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Sedans BMW 3-Series Buying a Used 3-Series
460 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 9:52 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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I have found a 1985-1987 BMW E30 325e and was wondering if you guys had an opinion on the car. It is 1000 dollars and has 195k miles. It is a 5 speed manual and has brand new tires. The condition is pretty good (the paint is worn along with the interior, but its not too bad). The car has been taken care of (routine oil changes and such). I do most all my repairs myself but I have noticed that prices of BMW parts can be a little more expensive (correct me if I'm wrong). I do want to keep costs down including repairs. If you could help me with a decision that would be great.
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 10, 2009 5:01 pm) Here's your list of potential problem with this early 3 series: Checklist for 3 Series
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 10, 2009 5:07 pm) Obviously you can't know how this individual car will last but do you have a rough estimate on a well maintained E30 325e?
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 10, 2009 8:36 pm) |
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 10, 2009 8:36 pm) Roadburner's advice is, however, a GREAT way to improve your odds. So a lot depends entirely on how well it was cared for in the first place (not in your control) AND how well YOU care for it in the future (totally in your control). Let's be real here---a car with this mileage is like a man who is 75 years old. Could live to a hundred, could drop on the tennis court tomorrow. Statistically, (and statistics are often misleading) the average car in America lasts 10-11 years. If we assume 15,000 miles a year, then there you go. But that includes mishaps like accidents, theft, etc.---also not in your control half the time. (I read somewhere that even if our bodies could be made disease-free and we couldn't die, that within 200 or 300 years we'd get blown up or something anyway).  Speaking only with anecdotal evidence, which proves nothing, in my appraisal work I rarely see an older car of any type at 300K, but I do see them at 225K or so fairly frequently. And the rare ones at 300K have certainly had an investment of maintenance and/or repair. So it may turn out that your budget will determine the car's ultimate longevity. BMWs are tough cars but they don't like neglect. This isn't a '65 Chevy. Visiting Host |
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 10, 2009 5:01 pm) roads. I can remember doing a 720 (turned a circle twice) when it slid and fortunately there was almost no traffic on the suburban road where I was at because it was about 6:50 AM. There are a few sites where you can buy many used parts for these BMWs on the internet. I can remember the dealer quoted us $ 1,600 for a new air conditioner compressor in 2006. Someone else fixed the ac for us without replacing the comp for about $ 200. The dealer also missed recommending a repair that was actually needed and was unable to re-set the dashboard light for the brakes which the buyer from us told me that he was able to do. Remember that parts fail not only due to high miles but also just age and rust. |
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 10, 2009 5:01 pm)
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Replying to: 04350 (Jan 11, 2009 11:10 am) Indy shops, wrecking yards, BMW club, internet--this is the way to go I think. I kept my 735 alive for pretty cheap--the previous owner spent a fortune. The AC was the biggest challenge to make truly efficient, and also the usual electrical glitches you get with old German cars.
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