E36 328i - any competition??

[anthonysjb]

I'm looking to buy my second car, I'm 20 and insurance is just about starting to get reasonable. With my postcode, secondary drivers, 1 years no claims etc a 328i is about £900 to insure, a decent amount.

For £2500 or so is there anything that can offer the same experience? I just want something fast, relaxed, not too much effort to maintain and fun on a spirited drive. RWD is a must, I drive a classic Mini at the mo and am craving RWD!!

[Ozzie Osmond]

That will be a huge jump up over classic Mini. Just make sure you buy a well maintained example with recent Inspection 2 service - the bills can be challenging.

But to answer your question - no competition. Unless you fancy the lottery of a V6 Alfa 164.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

If you can wait a few weeks, I know of one that's coming up for sale. Relatively high miles, but good condition and likely to be around £1k - leaves some spare for a fighting fund.

[g3org3y]

2.5k is E46 territory. Not sure what prices of 330s are doing. Might be worth a look (but I'd rather a decent E36 than ropey E46). E39s too big/refined?

The E36 328i is a super car, a proper 'sweet spot' in BMW's history imo. Lovely engine, capable chassis, very practical as a touring. Be wary for rust however. Motorway run will see 34-38mpg.

Only weak points are cooling systems so budget a potential refresh. Otherwise standard stuff such as bushes etc.

I'd be expecting a decent E36 328i to be no more than 1.5k (I got my touring for slightly less), however low mile Sports seems to be commanding (or rather advertised at) a premium.

Expect:
- climate control
- leather
- full 18 button OBC
- Some higher spec cars had parking sensors & heated seats but ime these are rare options.

HTH

[Efbe]

anthonysjb said:

I'm looking to buy my second car, I'm 20 and insurance is just about starting to get reasonable. With my postcode, secondary drivers, 1 years no claims etc a 328i is about £900 to insure, a decent amount.

For £2500 or so is there anything that can offer the same experience? I just want something fast, relaxed, not too much effort to maintain and fun on a spirited drive. RWD is a must, I drive a classic Mini at the mo and am craving RWD!!

I really hope you aren't wanting to pay £2500 for a 328i?!?

Worth around a grand.

And no there isn't a better all round car for that money, other than the 328i touring... much better

[matthias73]

2500 for an e36 is a bit much.

[McSam]

Yes, it has competition - the E46 328i I bought mine at 20, and was well within your budget for exactly the car I wanted: a well maintained manual saloon with the right interior (sports leather a vast improvement over the crap flat-sided seats, tan best, sunroof lovely, etc etc). I've had it almost two years now and it remains fanastic.

What I love - and this would apply to an E36 as well - is the duality of a car that makes a dignified (and 36mpg) motorway cruiser, a good chunk of kerb appeal, AND a pointy B-road howler. It's quite something and no, I don't think you can compete at all for the money they cost.

If I were you, I'd decide whether I wanted to spend £2-£2-5k and get a really lovely E46, or sacrifice a bit of comfort and modernity to save £1000 and still have my pick of E36s. Either come highly recommended from me, and they're even nice easy cars to look after yourself.

Thus far, I've had one unexpected bill (cooling system, £100) and only routine parts otherwise. I think it comes to about £750 over the two years for four Michelin Pilot Sport 3s (£300 in 205/55R16), front and rear discs and pads, bits for an Inspection II and an oil service, and a rear wheel bearing. Not a costly proposition to run, and remarkably good on fuel for a 15-year-old straight six too.

Go for it, and tell us all about it!

[anthonysjb]

Yep don't want to pay that much for one, can't see anything else that comes close even for that amount though!

Will look into services then, thanks.

Much prefer the E36 styling to the Bangle E46, more of a classic to me than an old modern car.

[anthonysjb]

McSam said:

Yes, it has competition - the E46 328i I bought mine at 20, and was well within your budget for exactly the car I wanted: a well maintained manual saloon with the right interior (sports leather a vast improvement over the crap flat-sided seats, tan best, sunroof lovely, etc etc). I've had it almost two years now and it remains fanastic.

What I love - and this would apply to an E36 as well - is the duality of a car that makes a dignified (and 36mpg) motorway cruiser, a good chunk of kerb appeal, AND a pointy B-road howler. It's quite something and no, I don't think you can compete at all for the money they cost.

If I were you, I'd decide whether I wanted to spend £2-£2-5k and get a really lovely E46, or sacrifice a bit of comfort and modernity to save £1000 and still have my pick of E36s. Either come highly recommended from me, and they're even nice easy cars to look after yourself.

Thus far, I've had one unexpected bill (cooling system, £100) and only routine parts otherwise. I think it comes to about £600 over the two years for four Michelin Pilot Sport 3s (£300 in 205/55R16), front and rear discs and pads, bits for an Inspection II and an oil service, and a rear wheel bearing. Not a costly proposition to run, and remarkably good on fuel for a 15-year-old straight six too.

Go for it, and tell us all about it!

Sounds good! I'm trying to keep costs down so an ok E36 is probably what I'll go for. Cars only gonna be used for the 3 months a year I'm off university and occasional weekends. Really can't see many drawbacks with them, exciting.

[Efbe]

anthonysjb said:

Yep don't want to pay that much for one, can't see anything else that comes close even for that amount though!

Will look into services then, thanks.

Much prefer the E36 styling to the Bangle E46, more of a classic to me than an old modern car.

have had an e46 and e36.

e46 was a bag of pants. e36 is just so much nicer

[g3org3y]

Efbe said:

And no there isn't a better all round car for that money, other than the 328i touring... much better

No argument here.

[/biased]

[Art0ir]

Prices have risen lately with the rise of drifting culture putting pressure on demand for them.

[Daniel1]

Art0ir said:

Prices have risen lately with the rise of drifting culture putting pressure on demand for them.

the only ones left either demand a premium (£2k or so) or are knackered rust buckets.

also consider the 323i too. With the m50 manifold change and 328i exhaust they go back to around 195bhp.

I'd much rather have a solid 323i than a knackered 328i

[fathomfive]

A Lexus IS300?

[g3org3y]

Daniel1 said:

the only ones left either demand a premium (£2k or so) or are knackered rust buckets.

This is one of the reasons I actually considered the Touring. Generally less likely to be modified/drifted/barried etc. The looks and practicality are a bonus!

[8potdave]

E36 328i's are for nothing now. My brother let his 1998 example with all extras go for £550! It had a full MOT, no rust, great condition. No one was bothered! Make low offers and try your luck.

[Gad-Westy]

Efbe said:

have had an e46 and e36.

e46 was a bag of pants. e36 is just so much nicer

Would be inlcined to agree though not quite to that extreme. I had a E36 328 Sport and then a E46 330 Touring. The E36 was a far nicer car to really drive. Mainly because the steering was far better weighted and seemed to offer a lot more feel. I also thought the 2.8 engine always felt sharper and sounded better than the 3.0. In terms of pace there'd be little to separate them I think. The E46 seemed far more grown up. Much more like a 5 Series (but the 5-series is far better at being a 5-series ). I also think the E36 was built better. I liked the E46 but I'd have another E36 in a heart beat, E46 not so much.

The big challenge is finding a decent one. There isn't too much to worry about with the engines. The whole Nikasil thing is with reading up on but is probably all a little irrelevant these days. Check the vanos isn't making any interesting noises. As stated above, the cooling system is made from cheese. If the car you are looking doesn't have recent receipts for just about all of the cooling system (mainly water pump, thermostat, radiator and hoses), I would budget for that work from the off. Probably £200 if you are prepared to DIY.

Suspension components are a little consumable. Mainly bushes, ball joints etc. Listen for noises, and vibration through the steering. None of this is too expensive unless a few things need doing at once.

And lastly, rust. Wheel arches and boot lid. Check very carefully.

[Baz2000]

I've been on the look out for an E36 328i but I'm finding it very difficult to find a decent one I'd like to own.

[TommyBuoy]

At that price point, you could also try a Mk2 MR2 or Mk3 if you want to try a convertable. Not quite as fast (as long as the BMW still has it's horses).

Bit of a chancer - RX8

Personally, I prefer the E36 design over the E46, but the interior is far better for the newer car!

[4a4]

Buy my old E46 323 for £300 if you want?
6 pot 3 series' are worth nothing. Seen mint E46 325s go on ebay for £600. Do not pay 2.5K for an old 3 series that isn't an M!Haha