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I'm thinking about buying a ti. Ask all your questions about the possible purchase of a ti. Keep in mind, we are biased.

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Old 10-09-2010, 06:56 PM   #1
rcstprez
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Default one simple question -

As others, I am also new to BMW. I have spent many years and many miles in many different cars (though none a BMW). I had a very open mind of what my next car would be - and then I drove a friends BMW and was sold.

I have located a nice '97 ti, 5spd, one owner, very clean inside and out. My only concern is the car has 200,000miles. Being a long time GM fan, 200k scares me, but the more I look, the more I find BMW's with 200K+ miles.

Is 200k something to worry about? I find no leaks, it pulls good and you cannot even hear the car running.

Thanks for any input -

Matt
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Old 10-09-2010, 07:33 PM   #2
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Does the seller have records of maintenance done to the car?

Regular oil changes and such?
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Old 10-09-2010, 07:50 PM   #3
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not 100%, but they do have more than I would have guessed. Most used cars I have bought in the past, the owners had little to no records. I just glanced at them, but saw no big-ticket stuff (looking at the totals).
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Old 10-09-2010, 09:15 PM   #4
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It sounds like you found a well maintained car.

If it is a good price I wouldn't let the miles scare you off.
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Old 10-10-2010, 01:11 AM   #5
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yeah, not much really goes wrong, some members have 300,000+ miles on their BMWs.

can i ask, what year and what model, and selling price? i have a 98 318ti, and the cars body has 200k miles, but the motor was replaced. i was going to do a brand new carbon fiber hood and nice 17 in black rims, along with a few other things. thanks =]
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Old 10-10-2010, 01:49 PM   #6
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I have a E36 318is. I ran a supercharger at 15psi for 50K on the motor and retired that motor at 176K as a core. That motor was in perfect condition when they tore it down so it had plenty of miles left on it and was beat on very hard. The body now is close to 200K and I'm turbo and I've got no issues at all.

I think if you do maintenance on a regualr schedule and drive normal these cars will go well past 300K. I would bet if you took good care of it you would get 500K and only need to change the radiator, starter and things like that as they do wear out and need replacement during the life of the car but are not big ticket items. BMW really makes a solid car and I owned a bunch of Chevy's in my life (15) and none were as well built as this BMW

This is my opinion and my experience with my BMW.
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Old 10-10-2010, 02:22 PM   #7
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Whatever you get, I'd suggest giving it a general tune-up. Don't wait until you're stranded on the side of the road. 210k here and still ticking smoothly.
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