1997 BMW E36 318i Touring in Morea Green Metallic
The Good
Owned by me for two and a half years (and 20k miles) this car has been ultra reliable and never once failed to get me to my destination. Whilst it is now in need of some tlc I believe it is far too good to scrap and is a bargain for someone. Only a change in route to work and the decision to move to a smaller car has led to this sale.
MOT until November 2012
Tax until End October 2012
132k miles with good service history
All original glove box pack, books and torch.
Electric Windows
Electric Sunroof
Electric Mirrors
Power Steering
ABS
Airbag
Rare Climate Control (Air con is cool but needs a regas)
5 Speed Manual
New Clutch 12k miles ago
Recent New Battery
Recent Front Wheel Bearings
Recent Ball Joints
Recent Auxiliary Belts
As you can see this is a clean looking original car, unmessed with and still wearing it's original dealer number plates. There are a few scuffs, chips and marks but for a 15 year old car it is well above average and will even return 38-40mpg with a light foot. A reliable, load lugging daily for someone. There is a small amount of bubbling to one rear arch (other arches are fine) which is an E36 failing and in E36 terms this is nothing, most are completely rotten! This would be easy to sort but I have left 'raw' so you can see what's what.
The Not So Good
The car is cheap and it is cheap for a reason. I have detailed the problems below giving my honest opinion but it is your responsibility to assess the car yourself. I don't believe any of the problems are serious and if you are handy with a spanner you will have a good car for little outlay.
1) The car is overdue a service and is a little lumpy/jumpy when cold and when pulling away from a standing start. Once on the move the car drives and performs as it should. I would still trust this car to drive anywhere and on a recent 200 plus mile return journey to the North Lakes the car performed comfortably, faultlessly and returned 43mpg. There is a bit of a knack to pulling away at the moment and this is the one thing that really needs attention. In my humble opinion this is a trivial ignition/timing/electrical fault rather than a terminal failure.
2) The car needs 4 tyres. They are still legal but only just. I had figured on good parts worns for circa £20 a corner and intended to get the tracking done at the same time.
3) The ABS light is on due to a faulty sensor. A simple test will ascertain which one is at fault (there is one on each wheel) and then you can buy an appropriate sensor on ebay for circa £15.
4) The passenger door doesn't centrally lock/unlock from the driver's door. It can be locked/unlocked from the passenger lock and will also lock the rest of the car from here so a simple fix I think. To be honest it's been like that since I got the car and never bothered me enough to investigate.
Price
The cheapest equivalent car on Auto Trader is £700 but taking into account the work required and due to the fact that I've already replaced the car I am prepared to let it go for £350.
Talk to me.
More pictures to follow when I've washed and hoovered it (if it's not gone by then) Car is located near Warrington close to M6, M62 and M56 junctions.
Cheers,
Andy
The Good
Owned by me for two and a half years (and 20k miles) this car has been ultra reliable and never once failed to get me to my destination. Whilst it is now in need of some tlc I believe it is far too good to scrap and is a bargain for someone. Only a change in route to work and the decision to move to a smaller car has led to this sale.
MOT until November 2012
Tax until End October 2012
132k miles with good service history
All original glove box pack, books and torch.
Electric Windows
Electric Sunroof
Electric Mirrors
Power Steering
ABS
Airbag
Rare Climate Control (Air con is cool but needs a regas)
5 Speed Manual
New Clutch 12k miles ago
Recent New Battery
Recent Front Wheel Bearings
Recent Ball Joints
Recent Auxiliary Belts
As you can see this is a clean looking original car, unmessed with and still wearing it's original dealer number plates. There are a few scuffs, chips and marks but for a 15 year old car it is well above average and will even return 38-40mpg with a light foot. A reliable, load lugging daily for someone. There is a small amount of bubbling to one rear arch (other arches are fine) which is an E36 failing and in E36 terms this is nothing, most are completely rotten! This would be easy to sort but I have left 'raw' so you can see what's what.
The Not So Good
The car is cheap and it is cheap for a reason. I have detailed the problems below giving my honest opinion but it is your responsibility to assess the car yourself. I don't believe any of the problems are serious and if you are handy with a spanner you will have a good car for little outlay.
1) The car is overdue a service and is a little lumpy/jumpy when cold and when pulling away from a standing start. Once on the move the car drives and performs as it should. I would still trust this car to drive anywhere and on a recent 200 plus mile return journey to the North Lakes the car performed comfortably, faultlessly and returned 43mpg. There is a bit of a knack to pulling away at the moment and this is the one thing that really needs attention. In my humble opinion this is a trivial ignition/timing/electrical fault rather than a terminal failure.
2) The car needs 4 tyres. They are still legal but only just. I had figured on good parts worns for circa £20 a corner and intended to get the tracking done at the same time.
3) The ABS light is on due to a faulty sensor. A simple test will ascertain which one is at fault (there is one on each wheel) and then you can buy an appropriate sensor on ebay for circa £15.
4) The passenger door doesn't centrally lock/unlock from the driver's door. It can be locked/unlocked from the passenger lock and will also lock the rest of the car from here so a simple fix I think. To be honest it's been like that since I got the car and never bothered me enough to investigate.
Price
The cheapest equivalent car on Auto Trader is £700 but taking into account the work required and due to the fact that I've already replaced the car I am prepared to let it go for £350.
Talk to me.
More pictures to follow when I've washed and hoovered it (if it's not gone by then) Car is located near Warrington close to M6, M62 and M56 junctions.
Cheers,
Andy
