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3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
Specific models include: BMW 316i, BMW 318i, BMW 318iS/ti, BMW 320, BMW 323, BMW 320, BMW 324, BMW 325, BMW 328.
Hello, I'm new to the community and hope to be part of it in the future aswell. I'm in the market to buy a 1995 BMW 318I, I've located one I like and want to purchase but want to do some research before a pour the cash on the table.
The car is green on beige leather, very good condition interior. Has 133,000KM and a 5 speed. The price is $8000CAD, which is about $6500USD. I currently drive a 2002 Honda Civic Si/EX coupe but will be passing it onto my bro. I'm a member of 7thgencivic.com and they tell me not to get this car because I will end up paying out my arse on repairs and maint and such and because its a honda site they are bias to purchase jap cars.
Now my question is, should I be worried? What are known to happen to this make at this mileage? How's the engine and electrical stuff with the car? I know benz and vw have a lot of electrical problems from euro but what about BMW?
Please tell me all the good, bad and need to know about this car. Thank you.
As for a car with that amount of mileage.. first off... know the cars history.. do a history or car fax report on it... if you have any type of car knowledge put it to use.. check as much as you can.. fluid levels.. everything.. tyres and all... be very picky.. its the only way to be when you buy a car... as for the engine and all of that being very sound... listen to the engine.. drive it... E36s have a slight tick in them after a while.. its natural.. trust me... I've had my car since she was very young.. and the only thing I've had to do is change the water pump.. because it went bad... besides that.. regular maintenance will do her good.. BTW I just passed 162k on my 97... (I drive a lot)... these cars were meant and engineered to go for a very long time..
As for prices of parts.. if you buy online.. almost all of the parts are extremly fair priced... pretty much the same as newer honda and over seas parts... if you get them from the dealer.. you will be sorry and pay out of the ass... stick with the web for parts.. period.. stay with a forum too.. because they can find parts very quickly.. because there are many of us.. with a lot of knowledge when it comes to finding parts for others...
Good Luck.. and I hope you join our community in the future.. with your new BMW...
Whatever you do, don't buy a 318i. I own one and its slow as a TURTLE. Spend the extra $2000 or so and get a 325i or a 328i. You will be much more happier. Also you might have a problem with the temperature control unit. Also my 318i which is at 177000 km has a cracked head gasket since 102000 kms. Other than that I have had small problems here and there.
Okay, I drive a 1995 318i and I bought it last june with 130,000 miles on it and as of now I've put 10,000 miles on it of driving on a few Northeastern trips (NY to Maine, NY to Philadelphia, DC, NJ) and daily driving in NYC. I paid $5,500 for it at an Auction in NJ and I checked everything I could find. The carfax was lean as a whistle but after I paid for the car I found out I needed to replace fuel air mass sensor and brake pads and air bag switch and cowl trim, coolant flush, fluids replacement and check and I got new tires and 16 inch alloy rims and I updated my OBC and installed a keyless alarm w/ remote start and in total I ended up paying about $3,000 extra just for intial diagnosis and maintenance (At the BMW dealership) and to get my car driving right and looking good. Since then 10,000 miles and 6 months ago of daily driving thru sun, rain, snow, ice , way below freezing temps I have never had any problems or emergencies of any kind. Everything in my car works fine because I care for it and keep stuff good before bad happens. In fact, I expected more maintenance but I barely do anything more than put gas in her and check my tire pressures. I also hand wash her weekly and that is it...
Also I've spent about $1000 to $1500 on mods and painting my bumpers and stuff. And I want to update my interior to sport leather and get OEM Euro Projector lights to replace the American plastic OEM soon this is like another $1500 within the next few months.....
For little things like interior trim stuff and some parts EBAY is the best and quickest place to pick stuff up...its also the cheapest if your lucky and the riskiest if you're not cautious.
Also sites like Bavauto, RealOem.com have good stuff and deals.
Oh BTW...I never really considered my 318i as being a slow car...I drive daily in the city and on Highways and I find the 318i to handle really well and accelerate quickly and nimbly thru traffic and everyday streets....if you're planning on racing everyday on the autobahn then get another car...but the 318i is fast and sporty enough for everyday driving in the real world...so don't listen to these kids when they tell you you're not buying a "fast and furious" car when you get a 318i....they still think life is some sort of summer blockbuster movie....
Originally posted by Delmarco@Jan 6 2005, 11:34 PM Okay, I drive a 1995 318i and I bought it last june with 130,000 miles on it and as of now I've put 10,000 miles on it of driving on a few Northeastern trips (NY to Maine, NY to Philadelphia, DC, NJ) and daily driving in NYC. I paid $5,500 for it at an Auction in NJ and I checked everything I could find. The carfax was lean as a whistle but after I paid for the car I found out I needed to replace fuel air mass sensor and brake pads and air bag switch and cowl trim, coolant flush, fluids replacement and check and I got new tires and 16 inch alloy rims and I updated my OBC and installed a keyless alarm w/ remote start and in total I ended up paying about $3,000 extra just for intial diagnosis and maintenance (At the BMW dealership) and to get my car driving right and looking good. Since then 10,000 miles and 6 months ago of daily driving thru sun, rain, snow, ice , way below freezing temps I have never had any problems or emergencies of any kind. Everything in my car works fine because I care for it and keep stuff good before bad happens. In fact, I expected more maintenance but I barely do anything more than put gas in her and check my tire pressures. I also hand wash her weekly and that is it...
Also I've spent about $1000 to $1500 on mods and painting my bumpers and stuff. And I want to update my interior to sport leather and get OEM Euro Projector lights to replace the American plastic OEM soon this is like another $1500 within the next few months.....
For little things like interior trim stuff and some parts EBAY is the best and quickest place to pick stuff up...its also the cheapest if your lucky and the riskiest if you're not cautious.
Also sites like Bavauto, RealOem.com have good stuff and deals.
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You bought your car $5500 at the auction but at the end Mod+repairs ..that car can cost you $12 000(Est).....
I owned a 95 318i. I bought it already hooked up. M3 everything, BBS rims, lowered. etc.. engine was completely stock tho which i prefered. It definitely wasn't the fastest car but I would routinely smoke civics, integras, etc..remember it's rear wheel drive and bmw gets more power to the wheels.. That car was soo nimble tho. I could take turns in that thing going FAST!.. When I bought it the previous owner took me on a test drive and i literally thought i was going to die. The speed at which we were taking turns I never thought was possible in a car..
If you buy parts online and are a Do-it-yourselfer then this car will make you happy.
i used to beat GS integras all the time..A GSR integra would beat a 318. It all depends on the driver as well.. I beat a brand new golf GTI because off the line he was smoking his tires while my 318 took off like sling shot. If you take her all the way up to redline and pucnh the gears the 318 can move
Well I got a UK 323i ,'96@ 69K miles, and very smooth, had it 9 months now, 1 repair bill for £180-00 / $400 CAD or so for a new water pump and fan, done 9000 miles in the last 9 months.
Had VW's before, Golf's and a Corrado G60 - supercharged, and BMW seems as fast.
<Both @ 170bhp, top @ 145mph, and 6.5-7s for 0-60>
But the BMW is smoother, and so far cheaper to run....
get one
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the only thing i have changed was my ac compressor and my window slides.....thats about it
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