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i am currently wanting to buy a 200o plate 318 ci or 323ci for around 8k and was needing some help on what to look for when buying one and is there any common faults etc
thanks

I'm guessing you not from the US?  $8000 won't get you a 2000 model year BMW and here around 96-97 was the last year for the 318i.  Where are looking to buy?  Neither model has many common or reoccurring problems.

your best bet is to look over the car with the dealer there, under the car, in the trunk - under the engine, check everything out - then, tell them you must take the car to a mechanic to have the car checked out - this will cost about $75.00 for the time, he will put the car on a lift, check the control arms, tie rods, trailing arms, wheel bearings, oil pan - and on the chassis, look for any signs of a crash, that has been repaired.  If there are any problems with the car, the mechanic can tell you - get a receipt from him noting any problems found, and take the car back to the dealer - let them know if there are any problems, and tell them to take the cost of repairs off the price of the car - that is if there are any, and if they are major - stay away from any major repairs (tranny, engine, diff), OR any signs of repair - you will see the chassis would have new welds in place if a heavy impact ever happened.

when you get a car that is not a project car, that is to be for daily driving - you only want to put money into it for gas and oil changes - you don't want to immediately start repairing it - stay away from them.

yea am from the uk i ment £8000
thanks guys will let u no how i get on