YACT: Opinion on '95 BMW 318ti

Red

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2002
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Pretty good deal in the area here for a BMW 318ti hatchback. About $3900 or so, and it looks like a nice little 3door hatch that gets mid to upper 30s mpg. 100k miles. I think its a 1.9 or 1.6 liter, something like that. Are these pretty reliable cars? Worth getting? Thank you.
 

tnitsuj

Diamond Member
May 22, 2003
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Parts are more expensive than a comparable Japanese car. Not really the nicest car around, but decently fun to drive.
 

mAdD INDIAN

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
7,804
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they are dog slow.

However the good thing is that they are baed on the E30 platform rather than the E36, meaning they handle quite well and the E30 M3 motor drops right in. :)
 

Red

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2002
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Originally posted by: tnitsuj
Parts are more expensive than a comparable Japanese car. Not really the nicest car around, but decently fun to drive.

How much more expensive, if you'd help me with that =) Like... radiator, spark plugs, oil filters, etc. are all more expensive? Or just big things like trannies and such?
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,294
148
106
that car is the worst car made by BMW (design wise). i wouldnt get that car for 3900...esp with 100K miles on it. repairs would cost u a lot. get a japanese car if u looking for a junker

dont think im a ricer fanboy
<-- owns a german car
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Redhotjrm
Originally posted by: tnitsuj
Parts are more expensive than a comparable Japanese car. Not really the nicest car around, but decently fun to drive.

How much more expensive, if you'd help me with that =) Like... radiator, spark plugs, oil filters, etc. are all more expensive? Or just big things like trannies and such?

Any OEM part is more expensive than the American or Japanese counterpart.
 

Doggiedog

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
12,780
5
81
I agree with everyone. Its dog slow and expensive to maintain.

My 95 325i is starting to have something go wrong every week it seems.

Just yesterday my heater failed. Before that, the wipers broke. Lots of little things that add up.
 

Dunbar

Platinum Member
Feb 19, 2001
2,041
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Old BMW is a bad idea. Expensive maintenance and the chassis will flex a lot with so many miles. There are much better alternatives from Japan.
 

Chadder007

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
7,560
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Originally posted by: Aharami
that car is the worst car made by BMW (design wise). i wouldnt get that car for 3900...esp with 100K miles on it. repairs would cost u a lot. get a japanese car if u looking for a junker

dont think im a ricer fanboy
<-- owns a german car

BS....I own a 95 318ti myself. Ive had it since it first came out. I have over 80k on it and it has done just fine. Not expensive.
 

tweakmm

Lifer
May 28, 2001
18,436
4
0
BMW should be ashamed that they released that bastard of a bimmer. Whenever I see one on the road I laugh inside.
I say don't get it. If you are going to get a BMW, get a real BMW.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,415
14,303
136
It's the Civic of BMW's, but with BMW maintenance and repair costs.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,381
8,130
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Originally posted by: Vic
It's the Ford Festiva of BMW's, but with BMW maintenance and repair costs.

Corrected for accuracy.

 

kermalou

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2001
6,237
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stay away, the repairs will kill you..

a fan clutch here, a window regulator there...
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,415
14,303
136
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: Vic
It's the Ford Festiva of BMW's, but with BMW maintenance and repair costs.
Corrected for accuracy.
LOL! I never thought it was THAT bad...