Bmw 316/318

md99

I am currently driving an Avensis but plan to trade in and buy a new car during the summer with my savings. My heart has always been set on a BMW 316 or 318 saloon, I wanted to buy one to begin with but my parents would only insure me on a 'reliable' car...

So I guess I'm asking how generally 'reliable' would a 96-99 BMW 316/318 be? I know that's hard to answer without examining the engine, but do BMWs generally continue to run smoothly with age as with Toyota, Nissan, etc?

Some people I talk to say that they hold their mileage well, others say not to go near an aged BMW..

DublinDilbert

It probably won't be as reliable as an Avensis, but then again very little is.. they aren't too bad once they are maintained... they do tend to need a bit more TLC and they get older and the millage gets larger.. the engines are usually ok, it's more shocks/bushings/bearings/ball joints/brake disks that sort of thing, as it's a heavy enough car...

I wouldn't advise getting one if your not interested in doing some of the work yourself, or atleast learning to work on it yourself.. as it might cost you more bringing it back to the mechanic every 6 months... The only thing that ever stoped mine dead was when the fuel pump went in it, which is a fairly common problem... I spotted what it was, got a replacement, and away she went...

Also make sure the cooling system is in good condition, any doubts about the thermo-stat ect make sure you change it ASAP. They aren't actually bad to work on, and there's lots of info on the internet..

also as I'm sure lots of people will point out to you, try go for the 318i if you can, as the 316i is a bit underpowered.

rebel.ranter

As the poster above suggested it would be advantageous to be able to carry out the work your self. The hourly labour charge at the BMW main dealer is a bit above the Toyota rates. I would suggest you ask around before ruling it in or out.
Also that engine & car in general is not that complicated that a competant local mechanic could not work on it.

The 316/318 engine form 1994-1999 used a timing chain instead of a belt, the pre-1994 back to 1987 1.6/1/8 had a belt. The chain engines are pretty reliable.
The golden rules with any BMW are to keep an eye on the cooling system, the thermostat & water pump should be swapped at 60k miles, the radiator pressure tested (& replaced if fails) at this time also. The viscous coupling for the fan (it's like a clutch) should also be checked at 80k miles.
The cooling system is a pressurised one in a BMW. It is critical to ensure that when the coolant is flushed & replaced that the system is bled properly. Keep an eye on the temperature guage after all this work is done. It should not be allowed to go above half way, pull in if it ever does (you'll save the cylinder head.
Once the cooling system is in order & routine maintenance is carried out then it should be pretty reliable.
The rubber bits in the suspension are the next worry, they seem to be eaten, top shock moounts (~€20 each) seem to go regularly (30k-40k miles), also rear axle bushes (~€40 each) also go.
Other than that it's the usual wear & tear. Have a look at the Unix Nerd site for a list of other potential problems with e36 BMWs. (e36 = 3 series 1991-1999). All BMWs have an "e" number, e90 is the latest 3 series.

3 series from 1979-2007: e21,e30,e36,e46,e90


There are loads of helpful websites out there to help you keep your e36 moving:

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw_e36.html

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36.html

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e36/

I would also recommend you buy the odd Total BMW magazine, it can be helpful. BMW Car Magazine seems to be more aimed at the newer BMW buyer, Performance BMW seems to aimed at the lexus light brigade. Total BMW is somewhere in the middle.

bazz26

Avoid the 316i as they really are a disappointment. The E36 318i had a 1.8 litre engine which is not great either but alot better than the 316i.

If you really look forward to owning a BMW then my advice would be to look at least the E36 320i. Four cylinder BMWs (diesel aside) are not that great.

thegills

I would suggest you look at a 1999/2000/2001 e46 318. You can pick one up for probaly €12-€15k
thegills

opus

I'm running a '96 3 series (not a 316) with 130k+ miles on the clock & it's going strong. Figure it will reach the 200k mark without too much effort given the lack of problems so far, have owned it for the last 5 years and 65k miles.

DublinWriter

By reliable do they mean a 'non-boy-racermobile'?

Like any Teutonic uber-panzer, they are only as good as their service history. Properly serviced, BMWs and Mercs last forever, Mercs especially.

I drive an 03 320D. It sips diesel and has an amazing 150bhp, one of the best diesels in its class. It's a nice mix of sensible and class.

rebel.ranter

Just a quick note on the post on the e36 320i. On the 1996 to March 1998 6 cylinder BMWs there was a fault in the engines. They had a Nikasil linings in the bores of the engine. This meant there was potential for premature wear on the engine bore, the wear was caused by sulphur in petrol which reacted with the Nikasil lining. It required an engine swap in most cases, the revised block had steel liners. It affected the 320i, 323i, 520i, 523i, 328i of that period. UK cars suffered more than Irish cars as the sulphur content was much higher over there apparently. Strangely not all were badly affected. The symtoms were poor running at idle, especially when cold. Oil consumption was heavy too.
I have a 1996 320i Sport convertible (with the steel liners, block swap!), it is a good car. It is reasonably economical for a 2 litre. It's only hit 98k miles yet. I also have 2002 525iA Sport, much thirstier proposition. Both are great fun. I am a huge BM fan, it's my 6th BMW & loved them all. As the previous poster says servicing is the key.
The 316i has been described above as disappointing, it depends what you are used to. A 1.6L Avensis would be more disappointing compared to it. The pick of the e36 bunch for fun would be the 318iS the 16 valve 1.8 litre (~140BHP), although these were murder for blowing gaskets leading to cylinder head failure. Get a good one & look after it and you'll have all the fun of the 320i ~150BHP for 318i costs. You'll probably only find the 2 dr coupes in the iS though.
If you have the cash go for the e46 '99-'05 3 series model, a better car, but from your original post itseems like your budget only goes to an e36.
I just saw a black 1999 318i (e46) for €11k here in Cork, in an independent garage. So have a think about what you can afford.

