OLD BMER

BDSC1964

For some time now I've been considering buying a BMW 3 series 92-98model. A superb drivers car. The reason I havent done it is because of the fear factor of buying a heap of trouble. However something has come up now a 1997 318I and looks almost immaculate and the milage is under 100k. Seems to good to be through! There is some history but not recent. It is a private sale and the folks seem genuine. It is not NCTed. I dont have a problem if I have to put several hundred into this car after purchase but not thousands. I suppose I'm wondering what are the pitfalls or trouble spots with this model (if any) particularly if the milage is more than stated? I'm really just after major problems.
Cheers

No Pants

I wouldn't buy a car without an NCT, I don't care what assurances the seller may give.

JMSE

heres an idea, get them to book it in for an nct, they get the car there on the day. Meet them there and you pay for it and you get to take the report home with you, and then you can decide whether to go further.

Stinicker

I'm driving one of these with the last 7 years and it has been the most reliable car you could ask for and is an absolute beauty to drive, I just took it an hour ago for a drive as the weather is so fantastic here. Fuel costs will be high if you intend to large mileage on them but in my opinion they were the last great car to come out of Bavaria. The E36 is the greatest BMW model I think.

BDSC1964

JMSE thats a great idea. I'll take them up on that might flush them out!

Stinicker thats good to hear. I drove one for a week around the west of ireland in 2000 and loved every minute of it particularly on those roads. Made the mistake of buying the E46 paid top dollar and the car was an ex right off. Hence my weryness.

Cheers

Stallingrad

Stinicker wrote: »

The E36 is the greatest BMW model I think.

Funny, I think it was rubbish. Lousy dashboard and average build quality, the first ones were truly awful. They got better later in the model cycle but one of the most overrated 3 series ever IMO.

BDSC1964

Well from what I know the earlier models, as with the 5 series were very unreliable. I worked in London in the 90s and a friend of mine had a 528 with endless problems and he referred to it as a BM trouble you!

listermint

1997 318 is no more trouble than any car of the era, in fact the block is more reliable i would garner than its successor in the E46, she seems to develop oil leaks all over the place and a dubious timing chain.

Buddy has a 99 318is and its a joy to drive. Solid lump obvious things like rust under the arches need to be looked at. Bushes bearings arms suspension for the age of the car doesnt matter how low the mileage is make sure these things have been taken care of.

keithsfleet

I've had a 323 328 and m3 e36 and they are great drivers. I've also had a 328 e46 and found it rather bland compared to the e36.

The 1st thing to look out for is the cooling system, alot of it is made of plastic and the e36 6 cylinder engines run very warm by nature so look for signs/receipts that it has been replaced, rad, hoses etc etc

Look for signs of leaks around the window seals.

Trailing arm bushes are a right bugger on these and tend to go every few 10k, pay attention to any knocking over pot holes or going around corners.

Rust around wheel arches can spread quickly and give terrible bubbling to the paint.

The timing chains don't give much trouble at all so be wary if its rattly.

These cars are great value now so try get something with the m3 bumpers and rear lights, IMO they make it look much tastier.

Everything else is pretty much standard when looking to buy a car that's 15 years old.
Make sure everything is straight and pay attention to the engine and gearbox when it's cold.

They can be fairly thirsty as well, if you are doing a lot of mileage be mindful of that.

Other than that they are great cars and if well looked after will serve you faithfully for a long time.
A purchase you will look back on in many years and only remember great joyful memories......of going sideways:-)

Matt Simis

BDSC1964 wrote: »

Well from what I know the earlier models, as with the 5 series were very unreliable. I worked in London in the 90s and a friend of mine had a 528 with endless problems and he referred to it as a BM trouble you!

