New Bimmer

[adamsonem]

In a couple of weeks when I get my 2002 back from paint (allowing me to drive it), I'm going to sell my Audi. I'm expecting to get around $7,000 for it (give or take a few hundred - my dad is a car-salesman so he knows what stuff is really worth).

I'm going to be buying another Bimmer (at wholesale price). I've thought about it for a while, and I can't decide what I want to get.

I've ruled out getting an E36 3-series. This is mainly because of size. The 3 is around the same size as my A4, is too much of a similar car (in size, quality, comfort features, etc). Performance is not a factor in my search, I don't need a speed-machine. The only mods I'm going to do are wheels (for either), and lowering-springs (for the 5 - I like the 7's ride height and comfort).

I can get a 1995 (with factory motor-swap update) 740i or 740iL for around $5,000 - $6,000 with 100k miles or so.

OR

I can get an E34 (not sure which year yet) 535i wagon for around $5,000 with similar mileage.

The 7 would be cool because it's a 7, and it's the best body-style 7 BMW has made IMO. It's big and comfortable, as well it's easy and fun to drive. The luxury points make me like it a lot..

The 5 would be cool because it's a wagon. I see wagons as very functional while still good-looking. I know they're also comfortable and easy to drive. My friend used to have a station wagon (not a BMW) and it's functionality made me fall in love with it.

All opinions are welcome and encouraged.

 

[MrElussive]

Dude stay the hell away from a wagon !!!! Go with an E34 540i, those things are awesome !!

 

[xLibelle]

my dad just recently sold my grandparents A4, was fully loaded and in perfect quality. Never abused and taken good care of. They put the for sale sign in the window and a couple hours later, they agreed on 77 hundred. One of the guys stood by the car until the other came back with the money..... thats how much of a steal it was so you can guess how pissed certain people in the family were including myself.

so ive tried to convince them to get the E46 ... CSL... lol, but that wouldnt happen. The 5 series would be my best suggestion though because its not the boat that the 7 is. That E34 535i sounds sooo tempting!


but my grandparents are kicking them selves for selling the audi after having tried everything else out there because it doesnt compare. so thats a little fair warning to you, evan.

 

[epj3]

Well, you can't buy the M3 csl in the states so you are wasting your time.

E34 540i is what you should get. I drove the 530i which is a small V8 and it kicked ass, a 540i would be 100 times better.

 

[xLibelle]

Well, you can't buy the M3 csl in the states so you are wasting your time.

7 of our 10 last cars were bought in germany and shipped over... my e30 has been across the atlantic three times.... but this isnt about buying a csl in the states ....

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Id definitly would go with the e34 540i. You get a nice 4.0 liter engine and a really nice build quality. Just one of the many cars i would like to own.

 

[dzervit]

I'm voting for the 7. Thats big pimpin' baby.

 

[adamsonem]

I think I'm going to go with the 740. I don't know, however, if I want the i or the iL.. I don't necessarily need the extra Length, but it would be pimp. What do you guys think?

The 7 will probably be a 98. I definitely am getting these options if I can find one:

cold weather, premium, sport packages (did they have sport pkg this year?), Park Distance Control (after driving a 7 with it, I don't know how you could live without it), and hopefully xenons (if they had them this year).

Anything else you guys would look for?

 

[MrElussive]

The extra length really only helps rear seat room (particularly rear legroom), but there is enough of that already so it might not be worth it if you want to stay under a strict budget limit.

Aren't you a sub-21 youngen? Get an E34 540i dude, they look much sportier, they drive much tighter, and the 4.4 liter V8 under the hood is such a beast. I know you said performance isn't important, but what I'm saying is that you're better off in something sporty than something for old people.

 

[HornyHornet]

I agree with all the others. A E34 540i is the perfect substitute for you at this time. I know that the 7 is pimp, but you are still young and getting a 7 would be over the top. Get something that fits; the 540i is just about right.

 

[Tom]

The 540i wagons look sweet and very practical if you make good use of it.

 

[epj3]

7 of our 10 last cars were bought in germany and shipped over... my e30 has been across the atlantic three times.... but this isnt about buying a csl in the states ....

Like I said, you CAN NOT BUY an M3 CSL in the states.

 

[adamsonem]

The only thing with the 540i wagon is that it would be a little less modern-looking than the 7 or my current car. I would love having a wagon, but the 7 is a little more advanced in the BMW line in general, and it would be a few years newer than the 5. I drive a '96 Audi A4 right now. The exterior on it somewhat resembles an e46 3 series, which makes it look a lot newer than it is, IMO.

As for the sporty-effect. The car really isn't sporty, as it has like 100hp tops, but I have a 1976 2002 also. It's an awesome little coupe I can cruise around in on Sundays.

The 7er or 5er would be a daily driver. I need functionality, and good-styling - those are my main concerns. Both the 540i and the 740i will be a nightmare if anything goes wrong on them, so reliability isn't a concern < I could also drive the 2002 or a work car if something went wrong. My friend used to have a Honda Accord wagon (I know you can't compare a Honda with a BMW, but...) and it was awesome. The functionality, and extra space made me fall in love with it instantly, so I know I wouldn't regret getting the 5, but the 7 is just so much bigger and so much more luxurious, that I might not regret getting the 5, but regret NOT getting the 7. It seems like most people here think the 5 would be much cooler, so I might go with that, but after everything that I've already been through in my life, I know that what other people think isn't the key decision-maker for me.

I don't know, I'll keep asking around and see what people think. A lot of my friends think the 7 would be cooler, but a lot also think the 5 would be cooler.

 

[MrElussive]

Well, get people's advice, but ultimately the decision is up to you. Personally, I like to get opinions from people as they bring up interesting points that I have not yet considered, but I never listen to what they actually prefer (just their reasons), because they're not me and they have a different lifestyle, etc.
Oh yeah, when I suggested an E34 540i, I was STRICTLY referring to the sedan, NOT the wagon. Station wagons look way too utilitarian for me, except for Audi's wagons (I think Audi is the only company in the world that understands "sport wagon" properly).

 

[tool fan]

except for Audi's wagons (I think Audi is the only company in the world that understands "sport wagon" properly).

Amen brother....I LOVE the S4 wagon OOOOHHHH

 

[Wadula]

in my books a waggon is great. i know that in the US it does not have the same reputation as in germany so please be gentle with me guys. but i would certainly not go with the E34. if you can get a 7er from 98, did you look for a E39? they shouldn´t be much different to the 7. and with that body you get the best looking 5er ever. my 0.02 $

 

[adamsonem]

if you can get a 7er from 98, did you look for a E39? they shouldn´t be much different to the 7.

I asked my father today, and I CAN AFFORD ONE! He said I can get a 1997 528i for $7,000 - $8,000 (wholesale), depending on mileage. KBB quotes my car at just a hair over $8,000 and as is, I'll be able to afford it! Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

If I go the E39 route, I'll have a new-looking car that's almost the same size as the corresponding 740i I was looking into. I think I may do that since it's kind of like getting both cars.