Help! Need Advice!

[Zywiec]

I am planning on getting my first Bmw and I have narrowed it down to two:

1993 BMW 318IS - 176K
1993 BMW 325I - 210K

My two previous cars were Japanese(Civic SI and Acura Intergra LS) so I have no experience with BMWs.

1. What are some common problems with these models?
2. What too look for when im test driving? (anything that would hint a disaster)
3. Questions to ask previous previous owner/seller?
4. I hear parts are hard to come by because i live in Ontario Canada compared to other manufactures???

any feedback would be appreciated. thnx.

 

[Kirby]

E36 - Things to watch for. Some items are normal maintenance, others are more critical/expensive:

Driveline:

- Water pump will need replacement because of the plastic impeller thru '96 (M50)
- Radiator - look for cracks in the plastic neck - replace ~100K miles to avoid failure while driving
- Defective ignition coils in some of the '91 and '92.
- Drive belt tensioner
- Profile gasket on the earlier 318's (M42)
- cracks in plastic thermostat cover (M50)
- sticking thermostats (M50)
- Manual transmission (ZF model) pops out of 1st or 2nd gear under load
- Guibo (transmission flex disk "universal joint") cracks/dry rots ~100K miles

Suspension:

- Outer ball joints go bad
- Rear upper shock mounts go bad
- Shocks/struts need replacing after 50K - 70K miles
- Control arm bushings crack/dry rot ~150K miles causing minor alignment, handling and tire wear issues

Interior:

- Window switches
- Door panels seperate because of insufficient glueing
- Door panel fasteners break
- Dashboard vinyl can seperate over the center vent
- Seat heater elements break
- Glove boxes misaligned - especially earlier models
- chipping trim around the tweeters in the front door panels
- sunroof rattle

Exterior:
- Plastic headlight covers get foggy over time

Misc:
- brake light switch
- squeaky clutch pedal bushing
- Electrical contacts on lights corrode or get dirty and need cleaning/tweaking

 

[Big Daddy]

Again some excellent advice from Kirby. I will add my Welcome to the list!

 

[Zywiec]

thanks Kirby

is it true that the parts are more expensive compared to other manufacturers?

 

[Kirby]

I do most of my own maintenance and buy parts online for 20% - 50% off list, or get them at my dealer with a 15%-20% discount. These prices make the BMW parts about the same as other cars. But if you have to pay dealer list, then the parts are more expensive.

 

[Zywiec]

thanks again for the feedback