Another noob about to buy their first TI...

[sureyoucan]

Hey everyone,

I'm happy I found this site. I'm selling my '91 Civic Hatchback this coming weekend and need to pick up another car to take it's place. I've always like the TIs but never went there out of BMW maintenance expenses (I live in an apartment and don't really have a place to work on a car nor the tools to do anything complicated on the car). I have really loved my Civic Hatchback and am considering picking up a TI but am a bit concerned how much I'll be spending to keep it in good shape. It's a '97 318TI and pretty sure it's a sport (5 Spd Manual, Sport trims, Sport-tuned suspension and shifter). It has 112K miles and has a clean title. The guy is asking too much for it IMO (about $6800) and I'm hoping to get him down to $5K or below if possible. My main questions here are if the car is in good shape what's it really worth in dollars? What kind of jump in maintenance fees can I expect moving from a Honda Civic to on of these cars? Any major things I should be looking for on the car?

[96cali]

Welcome. You'll find this a very helpful site..... but much more so if you do a search. I mean you're posting in the right forum category- read the other many many posts with the same questions. Then get the pics and more exact specs on the '97. You will get much more attention (so far you're at 18 views with no replies).

Don't mean to be a jerk but I can't muster the patience to repeat myself/everyone right now.

[tiFreak]

ti's are pretty low-maintenance cars, just some cheap plastic connectors for the cooling system have a tendency to break when they get old, headliners sag pretty badly and window regulators seem to go out pretty often

[sureyoucan]

Originally Posted by 96cali

Welcome. You'll find this a very helpful site..... but much more so if you do a search. I mean you're posting in the right forum category- read the other many many posts with the same questions. Then get the pics and more exact specs on the '97. You will get much more attention (so far you're at 18 views with no replies).

Don't mean to be a jerk but I can't muster the patience to repeat myself/everyone right now.

Well here's details from the owner:

-1997
- 1.9L L4 MPI DOHC
- REAR WHEEL DRIVE
- 2 doors / Hatchback
- 5 Spd Manual
- 112K miles
- Clean title - no accidents
- M-Series version includes Sport trims, Sport-tuned suspension and shifter
- Limited Slip Differential / Anti-slip control
- 4-Wheel ABS
- Sunroof
- Blaupunkt "Los Angeles" CD player - MP3
- Factory Alarm system / Keyless entry
- Black Leather/Fabric interior
- Power everything
- Leather Wheel and accessories





I can get more specifics, just ask me.

The car seems like it's in great condition. Kinda threw me off on the asking price though. I did read on the forum here that many people sell over KBB value but he's asking pretty much double. I'm hoping to get the price down from around $7K to more like $5K or under. I will definitely take it to a shop for them to give it a once over before I buy. Just a bit concerned if I'll be paying double or more on maintenance as well compared to what I'm use to on my Honda.

[tiFreak]

$5k is a good price for that car, other than the problems listed in my post before, these cars don't usually cost a lot to keep going as long as maintenance is done on time and correctly

[Maverix]

KBB = $5k (if in absolutely perfect condition, with the features described).

That being said, it is quite common for people to sell their ti's for more than KBB. $6.8k is pretty steep. Tell the owner that if he ever changes his mind, that your offer for 5k will stand for the next month. After a few weeks of low balling offers, he will reconsider your offer.

Maintenance wise, ti's are pretty stable. Since last January, I haven't had a major problem with my car. Only the plastic guider on the regulator broke off, and I did a temporary fix on it. Every few months or so, I oil it to keep it from breaking again. The headliner on my sun roof is starting to peel on one side. Never messed the sun roof since then.

If that doesn't guarantee your next purchasing being a ti, then remember this comment from a owner:
I LOVE MY TI!!!

[318tienthuziest2316]

i went from a 2001 dodge stratus coupe SE with the 2.4 L 4 cyl engine...and im going to tell you there is nothing out there that compares to the way a BMW drives...whether its in a straight line, down an extremely curvy road, or even doing donuts in the parking lots...my family owns 3 BMW's...and the one that costs the least amount to keep up to date is my TI...which i kinda thought as surprising...but yet not at the same time, im the only car guy in the family and i worked on cars in an auto shop quite a bit so i did most of the maintenance myself and if done right everything on the M44 is pretty much straight forward...hope that helps man...good luck on your buy

[Flametail]

And parts aren't bad, as long as you know where to look for them. Pelican has been my wallet's savior.

[wasabinuki]

KBB undervalues Ti's. I think that $6800 for a clean 97, with M-Kit, and only 112K is great. Plus if it's always been a Cali car it should be in good physical shape, and the car should last you a very long time. I say do it.

[rtbmw318]

I got my '98 ti for $6000 whitout these features you listed

- CD player - MP3
- Factory Alarm system / Keyless entry

It is a pretty good price overall maybe a little bargaining you can bump it down to $6000-$6500ish