+1 this is what I was getting at, over 6 years old and German engineering = $$$

 

Considering my current fwd DD has crappy brakes is relatively small and has no traction control I think this would be big an upgrade in safety even if it is a RWD car.

Like I said before I plan on getting an extended warranty. Right now I have no warranty on my current DD and it's starting to show signs of needing major repairs (struts, shocks, power steering, tires, rotors). I've already recently replaced the alternator, battery, brake pads, and ebrake lines.

Plus it's an 2000 escort. Dumping more money into won't really make it worth more to a buyer. The difference between an excellent trade-in and a fair conditioned one is less than a grand.

 

a when you get the car make sure you outline the doors with chrome and put yo sammity sam mud flaps on it

 

I hate my 2002 330i. Every week there is a small electrical problem. Usually with the blinkers. One week the left front blinker will not work, then the next week it will be fine. the week after it will be the right side or the left side again. The cycle continues. I took it once to stealership (trust me BMW will rape you BAD!!!) they charge me over $231 to tell me that the bulls were bad and replace them, this was 3 month ago. I still got the problem today but at least I got my $231 back. the other problem I have is the thermostat. The SEs light came on about 4 month ago. Found out it was a bad temperature reading but the temp gauge was reading normal and the car run normal. I did some research on it and most people tell me to replace the $60-$80 thermostat (compared to the regular car that cost $4-$12). Well I replaced it myself (major PITA) but no more SES light. I'm in Ohio right now with temperature in single digits at night and the thermostat failed again. The good thing is that it is stuck open. The bad thing is that I can't get any heat inside the car and can't find the part here in the middle of no where nor I have the tools to do the job. So I be going back to Norfolk tomorrow and trying to get the car fix this weekend if I can find some of the special tools required. BTW I also need a front passenger side shock. The car only has 43k miles on it too.

 

naw im just playing dude...

 

As said before I do NOT plan on taking it to BMW if it needs maintenance. Dave will be my go-to guy.

I appreciate everyone's input so far. Obviously every car has it's issues. German cars might be just more prone to having them.

 

Looks like it might have been lightly modded: blacked out kidney grill and lights could be evidence of that. Looks good imho. I feel like I can beat that price thou. Sounds like you want an e46 coupe of some sort. Are you dead set on a 328?

 

I think someone's already made up their mind! lol

 

Yeah, I like the whole coupe/manual/2.8L combo. 21/29 city/highway isn't bad for a 6 cylinder car. Unlike what some of you guys do to your beaters I plan on driving it easy

 

Fwdvq Dd>*

 

21/29 LOL!!!

More realistic would be like 16/22 at least on mine. The only time I saw 27 was when I drove the car from cali to Noroflk. I bought mine with 32k a little over a year ago. I think a car that will give you more problems than your weekend car is not worth it. For that amount you can almost buy a brand new Mazda 6. It is more comfortable, warranty, better gas mileage, FWD, warranty, new, you can use cheap gas and it has a warranty.

With a 103k on the clock I can pretty mush predict was is going to go out on that car. Cam angle sensors x2, MAF sensor, O2 sensors, window regulators, ignition coils, fan clutch and the usuals oil leaks through out the engine. those are the usual suspect.

It is your money do as you wish. you just ask for our opinion and we give it to you. Maintenance is not the problem, is the repair bill. If you are like me that like to repair/work on your own car then you are going to need some special tools. Just don't come here to ask for our opinions and then ignore them. If you are looking to have that bling bling factor I think a Lexus IS300 would be better.

 

I was just going to say that.

 

I was just saying I would personally choose a FWD car over a RWD for weather reasons really.

Personally, I would head out and find a nice used Honda (accord personally) for that money w/ a more reasonable cost of repair, resale, and quality.

 

+1, why not look for a honda? im sure for the same price you could get one with better mileage and more reliable

 

I wouldn't touch that car with a 10 foot pole. The early E46's have the notorious subframe issue and share some of the other E36 problems/parts as well, that one looks modded = probably ragged out by some kid balling on dads dime. Looking at something with that many miles on it is asking for trouble. Think about resale if you drive that thing for three years you're going to get hosed because no one wants a BMW with 130k+ on the clock. Only high mileage car I would buy is a Lexus IS300, GS300/400/430, even a nice condition LS400/430 would be VIP fly. Since you are buying a beater I would consider FWD, either an 02+ Altima or 02+ Maxima would be my top choices.

 

+1
Forgot about the subframe thing. The one he is looking at had rims at some point because those are not the rims that came on those.

 

That is really an easy problem to fix. I just had to do it to my Wife's 01 330i. See what BMW does is they have a bayonet type light socket. Well the contact that touches the back of the light bulb gets fatigued and needs to be bent back out a good bit. Once you have done that you will find that the light bulb also stays in better. I have not had the intermittent blinkers since I did that.

I would say go for it. For the 6 crappy days of the year (snow wise) in VA you have little to worry about the RWD issue

My beater is a Lightning...

 

I guess I'll let the pics tell you what decision I made. I got a one year 12,000 mile warranty covering it from top to bottem. I'm happy, this thing rides very smooth and quiet. I'm going to let Dave take a look at for any subframe damage. Whoever the previous owner(s) was took care of the exterior/interior. If definitely doesn't look like an 7+ year old car.

 

car looks good, glad your happy with the purchase. seemed like you were pretty set on it from the beginning

 

now, paint the wheels and tint the windows, you'll be lookin cleaaaaanER