BMW 325 tds

[manek]

Need a cheap cruiser for some long-haul drives I'll need to do for work over the next year or two. Toying with an E36 325tds as you can get one cheap (under £3k). Good buy? Stuff to look for? Alternatives? I'd be glad of some Beemer expert input.

Be gentle with me: it could be my first Munich-mobile...

[sniff petrol]

I bought this touring last October for £1600:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Watch out for fuel pump issues, hot starting problems, timing chain rattles, rear bushes perishing, rear springs corroding and snapping (looks like it's been lowered, rear brake line corrosion (fuel tank has to be removed for access - cost the previous owner £700!!!)

Airbag lights come on easily due to a poor design in the wiring under the seat, but this can be reset easily with a £50 tool or a specialist will do it for £30.

Parts can be extremely good value due to the large numbers of E36's about.

I'm very happy with mine, goes like a train with the tunning box and the injectors refurbished (£160 and fitted myself) and great on fuel on a fast cruise due to it being a large engine not needing to be on full boost as often as a smaller turbo diesel.

[manek]

Thanks Richard. Think I'm about to dip my toe into Munich's waters...

[clonmult]

sniff petrol said:

I bought this touring last October for £1600:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Watch out for fuel pump issues, hot starting problems, timing chain rattles, rear bushes perishing, rear springs corroding and snapping (looks like it's been lowered, rear brake line corrosion (fuel tank has to be removed for access - cost the previous owner £700!!!)

Airbag lights come on easily due to a poor design in the wiring under the seat, but this can be reset easily with a £50 tool or a specialist will do it for £30.

Parts can be extremely good value due to the large numbers of E36's about.

The blasted airbag light has just flicked up on my 99 E36. I think I'll just take the light out of the dash rather than get it reset ....

Due to the family changes, I'm wondering about going from the 318iS Coupe to a 325tds saloon, but there hardly seem to be any in my area. Will have to be patient ...

[manek]

On the 535tds - what sort of real-world economy do you get, and how much to service? Thanks.

[sniff petrol]

clonmult said:

The blasted airbag light has just flicked up on my 99 E36. I think I'll just take the light out of the dash rather than get it reset ....

I think it may fail the MOT if it doesn't light up on start-up. You can get a tool on ebay for less than £50 that will reset it.

[Vixpy1]

sniff petrol said:

clonmult said:

The blasted airbag light has just flicked up on my 99 E36. I think I'll just take the light out of the dash rather than get it reset ....

I think it may fail the MOT if it doesn't light up on start-up. You can get a tool on ebay for less than £50 that will reset it.

No check on airbag light on MOT.

[clonmult]

Vixpy1 said:

sniff petrol said:

clonmult said:

The blasted airbag light has just flicked up on my 99 E36. I think I'll just take the light out of the dash rather than get it reset ....

I think it may fail the MOT if it doesn't light up on start-up. You can get a tool on ebay for less than £50 that will reset it.

No check on airbag light on MOT.

Handy to know ... ta!

[sniff petrol]

Vixpy1 said:

sniff petrol said:

clonmult said:

The blasted airbag light has just flicked up on my 99 E36. I think I'll just take the light out of the dash rather than get it reset ....

I think it may fail the MOT if it doesn't light up on start-up. You can get a tool on ebay for less than £50 that will reset it.

No check on airbag light on MOT.

Ok, I must have been thinking of the ABS light maybe.

[Vixpy1]

sniff petrol said:

Vixpy1 said:

sniff petrol said:

clonmult said:

The blasted airbag light has just flicked up on my 99 E36. I think I'll just take the light out of the dash rather than get it reset ....

I think it may fail the MOT if it doesn't light up on start-up. You can get a tool on ebay for less than £50 that will reset it.

No check on airbag light on MOT.

Ok, I must have been thinking of the ABS light maybe.

Yep, thats a failure, however only if its on, and they don't check for it at startup.

Edited by Vixpy1 on Thursday 20th March 16:48

[sniff petrol]

Vixpy1 said:

sniff petrol said:

Vixpy1 said:

sniff petrol said:

clonmult said:

The blasted airbag light has just flicked up on my 99 E36. I think I'll just take the light out of the dash rather than get it reset ....

I think it may fail the MOT if it doesn't light up on start-up. You can get a tool on ebay for less than £50 that will reset it.

No check on airbag light on MOT.

Ok, I must have been thinking of the ABS light maybe.

Yep, thats a failure, however only if its on, and they don't check for it at startup.

Edited by Vixpy1 on Thursday 20th March 16:48

Thought that if ABS were fitted it had to work nowadays? before as long as it met the brake efficiancy levels on the rollers then it would be fine.

[Vixpy1]

sniff petrol said:

Vixpy1 said:

sniff petrol said:

Vixpy1 said:

sniff petrol said:

clonmult said:

The blasted airbag light has just flicked up on my 99 E36. I think I'll just take the light out of the dash rather than get it reset ....

I think it may fail the MOT if it doesn't light up on start-up. You can get a tool on ebay for less than £50 that will reset it.

No check on airbag light on MOT.

Ok, I must have been thinking of the ABS light maybe.

Yep, thats a failure, however only if its on, and they don't check for it at startup.

Edited by Vixpy1 on Thursday 20th March 16:48

Thought that if ABS were fitted it had to work nowadays? before as long as it met the brake efficiancy levels on the rollers then it would be fine.

Your right

Information Method of Inspection Reason for rejection
This ABS inspection applies to all systems fitted as ‘standard’, and to ‘optional’ systems fitted. 1. If the vehicle is fitted with an anti-lock braking system, check that 1. The warning lamp
a. a warning lamp is fitted a. is missing
b. the lamp illuminates b. does not illuminate
c. the lamp follows the correct sequence of operation c. does not follow the correct sequence of operation
Note: The sequence varies with the type of system. Refer to the manufacturer’s or other reliable data, eg purpose produced charts, books etc d. indicates an ABS fault