BMW question
22-Nov-2002, 06:59 PM
#1
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BMW question
Dare I ask in our beloved Civic forum? Sure I will
For the BMW experts out there:
Test driving a 1992 BMW 318i tomorrow. No rust. 212 on the clock. Engine 'rebuilt'! 7 Gs.
Other than the truth and a smooth ride, any suggestions as to negotiations, specific problems to look for, etc.
Any suggestions, advice, etc, greatly appreciated
For the BMW experts out there:
Test driving a 1992 BMW 318i tomorrow. No rust. 212 on the clock. Engine 'rebuilt'! 7 Gs.
Other than the truth and a smooth ride, any suggestions as to negotiations, specific problems to look for, etc.
Any suggestions, advice, etc, greatly appreciated
22-Nov-2002, 07:11 PM
#3
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i've been told to be cautious about re-built engines.
audiophilia: if you sell your car, and buy this, SilverSiG and I will have to throw you out of the WIS. Headlines: WIS Founder Fired!!! Under New Management
audiophilia: if you sell your car, and buy this, SilverSiG and I will have to throw you out of the WIS. Headlines: WIS Founder Fired!!! Under New Management
22-Nov-2002, 07:36 PM
#4
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I posted on Maxbimmer.com. Witihin two minutes there was a guy saying ' hey audiophilia, are you selling your Civic?'!!!
Can't hide anywhere. Sheesh!
This sounds like such a good deal and he's a business acquaintance. Still, I'd like to go with full ammo
It'll have to be a beaut of a deal and car for me to give up tho old EG.
Can't hide anywhere. Sheesh!
This sounds like such a good deal and he's a business acquaintance. Still, I'd like to go with full ammo
It'll have to be a beaut of a deal and car for me to give up tho old EG.
22-Nov-2002, 07:37 PM
#5
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'audiophilia: if you sell your car, and buy this, SilverSiG and I will have to throw you out of the WIS. Headlines: WIS Founder Fired!!! Under New Management'
If I buy the perfect German driving machine, I'll be dumping your sorry asses and movin' on up to maxbimmer meets
j/k. Never
If I buy the perfect German driving machine, I'll be dumping your sorry asses and movin' on up to maxbimmer meets
j/k. Never
22-Nov-2002, 08:22 PM
#8
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Why does the engine have to be rebuild on a BMW, never heard about that before, sound wierd doesn't it, maybe somebody was driving it and all of a sudden, there was it really loud boom sound, then the drive took the car to a garage and got it rebuild and sold it to a guy that wants it, b/c he no longer wants to drive it no more. Check up the facts at carfax.com. The old BMW is really slow, civic EX can kill the hell out of it, no mods.
Carfax will give you all the history about every car that has a vin number; the original (where is was first bought), number of owners, accidents, and much more.
Check the following:
- the engine bay (most important), look at the welding and the paint, if the paint looks new at some spot then the rest, then there is a problem.
- look under the car, all around, look at all the welds, check the under coats, if it looks newer for some reason, then there is a problem.
Anything that I have left out, I will patch later, have to go now, girldfriend is being a bitch.
Carfax will give you all the history about every car that has a vin number; the original (where is was first bought), number of owners, accidents, and much more.
Check the following:
- the engine bay (most important), look at the welding and the paint, if the paint looks new at some spot then the rest, then there is a problem.
- look under the car, all around, look at all the welds, check the under coats, if it looks newer for some reason, then there is a problem.
Anything that I have left out, I will patch later, have to go now, girldfriend is being a bitch.
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22-Nov-2002, 09:16 PM
#10
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Drive the car over speed bump from an angle. If you hear any strange sound from the back, two things could be wrong.
1: The rear upper shock mount (rubber part) could be broken. If you keep driving on that, the shock mount will rip the shock tower. Expensive to fix.
2: The rear sub-frame mount. The differential bolts on to the rear sub-frame, which bolts on to the chassis. If mount breaks, very expensive to fix.
Check all the serial numbers stickers on doors and all the body panels. They should all match of course. Anything has an “R” sticker means “replacement”.
Rev. the engine to see if it moves too much from side to side. Engine mount/front sub-frame may be broken.
Ask if the front lower control arm was replaced. They need to be change if the owner track or Auto-X the car.
These are majors once (included what Cosmic stated). If the car was well maintained and never tracked, then you should not have to worry too much at all.
1: The rear upper shock mount (rubber part) could be broken. If you keep driving on that, the shock mount will rip the shock tower. Expensive to fix.
2: The rear sub-frame mount. The differential bolts on to the rear sub-frame, which bolts on to the chassis. If mount breaks, very expensive to fix.
Check all the serial numbers stickers on doors and all the body panels. They should all match of course. Anything has an “R” sticker means “replacement”.
Rev. the engine to see if it moves too much from side to side. Engine mount/front sub-frame may be broken.
Ask if the front lower control arm was replaced. They need to be change if the owner track or Auto-X the car.
These are majors once (included what Cosmic stated). If the car was well maintained and never tracked, then you should not have to worry too much at all.
22-Nov-2002, 11:17 PM
#13
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I agree wit surfer boy, make sure you can afford to fix it, cuz if you ever need too $$$$... actually my car is in the shop right now, and lookin at the prices for parts, 
is my reaction
but i think 7gs is ok for a 92...
my buddy has a 84 325is... and it still runs well... theyre good cars, but im sure u already know that
is my reactionbut i think 7gs is ok for a 92...
my buddy has a 84 325is... and it still runs well... theyre good cars, but im sure u already know that
22-Nov-2002, 11:35 PM
#15
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'Good! its about time u got rid of that hunk of junk u drive!!!'
You *so* want my ride, smiley! You know it! I know it! And your mom knows it!
Anyway, she said if I didn't take the BMW, she would She wants to sell you her car as a beater. I told her you are a spoiled brat
Hey, I'll call you tomorrow. I've got a present for you
You *so* want my ride, smiley! You know it! I know it! And your mom knows it!
Anyway, she said if I didn't take the BMW, she would
She wants to sell you her car as a beater. I told her you are a spoiled brat Hey, I'll call you tomorrow. I've got a present for you
23-Nov-2002, 09:16 AM
#17
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Not all BMW are created equal, in fact some are extremely different, in performance and power, I'm talking about the 3 series.
The BMW that you are buying is a 1.8L engine producing only 138hp, they stop making 1.8L four cylinder engines, the lowerest that it will go now is a 2.5L. Of course you knew that already. No body would buy used luxury car, especially a 10 yrs old car. I don't know why you think that is fast, maybe your Civic is dying.
However, I do agree with the fact that you want to change to a Euro car. Planning on getting a 2003 BMW 330ci convertible, now that's an 3L engine, 225hp, Inline 6, 0-100km/hr in 6.67s, coupe is a little faster. This car would save you money on maintance, my friend has one and convince me to get one also, and I only have to change the oil once very 10,000km vs. 5000 in all other cars. The car that I have order comes with everything, including the sports package that the dealer is giving me at cost.
Everyone is right, these toys are expensive and i work hard for the money, and I know for sure that I can afford it, b/c parts in a 2003 BMW would cost a lease $10K parts and labour for minor stuff, like water pump etc...
I am not abandoning my Civic thou.
Another thing, did you check out car fax, you would be stupid not to find out stuff about a 10yrs old car before buying, $7,000 dollars is not cheap, it should cost alot less, that is the price that they are going for, assuming that the car is around 100K km and no major problems, I your case the car exceeded all of the above. Probably he could get rid of it, so he is selling it to you. Check out the insurance board if you think that I am lying about the price. Another thing you have to understand is, no one here is putting you down or belittling you, we just want to help, think about it.
The BMW that you are buying is a 1.8L engine producing only 138hp, they stop making 1.8L four cylinder engines, the lowerest that it will go now is a 2.5L. Of course you knew that already. No body would buy used luxury car, especially a 10 yrs old car. I don't know why you think that is fast, maybe your Civic is dying.
However, I do agree with the fact that you want to change to a Euro car. Planning on getting a 2003 BMW 330ci convertible, now that's an 3L engine, 225hp, Inline 6, 0-100km/hr in 6.67s, coupe is a little faster. This car would save you money on maintance, my friend has one and convince me to get one also, and I only have to change the oil once very 10,000km vs. 5000 in all other cars. The car that I have order comes with everything, including the sports package that the dealer is giving me at cost.
Everyone is right, these toys are expensive and i work hard for the money, and I know for sure that I can afford it, b/c parts in a 2003 BMW would cost a lease $10K parts and labour for minor stuff, like water pump etc...
I am not abandoning my Civic thou.
Another thing, did you check out car fax, you would be stupid not to find out stuff about a 10yrs old car before buying, $7,000 dollars is not cheap, it should cost alot less, that is the price that they are going for, assuming that the car is around 100K km and no major problems, I your case the car exceeded all of the above. Probably he could get rid of it, so he is selling it to you. Check out the insurance board if you think that I am lying about the price. Another thing you have to understand is, no one here is putting you down or belittling you, we just want to help, think about it.
23-Nov-2002, 12:40 PM
#19
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You *so* want my ride, smiley! You know it! I know it! And your mom knows it!
Anyway, she said if I didn't take the BMW, she would
She wants to sell you her car as a beater. I told her you are a spoiled brat Hey, I'll call you tomorrow. I've got a present for you
but alas, I doubt ill be getting rid of my ek hatch with 67,xxx km on it anytime soon ... Good luck with the bmw, i know u've wanted one for years... 
23-Nov-2002, 12:50 PM
#20
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Anthony, i'd take a look to find a same generation 320...
following reason:
the 320 is a inline 6 2.0 litres! this thing sounds sweeeeet on the hiway (can't beat that VANOS sound of a 6!) vs the 318 4 cyln right?
im sure it makes a bit more power... that's really all... my team mate has a 93 320.. sweeeeeeet car... it hussles, has 4 doors and is still low key and stylish!
following reason:
the 320 is a inline 6 2.0 litres! this thing sounds sweeeeet on the hiway (can't beat that VANOS sound of a 6!) vs the 318 4 cyln right?
im sure it makes a bit more power... that's really all... my team mate has a 93 320.. sweeeeeeet car... it hussles, has 4 doors and is still low key and stylish!
