96 318is - pimp my rust heap?

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gimp - 01 Dec 2006 08:13 GMT

i've just noticed tiny rust spiderwebs on my 1996 318is M-tech (i've had
it for 8 months). and its on 6 panels lol. all the doors and the rear
side panels. its hard to see under the black paint but of course it
will get worse... i really like the car - nice shape, M3 mirrors and
18" mags..... apart from the rust only things i don't really like are
the K's its done (155), and the leather seats, although in very good
condition i've seen better leather in newer cars. i'm trying to decide
between a total repaint and fix up, or sell it and trade up to a 2000 /
01. i could afford either but i think the pimp would work out
cheaper.... rust is the kiss of death when selling.

if i did do the fix i'd do it properly and get all the window seals
replaced, tints, new angle headlights,
etc. would others in my situation consider doing this on a car that's
done 155Ks..?

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Psycho - 01 Dec 2006 19:26 GMT

>i've just noticed tiny rust spiderwebs on my 1996 318is M-tech (i've had
>it for 8 months). and its on 6 panels lol. all the doors and the rear
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>etc. would others in my situation consider doing this on a car that's
>done 155Ks..?

There's a lot of us doing it on older cars with many more K (miles)
on the clock...

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John Burns - 01 Dec 2006 19:53 GMT

It's a 318iS, that engine's OK but the E36 is too heavy for it (E30
318iS is a blast). Sell it and get a 328i coupe. It's not worth
investing a ton of money in.

You can move your 18s onto the new car. Just get some cheap 16" alloys
from ebay to sell the old one with (I got four nice ones with tyres for
100 quid!).

Look down in the south of england as they're more rust free there. I got
our last two cars in Bristol and Bournemouth, found them on ebay. Both
were rust free (16 and 11 years old respectively).

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gimp - 01 Dec 2006 23:50 GMT

> It's a 318iS, that engine's OK but the E36 is too heavy for it (E30
> 318iS is a blast). Sell it and get a 328i coupe. It's not worth
> investing a ton of money in.

i prefer 4-door cars. i quite like the economical 318 engine, i'm
guessing a 2.8L 6cyl would be a lot more thirsty than a 318iS..? i'm
mainly concerned about the long term reliability of the engines which i
don't know much about, and i guess is pretty hard to tell at any rate ;)
my mechanic says it looks great for its years but who knows.

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John Burns - 02 Dec 2006 11:51 GMT

> i prefer 4-door cars. i quite like the economical 318 engine, i'm
> guessing a 2.8L 6cyl would be a lot more thirsty than a 318iS..? i'm
> mainly concerned about the long term reliability of the engines which i
> don't know much about, and i guess is pretty hard to tell at any rate ;)
> my mechanic says it looks great for its years but who knows.

All BMWs engines will last to silly mileages IF looked after.

The 328i isn't bad in fuel due to it's higher gearing. I easily average
30+ mpg (Imperial) and I have a heavy right foot. Even managed 40 a few
times!

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MW de Jager - 04 Dec 2006 07:03 GMT

My wife's 316 (1800) is much less thirsty in town. (About 25-30%)

My 328 only just manages to equal the 316 on the open road, but only if I
drive very conservatively.

If you are looking for economy around town, stay away form a 328.

MW

>> i prefer 4-door cars. i quite like the economical 318 engine, i'm
>> guessing a 2.8L 6cyl would be a lot more thirsty than a 318iS..? i'm
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> 30+ mpg (Imperial) and I have a heavy right foot. Even managed 40 a few
> times!

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