Looking for a second [project] car

JDane07 · 10-12-2012, 10:26 PM

Hey everyone,

Just looking for some input.
I'm currently looking for an e36 or e39 to use as a project car, and to slow down the mileage stacking up on my e90.

I'm currently eyeing a '98 323i and '97 528i.
I've always been a huge fan of the e39's, so it's definitely my first choice.

I'm just looking for some input from possible previous owners here....how reliable are the e36's and e39's with over 100k+ miles, any major issues with the cars to look out for, etc. I have a fairly low budget for this, so everything I'm looking at is well over the big 100.

The reason I like the 323/328 and the 528 is because AA makes a good looking supercharger kit for both

Gator335i · 10-12-2012, 10:53 PM

I'd go with the E39. The 323i is just such a slug of a car that even with a supercharger I can't imagine it putting out respectable numbers. Not sure I'd go with a '97 528i though. I really like the '99 and '00 versions, so if you can find one of those around in your price range, which you should, then get it before the E36.

2ndname · 10-13-2012, 01:42 AM

E30 =)
Bought one last week and am loving it!

Tim M · 10-13-2012, 01:47 AM

Dude....If you're going to supercharge an E39, just get the Fuckin' M5! Seriously!

QUiKSR20 · 10-13-2012, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndname

E30 =)
Bought one last week and am loving it!

E30 x999 one of the best BMW's I miss mine.

JDane07 · 10-13-2012, 02:19 AM

Don't get me wrong, I love e30's, but I want something a little newer.
And the supercharger isn't something I would purchase right off the bat, if ever. I just want the potential to do so.

I'm eyeing a '98 540i for $5500 right now. Has about 120k miles, but looks to be in great shape. Plus that v8 would be pretty great.

Gator335i · 10-13-2012, 10:00 AM

DZ makes a very good point. Every time I buy a BMW thinking I'm going to use it as a beater, I wind up caring about it too much to use it in that fashion. Instead of beating on it I find myself trying to restore it, LOL.

So, DZ's advice is actually very sound. A Jap car like a Honda would be a reliable car that you could heap abuse on without having any feelings of emotional attachment to it.

The only catch to this scenario, at least for me is, I keep buying BMWs with the money I had set aside for the Jap beater. So the cycle just keeps repeating itself, LOL.

JDane07 · 10-13-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZhengHellaFlush

Dane that 540 gonna be expensive to fix if it goes down. with 5G's i would get a 04/05 civic and make it my DD, yea its not a bimmer but its a beater..just my opinion

I am actually leaning toward this route.
However, I want something a little sporty, with the potential of being a quick little car down the road. Age isnt too important so it can be a little old. Just needs to be reliable, and NEEDS to be a MT.

cmyk · 10-13-2012, 10:56 AM

I am in a similar boat right now, although I'm considering picking up an E36 or E30 M3 to use as a fun hobby/project car.

I have experience with E39s and between your 2 options that's what I would choose. I will say that when they are in good shape they are very solid and fun to drive, but when (not if) the shit hits the fan they will leave you and your wallet crying. That's the reason I finally got rid of mine (it was an 03 with 85k miles); the last 2 months that I had it, I spent almost $4,000 fixing it after it decided to just take a complete dump on me out of the blue, after over a year of zero mechanical issues. Much like any BMW, even with proper maintenence they get to a point where little things start breaking, and those little things quickly escalate into huge headaches. Things to watch out for off the top of my head are water pump, pulleys, PCV/vacuum lines (the lines that run under the intake manifold literally disintegrate with age and the manifold has to come out to replace them -- not an easy DIY as it is very difficult to get to these lines, and most shops charge through the nose for labor on this. Ask me how I know), oil pan leaks (common issue and not cheap to fix), and google "seat twist" (very common in these cars -- very easy fix but very, very annoying when it happens).

MattMD · 10-13-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDane07

I am actually leaning toward this route.
However, I want something a little sporty, with the potential of being a quick little car down the road. Age isnt too important so it can be a little old. Just needs to be reliable, and NEEDS to be a MT.

NA or NB Miata. I don't think the 05-06ish NCs will be in your range, but I could be wrong. You can supercharge it too.

cmyk · 10-13-2012, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDane07

I am actually leaning toward this route.
However, I want something a little sporty, with the potential of being a quick little car down the road. Age isnt too important so it can be a little old. Just needs to be reliable, and NEEDS to be a MT.

