I've been batting around the idea of selling my '95 SE (94k). I still owe money on it and by the time I get it paid for, I'm gonna have probably 160k miles one it.

Note: My original goal was to buy it and pay it off much sooner, but due to some unexpeced hospital bills, I can only make the monthly payment.

I like mid 80's BMW 3-series and could purchase one out-right with cash and lose the monthly payment. A BMW would probably have 150k miles too. (Plus they're RWD)

Things I'm weighing...

Cost of replacement parts for Max vs. BMW

Cost of replacing part now/sooner (BMW) vs. later (Max)

Am I just replacing a car payment (Max)for a parts payment (BMW)

Coupe (BMW) vw Sedan (Max)

Insurance BMW Hi - Max Resonable

93 Oct (Max) vs 87 Oct (BMW)

Reliability...

Ugh!!!

This is really bothering me any advise would be truly appreciated...

 

BTW: The Max has been very reliable to date...no known problem...

 

It sounds like you've already done the deductive reasoning...
The only things the BMW has going for it are RWD and 87 Octane Gas.

I'd say keep the Maxima:
1. You know it's history
2. 4 doors are better than 2
3. the Max will last beyound 160k, the BMW is probably on it's last legs at 160k
4. VQ power

 

I'd have to agree!

 

Keep the max.

 

Whats VQ power?

 

He means the VQ engine in the maxima.

SuDZ

 

the Nissan VQ30DE Engine

 

That's obviously an opinion argument. I'm a coupe guy personally, and though I knew what I was getting into, I still wish I had a coupe. But I don't cart people around, so...


You could get a 3-series coupe that had enough power to make it pretty fun to drive...but from what I've heard, parts are unghastly expensive. Not even worth owning-expensive. Couple in labor if you dont do the work yourself and I wouldn't even think about it.

If you want a different cheaper car I'd look elsewhere, and maybe would think about "taking one for the team" and getting a cheap and not-so-fun car until finances open back up.

 

its hard to compare to an 8 year older car... the maxima is already aging. if you really bought an 87 BMW, you would know what rust is, bigger repairs, uglier styling... stick with the max, and pay for the car, not repairs.

 

i have to agree with every one else on this one

 

Yes, you should keep your Max...

 

The Max will keep going at 160k...the BMW, most likely not. My friend has a late 80's model three series. It's a reliability nightmare. He had to crawl out of his sunroof once when all the windows and locks in his cars suddenly stopped working. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Of course keep the max. Come on 95 max with only 94k or 8 year older ugly a## beamer with 160K Unless of course you cannot afford the max because of the monthly payments but not reliability max is very reliable.

 

Having been a former owner of a 1991 BMW325i, I would advise you to keep your Maxima or buy a less expensive Japanese car.

My BMW had a lot less miles than the one that you are looking at and I can say it was a money pit.

Parts are SO expensive. The car was idling a little rough so I decided to do a tune up. At the parts store, I was told by the clerk that he had a set of Bosch plug wires in-stock. He was going to give me a great deal. List price for the set was $500.00 and he was going to give them to me for only $350.00. After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I decided I would look for a different brand. I found a set by Autolite and it still cost $100.00.

I replaced the oxygen sensor, it only cost $180.00. You seeing a trend here? I never did get the car to idle correct (possibly ECU related).

I brought the car to a local shop that specialized in BMW service to fix a vibration in the front end when braking. They had already done the brakes and informed me that 3 series BMW's had bad front ends and they wanted to replace evrything to the tune of $1500. Then they asked "What does B M W stand for?" I said "Bavarian Motor Works." They replied "No, Break My Wallet." Needless to say I didn't find their joke amusing and traded the car the following day.

 

i was thinking about getting the bmw 328i 1994. It wa the same price as the max i bought with 140k miles while my max had 90k. I was wondering, would a 328i beat a maxima? a 4th gen with 190. ANd a bmw has 190. Is a bmw better, i mean, my friends told me i shouldve got a BMW 328i. But i kinda like my maxima.

Everyday i get dissed by mustang owners and Import owners that make fun of me because i modded my car. I know i should ignore them but they pizz me off! I mean, they say my car is like a camry, NO!!! It not at all like one. I like my car because of the org, if it werent for the org, i wouldve sold my car and got a 90Z.

 

dgpfx,

A 94 BMW should be a tick faster than a 4th Gen Maxima. It is rear wheel drive and therefore better balanced. The chassis is well sorted. The paint and quality of the interior is excellent. They are best parked when it snows.

I owned a Mustang also and can tell you it is in a different class. Fast, muscular, handles well on smooth pavement, and reliable (except for the manual transmission). A handful when it rains and park it when it snows. Not a roomy interior. Man I miss that car. But, my Maxima was the daily driver.

I think you should be happy. You made a responsible choice and have personalized it with some mods. It's not going to break your wallet either.

 

Hey, I live in Germany and it is a widely known fact that even here Bimmers are seriously troublesome. You see many many foks dumping there $2-$3k 80's bimmers just because they can't isolate that annoying problem. They've already spent buku cash on maintenance & end up chalking em up as losses. On the other hand, the older Benzes are very solid & you see many many high mileage examples running around.

You'd be taking a huge risk by even purchasing the E36(92-97?) versions.

If you've got the money to buy a bimmer for cash, why not just use the cash to pay off your 95?

Zam

 

man, i still want a beamer though, oh well. I guess ill get a beamer as my 2nd car! Its just i like it because i can show off. BMWs are nice. My cousin got one and i was driving it, you cant feel a damn bump on the road! The new 328I is NICE!

Im just gonna go through with my car, adding intake, exhaust, skyline kit, angel eyes for my max from some guy custom making them, niche rims, r33 grille,

put clear corners, altezza (want to paint htem skyline style)
Ionic kit(rear and side)
touring wing

thats it for now.

im gonna put pics when my exterior is finished.

 

Being a BMW owner myself I say keep your Maxima. Earlier 3-series had a lot of problems. Even mid to late 90s are just OK. Personally, I would never get a used bimmer. Maybe you should look at a 1-2 year old Certified Pre-Owned BMW that comes with a 100K extended warranty.
Let someone else eat $7-8K worth of depreciation.

 

AndyXXL is right.

Just keep your MAX, and let someone eat the 1st year depreciation. I have a friend w/ an 2001 325 and he's had a few problems w/ computers/gauges. I hear that the Bimmers have numerous computers w/ the potential of things going south quick.

My advice, if you want to save some money, do so.... then get an M3 when you can afford this expensive hobby! the max will be dependable for you, you know this