At 39 I finally got around got passing my test...and I’d like a motor. My Dad had a E30 318i years ago when I was growing up and it ended up with a starship mileage. It just went and went. I live in central London so an automatic is probably sensible...I found a nice 323i cab from 98 with 60k miles. I know nothing about cars so I just want one that will ‘go’...and look just ever so slightly sexy! This is on offer for £3k. How do I avoid buying a dog? I have absolutely no idea what to look for! Is there a BMW specialist in London I can pay a ton to come out with me a give it a once over? Maybe agree to use him to service it? Or do I just go in blind and hope for the best?
What do I really need to watch out for and/or where can I read up on this?
Thank you vm for any help anyone can give.
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Rust is your enemy here.
Looking at the MoT history, it looks like it has a few of the usual BMW things, (brake pipes have been done which is good), but no corrosion.
Make sure the autobox changes smoothly. A coolant leak was mentioned last year. That want careful checking too.
Car chat. Nearly as dull as football chat. One for G&D surely?
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
It is an old car and a high price. As with watches - buy the seller. I would want a good service history and an owner who has had it for years with invoices for work done
A 21 year old convertible, good luck.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Not the place for car chat should be in George & Dragon
Get the AA to do an independent check.
G & D
Wheel arch rust...beware
Make sure you have an insurance quote before buying something like that as a new driver.
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I had a E36 323i saloon many years ago and it was a great car. Other than usual servicing, all it ever needed was brake pipes, a noisy V-belt replacing and the exhaust heat shield around the diff re-securing as it had corroded. I'm sure body rust is more of an issue now.
I would definitely recommend a good indy look it over before purchase. I'd probably go for a coupe as I'm sure the hood could be problematic (& leaky) given the age.
Good luck though - nice cars. I loved mine.
You might want to Google ULEZ before buying a pre-2016 car if you live in London. Congrats on paying your test OP.
And this is on WT because??
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