BMW 328 (1997) Vs. BMW 318 (1993)

[monarza]

Hi sifus,I am a newbie, thinking to buy a BMW....i got two different friends want to sell to me 2 different BMW,328 (1997) and 318 (1993) ...Here are the descriptions:328:-Year 1997- Milage 162k- Price RM25,000- Test drive, very smooth (with 2 adults + 2 children)- Got small dent at back door (outside)- Interior look ok, like 70% look alike brand new- Exterior look ok, paint look like 85% look alike brand new- Seller does not have any proofs of services+maintenance done...brought from Johor Bahru...- ROad tax VERY EXPENSIVE, wow, Rm1625!!- SUMMARY: : driving this 328 (with 2 adults + 2 children) is like 9.8/10 : the external look is like 8.5/10 (after considering repairing the door dent) : internal look is like 8.3/10318:-Year 1993- Milage 181k- Price RM26,000 (RM1k more expensive than 328 above)- Test drive, smooth (with 4 adults + 4 children, yes, it is true. 2 men at front,2 women+4 children at back) (but driving 328 above I felt a little bit better, maybe due to higher CC and less passenger)- Interior 99% perfect, very nice, look alike 99.9% brand new, with renewed black leather seat...- Exterior paint 95% perfect (95% like brand new)- Side mirror upgraded to Mseries , RM1k said seller- spring upgraded to sports - Black 17" nice sport rim,with new tyres- Seller showed proofs of all services done, well maintained and serviced...- Road tax CHEAP Rm280!!'- SUMMARY: : driving this 318 (with 4 adults + 4 children--> 2 men at front,2 women+4 children at back) is like 9.2/10 : the external look is like 9.5/10 (like brand new) : internal look is like 9.9/10 (like brand new)My question is which one should I buy, in terms of PRICE, RELIABILITY, COMFORT, CHEAP, NICE, etc...Sifus, I desperately need all your comments, and feedbacks (every single comment i will appreciate, even small comment). I need to consider every single thing before i decide...pls sifus, i am a newbie, and am making hard decisions, here...THANK YOU GUYSS>>>-Naz

 

[mizhan]

hey Naz, welcome aboard. my advice is, stay away from 4 cylinders unless you're talking about the E90 320d. you'ld want your car to go as well as look like a BMW.

 

[astroboy]

monarza, first thing you should do.

1. Got to newbie thread and give us a short customary intro.

Newbie section: http://bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30

Got 325 ka? Something in between..

318i auto badly underpower and due to that, petrol consumption is terrible despite the saving on roadtax. In the long run, the extra u pay for petrol would have cover the extra roadtax.

Can u handle a 200hp rear wheel drive or not? Many who get the 328i end up lossing their tail.. its a very tail happy car! I have been driving for more than 20 years and still trying to tame my 150hp full throttle in the corner..

 

[ICEMAN 68]

325 larrrr ...

 

[Slide]

also factor in the fact that the 328's gearbox is a know problem source and will probably last around 200k before u need to get it looked at. se aside around 5 k to sort it out.

also look for the 328 owning experience thread.

 

[monarza]

hey Naz, welcome aboard. my advice is, stay away from 4 cylinders unless you're talking about the E90 320d. you'ld want your car to go as well as look like a BMW.

THanks Mizhan....so, you dont like 318? And you prefer 320, 325 or 328 instead? Can you elaborate why I must stay away from 318? Thankyou

 

[loafer]

328 will leave a smile in your face every single time you step into the car. If you must drive with the autobox just have it fully overhauled and it should keep you smiling for a very very long time.

The part without any service records is quite worrying though. Make sure you have it fully checked by a qualified mechanic before making your decision. Whatever the end result is just make sure you set aside some money for repairs and such.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

THanks Mizhan....so, you dont like 318? And you prefer 320, 325 or 328 instead? Can you elaborate why I must stay away from 318? Thankyou

been an owner of an 318 m40 for 7 years with a clocked millage of 260K or so ...well it was a well built engine i would say ..

interm of driverability ..it's fine and fuel consumption too is fine ..as a full tank would take you as far as 500+ KM ...road tax too is fine ... parts accesibility is also fine and ....

the only problem is POWER ...yaa ..no matter what you do you'll never be satisfied when comes to the power ...

therefore decided to take a plunge to the 6 potter world ...fuel wise ..almost the same as my 4 potter ...for some reason for me ...parts price wise ...almost the same or i would say a difference of 20~50 bucks ... road tax wise a little higher larrr cuz got 2 extra pistons to feed ...

overall satisfied when we talk about power ...ya that's the main reason on why a 6 potter out beat a 4 potter ....

a thread for you ..

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33149

 

[bmw7833]

If the 328i owner is well taken care the 328i, i will opt to 328i even no service record.

Interior and exterior all this thing can be re-done to 100%, so no point.

 

[monarza]

monarza, 318i auto badly underpower and due to that, petrol consumption is terrible despite the saving on roadtax. In the long run, the extra u pay for petrol would have cover the extra roadtax.

Can u handle a 200hp rear wheel drive or not? Many who get the 328i end up lossing their tail.. its a very tail happy car! I have been driving for more than 20 years and still trying to tame my 150hp full throttle in the corner..

THanks astroboy,
There is no option for 325, i would prefer 325 if i have a choice, i think...

when you mention about 318 is badly underpower, how much is the effect in terms of fuel efficiency? Is it double compare to 328? or 50% more? or just 3%? I dont mind if it is just 5-10% extra, since my daily drive to work is just around 30km per day....i estimate maybe around RM100 per month? hehe...

I used to drive many cars, even pickup truck, and Maxda MX6 when i was in the US, heeehee...2500cc...not bad lor....

anywy thanks for ur comments

 

[monarza]

also factor in the fact that the 328's gearbox is a know problem source and will probably last around 200k before u need to get it looked at. se aside around 5 k to sort it out.

also look for the 328 owning experience thread.

slide u r saying that 328 got gearbox problem? thanks...

 

[saifulila68]

My suggestion, better u grab 328i...:top: Powerful, hi spec, new but don't worry about roadtax, once a year only maaaa.....:deal:

 

[V-Man]

I have an e36 328i and all I can say is "I'm loving it every single moment in it ".

Fuel: Running on Shell VPower97, approx: RM100/47.6L gives me 400KM. Weekday drive to work approx speed: 100-140(kmh) and I try to maintain within 10L/100KM range. Weekend drive is aggressive.

Insurance : Should not be a problem as this car value is way cheaper these days.

Road tax: Acquire them twice a year so you won't feel the pinch.

Maintenance: Very reliable car shall you get yours from a TLC owner with full service records. Fix what is necessary and with priority, this will not kill your wallet at one go. Modifications and accessories can wait. Always try to option for original and new parts for longer break-fix threshold.

Power: This is self-explained. The 328i gives you plenty of torque when you need it. Stress-less effort on acceleration. Still capable to give surprises to some new car owners, a run for their buck.

Placebo: After wash, extra smooth and powerful. Head turner. Chick magnet. Figure out your own fantasy :top:

Good Luck on your quest. Browse through the E36 section, plentiful knowledge from sifus and not forgetting their racun. Cheers !

 

[yat]

hai monarza...me newbie in this forum but wat can i say here go for 6potter......325 or 328 n u wont regret n its bmw all about......bout maintainace as long u know where to find the right wshop n sprtshop its simply the best n proud to own..........cheerss

 

[EuJax]

It all depends on what you want, 318i is economical and robust (opt for M43 ones) of course not much driving pleasure if you are fast driver. 328i is to me, much more expensive to maintain and more things to look out for but much more power in your hands, more fun in driving pleasure.

Whatever it is, my advice is dont rush into making decision. Do your survey and research and hunt slowly for the right one. Good luck



Regards

 

[monarza]

hai monarza...me newbie in this forum but wat can i say here go for 6potter......325 or 328 n u wont regret n its bmw all about......bout maintainace as long u know where to find the right wshop n sprtshop its simply the best n proud to own..........cheerss

thanks yat...325 and 328, the maintenance/service/parts are about the same right? or 328 still more expenseive than 325?

any workshop/sportshop you can recommend in Shah Alam/ Subang area?

THanks a lot

 

[monarza]

It all depends on what you want, 318i is economical and robust (opt for M43 ones) of course not much driving pleasure if you are fast driver. 328i is to me, much more expensive to maintain and more things to look out for but much more power in your hands, more fun in driving pleasure.

Whatever it is, my advice is dont rush into making decision. Do your survey and research and hunt slowly for the right one. Good luck



Regards

EuJax,
I am trying not to rush, but I am afraid they both will be taken...as u know, cheap/good deal car is always taken....

I just called this seller, on a website, mention want to sell White 318, with nice rim and nice plate number, year 97 at 98,000km milage (very low milage) at Rm30k. I called this morning, and he told me already sold yesterday at Rm21k....wowwww...i missed very good deal...arggghh...

By the way, your experience, you think 325 and 328 the maintenance/service/part cost are about the same or 328 is more?

thank you

 

[enkil]

Read here bro,

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27

 

[deep3102]

this is slightly off topic, but just out of curiosity, will you be driving the 3'er with full load like you mentioned in your first post, most of the time? Or just a daily drive for yourself?

 

[monarza]

this is slightly off topic, but just out of curiosity, will you be driving the 3'er with full load like you mentioned in your first post, most of the time? Or just a daily drive for yourself?

most of the time, daily drive just myself to work...maybe in the weekend, 2 adult and 2 children under 4 yrs....any thing? thanks