any advice on bmw318i 1997?

[Beamer D'cruz]

what is the reasonable market price for it now?? dont wanna deal wit dealers...direct owners preferred....Howz the maintenance cost& parts?? any reliable mechanic u know??Plz advice as im thinking of buying a BMW for the first time....Thx much =)

 

[redbaron]

First go and intro your self at the newbie thread before start posting question.

 

[Russie]

Hi Beamer D'cruz.

Welcome to the club. 318i 1997 would be the E36 model, which is the same model that I am driving now. Basically, the market value is around RM46k to RM48k and can even fetch higher value (depending on the condition and how u appreciate the car).

Maintenance cost should be reasonable, as this is a 4-potter and with no Vanos. However, do not expect to have a very powerful car, if you are looking for a car which carries you from point A to point B with decent comfort and driving pleasure then it should fit your criteria. If you are looking for power, try to search for the E36 328... you will love the torquey ride.

There are many BMW specialists out there in the market, u may want to search the info in this forum for more information. Let us know where you prefer the workshop to be at, maybe some of us here can assist.

Getting a 10-year old car is not an easy job. Try to search around and ask for a test drive. This will let you have a feel on the car and to know the condition. Better still, bring it to a BMW specialist to have the engine, gearbox and chassis checked (preferably with the Modic). Do expect some wear and tear parts that need to be changed. Well, too little space here to type all the lengthy points... hope you can read thru the 3-series threads to gather more info.

By the way, E36 318i is not a thirsty drinker... currently RM80 gives me around 450km (mixed driving + traffic jam) and if you are not a heavy right footed driver, then u may even get very good fuel consumption when cruising on highway (with the help of the fuel consumption gauge)... u do the math.

Cheers

 

[anaksarawak]

Hi Beamer D'cruz.

Welcome to the club. 318i 1997 would be the E36 model, which is the same model that I am driving now. Basically, the market value is around RM46k to RM48k and can even fetch higher value (depending on the condition and how u appreciate the car).

Maintenance cost should be reasonable, as this is a 4-potter and with no Vanos. However, do not expect to have a very powerful car, if you are looking for a car which carries you from point A to point B with decent comfort and driving pleasure then it should fit your criteria. If you are looking for power, try to search for the E36 328... you will love the torquey ride.

There are many BMW specialists out there in the market, u may want to search the info in this forum for more information. Let us know where you prefer the workshop to be at, maybe some of us here can assist.

Getting a 10-year old car is not an easy job. Try to search around and ask for a test drive. This will let you have a feel on the car and to know the condition. Better still, bring it to a BMW specialist to have the engine, gearbox and chassis checked (preferably with the Modic). Do expect some wear and tear parts that need to be changed. Well, too little space here to type all the lengthy points... hope you can read thru the 3-series threads to gather more info.

By the way, E36 318i is not a thirsty drinker... currently RM80 gives me around 450km (mixed driving + traffic jam) and if you are not a heavy right footed driver, then u may even get very good fuel consumption when cruising on highway (with the help of the fuel consumption gauge)... u do the math.

Cheers

Russie,

Sure kah your 318 M43 engine can do 450km with RM80?? or 41 liters of petrol or 10.5l/100km Thats amazing as it is even better then WAJA or Proton Wira 1.5 auto

 

[Russie]

Geoffreylee,

RM80 for 450km is around 9.25 litre/ 100km. Should be easily achieved. Sometimes I get 9.76 litre/ 100km (i.e. RM60 for 320km - mixed driving). Even if you round up to 10 litre/ 100km I think it is still ok, dont u guys think so? Well, I always monitor my FC when I drive. Always try to maintain the FC gauge meter to 10 litre/ 100km (or below).

U are right, Proton Waja 1.6 (A) and Proton Wira 1.5(A) are heavy drinkers. My ex Wira 1.6 (A) also heavy drinker for the 1600cc category. Do remember, Wira 1.5 (A) comes standard with 3-speed autobox....its sluggish, noisy and a thirsty drinker and the Wira 1.6(A) tends to have decent power....so the driver may push to its limit hence the heavy FC. Waja...not much comment but I heard its having high FC too...

Cheers

 

[Crymson]

Beamer D'Cruz

First of all, do as RedBaron says .... intro yourself first and read laa the forum rules.

Second, please do a search in the E36 thread. All your answers are there.

Third, get a 325 or 328 :top:

 

[redbaron]

Beamer D'Cruz

First of all, do as RedBaron says .... intro yourself first and read laa the forum rules.

Second, please do a search in the E36 thread. All your answers are there.

Third, get a 325 or 328 :top:

Well said bro could't agree more. Cubic capacity is the way to go

 

[Juan Powerblow]

I had this car between 1999 to 2001, I bought a really mint condition 2-year old car. In terms of reliability, I recalled it was fantastic i.e. very few repairs, just servicing! This engine is solid and robust and BMW's bread and butter. However, the 6 potters are a lot more powerful but maintenance cost will be higher as well.

 

[elwine30]

follow up with anxious thread. His insight has given lot of people in this country about buying e36. And for mods and detailing, please look for lee.

 

[Hellraiser]

Hi Beemer D'Cruz! My 1997 E36 318i M43 is for sale for RM40K due to urgent sale. Interested? Call me at 0123734647 for further discussion. Thanks.