[sub006]

First, join the BMW Car Club of America! You will have minimum 10% discounts from all dealer paarts departments and accessory suppliers. There is free tech assistance from dealer mechanics and independent techs who are members. And you will discover independent importers who will save you 50% and more on genuine German OEM parts.

In the Club magazine, the Roundel, there is a lady named Jenny Morgan who owns an independent BMW shop back East. She did a column a few months back about the trouble spots on aging E30s (that family includes the 318i '94-'91) you should check when buying.

I purchased a 1984 319i for my daughter's first car seven yearsx ago with 100,000 miles from a little old lady in Brentwood, California. It now has over 180,00 mostly trouble-free miles. I have put less than $1500 to keep it running. The engine and automatic trans have not deteriorated in performance at all.

These cars are not faxt, but they handle well and provide reliable and stylish transportation. They are simple and quite easy to work on!

Good luck!