E36 318 or 325??

[Spasso]

Thanks, I have my eye on a '94 Grey/Black 318iS. 5 speed. Nice shape but it has 140k on it and that worries me about typical consumables.

So you are saying the 318's run timing chains? I would imagine just about all of the suspension is done (worn out) on it.

They want close to 7k for it but I'm thinking 4500 is more the market.........................dealers

[GJPinAU]

Thanks, I have my eye on a '94 Grey/Black 318iS. 5 speed. Nice shape but it has 140k on it and that worries me about typical consumables.

So you are saying the 318's run timing chains? I would imagine just about all of the suspension is done (worn out) on it.

They want close to 7k for it but I'm thinking 4500 is more the market.........................dealers

It looks very original - that's a good sign.
Maybe dropped a little in the back, going by the photo.

The E36 is a 1.9 litre as well.

Has it got a service book/manual?

If you don't think it is worth the $, get an Indy to go over it to look for probs. If it all comes out OK then the rest is up to you.

Greg

[rob101]

It looks very original - that's a good sign.
Maybe dropped a little in the back, going by the photo.

The E36 is a 1.9 litre as well.

um aren't the early ones 1.8L and the later ones 1.9L (2 seperate generations of the m40 as well m40b18 and m42b19)
I could be wrong though, i am by no means an expert on bmw 4-cylinder engines

[Spasso]

The 1.9's came out in mid 96 and ended in 98 with no real HP gain to speak of.

[Spasso]

I was going to see how close I could come in a trade with this.
3.2 liter V6, 4 speed auto. 106k miles. Fast but not that good on gas. It's my daily driver and I'd rather not drive my 5 everyday even though it gets better mileage than the Acura.

[Spasso]

Well guys,
I decided to get serious about this and bought a 30 day CARFAX.
The nice grey one they have for 6995 had frame damage in 2003 at 95,000 miles.

If I had it jigged and it turned out okay it might be worth 4500 to me but then maybe it would be better to check the tire wear, drive it around, call them on the frame report and low ball them. They've been sitting on this for a long time.

This would be a better deal if the car only had 80 or 90k on it. With the high miles it looks like a pass.

These cars are hard to find around here!!

[Spasso]

Just purchased a 1998 E36, 328is. Boston green/Tan.
110k miles. Traded the Acura and 7k for it.

It is a California car, rust free, minor paint blemishes but straight, interior tight, no tears or cracks, needs cleaning.

The bad,
The motor for the drivers seat back runs but the back doesn't move. A common fix?

The passenger window is inop. It doesn't work at all, not even the jig when opening and closing the door. Only had the car a day so haven't checked fuses yet, Worst case scenario?

Temp gauge only makes it to the first hash mark. T-stat stuck open? (Same thing on my 530 when I bought it.)

The good. The car goes like a bat out of hell! No smoke, drives straight and tight.

Bentley on order from www.books4cars.com.

Thanks for the input guys.
DJ