EeK 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2004 so... i'm looking at buying a bmw, first bmw, first car in general to be honest [yea so i'm a late bloomer, ain't nothin wrong wit that! ]. am buying it purely based on aesthetics [hope i can spell], not for performance or anything, coz i know about this much |----| about cars . jus wondering the sort of things i should be looking for when buying one. definitely want a 3 series, auto [spend far too much time in traffic that manuals are ridiculous to drive, plus i'm kinda crap at driving manual anyways (don't laugh)], late 80's to early 90's model [which seems pretty standard round here]. probably the main thing i'm concerned wit is maintenance etc, because anyone i mention bmw's to kinda freaks out an goes on about how i'll have trouble mechanically wit it an parts are so expensive etc etc and pretty much refuses to talk further there an then... are the problems that people have constant, and due to the age of the vehicle or...?? also when i'm buying, how many km's max should i be looking for? i mean, is anything under 150,000 ok, or under 120,000 or what? anything else i need to know? little help? thanx E Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Homy.D.Clown 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2004 dam honestly i cant see how BMW got branded as having expensive parts... ive been working on lots of different cars for freekin ages and BMW's would have to be one of the cheapest..honestly, and availability is no major issue with lots of second hand dealers round these days. or good quality aftermarket stuff actually the worst cars at the moment seem to be nissans..we get some stupid prices for stuff, like $2000 for one cefiro headlight, $4000 minstral nudge bar(the cars only worth bout 10k) , $1000 for a set of 4 window monsoons..or a doozie $800 for the little mirror that sits on the end on the passengers front guard...its only moulded plastic and a bit af mirror FFS... getting mad gotta stop.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2004 dam honestly i cant see how BMW got branded as having expensive parts... The impression I got on that when I was talking to a scottish coworker is that it was a legacy thing in the UK, but BMW knew about it and did something about it then. But the bills I've got out of BMW for what I've had done so far which was all minor have been much cheaper than expected. Tho for Christchurch most of the parts come down overnight from Auckland. The things that stood out for me when looking was the windows, and the rubber around those, some of them were naff, some of them were really good. Stitching on the steering wheel & gear knob or any appropriate marks (multiple ring marks on the gear knob). If its leather interior, what sort of wear there is on the drivers seat, that sort of thing. Mechanically, if you find one that you think looks pretty good, definately get it checked out by a reasonable place before paying over your $$, somewhere like BMW or a BMW specialist. If your really paranoid there is also Mechanical Insurance which you can get. Seems to vary in price depening how nice the dealer is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ali 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2004 Hmm i got my baby a 91 320 saloon about 15 months ago. Suspension gone & replaced w Mtech, air con gone & replaced, windscreen seals gone & replaced, sunroof gone & replaced and to top it off interior roof lining gone & funny enough replaced. But really did i care.. hell no coz my baby is LUSH!!!! One thing to note nothing mechanical i.e. under the hood has died and i dont expect it to. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spargo Report post Posted March 10, 2004 The E30 auto gearbox has been known to fail after a time, but seeing as there are so many of them, i wouldnt worry about it that much, you'd be able to replace it when it dies for 500-800 gorillas. Do you want a 4 door or 2 door? I suggest you pick up a copy of today's T/E and Autotrader, and work out what you want, and how much you've got to spend! Options play a huge part in the car you buy. I'm a total options whore, and want them all, whereas others will be less fused with them. There are more than a few, so again, decide what you want. Either Andrew, Dave or Gus would be the best people to talk to if you live on the shore, or Grant or I if you live on the city side. (If you live in Akl at all!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
*sic 1 Report post Posted March 10, 2004 come to hamz.. there is a nice little crx i could hook you up with.. oh my bad its bmw today Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EeK 0 Report post Posted March 10, 2004 not too fussed bout 2 or 4 door, think i would prefer 4 [i hate having to get in the back of a 2 door car, so i'd feel sorry for people if they had to in my car ]. as for working out what i want, all i know for sure is what i said before, plus i know what colour i want [and don't]. so anyway, let's all remember about how i know this much |----| about cars in general, so can you kinda elaborate on this whole "options" thing?? man i must sound like such the dumb girl... but i'm learning plus can anyone answer the whole "how many is too many?" in terms of km's? I suggest you pick up a copy of today's T/E and Autotrader, and work out what you want, and how much you've got to spend!so am off to buy the t&e... looking at spending kinda $4000-$6000 coz i wanna pay cash... i don't want to have to pay it off o yeah, an i am in auckland, on the shore too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30-323ti 66 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 Have a look on trademe too, there were a few on there. Options: as in Power Window, power mirrors, sunroof, leather/cloth/sport or normal seats, OBC, AC etc... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Andrew Report post Posted March 11, 2004 OK i just typed a HUGE reply and my comp crashed.. i'll sum it up Buy an e30 (1984 - 1991 3 series) that has 150000 plus ks on the clock with service history - the reason for this is most the problems the car has is from the 100000 - 150000 range. Parts are cheap - service is cheap. (aahh dammit i'm not typing it all again ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bumpstop325 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 around the 150k mark if the autobox hasnt been serviced it will soon die. this happened to me around the same mark.but its resonably cheap to get it fixed. now my autobox sits in the shed out the back. 325i 4sp autobox for sale anyone?? make sure you do the cam belt!!! i can't stress this enough. usually 1985 cars onwards have cam belts. if you dont know when it was last done. it will cost you about 2g+ on a rebuild if it snaps rather than 300 to replace. you do the math. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spargo Report post Posted March 11, 2004 Andrew, can you did up the LukasBMW post i made, re: buying? He's taken it off his site! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Andrew Report post Posted March 11, 2004 around the 150k mark if the autobox hasnt been serviced it will soon die. this happened to me around the same mark.but its resonably cheap to get it fixed. now my autobox sits in the shed out the back. 325i 4sp autobox for sale anyone?? make sure you do the cam belt!!! i can't stress this enough. usually 1985 cars onwards have cam belts. if you dont know when it was last done. it will cost you about 2g+ on a rebuild if it snaps rather than 300 to replace. you do the math. NB: the 318 has a cam chain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EeK 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 cam chain... so that's a point in favour of the 318?? i'm told cam chains are better... don't quote me on that - from the local car expert here at work... was actually looking at a 320 tho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speedye30 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 Cam chains are NOT better than belt. Both have pros and cons: Chain: Robust, lasts a long time. Noisy. Belt: Quiet, easily replaced, must be more frequently replaced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grant 4 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 NB: the 318 has a cam chain.Are you sure?I thought that it was only the M42 engined 318i's that have a cam chain. As far as I know, the M10 engines still have a cam belt. Oh yeah...I am talking about the E30 here. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EeK 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 sweet well, noisy car's ain't my style... but everyone is in agreeance bout getting the cambelt replaced as soon as? seems a good suggestion... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speedye30 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 Its much easier to find an auto e30 (you will notice that the late eighties shape 3 series is always referred to as an e30...) than a manual (cos we all love manuals). Be careful with cars that have been imported. UK imports can be rusty. If a car is rusty it's bargepole material. Also beware of Jap imports. The Japanese had a fondness for the 320i (made apparent by how many have ended up here). If possible stick to NZ new. Ensure good servicing practice has been maintained. Kms. My pal's M325i has over 200 Miles on the clock (320km++) with no engine work done. It is much more important that the car has been looked after and is in good condition (someone with good knowledge should check it over). The number of kays will not really matter. For your money you should end up with a car thats done about 175-225k. Look at the suspension. I am fussy, but about 8 months after purchase my car needed about $1500 spent there. No other problems tho (touch wood). All the best! Take your time. You'll learn heaps and hopefully find just the right car. BTW, welcome to the forum Lewis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmccormack 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 NB: the 318 has a cam chain.Are you sure?I thought that it was only the M42 engined 318i's that have a cam chain. As far as I know, the M10 engines still have a cam belt. Oh yeah...I am talking about the E30 here. Cheers M10 chain (318 chrome bumper)M20 belt M30 chain M40 belt (318 plastic bumper) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spargo Report post Posted March 11, 2004 M42 Chain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Andrew Report post Posted March 11, 2004 S14 chain? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30_318i 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 actually the worst cars at the moment seem to be nissans..we get some stupid prices for stuff, like $2000 for one cefiro headlight, $4000 minstral nudge bar(the cars only worth bout 10k) , $1000 for a set of 4 window monsoons..or a doozie $800 for the little mirror that sits on the end on the passengers front guard...its only moulded plastic and a bit af mirror FFS... getting mad gotta stop.. Geez, I know. 2nd hand g/b for a 10 year old Maxima- 2 grand, and a grill, that cheap bit of plastic that sits up the front- upwards of 300 bucks.My M10 has a chain btw Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Spargo Report post Posted March 11, 2004 S14 chain. Correct Andrew. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OLLIE 26 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 if i had the money i could buy a 'good' e30 in a day there are so many round these days. you'll have no real problems finding one just spend time gettin an excelent one for a good price Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30_318i 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 Actually, in the Autotrader, theres a red auto 320 coupe going for 7 grand. Its got the alloys, CD etc. Looks f**king good too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmccormack 0 Report post Posted March 11, 2004 Buy one of mine ,please please please....... Ive got to eat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
