Been offered a E36 - any thoughts?

[Goldent147]

Been offered this by by a work colleague. I don't have much experience with BMW's so am looking for a bit of guidance as to performance, reliability, cost - just the main things I should be looking for.

BMW E36 1.8i CONVERTIBLE

1998 ‘R’ with 93000 miles.

MOT June 2012 [no advisories] / Tax 28 FEB 2012

Green. 5-speed Manual.

Economical 4 cylinder.

Every MOT certificate from the first one issued in 2001.

Service history. 12 stamps in book - 8 Main Dealer.

BMW wallet complete with handbook and various manuals

BMW 6 CD interchanger in boot.

Only 5 former keepers since it was registered in June 1998 [Local car since 2002]

Sand Beige leather interior with co-coordinating carpets.

Full closure electric roof. Roof has no rips or tears.

MTech front spoiler and mirrors. Bodywork is excellent for the year with only a minor knock on the front spoiler which could easily be rectified.

Alloys are in great condition.

Any inspection welcome. Selling towards deposit for our first home

£2200 but open to sensible offers

[Gad-Westy]

Good cars, well built, handle and ride nicely but don't expect rocket ship performance. As with all cars this age, rust can be a particular problem. Just because the bodywork looks good, its still worth having a poke around behind the arches, sills etc...

Price looks about right if it's as good as described but if it were me I'd always be looking for a six cylinder.

[Goldent147]

I meant E36 not M36 - asked the moderators to change the title!

Pic as follows:

[Gad-Westy]

Goldent147 said:

I meant E36 not M36 - asked the moderators to change the title!

Pic as follows:

Looks a nice colour combo. M3 mirrors make me cringe a little but that's a personal thing.

[andy-xr]

Sounds expensive, and definitely not mates rates

Could and looks to be a nice car, price would be a bit strong for me on a 4 cyl

[Ozzie Osmond]

Gad-Westy said:

I'd always be looking for a six cylinder.

My advice to OP is to firmly ignore this standard PH response. The 4-pots are very popular and their popularity is well deserved.

On any convertible always check the hood very carefully. Repairs are always awkward and usually expensive.

[RobCrezz]

That looks far too expensive. Ive bought a 325i coupe with 100k miles, interior and exterior are almost perfect, £500.

Mine didnt have tax or MOT, but it flew through the mot yesterday, and now has tax

[Frances The Mute]

Green is a killer on E36 values. It's not a favoured option.

Outside of that, it's still a lot of money for a 13 year old 318 vert. That was a £1500 car 18 months ago.

[DanielJames]

Alloys are minging on that car

Spend a few hundred and get the sport BBS' on it if you get it

[soad]

Not keen on colour but some will like it, alloys doesn't suit it either
Plus it's slow with that engine

[Lancs Jag Boy]

Gad-Westy said:

Looks a nice colour combo. M3 mirrors make me cringe a little but that's a personal thing.

Yep, those mirrors alone would put me off.

[SteveS Cup]

That doesn't look like a great example imo.

The mirrors aren't M3 mirrors by the looks of it... cheap copies. The wheels look awful and are not the original ones for that car.

It's expensive for what it is.

Colour combo is probably the worst imo.

So I'd say, "thanks, but no thanks" and let someone else buy it.

[VolvoT5]

I guess I'm the only one who actually really likes the colour then? Not keen on the mirrors but 93k with full history appeals........ although the price is too much. £1400 maybe.

edit: I actually like the alloys too.

[Goldent147]

Thanks to all those that have replied, you've all been very helpful! Will politely say that it's not for me

[Gad-Westy]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Gad-Westy said:

I'd always be looking for a six cylinder.

My advice to OP is to firmly ignore this standard PH response. The 4-pots are very popular and their popularity is well deserved.

I love the way you missed out the "if it were me" part of my quote. I said all along that I think its a good car. I also think the price is not too ridiculous if it's immaculate. E36's in genuinely good condition are much harder to find than people seem to think and convertibles always command a premium. The fours cylinder models seem to handle better than the sixes but I prefer the six cylinder cars purely for noise and in the case of the 2.5's and 2.8 power. It's not a fact, it's a preference, hence the "if it were me" bit.

Edited by Gad-Westy on Thursday 1st September 12:27

Edited by Gad-Westy on Friday 2nd September 14:32