1996 318ti For sale at Dealer

[TrzTi]

Actually passed up on this one. Needs head valve gasket work, smokes a little at start, and has the "Cyclinder 1 Misfire" interior and body needs cleaning. Best to offer very low or half the $2999 asking price.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...7&aff=national

Dealer Link above

[huckaboo]

how does this car have a tilt steering wheel?

[tiFreak]

Originally Posted by huckaboo

how does this car have a tilt steering wheel?

probably someone just clicking on check boxes without actually looking at the car

[TrzTi]

Yeah, owner/dealer looked a little sketchy and there were 5 other BMW's 2000-2004 3 series. the 318ti DOES have 110k miles so that's a plus.

[jca]

Remember the adage in car buying: Buy the best example that you can afford. You rarely come out financially buying a cheap fixer upper intending to make it right

[5rings]

I am new to this list and the 318ti world and after reading this thread, I realized I should have started here first.

I just looked at the 1996 318ti in VA referred to above and agreed that it was a little rough but offered him $2500. I drove the car and it actually drove OK. The dealer said that the spark plugs were replaced and the error code cleared.

I was looking for a cheap 318ti project car that wasn't too bad and everything else for less were in worse shape, many more miles or to far away to inspect and drive before buying.

TrzTi, are you saying to stay away?

I have two other BMWs (E39 and E46) that I work on and maintain so I figured a lot of the work needed I can do myself.

[TrzTi]

Hello there and welcome

If the dealer replaced the spark plugs, that's a plus. The car does need a value head gasket replacement, no question.

If you can DIY it (not too bad) yourself, then I'd go for it. The mileage was pretty low and has a lot of life left. Not sure about emissions, though.

If you noticed, it had a new rad, thermostat housing (probably new thermostat too), and new hoses.

Moe (dealer) and I agreed on $2400 but I never went back. I went to this site and found something else.

If I had the money, I would buy this car in Frederick $8995 with only 25k orginial miles.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by 5rings

I am new to this list and the 318ti world and after reading this thread, I realized I should have started here first.

I just looked at the 1996 318ti in VA referred to above and agreed that it was a little rough but offered him $2500. I drove the car and it actually drove OK. The dealer said that the spark plugs were replaced and the error code cleared.

I was looking for a cheap 318ti project car that wasn't too bad and everything else for less were in worse shape, many more miles or to far away to inspect and drive before buying.

TrzTi, are you saying to stay away?

I have two other BMWs (E39 and E46) that I work on and maintain so I figured a lot of the work needed I can do myself.

[5rings]

Thanks for the feedback.

Now I am setting out on a mission to look for carpet kits, seat covers, new headliner, door panels, shifter knob and other small stuff. I am not going to attempt a complete restoration but just enough to make it a nice driver for my daughter at college.

[familytruckster]

Originally Posted by 5rings

Thanks for the feedback.

Now I am setting out on a mission to look for carpet kits, seat covers, new headliner, door panels, shifter knob and other small stuff. I am not going to attempt a complete restoration but just enough to make it a nice driver for my daughter at college.

I'd get the HG replaced quick. If the two plastic cooling system parts haven't been replaced, they need to be done too. hopefully the head isn't warped too bad.

I'd focus on reliability over pretty....

[jca]

That red ti in Frederick is the ti for anyone to buy if they can afford it. I have never seen one for sale with lower mileage.

[TrzTi]

Originally Posted by jca

That red ti in Frederick is the ti for anyone to buy if they can afford it. I have never seen one for sale with lower mileage.

Yeah that one is awesome, huh? Love the interior

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by jca

That red ti in Frederick is the ti for anyone to buy if they can afford it. I have never seen one for sale with lower mileage.

$9,000 for an 11 year old base model? It's not exactly a collector's model.
I don't care that it has low mileage. I'd suspect it will still need as much work as a higher mileage car just for the fact it's been sitting for so long.

[Mr.Squeelerz]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

$9,000 for an 11 year old base model? It's not exactly a collector's model.
I don't care that it has low mileage. I'd suspect it will still need as much work as a higher mileage car just for the fact it's been sitting for so long.

Exactly.

[TrzTi]

Ok, let's say it went up on eBay. How much would it ultimately sell for?

$4050? Well... In that case I bid $4055!

I was following that California sunroof Ti on ebay a few weeks ago that sold for over $8,000

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by TrzTi

I was following that California sunroof Ti on ebay a few weeks ago that sold for over $8,000

I think people get caught up in the bidding. But like it's been said, a car is worth what someone is willing to pay. That doesn't mean the next CA roof will go for that much.
I'd like another CA roof, but for $8,000, I'd rather have an M3.