1998 BMW 328i (Should I buy one?)

[Picc84]

Now I know nothing about BMW car's other than the fact that I want one, and this one is probably the best looking in my eyes, for price as well. My cousin owns a newer 325xi and I love the way the car drives, and Im hoping I can gain the same experience from this. Im defiantly going to be getting a Standard, Hopefully a 4-door, although I'm not entirely sure what I can find, They don't seem to be that hard to find, nor have to be EXACTLY a 98' if I can find one with the same body styling... I haven't owned a car before, So I'm hoping to get something that Im going to have for awhile, And I'm inlove with the way this car looks...

Quick note, i have to say... I found a M3 GTR Driving around town today, the guy lives in town, and I'm completely in aw of this car, it sounds... amazing, i just wish his car was not horrible gold...

 

[Philly]

I went for a ride in one a few years back. Loved it. Sadly, that's all the experiene I have with them.

And that was back where it was an automatic choice of BMW 3-series for car of the year every year, so you know it's going to be good against the competition.

BMW's best years IMO.

 

[JCE]

Miles? Any records? How many owners? Price? Insurance?

Those are important questions I'd ask myself. If you answer positively on each one I'd do it. I love that 3-series generation.

 

[McLaren]

If you're going to have a BMW for a first (esp. any from the 90's), you best make sure the car is running in good condition. Or, have a mechanic who can work on it without working at a BMW dealer.

Seriously, these cars can get pricey, and the only way to save money doing so is avoiding the dealer. I believe on mine alone, labor is $190/hour.

 

[Picc84]

I went for a ride in one a few years back. Loved it. Sadly, that's all the experiene I have with them.

And that was back where it was an automatic choice of BMW 3-series for car of the year every year, so you know it's going to be good against the competition.

BMW's best years IMO.

Thanks, I've heard great things about the way they perform, something I'd like to take around the ring' ahha.

Miles? Any records? How many owners? Price? Insurance?

Those are important questions I'd ask myself. If you answer positively on each one I'd do it. I love that 3-series generation.

Im quite worried about Insurance, Being a First time driver and all, Im scared I'm going to get hit big..

If you're going to have a BMW for a first (esp. any from the 90's), you best make sure the car is running in good condition. Or, have a mechanic who can work on it without working at a BMW dealer.

Seriously, these cars can get pricey, and the only way to save money doing so is avoiding the dealer. I believe on mine alone, labor is $190/hour.

I have a local mechanic that my family deals with that works with older BMW's so i'm not so worried about that, although parts are going to be a killing, hopefully I'll be a good driver and not break anything (havent yet on any other car I've driven) Thanks for the info that its an expensive drive.

 

[McLaren]

I have a local mechanic that my family deals with that works with older BMW's so i'm not so worried about that, although parts are going to be a killing, hopefully I'll be a good driver and not break anything (havent yet on any other car I've driven) Thanks for the info that its an expensive drive.

It just depends. It's still a fantastic car. Well, all the 90's BMW were, imo. The 7, the 5, even the 8. All terrific looking cars. The 3 also goes through the least amount of problems (typically), so you should be fine as long as the car you're buying is in good condition. All they need is some love.

In a couple years, depending on how far my job goes, I may add a E36 M3 back into my little stable.

 

[Picc84]

Man M3's make me hard... ahha! Just amazing car's... Definatly something I'd post up as my dream car..

Thanks man, I'm going to start looking for the car's ,I'll get pic's of something once I find one in my area (PA, NY, NJ
More toward Febuary when I actually obtain legalness... aswell as some cash due to some help from the government (some... ugh a little...) lol

 

[JCE]

Offtopic: Hey McLaren, I live in Plano now so expect to see my Camaro driving around.

 

[Picc84]

Offtopic: Hey McLaren, I live in Plano now so expect to see my Camaro driving around.

wrong thread? lol

 

[Philly]

I guess they can be had for $15,000, although I haven't looked recently. I think that's about what my friend picked his up for, and that's a convertible with the Dinan package.

 

[JCE]

wrong thread? lol

Nah, just way way offtopic.

 

[McLaren]

Offtopic: Hey McLaren, I live in Plano now so expect to see my Camaro driving around.

Shouldn't be too hard since all I see are the last generations.

Man M3's make me hard... ahha! Just amazing car's... Definatly something I'd post up as my dream car..

They're also very affordable.

