Last x Days Posts  1 | 3 | 7 Days  Search  Topics  Tree View  Help
  Soarer Central * Off-Topic * Any one had experience with early 90's 3 series BMW's Previous Previous    Next Next  

Author Message
Avin Luther
TryHard
vic
Soarer uzz31 Limited

Posts: 354
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 10:16 pm, by:  Avin Luther (Lex_luther) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am currently looking for a car for a good friend, Female, early 20's, not much driving experience. She is pretty set on getting a 3 series BMW, but i doubt she will find one for her budget that will be reliable.
Anyone know of any common faults to look out for?
Or anywhere special in Melbourne to look for one apart from the usualy places

Cheers all
David Vaughan
DieHard
ACT
Soarer GT-L (4.0 V8) Lexus is300 (3.0 VVT-i 6)

Posts: 827
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 07:54 am, by:  David Vaughan (Davidv) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In about 1998, surprised that I had to replace my front brake discs on a Xantia after 65,000Km, I was told by the brake place "Be happy. BMW 3 drivers are lucky to get 55,000".

I have no independent confirmation on that comment and have never otherwise looked at old ones.
Peter Nitschke
JunkFilterer
South Australia
GT4.0 V8

Posts: 2522
Reg: 11-2004

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 12:27 pm, by:  Peter Nitschke (Pen) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A lad I know was thinking of a lower priced 3 series, but a mate of mine who is a bit of a BMW guru suggested that the cheaper ones will have been flogged a bit, done a lot of k's and parts/labour are expensive.
David Vaughan
DieHard
ACT
Soarer GT-L (4.0 V8) Lexus is300 (3.0 VVT-i 6)

Posts: 831
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 01:38 pm, by:  David Vaughan (Davidv) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Put her in a used is200. If she can not afford the price, she can not afford the maintenance on the BM. Mind you, it has probably been flogged as well. Maybe she will get lucky with something.
Avin Luther
TryHard
vic
Soarer uzz31 Limited

Posts: 358
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 08:54 pm, by:  Avin Luther (Lex_luther) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

how about the ES 300? is that a v6 or a straight 6? any expereinces with these? or shall i start another thread?
Kris Antczak
TryHard
SA
UZZ30 V8

Posts: 171
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 11:24 pm, by:  Kris Antczak (Lexus_v8) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Avin,

Prior to buying my Soarer, I was looking at buying the 2 door 95/96 318is....5 Speed, and i must say....i was extremelly disappointed with the power....quite gutless in fact.

Also, i was informed that when the brakes go, it was going to cost approx $700 to replace (don't take that as given, as this is second hand info).
Benny Gammelmark
Goo Roo
NSW
V8 UZZ31

Posts: 1140
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 01:24 am, by:  Benny Gammelmark (Oldfield) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've had a BMW (the E30). Year 1990 I think. Anyway, it was the old model.

That is the most expensive car to have I've ever owned. Just service and parts kills you. If they have beed driven "as a driver's car" then they also fall apart. I had my steering rack replaced after 50,000 km.

Other things that failed:
PS pump
Headlight wipers
Aircon
Roof lining was loose when I bought the car

Only almost-saving grace was the engine. It was a beaut to use/hear.

I WILL NEVER BUY A BMW AGAIN .... EVER.
David Vaughan
DieHard
ACT
Soarer GT-L (4.0 V8) Lexus is300 (3.0 VVT-i 6)

Posts: 845
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 10:31 am, by:  David Vaughan (Davidv) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The ES300 is a soggy car to drive but I suppose it will be reliable. Front wheel drive as well. Was she after the BMW for the badge or did things like RWD and driveability matter? If the car was important, I can not see an ES300 satisfying.
Avin Luther
TryHard
vic
Soarer uzz31 Limited

Posts: 362
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 08:59 pm, by:  Avin Luther (Lex_luther) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

it will definelty NOT be a DRIVERS car, unless i borrow it for a day or so!
It will be best if the car is NOT too powerful, just A-B in city traffic, and she is a fashion designer so image (the badge, and a nice looking car) are important.

Well she has found a "clean" one so i will go check it out tomorrow. Any other things to look out for?
so far we got

Brakes
Steering rack
Pow steer pump
Air Con

Thanks for the comments so far guys!
Haydn Crandell
DieHard
NSW
TT 2.5

Posts: 542
Reg: 11-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 02:23 pm, by:  Haydn Crandell (Haydn) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

did she buy it? check ignition barrel to replace that it will cost $1000 plus. just had mine done.

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/BMW/318is/details.aspx?Cr=9&State=New%20South%20Wales&R =1520026&state_id=80&PriceMin=10000&__N=4294967079+80+391+410+4294966881+834+285+257&silo=1003&dista nce=25&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCount_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&trecs=25&__Nne=20&seot=0&PriceMax=1500 0&__sid=113E444E95F2&Model=318is&Make=BMW
Dave Billings
DieHard
Louisiana
SC 300, 2JZE, 5 Speed

Posts: 866
Reg: 06-2007

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, December 07, 2007 - 03:18 am, by:  Dave Billings (Waveman1717) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Older Beemers are CRAP!! They feel like they are made of cardboard the way the dash rattles. I've had 2, never never again!! Now the newer models is a different story, if you like paying $400 for an oil change!
Jose-Antonio Castillo
Goo Roo
NSW
Soarer VVTi

Posts: 1336
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, December 07, 2007 - 02:32 pm, by:  Jose-Antonio Castillo (Ahh_soarer) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tel her to get a Yaris and slap on Lexus badges then... sorted

I'd say an IS200, depending on her budget.
Daniel Czechowski
Goo Roo
Western Australia
Soarer GT-T (sold :-( ) & IS300 Sports Luxury

Posts: 3231
Reg: 07-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, December 07, 2007 - 02:51 pm, by:  Daniel Czechowski (Dan) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've driven a few 90s 318i's and they were gutless, loud, and felt really cheap. THey have dated really badly I reckon. What's her budget? IS200 sounds like a good choice and it is more modern then the 90's beemer (lookwise at least, engine is crap, but still better than the beemer one). 90's ES300 would be good too, although that is basically a Camry with Lexus badges... If she likes hatches, and wants a brand, but doesn't care about driving enjoyment at all, maybe a Merc A class? There has gotta be some pretentious car out there
Shaun Stephenson
TryHard
Vic
Jzz30 TT & ST162

Posts: 437
Reg: 04-2006

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, December 07, 2007 - 03:16 pm, by:  Shaun Stephenson (Neonasty) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

One word. Celsior.
Don Bagnall
Moderator
New Zealand
I have WAY less Soarers than Hayden :-(

Posts: 6489
Reg: 05-2005

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Friday, December 07, 2007 - 03:46 pm, by:  Don Bagnall (Baggs) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There's a reason why early 90's Beemers are known as "Soweto Taxi's" in South Africa........

Add Your Message Here
Eye Candy
Click for full size
Bold text Italics Underline Center Text Upload photo from your hard drive Make a List Make a Table Make an Image Thumbnail Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image Formatting Help
         

Username: Important Posting Information:
If asking a question, have you done a search to see if your question has already been answered?
Be aware that the use of SMS-speak eg "u" instead of "you" etc, will get your post deleted.
Password:
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message

  Administration Administration      Log Out Log Out Previous Previous      Next Next