Thinking about buying a 318ti, Help - BMW Forum

cpuken · 09-24-2003, 08:56 PM

A friend at work is selling his 1995 318ti. I haven't seen it yet, just going on his description.
I've never owned any BMW but one thing I'm concerned about is the possibility of high maintenance cost. Any information the group can provide about the 318ti in particular or BMW in general would be greatly appreciated. I think it has about 88,000 miles on it at this time.
It has an automatic transmission, sun roof, ABS and a few other extras.

Are there things I should be on the look out for?
What's a good price for this baby, assuming it has been kept up.
Thanks
Ken

Ski · 09-24-2003, 08:58 PM

Welcome Ken!! What's the guy asking for price wise??

cpuken · 09-24-2003, 09:42 PM

We haven't nailed down an exact price but I think I may be able to get it for somewhere around $6,500.
This will probably be a 2nd car and after the purchase I won't have lots of $$$$ to fix stuff that breaks. I may want to add some new rims, just to sort of make it my own... you know, make it different from what I actually purchased. Sounds like some additional horse power would be nice but I probably can't afford the extras (whatever they are) to boost that. I don't know if any of these 3rd party chips can add a substantial difference but I might consider it if it really makes a difference (not just a few %)
Ken

El Presidente · 09-25-2003, 12:02 AM

my step brother has one, and his hasnt been enjoyable. Plus, with the auto it is very slow.

m42technic · 09-25-2003, 12:15 AM

My mom has a '94. Great little car.

cpuken · 09-29-2003, 03:10 PM

I finally found out some additional info about this car... the owner says it has
cloth seats. I think this means (correct me if I'm wrong) that this was a base-model 318ti. Which means it also has 15 inch wheels.
The odd thing is that the owner says it has a sunroof & alarm system, which come standard with the Active and the Sport models. I guess the original owner added these as extras rather than move up to the next sports group.
I'm scheduled to have a first hand look at it tomorrow (Tuesday).
Anything I should look for or questions I should be sure and ask??

Back to the 15 inch wheels... can I easily replace these with some 16 inch alloy wheels. Since this is base model it probably has wheel covers right?
Thanks
Ken

BeemerMan · 09-30-2003, 03:26 AM

YUCK!!! CLOTH SEATS!!!

An AUTOMATIC!!!

FORGET ABOUT IT!!! get yourself a 325is/i or 328is/i

Scarface · 09-30-2003, 10:04 PM

My best friend got a silver 97 318ti after he rode and saw my 92 325i alot. He likes it alot but till this day wishes he would have gotten at least a 325i e36...When he drives mine compared to his he says he wishes he would have gotten the other...They are decent looking cars, I guess one would be cool with an m3 swap in it, I have seen a couple of those...I just can't ever get used to the missing trunk, it's like ok where did the rest go? Almost like the car was unfinished? They are still decent cars but for $6500 you could easily find a nice 325i and start off with 6 cyl power rather than 4 cyl...