Looking to purchase BMW 3 series
Discussion
I currently drive a VW Bora but i'm looking to change to a cheaper car where i have no finance, I have a budget of around £3k and have been drawn by the looks of the BMW 3 series.
The cars i have been looking at are 1998-2000 318 models with betweeen 60k - 80k on them.
What sort of things should i be looking out for with these cars?
What are the price of parts like compared to say an audi or vw?
Also what sort mpg would i expect from the 318?
Any help much appreciated
The cars i have been looking at are 1998-2000 318 models with betweeen 60k - 80k on them.
What sort of things should i be looking out for with these cars?
What are the price of parts like compared to say an audi or vw?
Also what sort mpg would i expect from the 318?
Any help much appreciated
Whilst it's obviously sensible to consider running costs, it you use and Indie for servicing and ask them to use pattern parts from someone like GSF if anything does brake, running a bimmer need not be any more expensive than running a VW.
Plus a 318 might not be the torquiest device on the road but it'll only takes a quick shower of rain before you'll find that it's a whole lot more fun than any fwd saloon.
Plus a 318 might not be the torquiest device on the road but it'll only takes a quick shower of rain before you'll find that it's a whole lot more fun than any fwd saloon.
BMW servicing ranges from horrific to hernia-inducing.
The four cylinder models are cheaper by virtue of having less bits to replace, but the slight saving in servicing and fuel relative to the bigger engined cars is negated, IMHO, by the complete lack of grunt.
Their inherent design means they just wear things out, although this is less of a problem as you go down the engine sizes...
A 3er of that era will run on Oil Service, Inspection 1, Oil Service, Inspection 2, Oil Service, ad infinatum... They are variable intervals depending on usage, but typically allow for 14,000 miles between visits to the mechanics.
If your local dealer does the 6+ scheme (i.e. older than 6yrs) then it won't be much more expensive than a decent Indy.
However, what will happen is that you'll have £180 Oil Service, which will identify £xxx worth of work that needs doing - normally bearings, bushes, and rear top mounts.
The four cylinder models are cheaper by virtue of having less bits to replace, but the slight saving in servicing and fuel relative to the bigger engined cars is negated, IMHO, by the complete lack of grunt.
Their inherent design means they just wear things out, although this is less of a problem as you go down the engine sizes...
A 3er of that era will run on Oil Service, Inspection 1, Oil Service, Inspection 2, Oil Service, ad infinatum... They are variable intervals depending on usage, but typically allow for 14,000 miles between visits to the mechanics.
If your local dealer does the 6+ scheme (i.e. older than 6yrs) then it won't be much more expensive than a decent Indy.
However, what will happen is that you'll have £180 Oil Service, which will identify £xxx worth of work that needs doing - normally bearings, bushes, and rear top mounts.
Dunk76 said:
You'll also find that the 318i isn't much cheaper, fuel wise, than a 328i/330i of the same vintage.
Plus, nothing screams 'I don't get cars' like a 318i
Cheeky git! Plus, nothing screams 'I don't get cars' like a 318i
Am now of course wishing I went for one of the straight six models. Fuel economy is not great on the 318 given the lack of performance.
Don't get me wrong, I like my E36, but wish it had a bit more poke.
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