E36 325i Coupe

[BGarside]

I see Old Colonel Cars have a nice-looking 325i coupe for sale. In fact, a car they sold fairly recently which has come back again.

http://www.oldcolonelcars.co.uk/

I've quite fancied a 6-cylinder BMW for a while and might consider this one.

Does anyone know this car or has anyone viewed it?

Any views on this car as a purchase?

Thanks,

Ben

[g3org3y]

I wouldn't pay 3k for an E36 325i, despite the (very) low miles and excellent condition.

Grey bumpers looks crap (change them and the car is no longer 'as per factory' ruining the originality), no air con, only partial OBC.

Moreover, if it's on the original (plastic impellered) water pump that'll need changing to prevent against the inevitable fail.

I can think of better ways of spending 3k (and if really after an E36, the 328i is overall better model, examples from 1k).

[BGarside]

I'd actually been considering Merc 190s but decent ones also seem to go for about £3k so the price doesn't bother me much. I'd sooner pay £3k to get a car in good nick that doesn't need loads spending on it than take a chance on a £1k private sale - I'm sure there's lots of thrashed rubbish out there.

I actually quite like the fact that the spec. is pretty basic as it's less to go wrong and I'm really more interested in the mechanicals.

Apart from the well-publicised cooling system issues (I'd probably get a new rad, water pump, expansion tanks and hoses fitted as a precaution) I gather these are pretty reliable otherwise?

Would the M-sport suspension be too harsh? Would I fit in an E36 at 6ft5 tall?

Are there any good BMW specialists that would carry out an inspection on the car? - I'd be buying unseen as I live in Aberdeen.

Cheers,

Ben

[TheEnd]

I would consider adding a few more quid on top and getting a similar condition 328i Sport instead.
You might even be able to get a sport for that money, and it's going to be the "halo" cars that hold their money better, which are the M's and the 328i sport.

[BGarside]

A 328i (Sport or non-Sport) would be nice but can't find any in good condition or with low mileage.

Realistically I'm not expecting to buy an appreciating classic for £3k, but just something in decent nick without rust and mechanically sound, to run for a while and probably make some low-key upgrades to to improve the handling and performance. I like to modify my cars mechanically to suit my requirements - so originality will go out of the window along with any 'classic' potential - but am not bothered about silly styling mods.

In the absence of decent 328is, a good 325i would still be worth owning, no?

[rm163603]

BGarside said:

A 328i (Sport or non-Sport) would be nice but can't find any in good condition or with low mileage.

Realistically I'm not expecting to buy an appreciating classic for £3k, but just something in decent nick without rust and mechanically sound, to run for a while and probably make some low-key upgrades to to improve the handling and performance. I like to modify my cars mechanically to suit my requirements - so originality will go out of the window along with any 'classic' potential - but am not bothered about silly styling mods.

In the absence of decent 328is, a good 325i would still be worth owning, no?

I think that is a good call.

£3K isn't a lot if it's truly mint.

[Leins]

BGarside said:

I'd actually been considering Merc 190s but decent ones also seem to go for about £3k so the price doesn't bother me much. I'd sooner pay £3k to get a car in good nick that doesn't need loads spending on it than take a chance on a £1k private sale - I'm sure there's lots of thrashed rubbish out there.

I actually quite like the fact that the spec. is pretty basic as it's less to go wrong and I'm really more interested in the mechanicals.

Apart from the well-publicised cooling system issues (I'd probably get a new rad, water pump, expansion tanks and hoses fitted as a precaution) I gather these are pretty reliable otherwise?

Would the M-sport suspension be too harsh? Would I fit in an E36 at 6ft5 tall?

Are there any good BMW specialists that would carry out an inspection on the car? - I'd be buying unseen as I live in Aberdeen.

Cheers,

Ben

Yes, you shouldn't have a problem with room, assuming you're not too well built. I'm 6'8 / 17 stone and can (just about) fit in my E30, and that's a lot smaller than any E36 inside. Also, being a coupe, the B-pillar will be further back, so vision out the side windows should be fine for you too

[BGarside]

Thanks for the info. I fit OK in modern hatchbacks but the E36 is considerably smaller and lower than most of them so wasn't sure!

[rm163603]

BGarside said:

Thanks for the info. I fit OK in modern hatchbacks but the E36 is considerably smaller and lower than most of them so wasn't sure!

I think the main difference is in cabin width. I have a new 1 series and leg and head room are similar to the e36 but the cabin feels a bit wider.

I reckon you will be fine.

[clonmult]

I had the M-Tech suspension on my old 318iS; ride was absolutely fine.

But this does seem like an awful lot of money for such a relatively low spec car, regardless of the mileage. If you're going to be spending on various modifications, it could be worth waiting around for a 328i.

[g3org3y]

BGarside said:

A 328i (Sport or non-Sport) would be nice but can't find any in good condition or with low mileage.

Realistically I'm not expecting to buy an appreciating classic for £3k, but just something in decent nick without rust and mechanically sound, to run for a while and probably make some low-key upgrades to to improve the handling and performance. I like to modify my cars mechanically to suit my requirements - so originality will go out of the window along with any 'classic' potential - but am not bothered about silly styling mods.

In the absence of decent 328is, a good 325i would still be worth owning, no?

Tbh, I'd wait for a decent 328i Sport. It's the more 'complete' car and comes as standard on Avus suspension (not just the regular M tech set up).

I don't think the 325 in question is worth 3k. The miles are low, but that's not a problem for straight sixes of that era. You're paying for the 'originality' which by your own admission is not important to you.

Moreover, if you're going to spend 3k on an E36, you really should have a/c, full OBC etc. Leather is personal preference.

The M50 2.5 engine is very nice. Loves to rev and sounds much better than the later M52 2.8. However, compared to the 2.8 it lacks a bit of low down torque and is quite a bit heavier (iron block vs alloy block). You can 'make progress' much more effortlessly with the 2.8. Either is a good example of the BMW straight six imo and I don't think you'd be disappointed.

Wait for a good 328 (or look at an E46 330).

Edited by g3org3y on Wednesday 23 July 19:09

[VinceFox]

There's a lady on here selling her e36 m3 evo currently that i suspect ou could get for the same money. LOT of car.

[VinceFox]

Whoever mailed me about this, you have a reply.

[Matt_N]

The other thing to consider is that when you come to sell (if you do) you'll never acheive a price anything close to what the current asking is, in most people's eyes that is a cira / sub £1000 car.

A big hit to take - relative to purchase price that is.

[gizlaroc]

Silly price to pay imho.

Age will have ruined the suspension regardless of miles.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

£1400 paid would leave you £1500 to have a full suspension upgrade, seats refinished to look new and still leave you with £400 to do any other bits.

£3k for that car above is nuts imho.

[BGarside]

Hmmm, thanks for the replies. I'd been looking out for a 328i for a while but most of them seemed to have seen better days.

Agree I'd sooner buy cheaper and have some cash in hand for refreshing/upgrading bits, but I guess it's a fine line between buying something decent and something too cheap and having to spend thousands to get the car up to standard. I'm not that handy so anything more complex than routine servicing and brake maintenance would be a garage job...

Considering I was prepared to drop £3.5k on a decent Merc 190E at MTSV, spending 3k on a decent rust-free, low-miles E36 doesn't bother me too much (plus £200 on an inspection and another £150-odd getting it home). I figure the basics are sound so would just need money spent on the cooling system and refreshing suspension parts.

Needless to say, if anyone on here has a good 328i up for grabs, Sport or otherwise, I'm all ears

[new666uk]

rm163603 said:

I think that is a good call.

£3K isn't a lot if it's truly mint.

It's too much for the wrong spec. No leather, aircon or other niceties that whilst not adding £ value, certainly add enjoyment. As others have said - two tone is bad, indicates you've got a peasant spec.

SE and above are worth considering.

Yes, the impellors need attending to.
Rear suspension often cracks the coil so you usually see one leaning on one side. This ones ok for now.
Suspension in general can need an overhaul with age / mileage as it's a bit crashy.
Engine is very strong. 193bhp iirc. Cylinder heads can crack. I had several replacements or skims before they went pop.

[rm163603]

new666uk said:

rm163603 said:

I think that is a good call.

£3K isn't a lot if it's truly mint.

It's too much for the wrong spec. No leather, aircon or other niceties that whilst not adding £ value, certainly add enjoyment. As others have said - two tone is bad, indicates you've got a peasant spec.

SE and above are worth considering.

Yes, the impellors need attending to.
Rear suspension often cracks the coil so you usually see one leaning on one side. This ones ok for now.
Suspension in general can need an overhaul with age / mileage as it's a bit crashy.
Engine is very strong. 193bhp iirc. Cylinder heads can crack. I had several replacements or skims before they went pop.

Your'e probably right, it's punchy for the spec.

I just start getting excited when I see a potentially rust free car although they are few and far between in reality.

That 328 posted above looks ok though...

[Kawasicki]

new666uk said:

As others have said - two tone is bad, indicates you've got a peasant spec.

Didn't they all have that grey lower finish back in '92?

I think the grey was much darker though, certainly was on mine, maybe the one in the ad has faded...a lot!

[g3org3y]

new666uk said:

rm163603 said:

I think that is a good call.

£3K isn't a lot if it's truly mint.

It's too much for the wrong spec. No leather, aircon or other niceties that whilst not adding £ value, certainly add enjoyment. As others have said - two tone is bad, indicates you've got a peasant spec.

SE and above are worth considering.

Yes, the impellors need attending to.
Rear suspension often cracks the coil so you usually see one leaning on one side. This ones ok for now.
Suspension in general can need an overhaul with age / mileage as it's a bit crashy.
Engine is very strong. 193bhp iirc. Cylinder heads can crack. I had several replacements or skims before they went pop.

325i had 192bhp and 181 lb.ft torque.

Later 328 had 193bhp and 206 lb.ft torque (peak at lower revs than the 325s).

As mentioned above, both engines are great. The 325 makes you work for the performance, the 328 allows you to be lazy. Popular opinion at the time was that the E36 M3 was not that much quicker than the 328.

Kawasicki said:

Didn't they all have that grey lower finish back in '92?

I think the grey was much darker though, certainly was on mine, maybe the one in the ad has faded...a lot!

Body coloured bumpers was an additional cost option iirc.

As I said above, for 3k, this a low spec example. And I note they've replaced the BMW OEM stereo with what looks like an Alpine unit.