Anything model specific that I should watch out for on this car?

Connavar

Hey,

Hoping to go and view this today or tomorrow. is there anything that I should look out for other than the standard checks to do on a used car?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/316I-M-S/6113329416659960/advert?channel=CARS

Its a 04 BMW 3 Series 316I M SPORT for those who dont want to follow the link

Cheers

Sleepy

Not an expert on the model by any means but wouldn't a 1.6 in a 3 series be a bit under-powered?

Particularly when it's tarted up with the M Sport kit, isn't that just going to make it a case of all frilly knickers with no action?

Connavar

Sleepy wrote: »

Not an expert on the model by any means but wouldn't a 1.6 in a 3 series be a bit under-powered?

Particularly when it's tarted up with the M Sport kit, isn't that just going to make it a case of all frilly knickers with no action?

Its a 1.7 according to the add. Also Im moving from a 1.4 golf so I think anything would be an improvement

Jimbob 83

Get a 1.8 tbh

Vikings

Just throwing this up to give you an idea on the pricing of that particular car.

http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36129

e46 316 for a 1/3 of the carzone price. Granted the one from the dealer is an msport and looks well but some food for thought.

Big Nasty

Sleepy wrote: »

Not an expert on the model by any means but wouldn't a 1.6 in a 3 series be a bit under-powered?

Particularly when it's tarted up with the M Sport kit, isn't that just going to make it a case of all frilly knickers with no action?

I think the quote you were looking for is 'fur coat and no knickers'

Buy a 320 coupe OP, that or an M3!:D

Connavar

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I think the quote you were looking for is 'fur coat and no knickers'

Buy a 320 coupe OP, that or an M3!:D

Sadly my pocket cant handle that kind of jump:((wish I could afford to run some of the beauts that are appearing on alanstrators thread)

MuppetCheck

Jimbob 83 wrote: »

Get a 1.8 tbh

That is a 1.8.

The 318i was a 2 litre 141bhp unit and would be more suitable for many drivers.

Big Nasty

Connavar wrote: »

Sadly my pocket cant handle that kind of jump:((wish I could afford to run some of the beauts that are appearing on alanstrators thread)

If you're limiting yourself to a 1.8 4-pot go for an MX5 instead.

Connavar

MCMLXXV wrote: »

If you're limiting yourself to a 1.8 4-pot go for an MX5 instead.

Its not necessarily the engine size that im limiting myself to. I just want at least an 04(dont ask why I chose that year) and I have aprox 5k plus whatever I get for my golf(01-1.4 ,so probably not much more than 1k at best). If going for bigger engines ill probably need some of this for tax/running costs

Mx5 wouldn't really cut it for me as it has to be a pactical car too as I have a surfboard and other large items to haul around

bazz26

The 318i would be a better alternative to the 316i. Something like this:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3234911

Big Nasty

Connavar wrote: »

Its not necessarily the engine size that im limiting myself to. I just want at least an 04(dont ask why I chose that year) and I have aprox 5k plus whatever I get for my golf(01-1.4 ,so probably not much more than 1k at best). If going for bigger engines ill probably need some of this for tax/running costs

Mx5 wouldn't really cut it for me as it has to be a pactical car too as I have a surfboard and other large items to haul around

A soft top ain't gonna be practical then and neither will a coupe TBH. If I was an athletic lad like yourself traveling all around the country of a weekend to go surfing I would be looking at the likes of this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3307038

Connavar

MCMLXXV wrote: »

A soft top ain't gonna be practical then and neither will a coupe TBH. If I was an athletic lad like yourself traveling all around the country of a weekend to go surfing I would be looking at the likes of this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3307038

Ewwww automatic:pac::pac:
Tax man would have a field day with me on that

PS. I know Im an awkward bugger to please. Thanks for trying:)

Been looking myself for the last few months and still have trouble knowing what I want

166man

MuppetCheck wrote: »

That is a 1.8.

The 318i was a 2 litre 141bhp unit and would be more suitable for many drivers.

I thought the 2004 316i was an actual 1.6?

btkm8unsl0w5r4

I had a 06 e90 316, it was a 1.6ltr. It was hopeless, I would class it as dangerously underpowered. Using acceleration to manoeuvre was out of the question, and because you were always at high revs to eek any power out it was terrible on fuel. This engine was thrown into this car only to assist irish buyers with motor tax.

Anan1

Connavar wrote: »

Ewwww automatic:pac::pac:
Tax man would have a field day with me on that

PS. I know Im an awkward bugger to please. Thanks for trying:)

Been looking myself for the last few months and still have trouble knowing what I want

Let's go back to basics on this one. I recommend you start off by listing as honestly as possible the attributes that you need from the car, followed by those that you want. We can then start suggesting cars that we think might fit your criteria. For example, if you're into surfing then i'm at a loss to understand why you don't want an estate?

Connavar

Anan1 wrote: »

Let's go back to basics on this one. I recommend you start off by listing as honestly as possible the attributes that you need from the car, followed by those that you want. We can then start suggesting cars that we think might fit your criteria. For example, if you're into surfing then i'm at a loss to understand why you don't want an estate?

Seems my thread has changed to that alright, so that's a good idea.

Something with more kick than my 1.4 golf(so i can actually safely overtake:o)
Engine Size: Trying to keep it under 2l for tax/petrol/insurance reasons
Year: 2004+
Budget: 5k + whatever I can get for the golf(may need some of this for tax if going for a bigger engine)
I think I do around 10k a year, so its probably not worth a diesel
Not against estates but they aren't completely necessary as I can pick up a roof rack(or if getting a hatchback, the board can be slid in over the passenger seat)
And obviously it needs to be good looking

It is the first car that I am buying off someone that I dont know so i would prefer a dealer but if its a special car I would look to go private

Have looked at 3 series, a4, accord, saab 9-3(scared away by lack of parts in case of problems), alpha gt(same as the saab)


EDIT: Mods feel free to change thread title if necessary

MuppetCheck

166man wrote: »

I thought the 2004 316i was an actual 1.6?

I was of the opinion that came in with the E90. Must be wrong - thanks for clarifying.

166man

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I was of the opinion that came in with the E90. Must be wrong - thanks for clarifying.

Funnily enough I'm not sure if I'm clarifying! Have a feeling it was a 1.6 anyway..:pac:

Connavar

Not sure if its accurate but here ye go(lists the 316i as 1796cc)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_%28E46%29#Petrol_engines

bazz26

3 Series - E36
316i - 1.6 litre
318i - 1.8 litre

3 Series - E46
316i 1998 to 2001 - 1.9 litre
318i 1998 to 2001 - 1.9 litre
316i 2001 to 2005 - 1.8 litre
318i 2001 to 2005 - 2.0 litre

3 Series - E90
316i - 1.6 litre
318i - 2.0 litre

high horse

I'm also a surfer and I have an E46 estate. I would recommend you check one out. I can fit an 8ft board into the car

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318i-SE-/5513324951182960/advert?channel=CARS

Connavar

high horse wrote: »

I'm also a surfer and I have an E46 estate. I would recommend you check one out. I can fit an 8ft board into the car

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318i-SE-/5513324951182960/advert?channel=CARS

Lol you really managed to hit one of my soft spots with that one. Have been eyeing it up for the last few days, thinking if I can afford it

Connavar

What do ye reckon on this one?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-M/5813327953439440/advert?channel=CARS

Not too sure about the spoiler but might be worth a look anyway

high horse

Connavar wrote: »

What do ye reckon on this one?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318-CI-M/5813327953439440/advert?channel=CARS

Not too sure about the spoiler but might be worth a look anyway

It's not an M-Sport like it says in the ad. It's an SE with sport seats. Nothing wrong with an SE either, some people prefer the softer suspension. M-Sports generally command a higher price so don't pay M-Sport price for an SE