Purchased First BMW

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DravidDavid

1907 posts

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#175524 2-Jul-2015 15:38

Purchased first BMW, for the chick.

1998 BMW 318ti M-Sport

86,000KM on the clock
10 years of service records. Purchased from a lady who used it as a a shopping car who purchased it NZ new at 24,000KM.

Aware of all the cooling issues, so we'll definitely be keeping an eye on that. She was going to get a Corolla, but hates the numb feeling they produce when driving. She calls it "a driving simulator" as she feels detached from the car. She said this is a dream to drive, nice and tight on the road. Dealer level diagnostic scan came up clean and had a fresh WOF end of last week. Paint is in excellent condition!

Purchased it for $2,600 so she's pretty happy. I've already taken the time to sign up to all the appropriate forums. Any advice for new 3 series owners would be appreciated. What I do want to find, is a dealer that will be able to use the VIN and pull all the records I don't have and add them in. Records from BMW from when it was still under warranty in the 90's. I've heard that can be done, but not 100% sure.

Features as per the VIN checker:

- M SPORT PACKAGE
- M SPORT SUSPENSION
- M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
- SLIDING/VENT ROOF, ELECTRIC
- AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL+TRACTION
- AIRBAG FOR FRONT PASSENGER
- FLOOR MATS, VELOUR
- REMOTE CONTROL FOR CENTRAL LOCKING
- REAR WINDSCREEN WIPER
- GREEN STRIPE WINDSCREEN
- WINDOW LIFTS, ELECTRIC AT FRONT
- WARNING TRIANGLE
- SMOKERS PACKAGE
- SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
- FOGLIGHTS
- AIR CONDITIONING
- SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING
- RADIO PREPARATION
- CD CHANGER I-BUS PREPARATION
- WHITE DIRECTION INDICATOR LIGHTS
- JAPAN VERSION
- MAIN BATTERY SWITCH
- HOT CLIMATE VERSION
- ACOUSTIC BELT WARNING
- INFRARED REMOTE CONTROL
- SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE
- TYIRE CONTROL

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#1335852 2-Jul-2015 15:42

Make sure you have enough cash for the next 6 months ;-P

I am curious to know why you need the records from the 90s?

DravidDavid

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#1335863 2-Jul-2015 15:51

nakedmolerat: Make sure you have enough cash for the next 6 months ;-P

I am curious to know why you need the records from the 90s?

Haha, she's hardly going to be driving it for a while, but I'll get my guy to give it a good once over and have it aligned.

I just think it would be interesting to see what was done to it way back. An insight in to what might go wrong in the future, perhaps?

We were looking at a 1997 E38 inline-6 728i, but she didn't like the idea of the large motor and running costs. I liked it though! In that case, it would be important to get records from when it was under warranty due to recalls on the motor. I don't know much about it but apparently the fuel in some countries ate away the coating inside and the block and pistons needed replacing.

We'll see how this goes. Other people seem to find they get good milage are cheap to maintain and fairly reliable minus one or two things that may or may not come up. Hence looking for one with low kilometers. :)

mdooher

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#1335866 2-Jul-2015 15:56

Replace the front A-arm bushing..guaranteed to need doing, especially on the M-sport. With that little baby done and the rear swing arm bushing replaced it will begin to handle like the ultimate driving machine again.

oh.. do this before you get it aligned

(if you don't notice the difference you don't deserve a BMW

)

Matthew

DravidDavid

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#1335872 2-Jul-2015 16:00

mdooher: Replace the front A-arm bushing..guaranteed to need doing, especially on the M-sport. With that little baby done and the rear swing arm bushing replaced it will begin to handle like the ultimate driving machine again.

oh.. do this before you get it aligned

Exactly the kind of stuff I was after! I'll look in to both of these, thanks! :)

mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#1335877 2-Jul-2015 16:04

DravidDavid:
mdooher: Replace the front A-arm bushing..guaranteed to need doing, especially on the M-sport. With that little baby done and the rear swing arm bushing replaced it will begin to handle like the ultimate driving machine again.

oh.. do this before you get it aligned

Exactly the kind of stuff I was after! I'll look in to both of these, thanks! :)

plenty of DIY videos out there. I've done it a few times. the secret is lube the shaft with kero (or soap if you don't like to melt the rubber on to the shaft) and using tie down ratchet strap thingie you can sort of pull it onto the arm.

