How many cars could honestly be in Rhode Island, let alone the type that meet the requirements for a Rough Start candidate? I didn’t have high hopes, but expected the typical fare: a third-gen F-body or 80’s G-body GM, maybe a cool truck. I damn sure didn’t think I’d find a very clean BMW for the entry price.
Whoever owned this 1998 BMW 318i took damn good care of it. The paint looks great, the interior has worn very well…hell, if it weren’t for the leather wear on the driver’s seat, I’d be wondering if this was a photo of a new car being passed off on Craigslist. If this car is legitimately for sale for $2500 it’s a steal regardless of what you’d want to do with it. The motor, a 1.8L four cylinder, isn’t a powerhouse, but it’ll do a decent enough job.
So how did a very clean BMW end up here? Look, it’s not the normal selection, I’ll admit, but they can handle. A few tweaks here and there to up the suspension performance and this 3-series will do a fine job at an autocross, even with the automatic in place. With $2500 left of the Rough Start budget, there doesn’t appear to be any repairs needed, so it’s all investment money at that point. Or just drive a really nice BMW on the cheap. Either way, you can’t lose.
Click Here to see this BMW's Craigslist listing while it is available
The word “It’s a Steal” and Used Bring Money With are probably misplaced… it’s like a boat. Best days are the day you get it and the day you sell it.
To start with, It’s got 2 too many doors, 1 too few pedals, and at least 2 too few cylinders. It’d be worth 2500 with a LS, computer, and transmission maybe. 🙂
Have a look at this RI candidate for 2200 that appears to be rust free V8 candidate in the lovely dookie brown shade:
1978 MG Midget – $2200 (Portsmouth
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4605807826.html
oh yeah, it’s not a Midget either. It’s an MGB.
I suppose with 2500 left over you could get a good turbo kit and maybe get it tuned right but that autotragic transmission? EWWWWWW
Eeesh ! Seriously ? An MG of any kind over any BMW ? Gee … lets see now with that MGB .
Lucas Prince of Darkness electronics
Guaranteed to rust faster than you can drive it
A fugly bumper version to boot
With zero collectable possibilities not to mention a hell of an expensive V8 shoehorn operation should one be so foolish to attempt it [you do realize as well the ONLY V8 that fits reasonably is the old aluminum block Buick you can’t find these days for love or money ] ..and ..
Oh yeah … that MGB’s a hell of a bargain . Assuming you’ve either lost all semblance of sanity and reality … or have no clue as to what the meaning of the word ‘ Bargain ‘ is .
Now .. full discloser . I don’t own a BMW . Probably never will . Other than very specific models I’m no fan of the Bavarian Motor Works products either . For the most part I’m none too friendly with the majority of BMW owners as well .
But … pure logic and common sense dictates … take the damn BMW … suck it up when it comes to the stigma attached to owning one ..
… get a Goram freaking/fracking clue ….
… and leave the damn British iron to some Sadomasochistic delusional who doesn’t know any better
As a serial MG owner, I can say there’s no doubt that an MG is an apocalyptically lousy car. However as seen on the British V8 website, an SBF will fit nicely in a B. . . . A half-price Sunbeam Tiger fighter with a little hard work and fabrication . . . That’s something a tin-top sedan will never be.
And even pushing an MG is more fun that any non M-series “BM” I’ve ever driven.
Different stokes for different folks, Man . . . .
Do a cheapie 5.3L/6-speed swap and make a drift missile out of it
ahh…..no. First off, let me set the record straight, I loathe BMW’s and I hate their smug owners. Some prat will buy this and within hours will have that smug ` I drive a BMW’ look. Get over yourself, its a 4 cyl automatic with 4 doors. And really, $2,500 bucks? There is just so much more out there that you can spend that much coin on…..
