M Reg 318 SE spec’s and issues

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Bavarian-Board Contributor

Joined: 20-April-2004
Location: Elgin
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Points: 7213

Posted: 17-December-2004 at 13:38

oh and the e36 usually starts rusting around the wheelarches at about that age so check it carefully

Edited by stephenperry

2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto

1983 Ford Sierra XR4i

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Bavarian-Board Contributor

Joined: 20-April-2004
Location: Elgin
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Points: 7213

Posted: 17-December-2004 at 13:37

it will have an M43 engine at 95, as it replaced the M40 in late-94

no real difference apart from it has a timing chain instead of a belt, and there were slight modifications for a small increase in power and torque

nippy enough wee thing for a 115bhp 8-valve, but I soon lusted after more power... thats why i went for a 6-cyl next time round!

see mine here:

http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=12754&a mp;PN=1

2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto

1983 Ford Sierra XR4i

wald

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Joined: 17-December-2004
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Posted: 17-December-2004 at 13:22

Thanks so much for the info so far, i am going to have a look at it tomorrow and will heed your advice about the engine noise and suspension.

Neil, you mention the cam etc but then belt, my wife went to see it today and asked about the cam belt. She was told that the car didn't have a cam belt but a chain and that was the good thing about BMW's ... is that right? Didn't sound right to me.

Peter Fenwick View Drop Down

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Posted: 17-December-2004 at 12:30

Rust doesn't always mean a smash. I have noticed that quite a few older E36's are starting to rust around the back arches.

Can't comment on the engine as mines a 6 cylinder car.

You need to check the suspension as when it get's tired tha handling starts to suffer. Things to look out for are snapped rear springs, worn rear wishbone bushes, worn damper top mounts and worn front ball joints. If the car knocks or clunks over bumps then one or more of the above are in need of replacing. Worn rear wishbone bushes will also make the car feel unstable when cornering hard.

Other than that check all the electrics work and that all the instruments are working.

Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

neileg

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Joined: 20-July-2004
Location: Northumberland
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Posted: 17-December-2004 at 11:48

I think on an 'M' this will have the M40 engine. This engine starts to get very noisy at 100k as the cam, followers and lifters start to wear. Also the belt was probably due to be changed around 90k.

Try to listen to the engine started from cold. A rattle when cold that goes as the engine warms up is sticking tappets. A lighter oil can sometimes help this but it's not serious anyway. A quieter clatter that stays even when warm is the valve gear. You will still get another 20 or 30k out of the engine, but the noise gets worse. About �200 in parts to fix plus labour.

The model number is an E36.

Body lasts pretty well on these so rust usually means a smash at some point. Joints in front and rear suspension will be wearing at this point but all easilly fixed and not too costly.

Edited by neileg

Cheers, Neil

wald

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Joined: 17-December-2004
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Points: 23

Posted: 17-December-2004 at 10:07

Looking at buying an M reg 318i SE as a second car but i am having trouble finding specs (model number, engine etc) and info around any issues with this year and model.

For a bit of background i have the opportunity to buy one in excellent condition + full dealer service history for 2.3k but with 100k on the clock.

I know nothing about BMW's and so any information around what i should specifically look for (timing belt changes etc) would be most grateful.

Thanks in advance

Wal

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stephenperry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 20-April-2004 Location: Elgin Status: Offline Points: 7213	Posted: 17-December-2004 at 13:38
	oh and the e36 usually starts rusting around the wheelarches at about that age so check it carefully Edited by stephenperry
	2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly

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stephenperry Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 20-April-2004 Location: Elgin Status: Offline Points: 7213	Posted: 17-December-2004 at 13:37
	it will have an M43 engine at 95, as it replaced the M40 in late-94 no real difference apart from it has a timing chain instead of a belt, and there were slight modifications for a small increase in power and torque nippy enough wee thing for a 115bhp 8-valve, but I soon lusted after more power... thats why i went for a 6-cyl next time round! see mine here: http://www.bmwcarclubforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=12754&a mp;PN=1
	2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly

wald Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17-December-2004 Status: Offline Points: 23	Posted: 17-December-2004 at 13:22
	Thanks so much for the info so far, i am going to have a look at it tomorrow and will heed your advice about the engine noise and suspension. Neil, you mention the cam etc but then belt, my wife went to see it today and asked about the cam belt. She was told that the car didn't have a cam belt but a chain and that was the good thing about BMW's ... is that right? Didn't sound right to me.

Peter Fenwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484	Posted: 17-December-2004 at 12:30
	Rust doesn't always mean a smash. I have noticed that quite a few older E36's are starting to rust around the back arches. Can't comment on the engine as mines a 6 cylinder car. You need to check the suspension as when it get's tired tha handling starts to suffer. Things to look out for are snapped rear springs, worn rear wishbone bushes, worn damper top mounts and worn front ball joints. If the car knocks or clunks over bumps then one or more of the above are in need of replacing. Worn rear wishbone bushes will also make the car feel unstable when cornering hard. Other than that check all the electrics work and that all the instruments are working.
	Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.

neileg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 20-July-2004 Location: Northumberland Status: Offline Points: 638	Posted: 17-December-2004 at 11:48
	I think on an 'M' this will have the M40 engine. This engine starts to get very noisy at 100k as the cam, followers and lifters start to wear. Also the belt was probably due to be changed around 90k. Try to listen to the engine started from cold. A rattle when cold that goes as the engine warms up is sticking tappets. A lighter oil can sometimes help this but it's not serious anyway. A quieter clatter that stays even when warm is the valve gear. You will still get another 20 or 30k out of the engine, but the noise gets worse. About �200 in parts to fix plus labour. The model number is an E36. Body lasts pretty well on these so rust usually means a smash at some point. Joints in front and rear suspension will be wearing at this point but all easilly fixed and not too costly. Edited by neileg
	Cheers, Neil

wald Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17-December-2004 Status: Offline Points: 23	Posted: 17-December-2004 at 10:07
	Hi Looking at buying an M reg 318i SE as a second car but i am having trouble finding specs (model number, engine etc) and info around any issues with this year and model. For a bit of background i have the opportunity to buy one in excellent condition + full dealer service history for 2.3k but with 100k on the clock. I know nothing about BMW's and so any information around what i should specifically look for (timing belt changes etc) would be most grateful. Thanks in advance Wal