Original Owner 95 318ti
 

First off hello as I'm a noob to this forum. So folks after owning an 95 318ti (active package/automatic/240,000) since new I'm considering buying another 95 318ti (active package/5 spd/161,000) for $1700. Haven't looked at the 5 spd yet but I'm told it only has a heater blower issue and some window troubles (both issues I know very well after owning the same car for 14 years). The thought process is to take the best of both cars put them into one and have a low cost DD/autocross/track day car. A say DD but really it only will be used (just like my current one) on the crappy days as we have other rides for the nice days. Price--good/bad? Comments/thoughts?

$1700 seems awfully cheap for that, but you never know, I got my '95 5-spd. active ti used, bone-stock with 124k and two non-serious rust spots for $1800 back in '06 and it's been a perfect daily-driver, it's possible you might get lucky too :)

^thanks--The owner and I haven't been able to agree to a time to look at it yet but hopefully soon. On the phone he's alluded to a little more wrong with it than he's advertised so we'll see.

I contacted Kevin back on 2/19/2009 by email about this car also.

Here are some “quotes” directly from his email to me about the car if it helps you in any way.


• Has heater issues and that it could be the final stage resistor.
• It also needs right and left window regulators.
• He has owned for 10 years. Bought with 27,000 miles in 1998.
• Has a cracked windshield.
• The headliner is loose.
• One minor dent, no rust
• It had one accident in Las Vegas damaged underside but insurance fixed it about 7 years ago.
• Needs new struts.
• Interior fair at best, one cig burn on fabric of left seat.
• Title clear
• New control arms
• New oxygen sensor around 120,000.
• Replaced PS pump.

I also had Mallard run the cars VIN# AM51911 located here in his VIN number decoding thread.

Good Luck

Steve

^yup, well I spoke with him as well and your list is accurate with one exception. He has some type of electrical problem that is blowing the fuse that controls the instruments and starting the car (his words). BTW he claims to be firm on the $1700.

To be honest I think my car is in better shape than his--so maybe I'll just keep in eye out for a 5 spd in a junk yard and do the swap. Or maybe he'll continue to drop his price and I'll rethink.

Oh that explains it now.

It must be a new problem that just popped up or was overlooked, either way there was no mention of it to me.

I have bought two non ti cars in the past, only to find out a week later a very similar "mystery" electrical gremlin that showed up on both cars.

From the engine cutting out while driving (not fun on I-25 during rush hour) to not starting one minute only to start later the next time for no reason, to various lights going on and off by themselves like the emergency flashers, turn indicators, headlights that would turn on and off while driving home at night (on 285 in the mountains at night, weeeeeee:weee:), and even the horn honking at free will with a mind of its own. It soon failed to be amusing after awhile.

I traced the problem to electrical shorting and corrosion on the circuit board in the main fuse box. It was caused by a water leak from a bad windshield seal.

In both cases one of the major clues was that it always seemed to act up more when the humidity was higher that day and really bad when it just rained or snowed, just like it has been here lately. But it could be many other things on his car, just a guess though.

Well one plus is that it does have is the lsd which mine did originally until about 200,000 miles:frown: I wonder when he'll lower the price again. I'm thinking it's a good $1200 car--the motor/tranny/lsd is probably worth that.

I just purchased a 1998 BMW 318ti M-Sport w/ factory California top. .... one of which according to the original owner needed a new battery. ...
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