Yes I know

Thing is I have an opportunity to buy one of these, an 02 model with about 50,000 miles on the clock for quite a bit under book price from a member of my family.

Apart from the obvious problem with it being a BMW is there anything to look out for and would it prove a good buy? It's a company car that has been kept serviced etc.

All constructive comments gratefully received

 

It might be badged as a BM, but you get all the stigma without the refinement in a 318. Go and try some of the 6's. A 4 will feel like a fiat panda with an oil leak in comparison

 

me bro has just got an e46 316 1.9, and its as smooth as you like.

not as quick etc as the six cylinders, but with the fanstatic ride quality and low road noise, youll be too busy cruising to worry how much power its got.

if its performance your after then 330 ci, if you just want a nice smooth ride and a bit of quality there is nothing wrong with the 4 cylinder engines.

 

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated....I'm currently going through a cruising phase

Can't afford performance at the moment. Just need to know if there are any major issues with these cars apart from the BMW image which I am not massively keen on.

What do they do to the gallon? Is there a BMW forum for older cars?

I've just about got my insurance back to normal after a slight prang in 2001 in my MY2000 turbo .....still serving penance in a 1.6 Honda Civic.

 

Tell u what, if your lame *** attitude to the 'BMW Image' bothers u so much why not just get something else?

 

it all depends what "BMW" means to you, as a petrolhead BMW says 50/50 weight distribution, spot on driving position, rear wheel drive fun.

"BMW" to a corporate ladder monkey means you can drive in the BMW lane of the motorway, look down on the lesser mondeo drivers and feel vaguely superior in your daily grind.

 

I had a 318 (02 model) for a month or so; great car. Not too fast (ahem) but much fun to be had with rwd. Even with traction control on it lets you step the back out. It then tidies it up for you (don't rely on my word on this though...) so you can look the hero in 'complete' safety.

1st gear 90 degree power slides were easy in car parks etc. (sorry, private roads officer)... Turn the wheel, boot it, turn 90 degree, straighten wheel, into second and drive off.

You can also then go onto scoobynet and tell tales about how, even though it isn't a diesel, it can take 22b scoobies etc. on the motorway...