I would call the "90s" 5 series the E34 model and wouldnt agree with that and doubt you will find many that would.
However the 528 was only available in the E39 model and was the earlier version (changed to 530i later) of the E39 at that. I guess they have some issues, but none of them particularly worrying IMO.

biko

They can break your heart but on the other hand they're cheap and there's plenty of spare parts in breakers yards if you're handy with wrenches.
Used to have one (e36 1993) myself and there was always something small wrong with it but it would always start and go from A to B no bother, bloody workhorse it was.
At 180K it finally packed in but tbh it could still be on the road today, I just couldn't be arsed any more with all the small stuff.

listermint

Matt Simis wrote: »

I would call the "90s" 5 series the E34 model and wouldnt agree with that and doubt you will find many that would.
However the 528 was only available in the E39 model and was the earlier version (changed to 530i later) of the E39 at that. I guess they have some issues, but none of them particularly worrying IMO.

People that buy sh*t boxes complain about them afterwards quell surprise

Gumbo

This is why the good ones are actually going up in value!
I just sold mine this week through word of mouth

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kceire/8723488299/in/photostream/

listermint

kceire wrote: »

This is why the good ones are actually going up in value!
I just sold mine this week through word of mouth

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kceire/8723488299/in/photostream/

Lurvely

keithsfleet

kceire wrote: »

This is why the good ones are actually going up in value!
I just sold mine this week through word of mouth

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kceire/8723488299/in/photostream/

Lovely example there kceire

BDSC1964

keithsfleet wrote: »

I've had a 323 328 and m3 e36 and they are great drivers. I've also had a 328 e46 and found it rather bland compared to the e36.

The 1st thing to look out for is the cooling system, alot of it is made of plastic and the e36 6 cylinder engines run very warm by nature so look for signs/receipts that it has been replaced, rad, hoses etc etc

Look for signs of leaks around the window seals.

Trailing arm bushes are a right bugger on these and tend to go every few 10k, pay attention to any knocking over pot holes or going around corners.

Rust around wheel arches can spread quickly and give terrible bubbling to the paint.

The timing chains don't give much trouble at all so be wary if its rattly.

These cars are great value now so try get something with the m3 bumpers and rear lights, IMO they make it look much tastier.

Everything else is pretty much standard when looking to buy a car that's 15 years old.
Make sure everything is straight and pay attention to the engine and gearbox when it's cold.

They can be fairly thirsty as well, if you are doing a lot of mileage be mindful of that.

Other than that they are great cars and if well looked after will serve you faithfully for a long time.
A purchase you will look back on in many years and only remember great joyful memories......of going sideways:-)

This is very useful cheers

BDSC1964

Still looking at this.
Does anybody now how to identify a UK import?
I heard the irish reg will be in the 70 thousands.
Example - 99-D-72195 is a UK imported car? Is this correct?

tin79

BDSC1964 wrote: »

Still looking at this.
Does anybody now how to identify a UK import?
I heard the irish reg will be in the 70 thousands.
Example - 99-D-72195 is a UK imported car? Is this correct?

You can look at the log book. it will have the previous UK reg in it.

My last three cars were imports. Happy with all of them .

BDSC1964

great yes just didnt want to have to view the car before deciding.
I bought one around 2001 and paid top dollar only to discover the back end was totally rebuilt.
Cheers

HungryJoey

kceire wrote: »

This is why the good ones are actually going up in value!
I just sold mine this week through word of mouth

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kceire/8723488299/in/photostream/

Love that e36 keith.

Did you replace it with a 535d? :eek:

BDSC1964

Just picked up a 99 318 with original bmw radio/cassette player. Can anyone offer advice on how I might connect an ipod or mp3 player to it or do I have to buy a new stereo with a jack connection?

Suasdaguna1

No Pants wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a car without an NCT, I don't care what assurances the seller may give.

How did we all survive years ago?

Max Power1

Suasdaguna1 wrote: »

How did we all survive years ago?

Driving sh!tbuckets. I remember a car my dad had years ago, the exhaust was full of putty-like filler, but because there was no NCT, he was fine to keep driving it.

As much as I hate the pedantry of the NCT (Like the stupid county name thing), the irish car population is much safer now than in the pre-nct days.