BMW Problems

YOU have one great car there. The 535i was the sporting flagship of the regular 5 Series until the V8s appeared in 1993. They are great to drive and pretty reliable. I would suspect your vibration is caused by one or more of the drive-shaft joints. Have it checked by a BMW specialist. As for fuel consumption, you do have a sporty car that is renowned for using more fuel than those with smaller engines. The fuel consumption you're getting is about right for the 535i. As for possible problems you may encounter, the 535i is prone to head-gasket problems at the sort of mileage yours has reached, and if not caught this can lead to more expensive damage to the cylinder head. They are also prone to radiator failure. These cost about $700 to replace and can lead to gasket failure if not fixed when you first notice a higher than normal temperature.

Michael has done 118,000km in his 318i, and in that time he has fitted four new tyres. But that doesn't mean he's done 118,000km on one set of tyres. His car has done 150,000km, which could mean each of the two sets of tyres fitted to it in that time might have covered 75,000km each. To get 118,000km out of a set of tyres on a 318i would be no mean feat.

THE 1985 BMW 318i is quite a good choice to learn in. It's a rear-wheel-drive car, which I prefer when learning about how a car handles, and your idea of buying a manual is likewise a good one. The 3-Series is a solid car that stands up well over time and with accumulated mileage, but going back to 1985 increases the risk of trouble with any car. By now, it will have 200,000km-plus on the odometer. This isn't a huge problem, but it should be cause for caution. Any car you buy will probably have had several owners, and not all will have followed BMW's service recommendations. Have a BMW expert check it out for you. It might cost a few dollars, but it might save even more in the long run. Also check the car's service record, particularly looking for evidence the cam timing belt has been changed. Expect to pay between $3000 and $5000 depending on the condition, and buy the best car you can afford.

No doubt the Rodeo delivers adequate brake performance -- it has to, to meet ADRs and customer expectations. But I'm sure you'd agree it doesn't brake as effectively as your BMW. The Rodeo doesn't have the high performance of the BMW so it doesn't need the same level of braking performance. German cars (including the Opel-sourced Holden) do tend to use a pad/rotor combination that gives good pedal feel and stopping performance, but higher wear. But all car companies are striving for greater braking performance and even homegrown models now chew up pads and discs in less than 60,000km.