COnsidering a new BMW 3181A 2002 model 2nd hand

[Eljay]

dear all

 

i am considering a new BMW 3181A 2002 model 2nd hand priced around $75k - can i have pros and cons here? currently driving a toyota altis

 

thanks!

[Nullifi3d]

You mean this one?

 

http://www.sgcarmart.com/main/info-2ffL7gr-1150.html

[Jamesgetz]

do you know the owner of the car? i hope you do because then you can ask the owner for a honest feedback on the car... i really have a bad impression of beemer's reliability. the car's warranty is over so you may want to think over it carefully...

[Eljay]

no dat one. haha

 

 

 

thanks james for the feedback it seems like mnaintenance for beemer is not cheap. based on the impression from forumers here...

 

thanks

[Lyne]

Yup! 2002 318i is no longer under PML warranty. It depends on what kind of maintenance lor...However, you may send your car for servicing in one of the BMW workshop in Sin Ming, the cost are cheaper and the mechanics are reliable.....

of coz 4 years car may have wear & tear hear and there..... Mine also a 2002 318i...last year juz had the full service for my car..it cost me nearly 1.7k... other than that no comments for the car perfomance....GOOD

[Linus]

hi eljay,

 

my cousin used to drive a used 5 year old 3 series. as he likes to play golf and freq trips to Msia for his hobby, the car can maintain speed of 180km/h and beyond at long stretch. comfort driving. for him personally, it was a big improvement on his previous civic on this aspect.

 

9 months later, he changed to a harrier as he compared that the service and maintenance is much cheaper. comfort and stability is comparable to his previous 3 series.

 

there you go... the pros and cons. my 2 cents.

[Qwert]

Have considered getting a BMW too around that age. For a depre of just abt 8K, it is quite alright, considering that 8K was the depre of my previous 5yr old civic a few yrs back!

[Chickenbackside]

Try to get a 6-cylinder BMW if you can. It's a WORLD of difference. The smoothness, the torque, the power, the sound is just in a different league. Go and drive a few 318's and a few 320's and you will immediately see.

 

Also, there's really nothing much you can do to mod your car (if you're into that) with a Valvetronic engine.

 

PM me if you need specific numbers on maintainece and parts cost. I do not think it's as bad as you described.

[Kanr]

send to vicom to inspect the car b4 buying???

[Thug]

dear all

 

i am considering a new BMW 3181A 2002 model 2nd hand priced around $75k - can i have pros and cons here? currently driving a toyota altis

 

thanks!

BM is damn nice car...go for it brother...dun think too much!!!!

[Odyssey02]

yeaa, i guess its quite expensive. once my relative sent his 318 for servicing and it was really expensive. i don't know what they were doing to the car since i didn't look at the list BUT since he was not in, i paid the bill for him when PML sent the car back and it cost a whopping 3k.

[Linus]

yeah, i guess there are the cars which are famous for their expensive service charges. BM owners might beg to differ. juz my opinion.

 

on the other hand, if the company (employer) pays for all car expenses... why not.

[Ahbengdriver]

I drive an E90 320i, basically I was convinced to get this car despite this n that abt BMWs I read in forums. My friend had a 325i Coupe, and his wife has[still has] a e46 318i sedan. both of them gave me test drives in their cars before I bot my car. Both cars ard 7 years old then[they buy together one!]. The 325Ci was super smooth and steady on roads. They 318i is also fine, I dont know why lotsa people say its no good. This couple had owned Merc, Saabs, and Volvos before and they advised me that the BMW was the most reliable amongst their cars.

 

Cost of maintenance of BMWs is not as scary as u think. They are serviced based on Condition-based-maintenance. In CBM, the car monitors the driving habit/style of owner and usage and work out when the car should be serviced and it will tell u when its due. typically, u service a BMW once in every 25,000km om average. Problems in cars must also be distinguished properly between whether is minor or major problems. A door rattling noise is not a major problem to me. Also shld distinguish between electronic and engine problems. I would say BMW build one of the best engines, thats why their engines keep winning awards. What some people experience are mainly electronic problems. BMWs are built with lotsa electronics and sensors to help the driver. Bcos its is built more complicatedly, it will surely be a bit more diff to fix when breaks down than a simpler car right? Every car built this way will be sama sama.

 

I ve driven many marques myself and I can tell u its worth the $$ if you go for the BMW318i. There are many cars which can give you higher BHP for the same $$, but when it comes to handling, drive one of them and u will feel there is a difference. I ve driven my 3 month old car up to 140km/h and it feels like just 80-90km/h. As bro cheickenbackside said if u can get the 6-cyl 320i e46, its even better.

 

if u need any further info, u can PM me to ask what little I know. Otherwise, check out the forum at www.bmw-sg.com

Edited May 30, 2006 by Ahbengdriver

[Jamesgetz]

no dat one. haha

 

 

 

thanks james for the feedback it seems like mnaintenance for beemer is not cheap. based on the impression from forumers here...

 

thanks

 

note that it's not just the regular maintenance... in fact, if you go to those outside pro-BMW workshops, the price can be pretty reasonable. the problem is unscheduled maintenance ie. repairs needed when car breaks down which can be really frustrating and waste of $$$

[Guest66]

hmmmagreed!...I think in SG roads..comfort, refinement n handling rides above raw speed.

I still missed my old 5series..but nowadays..im seeing couples of E46 wz FMIC hiding behind da grills.. .

[Eljay]

hi all

 

really apprecaite all the replies.

 

definitely will consider.... hehe

 

thanks

[Edrollbrick]

Engine and handling almost no comparison.

 

But I think if you can live with the nitty gritty electronics indicators lighting up then it is alright.

 

But have to differ in absolute longevity of their autoboxes, these are quite well known to not take too kindly to our local start/stop conditions. A few of my friends whom need to drive in city traffic often need to replace autoboxes within 3 years or need to "re-tune" and change valves or some other parts in the system. So many 1st owners will let go of their cars within 3 years or 5years for those who travel more on highways or light traffic. Just my 2cents.

[RadX]

If you want some advise, go chk the history at PML, and if you really are keen, gimme me a pm, and i can go down with you...I know a fair amt of Beemers, and never had a lemon....

 

chk mileage and the other stuff....best of luck bro