pro/cons to owning one ....

Originally posted by lopxtc
I am looking at a 1994 BMW 530i series ... got 99k miles and a price tag of $8900. I am going to check it out this week and see how it sounds and how it drives. Unfortunately there is only one BMW shop in the area and they want normal $$$/hour amount to just check it out briefly.

Black with tan leather interior ... 6-disc changer with the chager controls built into the dash ... over all looks nice, really interested in driving it.

Any fans got any pro/cons that I might want to know?


Aaron

**Edit** typed in 350i and meant 530i

530i's are a little bit sluggish when pushed, all 5 series cars perform in the same way as any other with the same engine installed unlike 3 series, you can sit a row of 3 series and they will all sit at differing heights (this is identical on paper, cars) and they will all perform differently so any comparisons to 3 series don't hold any water. I do see that you mention the ICE....why? does that improve the car?
As long as the service manual has been kept up to date and it hasn't been "clocked" by one of those gizmo's you can buy online, by "clocked" I mean that in both ways...mileage and the service schedule. Aftermaket rims will detract from the handling perspective as they are rarely the correct size...when the lower profile tyres are fitted...this in turn would give a slightly inaccurate speedo reading and the shocks are very rarely replaced to compensate for the height difference. Stock is best or genuine approved parts only. You don't say wether or not this is a Manual or an Auto...Auto is ok but again only if it has the sports selection option.

[Greg98]

Can't say I'm a fan of hte older squared off 5 series, but to each his own. Take a long hard look at what you want..... I decided that a 3 series was for me, as driving a big sedan like that all day in traffic and parking situations can be a hassle. Add that to the fact they are heavier and are tougher to find with a 5 speed, and thats why I went with a 325is. Drive the 5 series, but I urge you to take a look at a 325i(s) if you can afford one, they really are nice cars, I couldn't be happier with mine. Nice crisp shifter, great steering (less stiff than my moms A4, but much firmer than my dads old lexus es300) and comparable to the steering on his current g35. It's got great acceleration and handling, sounds great, comes with alot of gizmo's and luxury junk, and quite simply was money well spent! But you are certainly looking at the right company, you don't know what the big deal is with BMW's until you drive one! good luck!

[Snewk]

Watch out for the po po's. If they see younger person + BMW they think it's a spoiled kid out hot rodding in his car. I'm not saying all cops are like this, just beware.

[lopxtc]

I found a 1995 325i with 75k miles for $10,800 ... the only problem is that its a private seller, and Im not sure how easy it would be to get a loan on a private seller deal.

Going to test drive it also anyway just to see the difference.


Aaron

Originally posted by Greg98
but I urge you to take a look at a 325i(s) if you can afford one,

[Greg98]

good man........but I would urge you to get the car checked out at a body shop if at all possible. I came very close to purchasing an absolutely gorgeous looking 1995 325i, everything was ok mechanically, but when we took it to our friend at a body shop, he discovered a "few" problems. Rust starting under both fenders, rust on the ROOF (underneath), and most disturbing of all, there was no metal left holding the bottom edge of the windshield in! We were curious at to why the windshield wipers weren't working, well having no metal there is a damn good reason! So having na experienced perosn take a look for any accidents and if it's been repainted and if it has signs of rust saved me THOUSANDS of dollars. They charged me nothing to check it out, but our friend runs it, but he literally took 5 minutes to do a walkaround, so I doubt it would be an expensive check. Even with an accident report, the claims may not be there, as they may have paid by themselves, and trying to sell a car that you find out later has had 3 accidents will lose you alot of money. so be patient and do your homework, I did and got this it took me over 6 weeks and two failed pruchase attempts, but it was worth it!