Just bought my first BMW (316 compact auto) anything to look out for..

[Vince70]

Seeing that I wanted a hatchback I decided today to use the works computer to browse good old eBay and put an offer in on what looks a truly time warp condition low miler 316 auto compact..

 

I will be collecting it on Sunday and not having the first clue on anything BMW I wondered if someone in the know could give me some advice on what to look for..

[chaseracer]

Bigger gaps at junctions?

 

[hauserplenty]

BMW?...Hatchback?? @#$%|}">^&*(*&^%$#<"{:@#$%^&*!@#(*&^%[/wetware crash]

 

 

 

 

Press 'any' key to continue...

[Doctormop]

Speed cameras, hang on, 316 auto?

Forget I spoke.

[blakey79]

First of all replace all the bushes,check for oil leaks.

[Bren]

Rot - a 316 auto can rot quicker than it can accelerate.

 

If its a clean as you say it is a good buy - at least it is'nt a diseasel.

[Steviemillar]

Fit operational indicator stalk

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Seriously:

 

These resist rot better than the saloons but check the sills around where the circular rubber lifting bungs fit it - the ones underneath, not the ones on the sides of the sill. Rust on these is cosmetic and rarely serious. Make sure the bungs are actually fitted as sills will rot quickly if they're not there. The engine is an M43, not a bad lump but make sure the coolant level is where it should be. The autobox is a GM made unit and they tend to whine in the lower gears. Common issues are clunky electric windows (lube the felt vertical channels with vaseline), weak tailgate struts and not much else. The rear axle beam bushes wear out, diffs are commonly whiney but as long as the car had oil and  coolant where it needs to be there's not much to go wrong. Spinning ignition barrels (key spinning in the lock) are common and very easily fixed. Rear wiper motor failure is common due to water ingress - on these the water for the rear washer passes through the centre of the wiper shaft. Cars made after late 1998 (T reg) have the later 1.9 engine that has a bit more grunt.

 

A good little car, cheap to run, simple to maintain and parts are cheap and very plentiful.

[martc]

Remove the enormous magnet that sits behind the front bumper...

[Taff]

Look out for Audi drivers, they will all be insanely jealous of your magnificent motor vehicle

[320touring]

If it is an e36 compact then it'll have the e30 rear suspension-so pay attention when driving in the wet/damp.they're a bit more snappy than the regular e36s with thon new fangled rear axle.

 

Drivetrain wise they are fairly robust- if you pap up a pic of the bay we'll know, and can advise accordingly.

 

Rust spots as follows:

 

Inner/outer front wings

Sills under the covers(esp jack insert points)

 

Brake lines- the main rear one goes over the tank and can be a pain to replace

 

Rear floor-seam between floor and bulkhead that forms back seat base.

 

Other common faults:

Handbrake functions as a hatstand-stretched cables/poorly adjusted rear shoes are at fault

 

Interior trim falls off

 

Abs sensors

 

Air bag light (often sensors in the seats)

 

The compacts do tend to rust less than others, assuming its in decent nick you really cannot go wrong.

 

Anything i can help with just ask away-they're decent cars, just take some getting to know

[beko1987]

My good friend runs one and has had several, all manuals though. He has a convertible 1.8 one now

 

The head went on one of his 1.6s, we replaced the engine in the end.

 

He bought a monged up purple one to fix and sell, I drove him there in the puma and couldn't keep up with him on the way back, but then I'd been driving 2 years and him 7...

 

Did always think of getting one, but the rwd thing put me off.

 

Good luck with it! The paintworks nice and hard and polishes up a treat, and the carpets usually vacuum up nicely...

[DS20]

Do consider changing the fluid in the gearbox. BMW say 'sealed for life', and it was just that policy that determined the lifespan of my 540. It was in pretty good repair when it went off to Copart, apart from borked gearbox, which fluid and filter changes would have postponed a good while.

[Cavcraft]

'Just bought my first BMW (316 compact auto) anything to look out for..'

 

Your sanity?

