Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

[canuck78]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

You must be looking at the e36?

Cars as with anything with mechanical parts are likely to break down, more so with a 21yo car than say your 6yo jap make.

Nonetheless, do note that if maintain by a bmw enthusiast, the car may be a worthy buy. Unless you are familiar, it's best you bring it to a bmw specialist like R2D at Bukit Batok to have it assessed on its condition. Dr Rod can assessed whether the wear and tear parts are changed and what maybe potential problems down the road. At least, this would be a gamble with calculated risk taken.

BMW will surely cost more than what you are used to to maintain, and you will have to be a e36 enthusiast to keep this car - this include living with potentially the downtime, trips to workshop, fixing the car, etc

On the other hand, I am sure a 21yo e36 could outperform other makes in terms of the drive if its in optimal running condition.

Check out the e36 threads on bmw-sg or bmw-my there are a lot more e36 running around up north so you can decide if going this route is what you want.

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?69-E36

Final bits: your road tax will be higher, loan may be a problem for COE car unless you go for their inhouse loan, and factor certain amount for yearly maintainance.

Personally, I would go with a COE e46 rather than e36 as the former is one model newer and you drive alot.

Hi all,
I'm brand new to this forum and would like to get some expert opinions on the following:
I'm currently driving a 6yr old Japanese make; always loved bmws and recently saw a 1991 pre owned 318i on sg carmart..it looks like it is in a very decent condition and of course very very stylish as well ( but then again, you never know, it's a 21 yrs old vehicle ) the owner has just renewed the Coe till 2019.. And has also told me that the engine and gearbox was recently overhauled in may, bushings and parts were replaced..am thinking of requesting for a sta check on the car..

I would love to get this car but just wanted to ask around for any watch outs? Should I or should I not? Is it worth the gamble to get such an old car? Will it choke up a huge some of maintenance and repair fees?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Ephemeralinsanity]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Thanks for this guys..
Spent the last couple of days reading up on the BMW 318I..
Despite this black beauty going only at 36k; given that it is a 1991 vehicle, I reckon I probably would not be ready for such a huge commitment..(it's too huge a gamble for me to take!)

I did a google search on the number plate of the car and saw that a fellow forumer was also asking a question about this car back in 2007..seems like the car also has a number of ex owners...

 

[Ephemeralinsanity]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Thanks for this guys..
Spent the last couple of days reading up on the BMW 318I..
Despite this black beauty going only at 36k; given that it is a 1991 vehicle, I reckon I probably would not be ready for such a huge commitment..(it's too huge a gamble for me to take!)

I did a google search on the number plate of the car and saw that a fellow forumer was also asking a question about this car back in 2007..seems like the car also has a number of ex owners...

 

[mrball]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

I jus bought a six yr old e90. alr spent a few grand in a mth. think if 21 yr old might hv to prepare to spend more, else do up north

 

[therock610]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

I jus bought a six yr old e90. alr spent a few grand in a mth. think if 21 yr old might hv to prepare to spend more, else do up north

Bro, I also just bought a similar year e90, what have u replaced?

 

[mrball]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

me ah. engine oil leaks, alternator, radiator, suspension/brakes. jus when I felt happy n wanted to enjoy my ride, had jerk bfrom gearbox before stop. becoming a nightmare for me.

 

[therock610]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

I see, looks like the infamous jerk approaching...

 

[easterner]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Definitely go for 323 as it's an IL-6 and 2.5L if you can afford it and i hear it's more reliable.

The 320 engine which is an inline-4 is ultra sensitive, and is quite well known for all sorts of engine leaks / water leaks / so wear and tear costs is quite high. Engine issues aside, you have to look at potential auto gearbox issues, etc.

There are alot of 320's in the market but most are in need of quite alot of maintenance to bring it up to running specs, so you have to choose carefully.

One dealer told me before when buying BMW, when given a choice, buy the unit that has a full servicing record (i.e. hard copy paper), compared to one that doesn't have.

Even that i suggest you bring your intended target (320/323) to a BMW specialist such as Munich Auto (AD), BVO, or R2D to get it assessed properly. STA / Vicom cannot tell you specific BMW problems to look out for as they are not specialist in this make.

Finally, i am driving a 320i and loves the car for the way it handles, drives, and the safety i feel in it. However, i have been there, done that, and spend quite alot to maintain it so this may not what everyone is looking for - esp most of us that have come from Japanese ownership previously.

Hope this helps

Dear Canuck78,

May i ask how's the overall maintenance of the 320? If she can clock 9-10 km/ , i would say its rather good as current Jap ride is clocking 10.5 km/l (and is only a 1.6 cc !!) Has never own a Beemer before and is getting one 1 soon.

Considering 2010 June onwards (is it correct to conclude iDrive equip 320 is from this period onward?

Oh, if i'm prepared to down 50k, would you suggest i go for a new 320 instead of 2-3 years pre-owned?

Feel uneasy going for too high a loan.

Appreciate your opinion.

