Author Topic: your thoughts about a daily driver (Read 5561 times)

mgold · « **on:** April 26, 2007, 03:08:12 PM »

So, I've made the decision to get a daily driver to semi-retire my '91 318iC as it quickly approaches the 200k mark (I also need something with back doors as I have two kids, one of which is in a car seat). I'm used to getting 26-27mpg on combined driving with my cabrio and would like to find a daily driver that gets about the same (or better). I want to stay in the BMW family if I can so that limits my choices quite a bit. Here's the list I've come up with so far...

1991 318i sedan: small but they get even better gas mileage than my cabrio, cheap to insure and maintain

1983-1988 528e: roomy, good gas mileage and can take regular unleaded, super cheap to insure but may require more maintenance (valves and timing belts to worry about) and has a more complex suspension.

1992-1995 318i sedan: bigger than the E30 and gets excellent gas mileage, but has typical E36 maladies, potentially less maintenance than the E28.

1993-1995 325i sedan: bigger than the E30 and gets good gas mileage, but has typical E36 maladies, potentially less maintenance than the E28.

I'm trying to stay away from an automatic as I've heard horror stories about BMW automatics. Maybe I'm wrong about that part though.

Thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.

ecpreston · « **Reply #1 on:** April 26, 2007, 04:14:25 PM »

I would choose another 318, the bonus being that you can swap parts if one of them is acting up or dead. The eta 5er is a dog (you may or may not care), and the E36's, like you mention, have cooling system maladies, and I personally believe the build quality is just not as good as the E30. I had an E36 325 before, and while the engine is super smooth, I'll never look back now that I've gone E30.

If you'd like something a little larger, the only later model car I can recommend that'll meet your fuel economy requirements would be an e39 328i. It'd probably be about double the cost of the other cars you've mentioned, but worth it! Or what about an e34 525, those are nice too. Captains chairs ROCK for longer drives.

And yes, 5-spd will always be more reliable than auto. And more fun to drive! The autos in the 5's and 7's are ok, but not so hot in the 3's.

Buy a nice 5 and retire your 'vert to me. I promise to take good care of it.

mgold · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2007, 04:51:02 PM »

I love the E39 (my father-in-law used to have a 540i sport), but its way too much money right now, plus I'd like to own something that I can maintain myself, and the E39 is way too complex.

I really love the E34, but I'm concerned about gas mileage. I don't think I can expect to get 26-27mpg with one. There's one for sale locally for �ber cheap ($2500 for a '92 525iA and 210k on the odo) that I might check out on Saturday.

The concerns I have with the E36 are suspension related mostly. I keep reading about torn subframes and floors. As for cooling issues, I think that's limited to the 325i.

highlandmiata · « **Reply #3 on:** April 26, 2007, 05:15:17 PM »

I say stick with what you know, providing you can find a good 318i sedan. My second choice would be the same in e36. once you get into the bigger heavier cars everything costs more and wears out faster. Every e34 I looked at was in serious need of a full suspension rebuild and brakes, not to mention the issues you already stated... just remember, there's no reason to run out and buy a minivan (or equivalent) just because your coupe is proving to be slightly inconvenient. You would regret every day you own an overly functional beast.
Oh, I've heard from my alfa-mechanic friend that e28s can be a nightmare.

mgold · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2007, 05:32:06 PM »

Quote from: highlandmiata;24582

Oh, I've heard from my alfa-mechanic friend that e28s can be a nightmare.

I'm very fortunate when it comes to E28's. Here in Sacramento we have several very knowledgable E28 gurus. As a matter of fact, they just had a huge wrenchfest a few weeks ago.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2007, 06:32:38 PM »

E34's FTW, my parents have an M5, but most of them in the market are torn to pieces. I looked at E36s for awhile and discovered that the floor failures are rare and not all that common. The problems are, from what I have heard, mostly contained in the first 2-3 model years, 325 and 318. I'd be much more worried about the cooling system.

BTW, e28 535is's are great cars, but I'm not sure the fuel economy is that great.

ecpreston · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2007, 08:18:37 PM »

Quote from: mgold;24581

The concerns I have with the E36 are suspension related mostly. I keep reading about torn subframes and floors.

Ignore it, it's blown way out of proportion. I think it's happened to maybe a few people ever. And ONLY track cars. I've seen so many E36's on track, with stock, modded, whatever subframes and suspension for years, and I've never seen such a thing or heard of it personally. I've sold BMW parts for years previously as well, talked to thousands of people, never heard of it. :confused: If you buy an e36, and the subframe rips out on the street, I'll give you $20. :p

I don't know what kind of economy the e34 gets, but it's an e36 drivetrain, just a bit more weight and squareness, I would think it'd get high 20's highway since the 325 gets 30. Just a guess though.

Quote from: gearheadE30;24587

BTW, e28 535is's are great cars, but I'm not sure the fuel economy is that great.

heck yeah, I'd like to have one of those, a great car! And that engine sounds AWESOME when uncorked. But yes, fuel economy wouldn't be it's greatest strength. It isn't known for oil economy either.

mgold · « **Reply #7 on:** April 26, 2007, 09:09:20 PM »

Quote from: ecpreston;24595

I don't know what kind of economy the e34 gets, but it's an e36 drivetrain, just a bit more weight and squareness, I would think it'd get high 20's highway since the 325 gets 30. Just a guess though.

E34's weigh around 3500-3600lbs while E36's weighs 2900-3100lbs

ecpreston · « **Reply #8 on:** April 26, 2007, 11:52:32 PM »

not that they're too incredibly tied to reality, but the fuel economy's the same on edmunds.com for the 325 and 525. 19 city, 28 hwy.

Alpine003 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 26, 2007, 11:56:05 PM »

Quote from: ecpreston;24595

Ignore it, it's blown way out of proportion. I think it's happened to maybe a few people ever. And ONLY track cars. I've seen so many E36's on track, with stock, modded, whatever subframes and suspension for years, and I've never seen such a thing or heard of it personally.

I agree with this and have also owned 2 E36's without any issues. The only issue you should count on is having the control arms/ball joints/cab's replaced on any high mileage E36.

As to the 325i and 318 E36 debate, if you drive mainly city or have a heavy foot, I would recommend the 318. The 325i can achieve upper 20's on the highway but anytime you hammer down the right foot, mileage will drop drastically. Also would depend on if you live in/around hills and need the extra power/torque.

Actually, I was kinda surprised when I couldn't really lose an E36 318i on the highway with my 325i. The rear diff definitely helps on those cars.

As for family issues, I would recommend getting one with rear fold down seats if you get an E36. Just a nice touch that you can't get with E30's.

My $.02

mgold · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2007, 11:44:32 PM »

Well, I might be looking at a '96 328i 5-speed sedan on Monday. Its got a salvage title, but it has low miles (110k) and is less than $3700, although I'm going to try to talk him down to $3000 or less. As for the salvage title, I plan on running a CarFax on it and having Valley Motorwerks here in Sacramento do a PPI on it.

jetteman · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2007, 12:09:32 AM »

i vote for a E30 325i for door.

Bunta · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2007, 10:07:31 AM »

A e30 318i would be great, but no matter what anyone says an E30 4door is quite small inside. Not unbarable but they are tight. My dad has a few e28s(528 and a 535is) he had no problems with either(this was in the early 90s the cars were about 5yrs old). My parents moved me and my sister around in them when we were babies, perfect sizes if you ask me.
I also who have a friend who is far from a BMW enthusiast and him and his dad drive e28 528s. Poorly maintained, ragged out over 200K(400k on one) and they drive tham everywhere no problems at all. Its a hard call the e30 is more fun but e28s are nice too.
Just my 0.02
plus E28s are pimp
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=587071

Hunter

mgold · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2007, 11:47:04 AM »

Yeah, E28's can be pimp for sure. My friend Jay has 4 of them including a euro M5 clone, and a 528e with an M motor transplanted into it (talk about stealth)

Here's the M-clone, hard to believe it started life as a 535is...

Abrax · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2007, 02:35:40 PM »

If I was You I would definately use E34 M5 touring as my daily car

But beeing more realistic I would buy E34 525TDS touring with A/C and w/o leather seats. The car should easily take care of Your children and Your wife would be rather content because of pretty big space around there inside. It is not a sport car, but it acts very nice for it's weight. And also parts are cheap and it doesn't brake down easily.

If I had 2 children -> I would buy E34 525TDS touring or E39 530d touring for sure. E36 touring is not really big enough to keep You comfortable enough.

That is what I think...