I thought you guys might be able to help. I am looking for a BMW wagon. Prefer an E30 if they were brought into the USA or an E36. Looking in the Grassroots friendly price range 
Anybody have one or know of one? Thanks.
Bill
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Aug. 13, 2008 10:25 p.m. GRM1964 New Reader
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Aug. 13, 2008 10:37 p.m. Josh Reader
Not in the US, for a reasonable price, because neither were officially imported here.
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Aug. 13, 2008 11:20 p.m. GRM1964 New Reader
E30 or E36 neither one?
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Aug. 13, 2008 11:41 p.m. Josh Reader
Norp. Else I'd be driving one. E46s getting cheaper every day though.
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Aug. 14, 2008 5:17 a.m. AngryCorvair HalfDork
so that's why the E36 wagon i saw yesterday looked so strange to me. the europeans get some cool cars, that's for sure.
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Aug. 14, 2008 7:02 a.m. dyintorace Reader
At least e46 wagons are around. But finding one with a 5-speed and Sport package is tough. I've read some stats that show only 2,000 or so manual cars with that package were imported during the model run.
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Aug. 14, 2008 9:40 a.m. DILYSI Dave PowerDork
dyintorace wrote:
At least e46 wagons are around. But finding one with a 5-speed and Sport package is tough. I've read some stats that show only 2,000 or so manual cars with that package were imported during the model run.
At least one is on this board. Steve, of Porscheru fame, has a silver 323i wagon with black leather, sport package, and manual gearbox. It's sweet.
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Aug. 14, 2008 10:28 a.m. dyintorace Reader
There's at least two then.
Click my avatar. I have one too.
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Aug. 14, 2008 10:33 a.m. Tim Baxter Online Editor
Or go here: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/reader-rides/112/
And happy birthday, dyintorace
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Aug. 14, 2008 10:37 a.m. dculberson New Reader
I've seen E34 (5-series) wagons in the grassroots price range, if you could put up with the extra weight. Again, almost exclusively automatic. I do believe I've seen manuals, but not for cheap (yet).
I was sorely tempted by a 540i sport but realized the gas mileage would be even worse than what I'm driving now.
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Aug. 14, 2008 10:57 a.m. Josh Reader
The 540it was not available in the US with a manual, unfortunately.
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Aug. 14, 2008 12:36 p.m. GRM1964 New Reader
Thanks for the post. I know I have seen one running around town, didn't realize they were quite that rare. Hate to go to the 5 series, but that may be my only realistic choise at the moment.
Bill
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Aug. 14, 2008 12:52 p.m. dyintorace Reader
Thanks Tim!
One year older. Sigh.
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Aug. 14, 2008 1:04 p.m. dculberson New Reader
Josh wrote:
The 540it was not available in the US with a manual, unfortunately.
Right, but I do believe I've seen 525 wagons with a manual; did they sell any of the e34 wagons with a manual? I know there's e39 wagons with a manual, but those are still a little new to pop up with grassroots pricing regularly.
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Aug. 14, 2008 5:11 p.m. oldopelguy HalfDork
DILYSI Dave wrote:
Steve, of Porscheru fame, has a silver 323i wagon with black leather, sport package, and manual gearbox. It's sweet.
Sweet doesn't even begin, that car is awesome.
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Aug. 14, 2008 9:35 p.m. GRM1964 New Reader
Any pics of it here on the board somwhere, you guys got me curious now
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Aug. 15, 2008 3:28 p.m. kevintpoe None
The e34 wagons officially brought here were supposedly all 525 and all automatics. I have seen e34 M5 Tourings and 540 Tourings that were either made by someone or grey market cars.
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Aug. 16, 2008 11:32 a.m. Rigmaster New Reader
We just bought an E46 325iT 5 speed with sport + premium package. NICE car.
As for the E34's, the wagons you're likely to find in the Grassroots price range will be 525iT's or maybe a 530iT, and all of those were automatics. BUT, I've seen them in the sub $3k range for running examples- obviously not really super-nice condition cars, but still. It's not a huge deal to swap to 5 speed, just get all the parts (or the whole car) from a donor E34 525i 5 speed sedan.
In fact, I've got a 92 525it auto sitting here now with a bad transmission. I was planning to do the 5 speed swap on it, but it might be more cost/time effective to just stick another autobox in there.
Hmmmmmm.
Rig
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Aug. 16, 2008 3:32 p.m. dyintorace Reader
Pics of the e46 Touring please! I'd love to see another one.
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Aug. 16, 2008 5:15 p.m. stuart in mn Dork
A friend of mine bought an e34 525it and swapped in the drivetrain from a e34 535i / 5 speed car. Along with some suspension, brake and wheel upgrades it turned into a real nice car - not quite an M5 touring, but a lot more practical and a lot less expensive.
There was a black/black e39 528iT 5 speed sport package car for sale locally a few months ago. I should have jumped on it, but it sold pretty fast.
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Aug. 19, 2008 12:12 a.m. gflint None
dculberson wrote:
I've seen E34 (5-series) wagons in the grassroots price range, if you could put up with the extra weight. Again, almost exclusively automatic. I do believe I've seen manuals, but not for cheap (yet).
I was sorely tempted by a 540i sport but realized the gas mileage would be even worse than what I'm driving now.
BMW imported 525i and 530i wagons in the E34 body style. Only automatics though. Any E34 manual tourings are either grey market imports or have been converted.