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Old 08-19-2017, 10:58 PM   #1
salguod
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 91
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Default FS - 1996 318ti 5 speed

1996 BMW 318ti, 5 speed, 263K miles, Boston Green, Dove Gray leather interior - $1,450

It's time to sell my 318ti. I've owned this car for almost 2 years and had a ball with it. Great little car. I bought it from a friend who was the second owner and have maintenance records back to new. He had it 14 years and loved and cared for it well. First owner seems to have had all service done at the dealer. This is a well loved car that's been in near constant use from new. It was my daily until about mid July.

The Good:
  • Well loved and well maintained. Service records back to new, no accidents that I'm aware of
  • Bentley service manual & full owner's folio
  • Factory BMW alarm system with 2 remotes & keys
  • Runs great, no check engine light
  • Uses no oil
  • Tires about 50% (were new when I bought it)
  • New JVC AM/FM/Bluetooth head unit with hands free mic. (original radio goes with car)
  • Chassis is clean & solid underneath. Very good for 20+ years and 260K+ miles in MI and OH
  • The BMW problem areas (window regulators and coolant pipes) were done by the previous owner (I have the receipts).
  • I've done the following:
    • New engine mounts
    • New transmission mounts
    • New differential cover & mount
    • New front lower control arms & bushings
    • New front strut mounts
    • New front brakes (pads, wear sensors, caliper bolts & hoses)
    • New LR caliper
    • New battery
    • New door mirrors (original mirrors with the paint matched covers go with the car)
    • New oil filter housing gasket & bushing
    • New intake hose
    • Repaired sunroof mechanism (replaced broken arms)
    • Alignment

The issues:
  • Throw out bearing is noisy, so it needs a clutch. Clutch itself does not slip, just the bearing noise. I have a complete clutch kit (disk, pressure plate, throw out bearing, alignment tool) that will go with the car.
  • Radiator fan doesn't work, but car runs cool (gauge at 12 o'clock) 99% of the time without it except in bumper to bumper traffic in extreme heat. Unless you are stopped in traffic for a while and it's 90+ degrees, it's not a problem. The wiring & relays seem to check out, it probably needs a fan.
  • If sunroof is opened completely (to second stop), it will sometimes refuse to close. Pop the motor cover, turn the motor to manually close it even a small fraction of an inch and it'll close fine. Open it only to the first stop and it works great every time.
  • Occasionally the ignition key twists without engaging the switch. Remove the key, try again and it's fine. Happened maybe one a month when I was driving it daily.
  • Parking brake does not work.
  • Right front stabilizer mount is broken
  • Interior is fair. Tear in driver's seat, headliner drooping, driver's door panel needs repair, generally worn.
  • Despite the clean undercarriage, there is rust in the quarters and passenger front fender.
  • Clear coat is peeling on the hood.
  • Back up lights don't work. New switch goes with the car.
  • AC doesn't work, not investigated why.
  • Dim airbag light, not investigated why.
  • Exhaust a little noisy, but not objectionable.

Except for the throw out bearing, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere. I suspect that it'd be good to get to anywhere in Ohio, but I'm not sure. As I said, I was driving it daily until mid July, when I got a new toy (2002 Acura RSX Type S) so it's time to move on. It's going on Craigslist later this week, thought I'd try here first.

I'll post a few pics in the next post. Lots more pictures on Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/d_scha...57685294125760
__________________
salguod
2007 Toyota Prius Touring
2005 Mazda3 S 5 Door
1998 Ford Escort SE
1996 BMW 318ti
1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

Last edited by salguod; 09-24-2017 at 12:04 AM.
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