What would you do?

So, I currently have a 2003 Protege (boring but reliable) and a 325e (fun, reliable so far, currently commuting 600-700 miles a week). Both get ~30-32mpg in my type of driving (mostly highway). My brother in law needs a car for the school year for himself, his wife, and their newborn child.

I have an opportunity to score a free (or up to $300) 1993 525i with 5-speed, some surface rust and 171k miles. It sounds great, but has been parked for some time. (brakes?) It would need tires, some serious cleanup, and I'd end up tempted to paint it and put some decent wheels and rubber on it. (it's bronzit)

I also found a NICE 535i auto with 100k miles for $1800. It would need much less work, but is an auto and would likely be much worse on fuel.

I'm considering giving the Protege to the b-in-l to use for the school year (for a very low sum) and getting either 5-series to replace it.

Depending on real world fuel mileage, I'd commute in the 525i or 325e, and my wife would likely drive the 535i (10 miles/day).

What would you do? Am I nuts for looking at another 15+ year old BMW? What's the realworld mileage like for a M50+5-speed 525i or a M30 535i auto? (eventually, the 525i would become a doner for the 325e)

With the distances you're commuting, keep the boring Protoge. It will keep running until the body rots off around it with only basic maintenance.

If either 5-series interests you, make a deal to get your 325 to him & buy whichever suits you.

The thing is, I'd still have the boring Protege at the end of winter when he goes back home, and it'd have about 24000 less km's than if I drove it all winter.
He's technically...incompetent, (ergo uninterested in driving an old BMW).
The other thing is the 325 is a 2 door, so it's out for him and the family. Anyone have any real world (highway only) fuel mileage estimates for the 5 series? I've seen the EPA numbers, but believe I (should) do better than that.

I drive a less boring 2001 Protege MP3 daily; I'd give your boring Protege to the less technical brother because it's just so damn hard to kill. :D You could also look for an MP3 or a MazdaSpeed Protege to replace it.

I don't like the heavy, solid feel of German cars, myself (I want to feel like I'm going to die if I'm going 100mph), so I can't weigh in on that.

Take this:

325e (fun, reliable so far, currently commuting 600-700 miles a week). Both get ~30-32mpg in my type of driving (mostly highway).

And put in the motor, trans, wiring, etc, from this:

1993 525i with 5-speed, some surface rust and 171k miles

dollraves wrote: I don't like the heavy, solid feel of German cars, myself (I want to feel like I'm going to die if I'm going 100mph), so I can't weigh in on that.

That being said, I love it. My dad just recently bought a 95 525, automatic. And it is the most solid car I have ever driven. Its slow, its an automatic, and I don't mind it because it just feels right. I'd say go for it either of the two.

therex wrote: Take this: 325e (fun, reliable so far, currently commuting 600-700 miles a week). Both get ~30-32mpg in my type of driving (mostly highway). And put in the motor, trans, wiring, etc, from this: 1993 525i with 5-speed, some surface rust and 171k miles

That's the long term plan: no matter what, I'm going to try to get my hands on the 525i. I figure by parting it out to cover the misc. costs, I should be able to do the swap for very, VERY little. I MAY drive it for the winter first. You don't think the mileage is an issue?

Well, I went with option 3. It looks like I'll be picking up a 1990 325i sedan with the auto this week. The body seems to be in PERFECT shape, but it's a repaint, so I'll be going over it with a magnet before finalizing the purchase. Silver, loaded (not sure if it has the LSD) and with two sets of bottle caps with new allseasons or new snows. It'll be the DD for my wife: we drove the 535i on the weekend and both came away underwhelmed. It needed thrust arms, so perhaps it was a bad example to drive: it didn't handle anything like I thought it would, and the owner reported 12mpg in town. My wife likes E30's better, she said.

I'll hopefully pick up the 525i for parts or perhaps a challenge effort depending how it cleans up.

Anything I should be aware of (particularly the auto) before picking up another e30?

Hope you don't miss the Mazda reliability Good Luck

^ Unlikely, but possible. I'll get the Mazda back in 6 months or less: it's not like I'm getting rid of it for good. It's an opportunity to help family out with reasonable expenditure. This way, my wife also gets to drive a car she loves.....(and this way I don't have to fight to get to drive the 325e )

Interestingly, the Mazda has been at least as much trouble (at 142000kms) as the BMW, and already has needed 4 wheelbearings, sway bar end mounts (front and rear), sway bar bushings, upper strut mounts and an EGR. It also needs a timing belt, thought the e30 is nearly due as well.

My experience with the E30, while not perfect (brake line, O2 sensor), has been excellent (260000km so far). It also get's consistently slightly better fuel economy.

The Protege was my first car on car payments, and I'm disillusioned to say the least. It handles VERY well for what it is, but I really DON'T like the 2.0 motor. That said, I do hope it lasts at least 200k miles.

Nathan

I always thought the E30 series cars were among the best BMW has ever built reliability-wise, but they are getting old and have those issues to deal with. The early '90's 5 series cars have a few issues of their own, mainly with the 8 cyl. versions with the Nikasil liners (not sure if this has been resolved by now or not) and the automatic transmissions. The autos are not the best in terms of longevity, but these are complex cars for their day, and you need to make sure all the various subsytems are working.

I'd take one on a VERY long test drive in addition to looking them over carefully. They could either be a steal, or the seller could be doing the happy dance watching you leave.

I appreciate the input! I had a decent look at it yesterday, but in twilight. I intend to do a much closer inspection later this week. My biggest concern is rust, as I don't mind spending a little to work the bugs out of a solid car: I expect that a few things will certainly be needed.

Plusses: new pads and rotors all around new control arms and tie rod ends new tires x 8 seems rust free, stock exhaust is in mint shape (It has the appearance of never seeing a winter in the rust belt) timing belt 25k miles ago owner is currently commuting 100 miles a day with it $1800 e-tested and safetied

Minus: auto....and a very slightly hard 2-1 downshift as the car rolls to a stop. I don't know what these normally feel like, but as you said: perhaps a long test drive is in order.

Nathan

I'm not sure what I'd do in your case... but can add that I used to work with a guy (project manager) who drove an E34 5 spd (an 88, I think). He racked up over 250K miles on the car all over NJ, NY and surrounding states (including frequent runs into the City). When he finally bought a new car (a first year M-B ML320), he donated the BMW... much of the chassis functions were shot, but he said it still ran and drove great... was even on the original clutch.

Ian F wrote: he finally bought a new car (a first year M-B ML320),

Whoops

Personally, my car philosophy is:

DD needs to be dead-nuts reliable. Boring is OK, cheap is OK, as long as it starts and gets you to work and hopefully gets somewhat acceptable gas mileage (over 25). After that, additional funds can go to a "fun" car. Helping out the BiL is nice and all, but if you can't get to work with what you have left over, that's not gonna cut it.

That's just the way I look at it.

^ Generally, I agree whole heartedly. I DO believe that a well maintained "old car" can be a great DD.

In any case, I'm picking up the 325i tomorrow. The deal was sealed when my wife made a deal with a coworker to carpool to work. The odds of BOTH cars breaking down are very slim, both cars have up to date maintenance and the in-laws are paying a substantial sum to use the car for the next two school years. (we get it back in the summer months).

Thanks for the input, all of you!

Does that dog have lipstick?

Nah, hockey moms won't be out for another few weeks.