[MRG] Cheap BMWs at Kijiji?

[nickia]

I've seen 90'-95' model of 3 series going for around $5k. Are those cars good enough to drive around or they will break down immediately as soon as you step on the pedal?

[onecoolloser]

...I dont think any car will break "as soon as you step on the pedal". =P

[bobbings]

isn't it expensive to maintain a bmw? i don't know if that's the case for older bmw cars though. IMO, a bmw past 5 years is not as reliable compared to a civic past 5 years. correct me if i'm wrong but it's just my opinion

[Pete_Coach]

isn't it expensive to maintain a bmw? i don't know if that's the case for older bmw cars though. IMO, a bmw past 5 years is not as reliable compared to a civic past 5 years. correct me if i'm wrong but it's just my opinion

Not even close to being the same class of car.
As for $5K for BMW, it does not matter the age or even the car for that matter, you need to look at what you are buying. $5K is wasted on anything that won't run or is rusted out. So, just be aware of what you are spending your money on.

[bobbings]

Not even close to being the same class of car.
As for $5K for BMW, it does not matter the age or even the car for that matter, you need to look at what you are buying. $5K is wasted on anything that won't run or is rusted out. So, just be aware of what you are spending your money on.

ya i know the class difference is there but a 95 civic would seem more reliable than a 95 bmw doesn't it? regardless of class. with 5000 to spend, i think class is not as important than reliability. op needs to watch out when buying old cars especially if it's stick.

[Pete_Coach]

ya i know the class difference is there but a 95 civic would seem more reliable than a 95 bmw doesn't it? regardless of class. with 5000 to spend, i think class is not as important than reliability. op needs to watch out when buying old cars especially if it's stick.

Why would you think that?
Is it something you heard or are there statistics? A 95 anything is going to have maintenance issues as it is already 12 to 13 years old. The state of the car will determining the future costs and really, a typical BMW (or Mercedes or Lexus or Infinity or other high end car) would probably (as a rule, not evidence) be better maintained than your typical Civic?

[BartBandy]

Not really. You can find examples of abused BMWs at used lots all over the place. One could counter-argue that a Civic is more tolerant of abuse (long oil change intervals, lack of proper maintenance) than a BMW is.

A "90'-95' model of 3 series going for around $5k" doesn't tell us anything. You have to look at specific cars, their service records (don't buy without them) and the condition of the car. Get a complete pre-purchase inspection done - not just a safety check.

IMO, $5000 used European sports cars are best left to those who want to tinker with them on weekends. Unfortunately, people buy them for everyday transportation when $5000 is their budget. Price a brake job on a BMW before you buy one. Price a transmission or a clutch, a water pump replacement, and a new exhaust. You will be north of your original $5000 in no time.

[Dyno]

Why would you think that?
Is it something you heard or are there statistics? A 95 anything is going to have maintenance issues as it is already 12 to 13 years old. The state of the car will determining the future costs and really, a typical BMW (or Mercedes or Lexus or Infinity or other high end car) would probably (as a rule, not evidence) be better maintained than your typical Civic?

Comparing Mercedes to a Lexus in terms of reliability is like comparing a civic and a 750li in turns of class it just doesn't work.
Mercedes are not very reliable cars (one of the worst), where as Lexus (Toyota) have on of the highest reliability rating.
Mercedes and Lexus are two different ends of the spectrum in terms of reliability.

BMW isn't exactly a very reliable car as opposed to Honda which has that reputation.
Now assuming that the previous owners maintained the cars equally (you do not know previous owner) on average the 95 civic would last much longer than the 95 318i.

[Matrix_dot_ca]

I've seen 90'-95' model of 3 series going for around $5k. Are those cars good enough to drive around or they will break down immediately as soon as you step on the pedal?

If it has a porcelain pedal, yes it will brake down as soon as you step on it.

[BartBandy]

Now assuming that the previous owners maintained the cars equally (you do not know previous owner) on average the 95 civic would last much longer than the 95 318i.

