High mileage 3's

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OldGuy

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#1
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Tujunga, Ca
#1
Hi all. I'm considering picking up an older high mileage 325/328 convertible. When I say high mileage I mean around 100k. My budget is less than 10k and I know I'm not gonna get a pristine ride for that kind of money. I'm looking for something that is mechanically sound that I can put some money into over the next year. I'm mostly seeing 95's and 96's that aren't to beat up but the leather in some is cracked or the tops are ripped, etc...So.....

Anyone know of a good BMW mechanic in the Los Angeles area that can check the car out mechanically for me? Would you recommend a BMW dealer for this?

What does a new top go for?

Anything particular problem area I should be looking for in the 95'/96' models?

Any help would be greatly appreciated cuz I want to put money into the car to make it mine, not get "SOAKED" [xx(]
 
skandalous

skandalous

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#2
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Nashville, Tn/Baton Rouge, LA
#2
I have a '92 325i with 202k on it. I got the car with about 140k on it. Since then I've had just a few major problems. I had to replace the transmission once and I also had to do a lot of electrical work. My interior hasn't held up as much as I'd hoped it to, but most of that stuff is easy, and fairly cheap, to fix. I'm not too sure about convertibles, however. I'd say as long as it's in great shape when you buy it, you shouldn't have any problems with it other than natural aging of a car. I'll put it this way: My car, at 202k, is about like a 45 year old man. It can still get up and go, but it's getting to where it needs to go to the doctor a little more often to make sure everything is working alright.
 
SKycity_BMW

SKycity_BMW

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#3
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N.E. Ohio
#3
High miles . . . LOL . . . 100k is nothing to a BMW . . . . any convert top is gonna be alot.

Check out this site . . . . don't let it scare you . . . these are thing you should check out and ask any questions before buying the car.
http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylor/BMWText/technical/E36CommonProblems.html

Ask the owner if they kept service records of the car.
Get the vin# and run a Carfax on it.

Take it to a BMW dealer and have them check it out for you. They will run a compression check on all cylinders . .
You will have to pay for it . . but it may save you a lot in the long run.

Good Luck ! !
 
E

epj3

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#7
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Lancaster, PA
#7
100k miles is nooooooooo problem. Any bmw around 125k miles or less, I consider low mileage. My e30 lasted to 182k miles (when the audi turned in front of me), and my e34 runs great with a little under 126k miles on it. I wouldn't get a 525i, they are underpowered and you'd be seriously disappointed vs. the 325i/328.
 
O

OldGuy

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#8
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Tujunga, Ca
#8
96' 328iS

I drove a 96' 328iS with Sport package last night with 112k on it. Interior is perfect aside from it's age. No wear on driver side bolster. No blistered door panels. Looks like it has been well taken care of. Under carriage is dry, no fluids on the ground where it was parked. Smooth running engine and acceleration. Automatic tranny shifts nice and smooth. I liked it alot!!!! Gonna drive a few more for comparison. Asking price is $9500.00. Everything I've looked at in the $7500 to $8500 range has been no where close to as clean as this one....

Anyway, thanks for the input. I feel alot better about picking one of these up. I guess the bottom line is a car is a car and they all have their quirks and problems. I think I'll be fine armed with a bentley manual and a little help from you folks [thumb]
 
B

Bubba

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Mattapoisett, MA
#9
Good luck with the search.

I have a 95 325iC which I bought used 4 years ago. I have had little trouble. I just replaced the roof last fall, because the rear window cracked, and was foggy before that. It cost $1,400 for OEM, though I could have saved 150 if I went with another roof.

The driver side bolster leather is worn, but all the other leather in the car looks good and wears well. A good leather guy can just repair/replace the damaged panel for cheap, otherwise expect to pay a little over a grand for new leather.

I have 90K+ miles now and plan to keep the car until it is dust. I have been happy since I bought it. Occasionally I wonder if I would be happier with a hard to with a sunroof as it might be more usefull. But on a warm spring day it is the best car on the road.
 
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mark lankford

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cumming georgia
#12
convertable top

my 96 conv has cost over 4000.00 in the last two years to maintain the top. still at 98000 mi it runs like a scalded dog and is almost been maintinace free. my only complaint is blistered door panels which i need help with.
 
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