Late 80's BMW 316

[Niall S]

Hi all

I was looking for opinions on the Old
boxy 316, but I see that most of the names
are on another "MOTOR"ing "WEB" site ;)

I know that you guys will probably say
"Get a bigger engined one" but I cant

I know an excellent Bmw mechanic so I have access
to an unbiased check.

Are they really that dear to run

It is going to do tiny mileage as I walk to work

I really dig classic cars and this is practically one
IMO (without being that old)

Regards

Niall

[Junior]

I'll ignore the first bit since it makes no sense ;)

I'm not to good with the different types of Bimmer .. they are either sleek (early 80's) Boxy (Mid 80's) Shyte (Anything after the Boxy twin headlight gorgeous ones that I love)

You seemed to have answered yer own questions, I'd love one, it isn't that expensive to run, parts can be pricey but how often do they give up .. not that often.

Cheers
J

Ps welcome aboard

[smokie]

Niall,

This may sound like a silly question but what size is the engine in a 316?.... 1600cc?? I know that on other BMWs the number does not correspond directly to engine size.

I think these cars are cool too and I too would go for a 1600cc to keep tax and insurance low.

How difficult is it to get used of the rear wheel drive? I presume its hardly noticable unless you push it. I wouldn't like to be scared of going round roundabouts on wet days.

[Phil]

How difficult is it to get used of the rear wheel drive? I presume its hardly noticable unless you push it. I wouldn't like to be scared of going round roundabouts on wet days.

There's a big difference. In the dry the car feels like it its on rails, and no matter how much you push on the gas the car sticks to the road. BUT!!! in the wet or the snow, its totally a different story. Take a corner too sharp and before you know it you going sideways down the road. The other thing to note is, that I have traction control on my car, hate to think what it is like when its switched off. But then again......;)


To anwser Nialls question, get the 316. It's noisey( because its a four cylinder engine), rearwheel drive and its a BMW. What more can I say. ENJOY...

[Niall S]

(Phil said it all while I was typing!)


Hi

Smokie: It is a 1600. The RWD is definately a bonus.
My fiancee has an MGF and its good fun but as you say
if you push and start to slip on corners its a bit hairy compared to a FWD. The tail goes out and it feels really unsafe, you steer the opposite way and the car snaps back.

Wheel spinning off a straight is fun as the tail wobbles
(safer than the corners do)

Im no rally driver/boy racer so I try to avoid it unless
im in a safe place (then you have to give it a go ;)

PS: the MGF may be a hairdressers car but its far faster and
more aggressive than people might think (RWD,1800 mid-engine, 185 & 205 tyres, Suspension is stiff as a board and the car weights nothing)Tis fun I tells ya

Cheers

Niall

[Edited by Niall S on 27th March 2001 at 09:37]

[WhipLash]

Well I'm going to stick my neck on the line here and make a confession - I actually like the MGF!!

I think, for a *cheap* (read more affordable) convertible/sports car, that it really is the business. I mean what else is there in the same price range? OK so theres the far superior handling Mazda MX-5, but what else is there? IMHO the MGF looks great (except in purple that is :sick: ). I just love those side air-intake vents.

And what about the MGF Trophy 160 special edition?? The 1.8i VVC engine had been increased to 160BHP, sports larger disc brakes and callipers, new 16-inch alloy wheels, uprated and lowered suspension and front and rear spoilers. Also, a new 1.6 engine is being offered to lower the entry price of the car.

[SpyCamera]

Whippy I think you need to go home and lye down. By the way your speaking about the MGF I'd say you have a fever!!

later Spy.

[Niall S]

Good Man Whip

IM(Biased;))O the MGF is much nicer than the MX5
I have a fondness for the retro styling of the Mx5,
but i look so "tinny" & cheap. I've never driven one
but I'd imagine its slower, Is it?

PS: Thanks Phil, I needed someone to put it like that.
I do very little driving (so I really enjoy it)
, i'm skint and should buy a Ilitre "bag'o sh*te"
but now I really want the 316!

PS: How many cylinders would my Integra have?
(94 1.6l model)

Cheers

Niall

[smokie]

Originally posted by Niall S
PS: How many cylinders would my Integra have?
(94 1.6l model)


Four, I reckon.

Are you changing the integra for the BMW?

How did you find the integra? I think they look the business. They've got sports car look without the big engine and I suspect they'd be pretty economical and reliable too. I'd be worried about the availability of parts though. Is it hard to get parts for them? How much roughly is a '94 one worth?

Don't buy a "bag'o sh*te" one litre. If you like driving you'd regret it.

[Niall S]

Hi Smokie

I love the integra, its a brilliant mix of comfort,
performance (relative to size) looks & features,

Its lovely and low, the stock suspension is perfect
for me, its stiff enough to have little body-roll but
also saps up the bumps.

The driving position is great, You sit in the car instead of on it, the stock bucket seats are real comfy.

The interior is mostly black with dark grey touches
(instead of the Civic's elephant arse interior)

I cant understand why people buy Civics when 5-7 hundred
quid extra will but an Integra.

I have to sell it - (getting married)
the second hand car market would bring a tear to your eye
I bought it for 8k about 14 months ago and I will get
about 5,750 for it. (Damn new car finance :disgust: )

I plan to buy another one after whatever I get his time
(the BMW hopefully)as the model changed in 93 so I will get one in a couple of years for a very reasonable price.

On the parts, pracically everything in a civic (mechanically & electrically) can be used and body parts are also available. As far as I know, it is the exact R-type body that is used in the 98+ British r-types, you can get the jap ones off the dealers anyway.

(viva Jap imports - my car was showroom condition when I bought it - there's too much paranoia over imports)

Im waffling now!

Cheers

Niall

[WhipLash]

I was just thinking about this one - didn't BMW introduce variable valve timing to its engines around '91? Anyone know specifically when it was?

Niall this may be worth investigating IMO. It would be a real shame to buy an '89 if for a few pounds more you could get a slightly newer one with the vvt engine technology.

HTH.

[Technician]

BMW brought in multi-valve technology in 1991 but only in 6-cylinder engines as far as I remember. This increased valve-to-cylinder ratio from 2 to 4. A nice post-91 520i will give you the excellent 24v engine.

The 4-cylinders never got this. The only exception was the 16v 318iS, the regular 316i & 318i are still 8v as far as I know.

Are you sure you are buying a 316 or a 316i? The 316 (carb engine) is a detuned 1800cc lump that is quite thirsty.

Either way, the 316 is a nice car and the old ones hold their looks for a long, long time. Enjoy it Niall, you won't regret it. Even though it has only 102hp I think it feels very strong to drive and the interior finish was streets ahead of its time in terms of solidity & refinement.

Guidline prices: (For good to excellent examples)
1989: 1.5k
1990: 2k
1991: 3k

Tech.

[smokie]

Well Niall,

Did you purchase a 316? How is it going?

smokie