Hi everybody, new to the forums here, my name is John from the SF bay area and i'm 20. I've always loved BMW's, the first one I drove was back in March, a friend's E36 96 328i black on black manual, from then on I've been itching to own one. I've also always wanted to become a mechanic, I'll be checking out UTI later next month and may possibly enroll for their mechanic classes, and try to get into the BMW training program, which would be my dream. I've driven a total of 4 BMW's, my friend's 328i, a 99 E46 manual, an E34 91 525i, and another one I was looking into buying, $4000 125k miles 1992 325i in excellent condition, but the problem with that car was it was an Automatic, I hate autos, I'm a manual person. If it were a manual, then it may possibly be in my driveway at this very moment, I checked it out that car back in April. My ultimate dream car is the M3, however I've figured I'm better off starting out with a more standard E36, like a 325 or 328, because I'm a newb to BMW's. I currently drive a honda civic 2000 manual, great car, but I hunger to step up to the BMW world someday.
The E36 is by far my favorite, one of a kind, I've also driven a 99 E46, as much as the car may of been better than a E36 in specs, I simply didn't like it as much, the E36 is a true wonderful machine that is not surpassed by any other car to me.
I've also talked to some Mechanics and their advice to me is when it comes to an E36, wait it out for a few more years, because they may become just as cheap as a 80's E30 is now with the low mileage, especially with the E90 out now, just another notch for the E36 to go down.
My options are, 2 or 4 door, Dark colors prefered, and manual only.
I understand most of the basics, like keep the car in shape with inspection 1 every 15k miles and inspection 2 every 30k miles, as well as engine rebuild or replacement between 200-300k miles, which is the ugly point of maintmance.
But I know for a fact that a BMW blows hondas like mine away when it comes to fun, performence, power, style, and more [bmwkick]
I've already chosen the E36 to be my next car, anywhere between 92 and 98, depends on what I find.
, now for when that may happen, that has yet to be answered, it could be next week, or it could be 2 or 3 years from now. But at some point, I will aquire one.
Can any of you provide some advice and input for me? Anything would be greatly appricated.
Thanks in advance
John
The E36 is by far my favorite, one of a kind, I've also driven a 99 E46, as much as the car may of been better than a E36 in specs, I simply didn't like it as much, the E36 is a true wonderful machine that is not surpassed by any other car to me.
I've also talked to some Mechanics and their advice to me is when it comes to an E36, wait it out for a few more years, because they may become just as cheap as a 80's E30 is now with the low mileage, especially with the E90 out now, just another notch for the E36 to go down.
My options are, 2 or 4 door, Dark colors prefered, and manual only.
I understand most of the basics, like keep the car in shape with inspection 1 every 15k miles and inspection 2 every 30k miles, as well as engine rebuild or replacement between 200-300k miles, which is the ugly point of maintmance.
But I know for a fact that a BMW blows hondas like mine away when it comes to fun, performence, power, style, and more [bmwkick]
I've already chosen the E36 to be my next car, anywhere between 92 and 98, depends on what I find.
![Driving [driving] [driving]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_driving.gif)
Can any of you provide some advice and input for me? Anything would be greatly appricated.
Thanks in advance
John