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FAQ / REFERENCE => M42 Buyer's Guide => Topic started by: O-Danger on January 25, 2011, 07:36:54 PM

Title: A 318is in Australia
Post by: O-Danger on January 25, 2011, 07:36:54 PM

Hi All,

I am a BMW maniac. I recently sold my e36 m3 as I have moved to Australia from Canada and can't wait to get my next car. Since owning my e36, I have wanted to compare that experience with an e30. Since m3's are so few and far between here (not to mention out of my price range) I have decided that a 318is is for me. I wanted some input with the members here on what I should be looking for during my search. Right now I have 2 cars that I am looking at (not yet seen either one). You will notice that they are much more expensive than the North America counterparts but that is life here.

1. http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=9914909&YearFromShort=1633&__Qpb=true&Cr=3&__Ns=pCar_YearMade_Int32|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0&SearchAction=N&YearToShort=1670&__N=1247%201282%201252%201246%20901%204294967079%201216%204294729572%20%201633%201670&silo=1011&seot=1&__Nne=20&trecs=43&__sid=12D919037749

2. http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=9665833&YearFromShort=1633&__Qpb=true&Cr=2&__Ns=pCar_YearMade_Int32|0||pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|0&SearchAction=N&YearToShort=1670&__N=1247%201282%201252%201246%20901%204294967079%201216%204294729572%20%201633%201670&silo=1011&seot=1&__Nne=20&trecs=43&__sid=12D919037749

looking forward to your thoughts

Thanks,

Tom

Title: A 318is in Australia
Post by: dsm2002 on January 25, 2011, 08:57:32 PM

First thing to look at is its service history. Does it have one? Has it been serviced by a bmw dealer or specialist? Is the engine quiet? Does it drive OK? No clunks, etc. sloppy shift can usually be easily rectified. Check the rubber flexible disc - the guibo - between the gearbox and tailshaft, What's the interior like? They do not cope well with the sun in Oz. It is impossible to match the cloth and hard to get in good nick second hand. Then suspension, bushes, ball joints, etc These can be expensive. Finally look at the cooling system. The plastic/aluminium radiators can fail if it is old. Has the radiator, water pump and hoses been replaced.

BTW that first one with the non-colour coded bumper, has it had a crash at the front?

Best of luck with the search.

Title: A 318is in Australia
Post by: Balkanac on February 07, 2011, 01:59:07 AM

I'd go for the second one, looks 10 times better than the first one. And the kms are very low for the year. Take a good lok at the paint, Red and aussie sun dont mix :)
Good luck mate

Title: A 318is in Australia
Post by: dsm2002 on February 07, 2011, 11:32:08 PM

BMW 318iS for sale in ACT (http://www.performanceforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67263845)

No connection