BMW 318ti 2 door hatchback. To buy or not?

petroheadkaran · 7th December 2009, 23:20

Hi,
I found a 318ti 2 door hatchback for sale 98 model. The dealer is asking for 7 lakhs is it worth buying or not? also it is driven 32000 km , has an automatic gearbox, airbags, sunroof. The body is in great condition and has brand new tyres. So guys pls tell me what should the the apt amount for the car and whether i will be able to get parts in pune/mumbai ? Looking forward to ur help /comments.

regards,
Karan

arjunrudra · 8th December 2009, 07:54

Definitely looks like a deal for me . Just try bargaining little more.
Can you please post pictures of the same ?

ajmat · 8th December 2009, 10:34

This is based on the e36 but the rear suspension is of the e30 to ensure tis was a cheap BMW> It is reliablt. A freind of mine had a 316i compact for 15 years. Check the radiator as this is the weak point.

I would try for 5 lakhs.

speedy · 8th December 2009, 10:41

I had bought a LHD 1998 318i a few years ago and at that time i had paid 6 lakhs for a 17,000 kms car. Today for the price being asked you can get a newer or a bigger model. If you do have your heart set on this car then do the normal procedures. Have the paper work checked as this car is an import. Get it checked from a proper Mechanic or preferably from the BMW Service center Parts for the car can be imported, i doubt there would be much stuff available for a coupe.

Like mentioned by Ajmat not more than 4.5 or 5 lakhs for the car. It is 11 years old

Mods this thread needs to be in the What car section. Thank you.

petroheadkaran · 9th December 2009, 02:04

Well guys I have made an offer for 5. Also wanted to ask u guys whether there is a way to get an engine swap done on this vehicle. Are Alpina or DTM present in India? U guys know of anyone in Pune or mumbai who can do this?

Speedy i will get the car checked tomorrow morning.
Thanks guys

Cyrus43 · 9th December 2009, 02:24

Nope. But Hammann Can give you tone of Gizmos for your car. Also, Hatchback???? I hope you mean coupe...

petroheadkaran · 9th December 2009, 02:28

cyrus i dont mean coupe. This car i'm talking about is referred to as the compact by BMW and all over the net as 318ti 2 door hatchback. Also do u think that the showroom guys could do an engine swap with the current 325i engine. Not sure if they would be able to mate the gearbox with it.

sbanerjee · 9th December 2009, 03:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

Also, Hatchback???? I hope you mean coupe...

- Perhaps you meant notchback - like our good old Accent Viva/Octavia

Nitin · 9th December 2009, 04:03

The 318ti is a fun car to drive. I had been considering one when I moved to Houston, but the carfax reports indicated 2 accidents and that put off the deal.
Get the car checked by a BMW technician if you can.

ajmat · 9th December 2009, 10:57

I would not recommend swapping the engine as the suspension cannot handle the power. BMW only made this as 316 and 318 since it had a cheaper suspension. Also mating this to an auto will be a challenge. FOr the money you spend, you might as well look out for a used e36 coupe

speedy · 10th December 2009, 00:03

@ Petroheadkaran i would not recomend you go in for any of the engine swap business, as it would be an expensive affair. You would have to change alot of components. Like mentioned by AJMAT, the suspension, brakes,gearbox etc. In the Money you would end up spending and still not being satisfied you would get a newer car or even like mentioned a coupe. The 318 engine is good in its own right and trust me has suficiant power for the city drives. You do get aftermarket products to increase the power of the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrus43

Nope. But Hammann Can give you tone of Gizmos for your car. Also, Hatchback???? I hope you mean coupe...

This is what Petroheadkaran meant by 318ti, it is not exactly a coupe but a notchback or hatchback.

Cyrus43 · 10th December 2009, 00:14

I know what he meant Bhai. I think this was meant to be the answer to the Escort Cosworth.

v12 · 10th December 2009, 00:16

There was a 318Ti (silver) available in Mumbai for sale a couple of years back. Not sure if you are being offered the same one. 7 lakhs is too high a price for a 98 model, but maybe because of its rarity (have seen only one in Mumbai), he's commanding a high price.

petroheadkaran · 13th February 2010, 13:15

Guys
I have decided not to buy the 318ti cos he is not willing to sell at anything less than 7L. I have convinced my dad to buy the 325i so that i get the CIVIC!!

If any of u guys would like to buy the 318ti i would be happy to give you the dealers no.

Regards,
Karan

canonball · 13th February 2010, 14:20

The dealer is going to end up keeping her for life perhaps he will "will it" to his offspring/family after he moves to next world

these dealer investors speculating with modern cars! what next Fiat Palio's going for 25% higher that showroom cost.

7th December 2009, 23:20	#1
petroheadkaran BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 45 Thanked: Once	BMW 318ti 2 door hatchback. To buy or not? Hi, I found a 318ti 2 door hatchback for sale 98 model. The dealer is asking for 7 lakhs is it worth buying or not? also it is driven 32000 km , has an automatic gearbox, airbags, sunroof. The body is in great condition and has brand new tyres. So guys pls tell me what should the the apt amount for the car and whether i will be able to get parts in pune/mumbai ? Looking forward to ur help /comments. regards, Karan
	() Thanks

8th December 2009, 07:54	#2
arjunrudra Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Gurgaon/Chennai Posts: 1,577 Thanked: 201 Times View My Garage	Definitely looks like a deal for me . Just try bargaining little more. Can you please post pictures of the same ?
	() Thanks

8th December 2009, 10:34	#3
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,175 Thanked: 31,069 Times View My Garage	This is based on the e36 but the rear suspension is of the e30 to ensure tis was a cheap BMW> It is reliablt. A freind of mine had a 316i compact for 15 years. Check the radiator as this is the weak point. I would try for 5 lakhs.
	() Thanks

8th December 2009, 10:41	#4
speedy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Meri Jaan Posts: 6,197 Thanked: 1,026 Times View My Garage	I had bought a LHD 1998 318i a few years ago and at that time i had paid 6 lakhs for a 17,000 kms car. Today for the price being asked you can get a newer or a bigger model. If you do have your heart set on this car then do the normal procedures. Have the paper work checked as this car is an import. Get it checked from a proper Mechanic or preferably from the BMW Service center Parts for the car can be imported, i doubt there would be much stuff available for a coupe. Like mentioned by Ajmat not more than 4.5 or 5 lakhs for the car. It is 11 years old Mods this thread needs to be in the What car section. Thank you.
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 02:04	#5
petroheadkaran BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 45 Thanked: Once	Well guys I have made an offer for 5. Also wanted to ask u guys whether there is a way to get an engine swap done on this vehicle. Are Alpina or DTM present in India? U guys know of anyone in Pune or mumbai who can do this? Speedy i will get the car checked tomorrow morning. Thanks guys
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 02:24	#6
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 230 Times View My Garage	Nope. But Hammann Can give you tone of Gizmos for your car. Also, Hatchback???? I hope you mean coupe...
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 02:28	#7
petroheadkaran BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 45 Thanked: Once	cyrus i dont mean coupe. This car i'm talking about is referred to as the compact by BMW and all over the net as 318ti 2 door hatchback. Also do u think that the showroom guys could do an engine swap with the current 325i engine. Not sure if they would be able to mate the gearbox with it.
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 04:03	#9
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 22 Times View My Garage	The 318ti is a fun car to drive. I had been considering one when I moved to Houston, but the carfax reports indicated 2 accidents and that put off the deal. Get the car checked by a BMW technician if you can.
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 10:57	#10
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,175 Thanked: 31,069 Times View My Garage	I would not recommend swapping the engine as the suspension cannot handle the power. BMW only made this as 316 and 318 since it had a cheaper suspension. Also mating this to an auto will be a challenge. FOr the money you spend, you might as well look out for a used e36 coupe
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 00:14	#12
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 230 Times View My Garage	I know what he meant Bhai. I think this was meant to be the answer to the Escort Cosworth.
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 00:16	#13
v12 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,773 Thanked: 7,567 Times View My Garage	There was a 318Ti (silver) available in Mumbai for sale a couple of years back. Not sure if you are being offered the same one. 7 lakhs is too high a price for a 98 model, but maybe because of its rarity (have seen only one in Mumbai), he's commanding a high price.
	() Thanks

13th February 2010, 13:15	#14
petroheadkaran BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 45 Thanked: Once	Guys I have decided not to buy the 318ti cos he is not willing to sell at anything less than 7L. I have convinced my dad to buy the 325i so that i get the CIVIC!! If any of u guys would like to buy the 318ti i would be happy to give you the dealers no. Regards, Karan
	() Thanks

13th February 2010, 14:20	#15
canonball Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,466 Thanked: 206 Times View My Garage	The dealer is going to end up keeping her for life perhaps he will "will it" to his offspring/family after he moves to next world these dealer investors speculating with modern cars! what next Fiat Palio's going for 25% higher that showroom cost.
	() Thanks