Looking to buy E30 318i M40

[redrobbie]

Hi, Ive been recommended by a top bmw magazine that the people at e30zone.co.uk are the best people to chat to about an E30 bmw!
Im looking to buy a 318i M40 and have a some questions that hopefully can be answered.

1)Im looking to spend no more than a Ԛ£1000 so what should I be expecting?

2)Whats the highest mileage I should be looking at buying in these models?

3)What sort of price will I be looking at for a decent model that is in good working order and has a good condition body and decent mileage?

4)Are there any common problems with these models that I should watch out for?

Any other help would be greatly appreciated!

[Adam318i]

Well you've definatly come to the right place.

I have a 318i I bought last year for Ԛ£1150, and for that i got a mint, no rust example, with 87K on the clock and FSH.



I've put a few bits and pieces on it, but condition wise thats how i bought it

I dont know of any unusual problems with them as mine has been fine so far.

Adam

[Geeman]

Usual E30 rust problems to look out for.

See this link, as someone is thinking of selling their 'mint' 318i - good timing!

CLICK HERE!

Hope this helps...

Giles.

[redrobbie]

yeh ive had a look at that link, will wait to see what price they are looking for.

Ive seen a E30 with 169K miles on the clock. Is that too much, what should be my limit as for the mileage on the 318i??
I would like to have the car for at least a couple of years.

P.s 87k, FSH, Nice colour for 1150! - Hopefully my future one ends up a good deal like that

[stevo]

central locking and the fuel tank seems to be a connon prob on these cars, be sure to check these

[Matt]

i brought a 318i and was told to check for rust

in the front arches where it joins the seal
in the boot where the pocket liners are
and that it doesnt make the death rattle - not heard that yet so cant say much more

hope that helps

[Zayyan]

Common problems?

Tick-a-tick-a-tick-a-tick-a-tick-a-tick-a-tick-a-tick-a-tick = tappets = worn cylinder head

Ive seen a E30 with 169K miles on the clock. Is that too much

As long as it's got a decent service history and doesn't have the above problem it should be fine, especially if you're only keeping the car a coupla years.

As long as they get their oilchanges and you keep the revs down when it's cold E30s'll pretty much last forever

[redrobbie]

Ive set myself a budget of about 900-1000max, is that enough to get a good 318i?

[Adam318i]

Yea you should do, just dont rush into buying the first one you see like i nearly did!

150K and no history at all, only the last M.O.T!

Make sure you look around and drive some if you can to get an idea of how they should be.

If you lived close you could have a ride in mine but you probably dont.

Happy hunting.

Adam

[redrobbie]

Cheers Adam for the offer, your right i live in London, but I will definately take my time over getting it.

[hoshy]

I'm a student around London so I had a tight budget. Around this area there's shit loads of these cars going. I got mine for 350 (perfect engine but bit of a shitty body) par is 500-600 so anything over that and you should be able to find something very tidy. Mine had 105 on the clock but you should be able to get one with less on your budget. though I think with these cars more than any, if it's been looked after high milage isn't a problem.

I've no idea you driving histroy, but if it's your first rear wheel drive as this was mine then you're gonna love it Soooooo much.

[redrobbie]

Yes it is my first rear wheel car, i cant wait to get one! Nice one hoshy youve given me a boost in confidence in money matters and finding one in the london area!

[hoshy]

No worries mate. glad I could put a smile on your face.

As I said before, you're Soooooo gonna love it Was out in mine earlier today had loads of fun donuting on a gravel carpark.

Even if you keep the backend in line then rwd is the way forward, it just feels so much nicer round the bends.

[redrobbie]

A friend of mine said to look for a lux edition as they have disc brakes on back and front like his touring has. Ive looked at the articles in e30 zone which show the specification details and it says that the lux edition has drum brakes on the back.
So does this mean that only the touring has discs on front and back or does the saloon also have it?

Plus what does the lux have over the standard 318i and what are the exterior signs of a lux (if any)

Cheers!

[Bharat]

If you want to consider the highly respected 318iS, then there's 'possibly' a lovely one for sale - drop Mike318i a PM.

[GavinJ]

I had a 318i m40 for my first e30 and it cost me Ԛ£950 and had 96k on the clock and was in brilliant condition

Although it was a complete nightmare finding a good one though it was the 8th one i went to see as the rest were complete sheds

I was almost on the verge of forgetting about getting a BMW and was considering an Mk2 Astra GTE!! but thankfully i eventually found one i was happy with.

Being a 318i they are pretty insurance friendly

I've now sold the car to my brother who uses it daily and the only thing to expire on it so far during two years of daily use is the waterpump! but a new one was only Ԛ£18.50 so they are cheap to maintain aswell!!

