Need Advice - First Time Buyer (pls :)

[bmw_1992]

Hi guys,

Really glad there is a forum even for this... I really need some seasoned advice, and tips, before making a decision that i may regret for the next 2 years. Or 2 years 4 mths exactly.

So.. I wanna get a 1992 BMW 318i secondhand 2 yrs 4 mths left. 160,000 miles clocked. From what i have researched so far, these cars were built to really last if well maintained, and can clock a mileage of up to 250,000 to 300,000 before starting to show real problems.

Now I need a really cheap car that I can use to just travel to and fro camp. And I'm not really the rich kid if you are thinking why BMW. But my options are limited, its either this, a mercedes 200E , toyota corona, or nissan preset all in the 1990s range. Unfortunately with my NS pay, and a really small allowance i get from my parents these are the only cars i can afford.

I spend three hours a day travelling, and i live in a remote idea, so pls no negative comments about being in ns and having to be able to travel or staying in etc all that crap.

I really love driving, and would like to use this time to really get the hang of it.

So getting down to what i really need, i need an experienced father or brother like advice here. Your opinion on getting this classic, and if you know any mechanics i can take the car to , to have it throughly checked before getting it. And a little on maintenance and prices would help great too.

Yours Sincerely,
youngfighterinlioncity.

 

[sszone]

1992 318i 160000 miles? or km?
if miles convert to km still believable but if seller claim its 160,000km....i have my doubts.
E36 is a quite an easy car to work with car for most experienced BMW ws but problem is the lack of parts in SG for it cos its almost extinct. My old ride was also a E36 92 318i, love it....FC probaby can expect 8km/l or worse cos its built solid like a tank. have you factored in the road tax? and other costs. if really on budget, best to just get a jap car

 

[bmw_1992]

Hi sszone,

Thank you so much for the feedback. Its 160,000km, why the doubts?

The budget got me to the toyota corona, nissan preset, and M200E, like this among the rest,would you recommend any from the list?. 1st car, wanna love it to. Can keep it for 2 years, and yes the road tax is a little higher than usual, but its factored in. when you say old ride, did you get it 1st hand.. I'm worried about parts too but I know a good WS in JB, and this car is a little common there. I don't have the knowledge to check the parts when I test drive, so I was hoping for a recommendation to a trustworthy workshop..

Any advice will help. Kinda going in alone here..

Haha thanks a lot.

 

[sszone]

most e36s are in the high 200ks, 300k
my old e36 back in 2007 already 200k+, so now 2016? frankly i am skeptical.
160k sounds too good to be true
not to pour cold water on you bro but high chance the mileage is manipulated unless u are able to verify.
with high mileage, you will have to factor in alot more wear n tear

imagine 1992 till 2016, thats 24 yrs.
160000/24 yrs = 6666km/yr??
thats like 555km/month......highly doubtful

 

[sszone]

most of us, the e36ers here, our rides all gone to scrap heaven

 

[Citizen69]

agree with sszone. However being first car, it takes alot to jump in, esp an old bmw. However road tax is one, insurance is the other. being first car, probably NCD is 0%. You can try build up the NCD to 20% first with balance 2 years jap car b4 going to a higher insurance vehicle?

Spare parts is a real concern. Mine is E60(2008) and already waited 2 months for a leaking brake line pipe from ES. Still not in sight of a timeline of arrival of part.

Best of luck in your search