[SoCali E36]

So I will make this as short as possible. I currently drive a 2011 135i. The car is in the final stage of lemon law. I'm just waiting on BMW to give my lawyer the word for a surrender date.

The money I get back from the lemon, I plan on using it as a down payment to purchase my first property (condo). I plan on using the money I would pay for my monthly payments to save to grow on top of the money I get back from the lemon.

Obviously I need a car for my daily commute and have found 2 cars that caught my interest. Keep in mind I will be keeping my budget to a minimum for the purchase. I still own a 2008 328i coupe that my wife drives but we both work so still need a second car.


Here are the 2 cars I am stuck between:

1988 BMW 325i sedan
176k miles
practically in mint condition
everything works on the car
$2500






Car 2

1995 BMW 540i
145k miles
have not contacted the seller yet so idk the overall condition
$2500







Just need some advice on which would possibly be a better choice.

I plan on keeping the car between 6 months to 2 years. maybe even keep it if I go with the 325.

[silvergray545]

The E30 if you're worried about gas milage. E34's are awesome cars too. Fuck it. Buy them both.

[SoCali E36]

I actually would like to buy both and get rid of my wife's car payment too but I feel more comfortable having at least 1 car that we have had from day one and that is still under warranty.

[silvergray545]

That E30 is in really good condition. I'd hate to turn it into a DD. Oh, but you live in Cali so you don't have snow, salt and other shit on the roads.

Honestly, either car is a great choice. The E30 will be a little smaller and better on gas. The E34 will be a little more roomier and have more power. I think it really depends on which car you like better.

[SoCali E36]

I wonder if the e30 needs regular gas or premium

[yakev724]

E30 looks really clean, just hate those metal bumpers.

[ZJP]

Tough decision, I had an E30 and it was hands down a blast to drive.

That being said, I think I'd lean towards the E34 as a DD since it has leather interior, less miles, more room to fit stuff, probably has more features, etc.

Go drive both and see which one you enjoy more.

[justinnum1]

E34

[EmmettBrown]

128i cabriolet. white with tan interior -- ultimate man driving machine

[SoCali E36]

Originally Posted by EmmettBrown

128i cabriolet. white with tan interior -- ultimate man driving machine

That's a sick car/ color combo. I'll keep that in mind next time a woman asks me for advice for a new car.



I'm actually going to Check out the e30 tomorrow. I got the vehicle checked at the DMV and its only had 3 owners. No accident history. I'm taking my friend who is a BMW tech with me for him to inspect the car.

[BMWM3DREAM]

95 540i is a very nice car.

[chinoxs203]

easy.. if the 540 comes with the car phone you can pretend your in a mid 90's hip hop video every day

[SoCali E36]

Originally Posted by chinoxs203

easy.. if the 540 comes with the car phone you can pretend your in a mid 90's hip hop video every day

LMAO! Old school balling

[SoCali E36]

So the cunt sends me a text 10 minutes before I leave the house to go see the car, and tells me he sold the car to a guy that had called and left him a message before me contacting him and just happened to have called with cash in hand.


I also checked out the 540 and what a piece of shit that car was. Those pictures posted on craigslist, I have a feeling werent even that car lol.