Looking to buy a 318is...

[Fernando]

I've been interested in buying a 318is from the early to mid 90's but must admit I don't know a lot about the car. I've heard that you shouldn't buy one for the first year of a body style (such as the 91 with the E36 body (I think) as they tend to still have bugs to be worked out). I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions about what I should look into, price ranges, or any other information.
Thanks,
Fernando

btw, I was looking at this one...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6007&item=2438003540

I figured I'd just throw down the 4k, what do you think?

 

[bmwperson]

160k is alot of miles especialy for a 4 cylinder engine, if you look hard enuf you might find a 325 with 100k, i bought mine for 6k 325 94 with 60k on her altho i have to do some work, but its little stuff.

 

[Fernando]

thanks for the suggestion...

I did notice the high mileage, but figured the 4-cyls were more durable than larger engines (e.g. civics). Also, I figured this would be a short-term vehicle and I would re sell within three years (after college).

Thanks again,
Fernando

 

[bmwperson]

uhm, i think its the other way around, but then on the other side what do I know ;> another thing with 92s is the watter pump, which you would have to change cuz it breaks and overheats the engine. PS why did you get stuck to the 318s only? 325 are niceeer more power( hehe thats what we all want ), well if you just want a 318 then my advice would be, look for one that has less milage. Here is a little trick, if you play around with ebay, especialy the variables in the url you can search for completed items within a certain price range
http://search-completed.ebay.com/se...=4500&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&ebaytag1code=0

this will show you all the bmw below $4500, it should give you a general overview of what can you buy.

 

[Fernando]

sure

I guess I was looking in the 4 direction because of gas mileage, but I'll take your advice and shop around.

Thanks,
Fernando

 

[bmwperson]

one more thing about ebay, make sure the car is in your area, check it out before the auction, drive it, take it for an inspection. If you buy a car you havnt seen you`ll get ripped off. The sellers usualy clame the care is perfect until you`re there, plus if you drove XXX amount of miles to buy the car you`re not gonna turn around and go back, arnt you? ( plus you pay a nonrefundable fee ) So you`re pressured to buy it even if you dont want to. I had a simmilar story. another place to look would be autotrader.com, but its the same story as with ebay. The best best best car you can buy is from someone who lives outside of the city, a private party, preferably in their 40s ( hehe, my psychology profiling is great isnt it? ) Cars like that have highway milage ( mostly ) they arnt started every 15mins to go get "cigs from the shop", the roads are better ( i think ), many times the person who owns it will have maintenance record of the car and he`s not gonna floor it on every lights they stop on. I think thats all. Good luck

 

[manuel]

if you really want or need a car to just "get you around" id invest in a civic or other small car. a high mileage car will have more chances of messing up, if it doesnt have any problems already, on you. also as Tom(the coolest man alive) said, get a car with less mileage. a 325, even with a I6, will probably get good mileage. my 96 328is gets ~22MPG(according to the OBC) and it has over 120k on it. also, you can get a good ole e30. a family friend has one and its close to hitting 300k on the original engine. its all about regular maintenance. good luck!

 

[Big Daddy]

I've been interested in buying a 318is from the early to mid 90's but must admit I don't know a lot about the car. I've heard that you shouldn't buy one for the first year of a body style (such as the 91 with the E36 body (I think) as they tend to still have bugs to be worked out).

The 91 is an e30, and the last year of the 318is in that body, the 92 is the first year the e36 318is was produced. I have a 91 with 135000 miles and she is in top condition. I love the car and with all the mods she is fast, agile and sweet.