What to look to go wrong for in an old BMW?

Raymond Lin · 22 Mar 2007 at 18:56

In my local paper I just saw a E reg BMW 318i MOT til July for £150 !!!

I am soooo tempted to take a look but have no idea about car mechanics.

georges · 22 Mar 2007 at 19:23

My mum drives a D reg one. Seriously everything seems to go wrong (it's nearly 200k miles though) but nothing major, just niggly things(radiator, thermostat, pipes breaking down, auto choke(rubbish idle) etc) Lots of annoying things, but nothing which costs a lot.
Nearby there's a private old bmw garage which used to be licensed. I think it'll close soon, but it specialises in the older E's and as such has lots of scrap ones which it parts out so parts are cheap. They're pretty expensive if you get the parts from a dealer.

IainB · 22 Mar 2007 at 20:40

www.e30zone.net there is a buying guide over there on what to look out for.
If its rusty (usually around rear suspension and jacking points) - walk away, or buy it then break it on E-Bay (Im making a nice little amount on the things Im selling

)
The 318i M40 lump taps like buggery, but can be run for a good few miles like that (head overhaul is around £300 diy with new cam, followes, spray bar etc) if its got MOT, run it, take it to bits, fix it - then break it when the MOT runs out

Lashout_UK · 22 Mar 2007 at 20:52

Cheap because it's a 19 year old, four pot, pretty basic BMW.

Not a bad starting point to tinker with but parts can be expensive. For that kind of money expect it to be pretty tatty but there are bargains out there

IainB · 22 Mar 2007 at 20:57

Just to give you and idea of what they are worth in bits, original car cost £140 - parts total well over £300.....and thats not trying hard either

Get it, drive it, play with it :eek:

then sell the bits on

georges · 23 Mar 2007 at 16:51

lol..
well my mum's car's block just cracked.

Gonna try part it out..

georges · 23 Mar 2007 at 17:52

woah.. talk about a ******** unlucky coincidence..

Dad's 325 has been in the garage for a HGF.. apparently it's cracked the block too. :/

Says he's getting a 2.7 conversion new engine. :cool:

georges · 23 Mar 2007 at 18:13

200K miles seems to be the BMW engine limit. Mum's was at 197K and dad's in the late 180's.

Still damn good longevity.d

Scania · 24 Mar 2007 at 03:59

georges said:
200K miles seems to be the BMW engine limit. Mum's was at 197K and dad's in the late 180's.

Still damn good longevity.d

Pah

, my old e36 318i is now well past 200k, as is my dads e39 528i.

Old BMW? read the same for any old car, old = potential moneypit. BMW or not.

The O.P. sums up old BMW's perfectly, nothing major breaks, which, when your on old money car budget, can make them a very sensible option, note that I say can and not will, with any old vehicle, you take your chances.