Swapping a 1996 BMW for a 1990 Ford.....

Scania

Scania

Scania

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A guy at work has a 1990 Escort RS Turbo, its got all the right options (Recaro's, heated front screen, fuel computer etc) and he's asked me to do a straight swap for my recently aquired 1996 e36 328i SE Auto!


I'm tempted as to my mind, his car is worth much more than mine (despite the age difference) and, his has covered a mere 70k compared to my car's 115k.

I've owned an S2 RS Turbo Escort in the past & tbh loved it.

That said, to my mind, the power delivery of my M52 6 pot is much better than that from the harsh CHV equipped escort.

the RST in question is stock (i.e. not chipped / chavved in any way) neither is my e36 which incidentally has just had a clean bill of health from the garage that looks after my Dads e39 528i....)


Much as I like the RST's, I don't think I'd ultimately be happy with the swap (despite driving the RST concerned and being quite impressed with it compared to my own previous examples)

Question is, what would you do?

Ta.
 
Thanks Tom, although you hit the nail on the head - which would I prefer.....

I'm tempted due to the value difference between the two, that said, to my mind, I prefer the BMW's power delivery to that of the RST.....


I can't help thinking "why's he so keen to swap?" is the Escort masking some issue or other?

That said, I'm sorely tempted - a 195BHP update to an RST makes a whole lot of difference to the power delivery but its power delivered to the front wheels rather than the rears as per my BMW......

I'll see him tomorrow, and probe him some more......

- Perhaps i should not post after drinking a bottle & a half of wine due to GF issues? - oh well, at least I'm honest!!!!!
 
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At the end of the day irrespective of what it once was the Ford is a 19 year old Ford Escort. This means whenever you are not hooning, you are driving around in a 19 year old Ford Escort with all the problems and compromises that brings.

Plus you are not 20.
 
Swap, keep it a while as to not too cheese him off too much, sell for profit, buy nicer BMW or similar BMW and pocket the difference :)
 
Keep the BMW.

I'm biased. :p


Fox has a very good point, if you're not going to be ragging it around everywhere then it'll be a rattly old ford that will likely end up with problems.
 
If you had money, and the escort was mint, it would be nice to have as a hobby car while you drove something else day to day.
 
im not even a big ford fan, but id be very tempted with the ford. if you dont mind working on cars you could have a cracker, only hard work would be keeping the rust at bay

the bmw is uber sensible, the rst is a barrel of laughs. depends on what you want
 
its time you stopped narking on about BMWs and only BMWs everytime someone asks for a suggestion so get the RS :p :D
 
I'd take the RST, it's a cult classic.

I have a soft spot for them though, my dad got one brand new when I was a kid and I loved the turbo whine :D
 
As long as it's a decent one, I'd go for the RS without a doubt. I've driven loads and they always bring a smile to my face (whilst simultaneously ripping my arms from their sockets)

If it goes wrong it's a doddle to fix, a 4yr old can put a CVH together
 
If it is worth more then its a no brainer, even if you didnt like the car? Swap, sell it, buy another bmw...
 
Sounds a little odd someone would want to swap a car for one thats worth much less, its not like a reasonable E36 is that hard to find.

I'd be worried he's found something out thats hard to fix or its a CAT C and he's only just found out etc.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Sounds a little odd someone would want to swap a car for one thats worth much less, its not like a reasonable E36 is that hard to find.

I'd be worried he's found something out thats hard to fix or its a CAT C and he's only just found out etc.
Click to expand...

This is also something I was thinking.

If the car has less miles and is actually mint then it will be worth more than the BMW surely, especially if it's completely stock as it's a rare one.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Sounds a little odd someone would want to swap a car for one thats worth much less, its not like a reasonable E36 is that hard to find.

I'd be worried he's found something out thats hard to fix or its a CAT C and he's only just found out etc.
Click to expand...


thirded

really depends how much you know and trust the guy.
 
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