RE: BMW 328i (E36): PH Carpool

RE: BMW 328i (E36): PH Carpool

Monday 22nd September 2014

BMW 328i (E36): PH Carpool

A straight-six BMW saloon on a Shed budget is putting a smile on the face of this week's featured owner



Name: James Butt
Car: 1996 BMW 328i SE
Owned Since: October 2012
Previously Owned: "1998 Ford Puma 1.7, 1998 Ford Ka3, 2001 Ford Focus 'Black Edition', 1986 Mk2 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ghia (XR2i 'replica'...)"

The BMW, as it was bought back in 2012
The BMW, as it was bought back in 2012
Why I bought it:
"I've grown up around BMWs my whole life. My uncle has had a string of E34s (525i, 535i Sport, currently a 3.8 M5), and my dad had an E28 528i and currently runs a 3.0 M3 saloon. I knew it wouldn't be too long before I broke my string of Fords for a BMW. I got a job as an undergraduate engineer for Vauxhall and decided to save and get something that was a bit quicker than my Puma. It had to have a straight-six, be RWD, do 0-60 in around seven seconds, be built solidly and handle well. It was between the E36 328i and an E46 325ti.

"I bought this particular car as I widened my search after looking at a few tired coupes. I found I could get more for my money with a saloon. This car was a part-ex at a dealer in High Wycombe, and the price had dropped to £900. The ad showed it unwashed, but the bodywork looked solid from the photos. That was enough bait for me!"

What I wish I'd known:
"The only thing I wish I knew was that saloons can be considered the smarter purchase, depending on what you're after. I found my saloon with 95K on the clock and a comprehensively documented history for £830 after slight negotiation, pricing well below similar condition coupes."

On the dyno after 'a few modifications'
On the dyno after 'a few modifications'
Things I love:
"I love the character of the engine and how tuneable it is being normally aspirated. It has the M50 325i inlet manifold, mapped by BW Chiptune with a K&N intake and rolled 232hp on the dyno. The induction noise beyond 4,500rpm is pretty special. It's by no means as agile as my old Puma, but the Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs are perfect for UK roads whilst still giving superior performance to the standard setup. I love the fact it looks like a 318i from the early spec bumpers, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't love the LSD..."

Things I hate:
"I hate the leather interior. It looks smarter than the cloth but is a nightmare to deal with in the summer. I can't seem to get enough adjustment in the wheel to get a decent driving position. If the wheel extended towards the driver I would finally have the driving position I need!"

This is one Shed that's 'ring certified!
This is one Shed that's 'ring certified!
Costs:
"I do all the servicing myself and tend to change the oil every 3-4,000 miles, so it costs a lot in that respect. Because it's pre-2001 tax is reasonable at £230 a year and it will cruise at 40mpg on the motorway. Compared to the running costs of my friend's hot hatches the 328 is the performance bargain of the century."

Where I've been:
"I haven't been to many places in the UK of interest but the car did its first trip to the Nurburgring this summer. The weather was great, track was dry and got a few (gentle-ish) laps in. Got to 147mph with the shorter final drive LSD on the Autobahn, which was great fun not having to worry about blue flashing lights in the mirror."

What next?
"Convince my uncle to part with the E34 3.8 M5..."


Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!

 

Author
Discussion

X5TUU

Original Poster:

11,907 posts

186 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
theres a thread for that misspaced numberplate mind, most will probably ignore the story and flame on that alone

I was looking at this vintage 3ers at the weekend and was surprised to see how many in decent nick (on the surface/description) at least are around for £600 or less I was shocked! smile

J4CKO

41,284 posts

199 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
It had those horrendous wheels on when you got it, what were BMW thinking with those ?

Dannbodge

2,160 posts

120 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
I love my 328i.
Even without the M50 manifold it's still fairly quick but nothing beats the straight 6 sound, especially with a decent exhaust on.

Under the sills and rear arches are the worst places for rust, some are completely rotten and others are fine. Mine only has a couple of small bubbles at the moment.

Devil2575

13,400 posts

187 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
An E36 328i was my first BMW. It cost me a fair chunk the get the suspension sorted but once it was done the car rode really well and had a decent turn of speed.
I went for a 4 dr too as the Coupe was a lot more expensive in comparision.

I'd have nother but finding a decent 328 that isn't rusty and/or very high miles isn't that easy these days. They also still have the potential to cost a few £ if the suspension is tired. It's not a car that drives well at all if it does need new dampers and bushes etc.

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
What a great buy. Kinda makes a mockery of 25k Fiestas, good though they are.

McSam

6,753 posts

174 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Looks like a good buy, that!

I rather like my £900 E36 328i, too biggrin



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaKVF37VNdY

Leins

9,418 posts

147 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Very nice, and I quite like the understated SE look of this 328i

Good luck with the M5 if you take over ownership, they're an outstanding bit of kit and so much fun

JohnT993

101 posts

152 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
My first 'propper' car was a £3600 E328i touring (this was about 2006)... Lovely car, great engine, would have modded it if I'd have known some of this!
I revisited it later with an E46 330i which was again a great car... Really miss their engines!
Enjoy, and get a track day booked! ;-)

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Ah, just had a nasty thought. Wasn't this era of engine blessed with self destructing Nikasil liners ?

Edited by daytona365 on Monday 22 September 14:14

James 92

5 posts

161 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
X5TUU said:
theres a thread for that misspaced numberplate mind, most will probably ignore the story and flame on that alone

I was looking at this vintage 3ers at the weekend and was surprised to see how many in decent nick (on the surface/description) at least are around for £600 or less I was shocked! smile
I hope people don't focus on that.. On the road I run my legally spaced plates (you can just about tell with the pic on the dyno). I had the spaced plates made for photo ops (yes, I am probably that sad)! biggrin No better oportunity to stick them on than going round the ring!

Once you sort through the rough ones there are still plenty of tidy E36s out there smile

James 92

5 posts

161 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
daytona365 said:
Ah, just had a nasty thought. Wasn't this era of engine blessed with self destructing Nikasil liners ?

Edited by daytona365 on Monday 22 September 14:14
You're quite right! There was a major recall after BMW picked up on this. I spent a while debating wether to hold out for a later steel linered engine. I checked with BMW if this car had been recalled, and it hadn't! It's currently on 112k miles with very regular oil changes and is sweet as a nut!

Let's hope I haven't spoken too soon!... biggrin

McSam

6,753 posts

174 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
daytona365 said:
Ah, just had a nasty thought. Wasn't this era of engine blessed with self destructing Nikasil liners ?
Yes, all E36s with M52 engines up to early 1998 have Nikasil liners (the Carpool and mine included). However, it's rather less of an issue than its reputation suggests.. The problem was fuels with a high sulphur content could cause the cylinder liners to erode away, leading to leakdown, excessive oil consumption or in extreme cases complete loss of compression.

However, all fuels sold in the UK today seem to be ultra-low sulphur and don't cause a problem. If the car has good compression and performs properly now, odds are against Nikasil becoming an issue in its future.

Mine's on 177,000 miles and has done nine track days, seems OK to me smile

Olivera

7,065 posts

238 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Great purchase! Such a fun car to drive with the right suspension setup, although do watch for cooling system failures as they can be terminal.

Devil2575

13,400 posts

187 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
James 92 said:
daytona365 said:
Ah, just had a nasty thought. Wasn't this era of engine blessed with self destructing Nikasil liners ?

Edited by daytona365 on Monday 22 September 14:14
You're quite right! There was a major recall after BMW picked up on this. I spent a while debating wether to hold out for a later steel linered engine. I checked with BMW if this car had been recalled, and it hadn't! It's currently on 112k miles with very regular oil changes and is sweet as a nut!

Let's hope I haven't spoken too soon!... biggrin
There wasn't a recall as such, BMW simply replaced the engine blocks in cars that were suffering from excessive bore wear. BMW extended the warranty period on the engine in relation to this problem to 100k and 10 years IIRC if you could demonstrate your car had been properly maintained. However the fact that there wasn't a full recall created a bit of a problem a few years back as there were plenty of cars on the market that still had the original Nikasil block. I remember reading forum posts by people looking to buy a 328i who were told that the Nikasil issue was blown out of all proportion and not to worry about it only to have them post up 6 months later that their car needed a new engine. I suspect it's not much of an issue these days unless you find a really low milage example where the owner as been managing the issue by regularly topping up the oil. It is possible to tell if the car has had a replacement 'steel liner' block by inspection if it isn't listed in the service records.

Devil2575

13,400 posts

187 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
McSam said:
Looks like a good buy, that!

I rather like my £900 E36 328i, too biggrin



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaKVF37VNdY
That looks lovely.

Olivera

7,065 posts

238 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Devil2575 said:
There wasn't a recall as such, BMW simply replaced the engine blocks in cars that were suffering from excessive bore wear. BMW extended the warranty period on the engine in relation to this problem to 100k and 10 years IIRC if you could demonstrate your car had been properly maintained. However the fact that there wasn't a full recall created a bit of a problem a few years back as there were plenty of cars on the market that still had the original Nikasil block. I remember reading forum posts by people looking to buy a 328i who were told that the Nikasil issue was blown out of all proportion and not to worry about it only to have them post up 6 months later that their car needed a new engine. I suspect it's not much of an issue these days unless you find a really low milage example where the owner as been managing the issue by regularly topping up the oil. It is possible to tell if the car has had a replacement 'steel liner' block by inspection if it isn't listed in the service records.
If a decent, solid 328 is running well at this age (15+ years old) then I'd take a chance regardless of block. Furthermore they are throw-away pocket-money cars these days, so just buy another if the worst happens. I'm on my fourth biggrin

Devil2575

13,400 posts

187 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Olivera said:
If a decent, solid 328 is running well at this age (15+ years old) then I'd take a chance regardless of block. Furthermore they are throw-away pocket-money cars these days, so just buy another if the worst happens. I'm on my fourth biggrin
I agree, if you buy one for beer tokens that's done a few miles then it's not worth worrying about.

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
How's it got an LSD? (they cost more than was paid for the car!!)


the article said:
Snap!!


monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Olivera said:
Devil2575 said:
There wasn't a recall as such, BMW simply replaced the engine blocks in cars that were suffering from excessive bore wear. BMW extended the warranty period on the engine in relation to this problem to 100k and 10 years IIRC if you could demonstrate your car had been properly maintained. However the fact that there wasn't a full recall created a bit of a problem a few years back as there were plenty of cars on the market that still had the original Nikasil block. I remember reading forum posts by people looking to buy a 328i who were told that the Nikasil issue was blown out of all proportion and not to worry about it only to have them post up 6 months later that their car needed a new engine. I suspect it's not much of an issue these days unless you find a really low milage example where the owner as been managing the issue by regularly topping up the oil. It is possible to tell if the car has had a replacement 'steel liner' block by inspection if it isn't listed in the service records.
If a decent, solid 328 is running well at this age (15+ years old) then I'd take a chance regardless of block. Furthermore they are throw-away pocket-money cars these days, so just buy another if the worst happens. I'm on my fourth biggrin
Indeed.



The one in my post above, I bought before 328i were shed money and it was my dream car (at the time).
It was only after buying it I heard about Nikasil and I'm pretty sure mine was an 'at risk' car.
I bought it at 109k miles, did a few trackdays, took it to the ring, sold it at 140k and it never missed a beat.

McSam

6,753 posts

174 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Devil2575 said:
McSam said:
Looks like a good buy, that!

I rather like my £900 E36 328i, too biggrin



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaKVF37VNdY
That looks lovely.
Thanks! It's undergoing a gradual transformation into track toy, but at the minute all the interior and electronics remain because it's just too nice to pull apart paperbag

Thread here.

I'm guessing the LSD on this car has come from an early 328i Sport? There are a few knocking around and can be had for not too much money. You could also make an M3 one fit, if you fancied changing the whole rear end..