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Author Topic: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?  (Read 6224 times)

Offline ilovecables

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'91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« on: May 12, 2008, 12:05:27 pm »
My cousin who works at a garage in Pickering told me about this last night - knowing I want a BMW at some point - he said he found one for $1500  :o

As much as I'd like to hold out for an E39 -either 530, 540 or M5, $1500 seems like it's too good to pass up.
Don't know more detials yet, but he seems to have a knack for finding ridiculously clean cars for next to nothing.

What would you do?
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Offline dorin

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2008, 12:21:24 pm »
Hard to say without more details.  The only sure thing is that parts will be more expensive than the purcahse price of the car.
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2008, 12:25:27 pm »
Still waiting to hear back as to whether it's an E30 or E36
Parts aren't in issue, my cuz will fix me  up and do the work too - even though I'm 4 hours away ;)
One things for sure, my wife will kill me  :o
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Offline initial_D

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2008, 12:31:16 pm »
There is no E36 318s in NA. All 318i/is are E30s.

A good maintained E30 will run next to forever, 300K+ with no problems. But I have seen some in very bad shape.
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2008, 12:36:21 pm »
Great - one more nail in the coffin - I like the E30......  :lick:
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Offline ar_ken

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2008, 12:40:47 pm »
Wrong. E36's in Canada (can't speak for the US) did come with 318i and 318is... my friend's boyfriend had one back in the day... and I personally looked at a 318is for a weekend toy just over a yr ago.. so yes they WERE here...

IIRC, a well-maintained E30 is still very sought after by BMW lovers due to the simple mechanics and electronic (or the lack of it) systems. I mean it's a 17 years old car so the usual check for older cars (rust, compression test, etc) applies. It seems to me (and a lot of people agree) that the "older" German cars are better build and more reliable then their "modern" counterparts. Maybe it's just the "they don't make it like they used to" attitude....
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Offline initial_D

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2008, 12:53:21 pm »
Well, mis-remembered. MY1991 will be an E30.

I would take a E30 with the 2.5L M20 engine, much more torque. The M42 1.8 in the 318 is probably one of the less reliable engines in the BMW lineup.
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2008, 12:59:58 pm »
Simpler is better - and the E30 is closer to the new 1 series, and since I can't afford a 1 series....
I expect to hear back from him tonight...........
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Offline initial_D

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2008, 01:04:17 pm »
The driving dynamics of the old E30 is very good. I currently own 2 E30s. Close to the new 1 series, don't know, haven't had the opportunity to drive one yet. The new Bimmers are a lot more refined.
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2008, 01:49:38 pm »
Told my wife about it - I was told "no way - do you think you're made of money?"  and, where are you gonna park it?
But honey, it would be a GREAT Father's day gift!

NO means NO!!!!!

So now that I've been told.....................

E30, 2 door, 5 speed, black, small spoiler, yeesh, the plot thickens....

I've asked for pics, mileage, rust spots, etc.

After the divorce, can anybody rent me a room with an extra parking spot?  :P
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Offline safristi

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2008, 02:19:08 pm »
 ::) POST PICS of WIFE.................... :rofl2:
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2008, 02:42:46 pm »
 :rofl2:
Here, or in the "for sale" section?
:rofl:
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Offline initial_D

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #12 on: May 13, 2008, 04:14:56 pm »
Squeeze me, Happy Wife, Happy Life. Don't fight with that.
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #13 on: May 13, 2008, 05:09:26 pm »
too true - this is me and the kids....

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Offline initial_D

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2008, 06:34:36 pm »
Lovely kids. Should opt for a minivan.  :)
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #15 on: May 14, 2008, 02:20:31 pm »
Thanks  :D

I'll consider a minivan when I can't make decisions for myself, or when I can find a AStro/Safari, and drop in a small 8, and pimp it out.  ;)

Or, maybe a wagon.......

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Offline The Mighty Duck

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #16 on: May 14, 2008, 11:48:35 pm »
M5 Touring...  CL63 AMG...  Legacy GT?  I love Subies, but I still wouldn't equate the Legacy to the M5.  :P  Now, the Forrester STI that was sadly never offered here, on the other hand...  ;)
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #17 on: May 15, 2008, 02:07:39 am »
The Subbie is a realistic aquisition, whereas the M or AMG are on my wish list if I ever win the lottery.  ;)
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Offline rrocket

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #18 on: May 15, 2008, 02:11:06 am »
^^^^If you win lottery, will wife even let you spend it?   ::)

The day my wife, girlfriend, fiancee, lover, whore, whatever tells me how I can or can't spend my money, I'll be asking her to GTFO....
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Offline ilovecables

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Re: '91 BMW 318is - should I buy it?
« Reply #19 on: May 15, 2008, 02:13:49 am »
I'll send her to the mall, and when she comes back, there'll be a new car in my spot.  :P
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