I am considering purchasing a Ti...advice?

[mark07]

Ok, so there's a 1997 silver 318ti for sale near me. It's 5 speed, 107k miles, and has the active package.

However, I have a few questions about the car.

What exactly is the active package? Is it better or worse than the sport?

What is the cloth interior like? I've never seen a BMW with cloth, they've either had leather or vinyl in the case of my E30.

What are some weak points on the ti that I should look out for?

Oh and he is asking $5900, is that an average price for a ti in this region (mid-atlantic.) ?

Thanks,

Mark

[sparkchaser]

I like the cloth seats. It always gets positive comemnts from the Car Club folks.

Assuming everyhing is in good condition mechanically, $5900 is a great price.

[DustenT]

Advice = Buy it.

Welcome!

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by mark07

Ok, so there's a 1997 silver 318ti for sale near me. It's 5 speed, 107k miles, and has the active package.

However, I have a few questions about the car.

What exactly is the active package? Is it better or worse than the sport?

What is the cloth interior like? I've never seen a BMW with cloth, they've either had leather or vinyl in the case of my E30.

What are some weak points on the ti that I should look out for?

Oh and he is asking $5900, is that an average price for a ti in this region (mid-atlantic.) ?

Thanks,

Mark

Active included on board computer and cruise 15" alloys.
Sport had better seats and slightly stiffer suspension. 16" alloys.
Also M-technic trim and fogs.

Our cars are prone to window regulator problems. You can find that discussed in the exterior section.

[mark07]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

Active included on board computer and cruise 15" alloys.
Sport had better seats and slightly stiffer suspension. 16" alloys.
Also M-technic trim and fogs.

Our cars are prone to window regulator problems. You can find that discussed in the exterior section.

Thanks a lot. I think you were the one my father talked to last night about any clean 318ti's in the mid-atlantic region.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by mark07

Thanks a lot. I think you were the one my father talked to last night about any clean 318ti's in the mid-atlantic region.

Yep. We are going to have to wrap your next car in bubble wrap.

[mark07]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

Yep. We are going to have to wrap your next car in bubble wrap.

Heh, so I guess you heard about my little E30 incident.

I really don't think God wants my family to have E30s...that's two that were totalled in a little over a month.

[96cali]

Originally Posted by mark07

I really don't think God wants my family to have E30s...that's two that were totalled in a little over a month.

FYI the ti has an e30 rear end, so you may want to bubble wrap just the rear.

If you liked an e30 you'll love the spirit of the ti. I would hold out for a sport however.

[mark07]

Well, the search continues.

We went to look at the car, but someone else "outbid" us. We offered up to $6500 and the other guy offered $6900.

But hopefully the right car shows up...there's a 1 owner 1995 up in New Jersey that we might check out.

[SDKmann]

You missed your chance on that one! I looked for over a year for a e36 BMW like that and just like you waited on buying the few like that one that I found to do reaserch. My advice is if you find a car like that again jump on it right away before it gets away from you.

[bmw888]

I was wondering can someone make a list of items of importance to check when buying a older Ti,is there parts that fails regularly..are there signs of potential failures on certain parts...of course Im going to let me mechanic do a detailed check but it be a bonus if current and past Ti orders can list areas to focus on..greatly appreciated...


does the 1995 have limited slip differential?...and are side airbags equipped with the Ti models?..

[1996 328ti]

A list would be good and I bet we have one somewhere.

These cars have problems with the window regulator.
Lower the window and see if the door panel bulges.

Headliners are starting to sag.

Side air bags started sometime in 1998 <I think>.

Other than that there really is nothing that is unique to the ti.
Look closely at the rear shock mounts.

A LSD was available 1995-1996.
It may have been standard in a 95 Clubsport.
Optional until ASC became standard.

[twomato]

You might try expanding your search. I have seen a few decent 'ti' in the Chicago market in the $5 - $7 range. Not much demand for this car over here. Again, no service records, pass on the buy.