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Red3 View Drop Down
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    Posted: 06-February-2007 at 09:47

Im going to look at a 1995 320i se on saturday.  Its got 71k on the clock.  Is there anything i should look out for on a test drive re the engine/suspension.  Are the 320's a reliable car, i'm thinking 71k shouldn't be that much for a beemer.  Seller is looking for 3.5k euro.  Its had new shocks last year and front discs/pads a few months ago.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is to replace my 316 which hasn't caused me any trouble and i'd hate to replace it with a lemon.

Cheers, Mark.

1995 316i, 2002 520i
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ballcock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 09:56

I'd be very suspicious about that low mileage unless it can be backed up with service history/invoices/old MOT's (assuming an ex-UK car).

The 2.0 is a very resilient unit and if looked after will go on forever. Don't believe those who say it is underpowered. Plenty of poke past 3k revs. Obviously won't have the torque of the 325 but a nice machine all the same. Again assuming an ex UK car then check for rust around the arches and especially under the car.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ivanovoitch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 09:58

71K at 12 years old......less than 6k per year.

What are they claiming about the reason for the really low mileage?

One little old lady owner who only used it to go to mass on a Sunday? (So why did she buy a BMW 320i SE then?) 

That car needs thorough checking out to verify it's bona-fide.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ballcock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 10:00

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car& ;carID=562179

Here's a fine looking 320 for a few quid more.....

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 10:17

Both '95 and '96 320i's are potentially succeptible to nikasil issues.  A very early '95 could potentially be OK depending on when it was built, so a call to BMW Customer Service in the UK with the VIN number (not reg number) to confirm would be a couple of bob well spent.  This is one of the reasons that I particularly wanted a '93 or '94 car when I bought my 325i coupe (that and the single vanos engine).

Even if it is nikasil, it could be OK but the '96 car that Ballcock linked to would be more concerning since it actually states that most runs by the currrent owner were short runs, one of the things that hastens the demise of an affected nikasil engine would be a lot of short runs where the car doesn't warm up to normal operating temperature.

I have a nikasil engined 523i that has 114k on it and doesn't use a drop of oil between services, in 70k miles I've never, ever had to top it up.

As regards other things to watch for, most of the things should be similar to your 316, bushes, ball joints, track rod ends, etc.  Trim rattles and squeeks are to be expected to some degree, watch particularly for glove box lids that won't shut or have fallen apart.  As an SE it should have alloys, electric roof, rear headrests and a couple of other bits, check that they all work as they should.

Buy on condition firstly and mileage secondly.  Disregard the mileage if its not backed up with reasonable proof of servicing, mot's, NCT's, etc. from new.



Edited by Dergside
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.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Don520 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 12:09
Don't knock low mileages, some are legit, my 12 year old has 85K,
motorbike and neurotic ownership has kept around 30k off it.
95 520iSE Auto (sadly missed)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ballcock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 12:41
Likewise Don. My '95 only has 92K due to commuting on the bike too.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Red3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 13:01

My 95 316 only has 53k on it due to getting the train. 

Thanks for the comments so far, going to check on the nikisil issue.  What kind of mpg is common on motorway driving for the 320i.

Mark.

1995 316i, 2002 520i
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ivanovoitch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 13:27

Originally posted by Red3 Red3 wrote:

My 95 316 only has 53k on it due to getting the train. 

Does it not have problems fitting in through those sliding doors?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Red3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 13:51

Heres a picture of the car.

1995 316i, 2002 520i
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dergside Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06-February-2007 at 15:26

I'll second that Don (My '93 325i has 86k - of which I've contributed 16k in 18 months use - as a second car(!), my '91 325i had 68k when sold in 2005 and my '91 320i conv had 57k when sold in 2003) - but the proviso is that if there isn't anything to verify the mileage then it should be treated as incorrect.  A second proviso is that if the low mileage is the result of lots of cold start short runs on a nikasil engine then its potentially a contributor to problems. 

In normal give and take open road/motorway driving you should expect to see around the 30mpg mark.



Edited by Dergside
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.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Red3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-February-2007 at 11:04
Just off the phone to BMW UK and they've confirmed the car is fitted with the nikasil block and have no history of any work been carried out to fit the steel liners.  Im in two minds now whether to buy it but im leaning towards not.
1995 316i, 2002 520i
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-February-2007 at 12:48

Hey Red,

I have a 320i same colour as the one in your pic. Its a 97, I have it over 3 years and still love it. Economy is not too bad and it's a good car for covering ground quickly and comfortably.

With regard to Nikisil, research it as much as you can, check out the service history, mine had the whole Nikisil Drama, oil comsumption was the problem with mine, thankfully there was a happy ending in the end..

 

Mac

 



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kdevitt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-February-2007 at 20:33
The 320i is a great car imo, had a coupe for 3 years and my dad still has it - but

it it definitely not an economical choice - only the M3 is worse out of the E36's for fuel consumption and it is underpowered... great motorway cruiser though!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SULLY Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08-February-2007 at 13:59

Had 96 320i for five years, son has it now.never used a drop of oil between services.Has over 90,000 miles on clock now.When looking to trade in against 2004 car last year the main dealer would only give me 4.000 euro for it.Son is driving it for a year now no trouble execpt ball joint which has to be replaced.Heavy on petrol allright 30 long runs 16 around town.Not to underpowered depends on what you want.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Don B Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08-February-2007 at 14:22

The 320i definitely wouldn't be the quickest car on the road but are so nice to drive imo. Friend of mine had a nicely specced '95 320i with about 50k miles on the clock when it was sold last year...a tiny mileage for a 12 year old car. Was so relaxed and quiet on the road when comparing it to the 318is I had at the time. Best of luck if you go ahead with it.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Red3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09-February-2007 at 15:11

Just like to say thanks for all the info, especially the heads up on the nikasil prob.  Decided not to buy the 320ise in the end, think i'll wait till next year and look for an E46 4cylinder.

Cheers.

1995 316i, 2002 520i
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