Going to have a look at this...

[rakester]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1637868.htm

I've seen this and I'm quite interested. I'm no expert on these cars but been after one for a while.

Since you guys will know a lot more than me do you think it is worth a look? If I go to have a look can anyone give a quick rundown on what to look out for. Good price?

Thoughts / advice please

[ross_jsy]

Looks rather council to me. Red grill and spesh spec rims let it down, and the fact they haven't bothered to clean the bird poo off the bonnet.

Things like that put me off a car, makes you question how well it has been maintained.

[rakester]

Agreed the red grill looks horrid and not huge on the alloys but says it has full service history etc which suggests it has had some form of care. I would put these things right.

Obviously it's hard to tell from just pictures, a long MOT is a good sign as well. Price wise what are your thoughts and what should I look for when viewing it.

Is this high mileage for these engines, are they fairly reliable (sorry I'm a complete novice with these cars)

[Falkster]

Mate, the car is very council. The grill and wheels would need replacing and it's not that good to make you want a 318. Why not have a look in the for sale section, there's a good few cars for sale that will be less council and well looked after.

[ChelseaBoy]

Agreed... mate you cvould do a whole lot better....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Or buy off a zoner, this is too Chavtastic to be worth a punt.

[rakester]

I'm really trying to find something nice, I don't mind spending a bit more but everything is very far away from me.

I don't think I will bother ringing now as you say it does look a bit 'council'. I guess the search continues

[rakester]

Agreed... mate you cvould do a whole lot better....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Or buy off a zoner, this is too Chavtastic to be worth a punt.

That looks nice, really trying to find something with an Mtech kit already fitted though.

Trying to find something local-ish as I'm finding it hard to get to viewings that are more than ~30 miles away (I'm based in the West Midlands)

[Blitz]

How about this Baur

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C150407/

[rakester]

180k, how long do these engine hold on for? I really do not know much about them

[ross_jsy]

Oh they will last for ever if propperly maintained.

[Falkster]

30 miles? Jesus I think most zoners have travelled stupid distances for a bit of trim let alone for a car. If it's a car worth buying then it's worth travelling for. I've been to Aberdeen and Southampton on a couple of occastions.

[aaronsmart]

at least change the rims and grill
please

[rakester]

I know it's hard to find something local in a 30 mile radius but I currently have no form of transport and I'm trying to save as much money as possible.

I will have more time in 5 weeks when I'm off from university for the summer, I was hoping to sort something this week (hence why trying to find something local).

I like the convertible just posted but it's just the mileage that has put me off, I'm no mechanic so don't want to fall into a money pit.

[rakester]

at least change the rims and grill
please

If I had gone and looked that would have been the first thing done but I'm not even going to bother have a look now. Looks like I'll hold out until a respectable forum members offers something.

[davpkav]

I travelled down to Fritz Bits just for them to look at my car. Sheffield to Wellington in Somerset is a good few miles. Just making the point as Falkster says, distance is imaterial for the right thing.

Good luck with your search.

[fuzzy]

seems a bit steep for a 1.8 to me. id be looking at about a grand for that.

[Blitz]

I know it's hard to find something local in a 30 mile radius but I currently have no form of transport and I'm trying to save as much money as possible.

I will have more time in 5 weeks when I'm off from university for the summer, I was hoping to sort something this week (hence why trying to find something local).

I like the convertible just posted but it's just the mileage that has put me off, I'm no mechanic so don't want to fall into a money pit.

As long as the engine is properly maintained theres nothing wrong with that mileage. These are BMW's not Citroen's.

[rakester]

As long as the engine is properly maintained theres nothing wrong with that mileage. These are BMW's not Citroen's.

I'm new to this and a bit out of my comfort zone in terms of knowing anything about these vehicles. I appreciate all the advice you guys are giving me, hopefully I'll be able to find a nice example soon.

I plan on using it as my daily driver so need a well looked after example. I can only afford to insure the 1.8 currently which is a shame but I'd be more than happy with that

[Blitz]

With that budget why dont you get a 318is.

[rakester]

That would also be a consideration, just finding one

Willing to spend around 2.5k

[mick_318is]

Don't be totally put off this car.

As to de council it would not take long and very little money.

Change the grills to standard and a set of BBS would look very nice.

Has a fair bit going for it

Good Mileage
FSH
Factory Fitted M-Tech Kit


I would be really worried about the 5p sized bit of rust on the wheel arch? Check very carefully inside the boot and behing the kit.

I do think it is overpriced as well though.

Still worth a look if its not to far away.

[inlovewithRWD]

With that budget why dont you get a 318is.

I agree. You should get a really nice one for £2.5k and they are more fun to drive than a 318i

[xavi1980]

absolute dog shite! ive seen this car before! pile of poo! and tbh with ur budget you could get a real sensible 320 which has a 6 pot! so much better! and as for travelling i like buying a car from distance that way you get a long drive home and immediately you know whats right or wrong or how it feels any noises things that you may not notice after a while

[rakester]

Just did a insurance quote and a 318is would be spot on a 320 is a no go.

Just looking for a nice clean cruiser to be honest; rust free and reliable engine.

[ross_jsy]

While I love 6 pots, I would rather have an iS over a 320 anyday

[Parabola]

I can't be arsed with reading his advert. I mean take the caps lock off FFS

Now this is more like it. A bit pricey but an absolute stunner

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1418732.htm

[Parabola]

How about this Baur

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C150407/

The interior on that is stunning. I don't know much about these yet, but £1200 seems like a phenomenal price

[rakester]

^^

Not sure what to think of this Baur, not sure on the soft top on that. The extreme high mileage puts me off as I don't know enough about them

[sihooker]

If it's near enough, i'd go and have a look at it. The worst that can happen is that it's a dog, but at least you'll have something to judge your next viewing against...

As for the price...i think it's a touch high but he might budge if you wave notes under his nose! It doesn't say whether it's a sport interior or not. If it is then that could possibly make the price a bit more justifiable.

The grille can be changed very easily, and will set you back less than £50. The wheels are down to personal taste. I actually think they aren't that bad.

[pacerpete]

I travelled down to Fritz Bits just for them to look at my car. Sheffield to Wellington in Somerset is a good few miles. Just making the point as Falkster says, distance is imaterial for the right thing.

Good luck with your search.

That was a pointless exercise ! were you bored ?

[polsta]

As long as the engine is properly maintained theres nothing wrong with that mileage. These are BMW's not Citroen's.

I'm new to this and a bit out of my comfort zone in terms of knowing anything about these vehicles. I appreciate all the advice you guys are giving me, hopefully I'll be able to find a nice example soon.

I plan on using it as my daily driver so need a well looked after example. I can only afford to insure the 1.8 currently which is a shame but I'd be more than happy with that

follow advice i followed on here when i knew noting about e30s and little about cars in general... when buying an e30 look at condition not milage

i bought my 318is in november, with 179k on the clock, drove daily for the last 5 months all winter...its not skipped a beat, was advised by a zoner who checked the car out for me before buying, that the engine was superb and very nice and quiet

been my daily driver and fell in love with it and its lovely to drive,you just learn about the cars as you go mate, in the last 2 weeks ive just done all basic servicing myself, and im now getting the car nice for the summer


condition,not milage !! and be patient and look at adverts of every 30 for sale and spend time looking and waiting and learnign about them and the right car wil pop up, and good luck