BMW 325i 1991 Problems

For a blend of performance, handling precision, comfort and refinement it’s hard to go past any of the BMWs of the last 20 years, and of course there’s the prestige that comes with the blue and white spinner badge. In many ways BMW has become the benchmark for the car industry. The Bavarian company’s cars have been pace setters since the mid-1980s, particularly since the beaut E30 3-Series and the equally brilliant larger E34 5-Series were launched.They were great driving cars that put the fun back into motoring, cars that were enjoyable to drive, safe and refined, the sort that made you want to get behind the wheel.Today there are plenty of other models from rival car makers that challenge the BMW stars, but few have managed to fully capture the thrill of driving that is part and parcel of the cars from Bavaria.The E36 3-Series launched in 1991 saw a natural progression of the E30. It was bigger and more refined, but built on the things that make BMWs so appealing.Today the E36 represents an affordable ticket into the BMW driving experience, an attractive car for the young and young at heart. It equally appeals to older drivers wanting to downsize from a larger family four-door.MODEL WATCHBy the time the E36 3-Series appeared in local showrooms it was already coming under attack from other car makers who had been busy preparing their own versions of the smallest Beemer.The success of the 3-Series, particularly the E30, wasn’t lost on BMW’s rivals. Its blend of performance, handling and beaut styling in a compact sedan was attracting more and more buyers who didn’t need the size of a Falcon or Commodore, but appreciated the prestige of driving a Euro badge.The 3-Series was, still is, BMW’s biggest seller here. It was in no small part responsible for the German brand’s rise to pre-eminence as the leading Euro importer in the mid-1990s.The E36 318i is a conventional booted four-door sedan. Inside there was accommodation for five, but it really was a little squeezy if you tried to fit five into a space that was more comfortable for four. Still, if you wanted to fit three across the rear bench the unfortunate soul who got the middle slot had the safety of a lap and sash belt.Front seats were comfortable buckets trimmed in durable cloth. There wasn’t any adjustment of the steering column, but the driver had the protection of an airbag from 1993.Power was modest. There was a new 1.8-litre fuel-injected four cylinder engine, the M43, but it was still a two-valver and BMW chose to concentrate on refinement and fuel efficiency rather than chase performance, hence the power gains over the previous four were relatively small.With variable length inlets the power flow of the BMW four was smooth and uninterrupted. So smooth was the delivery that it felt flat to some.Peak power was put at 85 kW, up just 2 kW, and that occurred at 5500 rpm, while maximum torque was 168 Nm, up from 162, and that was achieved at 3900 rpm.There’s no denying it, the numbers were modest and that resulted in modest performance with the 0-100 km/h sprint requiring 11.3 secs and the 400 metre dash taking a fairly leisurely 17.9s. Fuel consumption, however, was well under nine L/100km on average.Gearbox choices were a five-speed manual that had a delightfully slick shift, or a smooth four-speed auto, which was the choice of most buyers.Despite the modest numbers the thrill of driving the BMW on the open road wasn’t dulled. It was always beautifully poised, fluid and well planted, which was both reassuring and challenging.Front suspension was MacPherson strut, the rear multilink independent, with anti-roll bars at both ends.Brakes were a combination of ventilated front discs with solid rears, with the safety of standard ABS from early 1992.Steering was power-assisted rack and pinion that was well weighted and helped point the 318i so precisely.Alloy wheels were optional, steel wheels came standard and they had full wheel covers, but that hardly made up for the lack of alloys.ABS and metallic paint became standard features from April 1992, driver’s airbag from November 1993. A passenger’s airbag joined the features list along with power windows in November ‘94; the following year saw auto climate control air-con standard as well.The 318i Limited arrived in 1996 with alloy wheels, wood trim and six speaker sound. An Executive model replaced it in June 1997 to keep the E36 going in the final months before it was replaced by the E46 in Aug ’98. In addition to the standard features of the regular 318i it also boasted leather trim and remote central locking.IN THE SHOPThe 3-Series is generally robust and reliable providing it’s serviced, which includes regular changes of coolant. Failing to change the coolant can lead to problems with corrosion in the engine and cooling system ancillaries.Check for a verifiable service record, preferably by a BMW dealer or recognised BMW specialist and walk away from any car that doesn’t have one.Engines, transmissions and drive lines are all reliable and give little trouble in the long term if looked after.Like all Euros brake wear is an issue, witness the build up of brake dust on the front wheels of most of them, so be prepared to replace not only pads on a regular basis, but disc rotors as well.Quality of interior trim components is quite high and they generally stand up well in our hot sun.Likewise the paint, even the metallics, withstands the onslaught of the sun well, and there’s little evidence of fading. Look instead for signs of accident damage and small dings caused by careless drivers.Dealer servicing is expensive, as are the factory parts, so look for a BMW specialist and you’ll save plenty.OWNERS VIEWDave Odorisio has owned his 318i for eight years. It has now travelled 135,000 km and still gives great fuel economy. He says the comfort and feel of road control make it too good to sell. Although he says the 318i lacks in performance Dave has fitted larger wheels and upgraded the suspension, which has made up for the lack of grunt.MG enthusiast Michael Tait bought his BMW 318i auto in 1998 with 32,000 km on the odometer. He says it’s a comfortable city and touring car, although its performance can be best described as leisurely. It has now covered 150,000 reliable kilometres, and in that time four tyres, a radiator and water pump have been replaced in addition to normal service items.LOOK FOR• unbeatable prestige of BMW badge• precise, well balanced handling makes driving a pleasure• refined, quiet and comfortable, a joy on long trips• modest performance, but very economical• reliable and robust over long term• check for verifiable service record 

