looking at a bmw weekend warrior

Ok so around me there is not much to choose from in the way of cheap used cars. But there are plenty of used bmw's thanks to a exotic car dealer close by. SO I am looking at a old bmw that has an inline 6 and is 5 speed. The price 2500 its and 87 535i with 131000 miles. What I want to know is how reliable is this car I need it for about 6 months and then plan to resell it. Also this car will be used on the weekends for some drifting with some local friends. What can I expect out of this car other than going through lots of tires.

Well if all you want is 6 months then any BMW would work. Quality-wise its a pretty sound car. I think that if your correct about it being a 535i and a 5 speed manual, you should save it because only 5% of the total 535i's were manual. But I dont think it could be an 87' because the E34 body (the one your looking at) wasnt sold in North America until 1989 as far as I know. Its a heavy car and not exactly the most nimble BMW out there so real drifting isnt going to be easy/fun. Along with drifting, and the selling of it in 6 months, you'd want to get new tires and those arent cheap. If you want a BMW drifter, Id say look at an E30 3 Series. Those are RWD and easy to find a 5 speed in and a shit ton lighter. But whatever BMW you get it will be a good car.

I agree with the E30 3-series comment. The 5-series are just a little too big and heavy for drifting or whatever sort of motorsports you do. Except for power, the 3-series are better sports cars in virtually every way.

I could be wrong, but wasn't the 1987 the last year for the E28 5-series, not the beginning of the E34?

I could be wrong, but wasn't the 1987 the last year for the E28 5-series, not the beginning of the E34?

I think your right about that, 89' was the first year of the E34 as sold in North America. So 87' could be the last year of the E28, 88' be the Euro E34 release and 89' be the N.A. E34 release. If that makes sense, thats prolly how it went down.