Thinnkin of getting an '03 318i. Advice please!

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ndxb

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Hey,

I'm in the market for car and just came across a sweet '03 bmw 318i. Had a couple of questions before I decide to buy this car.

1. The asking price for the car (its base with leather and electric rear curtain as the additional options) is $23K with 35,000 highway km mileage. Is this a reasonable price - everything inside and out looks perfect.

2. I had an Acura Legend before and its maintenance was actually pretty steep - things didnt go wrong too often, but when they did whoa! How do the 3 series compare in that aspect? Up to 100K what kind of yearly maintenance costs have you guys had on average?

3. I'm assuming you get all your servicing done at BMW (like regular maintenance, oil changes etc.) while the car's still under warranty? How about after warranty - can you just get it serviced at a reputable garage (non-dealer)?

4. Any specific things (problems) you can recommend that I should look for b4 buying this car?

Thanks for the help!!! :D
 
codex57

codex57

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wel, if you're in the US, you're getting ripped. There is no 2003 318i. The smallest engine we have in the US for that year is a 325 (my car). Oh, and if it's a 2003, you have a 4 year/50,000 mile free maintenance warranty on it. I know on prior years (2002 and below?), it was like 3yrs/36K. BMW just started an extended maintenance warranty plan for 6yrs/100K recently that you might wanna look into.

If it's used, CPO covers up to 6yrs I think.
 
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ndxb

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Actually im in the middle east where we do get 318i's [:)]

The models we get here are 318, 320, 325 and 330.
 
codex57

codex57

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Ahh, that would explain it. Your location says CA so I was assuming California, US.

If you're in the Middle East, what's the tax rate like? I know your gas is cheap as hell so the only reason to get a 318 versus the 6 cylinders has to be some tax or registration fee that makes a big difference.
 
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ndxb

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Heh, actually im originally from CA but on contract for 6 yrs in the united arab emirates. Rite now have a million an done expenses and plan to start a biz soon as well so just wanna control my spending. Gas is about 33 cents per litre for 99 Octane, and taxes, well there are no taxes at all [:D]

Wanna keep this car for a few years and then get a 330 ci convertible, my dream car!

I'll have to check if this 4 year warranty is included in this part of the world as well. What exactly is covered beyond the usual in this new warranty? What is covered in "free maintenance"?
 
codex57

codex57

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Yeah, check on the warranty. It's great. Basically, BMW has the best warranty right now. You have your standard luxury car 4yr/50K warranty for stuff that breaks. On top of that, you now have a 4yr/50K maintenance warranty that overlaps the regular warranty. Basically, anything scheduled and EVEN WEAR AND TEAR ITEMS are replaced for free by BMW. This includes wipers, cabin air filter, engine air filter, and EVEN BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS! The only thing not covered basically is the tires. Mercedes' maintenance covers the same except for the brakes which costs a hell of a lot to maintain.

If you're gonna keep it for a few years, I'd at least get the 320. That's a 6 cyl. right? Part of BMWs appeal is listening to that inline 6 sing. My car's not fast, but it's decent and makes beautiful engine and exhaust noises on top of the brilliant handling. I've driven the 4 cyl. on the E36 model. Not worth the huge BMW premium. My civic's 4 cyl was a better motor and the civic was a lot lighter so unless you took it to the track, the BMW never could justify the price difference. Yeah I woulda taken the BMW over my Civic if I coulda afforded it. Still, I don't think the price would be that much different btw a 320 and 318 right? My friend had an Integra GS-R that basically cost the same as a BMW 318 back then. The Integra totally kicked the 318's ass.
 
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Bryan330i

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The 318 is a compact 4 cylinder if I remember. That would be the only thing I would question. So how much smaller is it than the 3 Series here in the US?

I cant remember a whole lot about it but there was something in the BMW annual report and it did not appear to be a real performance car.
 
codex57

codex57

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unlike the E36 compact we had here, I believe the current one uses the current E46's rear suspension. Still, that little 4 cylinder is just too small for that german body. It'd be alright on a Japanese car where the body panels are like half as thick, but not a BMW.
 
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ndxb

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Hmm, I mite just get the 320 now!

However, the 318i is not a compact here - that would be the 316i - thats the pic you posted.

The 318 is pretty much the same shape as the 320 - just a smaller engine. Has about 167HP I believe - its actually not bad at all for a 4 banger - hands down among the best 4 bangers Ive ever driven! I drove it today and was right impressed!

Now I'll take the 320 out tomorrow and make a decision then [:D]
 
Section_8

Section_8

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ndxb said:
Hmm, I mite just get the 320 now!

However, the 318i is not a compact here - that would be the 316i - thats the pic you posted.

The 318 is pretty much the same shape as the 320 - just a smaller engine. Has about 167HP I believe - its actually not bad at all for a 4 banger - hands down among the best 4 bangers Ive ever driven! I drove it today and was right impressed!

Now I'll take the 320 out tomorrow and make a decision then [:D]
Click to expand...
Wow that *is* a decent 4 cyl, My 2000 6 cyl inline puts out 170... I imagine I have alot more torque than the 4, but that's still impressive for a 4, and not turbo'd.

I wonder if this is the engine thats going to go in the new 1/2 series?
 
codex57

codex57

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Try the 6 cylinder first. There should be a noticeable difference in sound, and likely torque as well. I don't think they changed the 4 cylinder that much from when I last drove it.
 
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