Looking to buy a 97 318i but repairs?

[superfly78209]

The 318i I'm looking at has 110 k miles on the engine/car. Does anything need to be done to this car? Like timing belt, water pump etc? The exterior and interior are in perfect shape.

 

[Big Daddy]

A 97 318i has a timing, not a belt. Unless it is making noise leave it alone.

 

[superfly78209]

So if it doesn't make noise the timing chain is alright? How expensive would it run to replace the timing chain? The chain should be replaced every 60-100k right? Any other expensive repairs can I expect to perform? Thanks for the help.

 

[Big Daddy]

timing chains can last more than 200k. My 91 318is had over 164k on it when I sold her and still running the original timing componets. Has the car had the scheduled BMW maintainence done?

 

[superfly78209]

I don't think so. Besides oil changes. The guy bought it about a year and a half ago at a dealership and they usually don't maintain any sort of records on a car. I'm sure things were done to it but there's no way of knowing. The interior is in perfect shape and so it the outside. I can check the tranny fluid and ratiator fluid and etc? Anything else that is crucial to check? Thanks

 

[Big Daddy]

I would have all the fluids changed, radiator coolant, differential, transmission, power steering, brake, and engine oil. If they all check out, no burnt odors, no signs of metal shavings leave it at that.

 

[superfly78209]

How will I be sure of no metal shavings w/out changing the fluids? so I don't buy the car 1st and then find out the problems?

 

[Big Daddy]

How will I be sure of no metal shavings w/out changing the fluids? so I don't buy the car 1st and then find out the problems?

Huh? I said I would have all the fluids changed and if no....leave it at that, in other words nothing more than the fluid changes!

 

[superfly78209]

Alright, Thanks a lot for the help man. Do these 318i's last along time? and are pretty reliable?

 

[Big Daddy]

Any BMW engine will last a long time, 200 - 300k if properly maintained.

 

[superfly78209]

BMW 635CSi

There's also a BMW 635CSi with a new paint job and a lot of work done to it. It seems like a real nice car.