"Malt_Hound" > wrote in message
...
>J Strickland wrote:
>> Thanks to an old lady in double-knit, lime-colored pants, it looks like
>> my 325i has met with an early demise. It seems that old people in double
>> knit have not mastered left turns when other cars are approaching, this
>> seems strange since they have had so much practice. At first glance, it
>> looks like my car should have survived, but the body shop guy is telling
>> me that he thinks the insruance company is going to total it. It's a sad
>> day.
>>
>> I'm probably going to be getting another BMW, I'm leaning toward the '97
>> 328, or a similar vintage 5 Series.
>>
>> My trouble is, I know the M50 motor used in my 325 is rock solid, and I
>> assume the 328 also takes the same motor. The 5 Series gets a V8, that I
>> have heard is troublesome, and drinks way more gas.
>>
>> If I was going to be happy with a 328, would I also be happy with a 528
>> that gets the same engine? I know the 2.8L motor only has one more horse
>> than my 2.5L, but it has significantly more torque, and the HP comes at a
>> lower RPM. I'm thinking that the heavier 5 Series with more torque will
>> feel much the same as my lighter 3 Series with less torque. Is that the
>> right way to look at this?
>>
>> In all likelihood, I'll be getting another 3, and probably a 328, either
>> a 4 door or a convertable. When looking at the 5 Series, the discussions
>> around here lead me to believe that I should get the I6 and stay away
>> from the V8, is that right?
>
>
> Jeff,
>
> Very sorry to hear of the demise of your car. I know you were attached to
> it. I don't know if you knew this (previously) but insurance stats show
> that your exact situation (one car making and improper left turn) is the
> very one involved in the most accidents.
>
> My advice is to find a 328i 5 speed, 4 door. There are plenty of them out
> there and if you are willing to do some leg-work you can find one that has
> been well cared for, has low mileage and at a reasonable price.
>
> If I were going to replace my '95 325i right now, it is the exact car that
> I would be looking for too. I have the 2.8 double vanos engine in my Z3
> and I can tell you that it is a significant improvement over the single
> vanos 2.5
>
> Good Luck,
> -Fred W



Thanks Fred, that's what I needed to know. I have found a '96 328i, 5 spd
that I think will turn out to be an OK car. The major drawback being that
it's black, and where I live black is a very difficult color to have. When
one buys used cars on The Cheap, then one can't alwasy be picky about color.
;-) I haven't actually been to see the car yet, but it takes a nice picture.
I'm waiting on the insurance company to tell me that my car is totalled
before I drive 50+ miles one way to look at a car.

One other thing I was asking is if the 528 will suit me. I think that the
528 will constrain me to the automatic, but I don't know that for sure. I
was wondering if the 528 is gutless, or if it performs on par with the 325.
The 5 weighs more than the 3, but the 2.8 motor is stronger than the 2.5, so
on balance it seems the 528 should be roughly similar to my 325.