Heres a pic,



Probably one of the best cars i've owned!

[jahsean]

hello u probably bought ur car by now. If u haven't. If u want it to run like it should buy one with service history. Otherwise pay half of the 1000 pounds and save the other half to get it up to scratch. If the engines isnt properly serviced it will be very thirsty, and slow The cam belt needs changing at around 23000 mls.

The lux has colour coded bumpers, and drums at the back, should also have power steering. Check out the 316 it might not be as slow as u think. I have a 316 and love it. I have been told the engines rattle but apparently regular oil changes help. If the eco meter isnt working it may be a sign of a problem with the ecu.

peace

[hoshy]

If the eco meter isnt working it may be a sign of a problem with the ecu.

peace

Have you got any more info about htis? Mine is intermittent.

[redrobbie]

No i still haven't brought it yet, but it will come soon hopefully.

[jahsean]

MESSAGE FOR HOSHY

I have been told that their is two types of eco meter on the e30. One which works from the vacuum created from the engine and one which is electrical and get information from the ecu. The vacum one has a tube going into the bulkhead.

My eco meter was intermittent, on start up sometimes it would work. Then the engine would hesitate, usually when pulling away from a intersection, it would then stop working. My mechanic had a second hand ecu we tried it and the eco meter has worked perfectly ever since.

Peace

[hoshy]

thx for the info. I'll investigate.

[redrobbie]

I have been told that from the 318i you can expect 25-30mpg. What can you expect from the 318IS then?

[Bharat]

I believe the MPG figure on the 318iS are v.good, about the same as a 318i.

Drop a message to Demlotcrew and MarkE30 to get an idea.

I have been told that from the 318i you can expect 25-30mpg. What can you expect from the 318IS then?

[redrobbie]

Nice one Bharat

[exscoobydriver]

Mine is for sale in the Zone for Sale secction if you give me your email I will send pics. Its up for around Ԛ£650 10 months MOT and 4months tax .inAlpine white 2 .

[redrobbie]

Thanks for the offer but im really looking for black/grey/silver

[mash]

Check for a faulty steering rack - they cost up to Ԛ£300 to replace - with the engine running turn the wheel to full lock in both direction, faulty ones swheel.

Good luck

[redrobbie]

Cheers mate, ill be sure to check that out.

[HartgeH27]

Thanks for the offer but im really looking for black/grey/silver

Have got a dolphin grey 2 door with nearly full history 160k . I have used it daily whilst the Hartge has been undergoing winter work. It is totally reliable but does require a little work to bring it up Good bodily, great engine with recent rebuild, 10 months mot and about 4 months tax. Would gladly discuss with you to see if this is the sort of thing you are after. No heavy sell as I know it will sell in due course. Simple price of Ԛ£395 which would allow you to spend on the minor jobs which need doing. (door cards, clutch slave and leccie windows).
Car ready in about a week when mine is fully back on road.
Iain

07810 650 395

[Simon13]

my 318is i used to get anything from 27-40 mpg depending on town or m/way driving. M40's are not the strongest engines top end. Try and get one which is as quiet as poss. MY old 318i rattled from the day i bought it on 89k and was not a very good one had lots of engine probs with it.

[Jesus325iTouring]

I bought an 84 318i coupe for Ԛ£250,body was shit,but it came with a MASSIVE history file,on tick over inside the car you couldn't tell whether or not the engine was running,it had 170k on the clock as well,it ran fantastic.
It was mechanically perfect dues to the money spent keeping it together.

This tells me service history is important.
You'd be better to buy a high miler with full history than a low miler with no history IMO.

MPG wise,mine used to last for ever on a fiver,so good infact it just wasn't an issue,but i would say I gor around 30-45 on average.

Rust wise,check battery tray,jacking points, front inner wheel arch at the bottom,under front windscreen,all wheel arches,front suspension turret areas,inside the compartments in the boot on the left and right and sills,moreso if you buy a car with kit,although difficult to see,check it as best you can,some people have had had nightmares under their kits,others haven't.

A cambelt change is a bonus too.

HTH a bit,good luck with your quest!

[redrobbie]

Thanks Iain for letting me know. Ive got a couple of e30s to check out with a bit lower mileage but will keep yours in mind.

Im keeping my options open about whether to stick to a 318i or get an IS now that people have been telling me that the mpgs are similar.

Are the prices similar for an IS or is an IS alot more expensive?

[jahsean]

318is v 318i

There was a good article in last months tbmw mag. It looked at 4 cylinder e30, but was very biased towards the 318is.


peace

[redrobbie]

Is that the one with "NEW WORLD ORDER: 535d" on the front cover?

[redrobbie]

March or April Edition?