318is buying help/guide - BMW Forum

zabak80 · 03-20-2009, 09:14 PM

Hey guys,

I tried looking through the archives and could only find bits and pieces.

Maybe someone could point me in the right direction or answer the question directly?

I'm planning on buying a 93-96 used 318is.

I wanted to know what/how to look for, examples:

Where to look for oil leaks
How to tell if the tranny is strong
Types of engine noises
Undercarriage
Strong starter

Are there any types of methods or tests or checklists I should go through?

Thanks!

head12345 · 03-22-2009, 01:48 PM

just check 4 the normal stuff u would when buying a second hand car m8

zabak80 · 03-22-2009, 04:22 PM

I'm actually a little "green" in that category as well.

Can you point me to a guide for the normal stuff?

coolvegase34 · 03-22-2009, 07:58 PM

why buy a base model car with the base engine. If you are going to go the old 3 series route, get a 325 like whiteshark's. Those are cool and reliable cars. The 318 is cheap and cheesy. You might as well get a vw jetta.

head12345 · 03-23-2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolvegase34

why buy a base model car with the base engine. If you are going to go the old 3 series route, get a 325 like whiteshark's. Those are cool and reliable cars. The 318 is cheap and cheesy. You might as well get a vw jetta.

the 318s as u say maybe cheap but not cheesy!! and yes the 325s r faster but 318s r easyier on the insurance and buy the time its remapped and stainless steel exchaust added and few other bits it does ave some decent power.

head12345 · 03-23-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zabak80

I'm actually a little "green" in that category as well.

Can you point me to a guide for the normal stuff?

just check that there is no white oily resadue in oil cap (sign of head gasket going)check there is no strange noises coming from engine when started.check there aint to much bounce in suspension,take the car for a test drive and that she dont over heat!thats all i do m8 & touch would u should b ok.

coolvegase34 · 03-23-2009, 07:26 PM

Do yourself a favor and take any car that you want to buy to a professional mechanic. Have him put it on a lift, take off the wheels etc. It is worth the money. Unless you are a professional driver, simply taking it for a ride and checking the plugs is not going to make sure you have a car in good shape. If you have to worry about the difference in insurance between a 4cyl and a 6cyl, you cannot afford a bmw.

head12345 · 03-24-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolvegase34

Do yourself a favor and take any car that you want to buy to a professional mechanic. Have him put it on a lift, take off the wheels etc. It is worth the money. Unless you are a professional driver, simply taking it for a ride and checking the plugs is not going to make sure you have a car in good shape. If you have to worry about the difference in insurance between a 4cyl and a 6cyl, you cannot afford a bmw.

it does matter if u have points on ur licence or been banned b4 as it fucks up ur insurance cos any 1 can afford 2 buy a decent car

coolvegase34 · 03-24-2009, 08:45 AM

We don't get banned here, whatever that means. Those of us who know how to drive properly, don't get tickets. I haven't had a moving violation since 1990. Which you were probably were 2 at that time.

coolvegase34 · 03-24-2009, 08:46 AM

part of affording a car is paying for gas, insurance, maintenance etc.

head12345 · 03-24-2009, 09:04 AM

i was 11 in 1990.banned means losing ur licence m8.we all do stupid stuff when were young

denyo77 · 03-24-2009, 12:34 PM

if you get caught, most of the time there's been other persons around who you could have endangered

saltshaker185 · 03-24-2009, 12:35 PM

woah fellas chill out here!

as for the car you are looking into, a bmw is a bmw, some are quicker then others but the core of a bmw isnt about speed in a straight line anyways, its about the corners.

Now to answer your question, here is one link that you should scan over to get an idea of the problem areas to ask about/ look into...

United Bimmer - BMW Enthusiast Community and Forums : Bimmer Technical Help

another site is,

Trials and tribulations of BMW ownership: E36 BMW Common faults and fixes

lastly, one of the better ones would be this one,

edge motorworks - 3 Series 1992-1999 (E36 & M3)

hope this is some help