SOTW: BMW 318is
Garlick's chosen a BMW (and not a Merc). How very odd...
As regular devotees of SOTW will probably know, I have three criteria when searching for a Shed of the Week - it must be limo-sized, it must be an auto and it has to be a Merc. But something changed this week, because I've cheated on Mercedes for a dabble with its deadliest rival. I feel dirty.
Back in 1996 we had a fairly new BMW 318is on the used forecourt at the dealer where I worked. It was black with grey cloth and, to be honest, we hadn't had much interest in it, but I rather liked it. At that time I'd never driven an 'is' before and seized the opportunity to take this one out once my boss had gone home for the evening. It wasn't taxed, so trade plates were attached and I was off (after jump-starting it if I recall correctly).
I remember how much I liked the way the car involved the driver, how the dash wrapped around you and how good the four-pot sounded. I was selling Mercs at the time and we didn't offer anything as focussed; we certainly didn't offer anything with a manual box as smooth either and (rather reluctantly) I was seeing the appeal of the blue-and-white roundel.
Today these cars are worth a grand - and that's not bad is it? For your money you'll be getting the rather beautiful E36 coupe body, containing a 140bhp, 1800cc engine (though this car could just possibly be a later car featuring the 1900cc M44 engine that also saw service in the Z3) that gives over 130mph and a 0-60mph time of 10.2secs.
For a fairly small four-banger you get a reasonable 132lb ft of torque, too, and when it's wrapped up in a chassis as tight as only BMW know how, you'll find that's more than enough to get into trouble (just don't drive one like I did).
Looking at the advert this car seems in very good health, is versions of the E36 regularly fall into shed budget but they don't always look like this, especially not with tax and test thrown in. Tempted? I think you should be, I know I am. This needs to be bought.
Advert is reproduced below:
1996 BMW 318is, 124,000 miles, £1000
BMW 318is for sale, this cars is in great condition, runs perfect without any problems. It is surprisinly good on fuel aswell. It has 17 inch bbs split-rims which are in ok condition but could do with a re-furb at some point to be perfect. The car has a factory fitted m-tec boby kit all round. Also has red carpets and red seats and red door card trim. It has electric windows and sun roof. It has tax for five months and mot till august. The tyres are all in legal condition with one tyre new. This car is great and i will be sorry to see it go, but due to me finishing uni for the summer very shortly i need the money to see me through.£1000.
He'd all-but signed for a Prelude (5th gen) when he was invited to a BMW company car driver test-drive event. When he arrived the only car left was a 318iS which was probably all his budget would stretch to anyway and so he headed-out in it.
He (as I would have) assumed that it would be a bit limp and lifeless - not a patch on the hot hatches/coupe's he'd been eyeing-up - but when he came back he'd decided it was the car for him! When I questioned this, he pressed the keys into my hands within a couple of days of getting it and told me to see for myself.
At the time I had a Civic 1.8 VTi which I hated for a raft of reasons, so I might have been slightly clouded in my judgement but 4 hours behind the wheel on motorways, country roads, town centres etc. left me nothing less than impressed. It did nothing amazing - it wasn't a "hot hatch" - it's performance was 'adequate" - but you got out feeling like you'd just gotten-in - it was a lovely car...
If I had a complaint, it's that for some reason no-one let you out of junctions/lanes on the motorway
It wasn't red inside tho!!!!
Taking a "oh, it's not the most powerful engine, so it's crap then" attitude is like rejecting a meal in a restaurant because it doesn't weigh enough - it shows ignorance of the true purpose of the thing...
I'd really rather not have that kit and wheels tho - it's trying too hard, really.
Anything with a ticket and no obvious faults is worth at least £400-500 these days - add on a bit for remaining tax - add on a bit more if the car is interesting - knock a bit off if it does 20mpg
The days of getting a runnable car for £200 are gone tho - I spend a fair bit of time looking at/dealing with cheap cars and that market just doesn't exist anymore (not least because most bangers cost over £200 a year to tax!!)
Once a car reaches a certain age (6+ years or so) you stop caring about mileage anyway - it's ALL about actual condition. If you car has no obvious problems, no looming expensive maintenance, 6+ months ticket and some tax you'd easily get £400+ from someone.
Let's be honest, any less than that and it's worth more as loose tyres, wheels, interior, other bits and some fuel!!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff