Discussion
I had a 323i coupe in Boston green. Great car. It had the M52 engine of which there were three variants in the E36. The 320 (2 litre straight six (150bhp), 323 (2.5 litre straight six 170bhp), and the 328 (I think this was also a 2.5 litre straight six with 197bhp).
There were other engines too. I believe there was a 1.6, a 1.8 and a 1.9. There was also a 325 which I believe was the older engine (pre M52)
There was also the M3 and the M3 evolution.
I would definitely advise going for one of the newer straight six engines. There was a nikasil issue with some of them, but most got replaced under warranty.
I never had any problems at all with mine in three years of ownership and 100,000 miles. It's the most reliable car I've ever owned. They are aging now though and it will be a lot harder to find a good one I suspect.
Good luck
There were other engines too. I believe there was a 1.6, a 1.8 and a 1.9. There was also a 325 which I believe was the older engine (pre M52)
There was also the M3 and the M3 evolution.
I would definitely advise going for one of the newer straight six engines. There was a nikasil issue with some of them, but most got replaced under warranty.
I never had any problems at all with mine in three years of ownership and 100,000 miles. It's the most reliable car I've ever owned. They are aging now though and it will be a lot harder to find a good one I suspect.
Good luck
Had a 328 - common issues are (if I remember correctly)...
Rust round arches and bootlid, the brakelight sensor in the pedal, the wiring loom in the boot of saloons as they get frayed by the hinges, the coolant level float, dodgy rear brakelight sensors.
Or certainly these were the issues I experience with mine in the 6 months I owned it!
On the plus side, loved the engine but can't really comment on handling as mine was on AC Schnitzer springs which had probably seen better days as it would bottom out regularly. Interior seemed hard wearing although the leather bolsters show wear.
Nice car - just never really bonded with it. Maybe a nice original example is a much better car though.
Rear seats in the saloon didn't fold down so limited carrying space - got a ski hatch if you intened to carry scaffolding boards for any reason!
Rust round arches and bootlid, the brakelight sensor in the pedal, the wiring loom in the boot of saloons as they get frayed by the hinges, the coolant level float, dodgy rear brakelight sensors.
Or certainly these were the issues I experience with mine in the 6 months I owned it!
On the plus side, loved the engine but can't really comment on handling as mine was on AC Schnitzer springs which had probably seen better days as it would bottom out regularly. Interior seemed hard wearing although the leather bolsters show wear.
Nice car - just never really bonded with it. Maybe a nice original example is a much better car though.
Rear seats in the saloon didn't fold down so limited carrying space - got a ski hatch if you intened to carry scaffolding boards for any reason!
Gruber said:
Thought that was the bargain of the year 'till I read the bad points. Still a decent buy if you could haggle a bit of money off towards a set of coilovers, I guess.It probably is worth holding out for a Touring if you need the practicality, though. Most saloons don't have folding seats and those which do still don't leave a huge aperture into the boot, so they're not great for transporting bulky objects.
I had a quick look at this one a little while ago and it seemed ok. I find the rear seats a bit tight for space, my feet tended to be under the drivers seat which makes getting in/out a bugger
http://www.arnoldsgarage.co.uk/content/bmw-328i-ma...
I had a coupe for a while and it was lovely, until my wife boiled the engine...
Cooling is a common problem with thermostat and/or pump issues - but these are easily fixed.
Lots of sources for parts
www.e36coupe.com is a good source of info as well.
http://www.arnoldsgarage.co.uk/content/bmw-328i-ma...
I had a coupe for a while and it was lovely, until my wife boiled the engine...
Cooling is a common problem with thermostat and/or pump issues - but these are easily fixed.
Lots of sources for parts
www.e36coupe.com is a good source of info as well.
Chris71 said:
Gruber said:
Thought that was the bargain of the year 'till I read the bad points. Still a decent buy if you could haggle a bit of money off towards a set of coilovers, I guess.It probably is worth holding out for a Touring if you need the practicality, though. Most saloons don't have folding seats and those which do still don't leave a huge aperture into the boot, so they're not great for transporting bulky objects.
KardioKate said:
Really my first choice would be an estate, secondly a saloon. Really do need 4/5 doors tbh.
The 2.8 is that a 6 pot?
Well you asked which was best, so I answered. The 2.8 is that a 6 pot?
Yes - straight 6. Circa 197 bhp.
The saloons, to my eyes at least, look very dated now.
If you're getting a 6-pot, then you might as well go for the 2.8 because the smaller 6-pots are just about as thirsty but not as quick.
Auto or manual?
Chris71 said:
Gruber said:
Thought that was the bargain of the year 'till I read the bad points. Still a decent buy if you could haggle a bit of money off towards a set of coilovers, I guess.But it has been owned by two long-standing and well-respected PH-ers, so the ad will be honest and there won't be any nasty surprises. That sort of peace of mind makes it well worth the wonga, if you ask me.
Gruber said:
Chris71 said:
Gruber said:
Thought that was the bargain of the year 'till I read the bad points. Still a decent buy if you could haggle a bit of money off towards a set of coilovers, I guess.But it has been owned by two long-standing and well-respected PH-ers, so the add will be honest and there won't be any nasty surprises. That sort of peace of mind makes it well worth the wonga, if you ask me.
Seriously does no one use Parkers or Google any more. The E36 is hardly a rare an unusual car with mystery specification.
For what it's worth be prepared to replace the majority of the suspension and bushes if they haven't already been done before it feels anything like it should do. Also accept that if it isn't a 328i or M3 people will constantly tell you those are the ones to go for and everything else is underpowered/uneconomical for it's engine capacity.
A lot of them are suffering from rusty arches/sills now so these need to be checked,the coolant system is also a weak link which can cost circa £3-400 to replace.
Beyond that they are a very good all round package and hide their age well as most people wouldn't know a E36 from a E46.
For what it's worth be prepared to replace the majority of the suspension and bushes if they haven't already been done before it feels anything like it should do. Also accept that if it isn't a 328i or M3 people will constantly tell you those are the ones to go for and everything else is underpowered/uneconomical for it's engine capacity.
A lot of them are suffering from rusty arches/sills now so these need to be checked,the coolant system is also a weak link which can cost circa £3-400 to replace.
Beyond that they are a very good all round package and hide their age well as most people wouldn't know a E36 from a E46.
I've got a 1999 318is so a late one.
Its a 4 cylinder engine with approx. 140bhp when new.
Mine has full leather, split climate (leaks so bloody hot in summer) and CD auto changer.
I've been doing 450+ miles per week commute in it for the last 10 months and its never let me down. It was garaged in the winter so always started but even left out in Sheffield for 3 days buried under a foot of snow it still started first time.
I average about 37mpg which is mostly A roads and duel cway.
Engine can be a little gutless low down but ok when it gets going.
Pretty under geared as well which makes mway a little noisey, I beleive the 6 pot gearing is taller. I keep meaning to swap to the 6 pot diff but time/money gets in the way.
Servicing is on mileage (service light indicators on startup) and easy DIY if money tight.
Good handling and grip (tyre dependent) and nice steering feel.
My suspension is beginning to feel tired so may need bushes renewing at some stage.
Its a 4 cylinder engine with approx. 140bhp when new.
Mine has full leather, split climate (leaks so bloody hot in summer) and CD auto changer.
I've been doing 450+ miles per week commute in it for the last 10 months and its never let me down. It was garaged in the winter so always started but even left out in Sheffield for 3 days buried under a foot of snow it still started first time.
I average about 37mpg which is mostly A roads and duel cway.
Engine can be a little gutless low down but ok when it gets going.
Pretty under geared as well which makes mway a little noisey, I beleive the 6 pot gearing is taller. I keep meaning to swap to the 6 pot diff but time/money gets in the way.
Servicing is on mileage (service light indicators on startup) and easy DIY if money tight.
Good handling and grip (tyre dependent) and nice steering feel.
My suspension is beginning to feel tired so may need bushes renewing at some stage.
Gruber said:
Have to agree that this car looks like great value for money (if it's sound of course). The best non-M\\ variant IMO.I've owned two (328i Sport Coupé and a 325i 4 door), and have two friends with them (316i and 320i, both four doors). I can honestly say that it's one of the best saloon cars ever made. Refined enough for the daily grind, but well enough resolved for real enjoyment on the back roads. Plus with the right options they're extremely comfortable and practical (the leather sports seats on the later models are well worth looking out for). I've not driven an M3 version, but my favourite of the ones I've tried is the 328i Sport Coupé, which I owned for two years. Sadly, as with any old car, they'll need money spending on them to make them right (especially suspension - bushes and dampers), which is why I've moved on to firstly a Z4 Coupé and now an E90 3 series - I'd rather pay my money predictably in depreciation than keep getting bills coming in at unexpected times.
olly22n said:
mat205125 said:
Gruber said:
Have to agree that this car looks like great value for money (if it's sound of course). The best non-M\\ variant IMO.If I were looking for an E36 I would snap that one up right away, and maybe even offer a premium..
Oh... hang on...
KardioKate said:
Right well, I've been on the phone to the insurance brokers. The 2.0 seems to be coming back at silly insurance prices. The 323/28 are coming in at much more sensible prices. What is the fuel economy like on them? (Not tooo important as it'll only be doing circa 5k miles a year)
Around 30 mpg normal driving, perhaps 27-28 depending on the start-stop. On a motorway run I have seen high 30s to 40. Mine is an e46 323ci, but as far as I know it's quite a similar engine to the e36 323Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff