Advice for newbie

Firs of all i think i should say hi.

Im a newbie to the forum and i thought maybe you could answer a few question.

I plan on buying a new car soon and im obviously thinking of a bmw. The only thing that is turning me away is that i only have 7K to spend. I am very interested in a nice E30 or E36. I am only 19 too so it would have to be a 1.6 for insurance purposes.

I have driven mini coopers for the last 3 years and im sick of pumping money into them (i am not the most mechanically minded!) and i am worried that i will end up having to do the same if i buy a 7K  bmw.

What do you guys think? Im looking for reliability, am i looking in the wrong place?

Cheers guys

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the forum

There will be plenty of different models to choose from in the 7K region. I suppose you are limited to a 316i concerning insurance but that should'nt put you off. My first BMW was a 316I compact five years ago, i chose that model to get on the ladder as the compact is the cheapest to insure. I'd imagine you'd be able to pick up a nicely specced E36 saloon with reasonable mileage for that money. Take your time, have a look in Auto trader and the like, get some quotes from insurers for different models and once you've that done, go and test drive some of the classifieds. Don't buy the first one you drive, i know its hard but try to drive as many as possible before commiting as you'll soon tell the difference between an abused example and something that has been used run to the shops and no more!

A 316i that has been regularly serviced and maintained reasonably well should be bulletproof, wait for the right example and you won't be sorry. Happy hunting dude

 

i bought a 316 in jan and its great, its a '98 SE spec with 73k miles so a little out of your budget - 10k here in ireland but maybe as little as 8k from the uk if you import yourself. Knock of a grand per year or per 25k extra miles. i.e. you should probably be able to get a '97 SE saloon with 90k miles for about 7k if you import, 9k if you buy here.

My preference would be for a REGULAR service history. regardless of milage. even if you find a genuine really low milage car it should still have a regular history. Theres not much worse than a car that was barely driven and rarely serviced.

It stay post '96 with the e36. Try get one with air-con! (rare on a compact). Check for minor rust at water channels on doors and boot. Check shocks, Engine should be quiet and smooth from start, there should be oil in it (check dipstick - believe me one i looked at had no oil whatsoever). theres probably more i'll think of later.

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the forum,

If you have to go for a 1.6 then I'd agree with Dergside and get the very best e36 you can get your hands on, as good e30s are getting thin on the ground.

Get the Buy and Sell every time it comes out so you can spot the new ads and keep an eye on the autotrader.ie and autotrader.co.uk websites. I also wouldn't touch it without a full service history, prefereably main dealer too.

To give you an idea of what's about I know of a guy who just sold a 97 saloon in great condition with 81k on the clock for €6,500.

Best of luck and enjoy

John

 

Welcome to the forum, Paul.

I bought my first BMW less than a month ago, and wouldn't consider going back to anything less!  However, as Robbie said, drive plenty and get a feel for good and bad.  If you have a good mechanic you trust, try and bring him along if you see one you really like.  And watch for the service history; I didn't get one on mine and can't source it now.

Another place you could look is www.carzone.ie.  Digweed and myself both found our cars on it.  Here's a starting point http://motornet.webzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car &carID=214269.  With this ad I'd be wary; it says it's a customers car, but the garage may just be afraid to warranty it (I used to sell cars in a former life, but I renounced my sins and returned to the world of selling antiques!) Good luck.

BTW, if you have any niggly doubts about the car, ask on here.  You'll find people always willing to express and opinion, and occasionally someone may know the car!

Edited by Fey!

hmmm a 518, my initial reaction would be negative because of the power to weight, but this looks interesting:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=205800

llatsni wrote: hmmm a 518, my initial reaction would be negative because of the power to weight, but this looks interesting: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=205800

That looks nice, and the mileage isn't daft!

Check with the insurance again and get a quote on a 318is. It's a 1.9 but one hell of a quick car.Very beefed up compared to a 318i.

Also check the quotes for both fully comp and TPFT - I have found frequently in recent years that despite offering more FC is cheaper - go figure!

thats class, more difficult to find though no?