coltboostin Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 I recently got the itch for a BMW. Looking around, I found a clean 92 318i. Charcoal out, black leather inside. Body is straight, interior is clean. quite rust free underneath. Everything works besides the A/C, power everything. Has a rear end cluck I am not concerned about. I can probably get it for 1500. Good by? Dont bother? Let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jelloman4571647545499 Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Nate would prolly be a good person to ask, but I bet you already knew that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allblack325i Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 just keep an eye out on the coils, and make sure you change the thermostat and flush the cooling system... those were the only minor problems I had with both the 325i's I had. (They had the e36 in them as well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vander Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 I have a ton of parts for that car which I will post for sale on here soon. So if you ever need any, I have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hal Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 1500 seems a bit high to me, but, wait for Nate. To allblack325i, please don't give advice if you don't know anything. E36 is not speaking about the engine. E36 is '91-'99 3 series cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 I think $1500 is a good/fair price for that car if its clean and runs decent. The 318 aint worth shit but knowing you you're not buying for the powerhorse engine is has, lol, i'd do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got-Boost? Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 The 1.8 is a dog but as long as it's just a daily beater, you'll be fine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 the cooling system on any e36 should be checked over closely. Unfortunately the most important part (water pump) can't be checked without more work than it's worth. The water pumps were made with plastic impellers that tend to melt randomly at a given point in time without much warning. Later BMW fixed this by going to a composite impeller, but there's no way to tell unless they have records (unlikely on a $1500 car). Also check the fan for cracks, if it breaks it'll take out the radiator with it most times. You obviously know how to check out a body, so I'll leave that to you. The RTABS (rear trailing arm bushings) on the rear suspension tend to go bad, when they do you'll be able to tell it by driving the car. If you stand on the gas while rolling (say 40mph) and the back of the car tries to crab walk along the road, then they're bad. They don't cost much, but are a major pain in the ass to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allblack325i Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 1500 seems a bit high to me, but, wait for Nate. To allblack325i, please don't give advice if you don't know anything. E36 is not speaking about the engine. E36 is '91-'99 3 series cars. How is what I said wrong? my 92 and my 93 were both e36 cars 325I. I always thought the 3 in 325 meant it was a 3 series. But the other guy above my post said the same thing, but I can see how it was wrong cause I said it????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ansonivan Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 $1500 is a good price even with the boring 1.9 liter four. Common wear items include thermostat+housing/water pump/radiator Control arm bushing and ball joints both of which require a press for replacement bad bushings are easily detected by inching the car forward at 1mph and tapping the brakes, you will feel a thumping through the steering wheel and an outside observer will see the entire front wheel moving rearward in relation to the wheel well. The pcv valves go bad and cause idle problems and cel's, easy and cheap fix. Rear sub frame bushings go bad and occasionally tear mounting lugs out of the body... unlikely in the underpowered 318. Window regulators and motors die regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hal Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 How is what I said wrong? my 92 and my 93 were both e36 cars 325I. I always thought the 3 in 325 meant it was a 3 series. But the other guy above my post said the same thing, but I can see how it was wrong cause I said it????? You said your car has an e36 in it. That is where you are wrong. The car is an e36, it does not have an e36. So I guess if you're right, your car has another 3 series inside of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allblack325i Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 lol I stand corrected... I'll admit when I'm wrong, lol (Feeling like a dumbass now) I honestly though that the e36 WAS the type of engine, I knew it was a 3 series, just thoguht something else I guess. Sorry Halbert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got-Boost? Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 BMW info... E36 = chassis designation (For instance F-body, SN-95, etc..) 3 = class/series (small, 5-midsize, 7-large, etc..) 25 = 2.5 I-6 engine (that isn't how the current E90/91/92/93 cars are though. They are all 3.0 even though they are designated 325, 328, etc.). So if anyone asks you have a 1997 (E36) 325i... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 E30's are more fun and lighter and the 2.7 is 8.5-1Cr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coltboostin Posted October 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 E30's are more fun and lighter and the 2.7 is 8.5-1Cr Bitches like the E36. $1500 is a good price even with the boring 1.9 liter four. Common wear items include thermostat+housing/water pump/radiator Control arm bushing and ball joints both of which require a press for replacement bad bushings are easily detected by inching the car forward at 1mph and tapping the brakes, you will feel a thumping through the steering wheel and an outside observer will see the entire front wheel moving rearward in relation to the wheel well. The pcv valves go bad and cause idle problems and cel's, easy and cheap fix. Rear sub frame bushings go bad and occasionally tear mounting lugs out of the body... unlikely in the underpowered 318. Window regulators and motors die regularly. Yeah-my buddy with a 94 325 came with me, and informed me of all that action. The front ball joints are new, motor runs cool and quite. The car is dead nuts @ 60mph. Only rear end issue sounds to be a bad rear end bushing, but thats no big deal IMO. He has receipts from a local import shop (expensive BMW specialist) and they told him of the rear end issue (so I buy it even more) All windows work, so I am still on the fence. Maybe I will low ball him even harder and see if he bites Thanks for the info guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorne Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 lol I stand corrected... I'll admit when I'm wrong, lol (Feeling like a dumbass now) I honestly though that the e36 WAS the type of engine, I knew it was a 3 series, just thoguht something else I guess. Sorry Halbert. He's just mad cause He was told to slow down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted October 5, 2007 Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 if you pass on it would you mind informing us of how to contact the owner who's selling it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coltboostin Posted October 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 if you pass on it would you mind informing us of how to contact the owner who's selling it? Is it that good of a deal?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Is it that good of a deal?! at the price you're saying for the car, its hard to even find some e30's, still 318's. I've had 2 bmw's, if the car runs and is pretty/semi clean, under $2k is a good deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmw330is Posted October 8, 2007 Report Share Posted October 8, 2007 I would be wary of the clunk. Its been touched upon, but those subframes have weak mounting points on the body and they have a tendency to rip out. Just cover thy ass and pinpoint the culprit before you commit. This could be the reason for the price. E30s in the same condition will fetch twice that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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