318is purchase--HIGH mileage car!

[jbodenhamer]

Got a general question.

I have found a 318is, 91 model, with sunroof and LSD--still has the sticker in the glove box even--that is in overall basically original condition.  Has a few rust holds behind the front wheels that are fixable, and faded paint, but the interior is in pretty good shape overall.  Seems like regular maintenance has been done.  Here is the real question:  The guy selling wants quite a bit for this car, and while it is nice for its age, it has 218K miles on it!  It shifts good, does not seem to burn any oil, and clutch seems good, so I am asking if I should be able to get some miles out of this engine still, or if I am looking at soon doing  a full rebuild.

Thanks for the info/advice.

Jon

[quinn11m20]

How much is the seller asking for?
Try to weasel down the price because of a pending motor rebuild. Even though It could probably go for an timing chain swap. And all that entails.

You know when you buy a car with that many miles on it, your not really buying the body, its the engine and transmission you should be concerned with.
Personally depending on the price, I would snatch it up.
For the clutch, Here is a cool way to test both compression and clutch life.
Find a hill, at the bottom of the hill, gradually accellerate up the hill and let off the gas and let the car idle up the hill. If the car stalls out, which it shouldn't, the compression is good. For the clutch, this test is telling you that it grabs with the pressure its supposed to. The car should idle up the hill and maintain idle all the way up.

By the way small hills are better for this. Something about 150 ft. or so.
If you can't find an out of the way hill, try a parking garage.
Look at all the hoses and the intake bellows. Pay attention to the ICV hoses as well these will need to be replaced if the seller has not done so recently. 2 to 3 years ago.
Good luck. And if you think its to good to be true it probably is.

[jbodenhamer]

Asking price is $2600, I think I can get it for $2500, or maybe $2400.  He is real stiff about the price.

I drove it and wound it up good, and it seemed to run just fine.  Owner did change the timing chain tensioner(not the chain itself) recently, so no noise from there.

[John W]

Asking price is $2600, I think I can get it for $2500, or maybe $2400.  He is real stiff about the price.

I drove it and wound it up good, and it seemed to run just fine.  Owner did change the timing chain tensioner(not the chain itself) recently, so no noise from there.

For that price -- taking the mileage into consideration -- the car should be very nice. Straight body, never in a major accident, nearly perfect interior. Shouldn't need any major work. It should still have the front spoiler and the factory basketweave wheels with the center caps still intact. The steering and suspesion should be nice and tight. I'd be annoyed with any rust at that price, but I live in an area with a pretty mild climate, so severe rust is rare on cars less than 20 years old.