Page 1 of Car shopping again! RJS, please bestow your wisdom upon me...

After running my last car practically into the ground (as I always seem to do), I`m once again shopping around for something else.

I`ve got my eye on a used BMW 318, on a P plate... only thing is it`s got 160,000 miles on the clock. Am I right in thinking though that this is alright for a BMW, and they can go on for double that?

Any advice / pointers for common faults gratefully accepted!

Cheers
Mike

This item was edited on Wednesday, 15th February 2012, 12:59

Remember it`s rear wheel drive so a totally different  machine to handle in adverse weather conditions, and totally different beast in GOOD weather conditions!

I think your older-model Beemer man on here is Mr S himself, doesn`t he have a 3 series IIRC?

Jimbo : oÞ

"There`s that word again... is there a problem with the Earth`s gravitational pull in the future?"

Thanks Jimbo. I`ll wait for Mr S to pop by then, and hope that he shares some of his wisdom with me

Yes, it is the ultimate non-driving machine in the snow so don`t expect much joy if we get some

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Surely googling around will get you answers to common problems/faults

Um, I know nothing about cars. What made you think I knew anything about cars? :o

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Jimbo said you owned a BMW, just after your opinion of it really...?

Quote:
kebabhead says...
Surely googling around will get you answers to common problems/faultsYep, I`ve been having a look around the forums, and the general consensus is `useless in snow`, just wondered if any of you guys had any experience with them.

Quote:
miikeyblue82 says...
Yep, I`ve been having a look around the forums, and the general consensus is `useless in snow`, just wondered if any of you guys had any experience with them.
Well it only snows a few times a year so I wouldn`t be concerned about that. If all else fails stick some additonal weight in the boot

The main thing to look at is the service history, check when timing belts need to be changed etc

This item was edited on Wednesday, 15th February 2012, 18:58

Ooooooh, heh yes, I have an N-plate BMW 320i touring, it`s recently gone over 100k and the engine is still running perfectly. Generally things go on it haven`t been too expensive, but I have had the odd bit that has cost me a few hundred.

Had a sensor go that prevented the engine from starting which cost me £300-400 to be replaced. I wouldn`t say don`t get one with 100k on the clock, but maybe 160k might be a lot more prone to death, I have no idea. I wouldn`t like to say get one.

Also, as it has aged, it`s developed all sorts of interesting quirks, like the central locking doesn`t work 99% of the time on the back doors, but then randomly does which means it can in theory work when I unlock but not when I lock and leave one open.

The instrument cluster (despite many attempts to repair it) sometimes dies and resets itself, oh and the driver side window goes up on its own when the driver side passenger door is opened.

As people say, it`s pretty bad in snow and ice, though that said I seem perfectly capable of driving mine around whilst others are sliding all over the place. But then I did have to get the shovel out the other week after getting it stuck turning around in the drive. I generally wouldn`t drive it on snow if I can avoid it.

Is it well serviced and looked after? Also have you done one of those history checks on it?


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This item was edited on Wednesday, 15th February 2012, 19:04