My first BMW, 318 compact
Discussion
So I bought this horrible 206 GTi:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
To think that, before looking at this, I’d seen a VW Golf GTi TURBO, then dismissed it as being a bit expensive. By heck, what I paid for the 206, plus what I’d spent on it trying to sort it out, would have bought the Turbo and left change!
Then I remembered that what I really wanted was a 3-series, so I part-exchanged the 206 for this. It’s a 2002 (52 reg) 318 ti SE in Flamenco Red. In other words a Compact – I love the idea of having a 3-series hatchback!
OK so it was really cheap (less than the 206 was in fact!) so it’s done a fairly high mileage; let’s just say that if it had gone in a straight line since leaving the factory, it would now be closer to the moon than the earth. And it’s bound to need a few things doing; there are one or two little blemishes but so far I’ve come across nothing that’s broken or not working apart from an airbag light that stays on.
Tax and MOT both longer than the car it replaced. And it’s like driving a big MX-5! You only need to think about turning the wheel and the car steers, rather than turning it then 15 seconds later hearing the car say, “Can I get back to you on that”?
Sorry about the crap photos, they’re off the dealer’s website. Will take some better ones soon.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
To think that, before looking at this, I’d seen a VW Golf GTi TURBO, then dismissed it as being a bit expensive. By heck, what I paid for the 206, plus what I’d spent on it trying to sort it out, would have bought the Turbo and left change!
Then I remembered that what I really wanted was a 3-series, so I part-exchanged the 206 for this. It’s a 2002 (52 reg) 318 ti SE in Flamenco Red. In other words a Compact – I love the idea of having a 3-series hatchback!
OK so it was really cheap (less than the 206 was in fact!) so it’s done a fairly high mileage; let’s just say that if it had gone in a straight line since leaving the factory, it would now be closer to the moon than the earth. And it’s bound to need a few things doing; there are one or two little blemishes but so far I’ve come across nothing that’s broken or not working apart from an airbag light that stays on.
Tax and MOT both longer than the car it replaced. And it’s like driving a big MX-5! You only need to think about turning the wheel and the car steers, rather than turning it then 15 seconds later hearing the car say, “Can I get back to you on that”?
Sorry about the crap photos, they’re off the dealer’s website. Will take some better ones soon.
designforlife said:
... OT but are you a neon genesis evangelion fan? one anime geek to another hehe....
Not particularly it just happened to be the username I chose! NGE is one of my least favourites, prefer Please Teacher/Twins, Love Hina, You're Under Arrest, Lucky Star and the greatest of them all, Haruhi Suzumiya. Haruhi for PM!(Normal service will be ressumed as soon as possible)
[/OT]
Took some better pics today.
The grey panel that goes across the middle of the dash is a bit naff; looks like someone has tried to repaint it and not done it tto well! I thought, 'that would be a good candidate for a bit of carbon fibre wrap,' later I went onto the BMW Car Club forum, to find someone had already done it!
The grey panel that goes across the middle of the dash is a bit naff; looks like someone has tried to repaint it and not done it tto well! I thought, 'that would be a good candidate for a bit of carbon fibre wrap,' later I went onto the BMW Car Club forum, to find someone had already done it!
Ive had two of these very good cars. Keep an eye on the rear tyres especially come the winter RWD and no weight over the back equals some pretty exciting handling in the wet / ice when your tyres are going off. It will teach you a thing or two about driving. I sold my last one to a mate who fitted Winter tyres last winter improved the car a lot, might be worth thinking about in 6 months time.
Nuttah said:
Just f
k off tbh.
Nice car OP much better than the 206.
Great response mate and very necessary. I thought the title said 'my first BMW as in 'wow look at me ive got a BM' and didnt see the big deal which is why I asked. Nice to see you a delightful and articulate fellow though.k off tbh.Nice car OP much better than the 206.
oj121 said:
Nuttah said:
Just fk off tbh.
Nice car OP much better than the 206.
Great response mate and very necessary. I thought the title said 'my first BMW as in 'wow look at me ive got a BM' and didnt see the big deal which is why I asked. Nice to see you a delightful and articulate fellow though.k off tbh.Nice car OP much better than the 206.
Many thanks
swansea v6 said:
I've just sold my v6 vectra and bought an e36 318ti compact. Can not state how much better it rides and handles compared to the Vauxhall even tho it is so much slower in a straight line. Am seriously tempted to drop in a 328i lump......
I went one better and stuffed an m3 evo engine in mine. Great fun but very twitchy!Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff