[DaveA]

I know this is a little off topic for an F30 forum, but given the mission creep we see in some threads, I didn't think you'd all mind that much..

I have toyed with the idea, for some time now, of buying an old BMW... I'm not really into the car show scene, and the concourse thing, and it's probably more a nostalgia thing than anything else, but, well, I keep coming back to the idea...

Obviously, there are some über classics that just about all of us would lust after... 2002 Turbo, 3.0 CSL, M1 etc etc... But these are all well, well, well out of my price band... some stupidly so (I've had an E30 M3 and, believe me, at the current price points anybody would actually sit in it, after buying it, and think "how much did I pay for this"..)..

So, I'm looking for something a little special, but probably still in the right price bracket...

Right now, I am kind of half-heartedly looking for a late 70's chrome-bumpered 635CSi... Ideal spec would be dark metallic blue with a black interior...

My Dad had a '78 633 CSi and I remember driving it in the last year he had it before trading it for a 735 (it would be in my first years after having passed my test)... I remember having it sideways out of a roundabout... not intentionally..!!! It was a stand-out car at the time...

Another option I thought about would be a nice clean original spec E21 (if there is such a thing remaining), one that has not been modded etc... I'd be quite happy with a 316, if it were original....

Pondering....

[Tengocity]

Can't see past a 6 series myself.

I think the E46 M3 may come to be seen as a classic too.

[Buster Blue]

Hi you probably have seen these before, see links.

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/...bmission_date/

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/...bmission_date/

Good luck

[Kal101]

Get the car that you always wanted as a young lad but couldn't get be it due to finances insurance etc etc and live the dream

Personally always wanted an opel manta get - bought one of the last ones available fresh from the dealer and still got it 27 years later.

[JustChris]

oh yes BMW 2002 classic!

[JoshB25]

I'm looking for a very early E36 myself. '91 '92 320i or 325i, love the early retro BMW's!

[teaston]

I'd still love an 8 series like this:

[nas80]

Heres my old bmw I just sold it last week for 10k

I will miss it but im going to build another track focused e21.

here is a photo gallery - all built by myself.

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resi...int=folder,jpg

most people don't think of the e21 - im biased

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by ChesterM2

oh yes BMW 2002 classic!

Yes, it's lovely, but the main problem with something like this is that it would likely be a silly price, now...

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Kal27

Get the car that you always wanted as a young lad but couldn't get be it due to finances insurance etc etc and live the dream

Personally always wanted an opel manta get - bought one of the last ones available fresh from the dealer and still got it 27 years later.

The car that I really wanted when I had just passed my test was a Lancia Beta Montecarlo... I sat in one at the Motor Show and thought it was just brilliant...

Of course, most have now gone to the great rust heap in the sky, and very few are left in even remotely serviceable condition...

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by nas80

most people don't think of the e21 - im biased

Funny you should say that, but it's definitely on my "possibles" list...

[philiper1]

Originally Posted by DaveA

Funny you should say that, but it's definitely on my "possibles" list...

just make sure you get a good one like the one nas80 sold as there are some awful ones out there (as I was unfortunate enough to experience!)

[SkyJawa]

I'd love an E36 M3 Conv in Estoril, might get one to tick the box next summer! Tempted now I'm looking, this is just down the road!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1501?logcode=p

Or an E30 325i Sport Conv....

[TouringPleb]

I'd love an E39 M5. Drove a few when I was a service adviser. Was always slightly scared to really put my foot down though as didn't want to have to explain to an angry customer that I'd put his car in a ditch!

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by teaston

I'd still love an 8 series like this:

Lovely, especially in that colour but my god they are a money pit! Hope you've got deep, deep pockets!

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Lovely, especially in that colour but my god they are a money pit! Hope you've got deep, deep pockets!

I think that's a good point about running costs and something that is definitely worth considering on anything post about '90 when it wasn't just mechanicals, but also electricals that started to influence running costs...

[nas80]

i love old bmws, I rebuild / modify them as a part time job. This is my next project - its a late 60's bmw e3, its from a warm bit of france so its largely rust free. The owner is chucking about 20k at this,



im at the stage where I have fully stripped it,

Basic list of stuff to do.

soda blast the shell completely
Redo the electrical system with a modern fuse box
fit aircon,
engine is being dumped for an e39 b3 3.3 engine,
obviously all the interior is getting done
air suspension and massive brakes.

link to the photo gallery below.

http://s13.photobucket.com/user/nasb...w/Arshads%20e3

I know some people like originality, and might be horrified at what I am doing. I also build standard spec cars too, just the thing is an old bmw is a ripe for a resto-mod, you get all the charm and style and you can hang in the fast lane if you want and take corners at a fair wack of speed too and obviously you increase reliability ten fold.

if you are after an old bmw, make sure the body is fine and largely rust free, it will save you headaches in the long run, watch out for ones that have been restored and don't have a massive photo gallery of pics and also bear in mind that running a classic means that you might want some degree of mechanical knowledge if you wish to keep the costs down.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by nas80

I know some people like originality, and might be horrified at what I am doing. I also build standard spec cars too, just the thing is an old bmw is a ripe for a resto-mod, you get all the charm and style and you can hang in the fast lane if you want and take corners at a fair wack of speed too and obviously you increase reliability ten fold.

I kind of like both originality and resto-mod, to be honest... Some of the resto-mod 911's, for instance, are a hoot, and certainly get you into the style for a lot less than an original car would set you back...

I'll probably end up going for something simple and original, and keep it that way, if I am honest. Mainly because I have the 330d to do all the day-to-day things in...

Originally Posted by nas80

if you are after an old bmw, make sure the body is fine and largely rust free, it will save you headaches in the long run, watch out for ones that have been restored and don't have a massive photo gallery of pics and also bear in mind that running a classic means that you might want some degree of mechanical knowledge if you wish to keep the costs down.

Sound advice...

I love the older cars because they were simple and designed to be maintained, meaning you can work on them if you need to.. No need to have a knowlege of fault codes and electrogizmoboxes..

[Sabo]

Originally Posted by teaston

I'd still love an 8 series like this:

+1

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by DaveA

Yes, it's lovely, but the main problem with something like this is that it would likely be a silly price, now...

You're right I'm sure, there's too much aura around the 2002 and the M225i launch hasn't helped!

God I wish I was remotely practical and good with car stuff to refurb something in a real garage. Damn IT/Telecoms career (ok it pays well).

[magic77]

Have to say a 8 series would have to be it, there is a nice white example in my area looks immaculate

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by nas80

i love old bmws, I rebuild / modify them as a part time job. This is my next project - its a late 60's bmw e3.

Sounds like an enjoyable job. I'm tempted to restore an old classic as a retirement project, but having been in the motor business when young have reservations, as I was pleased to leave it all behind at the time.

My father had a couple of E3 models before he went into 7-series. He had a 2800 followed by a superb 3.0Si in white, with a lovely set of BBS alloys.

I'd personally like to have an E28 M5, one of my favourite BMW models of all time.

HighlandPete