Bmw 318 Ci 1.9 petrol - Advice needed

[cullen5998]

I have a friend who is going to look at a Bmw this week. I dont know very much about this model.What should he look out for in these cars as i think he's buying private. Its a 99-2001 is the model he's going for.

[colm_mcm]

control arm bushings on the front can wear and are dear enough to replace.
Cooling system isn't particularly robust so water pump, cooling fan, radiator, air conditioning system.
Radios can go wonky, volume control and LED displays particularly
The frameless windows on the coupes are like the FTO in that the window guides can go rattly
Make sure the traction control/ABS/stability control works and that no lights stay on.
Some of them leak water into the boot through the vents

Apart from that I'd be checking that the car has a service history, and isn't due any major jobs, check the bodywork thoroughally for any previous accident damage, drive a couple of 318's so you can compare.

[Wildhound]

Jesus Colm you're a fecking encyclopedia.

[mcgon1979]

I was about to say the same.. impressive (and good) knowledge there alright. (i have a sometimes rattly window guide thing myself)

[colm_mcm]

Warranty claims used to come out of my profits when I was selling in a main dealer - some things get indellibly imprinted in your mind

[Dilogoat86]

Warranty came from profits? WOW!!! That's ridiculous! Manufacturers issues and you get charged. Or did you mean like garage warranty.

[Sebastian]

Jesus Colm you're a fecking encyclopedia.

that's what all the woman's around him say

[colm_mcm]

Warranty came from profits? WOW!!! That's ridiculous! Manufacturers issues and you get charged. Or did you mean like garage warranty.

We used to do mainly repeat business where it would be Toyotas coming in agaist Toyotas, we'd generally only retail low mileage stuff with main dealer service historys and would shy away from putting other brands on the forecourt. An average warranty (once a Toyota is over 36 months) would cost in the region of E350 which would be added to the cost of the car. Generally oce a service was done on a Toyota you wouldn't see it again for the 12 month period that you'd cover.

Then when things got tighter we started opening up to other brands, and rather than buy in warranties (which up till then wasn't worth it) we'd cover the car ourselves for 12 months. After that, the cars started coming back and back and I learnt how expensive European cars are when they go wrong. A short time later, Toyota started really pushing Delaer Cover warranties and included roadside assistance in the package as well as advertising campaigns and better cover for non Toyotas. From then on it was the norm.

Some cars don't qualify for cover (UK imports, certain makes, mileage limitations, cars that came in against other brands) so it's a risk you have to take.

Jesus Colm you're a fecking encyclopedia.
that's what all the woman's around him say

I don't even know where to go with that