Trading for a high mileage '93 325i good deal?

1320 · 10-13-2002, 07:55 PM

I'm looking for some advice here... i'm trading my 1995 toyota supra tt for $17k and a '93 325i sedan. The car has 165,000 miles. New radiator, eibach springs, 18" wheels, m3 front and rear bumpers $12,000 dollar stereo with labor (alpine 6" moniter dvd player, 2 12" subs amps whole car has dynomat) This is from a friend of mine that lives locally. the car was in an accident before. it was silver and now is black. paint is good car looks awesome. Here are a few issues...

the tail lamp failure light is on (new style red/white taillights were just put on

The SRS or airbag light is on blinks sometimes if i remember correctly

I spotted some coolant at the top front of the engine, and i believe could be the water pump

What is the value of this vehicle?? With the mileage should the car be reliable? What things should i check for? can the issues above be solver easily? thanks for anyones help!

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

165,000 is getting up there in the mileage - things are going to start to need to be replaced. The water pump might be one - this is fairly typical for these cars.

I have a 1993 325is (same car) that just had a head gasket go on it - but I think that this car is the exception to the rule. It had 72K on the clock when I bought it last year. I got it for $9300 or so, and I thought that was a good deal. I generally really like low-mileage cars.

Plug in one of those code-checkers:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/autocat/load_page.cgi?page_number=1&bookmark=1&model=BE12&currsection=electr

and see if there is anything else that is 'hidden' on the car. Is this a manual, or automatic? I have heard that problems exist with high-mileage transmissions (never a cheap repair).

In general, they are very good cars. Probably not as reliable as a high-mileage Toyota or Honda, but pretty reliable in the long run. I'm not sure what your Supra is worth, but if you have a $12K stereo (who the heck spends $12K on a stereo?) then the car with the stereo would probably worth about $15-$20K...

Hope this helps,

Wayne

1320 · 10-14-2002, 07:17 AM

Thanks for the input....How would i know if this car has a limited slip differential? Is it optional or?

Jared at Pelican Parts · 10-14-2002, 07:35 AM

If you can get the part number off the differential, I can check if it is LSD or not. Chances are, if it is simply an "i" model, it does not have LSD. However it was offered as an option for for the standard model that year. Even the "is" models, which normally carried LSD as standard equipment, had LSD listed as an option until 1995, in order to try to keep costs down and the car competitive in the marketplace.

Also too, is your car automatic or manual? BMW generally uses different ratios for both transmissions. A lot of people usually use the auto diff in a manual car for better acceleration. The E36 Manual cars have a 3:15 ratio as opposed to 3:91 for the auto cars.

1320 · 10-14-2002, 08:21 AM

the car is a 5-speed. It really feels slow down low all the power up top of the rpm range.

Jared at Pelican Parts · 10-14-2002, 08:25 AM

Personally, lol I'd keep the Supra. Those things are wicked! My buddy's mom had one and would sometimes let us take it out. Lots of dangerous nights in Decker Canyon in that car......

JasonBMW · 10-14-2002, 11:16 AM

I don't think that the E36 models had LSDs as standard equipment. I think that stopped in 1991 with the end of the E30s.

What is the compression/leakdown on the engine?

stupenal · 10-14-2002, 03:52 PM

Man, I'd keep the supra tt instead. Those things are wicked! A 1993 had the OPTION for lsd. Along with traction control. You could always do the "test" for lsd by revving to 5k and dropping the clutch. If there's two skid marks, you have lsd. I dont really recommend this way though.

1320 · 10-14-2002, 08:41 PM

Thanks for the input guys. i'm not trying to replace the supra just sick of paying the car payment and got a killer deal on this '93 325. I'll own the car, that way i'll be able to go to school i'm only 23 so its time to get things rolling..

SuperWheel · 10-14-2002, 08:42 PM

Car payments do suck. I've been thinking about getting a new truck to haul stuff with, but there's a big difference between a a new truck at $500/month and ZERO!

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Frankly, I'd be terrified to park a car with a $12K "entertainment center" anywhere but in my own garage... Parking something like that at school seems to me to be the next best thing to painting "Break My Window" on the car.

Yes, I'm paranoid--but am I paranoid enough??

--DD

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Break My Window - very funny (BMW)

-Wayne

Jared at Pelican Parts · 10-15-2002, 09:21 AM

Pretty soon, someone will build a speaker on wheels. It's nuts how crazy the ricers get with stereo systems. I know a guy who pulls 11's in his blown Civic, and he's got like a 10K system in it.

BMWCowboy · 10-15-2002, 04:34 PM

This may be a little late..but if it says brake light circuit it usually always is the brake light switch and there is a recall to fix it
its >> S.I.B.-61-08- 96

1320 · 10-15-2002, 05:02 PM

Thanks alot you all have been very helpful...i received the car today...i love it. found out it has real leather, Limited slip, and the cold weather package...i'll get pics up soon thanks again!

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Wow, I'm jealous! One question, how do you know it has a limited slip?

-Wayne

M3Wizard · 10-16-2002, 12:47 AM

Hey, post some pics of your new ride!

1320 · 10-16-2002, 10:35 AM

Wayne,
I revved it to about 5,000 rpm and dropped the clutch!...Lol just kidding i called bmw and talked to the parts department. I gave them the Vin# and they gave me the info...How do i know if the car has all the recalls taking care of? I should have asked when i talked to bmw i guess....

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

That is the usual way to figure that out. (Check at the dealer, using the VIN, to see which recalls have been done on the car.)

--DD