$700 BMW, should I buy it?

[ToolGuy]

Ok, I have to ask. I have the chance to buy a 1992 BWM 535i for $700.
I have not seen it in person, but I have seen pics. It is black,
needs a detail very, very, badly, the seat leather is of course
cracked but no large holes. It has some dings, a larger dent in the
front fender, and looks to has some rust on the bottom of the drivers
door. The fuel door is missing too. I can fix all of that and clean
it up as I used to detail cars to pay my way through college and I
already service/maintain all my cars as is, this would be the same.
Tires look real good, no cracked windshield...

My Jeep lease is up in Oct and I am looking for a paid for ride. Now I
do not know the mileage of the BMW but I am sure it is 100K or over,
could be 200K, but I was told it runs and drives. The AC is probably
not working but I can fix that too. I do not know the mileage because
this is coming from a third party. A friends, friends neighbor has
the car kind of thing.


So what do you all think?


Can anyone speak from experience? I have never owned a BWM before.

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by ToolGuy

Ok, I have to ask. I have the chance to buy a 1992 BWM 535i for $700.
I have not seen it in person, but I have seen pics. It is black,
needs a detail very, very, badly, the seat leather is of course
cracked but no large holes. It has some dings, a larger dent in the
front fender, and looks to has some rust on the bottom of the drivers
door. The fuel door is missing too. I can fix all of that and clean
it up as I used to detail cars to pay my way through college and I
already service/maintain all my cars as is, this would be the same.
Tires look real good, no cracked windshield...

My Jeep lease is up in Oct and I am looking for a paid for ride. Now I
do not know the mileage of the BMW but I am sure it is 100K or over,
could be 200K, but I was told it runs and drives. The AC is probably
not working but I can fix that too. I do not know the mileage because
this is coming from a third party. A friends, friends neighbor has
the car kind of thing.


So what do you all think?


Can anyone speak from experience? I have never owned a BWM before.

Personally, I wouldn't take the car even if it was free. They are huge money pits and are worth next to nothing even in good shape. The rust would scare me away from a good car. Sorry to be so negative, but that is just my take on it.

[leadfoot]

The cost of replacement parts would be my concern.. good luck which ever way you go

[ToolGuy]

I basically told myself to pass on it. I will probably end up with a GM product because I am comfortable in fixing them, parts are inexpensive and I own the GM Tech 2 scan tool.

I posted this same message on another non-auto forum and most said what you two said. I should just stay away from it.

[LLC5]

Originally Posted by ToolGuy

I basically told myself to pass on it. I wil probably end up with a GM product because I am comfortable in fixing them, parts are inexpensive and I own the GM Tech 2 scan tool.

I posted this same message on another non-auto forum and most said what you two said. I should just stay away from it.

If you are a passionate BMW car person, and don't mind spending a lot of money and labor fixing the vehicle, then this may be a good choice. But, if you are just looking for an inexpensive commuter car, there are much better choices out there. Bimmers are notorious money pits when out of warranty, and older vehicles are famous for rust problems in the fenders, bottom of the front and rear windows, and the trunk pan, make sure you check these areas carefully if you are still interested. Good luck either way.

[leadfoot]

I think a wise decision. There are sooo many options and it is a buyers market perhaps like no other. Especially at auctions you can steal a quality late model auto that is in abundance so that parts arent a killer.. repros, cant sells, there are deals you wont believe. I got an 04 ranger 4x4 pick up for my beater for cheap .. best of luck

[JBsZ06]

Pass on the bimmer....as others have mentioned...

Parts are too expensive...

GM or ford vehicles are a better way to go...

inexpensive to buy...inexpensive to maintain..

[Uglymarine]

My son worked at NAPA for a long time. He said a lot of of customers bought BMW thinking they could afford it. He said they could afford the payment. But when they had to start buying parts they were in trouble. Jimmy said he would never buy a BMW because of the price of replacement parts.