318is - What to look out for?
Discussion
Test drove one last night and liked what it offered. I presume there's no subframe issue with the E36 4pots unlike the 6? Is there any nasty suprises to watch out for?
There didn't seem to be any unwanted clunking on full turn from the front or from the back under hard cornering. Which is a good sign.
Also was it only the last year of T/V reg that got the M3 kit from the factory?
Any help appreciated
thanks
There didn't seem to be any unwanted clunking on full turn from the front or from the back under hard cornering. Which is a good sign.
Also was it only the last year of T/V reg that got the M3 kit from the factory?
Any help appreciated
thanks
I wasn't aware of any subframe issues with E36s full stop.
Look for rust/bubbling paint, on the rear arches particularly, but basically everywhere!
These cars eat bushes and coil springs as a matter of course, so if there's any evidence that they need sorting use it as a bargaining chip but don't walk away from the car 'cause it's pretty par for the course.
Air con gets recalcitrant because the "hedgehog" (final stage resistor) needs replacing or the climate module needs replacing/repairing. Again, pretty normal for these cars so don't let it put you off.
M3 kit was not, to my knowledge, ever "standard" as such on these cars and would only be on the car if a sports pack was specified. If it has the sports pack then it should also have "double spoke" alloys, white indicator lenses, front sports seats, half leather seats all round (unless upgraded to full leather) and anthracite headlining. If it doesn't have these things then someone bought the bodykit but not the full sports pack and it may be an aftermarket copy rather than OEM.
Look for rust/bubbling paint, on the rear arches particularly, but basically everywhere!
These cars eat bushes and coil springs as a matter of course, so if there's any evidence that they need sorting use it as a bargaining chip but don't walk away from the car 'cause it's pretty par for the course.
Air con gets recalcitrant because the "hedgehog" (final stage resistor) needs replacing or the climate module needs replacing/repairing. Again, pretty normal for these cars so don't let it put you off.
M3 kit was not, to my knowledge, ever "standard" as such on these cars and would only be on the car if a sports pack was specified. If it has the sports pack then it should also have "double spoke" alloys, white indicator lenses, front sports seats, half leather seats all round (unless upgraded to full leather) and anthracite headlining. If it doesn't have these things then someone bought the bodykit but not the full sports pack and it may be an aftermarket copy rather than OEM.
MitchT said:
I wasn't aware of any subframe issues with E36s full stop.
Look for rust/bubbling paint, on the rear arches particularly, but basically everywhere!
These cars eat bushes and coil springs as a matter of course, so if there's any evidence that they need sorting use it as a bargaining chip but don't walk away from the car 'cause it's pretty par for the course.
Air con gets recalcitrant because the "hedgehog" (final stage resistor) needs replacing or the climate module needs replacing/repairing. Again, pretty normal for these cars so don't let it put you off.
M3 kit was not, to my knowledge, ever "standard" as such on these cars and would only be on the car if a sports pack was specified. If it has the sports pack then it should also have "double spoke" alloys, white indicator lenses, front sports seats, half leather seats all round (unless upgraded to full leather) and anthracite headlining. If it doesn't have these things then someone bought the bodykit but not the full sports pack and it may be an aftermarket copy rather than OEM.
A friend of mine has broken several subframes on his E36 M3 evo.Look for rust/bubbling paint, on the rear arches particularly, but basically everywhere!
These cars eat bushes and coil springs as a matter of course, so if there's any evidence that they need sorting use it as a bargaining chip but don't walk away from the car 'cause it's pretty par for the course.
Air con gets recalcitrant because the "hedgehog" (final stage resistor) needs replacing or the climate module needs replacing/repairing. Again, pretty normal for these cars so don't let it put you off.
M3 kit was not, to my knowledge, ever "standard" as such on these cars and would only be on the car if a sports pack was specified. If it has the sports pack then it should also have "double spoke" alloys, white indicator lenses, front sports seats, half leather seats all round (unless upgraded to full leather) and anthracite headlining. If it doesn't have these things then someone bought the bodykit but not the full sports pack and it may be an aftermarket copy rather than OEM.
MitchT said:
I wasn't aware of any subframe issues with E36s full stop.
Look for rust/bubbling paint, on the rear arches particularly, but basically everywhere!
M3 kit was not, to my knowledge, ever "standard" as such on these cars and would only be on the car if a sports pack was specified. If it has the sports pack then it should also have "double spoke" alloys, white indicator lenses, front sports seats, half leather seats all round (unless upgraded to full leather) and anthracite headlining. If it doesn't have these things then someone bought the bodykit but not the full sports pack and it may be an aftermarket copy rather than OEM.
I had a 99/T plate 318iS, and it definitely didn't have any M3 kit on it - that will have been aftermarket.Look for rust/bubbling paint, on the rear arches particularly, but basically everywhere!
M3 kit was not, to my knowledge, ever "standard" as such on these cars and would only be on the car if a sports pack was specified. If it has the sports pack then it should also have "double spoke" alloys, white indicator lenses, front sports seats, half leather seats all round (unless upgraded to full leather) and anthracite headlining. If it doesn't have these things then someone bought the bodykit but not the full sports pack and it may be an aftermarket copy rather than OEM.
No bubbling paint on mine, apart from one boot corner which had been knocked and never treated. Otherwise the bodywork was in pretty good condition all round.
The engines seem to hold their miles incredibly well, and they must be one of the most entertaining 4 pots around - smooth, loves working up to the rev limit (thats why I never got above 30mpg).
MitchT said:
I wasn't aware of any subframe issues with E36s full stop.
Look for rust/bubbling paint, on the rear arches particularly, but basically everywhere!
These cars eat bushes and coil springs as a matter of course, so if there's any evidence that they need sorting use it as a bargaining chip but don't walk away from the car 'cause it's pretty par for the course.
Air con gets recalcitrant because the "hedgehog" (final stage resistor) needs replacing or the climate module needs replacing/repairing. Again, pretty normal for these cars so don't let it put you off.
M3 kit was not, to my knowledge, ever "standard" as such on these cars and would only be on the car if a sports pack was specified. If it has the sports pack then it should also have "double spoke" alloys, white indicator lenses, front sports seats, half leather seats all round (unless upgraded to full leather) and anthracite headlining. If it doesn't have these things then someone bought the bodykit but not the full sports pack and it may be an aftermarket copy rather than OEM.
Thanks that's extremly useful.Look for rust/bubbling paint, on the rear arches particularly, but basically everywhere!
These cars eat bushes and coil springs as a matter of course, so if there's any evidence that they need sorting use it as a bargaining chip but don't walk away from the car 'cause it's pretty par for the course.
Air con gets recalcitrant because the "hedgehog" (final stage resistor) needs replacing or the climate module needs replacing/repairing. Again, pretty normal for these cars so don't let it put you off.
M3 kit was not, to my knowledge, ever "standard" as such on these cars and would only be on the car if a sports pack was specified. If it has the sports pack then it should also have "double spoke" alloys, white indicator lenses, front sports seats, half leather seats all round (unless upgraded to full leather) and anthracite headlining. If it doesn't have these things then someone bought the bodykit but not the full sports pack and it may be an aftermarket copy rather than OEM.
clonmult said:
The engines seem to hold their miles incredibly well, and they must be one of the most entertaining 4 pots around - smooth, loves working up to the rev limit (thats why I never got above 30mpg).
Awsome 
I love my 318iS. It's my track car, but have been commuting in it recently. Great, revvy little engine.
One thing to watch out for is a cracked manifold which is quite common on the M42 engine. I had the issue on mine, but a local Independent welded it back up for about £150. Not had any issues with it since and have done 7 track days since the welding was done.
One thing to watch out for is a cracked manifold which is quite common on the M42 engine. I had the issue on mine, but a local Independent welded it back up for about £150. Not had any issues with it since and have done 7 track days since the welding was done.
muffinmenace said:
clonmult said:
The engines seem to hold their miles incredibly well, and they must be one of the most entertaining 4 pots around - smooth, loves working up to the rev limit (thats why I never got above 30mpg).
Awsome There was something incredibly addictive about the 318iS - in the dry it never had the power to tail slide on any of the basingstoke roundabouts, and I did try - holding second gear at around 45mph on one, absolutely flooring the throttle, and it just didn't drift.
In the wet was another matter, the traction control showed itself to be absolutely useless (it would kick in a second after I'd corrected a slide).
Years before I'd driven an early E36 325, the power was obvious, but it was a much lazier engine, and whilst the improvements in acceleration were pretty stunning, I'm not sure I prefered the engines behaviour. Just loved scooting down country roads (once or twice following a mate in his Scooby WRX), keeping the engine in the sweet range, windows open, hearing the pleasing rasp from the exhaust .... *sigh*, I'm going a bit misty eyed over that car.
If anyone has seen T499 DGU on the roads, I'd love to know how its going now ...
clonmult said:
Just loved scooting down country roads (once or twice following a mate in his Scooby WRX), keeping the engine in the sweet range, windows open, hearing the pleasing rasp from the exhaust ....
Heh, I love mine for this reason. It's meant to be a track car only (I have an e46 M3 for every day use), but I still find myself using the 318 a hell of a lot.One of my favourite drives in all my cars was a little 5 min blat down the country lanes near home at the start of the summer. Had a newish Fiesta following me through the lanes, windows down, sunroof open and the exhaust rasping away (I have an Eisenmann backbox too
). Sensible speeds, and just totally involved driving. Not bad for a car that cost me £800 with a year's tax Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff