My first BMW. 97, 318ti

[pred]

In my quest in finding a car which would get over 30 highway and still carry a few items I would up searching for a 318ti,
For 6 weeks I looked each day, Several times each day until this 97, 318ti popped up in immaculate condition, Always garage kept and lady owned and it had ALL maintenance done at a BMW shop locally,
140K miles, New tires,
She just had a cooling system tune up which was all hoses and water pump, New Pirelli P6 tires and always was detailed, Washed and waxed on a regular basis, It truly is in like new condition outside and in. Everything works, Has ACS, 6 disc factory CD changer in back,
I don't know what trim package it is but no heated seats, Seats are cloth but car has cruise control.
Anyway I am happy,
I put 70 miles on it today and it runs flawlessly.
Oh, and it was $2400.
I think I did pretty good on this deal.
Peter

[ti-billy]

Hell of a find! Looks very clean! Congrats to you

[teen ti]

nice ti, welcome to the org.

[teetime4one]

Dude, You're stoked!
That is a great car for the money. And, If it truly is as nice as you claim...all the better!
I don't think they put cruise in the Base models. And, those wheels look like the wheels that came on my car...Active wheels.
Does it have a sunroof and On Board Computer (OBC)?
These are signs of an Active...even with the cloth seats. Actives usually come with leather seats tho.
Anyway, welcome to the Org.
Sean

[GrandpaTuner]

Welcome......

[pred]

More pics.
Yes it has a digital display in speedo,
Has the outside temp/Mileage/MPG, Cruise, Cassette and CD in rear, ASC button, Sunroof but cloth interior,
I am still trying to figure out which option package it is.
Is there a list somewhere to help me figure this out?
OH,
New Pirelli P6s is what she just put on the car.\
Reviews say they are pretty good tires, 205/60/15s
Any ideas?
Peter

[Bobtail_Bimmer]

Nice find! Welcome to the org.

[318me]

nice find... I just pick up one as well... only 2500... but not as clean as yours... enjoy!

[teetime4one]

It's an Active.
The original owner must have wanted cloth versus leather.
There isn't a list that breaks down our cars by models. You will just have to read old threads describing the differences. Or, rely on members to chime in and offer suggestions.
Like I said before...nice car!

[THADREAMIN]

Welcome... and Congratulations! Good buy!

[318me]

Originally Posted by pred

In my quest in finding a car which would get over 30 highway and still carry a few items I would up searching for a 318ti,
For 6 weeks I looked each day, Several times each day until this 97, 318ti popped up in immaculate condition, Always garage kept and lady owned and it had ALL maintenance done at a BMW shop locally,
140K miles, New tires,
She just had a cooling system tune up which was all hoses and water pump, New Pirelli P6 tires and always was detailed, Washed and waxed on a regular basis, It truly is in like new condition outside and in. Everything works, Has ACS, 6 disc factory CD changer in back,
I don't know what trim package it is but no heated seats, Seats are cloth but car has cruise control.
Anyway I am happy,
I put 70 miles on it today and it runs flawlessly.
Oh, and it was $2400.
I think I did pretty good on this deal.
Peter

Interior and trim levels

Apart from a simple one piece dashboard, the E36 Compact shared the same seats and trim as the full-sized 3-series.

The North American 318ti came in three different trim levels; Base, Active and Sport. Active package offered comfort items such as an on-board computer, cruise control, leather seats, alloy wheels, foglights and sunroof. The sport package equipped the car with M-technic suspension, foglights, alloy wheels, sport seats, and for 1995 only, a limited slip differential.

A Clubsport edition was offered in the model year 1995. The car had upgraded suspension, limited slip differential, sport seats, and full M-aerodynamic package including front and rear bumpers as well as side mirrors. It should be noted the Sport package for 1995 318ti would be identical to the Clubsport edition as had all the performance upgrades, but has no exterior distinction from the base model. Starting 1996, the sport package included the M-aerodynamic package like the Clubsport model, with the exception of standard side mirror, and the limited slip differential was no longer available. All 1999 318ti's came with the sport package.

Also there is a very rare California edition of the vehicle, introduced in 1996, featured a Webasto style folding canvas roof reminiscent of those used in the Citroën 2CV. Taken from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Compact

[cmoore]

nice find; i have been trolling phila. CL and other sites for a few weeks but nothingn yet. was this the silver one in Howell NJ or was it listed in Reading/Pottstown? everything i see is overpriced or super high miles, not clean and still overpriced......
chris from roxborough

[zoner]

Originally Posted by teetime4one

It's an Active.
The original owner must have wanted cloth versus leather.

AFAIK, leather interior and foglights were still options on both base and active models. On both my base model and active model, the build sheet shows leather as an added option; neither my base nor active came from the factory with foglights. From what I've read/seen, those wheels are what give it away as an 'active' model.

Very nice car; excellent price. Welcome to the .org!

[pred]

Chris,
It was the one in Pottstown.
I looked at CL about 615AM before heading out the door and she posted at 6am,
For a change I was first on the list.
I too looked for about 6 weeks till this one turned up...
Dang you are close, I work in East Falls at the old MCP.
And live only 5 miles from there.
~~~~~~~~
OK, So it appears to be an "Active" one,
Good to know,
>> Car did need front brake pads <<
Got them done today.
So I guess it needed something,,,,
One last thought,
The Green one locally looks good,
I think he will take less than what he's asking,
I can always offer him some crazy low price and then you can offer him a bit more,
Peter

[cmoore]

when they are priced fairly (or even underpriced) they go real FAST. i saw that one; i emailed her once and tried calling 3x as the ad was up for a while. i assume it was the one where some woman had a weird phone message, but good work on scoring it. maybe you can swing by sometime, i have looked at a bunch, but still don't know all the inns and outs of all the different options, etc.
i'm actually in Wissahickon, sort of small area between east falls and roxborough/manayunk.

cmoore.ny@gmail.com