auto help0r!

[Testin da Cable]

first this: I know nothing about cars, nothing at all. I do know how to drive (reasonably well heh) though and have owned cars in the past

now this: a local autodealer has a BMW 3-serie 316i Coupé Executive built 1996 for a seemingly reasonable price. it looks pretty and has 2 doors, 4 wheels, ABS, dual airbags, bumpers/mirrors in body colour, central locking, electric mirrors and windows, interior wood panelling, 15" alloy wheels, power steering and has been dealer serviced. oh, and "only" 73000 km on the clock (which isn't very much compared to others of that age)

finally this: can someone please advise me if it's wise to get it, things I should watch for in a BMW of that type etc. I've googled but somehow I can't seem to find proper reviews for some off reason

thanks in advance!!

 

[GDW]

If its in good shape, low mileage and has a bit of warrenty, say 3 months, then you cant go far wrong with any BMW.

This model is a tad underpowered so dont be suprised if you out accelerated by a Clio. That said you dont sound like you'd be buying it for its poke.

 

[doh_boy]

I remember the car show (dunno the name) on ch4 was ok for advice like this. They showed you what to look for on certain cars. I can't find specialist info BUT

General used car stuff

 

[jaba]

what is the 'reasonable' price mate? I just bought a 318i recently its a 94 reg, for £3300, had about 88000 miles on it. Ive had no trouble with it at all and its an absolute dream to drive. As already said the 316's are a bit underpowered as they are quite large(ish) cars weight wise and its only a small engine. But one of those cars saved a mates life recently so they cant be too bad!

 

[Testin da Cable]

in pounds it's 6,912.46 GBP, and 73000km is about 45500 miles.

I'm not particularly in it for the power of the engine, I'm trying to get nice quality for a reasonable price (a big engine is nice though heehee )

 

[jaba]

I just did a quick search on autotrader for the same model, and there are cars that are newer (2 years) and with about the same miles for less money about £5,995...it didnt say if it had all the fancy stuff yours had or not, but this was like 2 cars the rest were around the same price as yours. So it seems like a good deal if youre happy with it

 

[GDW]

Shouldnt second hand cars be cheaper in Europe mainland than in UK, after all they are certainly cheaper when they are new.

That said you will always pay a premium when buying from dealer, just make sure you get a half decent warrrenty from them

 

[Testin da Cable]

indeed, but re the other thing...I've found many a time that cars (in general) are less costly to buy in england than here on the mainland for some reason.

 

[GDW]

Second hand car market must be pretty saturated in Uk mainland then

 

[Testin da Cable]

it seems so, and naturally your cars are flawed by having their steering wheels on the wrong side

 

[DaGaffer]

Coz the pound isn't a strong as it was and the EU block exemption rule changes, its not often cheaper to get cars in Europe anymore; in fact we've gone from most expensive to one of the cheapest.

The old shape coupe is a very good car and BMW's are pretty reliable, but, be aware that servicing is pretty expensive if you want to keep up the service history. Is there a Dutch equivalent of the RAC/AA? They do car checks for you here to make sure you're not buying a lemon.

 

[Testin da Cable]

Originally posted by DaGaffer
The old shape coupe is a very good car and BMW's are pretty reliable, but, be aware that servicing is pretty expensive if you want to keep up the service history. Is there a Dutch equivalent of the RAC/AA? They do car checks for you here to make sure you're not buying a lemon.

yes, so I hear from a mate at work. he claims that cars a la bmw, mercedes et al cost fortunes to service at "authorised" dealers. speaking of car dealers...they scare the heck out of me due to the myriad stories of bad deals / rip-offs / shoddy service. still, I expect it's much like working in IT: you only hear the bad, never the good.

there is a Dutch version called the ANWB, and they will indeed go over a car with a fine toothed comb for you if you request (and pay) for it. the first ever dealer I mentioned it to tried to talk me out of it stating high costs and the quality of his own workplace as reasons not to have it done, but he did say that if I wanted to really have it done he'd be happy to have the car taken there etc.

 

[Insane]

Originally posted by DaGaffer
They do car checks for you here to make sure you're not buying a lemon.

wish i had of done that when i was buying my new car, then i wouldn't have bought it

 

[Tom]

From what I remember when I was buying my car, BMW are pretty stingy on the basic components, so it sounds like the one you're looking at has a reasonably good spec. Have a sniff around some newsgroups.

If a car has high mileage for its age, chances are its been on the motorway most of its life, therefore it will be sweet. Your's sounds like its been pootling around town, so you might be wise to check the clutch/gearbox etc.

 

[Testin da Cable]

Originally posted by Tom
If a car has high mileage for its age, chances are its been on the motorway most of its life, therefore it will be sweet. Your's sounds like its been pootling around town, so you might be wise to check the clutch/gearbox etc.

ooh, very good indeed! I'd never have deduced that myself you know...for some reason I've got "low mileage = better" fixed in my mind.

 

[Gumbo]

Originally posted by Testin da Cable
cars (in general) are less costly to buy in england than here on the mainland for some reason.

Please, please don't refer to The Continent as 'The Mainland'.

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by Testin da Cable
ooh, very good indeed! I'd never have deduced that myself you know...for some reason I've got "low mileage = better" fixed in my mind.

Not necessarily - think 'young mum with kids' vs 'regular motorway driver' in terms of mechanical wear.

 

[Testin da Cable]

now that's just scary talk pardner

 

[Xavier]

then you don't want to visualise a gearbox full of metal filings and loose parts which should be attached somewhere

(oops, heh)

 

[Testin da Cable]

shut up!! shut up!!!

 

[Xavier]

sorry mate, to be honest it sounds pretty spinky, just get someone to give it the once-over just in case

Xav

 

[Testin da Cable]

heh no worries, but tbh I'm a bit freaked out over the whole mileage thign. I suspect I can get a younger car that is cheaper because the mileage on it is higher. I'll just have to find one that looks the best visually and figure out what to do then.

 

[GDW]

Originally posted by Gumbo
Please, please don't refer to The Continent as 'The Mainland'.

Why not? Its a lot more to offer than that island you live on

 

[Testin da Cable]

and it's bigger!! size matters!!

 

[Gumbo]

But the Island I live on is not just a small piece cut off a mainland European Superstate, akin to the Isle of White being an Island off the mainland of Britain.

We do not (yet) belong to the rest of you sausage swallowing, dope smoking, cheese eating surrender monkeys, and I have no wish to be cast as a subservient floating province just off the coast of Mainland Europa.

On the other hand I may just be spouting shite for the sake of it.

Good luck with the car TeeeeeDeeeeCeee, but if you're going for a Beemer, look at any of them with a 6 cylinder engine as the 316's are too wheezy, even for someone who doesn't care too much.

 

[Testin da Cable]

the nation of yurp will get you yet Gumbo

as to the car thing, I notice that loads of the 6cyl BMWs for sale (318? 323? can't remember rightly) tend to have automatic gearing. which sucks. I'd like a 6cyl though...must find a good one with manual shift

 

[Tom]

TDC that car will be fine up to 200k. Don't worry about the mileage, larger engines run smoother for longer.

 

[Gumbo]

Yay, I made it into someones sig