From: mchaffee@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu (REAL LIFE?!?!  HA!!)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: buying '83 BMW 320i
Date: 12 Nov 92 22:40:18 GMT
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

bil@burka..aix.kingston.ibm.com (Igor Belchinskiy) writes:

>As my car was totalled, I should to buy next.
>Dealer has '83 bmw 320i with 100K, sunroof.

>And I have some question:
>what should I look for in this car?
>what problems are common? is it reliable?
>how long would it work?
>maintenance cost?

The maiun problem with BMW's that you need to watch is rust.  If the car does
not have a rust problem, you should be OK for the most part.  Obviously, get a
mechanic not affiliated with the shop to look it over.  Take a LONG test drive
and make sure it feels OK, especially the brakes and suspension as these are
more likely to be worn than the engine.  Costs to keep up the car will be 
higher, per part, than a comparable-mileage American car, about the same as a
comparable Japanese car, but the BMW will need less parts than either, so your
overall cost should be reasonable.  As for how long it should last, that
depends more on the state of the body than anything.  If the body is kept up
and not allowed to rust, then the car will last forever!  My 1969 BMW has 220K
miles on it and it's still going strong and running as well as it ever has.
The engines and chassis on those cars are nigh-indesturctible.
I'm not an expert on the 320, but I don't believe they had any major problems.
And I think I can safely say the thing will astound you with its reliability.

>Dealer hasn't manual for this car - so what engine is in this car?
>what's displacement, torque, hp?

The engine is a sohc, 8-valve inline 4.  I can't speak for hp/torque numbers,
but I have driven several and the power is more than adequate with a 5-speed.
Haven't driven one with an automatic, so I can't say, but the 5-speed is pref-
erable in any case.

>How is it in winter (it's rwd - but my previous was rwd too)?
>Is it enough to have 2 snow tires? where should I put them - front, back?

Even the most vicious, tailhappy, unstable rwd car will not prepare you for the
experience of a BMW in the snow.  The cars are a little nose-heavy and have a
combination of suspension and differential design that makes snow and rain
driving a little, um, exciting.  The trick is in the rain you have to take it
easy on the gas in turns, and in the snow, you have to learn to steer with the
gas pedal.  Noting impossible, it just takes a little caution and some
patience.  I use Phoenix all-season tires on mine year-round, but then I like
driving sideways too; I would recommend a good set of snow tires for the back
and a good set of all-seasons for the front.  Use all-seasons on the back when
it's not snowing; they'll help rain handling.  And in the winter, throw some-
thing heavy (like 100-200 lbs) in the trunk to help rear-wheel traction.  I
recommend sand as you can use it if you get stuck too.

>What about handling?

In dry weather, the 320i's handling is just delicious!  Take the thing on a
test drive and beat the hell out of it; you'll see.  In snow, see above.

>What may be reasonable price?

Can't help you on a reasonable price, but if it's in good shape, I HIGHLY re-
commend it!  It's a lot of fun to drive and very reliable and safe.  A friend
of mine crashed into a row of three stopped cars in her 320i going about 50.
The car was totalled, but she walked away with a bruise on her chest from the
seatbelt.  Good luck!
-- 
Michael T. Chaffee        |******BOYCOTT COLORADO******|  ______    
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