Considering a '98 316i Compact - what should I be worried out?

[headwerkn]

Hi all,

First, intros. Name's Ben, and I don't own a BMW... yet.

My recently-L plated girlfriend and I are considering a 1998 316i Compact as her 'learning' car/my 'get-around-the-city-without-using-17L-per-100km' car (I have a V6 4Runner). It's an auto (which we want for her), lower-than-typical kms, full service history and is absolutely mint; I've seen enough tatty secondhand Bimmers to know this one's been babied. It also has dual airbags, CD stacker and a few other bits which lead me to think it's not base spec either.

While we were supposed to be looking for a Toyota Corolla, this little car has impressed us. The price is on the high side of our budget but nonetheless within it. I'm keen because of the RWD, handling, safety features and the fact it's already done most of it's depreciation. The little engine is a tad gutless but that will suit my girlfriend and economy matters. Besides, halfway through the test drive I found the sport mode button which helps things a bit ;-).

Anyway, to my point. This car is mint, but knowing what BMWs can cost to fix we're concerned about any hidden traps. We have the opportunity to take a 24 hr test drive which would give me the time to jack the car up and have a look underneath. I've read the basic look-outs for the 318ti - is there anything else specific to the 316i that I should check?

Thanks!
Cheers, Ben.

PS: Hope it is ok to ask about a 316i in a 318ti forum ;-)

[AE86]

find some european TI forums! we never got the 316 here in N. America - even the 1.8/1.9 is considered too slow for the usa. here it's okay to have a civic with 20 hp and think its a race car, but as soon as a car is rear-wheel drive, like an ae86 or this bmw, it's supposed to have at least 200hp to not get laughed at. when i had a 1990 miata random people would tell me how slow it is, as if i asked them, or as if they actually ever drove one...

if the 316 was ever sold here, the owners would have to wear paper bags over their heads..