E36 318i Convertible buying tips
Discussion
Hi guys
My mate wants to get one of these. His budget is £7k. He can't afford the insurance on a 6 cylinder model. He wants the convertible because he's a poser.
Anyone got any tips? You know, usual stuff: common faults, service intervals, sensible milage etc.
I've been advised on another forum that the engines are pretty solid with a full service history - should still be going strong at 130k.
Any info much appreciated
My mate wants to get one of these. His budget is £7k. He can't afford the insurance on a 6 cylinder model. He wants the convertible because he's a poser.
Anyone got any tips? You know, usual stuff: common faults, service intervals, sensible milage etc.
I've been advised on another forum that the engines are pretty solid with a full service history - should still be going strong at 130k.
Any info much appreciated
Operate the roof several times through its full cycle,thing to watch for is its first opening-the stowaway cover may hit or jam against the rear fabric bow.The cause of this will be the tension straps being weak...About £800 to replace.
Idealy try and check it for water ingess at the front hood corners to drivers window...I have replaced seals here hundreds of times,again expensive if its the goal post seal and door appeture seals-tend to replace all at the same time.The fault is a pain more than anything,as when it rains it drips on your knee constantly.
You need to make sure the head gasket is Ok,one weakness the M43 1.8 has is the head gasket at cyl 3-4.Its a swift repair but still several hundred pounds.
Check the metal brake pipes n/s and o/s rear from the trailing arm up and over the fuel tank-they are prone to corrosion on E36 and E46,another £200 as its a tank out job
Apart from that they are generally good-assumming the owner looked after it.
If you go high mileage it may be worth having it checked over by a third party and get an overall report.Otherwise you may find you want pads and discs,bushes,2nd inspection ii service,brake fliud and brake fluid changes and so on and so on,things that mount up in price which you arent expecting
Idealy try and check it for water ingess at the front hood corners to drivers window...I have replaced seals here hundreds of times,again expensive if its the goal post seal and door appeture seals-tend to replace all at the same time.The fault is a pain more than anything,as when it rains it drips on your knee constantly.
You need to make sure the head gasket is Ok,one weakness the M43 1.8 has is the head gasket at cyl 3-4.Its a swift repair but still several hundred pounds.
Check the metal brake pipes n/s and o/s rear from the trailing arm up and over the fuel tank-they are prone to corrosion on E36 and E46,another £200 as its a tank out job
Apart from that they are generally good-assumming the owner looked after it.
If you go high mileage it may be worth having it checked over by a third party and get an overall report.Otherwise you may find you want pads and discs,bushes,2nd inspection ii service,brake fliud and brake fluid changes and so on and so on,things that mount up in price which you arent expecting
Edited by blackspider on Tuesday 8th May 07:36
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