used 316 questions

zebedee wrote: Hello, I'm buying my 1st BMW and I'm looking at getting a 96-97 316 coupe. Are there any particular things I should be looking out for when I go to view a car and any particular questions I should be asking? I'm completely new to all of this. Thanks

Hi Zebedee - welcome to the forum

Can't help you myself as I'm a E30 man meself - but I'm sure someone who can will be along shortly

Thanks thepits. Was hoping to get a 318 but can't get an insurance quote!

I have a PDF copy of the Total BMW E36 6 cylinder Coupe buying guide.  I'll flick through that and list any useful info for you below.  I'll let those in the know about the 4 cylinder engines tell you about those. 

Basics - HPI/Data check the car and clocking is not uncommon on BMW's so make sure service history stamps/bills seem ok along with any previous MOTs.  There are plenty of 4cyl E36's about so spend a bit of time looking and there should be no excuse not to find a half decent rust free example with a history.

Interior - these are very hard wearing so should last very very well even with high miles and are also easy to maintain.  Dirty/worn interiors = neglect.  Look around the plastic trim to ensure its all in place and not hanging off or loose in any way.  The glove box's can be flimsy so just check that its appears to be in tact.

Suspension - Bushes and suspension top mounts do wear out around 40K and its best to get these jobs done to retain the sharp handling.  Most never get done and are hard to sport, so chekc that the car tracks straight and true and is free of knocking and clonking from the suspension.  The dampers and springs can last reasonably well, but worn dampers will be affected by cross winds and rear suspension springs can break.

Brakes - are very good on BMW's and don't really suffer from heavy wear in general.  So check that they work well and the pedal has good pressure.

Other Stuff - windows motors wear out and cause niggly faults when raising them.  Check that the sunroof alignment is OK as some can sag.

 

The later E36s like the one you're looking at have the M43 engine, which is incredibly tough if the oil has been regularly changed. You can tell if it hasnt if the car has rattly tappets - expect a little rattling on start-up on high milers but nothing serious.

I've seen them with 250k on the clock but they do usually look a little sad by then!!

High mileage will make more impact on the other consumables, which you can check so... if you're looking at a high miler, check the suspension carefully (as above) and the state of the exhaust/cat. My old 316 had a rattly heat shield around the cat, and by the time I passed it on it was nearing needing a new one (CAT that is), an expensive fix so check that out....

It's a very reliable car... so if there's much wrong on a particular example you can guarantee its been neglected... so there'll be more under the surface.

PS it'll have a timing chain rather than a belt so no worries there!


Edited by fozzymandeus