[Sigmund Fraud]

Autoshite in BMW H8RD shocker

 

Despite their image, E36s are decent cars and the Compact gains extra shite points by having random E30 parts like the UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED rear suspension.

 

I personally wouldn't mind a 323ti, though I don't think I could get one on a shitter's budget. Vince, ignore the haters and show us some pics when you pick her up !

[Inspector Morose]

I'm sure you couldn't get an early 323 in right hand drive for some reason. Mr Patrick (of the Patrick collection) had one in gold and used it for going to his French house sometimes as it was more convenient being on the right side over there. British registered but LHD.

 

Quit nice. I'd roll in one.

[Sigmund Fraud]

I'm sure you couldn't get an early 323 in right hand drive for some reason.

 

Didn't know that ! Every day is school day !

 

I did check ebay and the slightly less tail-happy 318ti can be had for sub-£1000... Tempting !

[Guest Breadvan72]

Invest in quality male grooming products as you will grow a beard waiting for people to let you out of a junction in a BMW. 

[320touring]

Invest in quality male grooming products as you will grow a beard waiting for people to let you out of a junction in a BMW.

Or fit an m52 2.8 and make your own gaps/pass shonky old Lotus drivers at will;)

[Vince70]

Thanks for all the advice I will be picking the car up tomorrow.. So today it's get the train ticket and and sort out insurance etc.

I don't know if the link will work but I'm sure you agree it looks a goodun.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-316-AUTO-3DR-RED-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/281518965772?ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:GB:1120

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Didn't know that ! Every day is school day !

 

I did check ebay and the slightly less tail-happy 318ti can be had for sub-£1000... Tempting !

The 323ti was never sold in the UK. And E35 inner wings don't rot apart from a pissarsed bit under the washer bottle. It starts around a square small hole where the arch liner captive plastic nut fits. Ancient ones can rot on the front anti roll bar brackets.

 

Nothing wrong with the E30 style IRS. 316i's generally don't have a rear ARB but easily fitted.

[320touring]

The 323ti was never sold in the UK. And E35 inner wings don't rot apart from a pissarsed bit under the washer bottle. It starts around a square small hole where the arch liner captive plastic nut fits. Ancient ones can rot on the front anti roll bar brackets.

Nothing wrong with the E30 style IRS. 316i's generally don't have a rear ARB but easily fitted.

Correct re the 323i- better off with the 2.8 install anyways:)

 

The washer bottle is indeed the bit that rots on inner wings.

 

I only mentioned the rear e30 suspension as an e30 owner-the z axle on the e36 is a bit more forgiving to folks not used to rwd:)

[Taff]

I was working in Bristol and commuting 20 miles each way in my E34 325 coope. It snowed like buggery one winter and the only drama I had was when I got home again, lost it on the very last corner (litreally, my house was 10 yds away) and clipped a curb, popping the rear right tyre off the rim.

 

RWD = FTW

[320touring]

E34 325 coupe?say wha?

 

Rwd is always fun in snow;)

[spike60]

If you feel traction in the snow may be a problem you can ballast the rear end with couple of bags of gravel or whatever is at hand. Tyres play a big part in this too, if you have super wide semi slick track day specials you're going to struggle, something fairly narrow and aggressive and you'll be fine.

[the judge]

Ohhhh i have had a few. Rather nice if basic

[Taff]

If you feel traction in the snow may be a problem you can ballast the rear end with couple of bags of gravel or whatever is at hand. Tyres play a big part in this too, if you have super wide semi slick track day specials you're going to struggle, something fairly narrow and aggressive and you'll be fine.

 

It was only a problem once 

[Taff]

E34 325 coupe?say wha?

 

Rwd is always fun in snow;)

 

lovely car mate, it's one of the few I wish I still had

[Noel Tidybeard]

mmmm pogweasel pink should fit in perfectly round here

[320touring]

lovely car mate, it's one of the few I wish I still had

 I was meaning that the e34 is a 5 series;)

 

Was it an e36 you had?the 2dr coupes are a hoot in 2.5 or 2.8