BMW 318i se - Shed Money?
Discussion
Thought I’d make a thread on my new purchase, a 2003 BMW 318 SE
Coming from the likes of a Supra, Silvia and an MR2, I decided to be sensible for a change as my previous cars were simply costing too much to run and insure (I’m 22).
So here I am, happy with what possibly is the best £1k I’ve ever spent. I’ve had the car around a month now, and covered one thousand miles even though I never do that sort of mileage! It’s been to Edinburgh and back over a weekend, and managed to cover 510 miles out of a £59 fill up – the best economy I’ve ever seen across any of my cars, and not bad at all for an old NA 2 litre saloon.
The car has got FSH all with BMW specialists, and is currently on 110k miles. Despite the high mileage, the only thing I can see wrong is possibly the alternator, as the headlights occasionally light up very bright, and dim back down to normal levels – I’ve used the hidden test menu to find the battery is sometimes fed up to 18 volts for a few seconds, and then settles back down to 14V while running. It has the original BMW battery, so I’m not sure if it is indeed the alternator or battery at fault here.
She’s complete with everything; tool kit, original spare, hazard sign, first aid kit and torch, and is fully original apart from an iPod connector fitted into the CD Changer port on the BMW Business radio.
In regards to plans, I’m not sure that doing anything apart from maintaining the car would be beneficial on a 318, it’s not the best base to start from!
Coming from the likes of a Supra, Silvia and an MR2, I decided to be sensible for a change as my previous cars were simply costing too much to run and insure (I’m 22).
So here I am, happy with what possibly is the best £1k I’ve ever spent. I’ve had the car around a month now, and covered one thousand miles even though I never do that sort of mileage! It’s been to Edinburgh and back over a weekend, and managed to cover 510 miles out of a £59 fill up – the best economy I’ve ever seen across any of my cars, and not bad at all for an old NA 2 litre saloon.
The car has got FSH all with BMW specialists, and is currently on 110k miles. Despite the high mileage, the only thing I can see wrong is possibly the alternator, as the headlights occasionally light up very bright, and dim back down to normal levels – I’ve used the hidden test menu to find the battery is sometimes fed up to 18 volts for a few seconds, and then settles back down to 14V while running. It has the original BMW battery, so I’m not sure if it is indeed the alternator or battery at fault here.
She’s complete with everything; tool kit, original spare, hazard sign, first aid kit and torch, and is fully original apart from an iPod connector fitted into the CD Changer port on the BMW Business radio.
In regards to plans, I’m not sure that doing anything apart from maintaining the car would be beneficial on a 318, it’s not the best base to start from!
It may be just me, but that looks likes a lot of car for shed money. Nice colour and wheels too which is a bonus, when shedding. Its not going to the fastest, most dynamic or perhaps the best on fuel, but it should be miles of relatively cheap, comfy and easy motoring.
As you may have guessed, I spent my lunchtime today trawling autotrader looking for a similar vintage BMW or audi but I want a shed estate.
The pennies I save will go towards a Z4M coupe
As you may have guessed, I spent my lunchtime today trawling autotrader looking for a similar vintage BMW or audi but I want a shed estate.
The pennies I save will go towards a Z4M coupe
I have an identical car to this, same model, same colour, same wheels, even tipped the 110k mark this week!
Only things I can see different is I have electric all round and climate control.
Best sub £1k car I've ever owned, easy to drive and comfortable.
Only change I'm planning is retrofitting the sat Nav spec radio.
Only things I can see different is I have electric all round and climate control.
Best sub £1k car I've ever owned, easy to drive and comfortable.
Only change I'm planning is retrofitting the sat Nav spec radio.
Edited by Flying Toilet on Friday 20th February 17:43
Flying Toilet said:
I have an identical car to this, same model, same colour, same wheels, even tipped the 110k mark this week!
Only things I can see different is I have electric all round and climate control.
Best sub £1k car I've ever owned, easy to drive and comfortable.
Only change I'm planning is retrofitting the sat Nav spec radio.
Thats a good idea actually, although as my heater controls are just below the radio it would be a bit more of a problem for me! How is the climate control?Only things I can see different is I have electric all round and climate control.
Best sub £1k car I've ever owned, easy to drive and comfortable.
Only change I'm planning is retrofitting the sat Nav spec radio.
Edited by Flying Toilet on Friday 20th February 17:43
JakeT said:
Apologies for the pedancy, but that's an ES not an SE. The SE came with rear electric windows and climate control. However on an E46 manual rear windows is a good thing. Regulators are made of cheese there.
Thank, I knew it was a combination of S&E ! You are correct, although the very worst spec available, its so much better than previous cars of mine! The facelift 318's are quite impressive, my mum had one for years.
Quite fun to thrash about, never felt too gutless, decent ride and handling and brilliant fuel economy.
It'd generally average 35-40mpg (36 with Mum driving) pottering about and about 45 on a long run. Does this tally up to your experience with it?
Quite fun to thrash about, never felt too gutless, decent ride and handling and brilliant fuel economy.
It'd generally average 35-40mpg (36 with Mum driving) pottering about and about 45 on a long run. Does this tally up to your experience with it?
crosseyedlion said:
The facelift 318's are quite impressive, my mum had one for years.
Quite fun to thrash about, never felt too gutless, decent ride and handling and brilliant fuel economy.
It'd generally average 35-40mpg (36 with Mum driving) pottering about and about 45 on a long run. Does this tally up to your experience with it?
I always thought that a small engine BMW would be a nightmare to drive due to being so heavy with lack of power, but I was wrong! The power delivery is excellent. Its the comfiest car I've owned, and possibly the most economic.Quite fun to thrash about, never felt too gutless, decent ride and handling and brilliant fuel economy.
It'd generally average 35-40mpg (36 with Mum driving) pottering about and about 45 on a long run. Does this tally up to your experience with it?
I Averaged 47 MPG when I drove to Edinburgh and back, And consistently average high 30's. Such a shock from my 14MPG Supra and 26 MPG 1.8 Turbo Seat Ibiza Cupra!
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