Old 316i auto - anything to look out for?

thelonecrouton

thelonecrouton

thelonecrouton

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21 Jan 2004
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Just bought an old 316i, 94/M for £500.

Only 58,000 (genuine, got the old MOT's but no service history) on the clock, engine/box smooth as butter. Going to do the oil/filter/plugs and maybe bung some fresh tyres on it this weekend. Anything else in particular with these things I should be looking out for that's likely to drop off or explode?

Also, is it worth spending a few extra tenners on an induction kit instead of just replacing the air filter? Or will I just be left £30 poorer with a mild farting noise and screwed injection mapping? Obviously not expecting miracles, but it's a nice drive as crappy old cars go and I feel the irrational need to treat it to something...

Also, the heater is pathetic, any suggestions?
 
Thermostat plastic housing
P-Bushes
Rattling Exhaust
Snapped drop link / anti-roll bar
Rear strut top mount braking and shock end up in your boot
Wheel bearings

The induction kit will give very little performance gains, if any. It will make a nicer noise though, which will make you smile, and ultimately that's what it's about. The only difference to MPG will be your want to putt your foot down until you hear the growl.

Enjoy your car, keep it maintained and checked over.
 
OH's mother's 316 auto seems to have killed its steering rack. id get the fluid changed (ATF) as a precautionary to see if instadeath can be avoided
 
If the heaters feel like there's an asthmatic fat kid pushing out the air, it's definately worth checking the cabin/pollen filter. Should cost about £20-25 for a genuine BMW part, and the fitment takes about 20 minutes and can be done without requiring a specialist garage.

Changed the ones on my e36 and it's made a world of difference.
 
Thanks gents!

The fan sounds like it's whooshing away but the airflow produced is truly feeble so probably something clogged up somewhere. Off to locate the pollen filter and chuck it away. Don't mind a bit of pollen, just need more warm air!
 
Definately sounds like the pollen filter then. It's located in the drivers side footwell on the left hand side. There's a compartment which houses the heater matrix (iirc), but you should be able to find a step by step guide online without too much issue.

Quick tip though, when you remove the old pollen filter, turn the ignition and put the heaters on full, this will dislodge and push out any bits of crap that have accumulated over time.
 
TBH, a £500, 1994 3 series is likely to have so many things to look out for if we listed them all we'd be here all day, not to mention that if you want to fix them all, you'd have to take out a mortgage.

As long as the car starts, stops and drives ok, i wouldn't bother spending a penny on it bar an oil change/air filter change - enjoy bangernomics, but don't fall into the trap of spending a fortune on it! :)
 
Atari said:
Definately sounds like the pollen filter then. It's located in the drivers side footwell on the left hand side. There's a compartment which houses the heater matrix (iirc), but you should be able to find a step by step guide online without too much issue.

Quick tip though, when you remove the old pollen filter, turn the ignition and put the heaters on full, this will dislodge and push out any bits of crap that have accumulated over time.
Click to expand...

What he said ^

I recently ordered a non-BMW replacement for around £12 delivered on a "well known auction site". I'd replace it regardless of whether you get hay-fever or not, otherwise you'll have all sorts of crap flying in.

Also, it's no biggie but check the exhaust heat shield. They end up corroding around the fixing points and flapping around which is annoying if nothing else.
 
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