 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  05-31-2009, 10:23 PM | #1 | | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ct Posts: 151 |  Want some opinions PLEASE!
I think i am about to purchase a 318ti that I found for $2000, no rust whatsoever, some minor chipping and a few dents here and there and a bunch of (I think) reasonably small issues like the gas gauge isn't working properly, the rear wiper was removed, the interior is pretty dirty and the a/c isn't really pumping out much cold air. The rims are pretty badly curb rashed with low tread left, and it has 156k miles... I just wanted some opinions on if this is a good buy its a '95, and I already have a motor ready for a swap, apparently he has recently done some work within the past year, like new motor mounts, new alternator starter, and a bit of other stuff, and I test drove it, the engine is fine so is the clutch, etc. I dunno I think it has great potential because I already have a motor and manual for a swap but I wasn't sure if it was a good deal or not. Thanks for any input, good or bad. any questions I'll try and answer if it helps people decide if its good or not. Also, its black with cloth interior, and is pretty base model, no sun roof, no sport bumpers or anything. manual. let me know what you think. |  |  | | 05-31-2009, 10:44 PM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,356 |
Considering it's a 13 year old car, chips and dings are to be expected.
These have not shown signs of rusting unless in an accident and not repaired properly.
Gas gauge could just be a sender.
Is the water temp working? When the both aren't working, then it's an electrical problem.
Wheels are easy. Wait long enough and you can find 95 M3 wheels cheap.
Since you are already planning a swap, the motor is not much of a concern.
OBD-I would be an easier motor to swap to.
Good luck. __________________ ...steven
BMW CCA #146825
1996 BMW 328ti • 2003 MINI Cooper S • 2016 M235i
www.bmwcca.org
| | | | | 05-31-2009, 10:48 PM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: 43609 Posts: 3,425 |
Even for the price, you may want to just grab a manual equipped one, but if this one is what you "want" go for it. Doesnt sound like too bad of a deal if you already have a goal and parts lined up to meet them. __________________ 1995 Hellrot Clubsport 318ti -Gone 1996 Schwartz II Sport 357ti - 5.7L V8 LS1/6 1997 Moregrun Metallic 318ti - Gone
1998 Schwartz II sport 318ti - M50TUB25/5 | | | | | 05-31-2009, 11:31 PM | #4 | | Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 93 |
If you are going to do a swap anyways, you might want to wait for one that has an engine or transmission problem, but has a good body on it. I was able to pick up a ti M Sport package with a bad head for about $1500, but I have seen base models for less. | | | | | 06-01-2009, 02:24 PM | #5 | | Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Owen Sound, ON Canada Posts: 7 |
My wife and I just purchased a 1995 318ti Active with almost 400,000 Km for $2000, with less issues than what you appear to have...chips and stuff to be expected. The only item that really stands out for me is the new motor mounts  . Was this for a different motor or strictly for rust? Either way, I'd get this baby up on a hoist and take a look at the underside. Good luck! | | | | | 06-01-2009, 06:02 PM | #6 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
The rubber motor mounts tend to not be very good after that many years  __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 06-02-2009, 08:00 AM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ct Posts: 151 |
Thanks for the input, I am going through with it tomorrow and will begin my swap very soon, now I gotta do a little parts shopping which should be fun, and we'll see what this baby can do :-) Overall it doesn't seem like a bad deal. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something Obvious that I was overlooking that people might have picked up on. I am probably going to find some use for the old motor, or sell it, and the parting out for the extraneous stuff I don't need will probably begin soon, like seats, and exhaust parts and whatnot, to make back a few bucks. Wish me luck on my first swap ever, and my first ti (SOOO EXCITED!!!!) | | | | |
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