mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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I'm looking to get a little advice. In the next few weeks I'm looking at getting a daily to give old blue a rest, and as it happens I've been offered BMW. Its a 325iSE 4dr with a manual 'box on a 'J'. It looks smart from the outside, couple of marks nothing much really, the inside will need a valet (its being used as a mechanics 'van' ATM) and a couple of trim bits (around the door handles), but I've driven it and it seems right enough its even got a full closure TOAD alarm. Now my mate is doing me a real deal on it, but I really need to know if these have any know faults that I need to look out for? Also, I can't see me going mad and modding it, but a little inspiration never hurt Thanks in advance chaps.
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Last Edit: Jan 24, 2010 13:46:15 GMT by mk14dr
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markm3
Part of things
Posts: 86
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Owned my e36 m3 for seven years. common faults are.. Rear trailing arm bushes. Rotten rear arches. Rear brake pipes above petrol tank. hope this helps.
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92 miami 205 gti6 / 1994 m3 coupe a/c extras/coilovers/carbon csl boot
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mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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Right, well the rear arches are just starting to bubble up, the chap is a mechanic so I can get it over a pit and have a good look at the bushes and brakepipes (or is a drop-the-tank-to-check job?) Like I said, its not mint, but I wouldn't expect it to be for £250 with 10months test
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Last Edit: Jan 8, 2010 9:15:32 GMT by mk14dr
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As long as it runs okay you can't go wrong for that money. As said all these BMW suffer from worn suspension bushed, which can cause a vibration when driving and soggy handling. You could fix it or just live with it.
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markm3
Part of things
Posts: 86
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Youll see the rotten pipes without dropping the tank. If they need doing they can either be re routed round the tank OR just loosen the tank. no need to remove it (£200 ish with labour) RTABs...Uneven tyre wear on the rear will give this away. Will be skittish to drive. Easy to replace and cheap. Some other areas to check. rear topmounts. Can crack. battery tray (boot) can go rotten.
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92 miami 205 gti6 / 1994 m3 coupe a/c extras/coilovers/carbon csl boot
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mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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I can turn spanners so bushes, brakepipes etc, etc don't put me off too much. I was really looking to see if the engines/'boxes have any know faults.
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markm3
Part of things
Posts: 86
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92 miami 205 gti6 / 1994 m3 coupe a/c extras/coilovers/carbon csl boot
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mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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Cheers boss, I'll have a little look later.
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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£250 is a great price, shagged or not! The engine is most likely the same one as I'm fitting into my E21, M50 2.5, and this one will be the less complicated non-vanos engine which many people prefer. £250 for 10 months MOT, I'd have it!
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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As has been said at that money with all that ticket, snap it up. Plenty of scope to chuck money at what it needs and you'll probably get your money back when you sell.
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Last Edit: Jan 8, 2010 14:15:48 GMT by whitbytom
1967 Morris Traveller 1971 Series IIA Land Rover 1991 Golf GL 4+e 1992 Corrado G60 1986 E28 BMW 528i
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It will change your personality to donkey and damn your soul to eternal perdition. Other than that, it's a go! Who cares about being a donkey if you're going to hell anyway? Right? ;D
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Team Blitz Ford Capri parts worldwide: Restoration, Road, or Race. Used, Repro, and NOS, ranging from scabby to perfect. Itching your Capri jones since 1979! Buy, sell, trade. www.teamblitz.com blitz@teamblitz.com
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Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
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Buy it. Superb car, and you can "post-spec" them up dirt cheap at the mo with leather etc and make it a properly smart car
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mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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Buy it. Superb car, and you can "post-spec" them up dirt cheap at the mo with leather etc and make it a properly smart car Yeah, I've been looking around as the interior is, to be honest, pretty grotty. Full cream leather, doorcards, everything, in very good condition was at £100. It would make it a really nice car. I'm looking at getting it bought as soon as poss'. Problem is he's using it until his van arrives in Feb. Looks like old blue will have to plod on for now
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mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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Jan 14, 2010 20:15:24 GMT
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A little bit of an update, in as much as, the 325 has had a catastrophic HGF and he's weighed it in. I'd still be interested in a BMW, are the 2.5's known for eating HG's or could this be one of those things? It was a gift at that price so I was going to live with the MPG but what are they like on juice? They've got to be better than the low-mid 20s I get from the escort, surely? Is a 325 that much better than a 320? What are the e34's like to live with? Sorry for all the questions,
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,558
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Jan 14, 2010 20:23:58 GMT
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E34's rock! I had a lowly 518 about 5 years ago, and even though it still had soggy bushes on the front, it still handled really, really well! There are some bargains out there and the best value for money is a later 525 manual (24V engine). The 518's are sluggish but still corner really well - MPG is not so bad considering it is not a light car! Do It! BMW ownership is rewarding and involving - I now have an E46 touring as a daily, and I love it - would have something older in a second if I could get it past SWMBO though Rysz.
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Jan 14, 2010 20:41:29 GMT
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The e34 525i is the best all rounder. Go for a sport if you can find one as they;ve got a nicer interior, body kit and come with lsd as standard. You should get get a tidy one for £1000 and a decent non sport SE for 600. This one's best colour, best engine, best interior. It's 1200 quid but I'm sure you could get it for 1000. pistonheads.com/sales/1433766.htmIf you fancy a non retro e39 there's a 523i manual (rare on 523) for £800 on the 5 series forum. One of the best cars I;ve ever owned. forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=85&t=48857
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Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
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Jan 14, 2010 22:23:34 GMT
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Be careful about a cheap E39. I had a 4 year old 530d sport a few years ago, and parts weren't cheap Cheap E39 = knackered suspension and big repair bills waiting to happen. My bet would be a nice E34 525i Sport. Awesome awesome cars.
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mk14dr
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 4,472
Club RR Member Number: 85
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Jan 15, 2010 19:10:54 GMT
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Yeah, cheap e39s seem to be trickling onto my radar, but I always think they must be cheap for a reason I'm going to look at this tomorrow morning
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Jan 15, 2010 20:48:09 GMT
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Nice! They're a load of car for the money. That's a later facelift one. They built the e34 touring for a few years after the e39 came out. The e34 and e39 are both well supported by eurocarparts. This e34 540i touring on a R reg is the newest I've ever seen. www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C130325?pt=pf
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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Jan 15, 2010 21:08:48 GMT
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Whatever you do take the car for a thorough test drive and checking over looking at the condition of brake discs, seeing if the shocks are seeping and if the bushes look ok - everything I didn't do. I test drove an E34 touring around a residential area and all seemed fine, it was only on my way home that I found it was extremely wayward!
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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