Matthew

fizzychicken

313 posts

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#1335879 2-Jul-2015 16:06

I have one, that I've done various things to. Known issues:

headliner will (if it hasnt already) detach from the roof and need re-upholster
https://www.flickr.com/photos/catcameron/sets/72157628039324848
to compact everything into the smaller ti body, the car is full of 'plastic' clips and connectors to reduce size...these all become brittle and snap over time, I am constantly finding things that need replacing...but they are generally cheap. I drove over something which flipped up and pierced my radiator, after replacing it I lost coolant on two further occasions leading to overheat related break down...plastic clip holding hoses on to radiator snapped, then bolts/clamps on head block were not secure....replaced both these minor things and issue was resolved.
rear speakers are in a stupid pear shape tilted holder...had to manufacture my own brackets when I replaced them with standard round speakers.
tinted all the windows (personal choice)
had engine mount bolts redone as I would have annoying rumble on idle...pure age/wear and tear thing.
had full powered tow bar made and fitted (for my bikes...never actually towed anything with it)
Had fault in passenger side seat sensor after I unhooked it to clean under the seat (fires belt pull and airbag) which was just a reporting fault...bought the diagnostic tool and a quick reset of data got rid of that
http://www.stahlcar.nz/diagnostic-tools/obd1-tools/obd1-handheld/bmw-diagnostic-tool
bent one window holder clip on the electric assembly...the grease on these moving parts within the doors can freeze hard (who knew?) and over night in national park in 2012 it froze and when I tried to lower the window a clip broke.....again stupid plastic clips.

I hardly drive mine anymore as I walk to and from work, it hasn't cost me all that much to maintain and there is plenty of room in the driving position when the seat is lowered (I am 2 meters tall). More than anything, having a good honest mechanic on hand is the key...I use http://burgersmotorworks.co.nz/ nice and cheap and knows what he is doing...but above all that he is honest and trustworthy.

my air con has now stopped working but simply because it has become disconnected, the attachment to funnel air into the car has come free so I get neither hot or cold or aircon/heat air coming through anywhere.
I will soon replace the boot arms as they leak air and dont hold the door up in cold weather, and my driver side floormat needs replacing....other than that it's all good, but I probably will sell it once I fix the issues as I need a bigger car (family)

https://keybase.io/fizzychicken

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#1335920 2-Jul-2015 16:17

fizzychicken: I have one, that I've done various things to. Known issues:

headliner will (if it hasnt already) detach from the roof and need re-upholster
https://www.flickr.com/photos/catcameron/sets/72157628039324848
to compact everything into the smaller ti body, the car is full of 'plastic' clips and connectors to reduce size...these all become brittle and snap over time, I am constantly finding things that need replacing...but they are generally cheap. I drove over something which flipped up and pierced my radiator, after replacing it I lost coolant on two further occasions leading to overheat related break down...plastic clip holding hoses on to radiator snapped, then bolts/clamps on head block were not secure....replaced both these minor things and issue was resolved.
rear speakers are in a stupid pear shape tilted holder...had to manufacture my own brackets when I replaced them with standard round speakers.
tinted all the windows (personal choice)
had engine mount bolts redone as I would have annoying rumble on idle...pure age/wear and tear thing.
had full powered tow bar made and fitted (for my bikes...never actually towed anything with it)
Had fault in passenger side seat sensor after I unhooked it to clean under the seat (fires belt pull and airbag) which was just a reporting fault...bought the diagnostic tool and a quick reset of data got rid of that
http://www.stahlcar.nz/diagnostic-tools/obd1-tools/obd1-handheld/bmw-diagnostic-tool
bent one window holder clip on the electric assembly...the grease on these moving parts within the doors can freeze hard (who knew?) and over night in national park in 2012 it froze and when I tried to lower the window a clip broke.....again stupid plastic clips.

I hardly drive mine anymore as I walk to and from work, it hasn't cost me all that much to maintain and there is plenty of room in the driving position when the seat is lowered (I am 2 meters tall). More than anything, having a good honest mechanic on hand is the key...I use http://burgersmotorworks.co.nz/ nice and cheap and knows what he is doing...but above all that he is honest and trustworthy.

my air con has now stopped working but simply because it has become disconnected, the attachment to funnel air into the car has come free so I get neither hot or cold or aircon/heat air coming through anywhere.
I will soon replace the boot arms as they leak air and dont hold the door up in cold weather, and my driver side floormat needs replacing....other than that it's all good, but I probably will sell it once I fix the issues as I need a bigger car (family)

Sounds like the usual stuff with an odd-big thing here or there. How many kilometers has yours got on it?

Apparently the rear speakers have a habit of rotting out. I have a good honest mechanic, he's not a BMW fan though! :)

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mdooher

Hmm, what to write...
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#1335927 2-Jul-2015 16:22

First time the hatch drops on HER head you will be replacing the gas struts...Ask me how I know

Matthew

fizzychicken

313 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1335929 2-Jul-2015 16:23

bought in 2011/12 with about 155,000 on it, when I moved closer to work over 2 years ago I had about 189 on it, now I'm at 193 which just shows how little I need to drive it these days. I have never met a mechanic who actually likes any car...the one that is ok is any other than the one you have taken in...and even then they aren't that good. I do like my car, it is comfortable for me, very cheap to run and it is a very nice and comfortable ride above 100, below that and I just stick to the woman's corolla.

https://keybase.io/fizzychicken

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#1335930 2-Jul-2015 16:24

DravidDavid:

Apparently the rear speakers have a habit of rotting out. I have a good honest mechanic, he's not a BMW fan though! :)

Probably a good thing then, he'll be looking for things to go wrong with it :) (And then proceed to tell you why brand X is so much better as hes fixing the BMW)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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lchiu7

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#1335937 2-Jul-2015 16:31

Features as per the VIN checker:

What is the VIN checker? I wouldn't mind knowing what my E34 540i had versus what it has :-)

Thanks

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

DravidDavid

1907 posts

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#1335942 2-Jul-2015 16:46

lchiu7:

Features as per the VIN checker:

What is the VIN checker? I wouldn't mind knowing what my E34 540i had versus what it has :-)

Thanks

http://www.bmwvin.com/ :)

lchiu7

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#1335978 2-Jul-2015 17:45

DravidDavid:
lchiu7:

Features as per the VIN checker:

What is the VIN checker? I wouldn't mind knowing what my E34 540i had versus what it has :-)

Thanks

http://www.bmwvin.com/ :)

Thanks

Looks like my BMW has the options it came with.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

DravidDavid

1907 posts

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#1336255 3-Jul-2015 10:14

lchiu7:
DravidDavid:
lchiu7:

Features as per the VIN checker:

What is the VIN checker? I wouldn't mind knowing what my E34 540i had versus what it has :-)

Thanks

http://www.bmwvin.com/ :)

Thanks

Looks like my BMW has the options it came with.

Yea, it seems pretty accurate.

We pick the car up on Monday. I'm looking forward to driving it. :)

CitizenErased

207 posts

Master Geek

#1336344 3-Jul-2015 11:57

DravidDavid: Purchased from a lady who used it as a a shopping car who purchased it NZ new at 24,000KM.

That makes it a used import. "NZ new" means sold brand new in New Zealand.

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