I can't say I like them myself, I find the engine gutless and particularly rough, but then I don't have one.
The guy up the road has one, and he's probably had it for a couple of years, and he absolutely loves the thing - and he seems otherwise quite sensible.
I think you need to test drive one and see how you get on. Provided you are comfortable with its amount of power and handling, then you'll be ok. I don't think that its a bad or unreliable car, or even an ugly one, just not my sort of engine.
"if this is the car that you have decided suits your specifications, needs and budget, then go ahead and buy it."
I can't say I'm struck on the idea of agreeing with Dalglish, and this will be the second time this week, but his advice is pretty sound in this instance.
Now the main thrust of your question was not "what does everybody think of the car and the thought of me buying one" but rather "what should I look for?"
As far as I am aware, just the general signs of being abused, thrashed, neglected or crashed. You're probably as well to judge the owner as much as the car.
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I can't say I'm struck on the idea of agreeing with Dalglish, and this will be the second time this week, but his advice is pretty sound in this instance.
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hey, you can disagree all you like whenever you like. as long as you are doing so because you believe in it - rather than just following fashion. mind you, you seem to have become a mild and moderate moderator lately! ;-)
Now the main thrust of your question was not "what does everybody think of the car and the thought of me buying one" but rather "what should I look for?"
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now why has pratically nobody else realised this? he has asked a simple question, and people are going off at a tangent making assumptions of all kinds.
and going on about badge snobbery in reverse.
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toby n - sorry, i cannot help with your specific question. however, i would say that if this is the car that you have decided suits your specifications, needs and budget, then go ahead and buy it. don't let the world become a standard boring old toyota drivers club. be strong, be true to yourself, buy the car you like.
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The problem here is that he may not have driven these cars and so 'the car that suits his specification' is one with a BMW badge. So many people people gravitate, like sheep, toward the badge without knowing anything about the car. A high-spec Corolla (or even a Civic) is going to be less boring to drive than a Compact. Indeed, £4k would probably get you a 'turn of the century' Ford Focus 1.8 - which would be better to drive..!
The big snag with the Compact is that one at that age/mileage is likely to be well thrashed. People buy them expecting 'performance' and then end up pushing the engine to the limit on every gearchange. Bit like the 518 really, they are always bad news because they were underpowered.
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Have to agree (as usual) with Aprilia.
If you want a car to be safe, moderately quick, reliable, fun to drive, spacious, practical and cheap to run, then get a Focus or an Astra in Zetec or SXi trim, respectively. A 2000ish example of those will beat the BMW in any of those respects except that a 318 ti may be a little quicker.
(A £4k Corolla is likely to be a bit dull even for me - newer ones are much better, but more expensive - they're built to be comfortable, practical and above all else reliable, rather than fun, which obviously suits their owners).
A 3 door, 1999 Civic might be harder to find but even more reliable.
However, if you absolutely must have a BMW and/or rear wheel drive in a small car, then the Compact may be as good as you're going to get. Just try to find the rare, unabused one.
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if your looking for a aged BMW (especially a compact)image has got to be on your must have list.
wouldnt feel much pride telling people he drives a corolla would he.
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if your looking for a aged BMW (especially a compact)image has got to be on your must have list. wouldnt feel much pride telling people he drives a corolla would he.
Erm, why not? Shows he's using his brain and not a sucker for this modern 'image' crap that the advertisers have brainwashed so many folk into. When the Compacts first came out I always thought the drivers were a bit sad. *Must* have a BMW - couldn't afford a "real" one so ended up buying *that*.
I own both a Mercedes and a Nissan (and my wife has a Nissan) - I'm as proud of the Nissan as the Merc. I appreciate good engineering and Nissan turn out some very fine engineering indeed. In fact the original poster could well consider a Nissan Primera GT (150bhp), fast, reliable and excellent handling. For £4k he'd get a very recent model.
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Many fair comments above, albeit (I suspect) from people who have not owned one. Nevertheless, I stand by my comment:
"I liked mine, though, a lot. "
Mine was a hand-me-down; someone retired and I was offered the car as mine was dying. I probably wouldn't have chosen it, for reasons similar to those above. At the time, I used to listen to the partners justifying their decisions to get BMWs and think "yeah right, you just want the badge". But it was Hobson's choice so I took it.
But I still liked it. And it stopped me scoffing at the partners.
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Many fair comments above, albeit (I suspect) from people who have not owned one. Nevertheless, I stand by my comment: "I liked mine, though, a lot. " Mine was a hand-me-down; someone retired and I was offered the car as mine was dying. I probably wouldn't have chosen it, for reasons similar to those above. At the time, I used to listen to the partners justifying their decisions to get BMWs and think "yeah right, you just want the badge". But it was Hobson's choice so I took it. But I still liked it. And it stopped me scoffing at the partners.
Fair enough - and would have probably done the same. But you are going back a few years. Things move on. The OP is talking about paying £4k for a 10-year old (probably 80k+ miles and well thrashed) motor. He could have something more modern and half the age, with better safety, performance etc.
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"The original poster could well consider a Nissan Primera GT (150bhp)..."
My first car(!) Fantastic engine and more grip than I had bottle. Also much better equipped than most late '90s BMWs.
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I bought a 97 318ti auto through a friend, one perfect lady owner next to no miles. They seem to polarise opinions these cars, re the suspension it has the semi trailing arms of the pre e36 3 series as has the original M3, current z3 and z3M cars not usually criticised for their handling. Gives more space in the boot. Engine is the same 1.9 as used in the ubiquitous e36 318is coupe, it is not unfair to see a 318ti compact as hatch version of this car really except the coupe is a lot more. The dash is cheap looking but solid was based in part on the old pre e36 dash but so is the z3 in some respect (owned both at times). I found the engine a little course, 4 speed auto box is jerky. I found it an entertaining (rwd)drive but the uncontrollable auto got me down after a while. At the right price, they are ok but personally all 3 series end up too close to the e39 5 series to be worth the money, and this would eat a compact for breakfast on any road you car to name.
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but personally all 3 series end up too close to the e39 5 series to be worth the money, and this would eat a compact for breakfast on any road you car to name.
I would have to agree with that.
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But you are going back a few years. Things move on.
Fair point.
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