Looking at a 97 318ti for $5995

[Ji Money]

Hi everyone, glad I found this place. I saw this 318ti for sale and I was going to buy it, but I was wondering if you guys could give me any advice on what to look for when inspecting the car. It has 87,000 miles and the front struts and rear shocks were replaced recently. I was wondering when the clutch needs to be replaced if I get it. Also, how does that California top fare in the winter? How does the 318ti perform in the winter in general? The ad is pasted below, any advice would be great. Thank you.



1997 BMW 318ti. Includes m sports package and canvas electronic California top. Great condition. Only 83,700+ miles. Black with black/grey combination leather/cloth seating. The huge California top makes car feel like a convertible when open. P255/50R16 Continental Conti-tac tires have only 14,000 miles on them. Front struts and rear schocks were replaced at 67000 miles.
Handles superbly. The body looks good, no dents/damage, but it does have several parking lot scratches. Has a Kenwood KDC-216S Stereo installed but I also have the original BMW radio.

• 1.9L I4 DOHC 16V FI Engine • 16 Inch Wheels
• 4-Wheel ABS • 5-Speed Manual Transmission
• AM/FM/Cassette Audio System • Air Conditioning
• Anti-Theft Alarm System • Bucket Seats
• Driver and Passenger Front Airbags • Intermittent Windshield Wipers
• Lighted Entry System • Power Brakes
• Power Door Locks • Power Heated Mirrors
• Power Steering • Power Windows
• Rear Window Defroster • Rear Window Wiper
• Tachometer • Tinted Glass
• Traction Control • Front/rear anti roll bars
• Limited Slip Differential • Trip Computer
• Leather/Cloth Seats • Sport Suspension
• Power Sunroof • Alloy Wheels
• Split fold down rear seats

[bmvw]

Sounds better than my 97 & I paid $7000. I have a sunroof, no cali top & had 107,000mi. This model has its share of issues, nothing that will leave you stranded. I've fixed loose power window glass, sagging rear springs, a sticky ABS light & a sporadic ignition key cylinder spinning freely. Whenever a problem has come up I look thru the forums & found the fix. I've put 15,000 miles on it & very happy with the car.

[Panzer_M]

The Cali top is nice, but a PITA to replace/service I've heard.

but then the OE Sunroof IS a PITA to service and replace/remove/install in my opinion.

but the car is worth it..7k isn't a bad price warrented NO major mechanical headaches/rust issues with the car

If it's got the LS Diff and the full sport package with a cali top..go for it nice combo.

[Ji Money]

Thanks fo the advice guys. I'm about to go look at it today and pay for it if the carfax thing checks out.

[kirbykirbykirby3]

Good Luck! Make sure to come back after you get the car! =D

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by kirbykirbykirby3

Good Luck! Make sure to come back after you get the car! =D

Oh man, four other people came to see it today so now the price is going to be the best offer. I'm willing to pay $7,000 for it. Maybe $8,000. Since I was the first one who contacted him, he will let me match everyone's price.

Do you think it is worth $8,000? KBB and Edmunds says the car is worth around $5,500 but I don't know if the rarity of this particular model and options is worth another two three g's.

[John W]

You might try showing up with $5995 cash (or slightly less). I bet they take it. (Also, I wouldn't worry too much about the clutch. If you're a smooth driver (and the PO was), they will last more than 200k miles. Mine has 100k and feels great.)

[bikern8]

I would not hesitate to pay the 7K if the inspection and car fax pans out. THe mileage is relatively low and there are always people looking for a 5 speed sport with cali roof....including me...!!

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by John W

You might try showing up with $5995 cash (or slightly less). I bet they take it. (Also, I wouldn't worry too much about the clutch. If you're a smooth driver (and the PO was), they will last more than 200k miles. Mine has 100k and feels great.)

This guy actually told me he wants cash as the payment method. Hopefully that will turn away some buyers. I guess the clutch will be the first thing to go since I never had a manual shift car before. I drove a few manual shift cars at 5mph when working at an autobody shop one time. From the garage to the parking spots for the paint to dry.

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by bikern8

I would not hesitate to pay the 7K if the inspection and car fax pans out. THe mileage is relatively low and there are always people looking for a 5 speed sport with cali roof....including me...!!

Yeah I think you're right. These cars are hard to find. I'm a sucker for hatchbacks and wagons.

[L84THSKY]

Sounds like a nice car, gotta wonder if it really has the Limited Slip Diff though. Pay whatever you feel is fair. The combination of features and condition is very appealing.

Originally Posted by Ji Money

Oh man, four other people came to see it today so now the price is going to be the best offer. I'm willing to pay $7,000 for it. Maybe $8,000. Since I was the first one who contacted him, he will let me match everyone's price.

Do you think it is worth $8,000? KBB and Edmunds says the car is worth around $5,500 but I don't know if the rarity of this particular model and options is worth another two three g's.

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

Sounds like a nice car, gotta wonder if it really has the Limited Slip Diff though. Pay whatever you feel is fair. The combination of features and condition is very appealing.

He showed me the switch for the traction control, I wonder if he got it confused with that? I was researching on bimmerforums and someone said that only the 95's had the LSD too.

[L84THSKY]

Limitted slip diff was offered prior to the introduction of traction control.

Originally Posted by Ji Money

He showed me the switch for the traction control, I wonder if he got it confused with that? I was researching on bimmerforums and someone said that only the 95's had the LSD too.

[Mothman]

I would asked to see the car again, then ask to see the last smog check readings, then ask if he kept on top of oil changes if he says "yes" lift the hood open the oil cap and look to see if there is a dark stain that will not rub off. If the dark stain is there, then he didn't stay on top of the oil, and may have ran the car hot! Check the interior near the front window for the fabric coming loose, then tell him you heard that this model has had major problems with powerwindows, then check around the doors to see if he forgot to snap the door all the way back. If you look at the door lach it maybe miss a line. Check the tires (Center) treads on the left driver's side passenger side for wear. Really if you look hard enough you can make a list of things to drop him back down.
Money talks BS walks.

I got my 318ti at 45k/miles for $10k and she is at 205k miles well worth it.

Good Luck,
Mothman

[Ji Money]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

Limitted slip diff was offered prior to the introduction of traction control.

So he is probably mistaken then right? I better ask him again. Do you think that makes a big difference? I don't really know what traction control is supposed to do.