Planning to buy second hand BMW. need advice. Thanks!

**Vincent Tio** · October 21st, 2013 06:58 PM

Hi guys, so right now I was offered by a very close friend to buy his BMW 3series. Price is 300k but he is willing to offer it to me for 170k since we are really really close friends and I know that his car has issues. So help me out, here are the details.

2001 BMW 316i
White
68,000 Km
Price 170k

Known Problems
left rear power window
both rear suspensions need of replacement
Radiator has problems. Car overheats if weather outside is very hot and stuck in traffic for more than 2hours. Highway running no problem though

Now my questions are, how much will be the cost to repair this if ever, and also what is the fuel consumption for this type of BMW? I have driven this car and it is still very very smooth, no problems in that part. Any advice would be welcome, thanks guys!

**[archie]** · October 21st, 2013 07:15 PM

Price is good but the parts are very expensive. Tingin ko uubos ka ng mga 50k to 75k for the problems. Kung palagi pa siya overheat sa traffic baka may singaw na makina.

If I were in your shoes and price sensitive sa pyesa and pagawa, don't get the car.

**cardict** · October 21st, 2013 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Vincent Tio

Hi guys, so right now I was offered by a very close friend to buy his BMW 3series. Price is 300k but he is willing to offer it to me for 170k since we are really really close friends and I know that his car has issues. So help me out, here are the details.

2001 BMW 316i
White
68,000 Km
Price 170k

Known Problems
left rear power window
both rear suspensions need of replacement
Radiator has problems. Car overheats if weather outside is very hot and stuck in traffic for more than 2hours. Highway running no problem though

Now my questions are, how much will be the cost to repair this if ever, and also what is the fuel consumption for this type of BMW? I have driven this car and it is still very very smooth, no problems in that part. Any advice would be welcome, thanks guys!

Try to talk to a BMW specialist,if you are really incline to take the car,I think the price slash will compensate with the car's problem ,but just the same it's up to you,IMO

**dr. d** · October 21st, 2013 08:14 PM

i remember there was a thread here on "how expensive is expensive". why not look it over. i think bmw was mentioned in it...

**lowslowbenz** · October 21st, 2013 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Vincent Tio

2001 BMW 316i
White
68,000 Km
Price 170k

There's nothing MORE expensive, than a cheap BMW.

Worst case scenario, you would spend more (in repairs) than your actual purchase price. No kidding.

**dr. d** · October 21st, 2013 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by lowslowbenz

There's nothing MORE expensive, than a cheap BMW.

Worst case scenario, you would spend more (in repairs) than your actual purchase price. No kidding.

hey! i thought the cheap MB was more expensive... heh heh.
but yes po! the cheaper used cars at times turn out to be hugely more expensive..

i advise my pals to buy the more expensive used car, because said car usually gives less headaches..

and my last european car was the air-cooled VW beetle.. iba talaga presyo kapag malayo sa pilipinas ang factory..

**7138** · October 21st, 2013 08:32 PM

close naman kayo ng owner,
tanong mo if okei lang sa kanya pacompression test mo yung kotse,

atleast you now have a picture of the total condition of the car after seeing the results.

**lowslowbenz** · October 21st, 2013 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by dr. d

hey! i thought the cheap MB was more expensive... heh heh.
but yes po! the cheaper used cars at times turn out to be hugely more expensive..

i advise my pals to buy the more expensive used car, because said car usually gives less headaches..

and my last european car was the air-cooled VW beetle.. iba talaga presyo kapag malayo sa pilipinas ang factory..

If the TS is mechanically inclined, then he could very well take a jab on the "easy" mechanical issues. Otherwise, its a huge dent in the pocket.

To the TS: Is the car a manual or automatic?

**Vincent Tio** · October 21st, 2013 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by 7138

close naman kayo ng owner,
tanong mo if okei lang sa kanya pacompression test mo yung kotse,

atleast you now have a picture of the total condition of the car after seeing the results.

Where can I have that done? and how much will it cost? thanks!

**dr. d** · October 21st, 2013 08:44 PM

i am curious... TS appears to be a newbie.... starting with a bmw might not be a good way to get introduced to the exciting world of car ownership.
but that's just me..
might i ask, what experience does TS have vis a vis cars?