E36 328i SE Touring (with M Sport kit)
Discussion
Back when I lived in the UK, I went out in a fully converted E36 M3 Touring. It left such an impression on me that I had to have one. Unfortunately, they never brought the E36 Touring to the USA.
So when I got here, I got the E36 M3 (coupe), which I had to sell a few years ago when we had a kid.
I finally just bought a (very rare in the USA) RWD 6MT E91 Touring to tick off the other half of the dream!
Enjoy, I'll be keeping a close eye on this one
So when I got here, I got the E36 M3 (coupe), which I had to sell a few years ago when we had a kid.
I finally just bought a (very rare in the USA) RWD 6MT E91 Touring to tick off the other half of the dream!
Enjoy, I'll be keeping a close eye on this one
Congrats, as per the thread in the BMW section, great project. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
Good colour, correct engine, correct gearbox, good spec. Great stuff!
Re wheel upgrades, I actually really like the OE 16 inch Style 30s. The ride is very nice and it's comfortable. Upgrading to 17s will make turn in sharper, but you'll notice the difference in ride comfort. As has been posted, Style 32s look great and suit the Touring. I had Alpina Softlines on mine.
Good colour, correct engine, correct gearbox, good spec. Great stuff!
Re wheel upgrades, I actually really like the OE 16 inch Style 30s. The ride is very nice and it's comfortable. Upgrading to 17s will make turn in sharper, but you'll notice the difference in ride comfort. As has been posted, Style 32s look great and suit the Touring. I had Alpina Softlines on mine.
Edited by g3org3y on Monday 20th July 19:21
toby-w8jtf said:
This is absolutely lovely although I'm slightly biased as i had a very similar fern green 328i with factory fitted M-Sport kit.....
I stupidly sold it as the Mrs hated it.... the car went, the mrs went so if you ever decide to sell then please drop me a PM
Here a few pics of mine with Style 32 wheels off. It came from factory with M3 EVO Sunflowers
Lovely car toby and sorry this one is a keeper.I stupidly sold it as the Mrs hated it.... the car went, the mrs went so if you ever decide to sell then please drop me a PM
Here a few pics of mine with Style 32 wheels off. It came from factory with M3 EVO Sunflowers
Wife can't see the appeal of it, "It's just an old green car"
but did not object to me buying it.I have limited budget to spend on it but hopefully it will be back on the road in the not too distant future.
I think that this car is lovely, is in a great colour, has a great spec, and that the wheels it came on are great. I bet that it will be a very usable and enjoyable car. Have fun, OP!
I am more of an E30 person, although I did have an E36 325i (so called) Coupe from 1992 to 1997, and it was indeed a good car, although never, for me, as involving as its E30 predecessor which I had from 1989 to 1992. The last time I checked online, my old E36 was still alive (it would now be 28 years old), but the E30 was long dead before it got anywhere near 30.
I am more of an E30 person, although I did have an E36 325i (so called) Coupe from 1992 to 1997, and it was indeed a good car, although never, for me, as involving as its E30 predecessor which I had from 1989 to 1992. The last time I checked online, my old E36 was still alive (it would now be 28 years old), but the E30 was long dead before it got anywhere near 30.
Good shout whoever said the ABS sensors will need drilling out. This is the only way I've got mine out. Will it work testing a new sensor without installing it? I seem to remember that I had to install the new sensor, then the light went out after driving a few metres once it read a pulse. Didn't need to clear the codes. Think its INPA that can read these codes? I've got a Delphi clone off ebay which works on the ABS as well. I've not had any trouble with the ABS except for sensors, but maybe the M44 control box is different to the 6 pot control box, does the ECU control the ABS, I thought it would be another black box, but I've not found it yet?
Getting the drill out this weekend, got a front and rear one on order (they are pretty cheap so may as well get one of each) but need a code reader first. May go onto the local Facebook site to see if anyone local had one they can lend me.
Family member who sold this to me has a reader but doesn't do E36 Beemers
ABS control unit is a separate unit I think.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-E36-Z3-E36...
Family member who sold this to me has a reader but doesn't do E36 Beemers
ABS control unit is a separate unit I think.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-E36-Z3-E36...
Breadvan72 said:
I think that this car is lovely, is in a great colour, has a great spec, and that the wheels it came on are great. I bet that it will be a very usable and enjoyable car. Have fun, OP!
I am more of an E30 person, although I did have an E36 325i (so called) Coupe from 1992 to 1997, and it was indeed a good car, although never, for me, as involving as its E30 predecessor which I had from 1989 to 1992. The last time I checked online, my old E36 was still alive (it would now be 28 years old), but the E30 was long dead before it got anywhere near 30.
Thanks Breadvan72, high praise considering the cars you own.I am more of an E30 person, although I did have an E36 325i (so called) Coupe from 1992 to 1997, and it was indeed a good car, although never, for me, as involving as its E30 predecessor which I had from 1989 to 1992. The last time I checked online, my old E36 was still alive (it would now be 28 years old), but the E30 was long dead before it got anywhere near 30.
Would have loved an E30 but they are out of my price range (this would have been if it wasn't a family member selling it) and I also wanted more modern conveniences such as climate, heated seats, etc..
I had an E21 315 years ago, sold to me again by a family member which was a great car but succumbed to the dreaded rust and I sold it for £200!
Wife wasn't a fan of that either
GreatGranny said:
toby-w8jtf said:
This is absolutely lovely although I'm slightly biased as i had a very similar fern green 328i with factory fitted M-Sport kit.....
I stupidly sold it as the Mrs hated it.... the car went, the mrs went so if you ever decide to sell then please drop me a PM
Here a few pics of mine with Style 32 wheels off. It came from factory with M3 EVO Sunflowers
Lovely car toby and sorry this one is a keeper.I stupidly sold it as the Mrs hated it.... the car went, the mrs went so if you ever decide to sell then please drop me a PM
Here a few pics of mine with Style 32 wheels off. It came from factory with M3 EVO Sunflowers
Wife can't see the appeal of it, "It's just an old green car"
but did not object to me buying it.I have limited budget to spend on it but hopefully it will be back on the road in the not too distant future.
Dylan318Ti said:
Good shout whoever said the ABS sensors will need drilling out. This is the only way I've got mine out. Will it work testing a new sensor without installing it? I seem to remember that I had to install the new sensor, then the light went out after driving a few metres once it read a pulse.
Worked twice on my 1995. On both occaisons i plugged the sensor in then when turning ignition on light didnt come on. Mine is pre obd2 so probably very basic and no need to reset codes. Also had to drill them both out, Just plastic and copper wire, so pretty straightforward
skullandbiscuits said:
Lovely car, fab spec, you've done really well to get that. It really makes me miss mine.
Any Vanos paperwork in the service history? I'm sure you would benefit from replacing your Vanos seals if they haven't been already done.
Twins Any Vanos paperwork in the service history? I'm sure you would benefit from replacing your Vanos seals if they haven't been already done.
Haven't got the paperwork yet.
Sister in Law's husband sold it to me and he's got the paperwork somewhere in his house.
He just doesn't know where so it may be a while until I get it.
Been busy with work but have managed to do some jobs on the 328.
I have photos of some bits but I'm just not used to documenting stuff so forgive me for that
Heater blower was fixed by replacing the resistor. Located under the passenger side of the centre consol behind the heater controls.
Very fiddly but not too difficult.
Remove the panel in the footwell
Resistor is somewhere
You can just see one of the small silver retaining bolts top right.
There was a few patches of rust on the tailgate above the number plate. There were around the screw holes for the number plate lights panel.
Removed the rust, applied rust conversion stuff and filled and primer coated ready for paint which is on order.
Needs a bit more work and I'm a bit nervous painting that much of the panel so may take it to a bodyshop once it's on the road to finish off.
The front brakes were binding so tried freeing them up, taking apart, pads and discs off etc.. and rebuild but no joy.
Decided to remove piston and they are rusted both sides so new calipers ordered. Discs and pads aren't that old, discs have surface rust from lack of use so will reuse.
Yes I need to get all that surface rust off but that's for another day.
I then checked the belts and the serpentine belt looked in bad condition. Oher belt looked pretty new.
New belt ordered and I decided to removed the old belt while waiting for the new one to arrive.
Removed the airbox for better access
Belts removed - you need to remove the ancillary belt to remove the serpentine belt.
Yep, that's knackered!
Radio wasn't working. Code was needed so removed radio, got reference number and went on some USA website where you can ask for codes for a small donation. Code came back in about 30 mins, £5 donated via Paypal
Yes I know I could have rang a dealer etc.. but this was hassle free and only cost me £5.
Now need to find a power button for it.
Also fixed a tail light issue and side light which had dodgy wiring.
It's almost ready for an MOT so going to book it into a local BMW specialist to sort the ABS issue which I just can't be arsed to do
Just want to get it back on the road while we have decent weather.
I have photos of some bits but I'm just not used to documenting stuff so forgive me for that
Heater blower was fixed by replacing the resistor. Located under the passenger side of the centre consol behind the heater controls.
Very fiddly but not too difficult.
Remove the panel in the footwell
Resistor is somewhere
You can just see one of the small silver retaining bolts top right.
There was a few patches of rust on the tailgate above the number plate. There were around the screw holes for the number plate lights panel.
Removed the rust, applied rust conversion stuff and filled and primer coated ready for paint which is on order.
Needs a bit more work and I'm a bit nervous painting that much of the panel so may take it to a bodyshop once it's on the road to finish off.
The front brakes were binding so tried freeing them up, taking apart, pads and discs off etc.. and rebuild but no joy.
Decided to remove piston and they are rusted both sides so new calipers ordered. Discs and pads aren't that old, discs have surface rust from lack of use so will reuse.
Yes I need to get all that surface rust off but that's for another day.
I then checked the belts and the serpentine belt looked in bad condition. Oher belt looked pretty new.
New belt ordered and I decided to removed the old belt while waiting for the new one to arrive.
Removed the airbox for better access
Belts removed - you need to remove the ancillary belt to remove the serpentine belt.
Yep, that's knackered!
Radio wasn't working. Code was needed so removed radio, got reference number and went on some USA website where you can ask for codes for a small donation. Code came back in about 30 mins, £5 donated via Paypal
Yes I know I could have rang a dealer etc.. but this was hassle free and only cost me £5.
Now need to find a power button for it.
Also fixed a tail light issue and side light which had dodgy wiring.
It's almost ready for an MOT so going to book it into a local BMW specialist to sort the ABS issue which I just can't be arsed to do
Just want to get it back on the road while we have decent weather.
Worth bearing in mind that if you want to read fault codes from all modules (not just the engine) you'll need an ADS type interface for the E36. You can read engine fault codes with a standard ODB type reader.
I use this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tiny-ADS-Interface-with...
You'll also need a copy of INPA and a laptop with a real serial port (not a usb adapter).
Those headunits (Becker BE2450) are pretty valuable too, go for upwards of £300 used. I got a new volume knob from here: https://www.koenigs-klassik-radios.de/
I use this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tiny-ADS-Interface-with...
You'll also need a copy of INPA and a laptop with a real serial port (not a usb adapter).
Those headunits (Becker BE2450) are pretty valuable too, go for upwards of £300 used. I got a new volume knob from here: https://www.koenigs-klassik-radios.de/
Edited by les3002 on Tuesday 4th August 15:59
les3002 said:
Worth bearing in mind that if you want to read fault codes from all modules (not just the engine) you'll need an ADS type interface for the E36. You can read engine fault codes with a standard ODB type reader.
I use this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tiny-ADS-Interface-with...
You'll also need a copy of INPA and a laptop with a real serial port (not a usb adapter).
Those headunits (Becker BE2450) are pretty valuable too, go for upwards of £300 used. I got a new volume knob from here: https://www.koenigs-klassik-radios.de/
Thanks les3002. I wondered what make it was. I'll have a look at the website for a new knob!I use this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tiny-ADS-Interface-with...
You'll also need a copy of INPA and a laptop with a real serial port (not a usb adapter).
Those headunits (Becker BE2450) are pretty valuable too, go for upwards of £300 used. I got a new volume knob from here: https://www.koenigs-klassik-radios.de/
Edited by les3002 on Tuesday 4th August 15:59
It's got the CD changer in the boot but not sure it works. When I switch the radio on and press mode it doesn't have a CD option only cassette. I know the changer is getting power (it switched on randomly last week when I was sorting the wiring for the rear lights). May be dodgy wiring from the unit to the changer hence why the light wiring was playing up?
I'm going to book it into the specialist to sort the ABS problem, they will have all the proper scanning stuff.
It may be something I will invest in when funds allow.
I had an S plate 328i sport touring with the body kit, steering wheel, seats, black headlining, side trim badges etc. Far too much for a dealer to fit - black headlining, as if a dealer will swap out the light colour SE spec for the dark sport!
Mine also came with the factory build sheet that referred to it as a sport.
I've never heard that 328 sport touring were dealer conversions. To be honest at a glance yours has all the sport trim, seats, steering wheel and black headliner, are you sure yours isnt a factory Sport and it's not really an SE?
Mine also came with the factory build sheet that referred to it as a sport.
I've never heard that 328 sport touring were dealer conversions. To be honest at a glance yours has all the sport trim, seats, steering wheel and black headliner, are you sure yours isnt a factory Sport and it's not really an SE?
MiltonBaines said:
I had an S plate 328i sport touring with the body kit, steering wheel, seats, black headlining, side trim badges etc. Far too much for a dealer to fit - black headlining, as if a dealer will swap out the light colour SE spec for the dark sport!
Mine also came with the factory build sheet that referred to it as a sport.
I've never heard that 328 sport touring were dealer conversions. To be honest at a glance yours has all the sport trim, seats, steering wheel and black headliner, are you sure yours isnt a factory Sport and it's not really an SE?
I've been told they were all 328i SE's from the factory. Only the 323i was available as a Sport.Mine also came with the factory build sheet that referred to it as a sport.
I've never heard that 328 sport touring were dealer conversions. To be honest at a glance yours has all the sport trim, seats, steering wheel and black headliner, are you sure yours isnt a factory Sport and it's not really an SE?
It does seem a lot for the dealer to fit.
I suppose only way to know definitely is to contact BMW.
I may send a speculative email to the dealer that, from the state of the (now removed) plates may have either been original supplier or sold it when it was pretty new.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff