Salvaged 318ti

[96PGT]

I live in iowa and theres a 96 318ti for sale for 5999. It has been hit on the right side but i was told the previous owner fixed it himself since he was a body man. Right now it has 45k miles (very suspicious bc of its age) so if anyone has a carfax...2 downsides to it. 1 = its not black. 2 = its atx

hes going to call me back when he gets into town so i can go look at it.
the BMW

what should I look for when I look at it?


some about me: my dad drove a 318 back in the 90s and loved it. i used to live in germany for 8 years before moving to the US so im very into eudm cars. Right now i have a Probe GT, it has some go to it. I autox. I love my car to death and will regret selling it but me going to college and driving ~50mi./day i need a lower milage car. My PGT has 88k on it right now.

pix=http://community.webshots.com/photo/187503331/504034917QhcikY
webshots.com user spoon2000

i apologize for grammatical/spelling mistakes but its friday and im got very little sleep last night

[aceyx]

Do you know your state's requirements on what constitutes a salvage title? They do vary, somewhat.

I'd be very skeptical of this, and wouldn't go near it for over $4500. But that's me.

[96cali]

First if you're an autox enthusiast you will hate the power output with an auto trans. Second a four word description (salvage title she's cherry) is suspect in itself. Third, too high of price. Fourth, don't know how much lower miles you'll get for $6k than your PGT.

Welcome- we love our Ti's!

[96PGT]

my dad wants to offer him $4k ,cash obviously, for it. I don really care for the ATX since its a bmw, otherwise i would. It wont be raced, maybe the occasional autox but not as serious as the probe was

[PENVermillion]

How come you feel like you have to sell the Probe GT? I was always under the impression that the engines in those things were pretty damn bulletproof. 88K miles is nothing.

[96PGT]

the 88-92s are turboed & bulletproof The 93-97 GT's are Mazda KLDE (found in mx6/626) and its very realiable but i know im going to have to change little crap like Timing belt, waterpump, radiator ,etc. since its getting to that 100k mile mark. 300 bucks right there. The chance of the clutch going another 400-600. Also, with 45k miles , the BMW, is half as likely to break something on my daily commute at a time where money will be a issue (im saving up for flight school)

I just got off the phone with him and I dont want to look at the car during night and tommorow at 9 will be too early , its a 45min drive to it so im not going to look at it til monday or tuesday.


Half of me wishes the car is crap so i dont give up the probe and the other half wants it badly

...cause i did so much stuff to my car (nice cd player, polised valve cover and IM, tint, wheels for autox, full tuneup, alternator, new control arm, both cv's, VC gaskets, new windshield, [*had but sold: fd3s wheels, headers, sts, exhaust, intake, intake manifold ]

[Gunnails]

ALERT! Severe problems (major accidents, fire, flood damage, major odometer problems or lemon history) were reported by a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for this 1996 BMW 318TI AUTOMATIC (WBACG8322TAU37935). This vehicle does NOT qualify for the CARFAX Buyback Guarantee.


CARFAX Talking CarTM
The story of this 1996 BMW 318TI AUTOMATIC (WBACG8322TAU37935) according to our interpretation of the information reported to CARFAX:
This hatchback has had 4 owners and was owned in Iowa. It was originally registered as a lease vehicle. The leasing company actually owned this vehicle and collected payments from the individual leasing it until the vehicle was sold or the lease expired.
It was involved in an accident in Iowa that was reported to the police.
It was severely damaged and issued a Salvage title by an Iowa DMV. It was later issued a Rebuilt title by an Iowa DMV, which allows for the vehicle to be repaired and returned to the road.
It has not been reported by a DMV as having an Exceeds Mechanical Limits or Not Actual Mileage title.
It has a consistent mileage history with no indication of an odometer rollback. It was driven an average of 4,380 miles per year, which is lower than the industry average of 15,000. The last odometer reading, reported on 11/09/2004, was 38,000 miles.
It was not reported by a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback or LEMON.
Its original manufacturer warranty was voided after it was severely damaged.
Go to the Detailed Vehicle History for the complete history and a glossary of terms.






Report Summary
1. ACCIDENT CHECK

Total Loss Check Severe Accident or Total Loss Event Reported by a DMV
Other Accident Indicators Accident Indicator Reported
2. MILEAGE ACCURACY CHECK

Truth-In-Mileage Check No Odometer Problems Reported by a DMV
Odometer Rollback Check No Potential Odometer Rollback Found
Mileage Consistency Check No Inconsistent Odometer Reading Found
3. LEMON CHECK®
No Mfr. Buyback Reported by a DMV
4. OWNERSHIP CHECK

Number of Owners 4 Estimated Owner(s)
Type of Owners Originally Registered as a Lease Vehicle
5. RECALL CHECK
BMW Does Not Report Recalls to CARFAX
6. WARRANTY CHECK
Warranty Voided
DETAILED VEHICLE HISTORY 15 HISTORY RECORDS REPORTED
Tell us what you know about this vehicle







Year/Make/Model: 1996 BMW 318TI AUTOMATIC

Body Style: HATCHBACK 2 DR
Engine: 1.9L L4 MFI DOHC
Fuel: GASOLINE
Driveline: REAR WHEEL DRIVE
Manufactured in: GERMANY
Safety Equipment: 4 wheel ABS, Dual front air bags/active (manual) belts

Standard Equipment: Power Windows, Power Steering, Air Conditioning, AM / FM Cassette, Power Brakes, 6-digit Odometer




CARFAX searched more than 4 billion records from over 7,600 sources and found 15 record(s) for this 1996 BMW 318TI AUTOMATIC (WBACG8322TAU37935).

Date:
Mileage Reading:
Source:
General Comments:


07/10/1996 US Customs
Vehicle exported from
Germany
and imported to
Newark, NJ


09/15/1996 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Dublin, OH
Registered as
lease vehicle


10/03/1996 107 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Dublin, OH
Title #90T232249
Title issued or updated
First owner reported


04/12/1999 22,985 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Ottumwa, IA
Title #90T265974
Title issued or updated


01/18/2003 27,851 Dealer Inventory
Iowa City, IA
Vehicle offered for sale


04/07/2003 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Rockwell, IA
Title #17W326064
Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported


08/13/2003 Iowa
Police Report
Case #039007
Accident Reported
in Cerro Gordo County
Involving front impact
with another motor vehicle
Severe damage reported
Front area primarily damaged


11/06/2003 37,867 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
West Des Moines, IA
Title #77S312577
New owner reported
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


11/30/2003 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


01/15/2004 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Des Moines, IA
Title #77S316648
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


02/11/2004 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chariton, IA
Title #59S010504
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


11/05/2004 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chariton, IA
Title #59W073172
New owner reported
REBUILT TITLE ISSUED


11/09/2004 38,000 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Des Moines, IA
Title #77Y732216
REBUILT TITLE ISSUED


11/30/2004 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
REBUILT TITLE ISSUED


10/14/2005 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Des Moines, IA
Title #77Y732216
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED

[96cali]

Just to let you know my very well cared for '96 ti had 38k miles on it when I bought it in 2002. It now has 70k. This is roughly what I had done, all of which are common for this car:
cam sensor
rear shock mounts
front ball joints and control arms
thermostat
replace rear springs (oddball, not typical)

All that cost some dough but I still consider this the most reliable car I've ever owned because it has only left me stuck once (thermostat and that was by choice to avoid ay chance of engine damage). Add in brakes, oil, tires and the usual notion BMW cert mechs cost more. So, a '95 with 45k- you could easily spend more than me. Keep the PGT- you know where it's been!

[1996 328ti]

This thing sounds like a basket case.
It appears to be the base model.
I guess it's worth the money but who knows how well the repair was done.
The previous owner may have repaired it enough to sell.
I'd be suspcious of the paint.
Is there a way to tell if he used BMW parts?
You might want to just tap the front fender and compare the metal to the rear.

I've seen nicer ones for not much more money.
I think you should wait for a sport with a stick.

[96PGT]

even though it says that a change in ODO is unlikely this brings up a concern:
11/06/2003 37,867 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
West Des Moines, IA
Title #77S312577
New owner reported
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


11/30/2003 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


01/15/2004 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Des Moines, IA
Title #77S316648
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


02/11/2004 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chariton, IA
Title #59S010504
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


11/05/2004 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chariton, IA
Title #59W073172
New owner reported
REBUILT TITLE ISSUED


11/09/2004 38,000 Iowa
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Des Moines, IA
Title #77Y732216
REBUILT TITLE ISSUED

so 200 miles in one year?
Also, what does the constant 'REBUILT TITLE ISSUED' mean?

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by 96PGT

so 200 miles in one year?

And 5 titles!

And look at
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7862
just to show you that there are deals out there.

[96PGT]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

I've seen nicer ones for not much more money.
I think you should wait for a sport with a stick.

eh a nice one with a stick for cheap and low miles? ya right

[PENVermillion]

It sounds like you want a new car not so much because you need one - your Probe will, in reality, probably run for a long time to come with only minimal service. You seem like maybe you just need a new toy. I don't mean this as a bad thing, though - some people thnk that the only responsible thing to do it to drive a car till the wheels fall off, and I think that's silly. Sometimes you just want a new car.

That said, a Bimmer is a great choice to go to from your Probe - you'll lose some power (if you get a 318) and that oh-so-fun turbo spool, but you gain RWD (which is huge) and step forward in balance and build quality. You'll gain a little "street cred" over a Probe, too, that's for sure.

So, a couple things to consider:

1. If you want to replace the Probe because you want something more fun, hold out for a manual transmission. If you've done some autox, you're obviously a driving enthusiast. Do yourself a favor and get the proper number of pedals in your car.

2. Remember, eventually you're going to sell your car, and selling it with a salvage title will make it difficult. You've done a lot of work to your Probe, so the odds are you'd want to do some upgrades to your new Bimmer eventually as well. You never get your money back out of upgrades, but with a salvage title, that is even more true.

3. One thing in favor of buying the salvage title (if you can get it cheap) - school. School parking lots are a nightmare for cars. Your car WILL get dinged, scratched, etc. at school. Don't buy something you really love until you graduate.

Look hard at any car you're considering buying, and triply so if it has a salvage title. This one seems a little shady, so be careful and ask the tough questions.

[96PGT]

just test drove it a bit ago...

they just replaced the radiator otherwise engine looks clean. Aftermarket headlights, foglights in stock location. Says driven by son but heres the thing...
when it idles it has a vibration and it shifts wierd (son drove it, how many n drops?) I floored it on the on-ramp...went up to like 5500when i left off the revs still rose slightly and then shifted, is that normal with auto?...when shifting there is a slight jerk, very little but still there. Also when we told him about the tranny the guy didnt have much to say, just kinda shruged his shoulders like he knew somethings up but then again i may be worried too much.

as for the car...cloth seats, no tilt steer, no moonroof, no power seats, no cruise. just a basic 318ti.

[1996 328ti]

No US cars had tilt. Cloth is OK. No sunroof is nice if you need extra headroom.
I'd pass. You are asking for trouble. Gut feeling says you will regret it.