E36 328i SE Touring (with M Sport kit)
Discussion
Picked this up from my sister in laws husband after a 6 month negotiation 
He doesn't make decisions quickly.
1999 328i SE in fern green metallic. Been told that they didn't do factory M Sport Touring with the 2.8 engine, the dealer could order the M Sport kit from the factory.
It has heated front seats, disc changer in the boot, original first aid kit, warning triangle, tool kit and fire extinguisher under front seat...
As I picked it up
pretty grotty inside
ABS/ASC warning light - hopefully just a faulty/broken sensor
Had a day of cleaning Saturday which went into Sunday as well.
Carpets were the worse. Lots of carpet cleaner used and they are looking miles better.
Paintwork looks ok. A few light scratches and bird pooh damage. Needs a machine polish and a bit of touching up.
Bit of rust on the boot lid. I'll treat and attempt to respray myself otherwise there's decent bodyshop I can use.
After a clean:
He doesn't make decisions quickly.
1999 328i SE in fern green metallic. Been told that they didn't do factory M Sport Touring with the 2.8 engine, the dealer could order the M Sport kit from the factory.
It has heated front seats, disc changer in the boot, original first aid kit, warning triangle, tool kit and fire extinguisher under front seat...
As I picked it up
pretty grotty inside
ABS/ASC warning light - hopefully just a faulty/broken sensor
Had a day of cleaning Saturday which went into Sunday as well.
Carpets were the worse. Lots of carpet cleaner used and they are looking miles better.
Paintwork looks ok. A few light scratches and bird pooh damage. Needs a machine polish and a bit of touching up.
Bit of rust on the boot lid. I'll treat and attempt to respray myself otherwise there's decent bodyshop I can use.
After a clean:
Dylan318Ti said:
Nice, strange that they only did the sport for the touring on the 323i. Good that yours has the m sport steering wheel too.
If you have time it would be worth taking off side skirts and the mudguards and having a good clean up in there. The amount of mud that came out of mine was crazy, was hiding a rust hole on the inner wing too. Worth buying a few of the skirt clips too as they seem to break easily, cheap from BMW
How many miles is it on?
Yes weird considering the larger engine.If you have time it would be worth taking off side skirts and the mudguards and having a good clean up in there. The amount of mud that came out of mine was crazy, was hiding a rust hole on the inner wing too. Worth buying a few of the skirt clips too as they seem to break easily, cheap from BMW
How many miles is it on?
Didn't even realise it was the M Sport wheel as well. Bonus.
Going to take off the skirts and mudguards this week. Needs to buy a tool to prise off the clips first.
It's on just over 100k miles.
Due a service but going to tackle the ABS, brakes and fan first and hopefully put it through an MOT in the coming weeks.
It was last on the road in Feb I think.
stablemate said:
Also just seen you're in Lincolnshire. I have a lot of BMW diagnostic kit if you ever need anything (i.e. getting to the bottom of that warning light). We're near Spalding but am often north of Lincoln for work.
Thanks stablemate, I'm on the outskirts of Sleaford, A15/A17 roundabout.Would be useful to scan it to find which sensor is faulty.
Not sure how logistically it could be done, car isn't on the road at the moment.
Sammo123 said:
Lovely looking touring! The ABS light is most likely the ABS control module giving up. It’ll tell you one of the rear sensors is faulty, you’ll replace it and the light won’t go out even after clearing the codes. ECU Testing can rebuild the unit for a few hundred pounds.
I’ve had to have three of them rebuilt!
Oh, there's me thinking it'll be a £15 sensor :-(I’ve had to have three of them rebuilt!
How can you tell it's not just a sensor?
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Thanks all.
New calipers are on but disks may be warped so may have to bite the bullet as change disks and pads also.
Serpentine belt I ordered was wrong size so returned and ordered correct one. My fault, didn't check length when ordering.
That should be here either today or tomorrow so should be in for ABS fix and MOT early next week.
Have decided to get rid of our faithful V60 commuter car, 4 cars is too many really.
Wife has an A4 convertible which we both like and then a Fiesta for daughters/cheap runaround
New calipers are on but disks may be warped so may have to bite the bullet as change disks and pads also.
Serpentine belt I ordered was wrong size so returned and ordered correct one. My fault, didn't check length when ordering.
That should be here either today or tomorrow so should be in for ABS fix and MOT early next week.
Have decided to get rid of our faithful V60 commuter car, 4 cars is too many really.
Wife has an A4 convertible which we both like and then a Fiesta for daughters/cheap runaround
It's been a while but I'm really crap at updating threads.
Car now has an MOT.
It just needed a new N/S front ABS sensor which I knew about but because the O/S one was such a b
d to change I left that to the garage to do.
Also 2 new indicator bulbs as the old ones weren't orange enough.
Next day took it down to Bletchley Park for the weekend with wife and 2 of he kids.
It ran perfectly. No idea of MPG but dare say it was mid 20's doing 75-80 on the A1 most of the way.
Fitted new front discs and pads the other day.
That's it really.
Enjoying just driving it.
Got a list of minor jobs that I need to tackle:
1. Central locking doesn't unlock drivers door
2. Needs a service
3. Drivers bolster repairing
4. Rusted tailgate was badly repaired by myself - refilling and painting
5. Needs a decent polish to take out some minor scratches
6. Suspension refresh but this is for next year when budget allows.
Car now has an MOT.
It just needed a new N/S front ABS sensor which I knew about but because the O/S one was such a b
d to change I left that to the garage to do.Also 2 new indicator bulbs as the old ones weren't orange enough.
Next day took it down to Bletchley Park for the weekend with wife and 2 of he kids.
It ran perfectly. No idea of MPG but dare say it was mid 20's doing 75-80 on the A1 most of the way.
Fitted new front discs and pads the other day.
That's it really.
Enjoying just driving it.
Got a list of minor jobs that I need to tackle:
1. Central locking doesn't unlock drivers door
2. Needs a service
3. Drivers bolster repairing
4. Rusted tailgate was badly repaired by myself - refilling and painting
5. Needs a decent polish to take out some minor scratches
6. Suspension refresh but this is for next year when budget allows.
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