Have you thought about a DSM? OK, I guess I would not call them "reliable" but they are easy to work on, very easy to mod, and you can get them pretty cheap (although it is getting more difficult to find an unmolested/stock one). I've had several and they were all among my personal favorite cars. You can pretty easily get ~400hp on stock internals (nice for a 2.0L 4 banger), and if you want to start playing with internals the sky's the limit. Parts are cheap and they are very fun cars to mod, although they do enjoy breaking down in sometimes puzzling ways; I think it adds to their character

10-12-2012, 10:26 PM	#1
JDane07 Lieutenant Colonel 143 Rep 1,720 Posts Drives: 330i (sold), MK7 GTI Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Napa, CA iTrader: (3)	Looking for a second [project] car Hey everyone, Just looking for some input. I'm currently looking for an e36 or e39 to use as a project car, and to slow down the mileage stacking up on my e90. I'm currently eyeing a '98 323i and '97 528i. I've always been a huge fan of the e39's, so it's definitely my first choice. I'm just looking for some input from possible previous owners here....how reliable are the e36's and e39's with over 100k+ miles, any major issues with the cars to look out for, etc. I have a fairly low budget for this, so everything I'm looking at is well over the big 100. The reason I like the 323/328 and the 528 is because AA makes a good looking supercharger kit for both __________________ Current Ride: '16 MK7 GTI// Former Ride: '06 E90 330i// Don't mind me... just passing along// Old E90 Thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...first+e90+m580
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-12-2012, 10:53 PM	#2
Gator335i Private First Class 20 Rep 120 Posts Drives: E38 E39 E60 E70 E92 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gainesville, FL iTrader: (0)	I'd go with the E39. The 323i is just such a slug of a car that even with a supercharger I can't imagine it putting out respectable numbers. Not sure I'd go with a '97 528i though. I really like the '99 and '00 versions, so if you can find one of those around in your price range, which you should, then get it before the E36.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2012, 01:42 AM	#3
2ndname Autobot 5 Rep 454 Posts Drives: E90 325i Auto~NO~Go Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: East Bay iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [10.00]	E30 =) Bought one last week and am loving it!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2012, 01:47 AM	#4
Tim M Just a regular guy. 60 Rep 514 Posts Drives: Alpine White M3 Sedan Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	Dude....If you're going to supercharge an E39, just get the Fuckin' M5! Seriously!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2012, 02:19 AM	#6
JDane07 Lieutenant Colonel 143 Rep 1,720 Posts Drives: 330i (sold), MK7 GTI Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Napa, CA iTrader: (3)	Don't get me wrong, I love e30's, but I want something a little newer. And the supercharger isn't something I would purchase right off the bat, if ever. I just want the potential to do so. I'm eyeing a '98 540i for $5500 right now. Has about 120k miles, but looks to be in great shape. Plus that v8 would be pretty great. __________________ Current Ride: '16 MK7 GTI// Former Ride: '06 E90 330i// Don't mind me... just passing along// Old E90 Thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...first+e90+m580
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2012, 10:00 AM	#7
Gator335i Private First Class 20 Rep 120 Posts Drives: E38 E39 E60 E70 E92 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gainesville, FL iTrader: (0)	DZ makes a very good point. Every time I buy a BMW thinking I'm going to use it as a beater, I wind up caring about it too much to use it in that fashion. Instead of beating on it I find myself trying to restore it, LOL. So, DZ's advice is actually very sound. A Jap car like a Honda would be a reliable car that you could heap abuse on without having any feelings of emotional attachment to it. The only catch to this scenario, at least for me is, I keep buying BMWs with the money I had set aside for the Jap beater. So the cycle just keeps repeating itself, LOL.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2012, 10:56 AM	#9
cmyk resident girl. 59 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 2008 335i + 2014 X5 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [8.76]	I am in a similar boat right now, although I'm considering picking up an E36 or E30 M3 to use as a fun hobby/project car. I have experience with E39s and between your 2 options that's what I would choose. I will say that when they are in good shape they are very solid and fun to drive, but when (not if) the shit hits the fan they will leave you and your wallet crying. That's the reason I finally got rid of mine (it was an 03 with 85k miles); the last 2 months that I had it, I spent almost $4,000 fixing it after it decided to just take a complete dump on me out of the blue, after over a year of zero mechanical issues. Much like any BMW, even with proper maintenence they get to a point where little things start breaking, and those little things quickly escalate into huge headaches. Things to watch out for off the top of my head are water pump, pulleys, PCV/vacuum lines (the lines that run under the intake manifold literally disintegrate with age and the manifold has to come out to replace them -- not an easy DIY as it is very difficult to get to these lines, and most shops charge through the nose for labor on this. Ask me how I know), oil pan leaks (common issue and not cheap to fix), and google "seat twist" (very common in these cars -- very easy fix but very, very annoying when it happens). __________________ 2008 E90 335i // Black Everything // photos COBB tuned / QTP e-cutouts / Helix FMIC / cp-e DCI / AWE BOVs / Catless / FBO + F15 X5 xDrive35i Last edited by cmyk; 10-13-2012 at 11:03 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote