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BMW 318i SE - couple of qs

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  • 15-09-2008 10:06pm
    #1
    beezkneez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 143 ✭✭


    hey there.
    thinking of buying a 2003 318i. Has 68k miles so just wondering when would timing chain need to be changed? anything else i should be looking out for? i have wanted one for years so reckon now is good time to buy.


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    #2
    Ronan H
    Registered Users Posts: 1,058 ✭✭✭Ronan H


    Im it has a timing CHAIN it never needs to be changed. However if it has a timing BELT then you will have to check the level of frequency with BMW... I wasn't aware that the newer BMW's had chains, i thought that was a feature of the older 90's models but I am open to correction on that...

    Stiff / sticky accelerators can also be a problem, but that's something that affects many BMW's, not just the model that you are looking at. Another common BMW issue is overheating or the potential for it if coolant levels are not monitored and addressed regularly. It wouldnt be entirely rare to hear the words "BMW" and "blown head gasket" in the same sentence...

    Having said that, my sister has a 2001 318i SE and it's a nice motor so the very best of luck with it if you go for it. Do some more research though just to be sure about it. Try these websites on for size:

    http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_topics.asp?FID=5

    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/index.php

    http://www.accarsales.com

    The first one is an Irish section on a UK based website, the second is US based I think, and the third is a highly and frequently recommended BMW specialist in Dublin.

    Enjoy.

    Head


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    #3
    optiplexgx270
    Registered Users Posts: 2,497 ✭✭✭optiplexgx270


    Check here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=36& for common stuff accross the range

    They tend to say 70 odd K for belts and 90ish for chains (though strictly as above they "should" be a lifetime part).

    Edit: BAH BAH See below or above for that matter :o


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    #4
    Ronan H
    Registered Users Posts: 1,058 ✭✭✭Ronan H


    optiplexgx270 wrote: »
    They tend to say... ... ...90ish for chains.

    There's my correction :). It would appear that I was misinformed previously about timing chains not needing to be changed...

    Cheers Opti...

    Head


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    #5
    optiplexgx270
    Registered Users Posts: 2,497 ✭✭✭optiplexgx270


    Actually i just looked into it on the e46 timing chains and look like im wrong the more i look into it online :P Someone told me when i was looking at a car with a chain that you need to change them, but it seems the tentioners can go about the 100k mark and should be changed not the chain itself :)


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    #6
    xbox36016
    Closed Accounts Posts: 764 ✭✭✭xbox36016


    how much is the car?


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    #7
    Ronan H
    Registered Users Posts: 1,058 ✭✭✭Ronan H


    Ah well, either way you can keep the good karma :)...

    Head


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    #8
    beezkneez
    Closed Accounts Posts: 143 ✭✭beezkneez


    cheers lads, just like i suspected! the cars are expensive enough without extras popping up all the time so i am trying to predict as many of them as i can! thanks.


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