What next??

ALL E36s have crusty wheelarches, I defy anyone to find one that hasn't!
If it is just the one arch it may be worth negotiating a discount and getting a bodyshop to sort it, shouldn't cost more than a couple of hundred and you will end up with something really quite unique.

scarletporker wrote:My misses is threatening to move in and is expecting to use the garage for her Punto "because it's new" ! Using this as a bargaining tool to buy a house close by that has 2 driveways and a double garage. Sounds posh but its on the corner so has some good space. Could probably fit 9 old bangers in there plus her new one

Some bas***d has bought my ideal house gave my misses some serious grief about missing this house tonight

Quite right too.
I've always fancied a double garage with a small house attached.

Got the Laguna up for sale. Will probably buy the BMW unless something else comes along for £2k

You know it makes sense.

The E36 I was looking at has gone up £800!  Without selling the Laguna I'm stuck unless I trade in which i never do. Going to see 2 CLK 230 Kompressors tomorrow that apparently have no rust. We'll see!

The first 230 was in pretty good nick. Minor rear arch rust and an A pillar needs repainting. Full Merc history and clean and tidy interior. Also has a nice AMG grille. The second was at a garage and was an absolute dog, rust everywhere, advertised as having 4 new Michelin tyres which were probably worth more than the car! Looked at a Rover 75 ZT and an ex-police T5 on the way back. Think I'll get the 1st one if I can sell the Laguna quick enough 

get a Saab?  just reduced mine to 799 now, have only had 2 calls, first one cancelled a couple of hours before and the second never got back to me!
debating weather to put it on ebay starting at 99p

My Laguna is an absolute bargain compared to some of the total crap local dealers are shifting for plenty more.

that where they got the advantage tho - people suckered in to thinking as its a garage, the car must be good ( and yes - ive been suckered too!)

I think most people assume they have more legal protection when buying from a dealer. The reality is that most dealers are less than scrupulously honest and will rip you off as sson as look at you. While legal protection does, to an extent, exist, unless you find a gem of a dealer you have to persue an issue through the courts and most people don't have the time or money to do that. It will usually cost more than you stand to gain so it just isn't worth it and the lowlife dealers get away with it.
Jaded? Me? I don't know what you mean!

Got somebody coming from Tenby on Tuesday night, bringing a 'mechanic' with him so sounds pretty serious buyer. The 230 will be mine 

did seriously look at buying a merc but im trying to save money not burn it on fuel.
as i now own a deseil - i no longer am a petrol head!

That means I am not a petrol head either, my Benz is diseasel. But on a positive note, at a steady 70 on the motorway it gives me 60ish to the gallon (63 is the best I have got), even driven like a loon it gives 55 and averages 40 round town.

The 230 looks very smart Phil. Hope you can move the Reno on and get it bought.

pretty much what the focus does - getting about 45 around town and managed to get 72 driving home from last show.

Makes a big difference to you bank balance at the end of the month, doesn't it.

saving 80 quid a month just on fuel and about 80 quid in road tax

Monkeymagic wrote:saving 80 quid a month just on fuel and about 80 quid in road tax

Statements like that have no place on forums like this 

once i sort myself out, might find another car to play with.

Went to see 2 CLK230s today, both pretty shabby. Got the cash from the Laguna burning a hole in my pocket  

You managed to get shut of the Laguna then. Well done.  

Going to see 2 CLK 230K's tomorrow and have my eye on several E46 3 series Beemers. Wondering about a 330CI, seriously quick but think the running costs might be a bit too much too handle.
330ci
323ci
330 touring
323ci
328ci se
or maybe this, looks cheap but upmarket!!
RR 4.6

So let's get this straight. You are concerned about running costs, but you are considering a V8 Rangie?  

I don't think there is a whole heap of difference in fuel economy or performance between any of the 32X znd 33X Bimmers. Performance you aren't talking much more than fractions of a second and economy is no more than 3 or 4 mpg different either.

Yeah but the rangie is LPG  

Saw this yesterday
230k
Absolutely stunning! Didn't want to spend so much but going to look at 2 Beemers and make a decision