I think a better way of stating that is to say that it is more economical to keep a Civic on the road longer. After all, any recently-declared "dead" car can be repaired, but at what cost? Parts for old and new BMWs are expensive, so old BMWs get scrapped rather than repaired even though they are a better-equipped car than a Civic, because the Civic is cheaper to run and maintain, and arguably requires less maintenance.

[romsan04]

Comparing Mercedes to a Lexus in terms of reliability is like comparing a civic and a 750li in turns of class it just doesn't work.
Mercedes are not very reliable cars (one of the worst), where as Lexus (Toyota) have on of the highest reliability rating.
Mercedes and Lexus are two different ends of the spectrum in terms of reliability.

BMW isn't exactly a very reliable car as opposed to Honda which has that reputation.
Now assuming that the previous owners maintained the cars equally (you do not know previous owner) on average the 95 civic would last much longer than the 95 318i.

Comparing BMW to a Honda it's like comparing Lexus to Mercedes in reliability.
BMW is all about handling and speed. Honda from point A to B car. Why do you think so many people moding their Honda's??? They just trying to create a sport car from a boring method of transportation.

It's like having freshly squeezed juice for $6 (BMW) or $1 pop made from artificial colors and sweeteners.

Choose what you want.

[TrEvOrLiCioUs]

Parts for old and new BMWs are expensive,

I like this myth, it keeps ppl away from bmws, its actually the mechanics you have working on the car, not the car or the parts that are expensive.

A $5k BMW probably hasn't been maintained as well as it should be, although you never know you'd have to go check it out.

They do have alot of potential thou, great for ppl who like to work on cars themselves.

Here is a typical $5k BMW (minus the wheels)


Here is what it could look like.



Still perfer a civic?

[KonniXeoN]

I like this myth, it keeps ppl away from bmws, its actually the mechanics you have working on the car, not the car or the parts that are expensive.

A $5k BMW probably hasn't been maintained as well as it should be, although you never know you'd have to go check it out.

They do have alot of potential thou, great for ppl who like to work on cars themselves.

Here is a typical $5k BMW (minus the wheels)


Here is what it could look like.



Still perfer a civic?

Amen, that BMW is a nice ride you got there Trevor. And yes for 5K you can get a 325is which is in fairly mint condition when buying the E36 series. You can get that version of M3 MINT for around 14-15K.

I hate civics... I would take the BMW over the civic anyday, just because each BMW made has it's own unique driving feel. Oh yeah and rear wheel for the win!

With a little work you can get your car done up like this!

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...26992_6689.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...45941_2023.jpg

http://www.koperformance.com/images/..._1_375x256.jpg

Don't worry about finding parts, theres a whole load of parts for that model of bmw 3 series.

The e36 3 series has a crap load of parts for it.

[BartBandy]

And what would it look like with a cracked driveshaft? That's what happened to the last guy I talked to who bought one, who was bemoaning how much the parts and labour were going to cost him. I've also owned an older Volvo, and I know just how pricy those parts can be as well.

If you want a BMW for the driving experience, more power to you (literally). But the cost of ownership will be higher than your basic Civic, and could be much higher, depending on how well your used car was treated earlier in life.

[TrEvOrLiCioUs]

And what would it look like with a cracked driveshaft? That's what happened to the last guy I talked to who bought one, who was bemoaning how much the parts and labour were going to cost him. I've also owned an older Volvo, and I know just how pricy those parts can be as well.

If you want a BMW for the driving experience, more power to you (literally). But the cost of ownership will be higher than your basic Civic, and could be much higher, depending on how well your used car was treated earlier in life.

Driveshalfs don't just "crack" , it was probably due to something not related to the car itself. (Abuse)

Your telling me you never heard someone needing to replace a CV axle on a ccivic? haha.
I'm not arguing because civics are more reliable, but in the end its still a civic.


BMWs suck, dont buy one, more for me. =)