LF/WTB well running 3 or 5 series for a DD

I'm in the So-Cal area and am fed up with the Craigslist guys that fail to mention CEL's, compression issues, transmissions that are "missing" gears...

Figure my best choice is to check a reputable BMW forum

Looking for something in the So-Cal area, max I want to spend is $5k, year/make/model doesn't matter too much; however I'm not too fond of the 7series and would prefer a coupe.

The car has to have a manual transmission, my truck is auto, sold the Stang and already have the itch

Don't care too much about cosmetics, more so reliability and preferably service records

Let me know what you have, will consider nearly anything, worst I could say is "no thank you"

Daniel
760.420.5178

Picked up a VERY clean 96 318i Hardtop convertible. Has less than 120k miles and all service records. Black on black and like I said VERY clean.

Thanks for all of those that looked, now that Im a proud BMW owner I'll post an intro thread and some photos of the car... hope to learn a lot about this car!