95 318I Hand-Me-Down - Worth it???

[dL_]

Hi Everyone,


Currently I have a 98 Chevy Cavalier with 126,000KM. It runs well nothing really wrong with it at all, I got it 3 months ago.


My mother had a 5spd 1995 318I 4 door sedan with 116,000KM but just recently bought a new Saab.


My parents are offering to give me the car in exchange for my chevy if I give the chevy to my sister.


This sounds like a no brainer but I have some more info to give and some questions to ask.

Info:

Noise from fan or pulley's?
One Shock Leaking
Exhaust leaking at manifold.


My mom brought it in and a gentleman said it was fine; this is just a list that my father has complied; it also has some rust.


My Questions:

How long if used properly a 318I engine last before serious problems occur. I've heard 250,000KM or even 500,000KM but could that just be overly enthusiastic BMW owners?

What else tends to go wrong on this model.


I'm not a BIG car enthusiast but I do love BMW"s. I don' t have very much money (well not alot anyways) and what I"m saying is this worth it as repairs are more expensive and it is an older car.


All comments will be appreciated!
Rob

 

[Big Daddy]

The M42 motor is about as bullet proof as any. I had a 91 318is that with 164k on it had never had anything replaced other than the profile gasket, a common failure that usually occurred in the first 50k. It will most likely need shocks as I am sure your Cavalier does with it's mileage. I would guess the resale value of the BMW exceeds the Chev., take the BMW.

 

[budhall088]

I'll vouch for the M42. I have a 91' 318is with 290alotathousand miles on it, and it still runs fantastic. I'd go for it, but I'd make the parents pay for the things it needs!

 

[dL_]

Thanks,

NO I'll have to pay for all the fixings. I also have to pay for a dent to be fixed in the Chevy. Eithe rway definately worth it I reckon just have to learn standard.

I'd rather put money into a BMW than a Chevy and a friend of mine just bought a 94 with 260,000KM and says it runs great.

 

[selavia]

I'd also check the ball joints and control arms if you're going fix the leaking shock.

Go with the 318. Great little engine. And if it's a manual it's much more fun. And if you do repairs and mantainence yourself it's just as expensive as a chevy.

The rust is a turn off though, IMO. I'd get that fixed. I hate seeing a BMW with rust, it spoils my image of what a BMW is.

Good Luck! And Congrats! Nice hand-me-down car.

Sean

 

[djthelo]

i just bought a 94 318i with 193000 miles on it and it needed shocks and a tuneup and it runs like a champ go with the BMW. i was faced with fixing a transmission on a 99 jetta with 100000 milesor buying the BMW and my mechanic told me to go with the BMW because i would have less headaches

 

[dL_]

I got it and I love it! Standard isn't so bad I'm really getting the hang it actually makes driving alot more fun and well i feel safer on all this ice we have up here in Canada right now.

Question though: What gear is the fastest accelerator?

I took a corner today in 3rd and tried to floor it as oncoming traffic was behind me but had NO accelleration; if your in too high a gear could that be the issue?

 

[Kirby]

You determine your "available power" - so to speak- by engine RPM, not gear. If you are under 2500 RPM or so, it will not accelerate too well. To accelerate hard, you want to be at 3000+ RPM, referred to as "being in the power band". This is even more important in a 4 banger like a 318. So in your case, 3rd gear was too "tall", you needed to downshift to 2nd gear to get back in the power band.

To become a "perfect" (lol) BMW stick driver, you need to learn a technique known as "Heel and Toe" downshifting. The whole purpose is to do exactly what you couldn't - downshift quickly and keep the engine in the power band.

Check out this link. Once you learn this, you will do it all the time unconciously, it will be second nature.

 

[selavia]

You determine your "available power" - so to speak- by engine RPM, not gear. If you are under 2500 RPM or so, it will not accelerate too well. To accelerate hard, you want to be at 3000+ RPM, referred to as "being in the power band". This is even more important in a 4 banger like a 318. So in your case, 3rd gear was too "tall", you needed to downshift to 2nd gear to get back in the power band.

To become a "perfect" (lol) BMW stick driver, you need to learn a technique known as "Heel and Toe" downshifting. The whole purpose is to do exactly what you couldn't - downshift quickly and keep the engine in the power band.

Check out this link. Once you learn this, you will do it all the time unconciously, it will be second nature.

Really hard to get to be good at it. REALLY hard. Still, usually I'm a little to low in my rpms. Any tips guys?

(don't mean to high jack, sorry)

Sean