2003 Bmw 3 Series 318 Ci Se 2Dr Coupe 2.0

[Eric The Red]

Hi Guys, just joined now, maybe this question should put elsewhere on the forum so feel free to move it if necessary. at the moment i have a 318i standard, i was thinking abt buying the titled car but have been told the 16v engines are trouble and to steer clear of them, is this true and if so why,

Thanks

Rob

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Hi Robert, you're ok here for now... Welcome aboard matey...

They may be putting you off the engine more than the car itself ! Try a straight-six version of this model as these are by far the better (if not best) engine !!

[BigAl]

Welcome Rob, Enjoy the forum. :D

[Eric The Red]

Cheers guys for the welcome, when you say straight six what size enigine is that?

Thanks

Rob

[Snypa-D]

Welcome to BMWOC

straight six is by far the best :)

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

The straight-six comes in (mainly) three guises... (M52) 2.3, 2.5 and 2.8...

The 2.8 was the max that BMW dared with; 2.3 and 2.5 are better capable of accepting upgrades... These engines are sweet matey...

[Eric The Red]

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201204445132775/sort/priceasc/usedcars/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/price-to/3000/body-type/coupe/price-from/1000/model/3_series/make/bmw/page/1/postcode/wa130es/radius/60?logcode=p

Is this vehicle value for money, plus when i put the reg in for insurance it came up as not listed is this a concern

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Looks a good car mate... Only showing as "Not Insured"

http://ownvehicle.askmid.com/askmid.aspx

[Eric The Red]

I have also been looking at this 1, http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3563234.htm, another issue i have is high mileage, is 120k + problematic.

Thanks

Rob

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

120k is nothing to a BMW !! But not a fan of rosso-red on that one...

[Eric The Red]

Sorry for posting another advert, this is the last, http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201150435566381/sort/priceasc/usedcars/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/price-to/4000/body-type/coupe/price-from/1000/model/3_series/make/bmw/page/3/radius/60/postcode/wa130es?logcode=p

If i may ask your advice jack, what BM should i go for, 3-4k spend,

Thanks

Rob

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

How about a late E39 535i ??

Or the last E46 335i or 330di ??

Your max milage consideration for your budget should be around the 110k mark !!

Have you noticed I offered you choices NOT including the straghit-six petrol? 528/328 is more than enough (and great engines too! The best)... Not sure what you want matey...

[G4VHD]

Seems a little expensive, it don't mention service history.

[G4VHD]

As Dabsy said, straight 6 or any diesel in a BMW will be good.

4 pot petrols are slow, thirsty and generally bad news

[Eric The Red]

Cheers guys, if i can elaborate my requirements, 2dr coupe, decent fuel econ as i only travel 10 miles to work, im not a speed merchant so power is not a priority, but nice to have, it has to be a 3 series, also is it better to go for manuel or auto.

Thanks

Rob

[G4VHD]

320cd imo then dude.

Post facelift, 150 bhp 247lbs ft

45+mpg

Change the swirl flaps and its bullet proof

[Eric The Red]

320cd imo then dude.

Post facelift, 150 bhp 247lbs ft

45+mpg

Change the swirl flaps and its bullet proof

Gav, i cant find a decent 320cd in my price bracket, not a 2dr anyway, most are 4dr and are 136bhp 206lbs ft or am i looking at the wrong size engine and wrong year, also the 4dr are 4cylinder 16v

[stebaz47]

straight 6 always

[Eric The Red]

What is post facelift?

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Post facelift is AFTER changes were made to that model, often just called facelift as you would normally only have one facelift before they totally replace that model.

(Just what I said to the missus the other day !!!)

[Eric The Red]

320cd imo then dude.

Post facelift, 150 bhp 247lbs ft

45+mpg

Change the swirl flaps and its bullet proof

Dabsy, i cant find anywhere this vehicle that gav has mentioned, every 320d is only 4 cyl 16v, the only straight 6 are 330, am i missing something

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

No mate, think you spotted it !

But Gav was giving you an option for economy !!

[Eric The Red]

Thanks Dabsy, i did slightly miss it tho, in another reply by Gav he says 4 cyl petrol are thirsty, i missed the petrol bit and took it as all 4 cyl were bad, so a 320d 4cyl 8v or 16v is a good enough vehicle.

Thanks

Rob

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Yep, depends on your preferences ! As Gav says - Diesel YES (maybe a 330ci lol)

But power and modability = 325 petrol ... Do not want to confuse you Hahahaha

[bradjammin]

Hey folks,

Just joined here too and this is the first thread I stumbled accross. Just bough a 2002 318ci with 85k mile for £2k. Thought I was laughing cause it was well looked after. Have driven it all of 20 miles and its overheating every 10 minutes. Apparently big heavy car and wee engine arent the best combo. I'm looking at putting a 2.8 into it with all the bits that come with. Hoping that by the end if I spend £1k I'll have a decent motor. Wasn't aware of these pitfalls as i'm new to the BMW world.

B