Advice needed urgent on BMW 308ci

vectra

Quick questioin.
'04 318ci FL model
Anything to watch for?
any problems?
I have been told stay away from them as they suffer a lot fro overheating issues. Need to buy something tomorrow. Thanks

bmstuff

vectra wrote: »

Quick questioin.
'04 318ci FL model
Anything to watch for?
any problems?
I have been told stay away from them as they suffer a lot fro overheating issues. Need to buy something tomorrow. Thanks

Nothing fondamentaly wrong with this engine.
Any car that has been neglected will have overheating issues. BMW engine do run hotter than other brands usually, but a well looked after car with fluids, filters changed regularly, a cooling system maintained etc will get the car going for years and years.

Just ask for the service history, was the water pump/thermostat changed, oil changes etc.
And just watch for the usual suspension parts, bushes, shocks. Drive the car, make sure the steering wheel is straight. Do not turn on the music, ask the seller to shut it and listen for suspension noises, go over bumps etc.

Open the engine bay, check for leaks, check under the car etc.

Just the usual and obvious points to verify.
Make sure the car has no finance on it.

Compare prices online and make an offer that make sense.
If the car has some issues, like dents, needs some wheel refurbishment, take a few quids off your offer.

Bring a sound friend with you if you have doubts.

Idbatterim

dont buy anything without getting it checked by a mechanic, preferably one with diagnostic scannner. Those engines are fine if looked after, if not they can me money pits!My mate had one, which was suffering oil leaks in 3 seperate areas, but as this was identified, the seller dropped the price accordingly... Also there was an issue with the subframe on these cars, although it was allegedly sorted around 2002...

the below looks a good all rounder...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4429605

vectra

Idbatterim wrote: »

the below looks a good all rounder...

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4429605

That is the actual one I was looking at but a friend did a check on it for me and I was unsure about it when he got back to me.
Looking at a Mk1 Octavia vRS tomorrow. Will most likely buy that.
Thanks for the replies

Idbatterim

what kind of check did he do? like a cartell check?

vectra

Idbatterim wrote: »

what kind of check did he do? like a cartell check?

Some system in a main dealers

Idbatterim

Some system in a main dealers

unless it was a bmw dealer and there were notes on the system, i.e formerly in accident or has serious issue, cant see what problem would be. Unless he did cartell check and mileage was off, or former insurance write off, flood damage etc. It looks straight from the ad, asking price a little lower than I might have expected though...

enumbers

These are not a good engine no matter how there looked after, they leak oil like a sieve, vanos units fail for fun, timing chain guides fail. coolant system is fragile every plastic part can leak once they get a bit old.

Ardennes1944

Its strange how 318s fetch less money than 325s and 330s

vectra

Idbatterim wrote: »

unless it was a bmw dealer.

Correct.