12-31-2006, 09:30 PM
I know it maxes your budget, but I echo the notion that the E46 would be a much better buy. I think it's going to hold its value better and give you less trouble. The '99/'00 323/328 is pretty much exactly the same under the hood as an E36, I'd try to get one of the '01+ 325/330's as that's an updated engine with dual (and multistage I believe?) VANOS. With conforti sofftware update, the 2.5 in that one can keep up with the older 2.8.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a van is a good guy with a van