1998 BMW 318i?

Zip

Zip

Zip

Soldato
Joined
26 Jun 2005
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Australia
What are these like?
How quick do they get from 0-60mph?
Whats its fuel economy like?
Are they comfortable to drive for long distances?
And one last thing, what problems should i look out for?

If u can answers these questions it will be a big help :)
 
Zip said:
What are these like?
How quick do they get from 0-60mph?
Whats its fuel economy like?
Are they comfortable to drive for long distances?
And one last thing, what problems should i look out for?

If u can answers these questions it will be a big help :)
Click to expand...

Some people hate them, feel they are "gutless" and bland.
I used to think along a similar line, until I bought a 1992 125k 318i. I was its second owner, it had a detailed history (so things that do wear out, had been replaced etc) and was in very good condition.

When I sold it, it had done 175k approx, it was still on its factory clutch, and had other than routine servicing, required 2 back boxes, 2 rear shock absorbers, front discs & pads and rear suspension bushes. Oh, and a starter motor.

That was over 3 years and 50k of hard driving. It excelled on the motorway (face it, most 318i's live on the motorways with sales reps, don't they?) 35+ economy isn't difficult, especially if you don't thrash it!

Never a car that'll win the "traffic light grand prix" ( 0-60 MPH/0-100 KH: 10.2 ) but, once its upto a reasonable speed, the chassis gives you a car with balanced handling e36 3 series BM's have a passive rear steering effect, and very good cornering ability it gives you.

My old 318i I loved mine, often wish I'd kept it!
Further reading

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36.html
 
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Good to hear they are good on the highway. The take off wont kill me but what ever it is it will be quicker then my mums car :)

Thanks for your reply
 
Sorry, but they ARE gutless, poorly equipped, dated looking and horrifically overpriced for what they are. Most of them have black plastic bumpers and black plastic side skirts, horrible black plastic seat backs and a poor level of standard equipment.

If you want a BMW, buy a decent one, 4 cylinder E36's are for wideboys who want to look bling and people who want a posh badge but cannot really afford one.

LA124 thinks they rock but he also thinks his 728 is fast :P
 
[TW]Fox said:
Sorry, but they ARE gutless, poorly equipped, dated looking and horrifically overpriced for what they are. Most of them have black plastic bumpers and black plastic side skirts, horrible black plastic seat backs and a poor level of standard equipment.

If you want a BMW, buy a decent one, 4 cylinder E36's are for wideboys who want to look bling and people who want a posh badge but cannot really afford one.

LA124 thinks they rock but he also thinks his 728 is fast :P
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Im not sure if its an E36 but it doesnt have the black bumper u mensioned.

Heres some Pictures of the one im looking at so u can tell what it is.
Its got a good price tag on it aswell

lg_4_4.jpg

lg_5_5.jpg

lg_1_1.jpg

lg_2_2.jpg

lg_3_3.jpg
 
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[TW]Fox said:
Sorry, but they ARE gutless, poorly equipped, dated looking and horrifically overpriced for what they are. Most of them have black plastic bumpers and black plastic side skirts, horrible black plastic seat backs and a poor level of standard equipment.

If you want a BMW, buy a decent one, 4 cylinder E36's are for wideboys who want to look bling and people who want a posh badge but cannot really afford one.

LA124 thinks they rock but he also thinks his 728 is fast :P
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As I've described to you on plenty of occasions, for my needs, my 728i is plenty fast enough for me (70MPH Limit you know!) equally, the 318i was fine.

Your a lot younger than me Fox, what you describe as a slow car today, back in my youth was regarded as "a hot hatchback" - My 728i is quicker to 60 than my old XR3i (1990) and manages 140MPH which is 15MPH more than my old (1985) Escort RS Turbo! in my book, that makes it fast enough for me!

As I've said many times before, if I'd have wanted a fast car, I'd have either bought a 328i, or, a 740i.

Don't forget Fox hates most cars, it would seem, until he actually tries one, (e60 BMW for example ;) ) also, a 1998 e36 is a far better equipped car than the earlier ones are, I'd still prefer one over a Mondeo. :p
 
Zip said:
Im not sure if its an E36 but it doesnt have the black bumper u mensioned.
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Thats an e46 !
A fine car. :cool:

A world apart from the (very good!) e36, my Mum has a silver e46 318i, its as nice to drive as my e38 7 series is!
 
Zip said:
Thanks for conferming that.
What are they like?
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Quiet, refined and very well built.

As I said above, my mum has one, its as refined as my 7 Series! - certainly happier over a rough surface - it has standard alloys where I have low profile tyres, which dos'nt help.

They are EXCELLENT on long trips, returning good fuel consumption.

Over here in the UK, you almost fall over 3's as there so popular, many people buy them for an image, or, badge, others buy them for what they are, very well built, competent cars.
 
I like BMWs and i also know they are well built.
I also need a car that is good for long trips and i also want one that is safe so i feel more confident when i drive.
I can get this one for $8,500AUD and have asked if the seller can drop the price a little bit(worth a try :p).
Its only done 100k kms
Has anyone else go anything to add about these cars?
Also how old is Fox :D
 
They are great cars, you can get faster cars for the money though. My dad has had an E36, E46 and now an E90. Not a single problem with one :)
 
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lucasade1 said:
They are great cars, you can get faster cars for the money though. My dad has had an E39, E46 and now an E90. Not a single problem with one :)
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I cant get a faster car in Australia for $8000. This is the lowest ive seen one of these cars. All the others are up around $14000. The only way i will get a faster car at the same price would be something like a holden or ford or just something with not as many features in it :o
And Older ford falcons and Holden Comadors are owned by alo of people that would be considered as chavs if they were in the UK.

Glad to here thatyour dad has one and doesnt have a single problem :)
 
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Zip said:
I cant get a faster car in Australia for $8000. This is the lowest ive seen one of these cars. All the others are up around $14000
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I mean a different make of car that is faster and cheaper because it hasn't got the badge snobbery.

- Just seen the edit.. ;)
 
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Not sure about the long journeys.

I've been driving a 316i compact for a year and anything longer then 2 hours kills my neck and shoulders. Must admit I've never driven the 4 door 3 series though.
 
Pffft its all lies. Lies. I exhibit no older person tendancies at all am 100% typical student.

Oooh, now THATS a tempting 535i on Ebay.. ;)
 
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