This BMW 318i has had a lot of work carried out in my ownership in recommissioning after a period in dry secure storage, it drives extremely well, looks very sharp and extremely tidy throughout.I've owned it for nearly 2 years, and used it only in dry weather covering a faultless 465 miles in the last year, due to other classics, project cars, and lack of space I've had to sell a few and unfortunately this is one of them.I make no apologies for the length of description that follows, I've found after selling a number of cars via ebay that genuine buyers appreciate and honest and in depth view of the vehicle being sold.About B656XJNThe history of B656XJN (XJN for short) is that it was first registered to a chap from Romford in Essex, by the supplying dealer A.R Sewell of Dunmow, Essex. He owned the car for 32 years and covering 54845 miles, in that time the car was on the road most years up till 2004 when it was laid up until 2009, mot'd for 1 year in 2009, and laid back up till 2016.I believe the family of the owner sold the car to its 2nd owner, a collector from Brighton who bought it in November 2016, when it was mot'd that year, it was then after covering a mere 200 miles it was then put into dry storage until I bought it in January 2020.over the next 6 months I carried out recommissioning work, got it back into top order, mot'd it (with no advisories) and used it over the next year.
The history file and paperwork I hold for XJN is all the book packs and folder supplied with a fully stamped up service book from mostly BMW main dealers, or specialists, the handbook, a pile of invoices from all the work carried out over its life, with the original owner pretty much having everything done as and when needed according to the schedule, including diff, gearbox and brake fluid changes. The original supplying dealers bill of sale from new, old mot certificates from 1993 through to 2004, 2009, and 2016 and its current one to 2022. A clear HPI report I paid for when I bought it, Tax discs from 1994-2004, and 2010, and the Moss alarm paperwork.Condition of BJNOverall as you can see from the pictures, BJN is extremely tidy and sharp looking throughout, everything is original except for the alloys which I'll explain shortly, even the original stereo blanking plate is there instead of a radio / stereo, as this wasn't selected as an option when bought new. What was bought on the options was the a tilt slide sunroof, met paint, with bronze tinted windows, and "wide" option tyres, 195's instead of 185 width, these can be seen on the purchase invoice.starting with the body its clean and straight throughout, with only a few very minor dents and scratches here and there which you'd be hard pressed to find, there is only very small slight spots of rust here and there and a few rust spots on the underside on one side of the rear chrome bumper, I'm probably being very picky here. All the windows are original and etched with the number plate on every one, the door bottoms are probably the cleanest and tidiest I've seen, the inside of the bonnet still has the original foam material, and the bootlid has all the tools, still looking brand new and unused in the plastic case. The sills are completely rust free and has been painted for protection at some point in the past.There is a period MOSS security alarm system fitted to the car, but it doesn't work and I've left it all there for looks, as with anything with a battery pack from years ago that's been out of use, the back up internal battery has leaked onto the chip board and made it non workable, I did manage to buy another identical alarm as new unused from ebay, but unfortunately this had done the same thing, so I never got the alarm working.The alloys are the only thing I've changed, The steel wheels didn't compliment the rest of the car, so I looked for 5 good condition period correct "bottletop" alloy wheels which was an option and available when the car was new, as soon as I acquired them I had them all refurbished by Platinum Alloy Wheel Solutions in Swindon, as a result they looked like new (still does now) and fitted 5, yes 5 including the spare, new Nexen Tyres and used stick on weights so you cant see them, refurbished the chrome centre caps and stuck new badges on.All 5 wheels and tyres still look like new inside and out with no marks, at all, and the tyres have barely done 200 miles.I still have the original 5 Steel wheel which will go with the car if desired and very good uniroyal tyres ( although the date code is 1999, so they are aged) the spare still looks like new with its original Michelin tyre about 1/2 worn.The engine bay is very tidy and original, having only been detailed as best I can to bring it up, all around it is clean with no signs of leaks or dirt / oil, I don't think it's even been jet washed, just looked after and kept clean.Underside which I've added a picture you can see is also clean and straight throughout, with only light surface rust on the bare steel mechanical components. there no signs of rust or corrosion anywhere, and all the original schatz / uderseal is still intact, I have notice the rear arches have been undersealed at some point, not too sure why, I'm guessing to protect it like the sills, the gearbox has still got its factory wax spray on it. I've painted the sump black, as I noticed a stone chip had created a slight rust spot, so I rubbed it down, protected it and painted it to preserve it.Inside the cabin is a very nice place to be! again very clean and straight, all original and no signs of wear, the only thing I can report is it looks like a belt buckle has caught the seat fabric over time and nicked it, it's not bad, and probably can be repaired photos can be provided to show it if needed, I'd probably say its a few centimetres long, It's definitely NOT worn like your usual E30 seat wear. The other 2 niggles its got is the wipers can be a bit stuttery on intermittent, which I suspect is the relay, which I'm struggling to source one currently, (if I find one before it sells, I'll fix it) and for some reason the rev counter reads less than what it actually revs at, I don't know why that is, and I've just lived with it.I don't think the back seats has hardly been used in all its life, they look untouched!I also have all 4 original BMW floor mats supplied with the car in good condition.The boot again is very clean and the boot carpet is spotless.It's a pretty basic model with manual windows, manual locks and no power steering, so if your after anything uncomplicated with less to go wrong then this one is ideal.Mechanically BJN drives very well with no faults, noises or problems, the clutch feels light and positive, it goes through the gears exactly as you 'd expect from a 55k mile car, the engine pulls positively and sprightly, When I got it it had a dead fuel pump after being in storage, so I fitted a new Bosch fuel pump, recommissioning I changed fuel filter, changed the oil and filter using Shell 10w40, and the Air filter, the oil still looks clean and new looking after nearly 500 miles, all 5 tyres which I've already described, the back box exhaust and anything else that needed doing to make roadworthy. BJN passed both mot's last year and this year with no advisories and nothing needing doing.So to sum up this BMW is clean, original low mileage genuine car with a known history, has a current full mot, and fully recommissioned for daily use, or something to use for special occasions.
For more detailed pictures check out my flickr album for this car at .....
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmRJuufa
It's for sale at £7995 ono, I'm open to offers but nothing stupid like half the price.
This car is for sale as a classified ad, your free to arrange a viewing, and buy as seen, if it's not what your after then no problem, I will not however take any payment or deposit via paypal and await your "transporter driving mate" to pick it up 2 months later, it's sold on a first come, first serve basis, nor will I ship India, Germany, or the US.
Payment is via BACS ideally and I can assist in delivering the car for a sensible fee, but you must inspect it and pay for it first.
The car is based in Marlborough, Wiltshire, which is about 12 miles south of the M4 at Swindon, Wiltshire.
My Number is 07854 978054 for any interest or questions
Thank you for taking the time to read.
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