So many of you know me, and have heard of my plans. Very briefly I am leaving the states after the end of June, and going to Grad school in the UK. I will have to sell my e46 330ci before I leave. I am also planning a road trip around the states through the month of June. We will start from Providence and Drive down to Georgia, across the south to the west coast back through the north route to come back to Boston. We are already pretty certain that we will be taking an 03 Acura RSX as one car (my buddies car). But because we are 4-5 guys we will need another car to drive cross country. When I am done with the road trip my roam mate has agreed to take this car of my hands, so i don't have to worry about selling it after that.

I want to start my road trip vehicle search now so that I have time to give the car a tune up. I am looking to spend less then 5k on car + tune ups. And I am not considering renting anymore because my co driver and I are under 25, and no one will rent (or if they do the price comes out to be close to 5k).

The vehicles I have been considering are:
e30's,
e34's,
e38's,
S420 or S500 Benz from 1997 W140,
maybe an e24 or e36.....
I am also open to any reliable alternatives. Please give me an example of other reliable/fun cars that I can look into... doesn't have to b a BMW

I am looking for a few things in these cars:
under 5k with tune ups
has service history - records of recent tune ups
no major problems
I dont mind a little rust as long as its not on vital parts
I prefer a manual
reasonable miles - anything higher then 160k gives me doubts... am I just paranoid
new tires/brakes would be great

I am a nOOb when it come down to some of these older BMWs. I know e46s pretty well, but have never owned an older BMW. Here are a few recent finds on craigslist in Prov, Boston, and NH. (What do you guys think?)

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/1072283051.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/1086368329.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/1082786273.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/1081785228.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/cto/1086672222.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/cto/1086869719.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1085296123.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1076398973.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1075617221.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/1085040218.html
http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/1047737230.html
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/1087808799.html

Sam's Car is nice - will need to fix some minor stuff through
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/1085122533.html

"Bolidoendiablad" has a interesting e34..
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/1081743548.html

help me out of my indecisive car choice misery cause I'm procrastinating on all my class projects right now. Got an exam on wednesday as well:)

I would exclude any coupes on your list. People are probably going to want to shuffle between cars and crawling into a back seat gets tired real fast.

If you can verify the records, I like the5-speed 535 in New Hampshire (http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/1047737230.html).

Another option might be to poke around for a Mercedes C36. I have seen some of them down in your range and if it's been maintained they are a bullet-proof car. There's one Craigslist in Hartford (http://newhaven.craigslist.org/ctd/1085540737.html), but it doesn't look good in the photos so I'd avoid it like the plague. If you're not in a rush you might want to hunt around eBay or autotrader for one. I had the chance to drive one a few years ago and even though I don't had the garage space I'd have a tough time passing one up if the right deal came along.

I think the E34 is a great idea. It'll eat up the miles on the highway, and IMO the M50 powered cars are nearly bulletproof. E36 is a good idea too, if it'll help you sell it to your friend when you guys are back home again.

Id go with the e34 for a roadtrip. That one looks clean

E34 touring was awesome when I did NYC->Chicago and back.

Comfy, decent gas mileage, did a thousand miles in a day like it wasn't no thing.

I would exclude any coupes on your list. People are probably going to want to shuffle between cars and crawling into a back seat gets tired real fast.


Another option might be to poke around for a Mercedes C36. I have seen some of them down in your range and if it's been maintained they are a bullet-proof car. There's one Craigslist in Hartford (http://newhaven.craigslist.org/ctd/1085540737.html), but it doesn't look good in the photos so I'd avoid it like the plague. If you're not in a rush you might want to hunt around eBay or autotrader for one. I had the chance to drive one a few years ago and even though I don't had the garage space I'd have a tough time passing one up if the right deal came along.

There will most likely be just 4 of us, so the rear seats shouldn't be too bad, and we dont plan to pack heavy. Are there any other negatives to taking an e30?

I like the c36 you posted. Are there any known issues with high mileage car like the this one?

I think the E34 is a great idea. It'll eat up the miles on the highway, and IMO the M50 powered cars are nearly bulletproof. E36 is a good idea too, if it'll help you sell it to your friend when you guys are back home again.

I think im leaning towards an e34 right now... there are many of them around too. Is there anything else to look for or avoid on an e34 except an reliable M50?

My only reservations on e36 under 5k is that too many people mess around with them. I will have to find one that hasn't been messed around with for the money.

Id go with the e34 for a roadtrip. That one looks clean

E34 touring was awesome when I did NYC->Chicago and back.

Comfy, decent gas mileage, did a thousand miles in a day like it wasn't no thing.

e34 deffently will stay on my list. Any other input on the e34s that I posted? How about an e34 with 200k or more? Bad Idea?

thanks guys

What about an Lexus LS 400? like this one? http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/ctd/1084950377.html or http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/cto/1079420286.html
are these reliable?

pm'd

I vote for a classic 300 Turbo Diesel from Mercedes. Ride in classic luxury with an engine that will never die.

I vote for a classic 300 Turbo Diesel from Mercedes. Ride in classic luxury with an engine that will never die.


i donno dude. that seems too old. It would be fun if I had more time and resources to tune the sucker up before I go.

The E34 could work out brilliantly. My brother's '92 535i has made multiple trips to Michigan and back with no issues, a comfy ride, and decent gas mileage.

damn thats a lot of votes for an e34:)

from what i have read today e34's are definitely to be considered seriously.
I also am interested in e36 sedans, and less so in coupes since my friend with the RSX was just telling me he might want to leave his car at home and chip in money to get a 4 door that we can all ride in.

This also leads me to think that a honda, lexus, nissan, toyota could do the trick.

people suggested a 2000 Honda Accord EX and I was wondering about a Lexus LS400 from 92. what do u think?

hah.. yealh i will take my E34!!!. FredK is right. M50 non -vanos = bulletproof.

damn thats a lot of votes for an e34:)

from what i have read today e34's are definitely to be considered seriously.
I also am interested in e36 sedans, and less so in coupes since my friend with the RSX was just telling me he might want to leave his car at home and chip in money to get a 4 door that we can all ride in.

This also leads me to think that a honda, lexus, nissan, toyota could do the trick.

people suggested a 2000 Honda Accord EX and I was wondering about a Lexus LS400 from 92. what do u think?
The LS is another good choice. Toyota reliable, reasonably quick, very comfortable, and plenty of space. Accords are supremely boring. As relaible as they are, they would not be on my list of cars to roadtrip in.

if all 4 of us are int he one car we might end up with a choice between an e34 or LS ... or something of that size.

which toyota were you thinking about?

if all 4 of us are int he one car we might end up with a choice between an e34 or LS ... or something of that size.

which toyota were you thinking about?
I was saying that the LS has Toyota reliability.

got you ... i read that wrong

I vote for a classic 300 Turbo Diesel from Mercedes. Ride in classic luxury with an engine that will never die.

i read up on it and it does seem like a fun and very reliable car to drive

check this one out

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/ctd/1081946307.html

or this one http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1064134966.html


300D turbo diesel.... anyone? all the truck stops have diesel right?

99K e34 touring, no pics 3.5k
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/ctd/1085238568.html

cheap touring
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1077939153.html

the first touring is sweet he actually has pictures on the website that is provided. It is low miles... will have to check it out before I can say anything further... didnt really provide much useful info, but thats cause he is a dealer not a private sale.

e38 will probably break down somewhere random. :lol

yea i'm not really considering the e38's anymore...

Its between

e34
e39
e36
LS400 maybe!?

if my friends find another car to caravan then an e30 could also qualify. I will have to wait for them to get back to be before I can consider a coupe,

I don't see an E38 being anymore prone to breaking down than a V8 powered E39. That said, I'm not necessarily recommending it.

im only thinking of a i6 e39

georgiev, i havent seen your car for a little while. we should do a bu bimmer photoshoot before you leave

We can def. arrange something as long as its not 30F, and not this week. I have so much shiit to do.... instead of doing it I am chilling on here most of the time.

Was ur car parked outside of morse auditorium for the whole winter break? I remember seeing it buried under the snow.

99K e34 touring, 3.5k, not much info on CL
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/ctd/1085238568.html
The AD on CL provides a used car dealer website.

Shot them an e-mail... they don't have any service history records because it was a trade in... but the Lady said it runs well..:) maybe worth taking a look, but will have to be cautious... especially cause it comes with ghetto wheels. rims can be found for cheap though. i e-mailed back to see if they will let Dave or someone check it through, and if they would lower the price. here is the pic...
http://gaimgs.getauto.com/imgs/ag/ga/35/22/a/WBAHJ6319PGD23522-a.jpg

low miles though and since its a used dealer they give some sort of warrenty :confused:

eeeek horrible rims

We can def. arrange something as long as its not 30F, and not this week. I have so much shiit to do.... instead of doing it I am chilling on here most of the time.

Was ur car parked outside of morse auditorium for the whole winter break? I remember seeing it buried under the snow.

99K e34 touring, 3.5k, not much info on CL
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/ctd/1085238568.html
The AD on CL provides a used car dealer website.

Shot them an e-mail... they don't have any service history records because it was a trade in... but the Lady said it runs well..:) maybe worth taking a look, but will have to be cautious... especially cause it comes with ghetto wheels. rims can be found for cheap though. i e-mailed back to see if they will let Dave or someone check it through, and if they would lower the price. here is the pic...
http://gaimgs.getauto.com/imgs/ag/ga/35/22/a/WBAHJ6319PGD23522-a.jpg

low miles though and since its a used dealer they give some sort of warrenty :confused:

those wheels look to be in pretty good shape though which means they are most likely rather new. that probably means newer tires too. it doesnt really matter what the wheels look like as long as the tires are in good shape and the wheels are true.

and im digging the pin stripe :buttrock

those wheels look to be in pretty good shape though which means they are most likely rather new. that probably means newer tires too. it doesnt really matter what the wheels look like as long as the tires are in good shape and the wheels are true.

and im digging the pin stripe :buttrock

I agree. If they are new tires at least I can sell them on CL and buy 5-series wheels for cheap

just put them in the back of a pickup and drive to lawrence or lowell. someone will pay cash money for them :shifty

I have a shameless pitch, but it actually may suit your needs. I sold my e30 a couple months ago to pick up a good road trip vehicle. Two weeks ago 3 friends and I took my 1993 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon from CT to FL and back (2900+ miles) without issue. I was planning to do a cross country trip this summer as well but I might have a job lined up that would prevent that.

Car has 179,7XX miles on it.
I replaced the front pads and rotors about 3100 miles ago. Right before the trip. I also changed the oil before and after the trip.
Was purchased from a Minister in my home town. Reliably maintained.
I've only owned the car for 4 or 5k miles but it has not given me a problem.

Sunroof, CD, heated seats, leather, auto, good tires, alloy wheels.

It's cheap too. Asking $2500 obo. I can get pics if there is any interest. Let me know.

I have a shameless pitch, but it actually may suit your needs. I sold my e30 a couple months ago to pick up a good road trip vehicle. Two weeks ago 3 friends and I took my 1993 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon from CT to FL and back (2900+ miles) without issue. I was planning to do a cross country trip this summer as well but I might have a job lined up that would prevent that.

Car has 179,7XX miles on it.
I replaced the front pads and rotors about 3100 miles ago. Right before the trip. I also changed the oil before and after the trip.
Was purchased from a Minister in my home town. Reliably maintained.
I've only owned the car for 4 or 5k miles but it has not given me a problem.

Sunroof, CD, heated seats, leather, auto, good tires, alloy wheels.

It's cheap too. Asking $2500 obo. I can get pics if there is any interest. Let me know.

Im checking out a e39 next week, but will definitely look into it and contact you if interested.

my buddy has a super early production e36 325i 4door 5spd, blk blk, florida car with 113 on it...if your interested, it comes out of storage next week ill snap some pics and send them out i think he wants around 3k for it... it is very clean

We can def. arrange something as long as its not 30F, and not this week. I have so much shiit to do.... instead of doing it I am chilling on here most of the time.

Was ur car parked outside of morse auditorium for the whole winter break? I remember seeing it buried under the snow.

99K e34 touring, 3.5k, not much info on CL
http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/ctd/1085238568.html
The AD on CL provides a used car dealer website.

Shot them an e-mail... they don't have any service history records because it was a trade in... but the Lady said it runs well..:) maybe worth taking a look, but will have to be cautious... especially cause it comes with ghetto wheels. rims can be found for cheap though. i e-mailed back to see if they will let Dave or someone check it through, and if they would lower the price. here is the pic...
http://gaimgs.getauto.com/imgs/ag/ga/35/22/a/WBAHJ6319PGD23522-a.jpg

low miles though and since its a used dealer they give some sort of warrenty :confused:

so I ran a carfax on this wagon and it comes out that it has been issued a "NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE TITLE" and it has need in an accident in Worcester. So much for the honest owner of that dealership... I guess he does let some shiity cars slide in once in a while