Hello,

I'm new to BMWs and looking for a late '80 model to play with.  In the process I have not been able to tell the difference between the models and what the bodies look like.  Any links that would show pictures of the different models and specifications would be appreciated.

Thank you

JF

Can you give us a clue of what kind of car you want?
Big / medium / small model?
what engine size?
how many doors?
sports model or cruisin/easy driving?
babe magnet or uuhhhmm (owh, they're all babe-magnets )
Just give some idea's, then we can give you all the info

thank you for your prompt and informative replies.  I'm looking for a small to midsize BMW and have been looking at the 325s and the 52x and 53x models.  Please understand i'm on a low badget of no more than $2k so that limits me to late 80 or early 90 BMWs based on the for sales add of cars that for sure I will invest time and money to bring it to a dream machine I can keep for a while.  We own two cars already and I'm looking for a car i can get my hands dirty with.  My Cooper has high performance suspension and for long trips my wife feels every bump.  She owns a Toyota Camry and it is a smoother ride but as you will agree it's just not a quality car I want to drive and feel a sense of road control and pride to drive.  No offense I hope!  I live in the California central valley ans o far i have been looking at Craigslist.org for any oportunity.

Thank you again

JF

Yeah, you should really go for a 3 series or a 5 series...
As dean (dport135) said, have a look for the 320i, my dad has one as well, runs pretty nice, but you have to be on the watch for corrosion (as with all older cars).
And the 5: maybe check the 520, they're pretty fast, the 530 is too expensive I think.

Oh, and another tip, I dunno the website you are searching your bmw for, but compare other websites/dealerships as well...

yeah, the 325 is a smoother ride, but also a more expensive ride... (more gas)
you can compare a 325 (weight-power) to a 530&up i think...
If you do find a model you really like, post it here, with year and other stuff, so we can give you more specific info (if we know any)

Guys here are two examples of cars I'm willing to go have a look at:
http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/54492189.html
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/54019873.html

The first one has high mileage but as i understand, you can not kill a BMW engine if taken care of.
Seems to me that the second one may have been in an accident.

any inputs appreciated.

JF

be cautious on the second one...
But also the 1st one, dont know what the standard is for the 325...
It does have the leather interior, but no sports package (anybody, is this standard on the 325?)
The grill should be silver, is now black (could be because the guy didnt like silver).
Also the wheels, aren't those the basic 316/318 wheels?

I could be completely off, some help?

The adventure continues!
I drove to san francisco to look at the car on the first link...the ad is totally off.  Not a one owner as it leads you to believe.  tail light, dash has big dent which accounts for broken glove box, instruments panel gadgets some don't work, vynil seats, very poor condition inside, no gas so could not test drive. paper work not in order to sell.  wasted my time.  Today I will meet with the owner of this one and see what it looks like...
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/54264586.html

I wish myself luck!

JF

Definitely a project car! Clean engine, the rest of the car needs work, is definitely not worth spending the time and money to bring it back to apreciative life.  One question I might ask you guys, how do you tell when a car is straight?  what is the technique to check this out?  I have read these comments while brousing Ebay...

JF

looking nice....
pretty old though, and the new engine, what engine is it? (a "new" 533i engine?)
Try to get some records from repairs/services/etc, if there's records from 1986 onwards (exceptional situation), then the car should be straight...

that e21 (the older 3series) is hot!!!! and has a nice leather int too.
I see that e30 has an airbag.. didn't know of e30's with airbags, that's nice!

They just mean it has no visable damage.  There is an e-bay service called bid stealer that will help you get your winning bid in.

Hi guys,

I have not forgotten you.  it's been a real busy ride looking around but I found and bought my car yesterday.  I was out bidded on several nice 3 series in Ebay which BTW frightten me a bit because pictures do not tell a 1000 stories.   I looked at several 5 and 3 series and pictures looked OK but when I saw the cars, nahhhh.   I found lots of dings, cracked glass, rotten exhaust, torn and squicky seats, leaky engines ok ok.  You might say well what do you expect for $2K price range anyways.  I can not believe how many people just do not care about their cars.  The car I bought is no longer posted on craigslist.com, '89 325i 4dr sedan with 178k mls, clean car and well maintain.  All belts, cat, brakes, battery replaced 2k mls ago.  I took it for a ride and it was nice for an 89 even before finding out there was only 21 psi in the tires, definitely will replace the shocks or struts.  When I make time for pictures I will have you take a look.  nothing impressive but the quality of course.  Couple of thngs I need to address:
rear tail lihgt bulb is out, need struts as i mentioned, oil is BLACK and THICK, rear left bumper trimming has small hole, the clock, date, temp etc. display is out.  the CHECK light comes on due to BRAKE LINING light or signal stuck.  oiriginal stereo casette does not work since the battery was replaced, he could not find the book with the code to clear it.  I hope I have not missed anyting else.  White is not my preferred color but that is what it is and it will grow on me, especially after I go through the polish/seal/wax process after a thorough cleaning.  Well, I took your advice and went with the 3 series.  I know this will not be my last Beemme so for now this will do.  Much appreciated for your inputs and any further advice or guidance to improve this one will go a long way.

JF

Auto so no racing here... just got back with oil filter and tail light bulb.  First thing I like to do is replace all fluids and filters.  Engine, transmision and drive-train for starters...  I would start asking questions here but not sure if this is the right lounge to do it.  where to buy the clock/date module, where to start to look into the check brake lining signal? is this something you have to clear in the ECM (hope that is right) when you wear out and replace the brake pads or do i have a dirty/faulty sensor somewhere?  Let me know if I need to pursue the answers some where else.  Off to do oil change replace bulb...

JF

cool that you've got your car finally! would love to see it.
about all the things you want to change, sounds like a good idea, have to read over it again another time (have to go to uni in 5 mins)
There is one real expert if you have some things that are really wrong, and that Peter, so if you need some help PM him (or i'll do it)
catch you later