318ti.org forum

Go Back   318ti.org forum > Garage > I'm thinking about buying a ti.

Notices

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

.
» Recent Threads
1999 M-Sport For Sale
12-31-2023 05:10 PM
Last post by Coop540iT
03-23-2024 06:39 PM
1 Replies, 99,085 Views
Once again 318ti owner...
03-20-2024 12:39 PM
Last post by two30grain
03-22-2024 02:04 PM
1 Replies, 62,014 Views
What brakes do I...
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
Last post by huirtera
03-20-2024 03:27 PM
0 Replies, 59,286 Views
Reply Share/Bookmark
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-09-2010, 07:51 AM   #1
arinborn
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: La Mesa CA
Posts: 10
iTrader: (0)
Default Need Advice - What do you think about a 4 owner car?

Hi all! Here I am looking for more advice. There is a car at a dealer that is about 120 miles from me. 115k... looks good on paper. Ran Car Fax, clean on everything and it reports 4 owners. 6 service records. No problems. Been a California car the entire time. Passed smog. If I liked the car after I drove it, I'd run it through a AAA pre-inspection station prior to purchase. If the shop thought this car was a keeper, I'd still be a little nervous about a 4 owner car. Who knows what [unreported] problems they may have had?

Owners 1 and 2 are lumped together by CF, family maybe?
Original purchase in May, '96.
Owner 2 bought in September, '96. @ 3000 miles.
Owner 3 bought 2000 @ about 64k miles.
Owner 4 bought in 2003 at about 74k miles.
It currently has 115k and has passed smog several times.

Hasn't been driven much by the drivers except Owner 2. But number 2 is the one with the 2 BMW scheduled maintenance reported.

Your thoughts? Advice? I guess I'm just spooked at the thought of being number 5... Thanks in advance ~ jeremy
arinborn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 03:02 AM   #2
Ji Money
Senior Member
 
Ji Money's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Orange County, NY
Posts: 1,067
iTrader: (0)
Default

Check that the windows go up and down without issues. They're very famous, or infamous I should say for breaking.

Is it auto or 5 speed? See if the clutch was changed for the 5 speeds. Check for the airbag light, check engine light, the usual stuff I guess. Look at the body for possible work done that wasn't reported. The thermostat go bad often on the 96-99 M44 motors.
__________________

McLaren F1 - BMW M Power S70/2
Ji Money is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 03:10 AM   #3
Ji Money
Senior Member
 
Ji Money's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Orange County, NY
Posts: 1,067
iTrader: (0)
Default

Check for model type, Sport, Active, etc.. They have specific interior colors, seat type, and bumper types that go with them. Check to see that those parts match up to what type this car is.
__________________

McLaren F1 - BMW M Power S70/2
Ji Money is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 03:22 AM   #4
Ji Money
Senior Member
 
Ji Money's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Orange County, NY
Posts: 1,067
iTrader: (0)
Default

Ask for the original invoice! That will tell you what type of configuration it was built by the factory. Matter of fact, if you have the VIN number, we got a member here who can tell you exactly what configuration it left with from the factory.

Sport model has certain wheels and shocks, black dashboard and other plastic interior bits, and they have a half leather half cloth seats.
__________________

McLaren F1 - BMW M Power S70/2
Ji Money is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 05:16 AM   #5
arinborn
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: La Mesa CA
Posts: 10
iTrader: (0)
Default

Ji Money - thanks so much for all the info. It has really helped. I have been patient and searching since February. Also I have made great use of the suggestions from members such as yourself in examining candidate vehicles.

I just purchased a 1995 318iS - 119K miles. Automatic. Black and tan. Original paint. Everything stock. The features I was looking for. The owner was a highly successful executive and obviously loved the car as if it were her child. It has all of the maintenance records. All the original owners kit -manuals and etc. It even has the delivery receipt document when the shipper off loaded to the dealer. It has all the tools. The car is immaculate. As near as I can tell, from reading the forums and such, the various items that can surface have all been taken care of.

Truthfully - I can't believe that I actually own a BMW. It is so bitchin. ( Old school SoCal term for 'awesome') I am soooooo glad I started wondering if BMW offered a 4 cylinder car when I was looking at the Hondas and Toyotas which were similarly priced with similar price and mileage. I found that the proven, reliable Asian cars were not anywhere near as well engineered, manufactured or well preserved as the BMW line.

Thanks again!
arinborn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2010, 07:07 AM   #6
Ji Money
Senior Member
 
Ji Money's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Orange County, NY
Posts: 1,067
iTrader: (0)
Default

You're welcome! Patience definitely is a virtue. I rushed into my purchase and I'm still living with the problems. Good to hear you got a well taken care of Bimmer! 95 is a great year too with the M42 motor. If your window ever starts having problems we got the DIY write-up here.

Peace
__________________

McLaren F1 - BMW M Power S70/2
Ji Money is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2010, 08:23 PM   #7
amancuso
Senior Member
 
amancuso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Burlington, NJ
Posts: 560
iTrader: (0)
Default

4 owners for a 15 year old car is no problem. How many people do you know keep a car for more than 3 or 4 years?
__________________
1996 318ti - 2000 Z3 2.3 - 2012 MINI Cooper Hatchback
amancuso is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2010, 10:18 PM   #8
roadrash
That's not Millpoint Blue
 
roadrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: BNA
Posts: 3,161
Vehicles
iTrader: (2)
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by amancuso View Post
How many people do you know keep a car for more than 3 or 4 years?
I had my first car for 8 years, and the second car for 17.

Still, I agree 4 owners isn't a huge factor, the important thing is that those owners took care of the car. So "quality of owners" is more important than "quantity of owners."
__________________
Real men know how to SEARCH!
THIS IS A MILLPOINT BLUE INTERIOR

Mods 'n' stuff: Star Spoke 43 wheels - X-Brace - Mason Engineering front strut brace - CF gauge overlay - ZHP shifter knob - Racing Dynamics cat-back - Doubled brake lights - M-tech rear spoiler
From Page 68 of the 1997 Owners Manual: "Vehicles equipped with ASC+T remain subject to the laws of physics."
roadrash is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
carfax , inspection


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Proud Owner in need of advice neo Personal bios and Introductions 2 10-09-2008 08:37 PM
could use some advice davendeb General Chit Chat 10 12-18-2006 03:35 AM
Looking for some advice wilbur71 Lounge 5 03-26-2006 01:49 AM
need advice angel318ti Engine 5 02-24-2006 04:11 AM
2003 Cobra owner here looking to get a 318ti for the winter - need advice... QUAD Lounge 12 09-15-2004 01:40 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:46 PM.


.
Powered by site supporters
vBulletin Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©1999 - 2024, 318ti.org
© vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2
[page compression: 90.23 k/106.00 k (14.88%)]

318ti.org does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or products discussed.