Thoughts on potential commuter car

[Dr. Phil]

Came across this car in my daily web surfing and may consider a third car to commute to work (at least in "good" weather). I have no prior knowledge on the 318Ti's.

Basic Info:

Mileage: 76K
Exterior: WHITE
Interior: TAN CLOTH
Price: $9900.00
5 SPEED, CLOTH INTERIOR, A/C, POWER EQUIPMENT, TRACTION CONTROL, WILL BE SOLD SERVICED, INSPECTED, WARRANTEED!

Any one ever owned one in this model year or have knowledge of the dependability, etc :dunno:

TIA

[·clyde·]

Originally posted by PM 325xiT
Came across this car in my daily web surfing and may consider a third car to commute to work (at least in "good" weather). I have no prior knowledge on the 318Ti's.

Basic Info:

Mileage: 76K
Exterior: WHITE
Interior: TAN CLOTH
Price: $9900.00
5 SPEED, CLOTH INTERIOR, A/C, POWER EQUIPMENT, TRACTION CONTROL, WILL BE SOLD SERVICED, INSPECTED, WARRANTEED!

Any one ever owned one in this model year or have knowledge of the dependability, etc :dunno:

TIA


Which model year would that be? :eeps:

[TD]

A lot of folks love to autox them. They are light.

The major con (or pro, depending on your view) is that, like the Z3, it uses the old E30 rear suspension. But all aspects of the car point to it being a 200K+ mile car. The engine is solid (once it gets a new head gasket - they ALL fail on this engine). And the rest of the car is pretty bulletproof.

My only comment is that that price seems high. You can get a good-condition '95 M3 coupe for under $15K. So $10K for a Ti strikes me as absurd. Although the mileage IS low.

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by TD
A lot of folks love to autox them. They are light.

The major con (or pro, depending on your view) is that, like the Z3, it uses the old E30 rear suspension. But all aspects of the car point to it being a 200K+ mile car. The engine is solid (once it gets a new head gasket - they ALL fail on this engine). And the rest of the car is pretty bulletproof.

My only comment is that that price seems high. You can get a good-condition '95 M3 coupe for under $15K. So $10K for a Ti strikes me as absurd. Although the mileage IS low.
First it is a 1997.

My initial thought was if after giving it the once over it looked clean and drove well, an offer in the lower 8k range. For a ride around to work car I was thinking this would fit the bill well for both insurance and mileage reasons. Thanks for the tip on the gasket, I will be sure to ask. THis is the same place that also has that 98 TV M3 so I guess I will force myself to drive both :bigpimp:

[JPinTO]

What about a Z4 3.0?

[darkmark]

Originally posted by PM 325xiT
[same place that also has that 98 TV M3 so I guess I will force myself to drive both

What's the gas mileage/maintenance schedule on that 98 M? I've almost convinced myself to get one.

[elbert]

I think your 325xiT is an ideal daily driver. AWD for lousy weather, plus enough room to be useful. Make that M3 (or ti) a dedicated track car.

[Patrick]

At least you would get better fuel economy vs your E46. Not sure if that is a concern, or if your daily commute is long enough to warrant any concerns about fuel consumption.

A friend of mine just traded in his 1994 Ti for a 1996 318iT, basically because he needed a little more room due to his new job. I drove his Compact three or four times and found it to be an easy city car to handle (albeit, "city" in Finland is different by leeps and bounds when compared to the US). Easy to park, easy to see out of, "quick", and overall an Ok car.

I suggest that you go and take it for a spin!

Patrick

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by elbert
I think your 325xiT is an ideal daily driver. AWD for lousy weather, plus enough room to be useful. Make that M3 (or ti) a dedicated track car.
Oh I have no complaints of daily driving my xiT it is just that I put 18,300 miles on it in one year and would not mind lowering that to a moderate level so it is around for a long time, especially for those lousy weather days. The 60 miles per day could result in some fuel savings if I were to opt for something along the 318 line:)

We will see :dunno:

Originally posted by JPin TO
What about a Z4 3.0?

Got an extra 30k burning in your pocket for me :confused: :bigpimp: :dunno:

Originally posted by Patrick 520iAT
I suggest that you go and take it for a spin!
Will do next week after todays snow/ice go away :thumbup:

[Patrick]

Originally posted by PM 325xiT
Will do next week after todays snow/ice go away :thumbup:

:mad: -14°F here today for a HIGH temperature.

Anyway, I agree with your idea of not putting sooo many miles on your ixT. A Compact might be an OK vehicle for that commute, but you have to drive it first and try not to make comparisions to your wagon.

Patrick

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by Patrick 520iAT
:mad: -14°F here today for a HIGH temperature.

Anyway, I agree with your idea of not putting sooo many miles on your ixT. A Compact might be an OK vehicle for that commute, but you have to drive it first and try not to make comparisions to your wagon.

Patrick
By compare I guess you me HP:dunno: The weight difference should help compensate, plus 5 sp v. auto :)

I still would eventual like to see the Mrs. driving the xiT full time, especially after the recent proving in severe conditions. Her and my son's safety are top priority:thumbup:

[mbr129]

I understand that VW is no BMW, but if you are concerned about reliability and fuel economy, you should look into a slightly used diesel jetta or golf. That thing would give you something absurd like 40 mpg, and diesel engines naturally are bulletproof. At least my slow-as-all-hell MB 190D was. :dunno:

[Mr. The Edge]

I vote for one of these:

http://neat-0.home.attbi.com/mini-gg-01.jpg

[mbr129]

I'd take a mini as well, but he is looking at 10K or under range. I thought a Mini was about twice that... IF you can get a hold of one.:eeps:

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by atyclb
I vote for one of these:


Ok JP.......oops..........aty :p Contributions excepted :bigpimp: :D

There is a used one at my dealer for ~ 19k, Blue/Black 5 sp :confused: :banghead:

[PhilH]

Adding another car to the stable will not save money (even if it keeps mileage off your xiT), so I say buy it only if you really want it.

[Mr. The Edge]

Originally posted by PM 325xiT
Ok JP.......oops..........aty :p Contributions excepted :bigpimp: :D

There is a used one at my dealer for ~ 19k, Blue/Black 5 sp :confused: :banghead:

Buy it for 18K, sell in 3 years for 12K->->->$2000/year to own it (plus maintenance items of course)

[Mr. The Edge]

Originally posted by PM 325xiT
Ok JP.......oops..........aty :p

:confused: :confused:

:dunno:

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by atyclb
:confused: :confused:

:dunno:
He offered up Z4 idea, so you both are getting into my pockets :eeps: ;)

[AF]

Originally posted by PhilH
Adding another car to the stable will not save money (even if it keeps mileage off your xiT), so I say buy it only if you really want it.

I agree with Phil H . . . the added expense of an extra car *costs* more money in the end , it doesn't save money. If you want a 3rd car for the fun of it, then get one, if your doing it for financial reasons, then you'd be making a mistake.

[ObD]

Think out of the box:

http://www.pennsylvania.com/images/amish-lg.jpg

























:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by Alan F
I agree with Phil H . . . the added expense of an extra car *costs* more money in the end , it doesn't save money. If you want a 3rd car for the fun of it, then get one, if your doing it for financial reasons, then you'd be making a mistake.
Oh I agree, it is not for financial but more longevity plus a little fun, plus a little better mileage, plus then I can get the Mrs. to drive the xiT more often as I will not drive her minivan to work.......:tsk:

We will see :dunno:

---------------------
@ OBD :mad: :eeps: :lmao: :lmao:

[teamdfl]

Originally posted by TD
...once it gets a new head gasket - they ALL fail on this engine...

The earlier 1.8 liter M42 motors were know for their failing PROFILE gaskets. Frequent coolant changes with factory coolant seemed to hold off profile gasket failure for a while but it seems that most M42s during the affected years needed to have that gasket replaced. The later 1.9 liter M44s, such as the one in a '97 318ti, are not susceptible to profile gasket failure.


Ed

[teamdfl]

I have looked on and off for a 318ti for myself for the past couple years. I always thought a ti would serve well as a commuter/winter beater for a few years. After a couple years, an S5x motor transplant would turn it into a practical M Coupe.


Ed

[bren]

My wife is dying for a 318ti; but she only likes the M sport model...gotta love her :D

If you do get a 318ti I would suggest looking for one with the M package...you should be able to find one within your price range.



Here's One (http://www.autotrader.com/as/fyc/vdp_bridge.jsp?car_id=98262964&dealer_id=81230&make=BMW&distance=100&max_price=&model=318TI&advcd_on=n&end_year=1998&min_price=&certified=n&address=21093&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1995&color=&car_year=1997) that even has the "California Top", the price on this one is very high....but it's all I could find doing a quick autotrader search.

