Whats wrong with 318's? They are for fuel economy and in that sense some people do need that. I think my 318i is great.
-Xionide
My 318ti gets ~30 miles per gallon all the time. The only thing that I would like to have gone back and asked BMW is to add a sixth gear and make 1st gear longer.
Also it was supposedly governed for this model to 118mph.....ive had it up to 130 before though.
Also it was supposedly governed for this model to 118mph.....ive had it up to 130 before though.
Originally posted by: Chadder007
My 318ti gets ~30 miles per gallon all the time. The only thing that I would like to have gone back and asked BMW is to add a sixth gear and make 1st gear longer.
Also it was supposedly governed for this model to 118mph.....ive had it up to 130 before though.
The 318ti is really nice, thats my fav 3series model. I love the way that car's body is designed.
I can pretty much always predict which threads are Skoorbie's when I log in....
...this was one of them!
...this was one of them!
DivideBYZero
Lifer
- May 18, 2001
- 24,117
- 2
- 0
FlashG
Platinum Member
- Dec 23, 1999
- 2,709
- 2
- 0
Originally posted by: Shockwave
You missed my thread on that I take it eh? Yeah, you could say I want to signifigantly upgrade the performance
Interesting read. This looks like the best way to significantly increase performance using a 318 as a base. The only problems (other than the cost of the swap) are no resale value and frame durability.
My early 80?s Grey Market 323 Hartge only made about 220 rwhp but the little ah heck managed to break 2 sets of reinforced engine mounts. After that it moved on to destroying the transmission mounting and frame. Mean little Beastee. Of course 5.0 liter Mustangs were fare game
I have a 1992 525i (in signature), and the cost of maintenance is quite low. It now has 145k miles. I bought it at 118k miles about 2 years ago, and the repair costs were very reasonable.
1. Radiator replaced for $200
2. Brakes $200
3. Valve cover gasket $90
4. Heater core, computer bulbs, microfliter $350
I've had various other parts replaced, such as suspension parts, but I don't recall the prices, and they were quite cheap. All the prices above are with parts & labor, through an independent technician, whom used to work at the local BMW dealership. My girlfriend and I both go to him, she also has a 1992 525i w/ 151k miles. Not bad for 12 year old cars, eh?
I bought my car for around $6k, paint and bodywork (trunk and quarterpanel were crushed) at $2k. $8k plus maintenance for a tight car w/ all the creature comforts (power all, leather heated seats, airbag, ABS, OEM CD Changer, etc) is quite a bargain for me IMO. The real bargain was her car, which I found on locally on Ebay. She got it for $5k, exterior/interior perfect, and so far for 1 year, the only work it needed were brakes ($200) and a thermostat, which I believe was $90 installed.
Don't let the "OMG, maintenance is going to break your bank!" people scare ya. Just don't go to the dealer for service.
1. Radiator replaced for $200
2. Brakes $200
3. Valve cover gasket $90
4. Heater core, computer bulbs, microfliter $350
I've had various other parts replaced, such as suspension parts, but I don't recall the prices, and they were quite cheap. All the prices above are with parts & labor, through an independent technician, whom used to work at the local BMW dealership. My girlfriend and I both go to him, she also has a 1992 525i w/ 151k miles. Not bad for 12 year old cars, eh?
I bought my car for around $6k, paint and bodywork (trunk and quarterpanel were crushed) at $2k. $8k plus maintenance for a tight car w/ all the creature comforts (power all, leather heated seats, airbag, ABS, OEM CD Changer, etc) is quite a bargain for me IMO. The real bargain was her car, which I found on locally on Ebay. She got it for $5k, exterior/interior perfect, and so far for 1 year, the only work it needed were brakes ($200) and a thermostat, which I believe was $90 installed.
Don't let the "OMG, maintenance is going to break your bank!" people scare ya. Just don't go to the dealer for service.
Thanks for the compliment. It's funny, some guy at the gas station asked me what year my girl's car was the other day, while I was pumping gas. When I replied "It's a 92", his jaw dropped and was like, "That's a 92? Looks too good to be a 92.."
Initially, I was looking for 3-Series cars for her, but stumbled upon the this one on Ebay. I shot the guy an email and test drove the car, took it to my mechanic to get checked, and she was behind the wheel of the car soon afterwards. The reason she wanted a BMW (as opposed to leasing a new Accord) was because she knew that my mechanic was very reasonable and it would be much cheaper, for a decent looking car.
Anyway, I did a search in my BMW forum and found that someone had a car w/ 425k+. That means my car will last me for another 14 years at least, driving 20k miles a year...
Seeing that you want a nicer BMW with more power....an earlier 90's 525 would be the best choice for you. They have the most solid frame of that time. The 525 having the smaller engine, though it does have a bit of power and doesn't have the problems of the V8's. We at one time had a 95' 525 and it was one of my favorite cars of all that we have had. My dad still has his 87 325 and it has 270,000+ miles on it with no work done on the engine...just regular maintanence.
I have a 96 Z3. before it hit 80k miles no problems.
after gets kinda expensive to maintain.
so
low miles ont he car = low maintainence
high mileage = higher maintainence.
that seemed superfluous. I don't know if that helps.
after gets kinda expensive to maintain.
so
low miles ont he car = low maintainence
high mileage = higher maintainence.
that seemed superfluous. I don't know if that helps.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,600
- 1,005
- 126
I just sold a '94 325i 4 door automatic with a 120k miles on it a few months ago. I've talked to a few BMW mechanics and with the auto tranny models they tend to wear out at around 100k miles. The transmission is a sealed unit and BMW recommends replacing it to the tune of almost $5,000 when they wear out. I've talked to my mechanic and he quoted me $3,000 to rebuild it. This is the main reason we got rid of the car...I didn't want to drop that much money into a car with 120k miles on it.
Otherwise it was a very good car. Too small though in my opinion for a family.
You will spend money in repairs though on a car this old with this many miles. I would budget a couple Gs per year for needed repairs if you intend to buy one. Another problem (more of an annoyance really) is the sunroof. They are made with plastic parts and when they wear out you pretty much need to replace the entire cassette. This costs about $600 just for the part. Ours needed to be replaced when we got rid of the car.
Wheels are expensive. Most reputable tire places will tell you to only buy BMW wheels for your car if you are looking for nicer wheels. BMW rims cost well over $500 each. Shocks and struts will cost well over $1,000 to replace. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you will never need to replace them (I've actually heard people say this). They don't know what they are talking about.
Oh, brake jobs. BMW recommends replacing the rotors with each brake job. Most reputable BMW mechanics will adhere to this recommendation. Look forward to $500 brake jobs every 20k miles or so. BMWs have excellent brakes but they don't last terribly long.
Otherwise it was a very good car. Too small though in my opinion for a family.
You will spend money in repairs though on a car this old with this many miles. I would budget a couple Gs per year for needed repairs if you intend to buy one. Another problem (more of an annoyance really) is the sunroof. They are made with plastic parts and when they wear out you pretty much need to replace the entire cassette. This costs about $600 just for the part. Ours needed to be replaced when we got rid of the car.
Wheels are expensive. Most reputable tire places will tell you to only buy BMW wheels for your car if you are looking for nicer wheels. BMW rims cost well over $500 each. Shocks and struts will cost well over $1,000 to replace. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that you will never need to replace them (I've actually heard people say this). They don't know what they are talking about.
Oh, brake jobs. BMW recommends replacing the rotors with each brake job. Most reputable BMW mechanics will adhere to this recommendation. Look forward to $500 brake jobs every 20k miles or so. BMWs have excellent brakes but they don't last terribly long.
- Sep 29, 2000
- 70,150
- 5
- 0
I guess I can finally do brakes myself
In regards to auto I won't touch a car with an automatic transmission, so that isn't a concern. Of concern would be the cost for a new manual tranny (if it dies), and an engine.Thanks for the points on the rest though. I do know it would cost more to maintain than a maxima...
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,600
- 1,005
- 126
Originally posted by: Skoorb
I guess I can finally do brakes myself
Thanks for the points on the rest though. I do know it would cost more to maintain than a maxima...
I had to have a cylinder head replaced on a 1986 325e and that cost me $2500. I'm sure an engine would run upwards of $5k. Transmission...that can be rebuilt but I have no idea what that would cost. I guess it would depend on the parts that needed replacement + labor to remove the transmission from the car. I would guess at least $1500 but it could easily be more than that. You could always call a few places and ask how much to rebuild the transmission in the particular car you are considering.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,600
- 1,005
- 126
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Yeah, it's expenses like this that put me off old cars. That's a lot of money to sink into a car that's only worth twice that and may cost you just as much or more over the next few years. The '86 is what we got rid of when we bought the '94 a few years ago. That car had 140k miles on it when we sold it (the '86).
