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Vedauwoo Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2007 Posts: 188 Location: Boulder, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:31 am Post subject: Reliable BMW for $2500 or less? |
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Curious of opinions of those with experience...is a BMW in the $1500 - $2500 just gonna be a hassle....or is it possible to get a reliable one without going into debt with maintenance? _________________ 1974 Beetle
Beetle's Big Brother
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Junkwaffle-181 |
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TDCTDI Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013 Posts: 12855 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 9:46 am Post subject: |
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It depends on what year/model/mileage you're talking about, as with any manufacturer, all cars have their quirks. If it's got tits or tires, it's gonna give you problems. _________________ Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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Jon Schmid Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2012 Posts: 2038 Location: Southern California
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:39 pm Post subject: Reliable BMW for $2500 or less? |
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"Reliable BMW" is a contradiction of terms. All kidding aside, be ready to be fixing things. For that money I would get a used Honda or Toyota. |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16878 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:51 pm Post subject: Re: Reliable BMW for $2500 or less? |
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Vedauwoo wrote: |
Curious of opinions of those with experience...is a BMW in the $1500 - $2500 just gonna be a hassle....or is it possible to get a reliable one without going into debt with maintenance? |
save your money. not sayin this is your situation, but we constantly comment how everyone want's the "look" without the cost. _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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Vedauwoo Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2007 Posts: 188 Location: Boulder, Colorado
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: Reliable BMW for $2500 or less? |
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skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
Vedauwoo wrote: |
Curious of opinions of those with experience...is a BMW in the $1500 - $2500 just gonna be a hassle....or is it possible to get a reliable one without going into debt with maintenance? |
save your money. not sayin this is your situation, but we constantly comment how everyone want's the "look" without the cost. |
Really more of the "driving experience" ala Top Gear...Got the idea after thinking of their "budget Convertible" episode where they all got 325's...also along the lines of "everyone must own one (Lancia, Fiat, Alfa, VW, etc.) sot of mentality....
I mean, if I can run it for 4-5 years with out having to spend too much, that would be fine...I look for Hail damage and "scratch and dent" lol _________________ 1974 Beetle
Beetle's Big Brother
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Junkwaffle-181 |
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VOLKSWAGNUT Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007 Posts: 11056 Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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^ skills nailed it....BIG time
Quite simply... NO.
You'll spend 10 fold trying to keep it going..
B =BIG
M Money
W Waisted.
I can tell you countless brain washed BMW buyers/owners over the years that come back to me and say....."You were right""...
You can wrap several Euro auto manufacturers into that advice as well..
We inherited a super clean 1996 525I (with 135k) from my in laws ... I couldnt get rid of it fast enough... It went through 2 fuel pumps sitting in the driveway and the trans was doing stupid shit...... sold that bitch on Ebay for $3500 7 years ago..and was dancing and smiling when it drove away...
My wife wanted to keep it for our son... ... what the hell ever.... c ya...
. _________________ aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited
Last edited by VOLKSWAGNUT on Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:34 am; edited 3 times in total |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76935 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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No BMW, even a new one, is cheap to maintain.
My son just purchased a 2000 Saturn SL for $2500..... only 79,000 miles, so it drives like a new car. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16878 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: |
B =BIG
M Money
W Waisted
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I prefer Bavarian Money Waster but either way, it gets the point across
get one 94 or down, if you do get one. can't remember if in 94/5 they went to EWS and then EWSII pain in the ass anti theft stuff. when it goes bad, it makes for a very unhappy DME
if you plan on working on it yourself, you'd better research the diag equipment. early bmw's use a pin style DLC, not the 16 pin OBD connector. _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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jmartin7 Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2011 Posts: 213 Location: Memphis,Tennessee
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Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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For your price point, I would not look at brand very much and buy on condition instead. If the car is to be driven everyday for school/work/whatever, you don 't want an old, complicated, and most likely neglected at this price point German luxury car to be your sole mode of transportation. I really love European car brands especially German makes but I just couldn't do it for $2500. If this was to be a rarely driven project car then maybe but absolutely not as a daily driver. |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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Think you're the first to want such a bimmer?
$2500 2002s used to litter the gutters- now they are 6k. 320s are catching up too. Face it, the days of a reliable $2500 BMW are over. You should look toward another country of origin: Japan. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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old DKP driver Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2005 Posts: 4145 Location: Los Gatos,Ca.
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:07 pm Post subject: Cheap BMW's |
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Like any other High End European vehicle you will need a deep pocket for
service & repair.
I have recently retired from both repairing and also being an instructor
for BMW and yes I do own 2 BMW vehicles and also recently sold another that
I bought in 2000 an e39 (528i)
having spent out of pocket approx.: $3k not including my labor for all the little things that constantly break.
Cup holders
door pulls
window motor assemblies
bulb holders
power steering hoses
cabin filters
plus wear and tear items
But, compared to newer years the 2000 e39 was cheap
newer models have much more interesting hoops to jump through for the average consumer.
But all and all I feel very safe while driving MY BMW's but they are just another car.
I also love my bus much more than a $45.000 luxury car _________________ V.W.owner since 1967 |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2015 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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If you're looking to waste some money you can always buy my Mercedes 300e without checking it out. _________________ Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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my59 Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2003 Posts: 3793 Location: connecting the dots
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:52 am Post subject: |
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I have a 190e 2.6 benz with a 5 speed you can have for that money.it just needs new tires. I've already replaced the entire exhaust including cat, the water pump and radiator, the fuel pumps and a rash of electonic relays. New clutch hydraulics as well...and a full on brake job.
Nothing like a cheap Mercedes!
I always thought BMW meant Bring My Wallet. _________________ my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget. |
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Erik G Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002 Posts: 13278 Location: Tejas!
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jwold Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 2088 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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My buddy just went through "twisted seat syndrome" with his BMW. Some kind of crazy there, seat twisted sideways, I guess it's a common problem with the cables. |
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TheAmazingDave Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2013 Posts: 788 Location: San Jose, CA
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17970 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 6:42 pm Post subject: |
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You could save yourself money sticking with a manual transmission in whatever brand you buy. _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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buguy Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003 Posts: 4915 Location: Port Orange, FL
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 11:41 am Post subject: |
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I bought a pair of 320i's a few years back for less than that. I didnt drive the shit out of them, but they both seemed ok for the driving I did do. |
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Ratt Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2003 Posts: 753 Location: Puyallup, Wa
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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Erik G wrote: |
E30 BMW's can be found cheap. I've found them to be extremely reliable, and inexpensive to fix and maintain
your mileage may vary |
But with the M20 6cyl motor you HAVE TO CHANGE THE TIMING BELT! If not it WILL break and do some serious damage. Ask me how I know
The early e30s (85-87) are fun, if you find a 325E, they are torqu monsters, plus decent fuel mileage. |
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LivinInnaVWBus Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2013 Posts: 968
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Glenn wrote: |
No BMW, even a new one, is cheap to maintain.
My son just purchased a 2000 Saturn SL for $2500..... only 79,000 miles, so it drives like a new car. |
Aftermarket parts are disappearing quickly for Saturn. Tell him to stock up on all of the wear items ASAP. Some of the less popular models from 00'+ don't even have shoes/pads available, one of my customers had to go to a salvage yard for SC2 rear shoes. |
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