[chicken_nana]

I'm going to start driving in a year and I want a nice BMW to drive. My plan is to find an old or broken BMW to fix while I don't have my license. I'm into preserving/restoring and upgrading cars. I'm on here for recommendations of where I should look for a car and which car would be good for me. I'm up for the challenge of fixing a broken car! I already work on a 2011 Z4 with my dad and I'm jealous, I WANT MY OWN CAR TO WORK ON! I'll appreciate any recommendations or advice given

I'm looking at 99' series 3s right now.

If anyone wants to sell me their car... I'm here ;)

[labphoto]

80’s 3 series would be great for you

[tturedraider]

Some will probably say it’s too much (money and car), but if you want something worth putting your money into (in addition to your time and energy) look for a good deal on an ‘03 - ‘06 E46 ZHP.

[Josh-PA]

My son (18yrs old) drives an '09 X3. We do 90% of the maintenance together. About a year ago he was backing up and caught the front fender on a parking pole. He went to the junkyard and pulled a fender from a same color x3 and we replaced it. He quickly learned that kind of thing can be a $130 mistake or a $1300 mistake. He liked the $130 solution. I would look for a first gen x3 or x5 an e46 or non-turbo e90.

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Some will probably say it’s too much (money and car), but if you want something worth putting your money into (in addition to your time and energy) look for a good deal on an ‘03 - ‘06 E46 ZHP.

I think that is going to be out of my price range but it looks like a good car, thanks for the recommendation!

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by Josh-PA

My son (18yrs old) drives an '09 X3. We do 90% of the maintenance together. About a year ago he was backing up and caught the front fender on a parking pole. He went to the junkyard and pulled a fender from a same color x3 and we replaced it. He quickly learned that kind of thing can be a $130 mistake or a $1300 mistake. He liked the $130 solution. I would look for a first gen x3 or x5 an e46 or non-turbo e90.

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably get alot of my parts from the junkyard. I like the e46 the most out of those options. I'm looking to get a smaller car not a SUV. I wish you well with your X3 though!

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by labphoto

80’s 3 series would be great for you

Wow thats the first time I've ever seen a 80's 3 series, they look beautiful. I am looking for something a little more modern, late 90's and early 2000's.

[MoeTE87]

What part of Ohio are you from? chicken_nana

There is a huge BMW group here in Cincinnati and in KY. I can get you in touch with the local groups.

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

What part of Ohio are you from? chicken_nana

There is a huge BMW group here in Cincinnati and in KY. I can get you in touch with the local groups.

I'm closer to Columbus do you know any groups here?

[RPM33]

Originally Posted by chicken_nana

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably get alot of my parts from the junkyard. I like the e46 the most out of those options. I'm looking to get a smaller car not a SUV. I wish you well with your X3 though!

Maybe a 2013 2 Series or a 2013 Mercedes CLA?

[pikkagtr]

E92 N52 MT

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by RPM33

Maybe a 2013 2 Series or a 2013 Mercedes CLA?

I'm looking at 3 series right now but those look like good options.

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

E92 N52 MT

I just need to find a cheap one!

[Car-Addicted]

What ever your budget and skills, I would avoid cars with rust. While most rust is not impossible or even hard to repair, it does require a investment in knowledge (experience) tools and chemicals. Mechanical and cosmetic repairs are easier to deal with.

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

What ever your budget and skills, I would avoid cars with rust. While most rust is not impossible or even hard to repair, it does require a investment in knowledge (experience) tools and chemicals. Mechanical and cosmetic repairs are easier to deal with.

Thanks for the advice I plan to do a pretty through inspection when buying my car!

[Chappers 71]

E36 or 46 are great choices
My old 1996 328i coupe was the most fun & least expensive bmw I’ve owned, never had an e46 went to e92 35i…stay away from e9x’s eleven plus years of ownership with my old 35i… I know how expensive even 4 pots can be from the many posts of woe from my e9x forum days & absolutely do not get a 35i unless you have a lot of disposable income & don’t mind spending a lot of time fixing or getting it fixed

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by RPM33

Maybe a 2013 2 Series or a 2013 Mercedes CLA?

Originally Posted by chicken_nana

I'm looking at 3 series right now but those look like good options.

The CLA is an absolutely terrible car!!!

[Car-Addicted]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Once we know your budget we can better recommend something.

Maybe you can make her a deal on the old Z4 Coupe you have hanging around in the garage gather dust.

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

OP, what is your total budget to buy a car and repair to road worthy status. Once we know your budget we can better recommend something.

And what body style and transmission choice.

My total budget ATM is roughly $8,000 AT MOST, I'm looking for a 2 seater coupe style and probably automatic!

[chicken_nana]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

E36 or 46 are great choices
My old 1996 328i coupe was the most fun & least expensive bmw I’ve owned, never had an e46 went to e92 35i…stay away from e9x’s eleven plus years of ownership with my old 35i… I know how expensive even 4 pots can be from the many posts of woe from my e9x forum days & absolutely do not get a 35i unless you have a lot of disposable income & don’t mind spending a lot of time fixing or getting it fixed

Thanks for the recommendation and advice, I will definitely look into the 1996 328i as I do not have a huge income!

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by chicken_nana

I'm closer to Columbus do you know any groups here?

Look up these groups on Facebook. Pretty active groups and lots of awesome people on there that can help.

Tri-State Bavarians
BMW CCA Bluegrass Bimmers


Best of luck!

[Josh-PA]

I've owned all three (e36, 46 and 90). In your situation, i would suggest staying away from the e36. They were really the first BMW that used a lot of plastic components and focused on recyclability. The plastics broke down over time and failed. So you'll constantly struggle with shitty interior trim pieces, door cards, radiator expandion tanks, etc falling apart.

The e46 was a significant improvement in that area. You should be able to find a decent 325 or 328 in your pricepoint. I personally find the m54 engines much easier to work on. I would stay away from 2001 cars. They had issues back in the day and had a weird light steering rack. Either go 2000 or 2002-5. The other nice thing is everything that goes wrong on an e46 has a diy online and aftermarket parts are pretty cheap.

The e90 is a little more reliable, but I find the n52 harder to work on and things like water pumps are a lot more expensive.