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My BMWs
Current status: I own
two e30s and found a happy home for the third!
How did that happen? Well, my oldest daughter's first car (Ford Tempo) died unexpectedly one day in 2000, forcing us onto the car lots looking for a replacement. We found a bright red 1986 BMW 325es in fairly good shape and I bought it for her. That was in 2000. A year later, after only being allowed to drive it every now and then, and with her (and the car) heading off to college in the fall, I spotted an identical twin car for sale. This one was in much better shape and about twice as expensive.
Needless
to say, I bought it. It's a great little car. It had over
160,000 miles
on it -- just broken in nicely for a BMW E30 series car.
I'm getting 27 mpg combined city and highway driving and I love driving it. I find that not having a car payment is a wonderful thing. Who cares if I have to put a few hundred into it every now and then. At least I'm not throwing away $500 a month on a lease payment! Plus, I'm driving a Bimmer. How cool is that?
As
with any older car, it takes a little TLC -- not to mention money to
keep it running smoothly and keep it looking great. People are always
amazed that it's a 1986 model. Frankly to people who don't know the
styles, etc, it looks like it's only about 4 - 5 years old.
Early in 2004 I sold my daughter's 325 since I helped her buy a newer Pontiac. The new owner promptly totaled it within six months. Oh well....
Then, I bought another one. When my youngest daughter turned 16 she needed a good car to drive. I saw a 1989 325 iX on eBay and bought it for $3,400. The iX is "all wheel drive" for those who aren't aware of the designation. Not a bad deal for an Alpine White E30 with the trunk ski bag (she's a skier!), power doors & locks, etc.
UPDATE!!! Yikes, She totaled it! This car is now being parted out!
Here are some photos from before the accident:
I have purchased a replacement and will post photos soon.
Last updated on 02 January 2008 by
Craig R. Rich
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