….. errrr try a 4 cylinder that with a bit of tweaking will give many a V8 a hard time on the road and track … four doors that make it family friendly as well as being a damn fine project car … along with it out handling the best the US has on offer with little or no modification … though modify its suspension a bit and Bobs yer uncle …
Not to mention the Stereotypical BMW you fear the most is in fact the minority of BMW owners …
And I think you’ll see my little xenophobe … assuming you know the meaning of the word … xenophobe ..
That in fact this BMW is a ‘ reasonably ‘ good bargain … though by no means a ‘ steal ‘
GS, I don’t really care if you prefer euro cars to US cars. I don’t care if you think that 4 banger is the best thing since sliced bread. But call me a xenophobe you arsehole and then make some smart arsed comment that I don’t know what the word means – fuck you. I work at a university and have been involved in indigenous affairs administration for 20 years. Calling me a xenophobe is one very small step away from calling me a racist … a xenophobe is: one unduly fearful of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin’ You don’t know me, you cretin. How dare you imply that I have a fear of other people because I don’t like a brand of car. Idiot. Open note to the Bangshift administrators – block this narrow minded troll. He has nothing positive to add to this site, he regularly criticises other readers and you guys too. He is the antithesis of what constitutes being a bangshifter. He craps on endlessly about how bad everyone else’s stuff is without ever revealing what he has, save for vague references to the Ferraris he once ownded. Yeah, right….
At least it’s RWD, doesn’t look like a crime scene/ dumpster inside, and apparently doesn’t have to be pushed around (yet) . . . and that’s about the only good things I can see here.
The Eurotrash affectation has migrated from Bruab to McTag . . . but at least he’s got a bag to put over his head when he’s whippin’ this lo-po “yuppie” stuff. 🙂
Like I’ve said before ;
Better to be the worst of the worst EuroTrash imaginable
Than to be the very best of the best US White Trash available
😉
wanker.
Um . . . No. An old 318i is now a “white trash” or broke frat boy/sorority sister’s heap. None for me, thanks.
If I have to, I’d much rather beat around in something else in roughly the same price class, like my ancient SVT Focus (which is kinda slummy, I admit and afflicted with wrong wheel drive . . . but still a decent, fun-to-drive back-up) than waste money on a sonombolent four-door 318i
The E36s are at the bottom of the depreciation curve. I drive one myself, but I’d recommend holding out at the very least for a stick shift. Even the six cylinder models lose a bit with an automatic. It is pretty clean, but that’s about all it has going for it. And it looks like there’s two six cylinder / 5 speed ones up in the same price range on the Rhode Island Craigslist right now, although they seem in slightly worse shape.
Or, how about this ’70s Bronco with a very ’70s interior?
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4606560890.html
Or a Fiero that needs someone who will remove that Ferrari decal off the motor?
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4599110254.html
The E36 chassis BMWs have bottomed out the depreciation curve. That’s one of the nicer interiors I’ve seen in a cheap one. But that four cylinder isn’t a very exciting one, particularly if it’s paired with a slushbox. BMW seems to have been focusing on making it a frugal commuter motor. If you’re not planning on a drivetrain swap, it would be worth holding out for a manual transmission – and you can even find them with an inline six in that price range.
Find one where you can row your own gears, and it would be good for a commuter that won’t bore you to death (that’s how I use my 328) or a track toy. It wouldn’t be my first choice for a drag car or strip / street build, though.
I guess I agree with some things here and disagree with other things.
First, I gotta disagree with the price, $2500 for that BMW isn’t any sort of bargain.
Those cars are all over my local CL and some are priced lower than that. Also, I agree with Beagle that the car has too many doors, and a clutch pedal would certainly liven things up, especially with a high winding, low torque four banger.
Next, I disagree with Guitar Dipshit, as he once again spews endless BS as if he knows what he’s talking about.
An LS will fit in that MG, and if he doesn’t know that, then there’s another bit of proof of what an ass he is.
Next, I agree with John T, because he nailed it – Guitar Dipshit is nothing more than a troll, instigating friction at every opportunity and this site would be a much better place if it was a troll free zone.
In the end, there are way better options if you’re looking for a $2500 project.