Opinions invited on 318i M Sport Coupe

[jonco]

Help please - the co-pilot has her eye on a 318i M Sport Coupe. 2011 reg 14.9k on clock - MoT history indicates no more than 3k per year - has anybody got or had one or experience of this model? Any info on problems or what to look out for appreciated.
The good news is there will be less competition to drive the Zed - yippee

 

[Tfp]

I like them, and I think they're good value for money. Not owned one, but have bought/inspected a few.

At that mileage I wouldn't expect there to be much to look out for, I've seen oil leaks on ones done more miles.

But do the usual checks, and make sure there's no uneven tyre wear pointing to possible damage from hitting kerbs etc...

Always have a good look under a vehicle when buying, it's saved me a few times.

 

[jonco]

.....make sure there's no uneven tyre wear pointing to possible damage from hitting kerbs etc..

Thanks - I've only had a quick look - going back tomorrow - did notice some front tyre outer wear. It's on local BMW dealer's forecourt.

We were driving past and she spotted a Z4 which I said was too expensive - so she turned her attention to something more in price range (mine that is).

 

[Tfp]

Thanks - I've only had a quick look - going back tomorrow - did notice some front tyre outer wear. It's on local BMW dealer's forecourt.

I've seen outer wear on lots of Bmw's, not unusual if it's not excessive.

If it's on a Bmw forecourt I'd expect it to have 5mm of tread across 75% of the tyre. Any less, although legal, I'd push for new tyres.

Buying Bmw used/approved should give you peace of mind.

Any faults occurring in the first 30 days you can reject the car nowadays and dealers know this so they normally prep/check the cars properly.

 

[EssexZed]

As it's at a BMW dealer wouldn't it come with a Approved Used Car warranty? There's lots of buying advice for the 1 Series to be found online but with the warranty to provide piece of mind I'd be more concerned on checking the bodywork is all OK and the service history is complete. My daughter bought a 1 Series 5 door hatchback a few months ago. It's a diesel so different engine to the one you're looking at and so far it's been impressive - good to drive, quiet and refined, comfortable on long journeys, frugal too but that's what you'd expect from a diesel. As it's a hatchback it's proven to be pretty versatile for lugging all kinds of stuff, and that's where it scores over the coupe. The coupe might look pretty but be sure you can live with the restrictions of its body style

 

[jonco]

As it's at a BMW dealer wouldn't it come with a Approved Used Car warranty? ........................The coupe might look pretty but be sure you can live with the restrictions of its body style

Thanks - yes it is eligible for BMW AUC warranty. We can manage the body style now - enough for 2 old pensioners . Had read in some reviews it's hard on handling but otherwise no problems.

 

[Brian4]

We've got a 118i so not as big but vertical economical unless you boy race it. Not the most powerful engine but goes very well. Try it first and some bumpy/normal roads as the May sport suspension can be hard. Great in motorways though.

 

[Tfp]

Whenever I buy a car for myself nowadays from a dealer I drive straight to my local friendly tyre centre. I give them £20 for them to put the car up on a ramp, have a quick look for oil leaks, damage etc, then spin all the wheels checking for cracked or bent alloys (often on the inside edge of the rim) and bulges in any tyres the dealer may have missed.

Yes I'm an untrusting old git, but with modern low profile tyres, and our badly potholed roads, I'm seeing more and more wheel/tyre damage on cars I'm sent to buy.

Do it literally on the way home because if you leave it a week the dealer will say it could have happened since you bought it.

 

[jonco]

Whenever I buy a car for myself nowadays from a dealer I drive straight to my local friendly tyre centre. I give them £20 for them to put the car up on a ramp, have a quick look for oil leaks, damage etc, then spin all the wheels checking for cracked or bent alloys (often on the inside edge of the rim) and bulges in any tyres the dealer may have missed..................

Good advice - I have a friendly Indy garage who MOT my cars and do the jobs I can't or don't fancy doing - so I'll give them a call if I go ahead with it.On reflection, I've only bought one used car in the last 35 years and that was the Zed - fortunately I got that one right but there were a number of past disasters.

 

[jonco]

Thanks for previous input @Brian4 @Tfp and @EssexZed - have actually bought the car today.
Worn tyre to be replaced and reason for uneven wear to be checked/rectified.
Suspension has `Model designation deletion' as original spec option which I did not fully understand but basically softens the ride.
The car is literally a `one lady owner' and is in pristine condition - cabin looks like new and you would think the boot had never been opened.
Turned out we knew one of the salesmen and he said he had `sold' the car last week but the `buyer' could not get finance.

 

[Grumps]

I've seen outer wear on lots of Bmw's, not unusual if it's not excessive.

If it's on a Bmw forecourt I'd expect it to have 5mm of tread across 75% of the tyre. Any less, although legal, I'd push for new tyres.

Buying Bmw used/approved should give you peace of mind.

Any faults occurring in the first 30 days you can reject the car nowadays and dealers know this so they normally prep/check the cars properly.

Keep meaning to ask you Tim. You don't move cars with a 4x4 and trailer with a "Tim" private plate on it do you? Seen it a couple of times. Sorry of topic. My apologies.

 

[Tfp]

Keep meaning to ask you Tim. You don't move cars with a 4x4 and trailer with a "Tim" private plate on it do you? Seen it a couple of times. Sorry of topic. My apologies.

Haha, not me I'm afraid.

Pretty much the train all the time nowadays.

 

[Brian4]

@jonco The model designation deletion means it has the suspension from the SE model so yes a softer ride but should still handle well.

Nice looking car , front and rear parking sensors are good, gangster glass and folding mirrors.

 

[Tfp]

Thanks for previous input @Brian4 @Tfp and @EssexZed - have actually bought the car today.
Worn tyre to be replaced and reason for uneven wear to be checked/rectified.
Suspension has `Model designation deletion' as original spec option which I did not fully understand but basically softens the ride.
The car is literally a `one lady owner' and is in pristine condition - cabin looks like new and you would think the boot had never been opened.
Turned out we knew one of the salesmen and he said he had `sold' the car last week but the `buyer' could not get finance.

Sounds like a lovely example.

If the worn tyre is passenger side front then it could be just lots of roundabouts, but I'm sure they'll get to the bottom of it.

If I was viewing the car I'd just poke my head underneath the corner with the worn tyre to make sure there's no shiny new suspension parts pointing towards some damage..

 

[EssexZed]

Thanks for previous input @Brian4 @Tfp and @EssexZed - have actually bought the car today.
Worn tyre to be replaced and reason for uneven wear to be checked/rectified.
Suspension has `Model designation deletion' as original spec option which I did not fully understand but basically softens the ride.
The car is literally a `one lady owner' and is in pristine condition - cabin looks like new and you would think the boot had never been opened.
Turned out we knew one of the salesmen and he said he had `sold' the car last week but the `buyer' could not get finance.

Congratulations, I'm sure it'll prove to be everything you hoped for