Convince me to **** old bimmers!

[theREALpendulum]

Ok, so I'm going to be picking up a "new" project next year, and I'm being kinda picky so I want to get started on the search soon. I've narrowed it down to a Nissan hardbody, a Miata, or an older BMW. I'm really feelin' the E30s but if the right E28 or E32 popped up, those are potential victims too. This will be daily driven and drifted occasionally. Super lows and flushyness, of course. So, since a lot of you guys have older BMWs, I'd like to hear about all the shitty parts of ownership.

Do they break a lot?
Are parts insanely priced? Mainly concerned w/ maintenance stuff, not so much aftermarket/mods.
Are they awful to work on? I'm used to Civics/Integras and 240's which are so easy a caveman could do it.
Any particular model I should look for? What about ones to avoid? I want a decent amount of power and a manual trans.


Thanks in advance, guys.

[Draggin_ma_balls]

.... uhhh... 2 pics minimum or GTFO....

[Kielan]

E28 with an M30 is bullet proof, parts are cheap, and they are super easy to work on.

No idea what draggin is talking about.. This is OT...

[Dudermagee]

E28 with an M30 is bullet proof, parts are cheap, and they are super easy to work on.

No idea what draggin is talking about.. This is OT...

oh lord its fair game then, OP better run

[NickBlais]

E30!

[StatusRacing]

E30 drift thing ftw!

[DDM]

How can you **** old BMWs? that's like... impossible:O
No but seriously, they are super easy to work on, parts aren't that expensive, they are pretty much bulletproof, and they look great! And they don't need any bodykits and shit to look good, just slam them.
And although you don't care, aftermarket support is pretty good for most models, and engine swaps are pretty doable, they've practically all been done.

[theREALpendulum]

How can you **** old BMWs? that's like... impossible:O
No but seriously, they are super easy to work on, parts aren't that expensive, they are pretty much bulletproof, and they look great! And they don't need any bodykits and shit to look good, just slam them.
And although you don't care, aftermarket support is pretty good for most models, and engine swaps are pretty doable, they've practically all been done.

Oh I care about aftermarket

what I meant was that I don't mind paying a pretty penny for aftermarket parts. I'm only worried about the cost of fixing the car. Old cars break, and it's crappy when something is insanely priced. For instance... I'm about to spend $110 on FOUR F'ING SCREWS for my bike. Just little 6mm brass screws.

Based on this thread... I guess there's no reason not to buy an old BMW. Thanks guys.

[Jesus Christ]

Oh I care about aftermarket

what I meant was that I don't mind paying a pretty penny for aftermarket parts. I'm only worried about the cost of fixing the car. Old cars break, and it's crappy when something is insanely priced. For instance... I'm about to spend $110 on FOUR F'ING SCREWS for my bike. Just little 6mm brass screws.

Based on this thread... I guess there's no reason not to buy an old BMW. Thanks guys.

if youre paying 110 dollars for bolts then id just get a newer bmw, you can certainly afford it

[Draggin_ma_balls]

E28 with an M30 is bullet proof, parts are cheap, and they are super easy to work on.

No idea what draggin is talking about.. This is OT...

It was in showroom, been moved

[Anonymoose]

If you want an old car, expect things will need to be fixed. I'm pretty sure any hardware store will have the exact screws you need for <$1. You need to think about things and not just ring your local fast and furious store coz that shit is MONEY YO

[DDM]

Oh yeah, unless you buy a perfect one, do expect to have some things to fix in the first couple of months. But I guess that's not a "classic BMW" thing or anything. You get what you pay for right.

[Zack01GC]

What's not to love? Honestly? They look great, run alright (by today's standards, maybe slow), and are fairly reliable.

My E24 has the legendary (for reliability/resilience, not performance unless turboed) M30 engine. It has been more reliable than many of my friends Hondas. That's saying a lot...

Edit: and has less rust than said Hondas.

[maverikrenagade4]

get a mighty miata

[theREALpendulum]

if youre paying 110 dollars for bolts then id just get a newer bmw, you can certainly afford it

I could, but then I'd have to cut back on eating out and drinking, as well as hookers and blow. I could maybe cut back on the blow, but everything else is mandatory. I don't like the idea of a car payment.

If you want an old car, expect things will need to be fixed. I'm pretty sure any hardware store will have the exact screws you need for <$1. You need to think about things and not just ring your local fast and furious store coz that shit is MONEY YO

Oh yeah, I know stuff will need to be fixed. Actually, I'm looking to spend about $10k so I'm looking at restored cars. If I can find an E30 w/ a newer engine and a clean interior I'll snatch it up quickly The screws I just spent $110 on (it was actually $138 after shipping) are very hard to find. They're pilot fuel screws for my carburetors, and the EPA mandated that they be made non-adjustable fromt he factory. The problem is that whoever serviced this bike before I bought it decided to crank the screws down until the sharp tips bore into the soft aluminum carb bodies. When I tried to tear the carbs down to rebuild them, the tips broke off. It's common on these bikes, and most people just sharpen them but I'm anal.

Oh yeah, unless you buy a perfect one, do expect to have some things to fix in the first couple of months. But I guess that's not a "classic BMW" thing or anything. You get what you pay for right.

I like fixin' thangs

get a mighty miata

It's on my list. Basically I'm just going to save up $10k (should have that much by spring or early summer if I start saving now) and once I have the cash start looking at Miatas, old BMWs, MAYBE another S13... We'll see. Before anyone says anything about "built not bought," I've built plenty of shit. I'd rather spend time building bikes now though, but still don't want to drive a stock car.