If the number of fresh faces I’ve recently seen driving BMW’s early 3-Series is a reliable guide the E30 has to be one of the coolest drives in town. With clean sporty looks, spirited performance and competent handling and braking, the E30 3-Series is seen as a cool alternative to the popular Japanese models that are beginning to lose some of their gloss in the eyes of young drivers.MODEL WATCHThe E30 3-Series 318i first came on the local market in 1983 as a stylish and well proportioned rear-wheel drive two-door sedan, followed a year later by an equally pretty four-door version which made it more practical for carrying friends and families.Power initially came from a 1-8-litre overhead camshaft fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that boasted peak power of 77kW and maximum torque of 145Nm. There was a choice of five-speed manual and three-speed auto transmissions, suspension was independent all round, and it had four-wheel disc brakes.Standard features included power mirrors, tachometer, Eurovox radio/cassette sound system, full wheel trims, and a chrome tail pipe extension was added to the exhaust.Central locking and Alpine radio/cassette sound became standard in 1985, and power steering became available as an option.Sports suspension became standard in 1986, and the following year its performance was boosted with more power, which then climbed to 83 kW.Power steering, leather sports steering wheel, air-conditioning, and a Eurovox radio/cassette sound system was added to the standard features list in 1989.This post-’89 model is definitely the best choice if you want a four-door. It is still a sweet little car today, remaining tight and generally free of rattles and squeaks even with 160,000 km or more showing on the odometer.Performance is brisk, the four-speed manual a delight to use, the clutch light. The ride is comfortable, handling responsive, and power steering quite precise even though it’s relatively light.Inside there are bucket front seats, which are comfortable and supportive, clear and easy-to-read instruments and well laid-out controls, and a powerful sound system. Air-con adds to the comfort and a sunroof makes for pleasant driving on warm sunny days.Perhaps the best of the E30 series was the 318is introduced in 1990. Available only as a two-door with five-speed manual gearbox the only choice, the 318is was powered by a sporty 24-valve double overhead camshaft 1.8-litre fuel-injected four -cylinder engine.Peak power was 100 kW and max torque was 172 Nm, enough to have the 318is capable of 202 km/h.Standard features were air-conditioning, power antenna, Eurovox radio/cassette, power steering, metallic paint, central locking, leather sports steering wheel, sports suspension, body coloured front and rear spoilers.Leather trim, sports seats and ABS brakes were standard from October 1990.ON THE LOTIt’s best to buy the latest model you can afford, that way you’ll get the car with the lowest mileage and the most life left in it.On that basis the post-’89 models are the ones to go for. Expect to pay between $9000 and $13,500 for a two-door car with up to 190,000 km on the odometer; four-doors are $500 more expensive.The pick of the E30 bunch, if you can live with a manual gearbox and two doors, is the sporty 318is built between 1990 and 1991, which can be yours for $10,500 to $15,500.IN THE SHOPNow up to 20 years old the E30 can be expected to be showing the wear and tear of a long life on the road so it’s wise to spend extra time checking any car you’re considering buying to avoid trouble.Like most BMWs, the E30 3-Series was bought as a prestige car when new, and as a result many were well cared for, some even pampered, but as time has passed they have been passed down the line to second, third and more owners. Many of these later owners haven’t had the money to properly maintain the cars and as a result many have fallen into disrepair.The best E30 to buy is the one-owner mint condition car that has been regularly serviced. But, as they are hard to find look for a car that has been obviously well cared for, one that has a verifiable service history. If the service records show the one mechanic has serviced the car make contact with them and check out its history.Go over the body thoroughly looking for substandard accident repairs, mismatching sections of paint, badly fitting panels and hardware. Also check for rust around the rubbers at the bottom edges of the doors, and rust in the windscreen and rear window openings. Rust isn’t a common problem, but can be if insufficient sealant has been used when a windscreen is replaced.A service history that can be verified is a must. It not only tells you that the car has been regularly serviced, but who has serviced it, and it gives you a good guide to the accuracy of the odometer reading. It would be nice to think that the car you’re buying has been serviced by a BMW dealer, but that would be a rarity in a car as old as the E30 is now, so don’t be put off if it hasn’t been serviced by a BMW dealer.The most critical thing to check is that the cam timing belt has been regularly changed. BMW recommend that it be replaced about every 40,000 km, which equates to about two years of normal driving. If it hasn’t been replaced there is a real risk that it will break or strip, and that can mean substantial, and expensive internal damage to the engine. It only takes about two hours to replace the belt so it’s worth having it done.Also check the engine for a build-up of oil sludge. The easiest way to do this is to look through the oil filler cap. A thick layer of sludge could mean an engine rebuild soon, as the sludge gradually blocks all of the oil feed lines in the engine. This normally doesn't occur with regular servicing and good quality oil, but with lower quality engine oil and missed services it's a possibility.The 3-Series is quite a sporty little car so look for signs that it has been modified or thrashed by youthful or inexperienced drivers. Look for non-genuine parts like sports exhausts, lowered and stiffened suspension and larger wheels.The trim generally stands up well, although you can expect to see some warped and discoloured plastic components on the dash and rear parcel shelf.LOOK FOR:• Sporty styling still has plenty of drive-by appeal.• Trim, taut and terrific body has few rattles and squeaks.• Brisk performance with responsive handling and good braking.• Verifiable service history that confirms replacement of cam belt.ALTERNATIVES:Ford Laser KF hatch – 1990-91 – $2000-$5000Toyota Corolla CS – 1989-91 – $2000-$7000Nissan Pulsar – 1991-92 – $2500-$8500Honda Civic – 1990-92 – $4000-$9500