Main Menu

Basic BMW education

Started by the_Journeyman, June 23, 2011, 02:37:58 PM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages 1 2 3 4
User actions

SacDuc

#15
June 24, 2011, 12:23:42 PM
Quote from: howie on June 24, 2011, 03:28:10 AM
Avoid early models with I drive, particularly the early 7 series.  Get the car up on a lift for a proper inspection and also have the car scanned for codes.  It would be nice if you can avoid run flat tires, but that is near impossible.  Make sure you leave money in the bank for maintenance and repairs.  As said before, the aluminum 4.0 V8s had cylinder problems in the US. 




True dat! A couple of weeks  ago I had to drive a Z4 with "upgraded" (read: even stiffer) suspension and run flat tires for 500 miles. It was like  driving with concrete wheels. My back still hasn't recovered.

sac
HATERS GONNA HATE.

Pip

#16
June 25, 2011, 08:29:13 PM
Quote from: howie on June 24, 2011, 03:28:10 AM
As said before, the aluminum 4.0 V8s had cylinder problems in the US. 


Not just the 4.0L V-8's. Some of the Nikasil coated 3.0L V-8's had the same problems, but I think that was mainly limited to the E34 line. Once they went to Alusil, the problem seemed to disappear.
"You can fight a lot of enemies and survive, but not your biology."

Wouldn't fat air be easier to disappear into?

caperix

#17
June 26, 2011, 07:06:57 AM
Are you just looking at older models?  How much money are you looking to spend.  Maintenance history is important, the newer cars run a very long oil service interval, 15000 + miles between oil changes.  Following this interval even with sinthetic oil often leads to engine sludging above 100K.  A BMW over 100K is going to need to have some money spent on suspension bushings & cooling system work.  BMW uses alot of plastic parts in the cooling system that get brittle and crack over time. 

I would recomend avoiding al 8 cylinder cars.  They tend to be more expensive to maintain and all generations have some common problems that can get expensive to repair.  My personal recomendation would be a E39 5 series with either the 2.5 or 3.0 M54 engine.  These were build from 2000 - 2003, common problems are brocken headlight adjusters, failed DSC modules, cracked radiators & crankcase vent valve issues.

Hope this info helps, good luck on the search.

the_Journeyman

#18
June 26, 2011, 07:10:35 AM
Thanks for the info!  Is the 3.0 M54 an inline 6?

JM

Got Torque?
Quote from: r_ciao on January 28, 2011, 10:30:29 AM
ADULT TRUTHS

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

aaronb

#19
June 26, 2011, 09:15:29 AM
yes
Milwaukee, WI
'07 s2r1k, '81 honda cb400t

badgalbetty

#20
June 28, 2011, 02:10:12 PM
I always wanted a 633 or 635 csi. They had bad motors. Perocities in the heads. Truly a collectable and sexy car , nice ones can still demand 15-20k+and they are 30+ years old now. [thumbsup]
"Its never too late to be who you might have been" - George Elliot.

MadDuck

#21
June 29, 2011, 11:21:11 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on June 23, 2011, 05:50:05 PM
The 6 series has the sexiest roofline of any sedan...

ever. ;)

E24 or E63?
No modification goes unpunished. Memento mori.  Good people drink good beer.  Things happen pretty fast at high speeds.

It's all up to your will level, your thrill level and your skill level.  Everything else is just fluff.

ducpainter

#22
June 30, 2011, 04:13:59 AM
Quote from: MadDuck on June 29, 2011, 11:21:11 PM
E24 or E63?
Dunno...

633 vintage.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Pip

#23
June 30, 2011, 06:37:36 AM
E24 then.
"You can fight a lot of enemies and survive, but not your biology."

Wouldn't fat air be easier to disappear into?

the_Journeyman

#24
June 30, 2011, 07:24:31 AM
Way out of my budget but WANT!!!

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/2457909730.html

JM
Got Torque?
Quote from: r_ciao on January 28, 2011, 10:30:29 AM
ADULT TRUTHS

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

MadDuck

#25
July 01, 2011, 09:42:11 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on June 30, 2011, 04:13:59 AM
Dunno...

633 vintage.

One of the all time most beautiful cars ever.   [thumbsup]  Had one. Would love to get one again if I could find one in good shape.
No modification goes unpunished. Memento mori.  Good people drink good beer.  Things happen pretty fast at high speeds.

It's all up to your will level, your thrill level and your skill level.  Everything else is just fluff.

ducpainter

#26
July 04, 2011, 05:02:45 AM
Quote from: MadDuck on July 01, 2011, 09:42:11 AM
One of the all time most beautiful cars ever.   [thumbsup]  Had one. Would love to get one again if I could find one in good shape.

I was working in a high end euro body shop at the time those cars were new. None of the others compared to that car...and the available pics on the web don't do it justice.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


DarkMonster620

#27
July 04, 2011, 05:22:13 AM
What about diesel 3 or 5 series, the ones with common rail injection? That would be the last two gens of either series ... If you want BMW ...

You could also go VW way with a Touareg in diesel or Passat ... roomy and efficient ... and believe it or not, FUN

If you don't beleive me, ask lethe ...

Carlos
I said I was smart, never that I had my shit together
Quote from: ducatiz on March 27, 2014, 08:34:34 AMDucati is the pretty girl that can't walk in heels without stumbling. I still love her.
"When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

swampduc

#28
July 04, 2011, 06:08:44 AM
Quote from: Darkmonster620 on July 04, 2011, 05:22:13 AM
What about diesel 3 or 5 series, the ones with common rail injection? That would be the last two gens of either series ... If you want BMW ...

You could also go VW way with a Touareg in diesel or Passat ... roomy and efficient ... and believe it or not, FUN

If you don't beleive me, ask lethe ...


I think recent models would be out of the budget JM specified. Though I'm intrigued by the diesels as well.
Respeta mi autoridad!

DarkMonster620

#29
July 04, 2011, 06:10:50 AM
Quote from: swampduc on July 04, 2011, 06:08:44 AM
I think recent models would be out of the budget JM specified. Though I'm intrigued by the diesels as well.

I meant E46 and some E90 3 series or E60/61 5 series ...
Carlos
I said I was smart, never that I had my shit together
Quote from: ducatiz on March 27, 2014, 08:34:34 AMDucati is the pretty girl that can't walk in heels without stumbling. I still love her.
"When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
Print
Go Up Pages 1 2 3 4
User actions