How much should i buy 97 bmw 328i

[iwantbmwm3]

1997 bmw 328i, 5-speed, black. 124,xxx k miles

seller wants $4300, with the following problems in it

-tie rods need replacement
-drivers side window will not go up or down
-key wont open door or something like that

Is this a fair price, and how much would the above problems cost to fix? What else should i look for when i go to inspect the car?

[328icod]

dont. BMW's suck.

[Nosphoros]

That's a pretty good price, though look into what those repairs are going to cost you. I bought my 1997 328 (automatic) with 150,xxx miles for $5250.

Make sure you have a ppi (pre-purchase inspection) done!!! It will save you a headache.

[kirbykirbykirby]

Wow, 4300!?

that's expensive man, she's rippnig you off. Yuppp, what's her number I'll call her to get a better price if you knwo what I mean ;)

[TempCK318is]

it think thats waaay over the top to pay for an addiction. though could you give me name and address of the seller please? ill make sure she doesnt sell her car overpriced to anyone else

[kirbykirbykirby]

it think thats waaay over the top to pay for an addiction. though could you give me name and address of the seller please? ill make sure she doesnt sell her car overpriced to anyone else

I see you got a 318...:devillook:devillook

[TempCK318is]

lol i love my 318 though sexy car and dont pay out the butt for gas good DD and i am finishing redoing the whole interior (minus front seats) custom grey/black post up pics later

[strad]

You need some way of verifying whether the seller is being completely honest with you regarding both the stated problems and any others that might have been "left out." Pre-purchase inspection.

You'd better make damn sure that the lockset that's in the car is the correct one -- otherwise you'll have a bitch of a time fixing that lock that doesn't work. Ask me how I know :rolleyes

[iwantbmwm3]

so u guys think 4300 is expensive?
kbb value is at 5500

this is the sellers ad on craigslit
1997 bmw,328i(bmw 328i) 5-speed, black. 124,xxx k miles,(assembled in Germany) not like most the new cars.


Really nice 4 door-
Angle eyes(new head lights)-
Black-
Spoort wheels-
new style tail lights
CD-Player~USB / IPOD CONNECTION
Amp
Leather(power seats)
Cold weather package
Traction control
Moonroof
Sport aftermarket Koni Suspension
Side Markers with Z~fenders NOTE: The driver side front windows is not working at the moment for some reason.

I have clear clean title, Privet party only!
. PRICE:$6,500 down toNEW *$4,300FIRM ... the best deal on CL. price is there for a fast sale! KBB is at $5,500
Thanks for looking.
Don't wait to long,
VIN# WBAC3322VAV19498


i was thinking that maybe i shouldnt buy this because of the mods he did to the suspension. thats usually a good hint at their driving style.

what should i offer this guy?

[318bostongreen]

Get pictures and a carfax report. I wouldn't worry about the suspension mods too much, but make sure you take a good look at it if you decide to meet with the seller. I'd bring cash and offer him 3500 bucks to start.

[BUNARSKI]

dont. BMW's suck.
IF BMW'S SUCK, WHY THE HELL ARE U IN A BMW FORUM? WHY DONT U GO TO YOUR HONDA CIVIC FORUM?

[tam328isport]

that price looks good to me.

[iwantbmwm3]

i love bmw's i just want to get a bmw now for about a year, and upgrade to the m3...this will be my car to learn to drive stick

[Bmwracer48]

thats a good price, there is actually a noticable difference in the 2.8 vs the 2.5 motor as well.

i got my 328i about 2 1/2 years ago fully loaded except sunroof for 9900 with 62k. also came with 2 sets of aftermarket rims, suspension, and some other things.

[Bris328is]

IF BMW'S SUCK, WHY THE HELL ARE U IN A BMW FORUM? WHY DONT U GO TO YOUR HONDA CIVIC FORUM?
WOW--his intellect far proceeds yours--get it

[Bris328is]

328 is a good car-- what suspension mods have been done?

[whiteknight]

I would say thats a good price. I bought my 94 325i cabrio for $6000. I would pick it up.

[Righteous]

I have a 1996 328i 5spd all stock except HID lights. I am selling to someone in my town for $6800. My car has 140,000 miles.

When I was looking for a 328i 2 years ago, you could find NONE for under $6000.

[rbav13]

328 is a good car-- what suspension mods have been done?

if you read the craigslist ad posted it says koni sport springs/ shocks

[Bris328is]

if you read the craigslist ad posted it says koni sport springs/ shocks
Oh--wouldnt worry-- the OEM Sachswere worn--good upgrade

[iwantbmwm3]

should i be worried about the mileage 124k?
whats to come in terms of maintenance if i get it?

[beamah332is]

I see you got a 318...:devillook:devillook

Funny... another 318 attack.

[CrazyCoder]

should i be worried about the mileage 124k?
whats to come in terms of maintenance if i get it?

Only if it's been abused. 124k? It's just finished breaking in. :D

You'll immediately want to do a cooling system overhaul if it's not been done already, otherwise your flirting with an overheat, which leads to blown headgaskets.

Price looks good to me, but not seeing pics of the car it's hard to say "jump on it". Looking at the mods, the PO spent some money on the car, so it's probably in pretty good shape.

Get the PrePurchase Inspection, and then make an offer.

[TempCK318is]

BTW those of us who said it was too expensive are pulling your leg (note that i asked where it was located lol)

[redduck]

that is an awesome price. I just paid a little under 7k for my 328is with similar miles.

[kirbykirbykirby]

IF BMW'S SUCK, WHY THE HELL ARE U IN A BMW FORUM? WHY DONT U GO TO YOUR HONDA CIVIC FORUM?

Heh, I See you're in clearwater too.

:rolleyes:rolleyes:rolleyes

[Winter]

I paid $7500 out the door for my 97 5 speed manual, ( mean's taxes, title ect paperwork included in the price). 133k on the odometer. Alpine white with black pleather interior ( super clean). All electrical (including moonroof) worked except the OBC needed two bulbs, ( five bucks a pop from the dealer, which was no deal). Runs like new, doesnt leak ( was eating off the engine), shifts great, rides like its on rails. New brakes, and Yokohamas. No mods. Problems Ive encountered since? The dreaded squeeky steering wheel and the air bag light which came on ( betcha they reset it without fixing the underlying problem) and doesnt go out. And tho the trunk unlocks with the doors, you cant unlock it all by itself with the key. Minor detriments to my vrooooooming enjoyment.

[CrazyCoder]

I think it's a great price, honestly, if the car is in good shape and well maintained.

I paid $6900 after tax and title for my '98 323is, with 89k on it. She was flawless when I got her, except for some paint chips on the nose.

[iwantbmwm3]

im going to take a look at it tomorrow

the owner has said the drivers window doesnt go up or down, and something is wrong with the key on the drivers door. Also tie rods need to be replaced.

How much am i looking to spend if i get these fixed on my own???

really appreciate everybodys input!

[CrazyCoder]

Chances are there's more to it than tie rods, the ball joints and bushings are probably bad too.

You can get tie rods from Bimmerworld for $65... a side. You'll need two, and while it's something you may be able to install yourself, it's going to need an alignment afterwards.

What I'd do, if I were you, would be go to eBay and look up FCP Groton. They are running a kickass deal right (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335818596&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2FBMW-E36-318-325-325i-318i-Control-Arms-Tie-Rods-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33583QQihZ018QQitem Z280214260087QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW) now, I have one of their sets sitting in my back room waiting to go on right now. New control arms, ball joints, tie rods, swaybar end links, and control arm bushings for $199 with free shipping. Still gonna need someone to install it, though. There are some DIYs on doing it, but it requires special tools and you still need to take it somewhere to get it aligned afterwards.

The window could be a few things, from broken plastic clips, a magnet that has come out of alignment, or a bad motor. Do a search on power windows, it's not an uncommon issue for them to act up. My driver's side has started acting funny, I need to pull the door panel.

As for the door lock, not sure... depends on whats wrong with it.

[iwantbmwm3]

i think its the door lock cylinder

is that a big/expensive job?

[iwantbmwm3]

is the FCP Groton good quality parts?

also how much to install all of the things by a mechanic?

[dumas]

Check the door lock carefully. There's a difference between "key operates lock but doesn't unlock" and "lock cylinder was replaced, and key won't turn it". If the key operates the lock, it's possible that it's just a connection that came loose inside the door, which you should be able to find. Same with the window, could just be that something came loose inside the door.

[CrazyCoder]

is the FCP Groton good quality parts?

also how much to install all of the things by a mechanic?


They seem to be, I've had their ignition coils for a year now. Their stuff looks to be the same as the stuff on Pelican Parts, but it doesn't actually have a name on it. I'd hazard a guess that it's the same stuff, just unbranded. The control arms look to be Meyle, but nowhere does it say that, and the bag is labeled as FCP.

Dunno how much installation will be, sorry.