Buying a used BMW e36 318

[transend2]

Hi,
i'm thinking of buying a BMW E36 around the 1995 year mark. A lot of cars i have seen have mileage of around 80,000 to 90,000 miles.

i have a few questions, are there problems with cars of this high mileage? if so what problems have people had?

also what kind of things should i look for when i goto view a car? are there any recurring problems on these models?

any feedback would be appreciated.

thanx

transend2

[BMWDRIVEN]

I want to be honest but I dont want to offend anyone here but I would probably recommend a 6 cyl. engine. 325, 328. I dont know if you will be 100% content with a 318. It is only my opinion. I am not trying to flame anyone out there. I am just speaking from my own experience.

[1995red318i]

if that's the car you want...those mileages are fine. that's about average( if not below ) for a 95. i have the same car w/about 95000 on it. and it is in fine condition. these cars will go forever. make a post asking how many miles people have on their cars and you will see what i mean
but if that's the car you want...get it! if your having any thoughts about getting a 6 cylinder though...give it a little more thought

[Loud_TIGER]

87k miles, 1995

[Stockman]

I paid 12.5k for a 97 with 88k miles in near perfect condition
has everything minus an auto transmission... if your going to get a 318... DONT get an auto... or it will be very slow...
the only things that are lame about them but are the same with all of them are the damn airbag systems... the lights always come on..

I dont know of any 318 specific problems out there... my car drives like new with its 94k miles

if you can... go ahead and get the 325/328/etc... you will like the power more..

[BMWDRIVEN]

Thanks for not beating me up guys.

[1995red318i]

you paid 12.5 for a 97 318i? mine was around 13 for a 95 w/90000 on it.
did you buy from a dealer or private party?

[transend2]

thanks for the quick reply guys. This would be my first beemer and my cash is around the £5,000 to £6,000 mark.

would a 320 be much better then a 318?

also, what checks would you recommend when i goto look at any of these motors, are there any specifics to look out for on a higher milage car?



also do the 318/320 have the onboard computer. i'm sorry if i sound a bit naive but i'm new to bimmers

[ms318is]

Keep asking questions, that's how you learn!

I like my 318. They do not have near the mid-range torque as the sixes, but they are a hoot to drive hard - especially with a little intake and exhaust tweaking to let them rev. I'm a motorcycle guy, and I love to rev them and work them. From the specs I've read, peak HP in the 318 is not that much lower than the sixes. Just a lot less low rpm power.
My '95 has 99K with NO problems. Solid as a rock.

By onboard computer, do you mean the nifty trip computer in the lower part of the dash? No. Mine just has a thermometer and clock.
But most of the car is computer controlled.
BTW, I agree with Stockman. A 4 banger with an automatic would be much less fun to drive.

[ms318is]

Oh, what to check for? I like finding vehicles with detailed maintenance logs, relatively clean engine compartments (NOT an obviously just steam cleaned look) and an exterior and interior that has not been thrashed.
All these are indicators that the previous owner was passionate about it, took care of it, and probably did not abuse it.

[BimmerXTC]

80k-90k miles, and you're worried:

My 92 325i has 162k and change, and I have not had an engine problem yet (had it since ~150k). A few minor body issues (window reg., sunroof).

These cars run strong for a long time. As long as its been well taken care of, it will outlast you.

[MaDoX]

If you are keeping your car pretty much stock, go with the 318.
They are super solid. Had mine since 97' at 65k, 125k now but all I ever did was oil changes, regular tune ups, and brake pads. Zero problems.
But hanging around this crowd any longer? You'll be tempted on all sorts of interior, exterior, performance, all da crazy upgrades you can think of. Then you would wish you had gotten a 6cyl or even a M3 when you starts to modify your car...pretty much like me haha

I say spend a couple of days browsing through our message board, see what's going on in our bimmer world. Then decide. :

[Austin]

1992 318is with 151K miles......no problems really

Get a 5-speed no matter what thou if your goin with the 318. Then after u get it put intake on it , that'll change the sound pretty good.

If you plan to put on a turbo or supercharger for for lower miles.

[meekay]

Sometimes I really, really wish i just got a 325/328 but really, I've never been happier with a car than with my 318i. I don't race around town but I drive very aggressively on the freeway and the little 4 banger does just fine. I get great gas mileage and my insurance is lower comparitively to the six cylinder. The M42 engine is very reliable from my own experience and from what i gathered frmo other people. The only known problems have been the profile head gasket and plastic impellers but you should be fine with a '95 and newer. Good luck

Oh and where in the UK are you? I came back to the states about 1.5 months ago. I was living in central London off Finchley Road tube stop.

[transend2]

thanks for the replys! you guys rock, it seems obvious that 80k-90k engines are nothin.

i've just left university and just gt my first ful time job, i would dearly love a 325 or above, but the insurance at this point in time is way tio much

meekay : i live in birmingham, UK (smack bang in the middle )

btw i wanted to also offer my condolences for the september 11 terrorist attacks

[Stockman]

Originally posted by 1995red318i
you paid 12.5 for a 97 318i? mine was around 13 for a 95 w/90000 on it.
did you buy from a dealer or private party?

a dealer, expo motorcars... they even fixed anything on the car I said i wanted fixed.. a month later the airbag light came on and I got them to fix that free also.. and I can get my dents taken out there for 25 bucks too... Very nice place to me... oh.. and i saw the logs at the dealership.. theres like tons of pages of logs where my car evidently was there for every single thing... prolly even gas fillups.. haha