Buying a BMW 318 [what to look out for]

Heathen

hello all,

i am going looking at a BMW 318 on Wednesday and would like to know what are the most common issues if any with this car, in the 1999 -2002 (new shape) model??
is there any problems that come up often with this car? or is it just the usual checks you would scan for same as any other car... i know the coupe version has issues with the pistons on the back window, but im going for the 4 dr model so thats not an issue for me..

any help you guys have would be appreciated

Cheers

The front wishbone bushes are a common thing to go on the e46 but they are a wear and tear item so it would depend on the mileage, If the steering is a bit unsteady or you hear a knocking/rattle from the front it can be a sign they are on the way out. I just replaced both front wishbones on my e46 coupe, if you get them up the north they are not too expensive(about 110 stg each for high quality ones) but you probably dont want to have to get work done on a car you just bought.

Coolant leaks are another thing to keep an eye out for. look into the engine bay and look for any liquid gathering on the undertray that is usually a sign of a coolant leak.

Make sure its idle is steady other wise there could be a MAF sensor or cam senor falt.

Other than that just do the normal checks, i.e make sure its been serviced(not necessarly all main dealer services) etc.

milltown

Electric window regulators are a common fail too. When driving with the windows up listen out for a sort of chirping noise where the top of the window sits into the seal. That was the symptom on my one anyway. Again, not an expensive fix, about €250 fitted by a main dealer so should be a bit cheaper elsewhere..

An Ard Ri

Had a 99 318i saloon. Good car but look out for:

• Front Wishbones and suspension bushes
• Air flow meter around 60,000 miles
• Coolant leaks and the expansion tank around 70,000

Otherwise good cars, try and get one with a much service history as possible. Also remember, like most cars, these can be clocked, so serive history is important.

Best of luck

bazz26

I'd be going for the facelifted 2001 onwards 318i, it has a 2.0 litre engine that is more fuel efficent and powerful than the prefacelifted 1.9 litre 318i.

CoDy1

I have a '02 Model, just got the mass airflow meter done and had to get the handbrake cable tightened which are no big deals.

As mentioned, the front bushes tend to go and check the rear differential housing underneath for any wet patches as this indicates a lubricant leak which lead to big problems if it runs dry.

I love the car and its a great car to drive,

Best of luck.

CoDy1

CoDy1 wrote: »

I have a '02 Model, just got the mass airflow meter done and had to get the handbrake cable tightened which are no big deals.

I dont want to hijack the thread but just a quick question. What symptoms were you having from the faulty mass airflow meter, I'm just trying to diagnose a bit of power loss sometimes when I put my foot down the car bogs down for a second and I think this may be the problem.

HJL

milltown wrote: »

Electric window regulators are a common fail too. When driving with the windows up listen out for a sort of chirping noise where the top of the window sits into the seal. That was the symptom on my one anyway. Again, not an expensive fix, about €250 fitted by a main dealer so should be a bit cheaper elsewhere..

My front two windows rattle when up, but go up and down fine, you think it could be the regulators? I was thinking it was maybe a wore door seal where it doesnt 'hug' the top of the window properly.

OP ive just purchased front wishbones for my car, you'll know if they are gone as my steering wheel shakes badly under braking.

It also for some reason loses coolant every so often, really dont know why, but every like 3 months the level low light comes on.

If the climate control makes any funny noises then its likely to be a final stage resistor, my car needed one of those too.

Other complaints are that the radio reception isnt great with the built in aerial in the rear window and the speakers are rubbish in them too.

They are a really nice car to drive though, but dont be expecting Toyota reliability. Id consider looking for a 320d, if your going to be paying high tax you may as well have a car that will do 45+ MPG. Just dont get a face-lift model in those years you said you were looking, the early 150 BHP 320d are very prone to committing suicide!

CoDy1

Kyla Rich Liqueur wrote: »

I dont want to hijack the thread but just a quick question. What symptoms were you having from the faulty mass airflow meter, I'm just trying to diagnose a bit of power loss sometimes when I put my foot down the car bogs down for a second and I think this may be the problem.

Exactly that and an uneven idle.

milltown

HJL wrote: »

My front two windows rattle when up, but go up and down fine, you think it could be the regulators? I was thinking it was maybe a wore door seal where it doesnt 'hug' the top of the window properly.

Pretty likely I'd say. Have a look online, I'm sure there's a procedure for re-initialising the windows to make sure they're going up all the way. Get some Gummipfledge (I think that's what it's called) from the dealer to lubricate the seal too.

When you say it rattles, is the rattling coming from the top of the window or down in the door? If it's in the door I'm sure I also came accross a tutorial online somewhere for fixing some clip on the regulator that can break.

Henry Ford III

HJL wrote: »

...OP ive just purchased front wishbones for my car, you'll know if they are gone as my steering wheel shakes badly under braking....

Could be warped disc(s) too.

Heathen

thanks for the replies lads, you have highlighted some great points that i will be checking with a fine tooth comb.. i'll let ye know how i get on in a few days.. thanks again for the replies, it helps a lot

HJL

Its the top of the window, if its down even a bit the rattle stops, i seen that broken clip before on the bmw forums, i dont think that is the issue in my case though.

I was thinking of maybe replacing the window guide seal, €62 from main dealer i priced today, seen it for about £45 on the internet. Its not the type of part i want to get from a breaker as it could be as bad.

Im hoping the brake discs arent part of the shaking in the steering, but it is a possiblity, the discs are far from new, but im hoping they will be ok for another little while.

mick.fr

Kyla Rich Liqueur wrote: »

I dont want to hijack the thread but just a quick question. What symptoms were you having from the faulty mass airflow meter, I'm just trying to diagnose a bit of power loss sometimes when I put my foot down the car bogs down for a second and I think this may be the problem.

Give it a clean before you change it. Very easy.
Just in case you need some directions:
http://www.bmw-planet.com/2009/01/18/diy-replacing-power-steering-fluid-cleaning-maf/

Reading the code might help you diagnose where the fault is coming from too, if any code has been thrown so far...