Evening guys,

So, looking for a new car, one particular stand out is a 96 318i, has 180xxx kms on it but it looks immaculate,

My question, can anyone comment on what beemers of that age are like to keep running? Being a euro i imagine parts and labour would be more expensive than your average jap car.

Another one im keen on is a fairly low km 92 GTiR for about the same price, has a few mods but will hopefully not cause the issues ive had with the liberty but obviously the previous owner liked to drive it hard,

Any opinions?

Cheers

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PerthWRX - Where gay singles meet!

Send Bakks a PM, he's pretty knowledgeable about BMW's and he is selling his very nice 318i at the moment.

Adz owned one also, same model you're looking at.

1996 E36 318i 180,000 km!
Engine is an M43

Best of the worst I'm sorry!

Look out for:

Oil leaks between cyl head & block (head off to fix)
Oil filter housing to block leaks
Radiator expansion bottle leaks (looks like part of the radiator but it's not - prone to cracking $375 + fitting)
Water pump has a plastic impellor (prone to de-bonding off shaft)
Engine has 3 x plastic water fittings (prone to becoming brittle and failing)


Front lower caster rod bushes (check tyre wear - $350 for bushes alone + fitting)

Tailshaft rubber coupling (guibo) prone to failure.

I'd avoid 318's like the plague! If you want a 3 series look at the 323 (M52 6 cylinder) much better reliability.



(I previously worked for Auto Classic)

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[CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Built Ej207: Semi-closed RA Cases - Wiseco Forgies - Manley rods - BC 272 cams - GDA Heads - billet f/whl - Vi-pec - WbO2 - 800cc Yellow tops - TD05-20G - 409Hp ath @ 1.75bar on E85[/COLOR][/CENTER]

Now thats some comprehensive advice, thanks dude, looks like its AWD SR20 time

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PerthWRX - Where gay singles meet!

Well, i just sold my 92 318i, it was all good up until the 210000km mark then things started to go wrong... All i can say is BMW parts for that age a very expensive!!! I'll never buy another!!! Spent alot of $$$ to get up to selling stage. Up to you

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MY02 STI, 3" TBE, 18PSI

Don't discount the M52 powered 323 though!

170 hp (323) V 115 (318) = 35% power increase + huge jump in reliability.

Depends whether you're after a cruising car (BM) or something to flog (Gtir).

Happy to help!

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[CENTER][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC][/CENTER]
[CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Built Ej207: Semi-closed RA Cases - Wiseco Forgies - Manley rods - BC 272 cams - GDA Heads - billet f/whl - Vi-pec - WbO2 - 800cc Yellow tops - TD05-20G - 409Hp ath @ 1.75bar on E85[/COLOR][/CENTER]

ive had my 92 325i (190 HP) for around 3 months (drive 400 kays a week) & its been totally reliable & everything works great (has full autoclassic service history, so that might help)
cheers

my last BMW (E34 535i Manual)I still miss it's long distance cruisability & comfort!

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[CENTER][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC][/CENTER]
[CENTER][COLOR=#ff0000]Built Ej207: Semi-closed RA Cases - Wiseco Forgies - Manley rods - BC 272 cams - GDA Heads - billet f/whl - Vi-pec - WbO2 - 800cc Yellow tops - TD05-20G - 409Hp ath @ 1.75bar on E85[/COLOR][/CENTER]

While Beemer parts maybe a little expensive, have you thought about where the GTiR parts are going to come from?

323i and 325i E30's are great cars to drive, 318i is only for those with XX chromosomes.