rosswalker
Member
Re: Eyeing On Tis Car 318is Coupe
Back to what this bro was asking, is it a good buy?
Been hankering after an E36 coupe - so rare in Singapore right ... i'd love to have a good one and would swap my 4-door in a heartbeat for the right one. So went to take a look and this is what I can share:
- Paperwork exists for a $5,000 full engine overhaul in 2005, plus various other work. This is a good thing. Indicated mileage is low at abt 170K - but condition belies the age and makes me suspicious.
- Engine bay looks grotty, not very clean. Mods K&N filter, AC strut brace and AC exhaust system.
- Front wings both sides seem mis-aligned, just where the top corner meets bonnet/windshield. Suggests some history? Brings into question the engine overhaul, and at only 160K? shouldn't be so ...
- Pillar-less windows drop 1/4inch and pop back up nicely when open/close both door.
- Had a poor respray from original BLACK color to WHITE color. But open the bonnet/boot/doors etc you can see all the black still there. Also the new paint is a bit rough, oxidised in places and peeled on near-side wing. Could just need a serious cut'n'wax, still worst of it hidden by the fact it's white color...and Real shame it's not original black.
- Has several 'tacky' aftermarket add-ons, cheap front spoiler, M3 mirror, REAL CRAPPY kick plates, white dials door handles and a GNARLY steering wheel! Also original exterior running strips with neat M/// logos gone for nasty aftermarket 'M Tech' ones - why? Would look to change all this ASAP and respray if I got this car.
- Interior is a bit rough, belies the low mileage of the car.
- Very nice looking ICE, huge amp in the boot.
- Owner overseas, car in consignment. Not bin drivin much lately.
- Sounds rough on cold start, settled into good enough idle once warmed up, see previous post explains these cars idle rough anyway.
- Took for a quick drive around the lot (can't go on road, no inspec/tax or something yet).
It's been lowered beyond standard, so probably lost it's original M-Tech suspension set up. Bottoms out on speed hump with a nasty clonk! Clutch has nice bite and gearbox feels tight.
CONCLUSIONS
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Difficult without full on road test, probably drives pretty nice. Seems mechanically sound I guess, wouldn't pass judgement without FULL inspection by BMW technician.
Assuming good mech, I'd STILL want a big chunk off the ask price (which is 28K) for new (black) paint, get all tacky bits of and replace with original, replace seams around windows, a few other things...
Personally, I'm not interested unless the price is significantly reduced so this car can be brought up to scratch. Don't get suckered just cus this ride is so rare. No one in with half a brain would touch this if it had 2 extra doors, there would be just too many better (4 door) examples. They ask almost 28K, and if this was for sale in my home country (UK), it wouldn't fetch more than 2.8K !!
Not all loss - I might even still have it myself if the deal is right, but I'm not too hopefull that's gonna happen with Manhatten.
I got my E36 325i from Manhatten - didn't have too much bother with them apart from when they tried adding back on 2K previously negotiated off the price as 'admin charges'. Yeah I don't trust them hugely but was OK in the end if you watch your dealings with them and lay it on the line. Also today they told me maybe my car could trade for 14K. WTF? I gave them 22K for it last November!!!!!
Hope this helps!
Come and take a look at mine:
Oh and all this about old cars? Don't care how much money I have, when new BMW's cost what they do here. Right, my 16yr old 325i starts everytime, drives like a dream and sounds awesome with it's straight 6. Can you seriously tell me your brand new 320i is $120,000 better? Better maybe, better dynamics, refinement and that. But $120,000 better? NOPE.:juggle:
Back to what this bro was asking, is it a good buy?
Been hankering after an E36 coupe - so rare in Singapore right ... i'd love to have a good one and would swap my 4-door in a heartbeat for the right one. So went to take a look and this is what I can share:
- Paperwork exists for a $5,000 full engine overhaul in 2005, plus various other work. This is a good thing. Indicated mileage is low at abt 170K - but condition belies the age and makes me suspicious.
- Engine bay looks grotty, not very clean. Mods K&N filter, AC strut brace and AC exhaust system.
- Front wings both sides seem mis-aligned, just where the top corner meets bonnet/windshield. Suggests some history? Brings into question the engine overhaul, and at only 160K? shouldn't be so ...
- Pillar-less windows drop 1/4inch and pop back up nicely when open/close both door.
- Had a poor respray from original BLACK color to WHITE color. But open the bonnet/boot/doors etc you can see all the black still there. Also the new paint is a bit rough, oxidised in places and peeled on near-side wing. Could just need a serious cut'n'wax, still worst of it hidden by the fact it's white color...and Real shame it's not original black.
- Has several 'tacky' aftermarket add-ons, cheap front spoiler, M3 mirror, REAL CRAPPY kick plates, white dials door handles and a GNARLY steering wheel! Also original exterior running strips with neat M/// logos gone for nasty aftermarket 'M Tech' ones - why? Would look to change all this ASAP and respray if I got this car.
- Interior is a bit rough, belies the low mileage of the car.
- Very nice looking ICE, huge amp in the boot.
- Owner overseas, car in consignment. Not bin drivin much lately.
- Sounds rough on cold start, settled into good enough idle once warmed up, see previous post explains these cars idle rough anyway.
- Took for a quick drive around the lot (can't go on road, no inspec/tax or something yet).
It's been lowered beyond standard, so probably lost it's original M-Tech suspension set up. Bottoms out on speed hump with a nasty clonk! Clutch has nice bite and gearbox feels tight.
CONCLUSIONS
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Difficult without full on road test, probably drives pretty nice. Seems mechanically sound I guess, wouldn't pass judgement without FULL inspection by BMW technician.
Assuming good mech, I'd STILL want a big chunk off the ask price (which is 28K) for new (black) paint, get all tacky bits of and replace with original, replace seams around windows, a few other things...
Personally, I'm not interested unless the price is significantly reduced so this car can be brought up to scratch. Don't get suckered just cus this ride is so rare. No one in with half a brain would touch this if it had 2 extra doors, there would be just too many better (4 door) examples. They ask almost 28K, and if this was for sale in my home country (UK), it wouldn't fetch more than 2.8K !!
Not all loss - I might even still have it myself if the deal is right, but I'm not too hopefull that's gonna happen with Manhatten.
I got my E36 325i from Manhatten - didn't have too much bother with them apart from when they tried adding back on 2K previously negotiated off the price as 'admin charges'. Yeah I don't trust them hugely but was OK in the end if you watch your dealings with them and lay it on the line. Also today they told me maybe my car could trade for 14K. WTF? I gave them 22K for it last November!!!!!
Hope this helps!
Come and take a look at mine:
HTML:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/singapore_walker/sets/72157594526051271/Oh and all this about old cars? Don't care how much money I have, when new BMW's cost what they do here. Right, my 16yr old 325i starts everytime, drives like a dream and sounds awesome with it's straight 6. Can you seriously tell me your brand new 320i is $120,000 better? Better maybe, better dynamics, refinement and that. But $120,000 better? NOPE.:juggle:
