What to do (life changing decisions inside, pass judgement now!)

Muffin` · 21 Jul 2010 at 17:09

Just got back from the garage about the state of my 318 and it's not good, it's going to need new shocks and springs, inspection 2, clutch (maybe a flywheel) exhaust and a multitude of bushes. Probably looking in the region of 1.5-1.8k to get it 'straight' mechanically.

Now I'd love to do this but the idea of sinking money like this into a 170k 3 series seems a bit pointless. So I was going to buy a £1500 Mondeo pronto so I can get to and from work (MOT's expired today) - What should I do with the e36? It needs the suspension doing and the clutch so that's a grand easy. Or do I sell it as spares and repairs?

Duke · 21 Jul 2010 at 17:12

I think you'll either have to sell it as spares or just sell it cheap to a mechanic or someone that can fix it themselves.

lordrobs · 21 Jul 2010 at 17:18

List it as spares or repair... or stick it into your local "bargain cars" auction.

Joshy · 21 Jul 2010 at 17:57

If you cannot do the work yourself get rid. Old, high mileage, "specialist" cars very rarely make sense if you have to pay somebody else to fix them.

Do not expect much from selling it as spares and repairs though.

Janesy B · 21 Jul 2010 at 17:59

I really don't think it's worth pouring money into it unless you love it that much?

Muffin` · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:02

I don't love it, but it's a great car. This: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...at/radius/40/page/1/postcode/m457eq?logcode=p makes much more sense for what I need. There was this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...18/quicksearch/true/postcode/m457eq?logcode=p But things like 17" wheels is not the direction I should be going in. I need something that will comfortable and reliable.

Janesy B · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:06

I'll be looking at a Mondeo ST24 when I get back from holiday, supposed to be a 'mint' one owner car and has low mileage for £1400. Best of all tax will be the same as the 2.0 and MPGz don't matter as I don't cover a vast amount of miles. Something to consider, falkens will only be about £70 a corner or you could get a set of 15's off ebay if you're that worried, that will make you look like a ***** though

Muffin` · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:12

I can't insure anything, that Toledo is a grand

Janesy B · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:15

Ouch, time for me to stop complaining about insurance

Want a Fiesta?....

InvaderGIR · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:16

Give it me...the e36 not the Fiesta...and I mean give.

Amoeba · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:24

Joshy said:
If you cannot do the work yourself get rid. Old, high mileage, "specialist" cars very rarely make sense if you have to pay somebody else to fix them.

Do not expect much from selling it as spares and repairs though.

How the hell is a 318i a 'specialist' car??

I'd get rid though if I were you. Not worth spending over a grand on it in my opinion unless you particularly want to keep it.

Joshy · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:27

Amoeba said:
How the hell is a 318i a 'specialist' car??

Pretty sure that it is an IS? Anyway, it's an old BMW, it is not exactly "mainstream" like a Focus or Fiesta, is it?

InvaderGIR · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:27

318iS is slightly more specialist than a 318i.

peterattheboro · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:28

Joshy said:
Pretty sure that it is an IS? Anyway, it's an old BMW, it is not exactly "mainstream" like a Focus or Fiesta, is it?

Yes?

paradigm · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:32

Do the work yourself, only take a week of evenings.

The shell and interior are both pretty decent.

Failing that, give it to Invader

Amoeba · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:50

Joshy said:
Pretty sure that it is an IS? Anyway, it's an old BMW, it is not exactly "mainstream" like a Focus or Fiesta, is it?

I don't know what an IS is

iaind · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:54

Playing devils advocate here, for 1500 quid you could have a BMW that you know is mechanically mint or a Mondeo that might not be......

peterattheboro · 21 Jul 2010 at 18:59

£1500 also might get you another 30,000 miles.

Sanchez · 21 Jul 2010 at 19:17

iaind said:
Playing devils advocate here, for 1500 quid you could have a BMW that you know is mechanically mint or a Mondeo that might not be......

peterattheboro said:
£1500 also might get you another 30,000 miles.

Both good points. You could be buying someone else's £1500 problem.

Lord-Jaffa · 21 Jul 2010 at 19:20

Muffin` said:
I don't love it, but it's a great car. This: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...at/radius/40/page/1/postcode/m457eq?logcode=p makes much more sense for what I need. There was this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...18/quicksearch/true/postcode/m457eq?logcode=p But things like 17" wheels is not the direction I should be going in. I need something that will comfortable and reliable.

Look on places like gumtree and ebay for bangernomics, autotrader definatly isnt the place. Just for reference there are numerous 2004 60-80kish Mondeos for around 1500 near me!