Gareth F
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Registered: 16th Jan 08
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Im just looking at a 318ci as im not interested in massive power, just wondering what people know about them. Are they reliable or do they have issues? Look comfy and solid, im 6'4" so need some headroom.
Something like this:
clicky
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
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sister in law has got a 318 cab m sport 55 reg, its actually pretty nippy, i was quite surprised.
de badge it and get a twin tip exhaust and no one will be able to tell it from a 330, lovely cars
she hasn't had any probs with it at all
[Edited on 10-05-2010 by Tomnova16]
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Rich H
Member
Registered: 26th Oct 05
Location: West Sussex Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
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Needs CSL's
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Adam-D
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Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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there very nice

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Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
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Depends what year, the e46 has a few problems, the main one is the rear floor cracking where the rear suspension mounts are, make sure you check there.
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Adam-D
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Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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yeah, that worry'd the fuck outta me.
got bmw liverpool to check it.
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Gareth F
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Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
User status: Offline
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Im looking at 2003 53 plate facelift m sport ones, 143bhp 0-60 in 9.3 but mpg is 39 as an average 
Do you know what years suffered the rear floor cracking? that sounds pretty major!
Looking at getting a silver m sport with maybe a coloured leather trim. Burgendy is looking pretty cool i have to admit
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Gareth F
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Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by Rich H
Needs CSL's
I was thinking speedlines and a GSi kit
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JayCarr
Member
Registered: 19th Dec 02
Location: Cambs Drives:M3 & X3
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I've just bought a 325ci and I'm 6'7" so no problems for you to fit in one
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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quote: Originally posted by Robin
Depends what year, the e46 has a few problems, the main one is the rear floor cracking where the rear suspension mounts are, make sure you check there.
pre 2001 this was wasn't it?
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BarnshaW
Member
Registered: 25th Oct 06
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i believe 2001 and before was also 8 valve models instead of 16v. They are pretty solid engine wise, same problems with other 3 series, rear spring problems, also check the door seals and all the electrics are OK.
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Gareth F
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Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
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quote: Originally posted by JayCarr
I've just bought a 325ci and I'm 6'7" so no problems for you to fit in one
Excellent 
So with the springs I would just replace them for after market ones to avoid problems.
Door seals I didnt know about and are the electrics prone to failure? Bit worrying incase of fire etc 
What about the wear factor? Ie tyres, brakes, servicing? What kind of prices should i be expecting to pay out? I know on the M3 wheels its about £360 for mid range rear tyres 
Ive done a fair few brake changes on the corsas and a tigra so not afraid to do the job mayself if possible.
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BarnshaW
Member
Registered: 25th Oct 06
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by Gareth F
quote: Originally posted by JayCarr
I've just bought a 325ci and I'm 6'7" so no problems for you to fit in one
Excellent 
So with the springs I would just replace them for after market ones to avoid problems.
Door seals I didnt know about and are the electrics prone to failure? Bit worrying incase of fire etc 
What about the wear factor? Ie tyres, brakes, servicing? What kind of prices should i be expecting to pay out? I know on the M3 wheels its about £360 for mid range rear tyres 
Ive done a fair few brake changes on the corsas and a tigra so not afraid to do the job mayself if possible.
when i say door seals i mean the rubber bits around the doors, I looked at a few and on alot of them these had persihed or come lose, looks tacky.
The electrics I mean make sure its all working, had a few where passenger windows would not work and airbag lights can come on intermittently.
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Gareth F
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Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
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I know what door seals are but havnt read anything about having issues with perishing.
Whats the best site to find out more about these so i can dosome homework?
I always sit there and play with every button and movable part when looking at new cars.
Gf looked at a Ford sport ka from a suzuki dealrship, he said everything was perfect and in working order. So i put this to the test with him sat in the back during the test drive. Aircon didnt work, glove box catch was crap, left hand front speaker wasnt working, he said it had just been serviced so i looked at the colour of the oil and it was black and the airfilter was full of crap so i just laughedand toldhim to stick it. Hate liars
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Robin
Premium Member
Registered: 7th Jan 04
Location: Northants Drives: Clio 182 Cup
User status: Offline
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quote: Originally posted by Jambo
quote: Originally posted by Robin
Depends what year, the e46 has a few problems, the main one is the rear floor cracking where the rear suspension mounts are, make sure you check there.
pre 2001 this was wasn't it?
I'm fairly sure it can get any of them Jumbone.
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Gareth F
Member
Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
User status: Offline
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Please dont say that
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
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can be any of them yeah, can have it done uner warranty as is a known fault, we did loads at my old place
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Gareth F
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Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
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Even if the cars out of warranty can it still be covered? Where abouts do the cracks form so i know where im looking.
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
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http://media.photobucket.com/image/e46%20cracked%20subframe/02PRUV/My%20BMW%20M3/IMGP0829.jpg?o=1
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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

http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Gareth F
Member
Registered: 16th Jan 08
Location: Location Location
User status: Offline
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So is it the carrier sub-frame mounts that go?
Is it actually fixable or preventable?
Also how much is it to repair if/when they go?
Thanks for the pics tom
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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yep carrier mounts and also boot floor, although i belive its only the pre 2001 models that have the boot floor issue.
with regard to repairs i dont have a clue as didnt deal with the pricing side of things at my old place
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Adam-D
Member
Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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mine has just had its mot too....
new lower arm and a rear bush.
will actually be sad to see it go... but i want more power...
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sand-eel
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Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
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I would at least get a 320i if you don't need performance because of extra smoothness from 6 pot, extra better noise, extra power/torque when you need it and the MPG is basically nearly the same.
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