1998 328i SE Touring - What to look for?

[Lifer]

Hi first post on these forums, have searched here and the wider web but can't find anything helpful.

There's a 1998 328i Se Touring for sale near me, hoping to have a look friday. Does anyone know of any problems to look out for on these cars? Auto box

Thanks

[sniff diesel]

Check for rust on the rear footwells, arches, tailgate, bottom of doors, tops of front suspension towers. Rear suspension bushes and broken springs.

At that age it may well need new rear brake pipes that requires removal of the fuel tank to access them, can be a few hours labour unless there's a receipt for it being done already.

I've got a touring, while not a big car it's enough for me and handles like a sports car. '28 engine and autobox is a great combination. What mileage and price are you looking at?

[fastandcurious]

Apart from the well documented 'Nicasil' issues on pre April 98 built cars, these cars are pretty good. Look for good history and condition rather than mileage. Front wishbone and rear trailing arm bushes take a bit of stick on these. Auto boxes can be costly to fix if they brake so check it does what it should. If the engine is a Nicasil one and has not been replaced with a later steel sleeved block or is not an Alusil one, and is not showing any symptoms, then it may very well carry on unaffected by the bore wear caused by high sulphur petrol, as this fuel is no longer supplied. Although there may be a slight risk of this occuring, I still run an early 98 328i touring as my runabout. It's a great car. Underated IMHO.

[Lifer]

Thanks for the replies

Sniff Diesel - 87k, £2295

Are the subframe failures associated with other 3 series models something I should look out for on the touring?

Edited by Lifer on Thursday 27th November 09:02

[RLK500]

I have a 2000 328 Touring that's just reached over 100k miles. It's still as good as when I bought it with 13k on it. Engine is quiet and strong, uses no oil. Ride is going a bit, it's on 18"s so it's never going to be plush. As mentioned, check the front wishbones these are made of chocolate and the electric window lifters are also made of chocolate. Grinding/clicking noises when operating the windows may indicate potential failure, not overly expensive to repair but a real pain in the backside. Front Anti-rollbar links also get a hammering so check those too. They are good cars, well built, nice to drive, been all over europe in mine and it's only failed once (touch wood). Little plastic wheel on the throttle body broke which left the accelerator cable blowing in the wind. (Freak failure but had to replace the throttle body to fix it - used a 2nd hand one and it works perfectly). Good luck.

[sniff diesel]

Lifer said:

Thanks for the replies

Sniff Diesel - 87k, £2295

Are the subframe failures associated with other 3 series models something I should look out for on the touring?

I'd be looking to pay less than £2k with a full MOT personally.

All E36's share the same floorpan so I'd guess all are equally as likely to suffer but out of the 5 I've had I've not had a problem.

[sniff diesel]

Not sure where in the UK you are but there was a 328i touring in my local paper for a grand the other day.