this thread is worthless without pics

I don't think BMW 318i is realiable?

318 engine itself is fucking rock solid....actually the whole E36 lineup has
awesome engines. The car was designed in the early 90s, so like any other
european cars, electronic parts will give you a big headache.

tell him to get the 325 or 328 instead.. 318 are uncommon, finding parts will be difficult adn more expensive.

incorrect. 318i parts are cheaper and more common rather than 25 and 28 parts.

you dont think? you dont wanna say something like that on revscene.

e36 318i's are exteremely reliable if well taken care of.

how about things like timing chain and water pump? aren't those going to be expensive to replace?

I just thought that BMWs especially in that era had bad ratings from Consumer Report(or something similar).
I might be mistaken with VW tho.

yes, everything is expensive for an expensive car, but that says nothing about its reliability. you're talking repairs costs now.

The timing chain can go for a lot longer than the rubber belts. Parts for bmws are easily found and carried by many online places as well as locally. It's not hard to find parts at all. Find the exact part that you need from www.realoem.com then go find better prices at one of the below places :).

bmaparts.com
pelicanparts.com
getbmwparts.com
turnermotorsports.com
bavauto.com

To name a few. There is also a huge bmw community for all the body styles as well.

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6...mpage52og9.jpg

If you're friend is interested in seeing what a e30 318is is like to drive, shoot me a pm :).

I used to have a 94 318is, I drove the shit out of it for 60K and all i did was oil change and a new voltage regulator. I've got the car for $12,500 back then and sold it for $13,800 four years later. It's the most fun car to drive for me. I would definately get another one for a few thousand dollars as beater. :thumbsup:

^ +1, although i didnt make money on it.. i pretty much sold it for the money i paid for it.

those cars hold their value extremely well, are fun, cheap insurance, cheap gas - what more could a driver want.

tell him to keep looking and never give up.

cool, this should help him make an informed decision, thanks guys

if he likes 318ti 's which are super fun cars and are hatches.. CG Motorsports are selling 2. they are E36 specialists and I and pretty much all bmw owners of north america can vouch for his work.

one is heavily modded with a 2.8 inline 6


the other is stock.

www.cgmotorsports.com