I need your help! Please!

[rubeeb]

Please help me decide if a 318ti I've been offered is worth buying.
I've been offered this 2000 "W" car with 11 months MOT and 6 months TAX for £1800. BUT.. The current owner tells me it's a turbo and I don't think 318s have turbos (but my knowlage is limited). He also says it's got "turbo lag", but if there is no turbo what could the problem be? Also he says that the steering sometimes goes heavy. He's just changed the fluid so could it just be air or is it going to be the steering rack? Is this expensive?
And last of all he says that the air con needs re-gassing. My mate reackons more likely there's a problem if he can't be bothered to get it done. (I don't even know if it would have it!)
What do you think? Should I walk away or is it worth the money?

[Mallard]

heya mate

1) if it is a turbo, find out,

who installed it
papers on the fiting
any modifications to the engine itself

if its a w reg then itll be an m44 engine

turbo lag is from the size of the turbo (larger) needing time to spin up at lower tourque / revs,.. its normal but not good .. some would say it shouldnt even have lag on a small engine. it just means the set up isnt ballanced to the car..

the rack may be an issue. if its a new rack then it may cost you dollar if you cant source a used from a breaker. this would be the only sensible option imo.

The air con may be.

duff klima kondenser (ac rad)
the thermo resistor
the compressor.
the belt
the gas (but if its had a refil then rule this out)

it will need a dose of contrast gas (mixes with the freon and shows illuminous leaks) to see if theres a breach

do you have a sales aqd or link to the car?

[rubeeb]

Thanks for the advice. I don't have a link to an ad as it's not advertised at the moment which is a shame as I would like it if you could see it.
I'll see what I can find out about costs of the rack and the air con before I make a decision-I'm scared of getting caught out!!