Thanks man, I'm going to start looking for the car's ,I'll get pic's of something once I find one in my area (PA, NY, NJ
More toward Febuary when I actually obtain legalness... aswell as some cash due to some help from the government (some... ugh a little...) lol

Good luck, then. 👍

 

[socomplayer2]

My close friend has a 1993 green 4door 325i 5 speed with the v6 engine. I love his car! He said he would let me drive it and I cant wait. If it were up to me I say buy it!

 

[McLaren]

My close friend has a 1993 green 4door 325i 5 speed with the v6 engine. I love his car! He said he would let me drive it and I cant wait. If it were up to me I say buy it!

What is this treachery you have posted!?

 

[///M-Spec]

My close friend has a 1993 green 4door 325i 5 speed with the v6 engine.

No he doesn't


Picc84, I've written somewhere between 4 to 5 posts describing in detail the joys and woes of E36 ownership (I've had 3, a 325is and 2 M3s) If you do a search using my username and "E36" you will probably find them. Good luck with your search. I strongly advise one with the Sport Package (ZSP) or an M3 if you can find one that suits your budget.


M

 

[buickgnx88]

Of course he has the V6 guys! He just rearranged his cylinders to be different.

 

[TopHat]

Major car geek faux-pas right there.

 

[wrcsti]

Go over the car very well. If it looks like it wont b trouble then get it. Whats the price for it? My E34 was 1G in ok condition but its mostly a project DD first car for me. Later on in life I have to give it back to my dad who is going to make it a track only car if it still survives. Also don't be uneasy about milleage as long as it's under 300k miles. I have 237k on mine and has no faults whatsoever!

 

[Wolfe]

If insurance and repairs are a major concern, you could also consider something like an '88-'91 E30. Still considered to be more reliable than the E36, though earlier ones like mine are starting to become too old to make a good first daily driver. It all depends on the example(s) you find, of course.

Other than that, go look up ///M-Spec's posts, they'll be more helpful than I could ever be with the E36. If you do consider the E30 I'd be happy to offer my experience and insight there.

 

[homeforsummer]

If insurance and repairs are a major concern, you could also consider something like an '88-'91 E30. Still considered to be more reliable than the E36

Don't I remember you mentioning to me one time in a thread that yours is a little past it's best now?...

 

[Picc84]

Thanks guys, im definatly looking to go as cheap as I can on the purchase price, even if it means some repairs i can do at home, actually i wouldent mind it if i had to do little stuff that won't cost me a fourton but will be all labor because i just loveworking with my hands as i bet half of the poeple that are actually (real...) car enthisti's rather than JUST GT games...
Now i'm excited

Also Real quick, Theres an auto gen III jetta sitting at a car lot a few miles away for like, 3,600 in good condition, it just not moving... is that a bad price?

 

[YSSMAN]

Also Real quick, Theres an auto gen III jetta sitting at a car lot a few miles away for like, 3,600 in good condition, it just not moving... is that a bad price?

Depends on the year and the model. If its a '98 or '99 GLX with the VR6, it sounds (give or take) about right. I'm personally a big fan of the GLX models, as they were at the time, "3-series killers" on a budget.

 

[Wolfe]

Don't I remember you mentioning to me one time in a thread that yours is a little past it's best now?...

You didn't even read the line after what you quoted?

 

[Blackbird.]

Get an E30! At least that's what I want to do, they're pretty sweet cars. Personally I dislike the looks of the E36.

 

[McLaren]

Get an E30! At least that's what I want to do, they're pretty sweet cars. Personally I dislike the looks of the E36.

Blasphemy. We are no longer friends.

 

[Blackbird.]

Blasphemy. We are no longer friends.

I probably should have rephrased that... Out of all of the 3-series generations I dislike the E36s the most. But in general, they are pleasant looking... In general an E36 M3 is very nice looking. Not to mention the E36 brought this... err, thing, to the roads.

 

[Leonidae]

Funny, IMO E36 is the last good looking 3-series, beaten only by Z3M-coupe and 3-door 1-series.. Especially the E36 Compact ( not the one with the ragtop ) is attractive.

 

[Picc84]

I hate ragtop's... The only way I'd buy a convertable is if it was a hardtop, even than, eh idk...

 

[buickgnx88]

Well what's wrong with the hardtop convertible? Security of a coupe, top down fun of a 'vert!