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

[Noel Tidybeard]

used to work with a chap whos got a compact- when there was snow he would come in his wifes micra as the bm wouldnt go up the drive at work- about 1/2% gradient lol

[JohnDeere]

My 318ti Compact is still the best car I've ever had and regret selling. I had it from new (1998) and kept it for seven years. When I sold it, it was literally the only totally straight, non-barried example available. Was just saying this evening that it's the one car I wish I'd kept...

[twosmoke300]

Dont some of the 4cyls have timing chain issues. weak tensioner which causes the chain to jump and smash the plastic guides?

[406V6]

Watch out for being offered membership of the exclusive club for those owning a car that has been roundly criticised for having inadequate suspension. Joining owners of: Morris Marina, early Benz A-Class, Renault Dauphine, Chevrolet Corvair.

[Vince70]

I've just driven the car home and will get some pictures up during the week..

 

It really is in outstanding condition and drives like a brand new car and has a full BMW service history for the first 12 years of its life and then after that the elderly owner who was an ex diesel mechanic has done all the repairs and servicing himself, he really has looked after the old girl and it's never wanted for anything.

 

I feel a bit down really as its the first car I've bought that I can't improve in any way as it looks factory fresh.

 

All I can do with it is give it the odd coat of wax and maybe paint A bit of old engine oil underneath to keep it in pristine condition underneath.

 

But he has fitted a new CD player that I can't get on with so I've got to find something from circa 1997 which is in keeping with the car so I guess that will give me something to do inbetween fitting some Lexarse lights and cheap Halfords alloys.

[spike60]

Sounds like a good 'un, well bought!

[Rusty Pelican]

Dont some of the 4cyls have timing chain issues. weak tensioner which causes the chain to jump and smash the plastic guides?

Hope not , my E30s got the M10 engine , do I need to panic now 

[Steviemillar]

Looks to be in excellent order, good catch!

[320touring]

Hope not , my E30s got the M10 engine , do I need to panic now

M10 is chain driven. M40 is belt in the e30;)

 

Re the car in question in this thread-sounds like you won yourself a bargain-enjoy!

[Vince70]

Well I got some pictures of my new car at last but there's only one problem and that is my father liked it so much that I decided to let him have the car.

It will be easier for him to drive than his A3 as its an auto plus the steering is a lot lighter on the BMW and now he's in his mid seventies it makes sense really to have a car that's a bit easier to drive.

So its going to be a straight swop

 

I've got to admit I didn't want to let this one go as its basically like a brand new car but I would be to scared to leave it or drive it anywhere its that good and it would of most probably become a garage queen in my ownership as I doubt there could be a better one in the country.

 

Here's some upside down picsjp

As you can see there's not a spot of rust underneath the old girl.

 

So this is going to be my new car which is in good order but not a patch on the BMW

But now I also have to put my sensible head on and sell my Collection of A4s

Both are low mileage examples and drive like a dream but I do prefer driving the older green one as its more autoshite in a povo spec way.

[EssDeeWon]

The E36 line are GR9 cars, well screwed together, not an awful lot to go wrong and not hugely expensive when they do..

 

The only issue I ever had with E36's is the headlights misting up, but thats an easy fix 

 

I wouldn't touch a new BMW, but I would buy a tidy e36 anyday.

 

Well bought Vince.

[mrbenn]

Very nice! A mate had a late E36 touring, felt very solid, like it could go on forever.

 

I do love the way your Dad keeps snaffling your new purchases!

[Vince70]

I can't really say no to him as in my younger days if I was skint and needed a car he always would give me the keys to whatever car he had or give the the money if I needed it to buy some old shite to get me from A to B so I guess it's payback time lol..

 

He would even give me the keys to his Low mileage mint Austin Ambassador Vandenplas in hearing aid beige (when it worked) so you can't get a better autoshite badge of honour than that.

[Bamboocarman]

Well I got some pictures of my new car at last but there's only one problem and that is my father liked it so much that I decided to let him have the car.

It will be easier for him to drive than his A3 as its an auto plus the steering is a lot lighter on the BMW and now he's in his mid seventies it makes sense really to have a car that's a bit easier to drive.

So its going to be a straight swop

 

I've got to admit I didn't want to let this one go as its basically like a brand new car but I would be to scared to leave it or drive it anywhere its that good and it would of most probably become a garage queen in my ownership as I doubt there could be a better one in the country.

 

Here's some upside down picsimage.jpgimage.jpgjpimage.jpgimage.jpg

As you can see there's not a spot of rust underneath the old girl.

image.jpgimage.jpg

 

So this is going to be my new car which is in good order but not a patch on the BMWimage.jpg

But now I also have to put my sensible head on and sell my Collection of A4simage.jpg

image.jpg

Both are low mileage examples and drive like a dream but I do prefer driving the older green one as its more autoshite in a povo spec way.

Hi Vince, what's the info / spec on the blue Audi, please? £££, MoT, etc; thanks, Kevin.

[Vince70]

I've got to put a fresh mot on the blue Audi A4 as its only got a month to go so I've booked it in for a test on Friday.

 

The mileage on the old girl is 58000 but I don't have any service history with it but the old online mots seem to back it up and it drives and looks like a 58000 mile Audi and the seat bolsters etc all still look like new and doesn't use any oil and water but I think it may have had some paint in the past on the bonnet and rear quarter but it's been done well and I only know because I have OCD and no one else seems to be able to see it lol.

 

It's a 1.8 petrol SE so you get a few mod cons with the old girl such as climate control and traction control and a nice radio.

 

I only bought it for a spares and repairs car (to retro fit some bits into the older green one) as I was told it it needed a new ecu plus cat plus a couple of sensors (diagnosed by a trustworthy garage) which would of cost £100s if not £1000s to fix and all it needed was a MAF sensor..

 

It even comes with drug dealer tinted windows which I haven't removed as the tints have grown on me and with the low sun at the moment are really a godsend.

 

If your really interested it won't be as expensive as most on the market as it doesn't owe me a great deal but it cleans up nice and does look a picture since I fitted a new set of centre caps to the alloys.

 

Obviously I can't sell it till the new mot is put on it but your more than welcome to come round and have a look and take it for a drive, I'm using it everyday for work at the moment but it doesn't get used at weekends.

[Bamboocarman]

Thanks V, will get back to you, if I can arrange to be in E Sussex next weekend, K.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Dont some of the 4cyls have timing chain issues. weak tensioner which causes the chain to jump and smash the plastic guides?

 

Yes, but it's the N42 from 2001, a horrid POS fitted to the E46 from the 2001 facelift. Avoid at all costs.

[lovejoy]

Vince, pity the car's in Australia !!!