I've got a 95 325i 5 speed w/94K miles and have been having some problems with it.
Just replaced the radiator, ball joints, thermostat and something else. A year ago I had to replace the brakes, water pump and a bunch of little things. My car also seems to like to blow out lights. Right now a license plate light and a fog light are out.
My mechanic works at a BMW dealership and tells me the radiators always go at around 100K miles because they are made of plastic so what happened is pretty normal. He says mechanically though, the I6 engine is very tough and should last 250K+ miles without problem. Its the electrical problems that are usually the downfall of these cars.
A friend just sold his 95 M3 for $13K w/50K miles and he had unbelievable problems with his car. Tons of electrical problems, both his shock towers broke through the trunk (at different times), overheating problems, brake issues and little annoying problems.
I'm probably going to dump my car next year. Right now I understand its only worth about $5-6K. The car is tons of fun to drive though and I will miss it but the problems seem to be adding up now. I'm still on the original clutch and my mechanic tells me it looks good but I'm not going to wait until it goes bad.
Just replaced the radiator, ball joints, thermostat and something else. A year ago I had to replace the brakes, water pump and a bunch of little things. My car also seems to like to blow out lights. Right now a license plate light and a fog light are out.
My mechanic works at a BMW dealership and tells me the radiators always go at around 100K miles because they are made of plastic so what happened is pretty normal. He says mechanically though, the I6 engine is very tough and should last 250K+ miles without problem. Its the electrical problems that are usually the downfall of these cars.
A friend just sold his 95 M3 for $13K w/50K miles and he had unbelievable problems with his car. Tons of electrical problems, both his shock towers broke through the trunk (at different times), overheating problems, brake issues and little annoying problems.
I'm probably going to dump my car next year. Right now I understand its only worth about $5-6K. The car is tons of fun to drive though and I will miss it but the problems seem to be adding up now. I'm still on the original clutch and my mechanic tells me it looks good but I'm not going to wait until it goes bad.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,600
- 1,005
- 126
The rear shock towers are a weak point on the E36 chassis. Many people have had this problem-especially on modified cars (lowered, stiffer springs/shocks) and the M cars.
I also had to replace the radiator last year. Cost me around $250-300 if I remember correctly. The radiator is aluminum (I think) but the inlet/outlet where the hoses clamp to are plastic and as plastic gets old it gets brittle and cracks and breaks.
I never had any electrical problems. The computer display went out but that only cost about $60 in parts and they didn't charge me any labor.
I've heard of A/C problems with E36 cars also but we never had any problems with the A/C on our car. My neighbor had one and complained that both his and his wife's car had to have new A/C compressors around 50k miles. Maybe ours was replaced before we bought the car.
Look at it this way, you are considering spending $8k on a car with over 100k miles on it. If you put an average of $2k a year into repairs over the next 5 years you will spend $18k in that period. I'd rather buy a new car or a slightly used car and not have to hassle with repairs.
The radiator is made out of plastic and is prone to cracking when it starts getting old. The hoses are also made of plastic so when those go, the radiator may start to overheat causing them it to go as well. My mechanic says he sees this problem consistently with these cars because they are starting to hit that 100K mark about now.
And come to think of it, I think I had to fix the A/C on the car too.
And come to think of it, I think I had to fix the A/C on the car too.
- Sep 29, 2000
- 70,150
- 5
- 0
Thanks, Doggie - I knew it was somebody here with the car and I was thinking of yours.
I think I'd love to have that 1995 525i and repairs I could cover without question, but covering repairs on it while also taking out a small loan doesn't seem like a fantastic idea. I am leaning now towards something a little more reliable with lower likely costs of repairs.
Yeah it's a risk, but in all honesty I'd rather drive a nicer old car than an econobox. That's exactly why I bought my maxima a few years old instead of the same money into the bottom of a line boring slow A to B car.
I think I'd love to have that 1995 525i and repairs I could cover without question, but covering repairs on it while also taking out a small loan doesn't seem like a fantastic idea. I am leaning now towards something a little more reliable with lower likely costs of repairs.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 24K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter