So I'm sure you've heard it all before.

My names Rick. I've always loved and wanted an E31, and may be forced to sell my 2005 S2000 due to a move to Florida in a few months (incredibly high insurance rates due to seat thefts there). I was considering a BMW 850i 6 speed, local seller.

The car looks very nice - 85,000 miles, MK rims, red/black.

Potential cons: Tires are dry rotted (indicates poor storage prep), dirty engine bay (could be nothing but a price dropper), CSi rear bumper and spoiler could be signs of an accident, and BV performance cams - anyone know anything about this?

My plan: Inspect the car thoroughly using the 5 page checklist found on an E31 site. Verify maintainence is up to date and its in overall good shape. Run carfax for any accident history. Assuming everythings checks out here, take it to the BMW dealer to have it inspected.

Post purchase: Change all fluids (oil, tranny, diff) and filters (air, oil, cabin), extensive detail and new carpet, repair minor cosmetics that may need it, and spark plugs, grease seals, things of that nature.

Questions for owners:
Basically, how reliable is this car going to be? I can't seem to find a recommended maintainence log online (Timing chain, etc). How long do the clutches hold up? Brakes? Rotors? Suspension components? Etc..

Modifications: How does the car respond to modifications and how dependant is the engine management on the O2 sensors (looking to run test pipe and custom exhaust, meaning could I use "defoulers" or O2 simulators to trick the O2 sensors into thinking they're reading from cats.. etc.). Evidently a chip will do a lot of good for these motors, so that's a potential mod for sure.

I'm 21, military, far from loaded and DO NOT want a money pit or a project. I drive what I consider "low maintainence" cars, and am capable of minor or moderate repairs/mods - but I just don't want to dish out 5K after buying the damn thing. Is this the car for me?

Ideally, I want a good weekend/cruise car. Eventually it'll have the M mirrors and front bumper, along with lowering springs and PG3s.

Check here: www.e31faq.com (http://www.e31faq.com) It has a "Pre-purchase" chec list and some good advicce for first time buyers.
If you want to, email me at: scs763@aol.com and we can "chat" more offline about your potential purchase.

First question is how much are you willing to spend upfront on this E31 and what mileage you're looking at? The first rule, more money you pay upfront on a well maintained car, the less will spend after purchase.

As for, is this car for you? I hate to put it to you like this but it will become a money pit at some point. This car is high maintenance and is not considered low maintenance at all.

But that's just my personal opinion and I am sure members here can agree or disagree for that matter....


I'm 21, military, far from loaded and DO NOT want a money pit or a project. I drive what I consider "low maintainence" cars, and am capable of minor or moderate repairs/mods - but I just don't want to dish out 5K after buying the damn thing. Is this the car for me?

Email sent.

BMWs are very reliable automobiles. E31 is a well built machine! It's a BMW!! However, without regular and needed maintenance it could and may be a money pit. But so can a Mercedes, Mustang, Honda or Lexus.

Check it out throughly!! Any and all small things are just that (tires, cometics)! It's an older car. If an E31 is what you want. Get It!

840ways to C :redspot

You don't have to replace some of those things mentioned up top Rick, Timing Chain being one, Drive the car a few miles to see if you like it, Don't pay attention to all the attention!!! Have a check list to see if it's up to your standards, A good body and Drivetrain is best, It want be as snappy as your S2000, After 40MPH is a different story because of the weight unless you really MOD it, Rides much better than the S though, You might be getting a great deal and the MK's are like large diamonds, Thery're very easy to get rid of, Rare! Post pics when you can, Hope it works out for ya.

First thing is have you driven one? If not do so.
Not a hole-shot or 1/4 car, and not a sportscar either, it's too heavy
compared to what you've been driving. Different animal altogether.
If you like to travel the highways at lightening speeds in comfort-this is
the one! Maintenance records are gold. At 85k miles, I would stash apx
2k for maint in the first year for new front bushings & other stuff.
After that, costs depend on how much wrenching you can do, or the quality of your mechanic. Lots of info and resources here to help with any issues.
Make sure you run quality tires, you will find yourself rolling the windows up. (they roll up automatically at apx 95-100mph)
You will never drive anything that will attract this kind of attention but imo it takes a passion to own one correctly!

I've only driven one E31 before - that was a '94 slate gray 850CSi at a local dealer here a couple years ago. It was what I expected, heavy, smooth and quiet. Completely different from what I drive now, but expected and welcomed from a GT car. I of course can't (and couldn't then either) afford a CSi, but assuming the 850i responds well enough to modifications (exhaust, test pipes, chip), and more imporantly is reliable enough to be a comfortable DD, then it could potentially be the car for me. I'll be checking out this particular one this weekend.

Your best mod for the money will be chips. Exhaust does not really make that much diff in performance. Any mods from thert up for more hp are costly (SC or Turbo). You don't really need it imo. The 8's perform well where they are designed to...above 80! Good luck and keep us posted on your findings.

And if you think the girls like you in that sharp little ride you've got now, hang on!

Good luck to you sir, I envy you.

S30z- What's the word? Did you ck it out?

Hey!

I've decided to keep the S2000. I can't get enough of this car and have big plans for it.

I'll be back with an E31 one day..

Rick