Buying a 2nd hand 2004 318 MSPORT

[Det7]

Hi guys,

I'm planning to buy this 2nd hand 2004 318 MSPORT 40k mileage and casa-maintained

Since this is almost a 10-yr old car, I'm just having 2nd thoughts that I might start to encounter most of the wear-and-tear problems and it's a fact that BMW maintenance is higher compared to other cars.

Can you please advise?

Thanks!

[Det7]

100+ views but no reply.

Anyone?

[niky]

I'd say... don't. But then that's me.

The 318 is certainly nice to drive with a stick, but for the same money, you can get something newer or nicer.

[speed_kills]

I think you didn't post enough details (e.g. buying price, reason you'd want one, other cars your are cross shopping with, etc) that's why nobody is giving their feedback.

Anyway, if you'd like to experience owning a BMW and can get it at a good deal, I'd say why not. Since its a 10 year car plus it's a BMW, you should probably be ready to spend a bit more on replacement parts which you can find from third party sources so I guess it shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck on the car purchase!

[Det7]

Thanks for the reply. I'm buying it for 700k. Other cars I'm considering Lancer EX GT-A also...

[Det7]

i posted the details, no reply still?

[Manilablock]

Ang bmw expensive to maintain, kung ung mga asa germany nga nagbebenta ng old cars nila at bumibi ng bago. Just imagine asa pinas ka with a 10 yr old car, spare parts dont come easy + the price

[SiRbossR]

It's a guzzler and it's f*cking slow. 128bhp WTF.
It does looks good and has a no nonsense interior. But it's a big liability really.

[niky]

700k will get you a more powerful Japanese diesel SUV of the same age.

Or a nearly new Japanese compact with more seating space and more power... like said GTA.

[koji kabuto]

if you really want it, buy it.

if you want it only for porma, don't buy.

like what i read in another forum: "BUYING a BMW is different from OWNING a BMW"

any 10 year old car will need some attention. it all depends on how much time, money and sweat you are willing to sacrifice.

with everything said, when taken cared of properly, BMW will give you year of enjoyment.

[Det7]

But with 40k mileage only, it shouldn't be that old right? The owner is a relative of mine so I trust the car's history. My original budget is 300-500k for a 2nd hand but since it's better to buy a used car from someone you know, kaya I went for this.

I read AutoIndustriya's review on 2004 MSPORT, it has 148 bHP. Am I wrong on this? Would you prefer buying a 2009 GTA instead? And yes part of the reason I want to buy this is because of porma

[koji kabuto]

if you really want it, go ahead. in my opinion, the E46 and E39 are the last simple to maintain BMW sedans. not too much electronics, still have a full size spare tire and an oil dip stick. the interiors are a personal preference. some don't like it because it is very simple, so like it because it is simple. if you are into modifying cars, this is not for you since you will be limited in your options. specially in the Philippines.

be sure to always check and maintain the cooling system. one overheat and it will really burn a big hole in your pocket. don't believe the maintenance free A/T. the fluid still needs to be changed.

for the maintenance cost, it depends on where you get your parts and who does the repairs. normal preventive maintenance items are not much more expensive than any japanese brands. sensors are known to fail. does not cost much for each sensor, but annoying. don't expect all the parts that you need is readily available. some need to be ordered and it may take weeks.

since it is a relative, ask for a test drive on your daily / normal routes. check out the fuel consumption and the performance if it is up to your standards and expectations.

[Det7]

if you really want it, go ahead. in my opinion, the E46 and E39 are the last simple to maintain BMW sedans. not too much electronics, still have a full size spare tire and an oil dip stick. the interiors are a personal preference. some don't like it because it is very simple, so like it because it is simple. if you are into modifying cars, this is not for you since you will be limited in your options. specially in the Philippines.

be sure to always check and maintain the cooling system. one overheat and it will really burn a big hole in your pocket. don't believe the maintenance free A/T. the fluid still needs to be changed.

for the maintenance cost, it depends on where you get your parts and who does the repairs. normal preventive maintenance items are not much more expensive than any japanese brands. sensors are known to fail. does not cost much for each sensor, but annoying. don't expect all the parts that you need is readily available. some need to be ordered and it may take weeks.

since it is a relative, ask for a test drive on your daily / normal routes. check out the fuel consumption and the performance if it is up to your standards and expectations.

thanks! he told me that when checking if the car has problems, it will automatically come up in the dashboard. is this true?
i want to have it checked in the casa but he told me no need because if nothing pops in the dashboard then there's nothing to be checked?

just so i have options, i've also seen a 2nd hand 2009 2.0LForester with 52k mileage and casa maintained, but it's from auto-camp and about 100k more expensive. should i go for this instead?

isn't buying a 2nd hand from a known relative more reliable?

[jut703]

yes part of the reason I want to buy this is because of porma

If porma is your concern, the BMW trumps the Lancer by a long shot. Just weigh things, if that prestige you get with owning a Bimmer is worth the money you'll be spending to maintain it.

[Det7]

If porma is your concern, the BMW trumps the Lancer by a long shot. Just weigh things, if that prestige you get with owning a Bimmer is worth the money you'll be spending to maintain it.

my friend said, 09 forester would be more maporma than the MSPORT?

what do you think>

[koji kabuto]

BMW will give you a warning in the dashboard if something is wrong. but it will not give you warnings for all defects or malfunctions. it will be good to have it scanned with a code reader via the OBD port. an example is the MAF, it needed to be replaced but no indications on the dashboard. only found out when i had it scanned.

the forester is also nice. but that is a completely different car compared to the e46. i would also like to have one of those. it also has its plus factors like AWD, modern technology, etc. but it is not necessarily more fuel efficient.

speaking of porma, the forester can be modded a lot more than the e46. you can customise it to suit your taste and styling. for the e46, mags lang ok na. kasi yung are already looking at the msport, wala ka na kelangan gawin sa exterior. even when it comes to performance modifications, mas madami ka options for the subaru.

[niky]

For 700k? If you want a toy? Try an older Forester. Something like an 07 Forester XT will cost some 700-800k pesos.



Porma? Check.

Features? (Sunroof! Hood scoop!) Check.

Power? Hell YES.

Uncommon. Unusual. Only extra maintenance over a regular Fozzie is the extra oil you need for the oil change. Parts not as expensive as the BMW. You'll even get similar fuel economy to the underpowered 318 in traffic. The 318 might steer a bit nicer, but there are a hell of a lot of dress-up, suspension and performance upgrades available for the older Forester XT. Better yet, the 07's automatic transmission is considered to be more reliable after modification than the previous generation one. The "STI" conversion is a popular one... give it bronze metallic OZ-style rims, lower it, give it more boost, and you've got something that's flashy, fast and funky.

[Det7]

Thanks for all the advise guys.
I really want the Forester but I'm going for the MSport. Looking forward into posting when I run into any problems

[Dok_bit]

I drive one of the last batches of the e46 318 msport. Do I regret owning it? No.Its myndaily driver for the last 8 years and certainly higher mileage than the one younare buying. PMS at dealer alternatives and inspections and some diy knowledge are the key. One thing to look for is sludge in the engine. Before buying look at the oil filler with a flash light and you should see bare metal and not sludge. I don't know with euro cars but the more you use it the less problems you'll encounter. Turn it to a garage queen and expect lots of problems along the way. I agree with previous posts that the e46 and e39 has less electronics than newer bmws and a lot of garages know the usual problems already and the remedy.Plus you can buy china imitation code readers and diagnostic equipments for this model at a really low price. Most common for e46 is coolant expansion tank (mine went ofter 8 years) and front control arm bushings wearing out because of our roads. Good luck.