1995 E36 318i 5 speed

[Solo Man]

Hi, I can buy the above car at a good price. Problem is it has 394k on the odo. One owner from new, old man, pampered car. Every service until a few years back done at the agents and the rest locally at a indy. A lot of stuff been replaced in the lifetime of the car. Radiator, clutch, etc., shocks, windscreen, roof lining, list goes on. Previous owner is an accountant so I am convinced he will have all the invoices as to what the car cost him. This car is in really good condition both inside and out. My only concern is the mileage and the fact that it has the M42 twin cam 1800 motor. I know that the iS has the M44 1900 motor and that it was a development/improvement of the M42. How good is the M42 really and what are the weak points, if any. It being a 1995, it is one of the last M42 powered E36's so the problems should all be ironed out (I mean - look at the mileage of this one!) I want to get the vin in order to check if it is not a 318iS as I cannot find the 318i with this motor on RealOEM, only the iS with either the M42/M44 motor. Gizmo, (or anyone else for that matter), your input will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Thunder]

Even with the type of milage if the car looks as good as it sounds and the price is right I'd go for it if I were you. Those motors are built to hold some mean punishment.

I'm no pro but with all I read only the 318is came with the M42 motor.

Sent from mobile tiekiebox

 

[Solo Man]

The later models (1996 and on) had the uprated M44 motor. Same power but about 4 Nm torque more.

 

[Gizmo]

They awesome cars. Go for it. If motor poked then drop in a Japan auto replacement which is very cheap.