BMW 316 won't start odd ticking clicking :-(?

Question 1
BMW 316 won't start odd ticking clicking :-(?...  Hi My BMW 316 won't start, When I turn the ignition it just makes a ticking clicking noise, I thought it maybe a flat battery but the batt seems fine all lights come on and stereo and everything powers.

Any Idea what the tickings all about ?

Answers
1)   Your battery is dead, or you need a new battery. - jeff

2)   If it's clicking its probably the starter. - stooe

3)   if your battery is ok then check for loose connections on battery to starter motor. It may be your starter motor, turn off ignition, try rocking the car back and forth in 1st gear to free the starter motor or give it a few gentle taps with a small hammer on its casing to free it, good luck. - drew

4)   facts
it takes abt 9 volts to play radio and have lights...12+ to turn starter
1 check battery 12.7 volts or more
2 got volts? check cables...clean/tight
3 starter solonoid,,,may or may not be part of starter..idk about BMWs - pedro7of9

5)   The battery has enough power to do the minor things but not enough for starting - Timbo is here

6)   STARTER OR BATTERY. if you have lights and clicks its the batter. - Fuffas

7)   the fuel censor is not working, - Frank

8)   Hi pedro and timbo are right.The big demand on your battery is turning the starter motor at start up.You have enough power in your battery to work all the ancillaries Lights radio etc. so your left thinking your battery has a full charge. Jump start the car from another then run it for a little while be fore switching off. - Charles

9)   its the starter solenoid ...the power goes through solenoid before it gets to starter motor ..its a common fault on older cars - boy boy


_____ powerd by Yahoo!Answers ________
_____ Brought to yo by : BlogFOC.com

Question 2
is a 1996 bmw 318ti a good car for a 16 year old guy?...  115k miles too fyi...

Answers
1)   its a car, why not =) - Meena

2)   Insurance would be pretty high - Dustin Clinger

3)   Yeah insurance would be high even though its got a small engine which kind of defeats the point of a bmw.Only consider the larger engined bmws but for a 16 year i suppose it would be ok. - CQB 241

4)   Be sure you can afford repairs, insurance and regular maintenance. They aren't cheap to run like your Grandpa's Buick. - PikesPeak

5)   You should also consider that such a car may be expensive to insure. Check your insurance rates before buying one, for example here - carquotes.fateback.com - Jimmy

6)   I would stay away. It would cost more than the car is worth for one visit in the shop. If you do go German, go with a Merc. - Jason

7)   The 318ti would be a PERFECT car for you and a great intro to BMW.
4 cylinder maintenance is a lot easier than the larger I-6.
This car is NOT expensive to insure, contrary to what others are suggesting here.
Maintenance won't be expensive if you do it outside, and the 318ti is very reliable, more so than the current models.
You can also learn a lot by doing some of the maintenance yourself. Being 16, I think it's a perfect time to learn.
- fluid changes, brake job, spark plugs, radio, speakers, headlamps...etc plenty of opportunities to maintain, upgrade parts and learn something at the same time. Get yourself a repair manual such as a Haynes manual ($16 @ amazon).

Stick shifts are the least troublesome but even the auto transmissions have been known to last up to 200k+ miles.

The hatch is super practical for you to haul occasional larger items (such as moving in your dorm) since it almost becomes a "mini wagon" with the seats down. - Snowie


_____ powerd by Yahoo!Answers ________
_____ Brought to yo by : BlogFOC.com

Question 3
2006 BMW 330i vs 2006 Mercedes SLK?...  Which one of these cars would be a good choice for a 16 year olds first car?

Answers
1)   Neither!! Unless you want your kid to be ruined for life and never learn to respect anything they own. What is wrong with you? It doesn't matter how rich you are, a 16 y/o's first car should be a honda, toyota, etc. And nothing worth more then $12k. - Raid

2)   what that person said they should have to pay for it as well. tell your kid to get a job don't spoil his him. - Brian

3)   You should also consider that such a car may be expensive to insure. Check your insurance rates before buying one, for example here - carinsurance.yoll.net - Victor

4)   I agree that both are too nice for a first car, especially for a 16 year old. However, if you still don't agree, and I understand because plenty of kids in my high school had these kinds of cars, the 330i would be the way to go. The SLK is way too small and not as safe. The 330 is more practical as a daily driver. Also, I'd make sure to look into the 330xi (all wheel drive). The 330i doesn't hold the road in poor weather conditions, and especially not if a first time driver doesn't know how to properly handle the powerful rear-wheel drive. - nick u

5)   screw what everyone said about you spoiling your kid, i get why you want the mercedes its cause you want you kid to look good, with a nice reliable car. I love mercedes but i personally think its more of a girls car( im not saying its a bad idea to get it for a boy), but if your kid wants to custom it and hes a guy it would look real nice. If you have a daughter then just get the slk. Beemer isnt the best there very unreliable because its owned by ford and ford is making them shit. the only beemer id get is the 8 series and the 7 series that are older then 2005. if you want a nice coupe get a mercedes cl, or clk. if you want a sedan a c class or e class older then 2007. - Johny


_____ powerd by Yahoo!Answers ________
_____ Brought to yo by : BlogFOC.com

Question 4
X6 BMW X5 car good or better?...  

Answers
1)   The X6 is a terrible car. The X5 is tonnes better. Check out this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UwOBKSHl-c - Jason

2)   X6 is more luxurious while the X5 is more sporty - Keemo

3)   You should also consider that such a car may be expensive to insure. Check your insurance rates before buying one, for example here - carinsurance.deep-ice.com - Seda Jacobs

4)   Definitely the x5, the x6 is ugly, and the x5 can be just as luxurious with the right options. There is really no reason to get the x6 unless you want disgusted looks while driving... - nick u


_____ powerd by Yahoo!Answers ________
_____ Brought to yo by : BlogFOC.com

Question 5
I saw a 2000 BMW 323i with about 145k on it. I was wondering if anyone has an input on that model.?...  I have never self-purchased a car before and the price is $4800 on that car. To me the price seems kind of shady, the guy said he is selling it because he bought a new one and wants to get rid of the old. Here is the link to the car. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1993444719.html

Answers
1)   excellent cars but very tail happy due to the light rear end , when I looked at them( i bought an audi quattro eventually) they had ALL been crashed and repaired, usually from wet weather one car accidents where the owner just lost the rear end, you can get wheelspin on a wet highway in third not good for overtaking - Harley Drive

2)   145K is pretty high. I'd would get a full inspection by a mechanic before buying. If it all goes well, great.
As for the model, its pretty decent. Not too much power, but it doesnt lack any. Luxury wise, its quite alright...better than most cars during the same year, but its nearly a 11 year old car, so comparing to some new ones, it is lacking. - Deadly Safe

3)   I love my 2000 323i! It has 202k on it and going strong....but I know it has been maintained very well. I would suggest a CarFax (I know this sounds cheesy but I recently saw one and enjoyed knowing the history of my car and also saw that that my dealership reported every time I took it in for an oil change), this would show you if they were taking it in to the dealership for repairs and may help determine if it is a legitimate deal. This does sound like a good deal, but then again it does have fairly high miles and after looking at the link, the color is not highly sought after and the interior looks pretty used. I would highly recommend this car, it's a lot of fun to drive, very solid, and looks good too (if you paint it!) That's probably the best price you'll find on one of these too. - Rather Not Say

4)   145k is actually a very good mileage considering the year model 2000. BMW is a reliable car, although the one most commonly occurring problem of this model year is the failure of the Thermostat, the Camshaft Position Sensor, and the Crankcase Ventilation Valve. These parts are fairly cheap though, and are an easy fix, but these problems are recurring over and over as the vehicle ages.

The price is very reasonable in my opinion, and is good enough to be a selling point. I would take the car if it were up to me, although I 'd try to negotiate another 500 dollars of the car. [Its good to always try :) ]

Good luck in your car buying! :) - Thabit H


_____ powerd by Yahoo!Answers ________
_____ Brought to yo by : BlogFOC.com