Fey!

The e36 saloon should be priced better than the coupe, as the coupe is a more sought after car.

A full BMW service history (FBMWSH) is a bonus, as are things like cruise and climate controls (cruise is unlikely, though). Leather sport seats are another lovely extra, and alloys.

Here are a few to look at: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&sortby=MileageAsc&maxrows=100&Make=BMW&MakeID=3&Engine_Min=1600&Engine_Max=1900&FuelID=1&BodyID=4248&Year_Min=1996&Year_Max=1999&Doors=4&GroupID=738 There's even one from Japan in there!

There are links to 2 Irish BMW sited in my sig. The bavarian one has a 3 series technical section in which you can ask for the pitfalls/what to watch for.

As was said above, the 3 series 1991-1999 is classed as an e36, and from 1999 to 2006 as e46. The current model is the e90/e91/e92 (saloon/coupe/estate, or something like that).

If you say where you're based, a few of us can recommend independent garages for any work you need done.

Best of luck in your quest.

rebel.ranter

If you are in the Munster region Ger Collins in Abbeyfeale is good, although I think he is taking on too much at the mo, he's hard to get a hold of. He also has a good stock of used parts. PM me if you want his number.

He served his time as a BM mechanic in Germany or something.
Wyses in Clogheen near Mitchelstown also seem to have a load of BMs scraped in their yard.

A recent discovery of mine is

http://www.partsgateway.co.uk

Seems good to me.

netwhizkid

I drive an E36 BMW 316i automatic and it is a bit sluggish but I am trilled with it. The fuel economy is excellent and it is uber reliable. I have clocked up nearly 4,000 miles since I imported it from the UK.

I went for high spec and it has Leather Seats, Climate Control A/C a great stereo and had only 68,000 genuine miles on the clock when I drove off the ferry at Ringaskiddy. all for a smidgen over £3,400 or roughly €7.5K with expenses and VRT fully paid. A lovely car and I could not recommend it enough. I found it in three days of intense searching in London down in Croydon, where I bought It off a Garage with full service history and a full background search.

As a first time driver and having a BMW as my first ever car is great, Maintenance and Servicing is the key as has been said.

stifz

i've an auto 318 se 97' with 103k miles on it.. i bought it at 65k from a family member who got it with 35k. Touch wood so far it's never given any trouble. It's hard on rear tyres as its rear wheel drive. and it's not that quick to start off but not that slow either.. on the motorway it's an animal. The pick up is instant and the comfort is unbeatable. If ever i was to change i'd definitely consider a bigger model.. the 525 maybe.

regarding running costs they're as good as you'll get really. i had an 06 avensis for 2 wks awhile back and it was the same to run it as the bm. It's all in your head about beamers and costs of up keep etc.. buy the car you want and don't worry. look after it and it won't give you any hassel..

Standard Toaster

3 Series Coupe 1.6
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?ID=880711&referrer=alerts&AlertID=106890#

Nice looking car....overpriced???

Is the 1.6 really that underpowered??

bazz26

The_Edge wrote:

3 Series Coupe 1.6
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?ID=880711&referrer=alerts&AlertID=106890#

Nice looking car....overpriced???

Is the 1.6 really that underpowered??

€7,850 for an 11 year old BMW 3 Series with a 1.6 litre engine, fake M3 mirrors and Lexus lights is just silly.

stifz

The_Edge wrote:

3 Series Coupe 1.6
http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?ID=880711&referrer=alerts&AlertID=106890#

Nice looking car....overpriced???

Is the 1.6 really that underpowered??

the 1.8 is just about acceptable.. i would'nt touch a 1.6. The car is just too heavy.

i agree with bazz26... i paid 8k 2 years ago.. for a 97. 7850 is way too much even for coupe.. and i'd be sus of the mileage and the fact it's kitted out makes me think it was driven hard.. then again each to their own.

what about this.. new shape also..

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_detail.asp?CBGID=558018&ID=835858&NumPics=3&Make=BMW&Model=318%20Automatic&frmFilter=All

unkel

rebel.ranter wrote:

UK cars suffered more than Irish cars as the sulphur content was much higher over there apparently. Strangely not all were badly affected

There's an explanation for that: in some petrol stations in the UK petrol derived from North Sea oil (high in sulphur) was sold. In others, petrol derived from oil from the Middle East (low in sulphur) was sold. In Ireland, all petrol was low-sulphur

Cars that were mainly filled up with low-sulphur petrol in the UK were never affected. Irish cars that were affected are all second hand UK imports

Gerry

A 316i is fine if you don't want to drive over the speed limit. A friend of mine has one, with uprated suspension, wider wheels and tyres. Its a sweet handling car. But in a straight line it is painful, its got a little bit over 100 horses, just not enough. It needs to be redlined in every gear to get anywhere, though it does hold up to the abuse very well. I'd recommend a 318iS if you can find one, they go nicely.

Fey!

The is models have a higher bhp (I think it's +30bhp). Not sure if the is came in the e36 saloon, though.

I think that Nikasil primarily affected the 6 cylinder engines and some older V8's. If the build date on the car is after April 1998, you should be OK anyway (changed to alusil liners).

Any luck with your search?

layercake1

have a bmw 318ci.... changed t-stat..... expansion tank.... and radiator... only thing is the fan keep coming on straight away soon as i turn the key........????????????? not over heating tho all is good... just wondering why the fan would still come on straight away??????
thanks for all the feed back cheer's

Idbatterim

op what is your budget? and its a saloon you want?

kasper

thread is 5 years old

Idbatterim

back then these cars would have still cost a bit, now youd pick them up with what youd find down the back of the couch!

Alanstrainor

Please don't drag up old threads.