Hi! Newbie here needing advice ! |
Post Reply | Page <123> |
Author | |
Rosso
Newbie Joined: 16-October-2005 Location: Dublin , Ireland Status: Offline Points: 28 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 12:38 |
Thanks for the advice Dergside. Forgive my ignorance but what is a 'cat' ?
|
|
Sponsored Links | |
Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 12:42 |
Rosso, sorry, catalytic converter, part of the exhaust system.
|
|
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
|
Rosso
Newbie Joined: 16-October-2005 Location: Dublin , Ireland Status: Offline Points: 28 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 12:57 |
sure kbannon. just tell me when ur free and i can pop by.
|
|
kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 13:35 |
any lunchtime and tues/thurs eves
087 7992735 |
|
Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
|
Rosso
Newbie Joined: 16-October-2005 Location: Dublin , Ireland Status: Offline Points: 28 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 18:05 |
was looking at carzone : found a few possibilities http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=279443 http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=305771 http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=306968 what do u guys think ? |
|
BM Fan
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 19-January-2004 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 1054 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 18:23 |
Just watch the odometer also - if there is a dot (decimal point) on the
RHS be very wary. I beleie that that means that the mileage on
the car does not match the mileage stored in teh key. Not sure
when that came into effect - maybe someone else can clarify.
Personally I would recommend auto, especially in the city however it will cost more in petrol but much more relaxing which is the main point of these cars. More attractive at resale also and will cause the price to be higher. One note on auto's thats worth mentioning - its hard to find an auto that has been abused as the ECU prevents over reving and shift changes if the car is not in the approriate rev range hence they can be more reliable than manuals, no popping clutch, grinding gears, replacing clutch etc. The tiptronic on the auto box in fine for a bit of manual indulgence when required |
|
Martin
In BMW exile at the moment (Shame on me for lurking!!!) Previous Models 2001 E39 520i Auto 1996 E36 M3 Evo Individual 1996 E36 328i Coupe 1997 E36 318i Conv 1992 E36 316i Sln |
|
Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 18:37 |
Rosso The first of these, the 99, looks promising. The spec is very good, leather, full climate control, multi-function steering wheel (and m-tech wheel), cruise control, 16" alloys, etc. All in all, a very good spec for an original Irish car and with a 99 reg should be safe as regards nikasil. The only slight reservation is that it has had 3 owners and depends on what service history there is to support the mileage. Its a private sale too, but if the history and a test drive were OK then it could well be a possible. It does seem a little bit cheap (could be because its a private sale) so I'd be looking carefully for reasons why. The second one is almost certainly a nikasil car (NCT until April, so it was registered in April '98. Nikasil engines went in until week 10 manufacturing of 1998 (around mid March). Doubtful if the car was built shipped and registered in a max of 6 weeks. Its worth asking if the engine has been done (if the dealer doesn't know, get the reg and chassis numbers and ring BMW). Since there is no picture I can't see if the reg is an original Irish or an import. If its an import, you might need to check with BMW UK about the engine. The spec is pretty good, but there isn't a mention of climate control, just air con (which, if true, would suggest it is an original Irish car). Again, with no picture to see the reg, its difficult to know if its an Irish or UK car. The spec reads well (sunroof and climate, a fairly unusual combo) but no mention of leather. Its down to condition and history and knowing when the car was built. Hope this helps! |
|
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
|
Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 18:45 |
Good point Martin, but I'd question whether auto is the preferred choice after the second owner as BMW's are usually bought then as drivers cars. The point about abuse is very valid, auto's tend to be specified by cruiser type drivers and therefore often lead a slightly easier life. That was the case when I bought my e30 325i last year in the UK. Many manuals were dropped, max powered and knackered. The car descriptions I tended to be drawn to semed to be mostly auto's (the one I bought was completely standard and unabused, at 13 years old). |
|
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
|
Rosso
Newbie Joined: 16-October-2005 Location: Dublin , Ireland Status: Offline Points: 28 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 19:02 |
thanks dergside. the first car does seems too good to be true. nice specs. decent price. shall make more enquiries about the car. The 2nd car is a bit pricey at almost 13k. There is a possibility that engine as already been change. Again, shall make more enquiries. BM Fan - I've been adviced by many against buying an auto though, been told that changing the auto gear box would be very very expensive.
|
|
Rosso
Newbie Joined: 16-October-2005 Location: Dublin , Ireland Status: Offline Points: 28 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 19:53 |
3 more - cheap but very high mileage http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=289513 http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=300919 http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& carID=302483 automatic anyone ? worst case scenario : assuming that my auto-gearbox is FUBARed, how much would replacing it set me back by, compared to a manual ?
|
|
Fey!
Bavarian-Board Contributor Funs over, Scotty; beam down my clothes! Joined: 28-February-2005 Location: Galway Status: Offline Points: 4161 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 20:00 |
Rosso - chat with Richie; I had a look at a '99 one he has, and money seems right.
|
|
Richie
Bavarian-Board Forum Sponsor Irish Region Joined: 04-November-2002 Location: Dublin,Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2526 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 20:05 |
Richie
|
|
Fey!
Bavarian-Board Contributor Funs over, Scotty; beam down my clothes! Joined: 28-February-2005 Location: Galway Status: Offline Points: 4161 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 20:11 |
Has that cruise? Glad to see you're taking your own pics!
|
|
Richie
Bavarian-Board Forum Sponsor Irish Region Joined: 04-November-2002 Location: Dublin,Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2526 |
Posted: 17-October-2005 at 20:15 |
Not sure Dave. Was too busy trying to get nice photos in not so good light...Kinda shadowed by the Jag hanging above our heads!
|
|
Richie
|
|
BM Fan
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 19-January-2004 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 1054 |
Posted: 18-October-2005 at 04:29 |
Rosso - stick a post in the 5 forum and see how many auto boxes have
failed. I know a lot of people with auto BM's and mega mileage
and no problems. The only one I ever heard of with a porblem was a 95
E34 525TDS with 180k not staying in top. Check to see when the clutch
on average requires replacing on a manual and what the cost is. As for
replacement auto - get a used from a breaker if you need one.
Don't get bogged down on one point, buy the car with the spec you want and take your chances as any part could go at any stage if you are unlucky, so you might aswell be driving exactly what you want rather than having something that half fits the bill and could still give problems. That'll really ruin your day. My approach to buying used is buy on the history and condition - forget mileage. |
|
Martin
In BMW exile at the moment (Shame on me for lurking!!!) Previous Models 2001 E39 520i Auto 1996 E36 M3 Evo Individual 1996 E36 328i Coupe 1997 E36 318i Conv 1992 E36 316i Sln |
|
Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
Posted: 18-October-2005 at 05:00 |
Rosso, the first of these has a very good spec and looks tidy in the photo's. What sort of annual mileage do you do? If its low, then don't worry too much about it being a bit leggy, assuming the history checks out. It has a decent duration of NCT too. The second one is wholly dependent on the build date and engine situation. The third one has a mixed bag in spec, its got leather and climate but no multi-function wheel (and hence no cruise control) and 15" alloys. However, it is 99 and therefore post nikasil (still check the build date though, in case it was parked in afield for a while). Re. auto, personally its not my own preference, but they are mostly reliable and as Martin said, don't dismiss them. They don't go wrong too often, but there have been some comments on the 5 forum that suggest that although BMW claim they are sealed for life, a service by an auto transmission specialist as you approach 6 figures might be advisable. I've driven some 3's with the Tiptronic change and the manual change segment of the box works well if you prefer to change your own gears from time to time. |
|
Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
|
kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
Posted: 18-October-2005 at 05:11 |
Alkso remember when budgeting for an pre Y2K facelift E39, that you
will probably want to dress the car up with newer angel eye headlamps
(~€350), rear celis lamps (~€250), clear indicators (~€40), wider
grille (€70), etc.
prices are illustrative only. Some of the shiesters on here may try and pimp their wares on you also. |
|
Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
|
Fey!
Bavarian-Board Contributor Funs over, Scotty; beam down my clothes! Joined: 28-February-2005 Location: Galway Status: Offline Points: 4161 |
Posted: 18-October-2005 at 08:56 |
KB: Where did you get a pair of Hella Angel Eyes for €350? I paid €580!!!
|
|
kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
Posted: 18-October-2005 at 09:00 |
I paid about €500 also but the last time I was in GSF in Dublin, I saw them for about €350.
|
|
Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
|
Rosso
Newbie Joined: 16-October-2005 Location: Dublin , Ireland Status: Offline Points: 28 |
Posted: 18-October-2005 at 09:25 |
Dergside - dont think my annual mileage would be much. Will be spending most, in the city. Besides, I will be living and working in a smaller town (Mullingar) for 6 months starting January before coming back, therefore I dont think it would be that high. KBannon- oh yeah, angel eye headlamps *drool*, wide chrome grills *drool* sigh, decisions, decisions |
|
Post Reply | Page <123> |
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |