E30 Zone

Hello I bought a lovely 318iS on Wednesday of last week from a trader in Gartocharn (outside Glasgow)

Looks wonderful sounded good (i thought)

Driving it for 2 days and all power stopped and steering went heavy 3 redlights came on and had no response from the throttle.

AA came out after I tried to bypass the relay for the Fuel pump I think he was testing cylanders if this sounds right.... He said there is Zero compression from 1,2 and 4 he didnt test 3. Said theres nothing he can do and I need a specialist.

Does anyone know if this is common and if its the drive belt...chain will I need a new engine and if so how much it it likely to cost. I have just spent my entire loan on purchasing the car and but bloody bits of trim for the thing to DIE on my after 4 days ownership

Im 27 wanted one of these since I was about 12 and disaster strikes. Does the trader have a responsibility to sort me out.

It was an ebay advertised car that I bought directly from him not through ebay.

You guys on the Zone have been magic with the wee questions now I need help with this BIG one.

Idea's please guys!!!

P.S suicide is not the options.... so the Samaritans have just told me!


PPS A major thank you to Boyd at Bavarian Retro his zoner name is cecotto479 for all his help and input, he spent at least an hour on the phone trying to help me despite the fact I have never used him before A TRUE GENTLEMAN!

If it was bought from a trader then as I understand it you do have some comeback if there has been a major failure that quickly into your ownership. You may need to get the car back to him though.

Have you spoken to the trader ?

You can probably get a usable iS engine for a couple of hundred quid - the main cost will be all the bits that you "might as well" replace before you drop it into the car.

Get it back to the trader, no if's or but's!

If that thing cost me 4k then it would of been sat outside his front door by now.

How was it running prior to the failure?

I'd be back round there.. like a shot.. but you really need to find out what has actually gone ideally.. then you can determine whether he may have had any prior knowledge..

the power steering going heavy and three red lights is just what happens when the engine stops so those symptoms are irrelevant.. we need details! every squeak, groan, pop and clank before and after the event!! and what did the AA say? he must have had an idea of what happened.. you don't just lose compression on three cylinders unless something serious and fairly obvious happens (snapped cambelt, chain etc)

and you're kidding aren't you Kieran?? this thing didn't cost 4k did it?!

Sonds like the engines siezed if the steering whent hard and lights came on.

that just means the engine's not running doesn't it?
it must have been turning over for the AA to do a compression test surely

For it to have zero compression, it's going to have to be something like timing chain failure

If he is a registered trader then by law you are allowed to go straight back to him and tell him how its is, and he cannot argue. If he does argue you need to call citizens advice and ask them the questions, they will then lead you the right way to getting a replacement or full refund from him as long as he is a registered trader.

I have had this in the past unfortunately when my dear old mother bought a car and as she was driving down the a13 the head gasket blew. Originally we thought we was covered as it was only 4 days old and he was a trader. Turned out that even though he was calling himself a trader, he was not registered and because there was no official reciept of purchase we couldnt do anything about it because there was no legal guarantee.

Good luck matey, i do hope it all goes ok.

Okay AA guy took one look at me with my immaculately shiny but ultimately broken Beamer and seen my big sticky out lip and maybe felt sorry for me he had the cover off the engine had a compression tester out, he then tested it by hand to see is anything was blowing when I turned the engine over and said there was zero compression.

he firstly said by ear sounds like its turning over very fast then again by ear said there sounds like no compression then did all that.

I by the way have no idea what anything I just said means so I assume he did do all that he said he did.

Steering went heavy as i approached the corner brakes hardly worked turned corner and the engine was totally dead it made no out the ordinary sounds.

Tried turning it over 4 or 5 times left it half an hour AA guy tried turning it over this time it gave a loud POP (I nearly burst into tears lol) then all the testing began.

He said Im sorry dont know what to tell you but I think its really broken. I'll take u home or a local speciallist.

As for prior noises I thought it sounded slightly lumpy when first started in the A.M but pu it down to the cold weather no clues when starting that journey or at any point before it went.

Its now abandoned outside a garage 10 miles from home but they refused to look at anything that old. Trader has been quiet all he said so far is I dont have mechanical equiptment I suggest you take it to a garage.

Consumer Direct website says I have recourse but thats of little comfort if he decides to do nothing.

i do have a reciept and I think he is a proper trader he has a website and all that jazz

Hope you get your money back as it sounds pretty serious. Shame as well as its a nice looking motor.

If they take it back someone will probably get it for half the price and get a new engine for it.

If he's a proper trader he should have contacts for mechanical work rather than relying on you to take it to a garage.

I'd suggest simply returning the car and asking him to refund you.

Yep, get it towed to his forecourt and ask nicely for your money. Then if he starts showing any signs of wriggling out of a full refund, get down to citizens advice and/or get a solicitor to write a letter.

Oh and tell him it has the wrong sized tyres

You are a lucky man ! Demand a refund and repay your loan NOW . Borrowing money to buy a 20 year old shiny turd seldom ends well

don't take it anywhere else, if they start mucking about with it he may say they damaged it further..

pay to have it transported to his forcourt.. mechanical equipment or not.. then just talk to him.. firmly but politely.. it's pretty straightforward.. I would say it's timing chain failure, it certainly isn't seized if they did a compression test on it..

but you need to act now and act fast.. having a car for two days and it blowing up is bad.. having it for two weeks and passing it round garages doesn't sound the same.. and make sure you get things in writing..

what's the guys website, out of curiosity?

I can't see the pics (as I'm at work) but is this a red IS ? If so it's likely it's 320ian's old motor.

I've come across a few of these engines which have had had rebuilds when the mileage is over 100k, I reckon the heads goosed.

Car Dealer's are negotiators to trade so go in hard and unreasonable and you'll get a better outcome. If you want help with the negotiation, drop me a PM and I'll help you where I can.

Tom Dealers Website here: http://www.buchananmotors.com/

Topblag, the very same.

I almost bought an E39 off that site.

I think Ian traded the E30 for E39.

it was a dark blue one, 98 plate i was lookin at, 900 he wanted. looked absolutely immaculate, showroom condition

Here is the ad...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3528173.htm

Clearly shows he is a trader and as so you have bought a car based on the description of that advert and it’s clearly not fit for purpose.

As has already been said on here. TAKE IT BACK!!!

He legally doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

Maybe you should put your story down as a post in the general gassing and BMW sections of Pistonheads where he advertises and probably gets a lot of business from. You will need to mind their name and shame policy, but if you are stating facts and including the link that shows his pistonheads advert, then maybe he will think twice about getting this situation sorted.

Take all the feedback you get from your post and send the link to him in an e-mail if he starts dicking you about.

On a seperate note.... £4k for a 137K 318is that has lost most of its origionality through the mods and stick on stuff its suffering from, would appear to be a little steep?


I'd be arguing that i had paid such an over inflated price because i wanted the security of buying from a reputable specialist dealer.

Cheers Richard!

i cant belive someone paid 4 grand for that car

trader or not foook me the car would be back where i took it from and a hand would be round a neck

gutted for you fella, hope it gets sorted

If I was in your position I'd get the car home and politely ask for something in writing from the AA to the effect that the engine isn't working and requires at the very least specialist attention.

Then call the trader, state what the AA have told you, state that its your right as a consumer for them to collect the car at their expense, repair it (sub-contract this if necessary) and return it to you. You will also need to suggest a reasonable timeframe for this to be completed, collection within 3 days, repair and return within 10 days for example. Whatever you agree get it in writing, ask for them to bring a letter stating this on company headed paper when they collect.

If they drag their heels then you'll need to put this all in writing (email or recorded letter), set a reasonable time for their response (eg. 10 days) and wait. If you still get nothing then you may need to go legal. If this happens try and get a half hour consultation with a solicitor who specialises in consumer rights, the CAB should be able to point you in the right direction.

Whatever you do, do not make any threats and certainly do not threaten to damage their business and reputation. If you're going to post on pistonheads for example if the situation drags on just do it and keep it factual and to the point and don't get personal.

I hope this helps.

Reply to text from trader

Hi Paul,
I'm very sorry to hear of the problem with the car. Unfortunately, I'm unable to help you in any capacity. A timing belt is a consumable item, a bit of rubber wound round a moving metal part. I cannot be accountable for a wear and tear item on an old car as unfortunate as it is. All the best Mark

to that I would reply that 'IF' the trader values his reputation as much as the website states then he will repair the car.. either that or you'll go out of your way to let people know that if a car goes tits up two days after purchase he is not interested at all! a lot of people will steer clear just for that fact!

but do not let it descend into a slanging match.. you wan't him to see that the sensible thing to do is repair the car..

Also tell him the iS has a timing chain!

I know nothing about these situation but I you come out of it with your money back or the car repaired and have many pleasant trouble free miles to enjoy it.

Paul, I would not take that as answer if he is a registered business trading cars you have consumer rights. If you bought a used car from any forecourt providing you do not sign any sort of agreement that the car is sold as seen he has an obligation to deal with you.

I would meet him face to face as via text or phone call you are unlikely to get anything resolved.

Wouln't hurt to get a consulatation with a lawyer if you can.

318isPMK wrote:Reply to text from trader

Hi Paul,
I'm very sorry to hear of the problem with the car. Unfortunately, I'm unable to help you in any capacity. A timing belt is a consumable item, a bit of rubber wound round a moving metal part. I cannot be accountable for a wear and tear item on an old car as unfortunate as it is. All the best Mark

My reply would be something along the lines of:

I am not trying to make a warrantly claim, i am excersising my rights as a consumer whom has bought a product that is not fit for purpose. As such you are legaly obliged to rectify this situation in all your capacity. I will fully excersise all my consumer rights on this issue, and will in the first instance seek further legal advice if you cause me to have to do so.

Avoid Text though..... E-mail is good along with phone calls, as you have a paper trail.

318isPMK wrote:Reply to text from trader

Hi Paul,
I'm very sorry to hear of the problem with the car. Unfortunately, I'm unable to help you in any capacity. A timing belt is a consumable item, a bit of rubber wound round a moving metal part. I cannot be accountable for a wear and tear item on an old car as unfortunate as it is. All the best Mark

I wouldn't take that as an answer. Where has talk of a snapped cambelt come from? I don't know a lot about engines but I wouldn't have thought a snapped belt would cause a loss of compression, plus there is also the fact that the iS has a twin duplex timing chain not a cambelt! Never heard of one of these snapping and if one did i think you'd be well aware of it going as they'd be an awful lot of noise and probable broken casings etc.

richard300 wrote:
Avoid Text though..... E-mail is good along with phone calls, as you have a paper trail.

this^^^


and tell him you have had advice from a professional who tells you that a cambelt IS a wear and tear item.. however the engine does not use one..

it's a hard lesson but this is why you should check EVERYTHING you can before handing over your hard-earned.. especially 3k of them.. I looked at the belt on the 25 along with everything else.. don't be afraid to have a good old poke about.. and don't be decieved by a shiny car!

although saying that you wouldn't have seen the chain.. but if you aren't mechanically minded take someone who is.. or the AA!

318isPMK wrote:Reply to text from trader

Hi Paul,
I'm very sorry to hear of the problem with the car. Unfortunately, I'm unable to help you in any capacity. A timing belt is a consumable item, a bit of rubber wound round a moving metal part. I cannot be accountable for a wear and tear item on an old car as unfortunate as it is. All the best Mark

Dear Mark,

It is a shame your skills are limited to polishing overpriced councilled up old turds. If you had ANY mechanical knowledge you would know that a 318is has a TIMING CHAIN.
Please make the cheque payable to.......


Obviously before the dear Mark letter is sent the car needs to have a proper independant autopsy to confirm the extent of the damage but it sounds like the timing chain has left the building .......

unfortunatly TOM, the AA and RAC wont inspect verhicles over 15 years old from what I remember. I tried to get an inspection done on mine before I bought it but no one wants to do it as they offer some sort of guarantee on what is checked and on old motors like this there is too many unknows as to what could go wrong.

One thing I have invested in is the AA add on that cost me £56 for the year which covers repairs in the evnet something goes bang and your stuck at the side of the road. From memory it covers the first £500 of repairs with a £75 excess and upto 5 claims in the year.

Only downside is you need to get the booked stamped up for service intervals but I have a friend who does this for me. Its worth it if something like a cambelt goes.