BMW as a daily driver... Ideas?

[kissrocksforever]

I'm thinking about buying a 2003 or older BMW 3 or 5 series next year as a daily driver, so I can put the stang on a cheaper insurance and not be stuck is it decides not to start or whatever. Does anyone here know anything about BMW's? I know I can get an older one for under 8 grand in Toronto, but then again maintenance would be more expensive. There's no dealership where I live but my mechanic works on European cars all the time.

Just looking for opinions, and on what you guys think would be better value, the 3 series or the 5 series....I'd try to get the V8, of course. lol.

 

[bigkeeko]

1996-2003 E39 5 series.
V8s not worth the extra. 2.8 and newer 3.0 is as far as you need to go. Build date from 2001 shown on engine compartment label on top of front wheelarch. I`ve personally had use of a 528 se and it was a quick car. 193 hp here though in the UK.
Check for Repaired accident damage. Some Dodgy door seals.
Uneven rear tyre wear and clonks from the rear can be caused by worn rear suspension bushes.
Reports of repeated thermostat problems blowing radiators on older E39s.
Service light indicator can easily be re-set, so a paid invoice is the only guarantee of a recent service.
General Warning about Automatic Transmissions: Many BMWs have "sealed for life" automatic transmissions. Regardless of whether you have a full BMW service history, the dealer will never change the auto fluid. Many of these boxes are failing around the 120-150k mark.A good independent or automatic transmission specialist can and will change the fluid for you (and any good BMW independents will recommend this anyway). This is commonplace in the US and means the 'box should last the life of the car rather than being the cause of it being written off. General advice is ensure the fluid is flushed out every 60k or more preferably at each Inspection II. However, one specialist says autoboxes do not take well to being drained and having their ATF replaced.
Good cars at the end of the day. Hope this doesnt put you off. Theyre good cars.

 

[Steven]

The e46 chassis is a good car. Worth the money if you can find one reasonable. They are expensive though

 

[kissrocksforever]

The e46 chassis is a good car. Worth the money if you can find one reasonable. They are expensive though

Yeah, Im not looking to spend more then 8 grand Canadian.

I found this,

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1998-BMW-5-Series-540i-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ242259989

 

[DropTopPony]

When I am on my never ending search for a DD beater I will look up the 740/5i. I just like the big cars and they look badass too with M wheels etc.

If you can do your own maintenance and minor repairs then a used BMW is not a problem.

 

[duh09]

Look for a 740i Sport. Probably my favorite of the Beamers in your price range. I was looking about like you and found a Sport model and was really close to buying it but it had a handful of minor issues that I didn't want to deal with and the dealer was just dead set on not fixing any of them because it had cool rims on it.

 

[Shifty Powers]

My friend (22 i think he is) DDs a 2008 335xi Sport(TT v6)... and after 2 years... he hates it.. I mean i guess he enjoys some of the comforts... But the car as a whole he just does not enjoy anymore.. HE hates the BMW dealership he got it from(used to work for) because they cannot keep promises they are supposed to honor on warrenty issues.
It still has the runflat lowpro tires on it and they are the worst decision ever for a car lol. Hes gone through close to 2 sets now from bubbles on the sidewall and bent rims from potholes.
Any snowflake touches the road.. Hes stuck.. Worst car in the snow with those tires...

Now I know this is an isolated case since he has not changed to different tires because its a lease.. So if you get one be sure to put a good set of tires on it and im sure it will be a tad better then his car in the snow and bad weather. But also be sure you can afford the high repair bills as well, then possibly go for it... But depending on which one you get im sure there could be a better car for you up in CA..

Probably no help right there.. but whatever

 

[revolution0404]

I love the e36 and e46 body styles but if i were looking for a dd I would probably go audi. Used A4s can be had for a decent price, just have to be careful about buying a car with a turbo thats on its last legs.

 

[SRT Handz]

Trust me, Buy a E39. You will enjoy it much more than the E46.

I DD an E28 528e. Get almost 40mpg all day long!!!!

 

[Got Trq]

I've owned an 98 E36 328is and a 99 E36 M3, they were both great cars and I do miss them sometimes. My mom owns an 03 330XI and hasn't really had any issues with it and it has over 150k miles. So you can read good and bad stories about any car but my mom won't drive anything else. I love the E36 and E46. Have never owned a 5 Series but I wouldn't mind, if they came in AWD before now I would probably find myself a nice used one for a DD also.

 

[got5.0]

If you're worried about snow, I would look into audi a4's... AWD and very similar to the 3 series...

 

[Got Trq]

If you're worried about snow, I would look into audi a4's... AWD and very similar to the 3 series...

Both are expensive to fix either way if something does go wrong...

 

[98-5.0]

dont take this wrong...please dont... im a BMW certified tech and have been in a few "BMW independants". honestly, i see alot of younger people buy these cars thinkin they can afford them but cant. depends who you have do the work really. you get what you pay for, aftermarket parts for BMWs suck. period. so, parts will be expensive. if you are looking at a certain chasis let me know. i can tell you the common things to expect or look for. the "e46-e36" or 3 series from roughly 99-2006 was a great car. they have problems though just like every other car. stay away from the v8's...you will die paying to fix all the oil leaks it will have. yes manual trans will be better but... the getrag and gm transmissions used are great. mostly gm in 3 series.

someone mentioned about us never changing fluid....thats bull shit if ive ever heard it....its on our inspection I and II sheets....has nothing to do with life of trans....seriously....ive driven so many with 200k with factory trans that will shift way better than most new cars...so..take that for what its worth! have seen idiots replaced trans for a module issue.

sry to take up space....pm me if you need some info ...lol

 

[bigkeeko]

someone mentioned about us never changing fluid....thats bull SH*T if ive ever heard it....its on our inspection I and II sheets....has nothing to do with life of trans....seriously....

As a rule sealed for life boxes (your companies words not mine) don`t warrant oil changes according to BMW. If they didn`t they wouldn`t be called sealed for life and you wouldn`t have it on a regular sevice. (according to the company).
I`m aware the box is not really sealed because it has a drain plug beneath and a filler plug on the side.
But BMW calls it "sealed" because they do not recommend servicing/change fluids like most other transmissions simply because the factory put in long/extended life oil.
BMW's interpretation of sealed/long life is you do not need transmission oil change for at least 100000 miles or what they consider the service life of the transmission, which is conveniently past the warranty period. I wasn`t talking independants. I have a friend that had his E60 turned down by a local BMW dealer for the aforementioned reason.

I don`t doubt your integrity or knowledge my friend and maybe I was a bit hasty or over certain earlier but I`m not in the habit of posting lies.

 

[OnyxCobra]

I was thinking exactly what 98 5.0 said but since i have no personal experience with bmw i didn't say anything. One thing I look for in a daily driver is something reliable and won't break the bank to fix and I've heard the bmw is neither.