BMW 3-Series E36 (1991 - 1998) - A 318se for free?

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Fri 26 Dec 2008 11:08
A 318se for free? - yesyes
I have been offerered a BMW 318se 1994 for free from a relation who does not need it anymore. This car has done 88k miles, was regularly serviced, and was used regularly until recently. The problem with it is that it won't start, the engine needs cranking for ages for it to start and then it runs fine. Given that I drive old cars anyway (my current "good" car is a Mondeo circa 1996) and I need to replace our second car (ancient small Fiat), would it be wise for me to take on this 318se and get it repaired? Do BMWs make good older cars or do they become too expensive to mantain and repair? All your thoughts appreciated!
Happy Xmas!
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Fri 26 Dec 2008 11:22
A 318se for free? - adverse camber
Take it.

Fair number around, plenty of spares suppliers at sensible prices, made in days of better quality.

I cant see a difficult starting problem like that as being too difficult to fix.
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Fri 26 Dec 2008 13:10
A 318se for free? - Bill Payer
Would you be working on it yourself or using a garage?

If the latter, then the handy availability of a trusted BMW specialist is probably quite important - you really don't want to putting 1994 car into a BMW dealership for work.
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Fri 26 Dec 2008 14:26
A 318se for free? - gordonbennet
If the latter then the handy availability of a trusted BMW specialist


Good point, incidentally my MB indy will also take on trusted customers BMW's, so if you know of a recommended one of those maybe more convenient....
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Fri 26 Dec 2008 20:20
A 318se for free? - yesyes
I can work on it to repair simple things, for more difficult tasks I'd take it to one of two trusted garages that I use, never to a BMW dealership.
SQ

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 26/12/2008 at 21:03

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