possibly buying 318is

[specialk5284]

I need some opinions...i'm lookin at buying a 1993 bmw 318is w/ a 5spd manual tranny. It has 140,000 miles and is $5500. It has new: clutch, windshield, waterpump, starter, tires. Body is in relatively good shape.
Has: KN Filters, pw windows, pw moonroom, 9cd player, rockford fostgate speakers, black leather interior and a clear title.
Is this a good buy or is 140K too many miles?

[Alpine 318is]

buy a 325 you will be 100 times more happy

[Alpine 318is]

AIM me and i will tell you all you need to know bout 318 and 325.

Sepster517

[98ATLe36]

I need some opinions...i'm lookin at buying a 1993 bmw 318is w/ a 5spd manual tranny. It has 140,000 miles and is $5500. It has new: clutch, windshield, waterpump, starter, tires. Body is in relatively good shape.
Has: KN Filters, pw windows, pw moonroom, 9cd player, rockford fostgate speakers, black leather interior and a clear title.
Is this a good buy or is 140K too many miles?

$5500 for a 13 yr old 318 with 140k? DAMN! dude i only paid $7000 for my 98 328 5spd with 150k...

I would say thats wayyyyy to much for that car.... but thats just my .02

[Tuff Guy]

i agree, too much

[JohnnyWash1]

I just picked up a 1994 325is for $4500. It only has 100K miles on it. I did alot of shopping around, however, and I did ship the car.

[iairj84]

I agree its a little high... I paid 3300 for mine.... close to the same mileage with all the records, and cherry too. I would keep looking you could find a 325 for that much

[ohnoes]

Damn, what a rip-off...

[specialk5284]

so what price would be reasonable? 3500?
and How long to the 318is typically last?

[Nataliator]

id agree and say they are asking too much, i bought my 325 for that price and it had 130000 miles. the car will last as long as u want it to. the way my mechanic told me was "as long as you take care of this car, it will take care of you"

[Green318is]

I have a 1993 318is, 5 speed. It's a great car with a bulletproof engine. the M42 engine is one of the strongest and best engines produced by BMW. The downside is that it only puts out 138hp. If you have a 5 speed, it's ok and fun if you don't need to drive an F1 car to feel well. A 318is will be nimbler and more stable than a 6 cylinder E36, because of its reduced weight and it's perfect balance between front and rear axles. If you do some suspension mods as I did (Eibach springs, Bilstein struts and shocks, X-brace) and replace the 15" rims with something more aggresive, then in terms of handling you can beat a stock M3. However, if you can find a nice 6 cylinder E36, buy it. There's a huge difference. If you have money available ($3,500), you can always supercharge it and get 60 to 70 additional hp from the 4 cylinder. This will be my next mod.:evil2

[JohnnyWash1]

I thought the 325 did have 50/50 weight distribution.

[cr22]

is $105 too much for a pre-purchase inspection for a '93 318i and Green318is how much did your suspension setup cost(eibach springs, Bilstein struts and shocks, x-brace)?

[ohnoes]

is $105 too much for a pre-purchase inspection for a '93 318i and Green318is how much did your suspension setup cost(eibach springs, Bilstein struts and shocks, x-brace)?

Not necessarily. It depends what will be "inspected" and done at the PPI. Make sure that an engine compression test is included in this price, because often it isn't. Also, make sure they hook up your car to the diagnostic computer to read out and diagnose fault codes.

[Green318is]

Total cost was around $1,000, including strut tower reinforcements, strut mounts, RSM and reinforcement plates, new upper and lower pads, nuts, bolts, etc.


is $105 too much for a pre-purchase inspection for a '93 318i and Green318is how much did your suspension setup cost(eibach springs, Bilstein struts and shocks, x-brace)?

[cr22]

and did you install the suspension yourself or does that include the installation costs if you didn't?
And do all bilsteins come with the lifetiem guarantee or just the HD?

[Jeffrie]

I thought the 325 did have 50/50 weight distribution.
No, but it's not much heavier, something like an extra 100 lbs in the front for the 6 which doesn't throw off the 50/50 by much at all.
Does effect the bounce the front does over large bumps causing some added unstableness comparing both with OEM equiped suspension.

[Green318is]

I did it with the help of a friend. It's actually quite easy. No installation costs involved (except for a couple of six packs:) .


and did you install the suspension yourself or does that include the installation costs if you didn't?

[cr22]

What if i go and spend the $100+ for a PPI and it turns out the car is no good...so i lose that money theres and there is no way out of that?....sad

[specialk5284]

ok so I test drove the car today. It is immaculate. This owner kept the car in the garage, oil change with records every 3000 miles, original bmw parts. Interior is near perfect. It drives like a dream, very smooth, handled great, good pickup. And this is a 13 yr old car with a140K on it.

[mikese36]

ok so I test drove the car today. It is immaculate. This owner kept the car in the garage, oil change with records every 3000 miles, original bmw parts. Interior is near perfect. It drives like a dream, very smooth, handled great, good pickup. And this is a 13 yr old car with a140K on it.
Sounds like a nice car.I like my 318 but it does lack power.If you want better take off and like to go up hills fast go with a 325.

[Mr. White]

$5500 is too much for that car. Period. KBB is ~$3500. If you pay more than 4K you're getting ripped off.

[cr22]

I keep hearing KBB isn't good with used BMW prices and that you should go to NADA guides

[mikese36]

$5500 is too much for that car. Period. KBB is ~$3500. If you pay more than 4K you're getting ripped off.
+1 that is to high for a 93.

[Mr. White]

I keep hearing KBB isn't good with used BMW prices and that you should go to NADA guides

In most cases it's not. Most BMW's you can sell for a premium, just because they are very sought after cars. But KBB does give you a good estimated idea of what a car is worth. In this case, we're talking about a 318 w/140K. Not a very sought after car with high miles. 2K over KBB is too much.

[jiggynites]

ok so I test drove the car today. It is immaculate. This owner kept the car in the garage, oil change with records every 3000 miles, original bmw parts. Interior is near perfect. It drives like a dream, very smooth, handled great, good pickup. And this is a 13 yr old car with a140K on it.
well just for reference i sold my 94 318is 148k with showroom condition interior/ exterior for $2800 with a box of all records of service done to it and a few goodies about 5 months ago. heres a picture of her :(
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/jiggynites/Pictures177.jpg

so $5500 is a little high. i would pay 3500 the most cause really with $5500 you can find a nice 325 with some mods.

[JohnnyWash1]

I just bought a 1994 325is with only 100K on it for $4500.

[3Bimmers]

just bought a 96 328i for $10,500.. 53K miles.. Its cherry! Bought a 94 318i with 150K for $3500 one year ago.

[cr22]

JohnnyWash1.......that's exactly the deal i'm looking for but in VA....my 318i deal fell through the guy never answered my phone calls and he finally did today but saying it was sold.....i'm pissed to say the least

[JohnnyWash1]

My car was purchased in Boston---there are plenty of deals around that area.

[specialk5284]

ok guys thanks for the info on prices, I'll make a 3500 offer to him tomorrow. Do you think he'll be insulted because its 2k less than what he was asking?

[JohnnyWash1]

No, just be sure to bring up why you are offering that much.