RE: PH Fleet Update: BMW 328i Touring

[Frimley111R]

pSyCoSiS said:

They can be a bit juicy, but, drive them sensibly, and they will return decent MPG figures.

I found this with a lot big engined cars, they're not too bad on fuel when driving normally but once you 'exercise' them they use fuel like its their last day on earth!

[GPT]

My E36 328i Coupe flew through it's MOT first time on Saturday with no advisories. Not bad for a 15 year old 170,000 mile motor. I average at or around 30MPG on my mixed 20 mile each way commute and mid to high 30's on a long steady run.

If only modern cars were built like this.

[Richiefly]

Good article, thank you.

I have a 54 plate E60 touring 525 SE auto which I'm really annoyed at, as I like to switch cars every few years to retain some of my car budget buying prowess but the thing is just so good at what it does, I fear I may keep it for years to come.

Admittedly I'm not getting those MPG figures as, although it's a smaller engine, the car weighs best part of two tonnes, although the six speed auto box (which is sublime - and from a person who doesn't like auto's) may help economy somewhat, I see early to mid thirties only on the most sensible of long range runs. Urban more like early 20's.

Great cars though, and contrary to popular belief, iDrive is brilliant.

[bodhi]

I've had my manual 328i SE saloon for about a year now, and it has been fantastic. I had a few little bits and bobs to fix when I first got it, then the radiator sprang a leak and the water pump needed fixed, but since then it hasn;t missed a beat in over 9 months, which is unprecedented for one of my cars.

I've had 38mpg out of it on a 300 mile round trip, more usually get between 28 and 32. This drops to about 26 in town. Apart from the odd little bit of tinworm it's in cracking nick. 113k on the clock and feels good for another 113K.

Brilliant car, especially for the cash. Usefully quicker than an A3 TDi 170 S-Line as well

[quantum_man]

I get around 30 to 33 mpg on my daily 150 mile (round trip) commute from Brighton to Woking in my 2.3 Turbo Volvo 850R - which isn't a bad return for the 240 horses on offer - although I'd imagine it would go a lot lower if I used them all!!

[geoffracing]

I have a 328i coupé since January 1996.
That makes 15 years.
Used everyday of the week to do at least 50 miles.

Works "like a clock".
Still accelerates "like a racing car"!

Only problems in 15 years:
- had a water leakage at around 120.000km: new radiator.
- had to replace dials (!) after 145.000km.
- paint keeps on peeling off around rear wheel arches, and one corner of boot lid. (repaint every year!)
That is all.

[Nardies]

Scrappy/eBay for a 2nd hand wing in the same colour. Then a weekend of socket sets, rusty, sheared off bolts, swearing, tantrums and tea. Much better than a respray.

[geoffracing]

Oh yes by the way,
very important by today's demands:

Even if I accelerate quite firmly, and really enjoy speed,
this car NEVER uses more than 8 litres per 100kms.
Hem... to be recalculated in gallons and miles, sorry...
but it is absolutely AMAZING.
A fantastic car.

It is my wife's now, and I have a Z4; well... the Z4 does use MORE fuel, and yet it is a TODAY's car!
The 328 is a miracle.

[geoffracing]

Frimley111R said:

pSyCoSiS said:

They can be a bit juicy, but, drive them sensibly, and they will return decent MPG figures.

I found this with a lot big engined cars, they're not too bad on fuel when driving normally but once you 'exercise' them they use fuel like its their last day on earth!

Well, in fact a large engine "has it much easier" doing speed, while my son's Opel Corsa 1400cc uses MUCH more fuel than the 328i Coupé!
It isn't absurd: the small engine is pedalling away as much as it can and is out of breath if it wants to speed, while the BMW just goes on and on peacefully purring... whatever the speed.

A MIRACLE that BMW 328i (I repeat).

Back in 1996, I tried a 320 Touring and found it lovely; then the salesman told me to try the 328i.
My God! I signed a few minutes later.

[Escort Si-130]

The economy could also be down to the tyres you have on it.

[bodhi]

geoffracing said:

I have a 328i coupé since January 1996.
That makes 15 years.
Used everyday of the week to do at least 50 miles.

Works "like a clock".
Still accelerates "like a racing car"!

Only problems in 15 years:
- had a water leakage at around 120.000km: new radiator.
- had to replace dials (!) after 145.000km.
- paint keeps on peeling off around rear wheel arches, and one corner of boot lid. (repaint every year!)
That is all.

The dials went on my folks' model back in 1998/1999, not common but not unheard of. I only remember this cos their first speedo went to 160 - the replacement only went to 140!

Think this was pretty much the only problem they had in 6 years. They are epic cars the 328i's, probably one of BMW's (excluding the M-Division) finest hours imo.

[predding]

Hi Garlick?

What you need for the 328 is this

http://www.autovoguesystems.com/

Was reading about it in a back-issue of BMWCar Magazine last night - they treated their 850i with similar paint to yours and after it looks a million dollars - plus comes with a 3 or 5 year guarentee. Looks good

Re consumption - get yourself a 3-series diesel with Efficient Dynamics - more torque, more power, less consumption

Cheers

[bodhi]

predding said:

Hi Garlick?

What you need for the 328 is this

http://www.autovoguesystems.com/

Was reading about it in a back-issue of BMWCar Magazine last night - they treated their 850i with similar paint to yours and after it looks a million dollars - plus comes with a 3 or 5 year guarentee. Looks good

Re consumption - get yourself a 3-series diesel with Efficient Dynamics - more torque, more power, less consumption

Cheers

Yeah but the 20k difference between a 320ed and a 328i will buy you a hell of a lot of petrol. Plus the 328i has more power, and probably more torque at the flywheel.

And doesn;t sound like st.

[GBB]

I didn't realise the clocks where a weakness, thought it was just mine.

People always comment on the "massive" 130K on the clock, then I need to point out that it should be 190K.

[GBB]

bodhi said:

predding said:

Re consumption - get yourself a 3-series diesel with Efficient Dynamics - more torque, more power, less consumption

Cheers

Yeah but the 20k difference between a 320ed and a 328i will buy you a hell of a lot of petrol. Plus the 328i has more power, and probably more torque at the flywheel.

And doesn;t sound like st.

Plus cheaper servicing and no big bills for replacement turbos.

[fatboy b]

Oelholm said:

fatboy b said:

Suggest you read that again. It's 4 doors, 'cos one of the rear passenger doors is jammed.

- Suggest you reread my post; I'm just arguing that it isn't a first, jammed door or not... Nice contribution, though.

I think the British sense of humour is getting a little lost.

[Garlick]

predding said:

Hi Garlick?

Riggers, not me

I'm barging it in the Lexus and Merc 124

[B17NNS]

Bloody hell, never managed anything like that in my 97 328 auto tourer!

[dave9]

trouble is its not that quick and a modern diesel could get maybe twice that and be almost, if not as quick.

good for what it is though but not great

[pSyCoSiS]

They are a very good, all-round package.

The 328i Tourers usually come fully loaded.

As with all cars, they have a few common problems:

Water Pumps / Thermostats
Electric Window Switches Fail
Pixels failing on Trip Computer
Rust on Rear Wheel Arches
Lacquer Peel

But, these issues are not horrendous and not silly money to rectify (general E36 problems, not specific to just the 328i models).

You will have a much bigger smile on your face driving one of these, compared to say, a 320d.