looking around again

[Myuki]

Well, the dub has run into another problem, to add to it's list of things that have broke already. And I'm finally fed up with it. I may stay with it, but it almost isn't worth to drive, as problems pop up within weeks of being out of the shop.

Anyways, my friend suggetsed an e36 like his, and I've helped hm work on his and I know there is a large input form here, so I've started to look at e36s. Anybody got any input?

I am looking at something like this, a FR sedan type thing. 240sx, e36, etc.

[.RJ]

Anyways, my friend suggetsed an e36 like his, and I've helped hm work on his and I know there is a large input form here, so I've started to look at e36s. Anybody got any input?

If you dont like having a busted VW, having a busted BMW aint gonna be much better....

The cars are really great to drive, but they will all have nagging problems.

[ScottyB]

what about Dave's 240? or talon?

do you get much time to work on the car yourself, or are they the kind of problems where you are forced to go to the stealership?

[Evan]

Im selling my 240 as well.

[Dave]

buy my talon!!

[CaptainHenreh]

Or you can buy mine.

[Yahosh]

e36's are sweet, but i'm biased :mrgreen:. If you get one just plan on spending some cash off the bat to fix the common weak points (water pump, RSMs, thermostat housing, etc.) and you'll be fine. Edge Motorworks has a 75k mile check list for e36's, check it out <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.edgemotorworks.com/e36.html">http://www.edgemotorworks.com/e36.html</a><!-- m --> . I've put over 30k miles on mine and I haven't had any major problems. However, I feel like I should add that BMW parts are expensive as hell (for example, I hit something on 81 this past weekend and it ripped the mesh grill out - $68 to replace the stupid plastic thing). So, just realize that BMWs, no matter how old, aren't the cheapest cars to maintain. Bottom line, if you can afford the routine maintenence and the occasional replacement part, then it will treat you well and should run pretty much trouble free. Yeah, it sucks when something goes bad, but it's a small price to pay for the fun you'll have with it.

[HAULN-SS]

404

[Yahosh]

my bad, try it now, it should work.

[ViPER1313]

http://www.edgemotorworks.com/e36.html .

So just replace every bushing, suspension and cooling related item every 75k miles and you should be fine :lol: . Sounds like an SHO.

[Yahosh]

http://www.edgemotorworks.com/e36.html .

So just replace every bushing, suspension and cooling related item every 75k miles and you should be fine :lol: . Sounds like an SHO.

Haha, yeah I was going to say that the list is pretty exhaustive and a bit overkill and that some of the mods need not be done in the near future (if ever in some cases). But it at least gives some idea of the potential weak points and what you may want to focus on. They really are pretty reliable... I promise...

[JustinG]

Or you can buy mine.

you take that back or go to hell :x

you want reliable.....i havent got a clue.

[Sijray21]

what's wrong with the dub?

if you're looking for a car with a stout reliability record you'll have to look for japs: honda's, toyota's, nissan's

an e36 would be sweet, but they have as many problems (if not more) than the vw's

[Jeff]

2 letters son... T....D.... For $1500 or less you can have a reliable FWD turbo car. Just make sure the trans tag says A-555 and she's got an intercooler

EDIT - Like this one.. for $900!!!!

1991 Dodge Shadow ES Turbo, white ex, lt gray int, 4dr, 5spd. Car has power windows, locks, seats, and mirrors. Body and paint could use some work and the engine burns oil due to scratched cylinders but doesnÔÇÖt really smoke. Car has tinted windows, rear spoiler, new battery, and added driving lights Cruise, overhead console, full gauge cluster w Autolite boost gauge. Stock 2.5 T-1 has been mod to T-II turbo specs. Both CV shafts are new w lifetime warrantee. For added power less weight and extra clearance the factory power steering rack was replace with a new mopar manual steering rack. The oversized T-body has been port matched to the intake and the intake runners have been mildly ported.

Taft hp roller camshaft
New timing belt
Garrett T-II turbocharger (factory Shelby)
58mm throttle body
K&N air filter
Manual adjustable boost control valve
Bosh rising rate adjustable fuel pressure regulator
Factory Shelby intercooler
New Federal Mogul pistons and sealed power rings
Balance box removed
Drilled 180 thermostat
Autometer ultra light boost gauge
Full 2 ┬¢ÔÇØ stainless exhaust with Flowmaster and converter replaced with glass pack
15 x 7ÔÇØ factory aluminum rims
Oversized Shelby front sway bar
New from factory Chrysler manual steering rack

Yes the uses oil could be a bit of a problem...but if its not smoking then Its a keeper. Shit, for that money you could take all the rest you get from selling the Dub and buy whatever else u want.

[Hunter]

I thought I'd chime in on the e36...

The car is pretty mechanically reliable except for a few places. Make sure to replace the water pump with one with a metal impeller (plastic? seriously bmw, wtf?), replace the rear shock mounts, and be prepared for an o2 sensor or two to fail. The real problems are electrical, pretty much everything electrical wants to quit working. I've replaced everything from window motors to the ecu ($$$), and a whole bunch of sensors in between. I'm hopeful though, because I feel like I'm approaching the point where I've replaced almost every piece of electrical equitment in the car.

[Myuki]

okay, haven't been able to check in a while, but here's what's up.

Scotty: I get to work on stuff that I can do myself. Which isn't a whole lot, considering my financial situation, but my dad and I have put almost 6k into repairs and other random shit that is breaking.

Yahosh: I can deal with minor things, anything is better than what I've gone through with this car. My close friend has an e36 and I've worked a lot on that, (changed the altenator, tires, rims, fabricated his door panels for his speakers, and helped him replace his throttle positioning sensor.) I can deal with small maintenance.

jayray: The dub just keeps getting worse. shit keeps breaking or getting worse. I mentioned I was looking at 240's as well, toyota's and honda's I would't know what I'd get, lol.

turboomni: a wha?

hunter: haha, it seems all euros have their electrical problems. I may be able to deal with the occasional failure of a electronic gadget. Most if not all of the dub problems have been mechanical anyways.

[ViPER1313]

What exactly has gone wrong with the dub?

[D_Eclipse9916]

its a vw, thats whats wrong. lol just kidding. Vws are notorious for terrible maintenance.

However with that said, if you have put a lot of money into it and have replac ed a lot of stuff already, it would probbably be cheaper to continue replacing a few more things than buying a whole nother car and have to fix trhe stuff on the new car and start the process all over again.

[Feersty]

Blair could chime in.

[Mike]

i bet he could, but it wouldn't help the fact that frode (sp?) has a lemon.