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by bren
My wife is dying for a 318ti; but she only likes the M sport model...gotta love her :D

If you do get a 318ti I would suggest looking for one with the M package...you should be able to find one within your price range.



Here's One (http://www.autotrader.com/as/fyc/vdp_bridge.jsp?car_id=98262964&dealer_id=81230&make=BMW&distance=100&max_price=&model=318TI&advcd_on=n&end_year=1998&min_price=&certified=n&address=21093&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1995&color=&car_year=1997) that even has the "California Top", the price on this one is very high....but it's all I could find doing a quick autotrader search.
LOL

That car is the one that elfhearse went to check out for Jon M:D I guess he did not win the bid yet ;)

[JonM]

I had a 96 318ti California. It is my second favorite BMW of all time. I preferred it to my 97 Z3 2.8, even though the 2.8 had way more power.

For a commuter car an Active is fine. But you will be happier with a Sport if you can swing one.

318ti's are fun, they get great mileage, and they are trouble free. Some day - after I buy a bike - I will have one again.

I recommend the ti to all BMW enthusiasts. It makes a great first car, a great commuter car, and it can be a formidable track car. They aren't worth much used either.

The 318ti mailing list has some of the nicest BMW owners you will ever meet. I never got into the social aspect of the Z3 crowd because I have always been partial to the ti guys. http://www.318ti.org

http://www.LeatherZ.com/art/tiext.jpg
96 318ti Exclusive Edition, California.
Montreal Blue/Dove Gray
5 speed
ASC
H&R/Bilsteins
17" BBS RK
Z3 X-brace
VDO Vision Series Gauges
E36 M3 Exclusive Edition chrome interior package
Z3 chrome interior door handles
...T-boned, frame bent by jackass in front of USC.

[nate]

You should sell the XiT for a manual RWD iT

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by nate328Ci
You should sell the XiT for a manual RWD iT
:tsk:

No way, the xiT has proven itself and will stay in the stable :thumbup:

[nate]

Originally posted by PM 325xiT
:tsk:

No way, the xiT has proven itself and will stay in the stable :thumbup: But, you never gave the RWD manual a chance :bawling:

[·clyde·]

Originally posted by PM 325xiT
:tsk:

No way, the xiT has proven itself and will stay in the stable :thumbup:

Nate also doesn't have a wife. :too busy to find the right smilie:

[HW]

personally, i'd go with a used integra or a used subie impreza (awd). great mileage, excellent reliability, still pretty decent handling (integra is one of the best fwd cars) or awd for "all weather driving" :dunno:

[nate]

Yea, Phil: get the Integra Type R :thumbup:

[AF]

Originally posted by nate328Ci
Yea, Phil: get the Integra Type R :thumbup:


NOW WE'RE TALKING !!!!!

If he gets one of those, he'll never want to drive his bimmer again!!

[Mystikal]

Phil knows all about Integra's. Ask him about the riced out GS-R he used to have. :p

I was tooling around in my sister's 1995 Integra RS last time she came to visit. It has a custom cat-back exhaust, and it's LOUD AS HELL. But it added to the rev-match fun, as well as the most responsive throttle I have ever felt in a car. Never off my more than 100rpm on downshifts, I swear. :thumbup: VROOOOOOOOMMMMM...pop-pop....VVVRRRROOOOOOOOOMMMMM....:D After getting used to a 323 cars with audible exhausts are an exciting treat.

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by Mystikal
Phil knows all about Integra's. Ask him about the riced out GS-R he used to have. :p

I was tooling around in my sister's 1995 Integra RS last time she came to visit. It has a custom cat-back exhaust, and it's LOUD AS HELL. But it added to the rev-match fun, as well as the most responsive throttle I have ever felt in a car. Never off my more than 100rpm on downshifts, I swear. :thumbup: VROOOOOOOOMMMMM...pop-pop....VVVRRRROOOOOOOOOMMMMM....:D After getting used to a 323 cars with audible exhausts are an exciting treat.
Yep been there done that :D

[Dr. Phil]

Originally posted by nate328Ci
But, you never gave the RWD manual a chance :bawling:
Oh I would like them too, but the xi took me through so rough stuff over the past 2 weeks. Smaller toy car as an extra is whay I'm thinking;)