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+--- Thread: OT: BMW help (/showthread.php?tid=25154)
Re: OT: BMW help - davester - 12-31-2006
The 328i motor is also bulletproof, and goes a lot faster than the 318. However, the original plastic factory waterpump used to explode with alarming regularity...definitely need to check to be sure that has been replaced. There are an awful lot of 328is on the market for reasonable prices. If I were you, I'd hold out for a sub-70,000 mile 328i like mine. Great car!
Re: OT: BMW help - rexrzer - 12-31-2006
I'm going to agree with davester on this topic Carnos...there are a TON of really nice 328is's out there for sale right about now, and you will be happy with one of those in every respect, trust me on this....how can you go wrong with the 2.8L motor in a 3-series, with all the right suspension and Motronic upgrades already done for you by BMW itself. You don't have to do anything except drive it, enjoy it, keep clean oil in it, and once every 60K miles, like religion, take it to a reputable mechanic and have the timing chain and damper replaced, and of course the major services should be done on time, every time, if you want the joy to last.
The 230C Kompressor? Hey, that was a great car once the factory figured out what the heck was wrong with the fuel system/gas tank/sensors/gas gauge and California gasoline! It had to be in to the dealer 5 times before they finally got it right, along with the same remedy for some 7000 USA cars just like mine. Turns out the additives in our gas ate the sensors and the insides of the OEM Benz gas tanks, rendering the gas gauge inoperative over and over again. It was quite a circus for some 6 months or so. Finally, the problem was fixed by using platinum coated sensors and nickle-chromium plated tanks...problem gone and over with.
I only recently sold it for high retail book +$1000, as it only had 27K miles on the clock and was a perfect silver/black leather Sport with complete service history, chrome alloys with new P-Zeros, and a fresh 30K service. It wasn't any BMW that's for sure, but as a really nice cruising car with a ton of torque from the supercharger, it couldn't be beat.
But seriously, about the BMW you need, it's definitely one with 6-cylinders, not 4. The 328is is a really, really great automobile and it can't be beat for a value as a used sport sedan, bar none.
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Re: OT: BMW help - Jack D. - 12-31-2006
I'd jump on a 328i also. I bought one for the wife a few months ago and I wish i had one too. Plenty of power, lots of fun to drive and atleast 28mpg avg! Heaven! Except in the snow... went to do some errands today and ended up turning around and taking the Tahoe. The traction control was spazzing out and even after i shut it off it felt like we had no traction whatsoever. The road was pretty slick but I'm sure some snow tires would help.
Re: OT: BMW help - Racer X - 12-31-2006
Bottom line is that the 3 series BMW was built for the cheap people who had to have a roundel on the hood for status and prestige, but couldn't afford a real BMW.
My mom had an '82 528e and a '92 525i (I believe, I wasn't living with them at the time)
Let's face it, the 3 series is comparable to a rounded Asian import with bragging rights as to how big the check you wrote was.
Re: OT: BMW help - deckeda - 12-31-2006
Ouch. Not only does that sound out of character for you to say, but it's widely considered inaccurate by many different views around the world.
I'm sure you know the 3-series --- then and now --- is actually considered (still) the gold standard in sport sedans, big or small, for its fine overall balance.
The old 318ti in question had one real practical problem: The Integra.
Despite my long-standing GM preference for old iron, you've got me now holding my tongue about the meaningful differences between Skylarks and Chevelles and perceived status and prestige.
Re: OT: BMW help - Bimwad - 12-31-2006
Well...where to begin? I'm mostly a lurker here now, but I'll de-cloak to address some of the technical ignorance, if not some of the misguided opinions spewed forth here.
Carlos, before buying any Bimmer, have a PPI done at a marque specialist. If you don't know of one in your area, you can consult these two sources:
http://www.bimrs.org/
or
http://www.lscbmwcca.org/
The former is an association of indie BMW shops, and the latter is the site for the local chapter of the BMW car club. If you contact someone in the chapter, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to steer you toward a good shop in your area.
As far as the car in question, it may be an OK, but not great deal. The value of the Compacts (tis) is buoyed a bit by the fact that it's a less-common variant with a cult following.
You can pretty much ignore the drivel about how "real" BMWs have to have six-cylinders or have a 5/6/7er badge on the trunk. People here can talk about their Hondas, Toyotas, hot rods, muscle cars, or what not, but the BMW-related talk is mostly prattle.
Suffice it to say, the M44 is not related to the M10, and the E36/5 is a real BMW. I don't have any effort to get into beyond that.
CJ, if you have any further questions, feel free to PM.
Re: OT: BMW help - davester - 12-31-2006
[quote Racer X]Bottom line is that the 3 series BMW was built for the cheap people who had to have a roundel on the hood for status and prestige, but couldn't afford a real BMW.
Stick to Buicks Racer X, for you know not what you talk about. BMW has always put the most effort and development money into the 3-series and it's precursor, the 2002. This is the car they stake their reputation on, and it always delivers. Although the 5-series is also a nice car, it has always been second string compared to the 3-series, and the big cushy high end and unreliable luxoboats (sorry, 6 and 7 series owners but its true), though having decent performance are a pittance of the BMW market share and get the least development attention.
Re: OT: BMW help - ajakeski - 12-31-2006
Don't give that kind of cash for anything with 100,000 miles.
Re: OT: BMW help - ztirffritz - 12-31-2006
I wouldn't pay that kind of money for anything with that many miles unless it was a Honda or a Toyota. Even then, I'd be nervous.
Re: OT: BMW help - Carnos Jax - 12-31-2006
I really appreciate each and everyone of your inputs here. I realize many times it's a shot in the dark when coming for advice on such off topic issues here, yet I'm always amazed by the depth I find.
Really, I'm looking for a silver '04 330ci with grey interior and navigation (the latter I'm ashamed to admit for 'pimp factor'). I'm being really picky in my requirements, partly because I have the time. But as it turns out, I may need a car sooner than later, and so was thinking of this 318ti as a temporary 'stand in'.