Thank you

 

[mrball]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

newer one is always better n less headache if u can stomach it

 

[vexxus]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

me ah. engine oil leaks, alternator, radiator, suspension/brakes. jus when I felt happy n wanted to enjoy my ride, had jerk bfrom gearbox before stop. becoming a nightmare for me.

Just curious, didn't u felt the jerk when test driving the car? or it happens only after taking possession of it?

Thought some issues u mentioned are under back up by the 'lemon law'??


Regards.

 

[canuck78]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Hi bro,

The major repair bills for e90 hits you when the car around the 5-year old mark.

Whether its a 3year old e90, or the new F30 (servicing and parts durability unknown yet), its likely the bigger bills will come around 5years or 100,000 km.

I would say go test drive both the new F30 which is turbocharged and brand new vs 3yo e90 and see which you prefer.

Financial wise the depreciation for the e90 should be lower than the F30, but I do not know how long you usually keep your cars so ultimately you have to decide what you can stomach.

Hope the above helps.

Dear Canuck78,

May i ask how's the overall maintenance of the 320? If she can clock 9-10 km/ , i would say its rather good as current Jap ride is clocking 10.5 km/l (and is only a 1.6 cc !!) Has never own a Beemer before and is getting one 1 soon.

Considering 2010 June onwards (is it correct to conclude iDrive equip 320 is from this period onward?

Oh, if i'm prepared to down 50k, would you suggest i go for a new 320 instead of 2-3 years pre-owned?

Feel uneasy going for too high a loan.

Appreciate your opinion.

Thank you

 

[marcus28]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

I think depreciation between 2 year old e90 and f30 is about the same.

 

[mrball]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Just curious, didn't u felt the jerk when test driving the car? or it happens only after taking possession of it?

Thought some issues u mentioned are under back up by the 'lemon law'??


Regards.

im dam suay i guess. the gearbox felt perfectly ok before i took over.
i drove for a month and the gb starts to jerk on me. sigh..
im not sure if the lemon law does work, the UDM is starting to feel like an ultimate disaster machine.
its like no matter how hard i try, there's always something left to fix or replace. dam sian.............

 

[mrball]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

for one, does anyone know if lemon law covers all used cars? or some conditions to fulfill before lemon law qualifies, many thanks

 

[marcus28]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

From my finding last month, lemon law covers used and new car. Lemon Law is managed by CASE. Lemon Law is valid till 6 months from the date you have purchased the goods.

If used car with the same deflect like gearbox's problem has rectified more than 7 times, CASE will then kick in with lemon law. During this rectification period, the seller must not caused inconvenience to the buyer, hence seller has to provide courtesy car or taxi vouchers. I would say replacement for goods (used car) is almost impossible.

if within 6 months, new car which has detected problem or depending on severity, perhaps met in an accident, you may seek for 1 to 1 goods replacement with COE transferred. I would say lemon law helps here.

Please do correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[redline15]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Yes it does cover all used cars. http://www.case.org.sg/downloads/central/LemonLawGuide_MotorVehicles.pdf

I had a similar experience as you and I understand your feelings. Initially during test drive, didn't experience the jerk. Maybe the drive was too short. After collecting the car, I notice the jerk and informed the dealer. Dealer said this is wear-and-tear and didn't want to fix it. Contacted CASE but it's not going to be easy since it is not a defect. Hence decided to work with dealer to compromise on the repair cost.

for one, does anyone know if lemon law covers all used cars? or some conditions to fulfill before lemon law qualifies, many thanks

 

[redline15]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Bro, mine is also e90, dec 06 and got it for 2 months. So far, i've replaced the valvebody, changed engine oil, spark plugs and air filter. Nothing else seems to be breaking yet but next will be brakes and suspension.

I suggest changing ATF if its not done. Engine oil, air filter and plugs is for my peace of mind since I don't know when was the last time the previous owner changed it. I am not following the OBC schedule.

Bro, I also just bought a similar year e90, what have u replaced?

 

[whitecrv2003]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Hi Bros & Sis,
Newbie here. I was quite amazed to see so many 320i and 318i available in Sgcarmart for sale. Some are really nice, ie., reasonable mileage, full PML records, well-kept, etc. I didn't realise that these cars are as common as the Altis.
So tempted to have my T. Rush replaced with a lovely 320i.
Cheers and have a great weekend.

 

[Baby1M]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

Hi Bros & Sis,
Newbie here. I was quite amazed to see so many 320i and 318i available in Sgcarmart for sale. Some are really nice, ie., reasonable mileage, full PML records, well-kept, etc. I didn't realise that these cars are as common as the Altis.
So tempted to have my T. Rush replaced with a lovely 320i.
Cheers and have a great weekend.

A lot in sgcarmart can be due to 2 basic reasons; Good Times, previous owners upgrading to bigger rides since COE prices are still being pushed upwards.... or Bad Times, previous owners downgraded to 2nd hand Altis so not many in sgcarmart now.

 

[gluejuice]

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand 3 Series

I had a chat with PML pre-owned car division. Yes lemons law kicks in if you get a problematic unit.