E36 316 Auto - Did I over pay?

[JoViX]

Hi Guys,

I'd like to get some feedback on. My recent purchase (and possible advice)

About 4 weeks ago I found a 1998 316i Auto on Gumtree. I've been searching the web for a while and this one looked good. I was looking specific for late model e36 316 auto, white with black interior.

The add was about 2 hours old when I rang the guy, all sounded nice and I got a lift to CPT from Struisbaai, due to traffic I only saw the car in dusk and picked up minor rust that I felt was well minor..... Lol.

I took the car for a test drive, gearbox felt nice and smooth in all gears, changes very nice, interior looked good, seats near perfect for the age (no cracks or tears).

Negotiated the price and paid for it. So I got my 1998 E36 316i auto with 203 000km for R33 000.00 (which I was happy with)

Then the "fun" started just before Strand, she overheated (this was after good test drive and driving from Blueberg strand). Had her towed, phoned the seller he pleaded incompetent. Car got towed to M. Saich Auto (Recommened by Friend). They tested head, and it passed. Got new gaskets and everything that goes with it, also they recommended doing Vavle Timing Chain etc since the head is open and it had some wear, also skimmed rear brake disc as there was a shudder under hard braking. O and new thermostat, and water pump. (think that's everything, will check invoice and update if needed)

Got the car back last week, all of above with labour worked me out R 14 000. So effectively paid R 47 000 for her.

Washed and polished her Monday (1st time a had a couple of hours to spend on her since getting her back) then I saw the paint has a couple of rust bumps and Loads of small rust specs all over. Other than that the only other issue she has is AC/heater fan only comes on when it feels like it. She needs boot and bonnet badge, and new cubby hole release button.

My questions are:

1. Do I have recourse against the seller for the R 14 000?
2. How much would I need to spend still to get paint job on par?
3. Did I overspend or is she still a "good" buy?

 

[wikk3d88]

Decent buy, perhaps you did overpay a bit. School fees

I bought an auto 318i, paid 40k, spent about 10k in maintenance bits but i knew that before i bought it.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Decent buy, perhaps you did overpay a bit. School fees

I bought an auto 318i, paid 40k, spent about 10k in maintenance bits but i knew that before i bought it.

+1

Trying to make the previous owner pay for it might not be worth the effort.

 

[badaz87]

Hmmmm... :mmm:

I'm still thinking about the 528i i bought on Wednesday last week, 1996 e39 auto(not steptronic)...

Full service history, drives like a dream, and I paid 29K...:fencelook:

BMW 528i e39

 

[prado]

Oh, the old BMW overheating curse! :nonono: The initial price is decent.

I have learned one important lesson about BMWs - never let them overheat! If that temperature gauge goes up - SWITCH OFF! Please just shut down the motor when you notice any sign of overheating! Familiarise yourself on how to maintain the cooling system of your particular model (bleeding etc.)

I am sure you will hear many horror stories of BMWs overheating, cracked cylinder heads etc!

The sad part is the repair costs you had to incur. Unfortunately, you had all the work done and paid for it, so I guess there's no point in trying to get that money out of the seller.

Get the car in the condition you'd like and enjoy it! Don't be in a hurry and shop around for a good spraypaint job etc. There are guys here who may be able to guide you in your area.

Keep her well-serviced and enjoy your E36!

 

[JoViX]

Gtz on your purchase Badaz! :thumbs:

Yeah, I pulled over and offed the engine before the red light even came on, think that saved me from killing the head. But still had some cost for removing and pressure testing it etc. ahw well.

I sorta feel that at least now I know the engine is basically 100% and won't give me more trouble (knock on wood). Planning on keeping her and eventually giving to my GF.

Any ideas on the paint job? Complete redo, or just is there another option.... That's not a "cheap" job.

 

[zaleonardz]

Hi Bud,

You def overpaid, considering that neat E46's are going for around 50ish more or less.

But never the less, you now have it, so I say enjoy

 

[Jd.toit]

One thing I can’t understand
If a car overheats then the motor gets a lot of damage
we've got the technology to put a man on the moon and a oversized control car on mars but they cannot make the car shut off before serious damage occur I mean there can be an alarm when the heat picks up but when it gets to critical why does it not just shut down. I'd say I would be in a bad mood if I am on my way home and the car shuts down on a busy road but will be in a worse mood if the motor is gone
Just a though
:nonono:

 

[Rayzor]

Hi Bud,

You def overpaid, considering that neat E46's are going for around 50ish more or less.

But never the less, you now have it, so I say enjoy

+1

just enjoy da ride, its not worth crying of "spilled milk" :thumbs:

---

One thing I can’t understand
If a car overheats then the motor gets a lot of damage
we've got the technology to put a man on the moon and a oversized control car on mars but they cannot make the car shut off before serious damage occur I mean there can be an alarm when the heat picks up but when it gets to critical why does it not just shut down. I'd say I would be in a bad mood if I am on my way home and the car shuts down on a busy road but will be in a worse mood if the motor is gone
Just a though
:nonono:

If they did that the "Stealer" wont get rich, those bastards :argh:

 

[JoViX]

I tend to OVER analyze everything, thus this thread.
But yeah, I have her, I Love her, just working on getting her to my OCD standards

@Jd.toit
It's sad but true, but it's the way manufacturing works imo. :fencelook:
I always explain it like this: In the beginning there was demand, then came supply. Supplier had competition and decided to create EXCELENT product, that would last forever. Supplier got bigger market share of business....... BUT...... very little REPEAT business due to products lasting forever.
So what they started doing is: Make a product similar or slightly better than competition, and make sure it won't last forever, but long enough to keep customer happy. Bingo "Instant return business", unless the things that should/could/would fail, fail too early and client moves to another supplier.
And ta-da we have were we are now.